Joe’s Jab – Issue 48 discusses the top trio behind Boxing Connected
Promoter Joe Elfidh discloses behind the scenes stories and breaking news surrounding his promotional outfit, Boxing Connected.
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 Midlands featuring an ever-expanding roster of talented fighters.
Joe kindly takes time out every week to write a column exclusively to BBN:
Boxing Connected
I have been working with Scott Calow and Michael White for over three years now and we have established the workings of a great team together.
So we have decided to amalgamate our business interests to form Boxing Connected between the three of us licence-holders with ambitions to grow bigger.
It’s been working for three years really well, with successful shows in Yorkshire, Kent, and the East Midlands.
We have brought Paul Webb from Hockwell Ring Amateur Boxing Club on board to establish a presence in Luton and Dunstable and between us all, we are planning on promoting two shows per month in 2020.
We have formed a great team with an expansive and talented group of fighters, so next year is going be a busy one for Boxing Connected.
Paul Webb
Paul and I put on a cracking show at the weekend! We only had four fights on at the Dunstable Conference Centre in Bedfordshire and it was a sellout!
Chris Davies moved up to 13-0 with a shutout points win over six rounds at super-middleweight against Rochdale’s Andy Bishop (0-8).
Davies, known as ‘The Spartan’, is 30-years-old from Richmond in London and has already beaten a Central Area champion.
Nottingham middleweight Josh Gooding (2-0) doubled his win tally with 40-37 points win over the tricky Victor Edagha (2-67-3).
Ally Malik (1-0) won his debut at middleweight with a hard-fought win over the experienced and Jordan Grannum (5-63-2) from Islington.
Journeyman Richard Harrison (4-41), 34 from Chessington, got his fourth professional victory and first win in 13-months when he outpointed Ryan Hibbert (40-37) over four-rounds at light-heavyweight.
Three of those four fighters sold the show out. We added the journeyman fight in to fill up the schedule a bit and it proved to be an entertaining fight.
Luton legend Billy Schwer is teamed up with Paul Webb, and working with their team is brilliant! Billy knows a thing or two about boxing after his career as two-time British and Commonwealth champion. He also won a European title and the IBO world title.
I think that boxing is going to be booming in Luton. The venue we used was brilliant, it held a lot of people, there was a big screen up and it was really professionally done. The show was fantastic and the fans will be coming back for more.
Paul has got another four shows lined up in Dunstable for 2020.
Ultimate Boxxer 6
Unbeaten Doncaster heavyweight Mark ‘Bad News’ Bennett (5-0) has landed a space in the next instalment of the Ultimate Boxxer series.
This time, it’s the heavyweights and it takes place at the Planet Ice in Altrincham, a town in Trafford, Greater Manchester.
Mark is going to throw everything he’s got at it! From day one, Mark told me he wants to be in 50-50 fights, he thrives on it, and he has come through every test thrown at him
He is an intelligent fighter, despite his gun-ho, all-action style, he’s a good adapter, he figures out a way to win even when the chips are down. He has the right preparation in place for this tournament and he’ll be at his best. It’s full steam ahead for him!
He’s joined by Nick Webb (13-2), a standout amateur who knocks opponents out for fun; Irish hero Sean Turner (12-3); Frank Warren prospect Jonathan Palata (7-0); former pro Rugby player Josh Sandland (4-1); former Scottish cruiserweight champion Jay McFarlane (10-4); Chris Healey (8-6), who Bennett beat in his fourth fight, kncking him down in the second round; dark horse Kamil Sokolowski (7-15-2), who is a journeyman that can fight! He holds a win over Nick Webb and can turn up when he wants to. He and Mark Bennett had an absolute war for four rounds in November last year, which Mark won 39-38 on points.
So, Mark will be going into this tournament confident of winning, having already beaten wo of the other contestants. He’s hungry and when he wants something, he gets on a gets it.
So far, I have put two of my boxers into Ultimate Boxxer and both became finalists. Grant Dennis and Lenny Fuller both got to the finals, so I’m confident of another successful campaign. I expect Mark to reach the finals regardless of who he is drawn against and I’ll be hoping for our first ever Ultimate Boxxer champion on December 13.
Kent Watch – Mote Park, Maidstone
On February 29 next year, Boxing Connected will be back at Mote Park, Maidstone with another packed event.
Ultimate Boxxer finalists Lenny Fuller and Grant Dennis will both be headlining. You can expect a lot of the usual suspects there, such as British Challenge belt winner Charlie Shane (7-0); Danny 'The Cannon' Shannon (6-7-1); ex-Team GB Luke Gibb (5-1); and three-time Southern Area title contender Martin Hillman (12-6).
Worksop Watch – North Notts Arena, Worksop
On November 23, unbeaten Ryan Stevenson (7-0) will be topping the bill in a six-rounder at welterweight. It’s designed to be a keep-busy fight for the 25-year-old before we go for Central Area title.
He’s joined by hot prospect Josh Padley (2-0), who, let me tell you, can fight! Also on the card is Central Area title contender Kyle Fox (6-1); Jordan Ringham (2-0); Luke Middleton (2-7); Declan Cairns (1-0); Cameron Kaihau (2-0); and debutant Sam Spooner.
Nottingham Watch – Mansfield
On December 7, Ultimate Boxxer winner Derrick Osaze (10-0) will headline our next Nottingham show, with further details to be released very soon.
Follow Boxing Connected on Twitter: @boxingconnected
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Boxing Connected 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