Promoter Joe Elfidh discloses behind the scenes stories and breaking news on his promotional company JE Promotions
A former boxer, known as ‘The Moroccan Machine’, Joe was a two-weight Central Area title contender who shared the ring with English, British, Commonwealth and World champions, but is now an established promoter with regular shows in the South East and East Midlands with an ever-expanding roster of talented fighters.
The head honcho of JE Promotions kindly takes time out every week to write a column exclusive to BBN:
Jack Budge v Ramez Mahmood
I’m pleased to reveal that Jack Budge (4-0) will still get to fight for the Southern Area featherweight title after having to withdraw from his first scheduled challenge.
The initial April 27 Southern Area fight was ill-fated anyway, as Jack was forced to withdraw just two weeks before due to family issues, so I managed to replace him with Martin Hillman, who took the fight at just eight days notice and came onto the scales bang on the championship limit, like the true professional he is, only for Chris Matthews to come in over and the fight, and ultimately the entire show, was cancelled.
That’s all in the past now and we are looking ahead to hear who wins purse bids, which were submitted earlier this week.
Ramez is from London and currently nine fights unbeaten. He’s managed by Michael Amoo-Bediako Sr and trained by his son Jr. He’s known as the ‘The Mathemagician’ because he’s a school teacher, like me.
The contest will take place before the end of September 2019, which will hopefully be on the next Maidstone show on the 14th.
Next Maidstone show: September 14
I’m pleased to announce the next show in Maidstone at Mote Park will be held on September 14, and it’s set to be a big event!
Gillingham’s Zeki Hussein (0-1) is back in training and looking to make his comeback on the show. He was unfortunate on his debut way back in 2014 and he wants to right the wrongs and restart his pro career with the right team behind him, which he has got this time.
Mick Mills (1-12) will also be making his long-awaited comeback in what will be his first fight in almost four years, and how fitting that it’ll be his first ever time in the home corner.
Mick is also from Gillingham, so it’ll be a nice theme to have two similar fighters, with losing records both going in the home corner with huge, local crowds cheering them on.
Maidstone’s Lenny Fuller (6-0) and Chatham’s Danny Shannon (4-7-1) will co-headline the event.
Both boxers are looking to step it up; Lenny preparing for Southern Area and Danny wants a Challenge belt.
We have put an offer in to Oli Edwards’ team to fight Danny to set up a tasty local derby, but just waiting for his manager to reply.
Danny is looking for a big fight, he’s old school, he likes real 50-50 fights, so fair play to him for pushing himself and giving fans a spectacle. He likes the idea of this local derby with Edwards to get the local fans and community excited. I have matched him up in the past and he’s turned around and asked for harder opponents! He just loves being in hard fights and testing himself.
If I can get the Challenge belt thrown in then it makes the fight bigger and it’s great for him because his ambitions when he came bac from his three-year layoff were to start fighting on home shows and to win a Challenge belt.
I am also looking at stepping Fuller up to get him ready for a Southern Area title shot soon. He’s also shared his ambitions to fight for an Area title this year, so we will be working towards that plan.
He is improving every time I see him in the gym. He has a great work ethic, bundles of talent and has a great team around him.
Brooklyn Tilley will be making his pro debut on the show. He’s a talented youngster who works really hard in the gym. He’s maturing lots for someone so very young and I’m excited to see him kick off his pro career.
Jimmy Peckham, 22 from Maidstone, will also be making his pro bow.
Away Days
Unbeaten light-heavyweight Paul 'Bomber' Brown (3-0) and three-time Southern Area title contender Martin Hillman are both keeping busy with a fight on June 22 at York Hall on a Mickey Helliet show.
'The Main Man' Lenny Fuller is back on another MTK Brentwood bill on July 20 in a six-rounder. This will be broadcast live on iFL TV, so I urge everyone to tune in and watch a future star in action.
Ultimate Boxxer finalist Grant Dennis (14-2) is in the pipeline for a big fight. We are patiently waiting by the phone! He won the Southern Area title from the away corner, should have got the decision for the English championship from the away corner as well, and just reached the Ultimate Boxxer finals, so he's ready for another big challenge. He's always ready, so if we got offered the British title tomorrow then he would take it. Actually, I saw there's been some back and forth between Grant and Liam Williams on Twitter already! Felix Cash is another name we would entertain for his Commonwealth belt. Like i say, we are patiently waiting for the call.
Medway's Charlie Shane (7-0) will be targeting the winner of the Southern Area super-middleweight title contest between Brad Pauls and Darren Codona this weekend at York Hall.
Follow JE Promotions on Twitter: @JE_Promotions
For tickets to the next show, visit JE Promotions’ FB Page or call 07883 943 994
Subscribe to JE Promotions’ YouTube channel to see all fights in full: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSxqeCbY2l6qDTEFmcMCuVQ
JE Promotions would like to thank Kent Trade Frames – Campbell Nutrition – Swerve City – Basement159 – RoofDec – 1ClickPrint – Shiatsu Shane – Tierney Photography – Laking Painting & Decorating – Protect and Patrol – Invicta Gym and PR Manager Tim Rickson