Former Team GB boxer Luke Gibb signs new three-year deal
Super-lightweight Luke Gibb (5-1) has put pen to paper to sign a new three-year contract with promoter Joe Elfidh.
The 30-year-old boxer from Bexleyheath aims to become a Southern Area champion in 2020 and manager Joe Elfidh is backing him to achieve his dream.
“It’s great that Luke has shown his loyalty to JE Promotions and signed for another three years. We are looking at pushing him on for Southern Area title fights now,” Elfidh promised.
Luke added, “It was an easy decision because I just feel like Joe has done great for me so far and we are ready to push on for titles now. We are all a great team and we want to keep the journey going.
“There have been a lot of us and downs with many things out of my control and Joe has always stuck by me and helped.”
‘Gibbo’ trains with Ray Askew and Sam Latham at the Invicta Gym in Sheerness.
An experienced and decorated amateur, with over 80 bouts under his belt, he quit boxing in his early 20’s to focus on a career as a nightclub promoter instead. Travelling back and forth to Sheffield to train at the Team GB Institute of Sport took its toll on Luke and he decided to hang up his gloves to work at The Gallery in Maidstone.
It was there that local boxers from the area, such as Oli Edwards, encouraged him to visit their gym to train, which is where his reintroduction to the sport first began, back in 2016.
After thriving in sparring sessions at the busy Invicta Gym, where Ultimate Boxxer 5 finalist Lenny Fully trains, local promoter Joe Elfidh wasted no time in getting the standout amateur to put pen to paper to sign with JE Promotions in December 2016 and he soon debuted two months later at Mote Park in Maidstone, earning a shutout points win.
He quickly raced to 3-0 within eight months of his pro bow, already experiencing a six-rounder in his second fight, then took on Northern Area lightweight contender Jordan Ellison for the British Challenge belt over eight rounds.
A sparring partner of Lewis Ritson, “Baby J” prepared properly for the fight with Gibb, experiencing a full training camp for the first time, and scored a first-round knockdown for his hard work. Gibb then had an uphill climb for the remainder of the contest, but couldn’t claw back enough to get the win.
He bounced back later that year with a points win over Blackburn’s Naheem Chaudry, which saw him score his first knockdown in the paid ranks, courtesy of a neat uppercut in the final round.
However, a technicality with his medicals saw his career put on hold for almost a year until he finally returned to the ring in September this year, easily outpointing Andy Harris over four rounds.
Luke Gibb is stylish, switch-hitting, pressure-fighter, with a high output and good engine, that still displays his extensive amateur pedigree in his style when he fights. He now aims to kick on and get something back from the sport that he has dedicated his entire life to.
“I haven’t got a fixed date yet for my next fight, but we are ready to take on anyone and I want to get a title of some sort soon.
“I got offered an eliminator for the English super-lightweight title, but only had a month’s notice. I was actually up for it but Ray [Askew] and Joe [Elfidh] advised against it because there just wasn’t enough time and they’ve got my best interests at heart.
“That’s sort of where I want to go; obviously I want a title before anything, but if there’s a big money fight that comes along then I’d be stupid not to consider it. If I keep active, keep winning, then hopefully more of those opportunities will come along.”
Stats
Born: 25/03/1989
Age: 30
From: Bexleyheath, Kent
Bouts: 6
Rounds: 30
Wins: 5
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
Division: Super-lightweight
Height: 5’ 9”
Trainers: Ray Askew and Sam Latham
Gym: Invicta Gym, Sheerness
Manager: Joe Elfidh
Professional Career
Luke Gibb (0-0) vs Ibrar Riyaz 4-114-4)
February 25, 2017, Won Points 40-36
Fight Report: ‘Gibbo’ looked good, working his angles and keeping the pressure on Ibrar Riyaz throughout to win all four rounds, but was very unfortunate to receive a cut above his right eye with just 30 seconds to go that required 11 stitches.
Luke Gibb (1-0) vs Jamie Quinn (2-37-2)
May 27, 2017, Won Points 40-36
Fight Report: Gibb doubled his win tally with another impressive and sharp display of his skills. His amateur schooling shone through his slick performance with intelligent movement, accurate shots, skilful switch-hitting, constantly changing from orthodox to southpaw effortlessly.
Luke Gibb (2-0) vs Fonz Alexander (5-64)
October 7, 2017, Won Points 60-55
Fight Report: In his first six-rounder, which he later described simply as ‘a good test’, ‘Gibbo’ won comfortably on points against Fonz Alexander, displaying an array of flashy combinations via a lively and energetic showing, switching stance seamlessly and peppering in shots from all different angles.
Luke Gibb (3-0) vs Jordan Ellison (8-12)
February 24, 2018, Lost Points 74-78
Fight Report: Ellison came into the contest with a full training camp behind him and a determination that saw him score a knockdown in the opening round. The home fighter bravely battled back right up to the final bell, but it was an under-par performance from Luke Gibb, who admitted post-fight that he wasn’t himself in there that night.
Luke Gibb (3-1) vs Naheem Chaudry (0-27)
October 6, 2018, Won Points 40-35
Fight Report: Gibb became only the second boxer to ever drop Blackburn’s Naheem Chaudry when a short left uppercut landed heavily in the fourth and final round.
Luke Gibb (4-1) vs Andy Harris (3-72-1)
September 14, 2019, Won Points 40-36
Fight Report: Finally back in the ring after medicals and licensing issues, ‘Gibbo’ really stepped it up in the last round to try to score his first stoppage, but durable opponent Andy ‘Thunder’ Harris, who holds a win over British lightweight champion Robbie Barrett, hung in to hear the final bell.
Amateur Roll of Honour
Team GB Development Squad 2009
England representative 2007-2009
Four Nations silver medallist 2007
London ABA winner 2006-2009
Junior ABA finalist 2006-2007
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