Super-middleweight prospect Mickey Ellison (4-1) talked exclusively to BBN about his sparring tales and much more
Darwen’s Mickey Ellison secured his first stoppage victory in his last fight on the undercard of the WBO world heavyweight title showdown between Joseph Parker (24-0) and Hughie Fury (20-1) at the Manchester Arena on September 23rd.
His 31-year-old opponent, Andy Neylon (2-22-1), was forced to retire at end of the second round after sustaining a broken nose, courtesy of an accurate right hand.
Although he has not had his next bout confirmed just yet, Ellison tells BBN that he’s back in the gym, ready and waiting for the call, “Starting to get weight back on track now, not a million miles off. Just been working on certain things really like improving footwork and technique, and a bit of strength work. It’s something that we try to do between camps.
“I started back sparring last Monday at the MTK Gym in Preston. I sparred four-rounds with an amateur there who’s about to turn over.
“I’m getting ready for the middle of December, that’s when I want to fight next, ideally. I’m getting ready for a fight before Christmas because I just want another one before the end of year, really.
“I know there’s the annual Jolly Boys show but Steve [Wood] doesn’t have many fighters on it because there’s other stuff going on, so whether I can get on that show or not, I don’t know.”
The former North West amateur champion is managed by Steve Wood whose VIP Promotions’ annual Jolly Boys event is set for Sunday 17th December this year at the Victoria Warehouse Hotel in Manchester. Former Commonwealth champion Luke Blackledge and unbeaten boxers Andy Kremner and Kyle Lomotey are currently scheduled to appear on the yearly dinner show that includes a comedian and dancers.
After five fights in his first full year as a paid puncher, Ellison is keen to continue the momentum in his boxing career, “Still want to be busy next year,” he confirmed. “I want to have my next fight at super-middleweight, then I want to step it up to six-rounds next year, as well.
“I want to keep building up, then towards the end of next year, I want to be in line for titles. By the start of 2019, I want to be close to a shot at an Area title.”
Doncaster’s Richard Thomas is the current Central Area super-middleweight champion, claiming the vacant belt last July with a sixth-round stoppage win over Daniel Slaney in just his sixth pro contest.
Ellison continued to say, “I think I’ve found my style now and I’m going to be more aggressive in future fights. I like to walk opponents down and as I’m getting stronger I can blast them out of there.”
The 27-year-old is trained by former pro Alex Matvienko at the Elite Boxing Gym in Bolton, “Alex is spot on, he’s always on my case making sure I’m dieting and training right. He loves it, he eats and sleeps boxing.
“The gym is great, Jack Flatley and Luke Blackledge are both there with me and we have good spars.
“I would like to get more spars in with Callum Smith, Martin Murray and Rocky Fielding. It’s given me the confidence to go forward when sparring with the likes of those guys.”
Dropping down to super-middleweight has meant that Ellison is now paying attention to potential rivals in the 168-pound division and has been watching the World Boxing Super Series with added interest, especially after sparring with Callum Smith in the build-up to his quarter-finals win over Erik Skoglund in September.
The Darwen man expects Smith to meet Groves in the tournament final, “I’d like to see George Groves beat Chris Eubank Jr. but I don’t know for sure because it’s a difficult one as Eubank has got age on his side and he’s fast and explosive, but Groves has the upper hand in experience at world level on his side. He looked a level above AJ Cox in their quarter-final fight.
“When I’ve spoken to people that have sparred with Goves they have praised his ability at range-finding and his strength. I think Groves will be bigger and stronger at the weight than Eubank.”
For tickets to the next show please call 07487 753 398
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Mickey Ellison would like to thank his sponsors Winfields and Timbuktu and Agent Tim Rickson