Boxing News Boxing News
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Yesterday, the Rockingham Arms Hotel in Doncaster, England hosted the official weighin ahead of tonight’s Frank Maloney promoted clash between British Super Featherweight Champion Carl Johanneson of Leeds and his challenger, ex-British titlist Michael Gomez of Manchester.
Gomez arrived early with trainer Bobby Rimmer. I asked how he was and he smiled saying, “I’m feeling great! In the best condition of my life.”
“Everything has gone according to plan,” Bobby added.
Johanneson, 26-3 (18), wasn’t in the room exactly at the scheduled time of 2.00 pm, which irritated Gomez, 34-7 (24), slightly as he was there waiting, but I wondered if the two were kept apart for as long as possible knowing that as soon as they did meet up – sparks would fly!
And sure enough, once Johanneson was present, Gomez stood on the scales and looking across at his opponent said, “Take a good look, cos I’m gonna take the title off you, I’m gonna be the NEW British Super Featherweight Champion!” to which Johanneson smiled and shook his head, “You’re not taking the title off me!”
Johanneson tried to pass a DVD of his fights to Gomez, but neither he nor Rimmer would take it, so Johanneson threw it to them. With no one bothering to try and catch it – the disk bounced off Bobby’s shoulder and landed on the floor. “Watch that,” promoter Frank Maloney said gesturing to the disk, “It’s all about heart.”
“I don’t need to watch it,” Gomez retorted.
Once both men were weighed in they were brought together for a head-to-head camera shot, watched nervously by Frank Maloney and Steve Wood. Despite being billed as ‘Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide!’ – there was no running or hiding by Gomez or Johanneson as they rubbed foreheads together again, goading each other. “Save it for the fight” – one of the officials shouted as the two men were quickly (!) photographed and separated.
Both Michael Gomez and Carl Johanneson weighed in at 9 stone 3 lbs 8 ounces (129.5 lb).
Another exciting fight scheduled for tonight is that of John ‘Fireball’ Fewkes of Sheffield as he faces Stokes’ Gary Reid, scheduled for eight rounds of lightweight action.
Fewkes, 15-0 (2), was in relaxed mood as he weighed in. He told SaddoBoxing that he was doing great and that training had gone well. A big ticket-seller, Fewkes was looking forward to having a lot of support there for the fight.
His trainer, former boxer Glyn Rhodes said it was going to be a busy night for him [Rhodes] personally – but was looking forward to it. Glyn has five boxers on tonight’s card, including Fewkes, and bantamweight Ross ‘The Boss’ Burkinshaw.
Fewkes’s opponent Gary Reid, 13-17-1 (8), was late to the weigh-in, having been held-up in traffic.
John Fewkes weighed in at 9 stone 11 lbs (137 lb) while Gary Reid came in at 9 stone 10 lbs 8 ounces (136.5 lb).
Full Undercard…
John Fewkes v Gary Reid.
Ross Burkinshaw v Shaun Doherty.
Ryan Rowlinson v Lee Nicholson.
Dwayne Hill v Gary Sykes.
Billy Boyle v John Anthony
Tony Salem v Ovill McKenzie
Danny Reynolds v Gatis Skuja
Stefy Ball v Christian Laight
Dean O’Loughlin v David Ingleby
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