Jimmy Doherty sets his sights on gaining boxing honours

Potteries’ welterweight Jimmy “The Whirlwind’ Doherty today revealed that he plans to challenge for Midlands Area honours before the end of 2007. With a perfect record from his four bouts to date, the well-supported Tunstall man is considered by many to be one of boxing’s “hot prospects’ who could go on to be major title contender.

Doherty regularly spars with Scott Lawton and Gary Reid, Lawton being the current English lightweight champion and Reid having recently challenged for the English light-welterweight title, and has ambitions to emulate their success.

After training today at Impact Boxing’s Burslem gym Doherty announced: “I feel that my progress has been good since I turned pro just over a year ago and I know that I am getting stronger with every fight. By the end of the year I should have had seven or eight bouts and by that time I feel that I will be ready to challenge for my first title.”

“An area title is the obvious place start, it makes people sit up and take notice of you and also puts you in the running for an English title. It was the way that Scott did it and anything that he does is good enough for me. It will mean a step up in class for me but I feel that I am well capable of it. So, provided everything keeps going according to plan, there is no reason why it can’t happen for me.”

“Obviously I’d like to go on and contest titles at every level and hopefully I will. I’m still a young man though so I’ve got plenty of time and with the training and advice I get from everyone at Impact I know that I’ve got the right team behind me.”

Impact Boxing head coach Lindon Newbon added: “You can’t fault Jimmy’s commitment; he’s in the gym at every opportunity and works as hard as any of the other lads. He’s also always ready to learn and takes advice on board readily. On top of that he really does have the talent so as long as he maintains his current attitude there is no reason why he can’t go all the way.”

Doherty is currently preparing for his next contest which takes place at Stoke’s Kings Hall on 24th February. Doherty is scheduled to meet Swansea’s Chris Brophy in a six round contest. The 28 year-old Brophy has only recorded two wins and one draw from his 17 professional contests and has failed to reach the final bell in half of his 14 defeats and suffered his first knockout at the hands of Jimmy’s cousin Tony Doherty. If he is to confirm his credibility as a title contender, Jimmy Doherty will need to despatch the Swansea man quickly. Fans should therefore expect fireworks from the local boxer.

Tickets for the 24th February promotion can be obtained by contacting Impact Boxing on: 0845 156 7168