Jack Budge moves up to 3-0 with points win over Ricky Leach
Featherweight Jack Budge moved up to 3-0 in his second appearance under the JE Promotions banner, having experienced his debut under Chris Sanigar in 2016 when working as an apprentice jockey in Lambourn, Berkshire.
The 23-year-old from High Halstow breezed through Ricky Leach (3-30-1) to claim his third points win. Manager, Joe Elfidh, plans to put his name forward for the Southern Area featherweight title next, currently held by Jamie Speight.
Budge started explosively and unloaded heavily on Leach in the opener, who looked unsteady at times. Leach tucked up and managed to last the duration, but looked very disheveled by the final bell.
Budge would go seemingly go through the gears at will; he would step on the gas for a minute, then step away and go back on his jab and operate at a distance to conserve energy. Leach had his own moments and definitely caught Budge with a few of his own shots, but they had little effect and Budge cruised to his third pro win and looked very good in doing so.
He commented post-fight, "Great fight, great to get the win. Thanks to everyone that came out in support."
Elfidh, a former pro himself, commented, "Jack’s been sparring with Barry McGuigan’s prospect Lee McGregor who’s 4-0 and fighting for the Commonwealth bantamweight title on October 13. Jack constantly needs top-level sparring because he doesn’t get tested by a lot of the local fighters to him so have to travel to McGuigan’s and other gyms. He was a top amateur champion who won everything and he's already ready to beat Southern Area champions, so there's no point in waiting."