Local pride on the line as Joe Hayden meets former Central Area champ Lewis Booth at Doncaster Rovers
Joe Hayden will be fulfilling a lifelong ambition only 18 fights into his professional career when he faces fellow Doncaster boxer Lewis Booth at Doncaster Rovers FC 15,000-capacity stadium on Friday, May 23, live on DAZN.
The bout, which takes place on the undercard of Terri Harper’s world title defence against Natalie Zimmermann, is the only one on a stacked GBM Sports card between two men from the city where it is being staged.
Unbeaten in his first 17 bouts, Hayden will enter the ring as favourite against ‘2 Smooth’ Booth who lost for the first time since entering the paid ranks when he was stopped by Commonwealth champ Constantin Ursu five months ago.
But, trained by new WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champion Dave Allen, Hayden is also excited by the prospect of appearing at the venue he views as his own personal Las Vegas.
“A few years ago, I was asked what my dream was, and I replied it was to fight at Doncaster Rovers’ ground,” Hayden exclusively told SportsBoom.com.
“Now, I’ll be able to tell people I’ve done that which is pretty amazing when you think about it.
“I’ve grown up watching Rovers. This is my home, Doncaster means everything to me and Donny Rovers are our team.
“We’ve had a brilliant season, getting promoted and going back into League One. To think I’ll be stepping out where that happened, it might be a little surreal.
“I’m sure it’s going to be one of those things that only really sinks in a few weeks or months afterwards. That’s when I’ll probably look back at the occasion and think ‘Chuffing hell.’ It probably won’t sink in straight away.”
Hayden, who named Luke Molyneux as his favourite Rovers player, has been preparing for his clash with Booth at Jamie Moore’s gym in Walkden, Greater Manchester, because of Allen’s assignment against Johnny Fisher last weekend.
Allen, also from Doncaster, has enjoyed an amazing renaissance since linking up with Moore and his trusted lieutenant Nigel Travis.
But he reaffirmed his commitment to Hayden by overseeing the super welterweight’s own camp as well as whipping himself into shape ahead of what proved a decisive victory over ‘The Romford Bull.’
Hayden said: “It’s been amazing, being over there and working alongside brilliant lads like Jack Catterall and Pat Brown. When you see how hard they push themselves, it really spurs you on even more.
“I told Dave that I think it’s been a brilliant experience for us both, especially because it’s so close to our own fights.
“Manchester has been good for me, and I’ve learnt a lot but, don’t get me wrong, it still feels great to come home to Donny on Thursdays.”
The meeting between Hayden and Booth, whose high-octane style contrasts starkly with the 25-year-old’s more cerebral approach, is one of the most eagerly anticipated contests of promoter Izzy Asif’s outdoor event.
“It brings an extra dynamic because neither of us want to lose in our hometown,” Hayden said.
“It’s all about bragging rights, isn’t it. But I don’t feel any pressure, bad pressure that is, because I know I train hard, and I know I do everything right.
“This is what I do and if I execute everything, we’ve worked on correctly then I’ll come away with a good, statement, victory like Dave.
“For me, it’s not about external factors. It’s about controlling controllables.
“This fight has given me extra fuel,” he added. “I didn’t need that to train hard in the first place but of course I’m well up for this.
“If Lewis can’t get himself fired up for this then there’s nothing, he’s going to get fired up for is there.”