Promotor Steve Wraith has reminded the North-East boxing community that small hall shows are their "bread and butter" ahead of his next card at Gateshead Leisure Centre on May 17
Promotor Steve Wraith has reminded the North-East boxing community that small hall shows are their "bread and butter" ahead of his next card at Gateshead Leisure Centre on May 17.
‘Young Guns’ will feature a Northern Area title fight between Paul Archer and George Watson, and a British Masters title tilt between Robert Dixon and Tony Dixon.
But with the announcement by Frank Warren and Dennis Hobson of another World Title defence for Stuart Hall at the Metro Radio Arena in early June, Wraith admits he is concerned for the future of smaller shows put on in the region by himself, Phil Jeffries and Mark Clauzel.
“It’s great to see these bigger shows in the region, make no mistake about it,” Tyneside-based Wraith said.
“But, let’s remember, if it hadn’t been for the likes of Tommy Conroy and Phil Jeffries putting on shows over the last few years, then boxing as a sport would have died up here,” he added.
“The temptation for local fighters is to pull out of our shows because they may feel that there is a pot of gold lying elsewhere, and nine times out of 10 that’s simply not the case. Without the small hall shows there is no chance of boxers getting that much needed experience in front of a home crowd four or five times a year.”
Wraith has added up and coming Scottish fighter John McCallum to the card and Sunderland fighter Jonson McClumpha, as well as Clauzel’s protege Basi Razaq.
There will be a pro-debut for Tom Whitfield, a six rounder for Newbiggin’s Lewis Scott and Neil Fannan’s skilful and unbeaten protege Tommy Ward - younger brother of IBF world title challenger Martin Ward - will be back on Tyneside again.
Tickets are priced £30 standard or £50 ringside and are available from all fighters or http://ift.tt/1iPy6AM
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