Lenny Daws: First Defence, Second Attempt

Lenny Daws’ “First Defence’ of his British light welterweight title will now take place at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace on January 19th. Sky Sports will cover live.

The Morden fighter was originally scheduled to meet his mandatory contender on October 20th at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, but Morrison withdrew on short notice with his representative Tommy Gilmour supplying a letter from a doctor stating that he was unable to compete because of “health problems.’

The postponement means Daws will have to train over Christmas. Typically, such a fate would prompt a raft of cheap PR about how the unfortunate boxer was going to have miss out on his brandy butter. Daws, however, is all business.

“It’s no big deal training over Christmas,” said the undefeated 28-year-old, who won the British title with a standout win over the highly regarded Nigel Wright in May.

“I’m a boxer, training is part of my life. I’m only in this game for a certain number of years so I will give it whatever it takes for that time. Something like this doesn’t worry me.

“I tick over all the time anyway and I don’t cut corners. I will go for a run on Christmas day like every other day. I’ll still get to pull a cracker; I’ll just have to keep off the bad stuff.

“I have been in the gym since the last fight got cancelled, so it’s just going to be a case of stepping it up at the right time. I’m naturally fit and my trainer Robert McCracken always gets me spot on.”

Along with his dedication, Daws’ conditioning is one of his prime assets. He has the ability to work at a relentless pace over championship distance, as he has already demonstrated on three occasions – despite only having had 14 fights.

As well as Wright, he has outworked both Colin Lynes and Oscar Hall, stepping on the gas to force them both to quit on their stools.

His high-octane style, aligned with his affable personality, has earned him an army of fans. Daws believes that the “Morden Massive’ will be even more in effect at Crystal Palace.

“It’s right on their doorstep,” he added. “It’s the closest one yet to Morden and a very easy drive. I have been told it’s a great venue; it’s going to be charged in there.”

Supporting Daws on the bill will be several of his team-mates from the increasingly successful Hennessy Sports squad.

In addition to the British 140lb champion, its members include WBC world champion Junior Witter, British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion and WBC #3 Carl Froch, British lightweight champion Lee Meager and upcoming challenger for the British middleweight title Howard Eastman.

It also features a raft of standout prospects including WBC Youth champion John Murray – recently crowned as the Boxing Writers’ Club Young Boxer of the Year – Junior Olympic Gold Medallist John O’Donnell and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Darren Barker, who now holds the Southern Area Title.

“Its good to be part of a team that’s doing well,” Daws continued. “There’s a winning feel to everything, as if we are all going somewhere. It makes you want to get in there and do the same.”

“First Defence” will now take place at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace on January 19th. Bill and ticket information will be announced shortly.