Three belt holders from the Midlands will headline a ‘homecoming’ show in 2023, with Fight Academy’s Dennis Hobson and Steve Crump revealing plans to stage a big night of boxing in either Birmingham or Wolverhampton.
Hobson – who has previously built up former world champions including Ricky Hatton, David Haye and Clinton Woods – and Crump, manage a trio of exciting fighters from the middle of the country who have all won major titles this year.
Brummie Matt Windle (pictured) won his Commonwealth Light Flyweight belt with a stunning KO victory in Leeds in October; Wolverhampton’s Kirstie Bavington picked up the European Boxing Union (EBU) Welterweight belt in May, while fellow ‘Yam Yam’ Katie Healy travelled to South Africa in July to successfully contest the WBF World Super Bantamweight crown.
With Black Country boxing currently on a high after Rowley Regis fighter Tyler Denny recently upset the odds to retain his English middleweight belt against previously unbeaten Brad Rea – Hobson says the time is right for a big night of boxing on home soil for his Midlands fighters.
“We’re building a really solid stable of fighters down in the Midlands, and they deserve a big night in front of their home fans.
“For Kirsty, I think we’ll look at another defence or get her in a world title eliminator, that’s how close she is to a version of the world title. She’s ranked at number eight by the WBA and is knocking on the door in the next few fights.
“I’d really like to give Matt a homecoming because he’s been in some tough fights and his whole career has been away from home. He’s a fantastic story and a real inspiration. Everybody knows about his poetry and how he’s been the Young Poet Laureate for Birmingham, he’s a great kid to work with and you won’t find anyone braver than him. There are more smashing nights to come with him, for sure.
“And Katie Healy is a real success story already, after just five fights. In her last fight she won the WBF World Title over in Africa and she has such a bright future. She’s been out of the gym for a little while but is starting to come back now, and she has a great fan base.”
“Erroll Johnson has done a smashing job helping to keep boxing alive in the Midlands,” explained Crump, “so it would be good to team up with him in the early part of 2023 and give these three fighters the night they deserve.
“We’ll get it on Fightzone and the fans will get to see a European, WBF World, and Commonwealth champ in action, all on the same night.”
Sign up for FREE Fightzone coverage here: https://www.fightzone.uk/
