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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
This past Friday afternoon, SaddoBoxing visited Shinfield’s Gym in Somercotes, Derbyshire, to check in on European Super Bantamweight Champion Rendall Munroe.
The “Boxing Binman” will be making the fifth defence of his crown on November 20 in Nottingham, England when he faces Italy’s former European Bantam Champion and world title challenger Simone ‘Boom Boom’ Maludrottu, who brings a record of 30 wins (11 by KO) and 2 losses to the contest.
With an impressive record of 19 wins (8 by KO) and just 1 loss, which occurred during a British Featherweight title challenge against Andy Morris in 2006, southpaw Munroe is surely heading for a world title clash.
SaddoBoxing went to see how Munroe was doing in the run-up to the Maludrottu fight, but having being delayed in traffic – I arrived just as the 29 year old Leicester man had gotten back from his run. He was taped up and ready to start training.
First, Munroe set about some work on the many punch-bags hanging in the gym, which isn’t large but with walls adorned with flags and fight posters it was packed full of character – a proper working-gym – I liked it!
Pounding away at the punch-bags, Munroe was watched proudly by his father, who was sat aside an exercise bike. Once finished that task, Munroe worked fiercely at the pads with trainer Jason Shinfield, practicing some well thought out shots under the watchful eye of head honcho Mike Shinfield.
The pair completed several ‘rounds’ before dividing the ring, corner to corner with a rope, so that Munroe could bob and turn.
Once out of the ring – Munroe returned to the punch-bags. He was impressive as he darted in and out, punching hard at the bags. He then began to exercise; lying down on the floor – he uses the medicine ball, then does stomach-crunchers and side-on maneuvers, stretching to the point of pain.
Munroe strikes me as a quiet man – who almost seems shy of the attention as I take numerous photographs. “You’ll have to get used to this,” I joke to him and he laughs, nodding.
It’s a hard-working gym but there were lots of laughs. Jason with his infectious laugh as he listened to former English light welter titlist Scott Haywood sharing some banter with Stoke boxer and ex-English lightweight champ Scott Lawton.
The two Scotts were sparring today and it was a good session – very full-on with lots of solid body-punches – and enjoyable to watch. Both men commented on how strong the other one was. “People say we’re a lot alike,” Scott said of Scott!
Rendall Munroe faces Simone Maludrottu in a Frank Maloney promoted show on November 20 at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham. Scott Haywood fights on the undercard.
Scott Lawton is scheduled to face Derry Mathews on the 13th November at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex.
SaddoBoxing will be following Munroe’s progress each week till fight day.
