British Boxing: No Summer Holiday For Trio

By Ben Lettman

It’s going to be a busy July for sparring partners Akaash Bhatia, Rocky Dean and Marc Callaghan respectively. All three fighters are set to be boxing next month. First up is Bhatia, who is fighting July 13 on the Carl Johanneson vs. Leva Kirakosayan card in Barnsley, England. This will be Bhatia’s seventh fight in little over a year.

After fully recovering from a recent illness, Bhatia was back in the ring sparring last week. The ABA finalist steps up in class as he fights over six rounds for the first time against an opponent yet to be named.

The very next day Rocky Dean will be in action. Dean will go up against the unbeaten Matthew Marsh at the O2 Arena in London for the vacant Southern Area super bantamweight championship. They were originally set to duel on 27 May but the card was scrapped by promoter Frank Warren due to a leg injury to Michael Sprott, who was heading the card against Matt Skelton.

Dean has recently been in Germany sparring with Cuban Olympic Gold Medallist Yuriorkis Gamboa Toledano. He came back from Germany last week and has been sparring with Bhatia and Callaghan in preparation for his with Marsh.

As for Callaghan, the English super bantamweight champion will be appearing on the European title clash between Young Mutley and Ted Bami card on July 20. Callaghan will be looking to get his career back on track after suffering a unanimous points defeat to Esham Pickering this past March.

Courtesy www.frankmaloney.com