Levi Giles should be the English Super Featherweight Champion, says promoter Dennis Hobson
Levi Giles should be the new English Super Featherweight Champion, says promoter Dennis Hobson, after a contentious loss to rival Michael Gomez Jr last weekend (Saturday March 25).
After a bad-tempered weigh-in that saw Gomez push genial Giles to the floor; the pair finally got in the ring on Michael’s home turf of Manchester Arena to battle it out for English honours.
The first round of the fight set the tone for the remaining nine, with Giles boxing cleverly off the back foot to pick off his come-forward opponent.
Plenty of rounds were close and it was a case of ‘what you liked’ for much of the fight – with Gomez providing all the pressure but finding it difficult to negate Levi’s inspired footwork and accurate counter punching.
Ultimately, in a split decision verdict – and despite the majority on social media disagreeing with their decision – the judges at ringside had the final say, with two favouring the local man and the other opting for Grimsby’s Giles.
Now at 13-1 (3), and without his ‘0’, it could be natural for the 26-year-old to be down-hearted but Fight Academy’s Hobson – whose mantra has always been that a loss is never the end of a career – says that Giles has proved in defeat he still has a bright future.
“I thought the behaviour in the last couple of days before the fight was a bit pathetic. Michael is a fiery character and likes to get hyped up but it was very disrespectful.
“For me, Levi did enough to win it, although I do think he could have stood his ground more often, even though he outboxed Gomez. But it was a cracking fight and I do like Michael’s style because he does bring it and that’s exciting to watch.
“I’m convinced though that Levi will go on and win something more meaningful and he’ll surpass what Michael achieves. He’s a proper pro and if he’s with us, he’ll win something bigger than the English Title.”
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