North Notts Arena hosts first ever title fight in their history
JE Promotions in association with Scott Calow Boxing presents their stacked ‘Hope & Glory’ show at the North Notts Arena in Worksop on June 30, headlined by the first title fight to ever take place at the venue.
Promoter Joe Elfidh stages his eighth event at the East Midlands setting since deciding to bring professional boxing back to his hometown in March 2016.
Over two years later, the 181st day of the year will be a special occasion for JE Promotions and headliner Kyle Fox (5-0) as he fights for the British Challenge super-welterweight belt over eight-rounds.
The 24-year-old from Doncaster raced to five fights unbeaten in his debut year in the paid ranks and now looks to step up from four-rounders to become a serious title contender.
There will also be a guest appearance from former Southern Area middleweight champion and English title contender Grant Dennis (10-1) as he looks to keep busy after a recent injury.
The Kent puncher hasn’t fought since his sole career loss to unbeaten Elliot Matthews (20-0-1) last December in their English middleweight title fight at the York Hall.
He will be joined by Kent stablemate Lenny Fuller (1-0), also looking to keep busy after kicking off his pro career with a second-round knockdown and shutout points win on May 12 at Mote Hall, Maidstone.
The debutant decked Dale Arrowsmith with an overhand right but exacted patience and composure to defeat the taller, mobile opponent over four-rounds.
Heavyweight Mark Bennett (1-0) made his successful transition from the untested unlicensed scene into the pro ranks last November against Hungarian Ferenc Zsalek (21-62-6) on points, but unfortunately picked up an injury that has kept him on the side-lines since.
The 30-year-old Doncaster puncher, trained by Michael White at the Fighting Fit Gym in Dinnington, only had his first boxing fight aged 27 and has plans to be fast-tracked to the top-10 in Britain as soon as possible.
Sonny Price (3-0) has his fourth bout in eight months since making his pro bow last November.
The seven-time Yorkshire amateur champion has won all 12 professional rounds so far against Jamie Quinn (3-47-2); Youseff Al Hamidi (14-117-3); and Ibrar Riyaz (6-135-4), respectively.
The 21-year-old super-lightweight from Swallownest spent 10 years in the amateurs, racking up over 50 fights and now has ambitions to become a British champion.
Cruiserweight Dan Cooper (7-0-1) makes his ninth appearance in just over two years as a pro. The 22-year-old from Ruskington was unlucky to just salvage a draw in June last year against Lithuanian Dmitrij Kalinovskij (10-32-2) after suffering with a broken hand in the first round.
Jordan McLoughlin (3-2) is looking at getting back to winning ways after being outgunned by Devonian debutant Shane Medlen (1-0) last April.
The 26-year-old welterweight has won his three victories in style with a shutout points win on his debut in March last year, followed by two stoppages over durable, experienced opponents, but has slipped to two losses to a journeyman and debutant, so will be looking to get another win on his chequered record.
Langold’s Luke Middleton makes his pro debut after experiencing just 15 amateur fights. Trained by Nick Staff at the Fighting fit Gym, the middleweight makes his pro bow over four three-minute rounds.
Sheffield’s Caiden Onfroy turned his back on a troublesome past to become an amateur boxer and was an ABA Novice’s finalist on two occasions when representing the Steel City Gym.
Now aged 29, Onfroy finally makes his transition to the paid code despite previously receiving boxing bans from the BBBofC during his amateur career.
Worksop’s Dylan Clegg makes his pro bow on the show at super-middleweight. Managed by Scott Calow and trained by Michael White at the Fighting Fit Gym, the former amateur had 25 fights and carries a large fanbase into the paid ranks with him.
Promoter Joe Elfidh praised his next event, “Got some cracking debutants appearing on the night and my Kent Lads – Grant and Lenny – will elevate the show as they are both stylish fighters.
The fact that we are showcasing the first title fight on the bill shows how far these shows have come over the short space of time.
“Kyle Fox will relish headlining the show and lifting that British Challenge belt above his head!”