Impact Boxing Plans Action Packed Show For King’s Hall This Saturday

Slightly larger and significantly more ornate than Bethnall Green’s famed “York Hall’, the Kings Hall, Stoke is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the most atmospheric boxing venues in the UK. This is due in no small measure to both the local Stoke-on-Trent public and to the quality of boxing and the Impact Boxing promoted shows.

On Saturday night the venue hosts Impact Boxing’s sixth event and despite a change to the original line-up the evening promises the level of thrills and spills that the locals are becoming accustomed to. Local hero, Scott Lawton, was to have defended his English lightweight title but bigger glories now await Lawton as he prepares for his assault on the British title in March.

In November the venue witnessed local flyweight Chris Edwards provided the biggest upset by a North Staffs boxer since Leek’s Tiny Bostock defeated American World flyweight title contender Small Montana over twelve rounds in 1937. Edwards lifted the English flyweight title when he inflicted the first stoppage defeat of his career on former Commonwealth champion Dale Robinson.

Saturday’s show cannot boast a title fight but Liverpool’s Gary Davies, the current British Central Area and British Masters super-bantamweight champion, tops the bill in a six round contest against Abdul Mougharbel.

With a record of 4 wins 2 losses and 1 draw in 5 years Davis has never been the busiest boxer in the business but with three of his four victories being secured by means of knockout he has acquired a reputation as a heavy-hitter and will be looking to finish work quickly again on Saturday.

Mougharbel on the other hand has achieved only one of his four victories within the distance and on first glance appears unlikely to provide and upset. Mougharbel has yet to be stopped having completed a total of 18 bouts however. Davis was stopped in both of his defeats and was floored by Barrington Brown in a drawn contest last time out.

Although Davis must be considered the firm favourite, the possibility of an upset cannot be ruled out and the conflicting styles of the two boxers involved suggests that fans will need to pay close attention or risk missing something.

Local favourites Jimmy Doherty and Danny Johnston will both make an appearance on the evening. Doherty will finally face off against Swansea’s Chris Brophy; the match has been made twice previously but has fallen through on each occasion.

Doherty remains unbeaten in his first four professional contests and is looking to extend run and move up the rankings. Brophy however has won only two and drawn one of his 18 bouts and was finished off within two rounds by Jimmy’s cousin Tony Doherty.

The Tunstall man Doherty, immensely competitive, will be seeking to out do his relative and fans should expect to be treated to another frenzied display similar to that of his debut bout which earned him his “Whirlwind’ tag.

Danny Johnston has only recently been declared fit to box after recovering from injury and cannot therefore be in tip-top condition. Johnson has been matched against season pro Howard Clarke from Warley in the West Midlands. As a veteran of 106 bouts in the pro ranks Clarke is often called upon to test title contenders and usually gives them a good workout.

Heavier than Johnston and ranked at 27 in his own division Clarke will undoubtedly present the relatively inexperienced Stoke fighter with his trickiest test so far.

At 39 Clarke is in the twilight of his career but has the experience to cause a less than fully fit Johnston more than a few problems. Johnston’s brawn pitted against the cunning of Clarke makes for a mouth-watering tie with a narrow points decision either way being the best prediction.

Welsh ABA champion Justin “Ritchie’ Jones makes his debut at light-heavyweight and is pitted against fellow first-timer Richard Collins. Although Jones has the pedigree Collins won about 50% of his amateur bouts and therefore knows his way around the ring and the outcome of this bout is impossible to predict. Both men will be motivated to impress in their inaugural bout and fans should therefore expect fireworks from the big men.

Newark ex-Royal Marine Andrew A Lowe (now boxing as A A Lowe) returns to the Kings Hall for his third contest at the venue. Winning last time out against Pole Pawell Jas to erase memories of a controversial points defeat in his debut Lowe is matched in opposition to Barry Downs of Oldham. With a record of 2 wins 2 losses and a draw Downs will be no pushover for the tough Newark man.

Having secured his first win Lowe will be seeking to double his tally of wins and, coming of the back of two successive defeats, Downs will want to ensure that his fortunes are reversed. With both of Lowe’s previous fights being full of incident this bout has all the hallmarks of an entertaining contest between two well-matched adversaries.

Another one that is difficult to forecast the result of, Lowe should have the edge thanks to a sizeable contingent of travelling supporters cheering him on.

The final bout of six scheduled sees Chester welterweight Chris Goodwin make only his second entrance to the professional arena against experienced Kristian Laight in what will be his 39th pro bout.

With only four wins to his name Laight appears at first sight to be something of a pushover. Further examination of his record however reveals that he is durable at least, having only been stopped twice and each occasion by class opposition namely, John Fewkes and Nadeem Siddique both of whom remain undefeated in 14 and 18 bouts respectively.

Goodwin lost on points last time out to local Sunderland man Chris Mullen and is anxious secure his first victory. Reports suggest that Goodwin has potential but will have his work cut out if he is to impress against Laight. Likely to be the more motivated of the two men Goodwin should take this one on points.

Alsager’s Aaron Thomas was to have made his third appearance on the show but, undefeated to date, has been KO’d by a bout of the flu. He will no doubt re-emerge to extend his winning streak soon.

Tickets for the event can still be reserved from Impact Boxing on 0845 156 7168 and will be available at the door on the evening.