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The past year has seen Henry Castle rip his way up the lightweight ranks in Britain, knocking off one seasoned rival after another until he now stands at the brink of gaining his first professional championship.
Castle will challenge English lightweight title holder Scott Lawton on Friday, January 23 at Fenton Manor in Stoke, England, as chief support to the Chris Edwards vs. Wayne Bloy British and Commonwealth flyweight championship bout.
The 29 year old Salisbury based Castle waged a brutal war with undefeated southpaw Ian Wilson in what many considered the fight of the year in March, 2007 before being stopped by the referee at the end of the fifth and such was the punishment taken by Wilson from Castle’s vicious body assault that he has not fought professionally since.
But Castle was back in the ring later that year to comprehensively outpoint highly regarded Belfast man Kevin O’Hara before winning every round against iron-chinned Frenchman Frederic Gosset in February, 2008.
Just two months later, Castle began the most impressive stretch of his career to date with a three round pitched battle against current English super feather titlist Ryan Barrett, who like Wilson, held a massive height and reach advantage over the “Salisbury Silencer”.
Castle showed the superb quickness and countering skills that made him an amateur champion and had succeeded in closing the distance before an accidental head clash forced a referee stoppage of Barrett in the third, putting a premature end to an exciting bout.
Next up for Castle was previously unbeaten Londoner Lee Cook, who was canvassed in a hail of left hooks in the fourth round when he tried to stand and trade in June of last year. After Cook absorbed a fusillade of rights at the end of the fifth, the bout was called to a halt.
Most recently, ex-British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Graham Earl picked the wrong opponent to come back against as Castle, 19-4 (11), looked sensational in gunning down the Luton man in a single shattering round that won him the right to face English champion Lawton, 25-4-1 (5), next Friday.
In Lawton, Castle will find a seasoned six foot tall opponent who will have the advantage of fighting in his hometown in front of an arena packed with his dedicated fan following. The 32 year old Stoke native is a smart boxer who has only lost over the the last three years to current European champion Jon Thaxton and former Commonwealth titlist Amir Khan.
Castle’s aggressive style should serve him well in the early rounds against Lawton but the English champion will likely bid his time and apply his more vigorous efforts in the second half of the contest in what should be a thrilling test of wills.
With the winner likely to challenge the victor of the upcoming John Murray vs. Lee McAllister British title fight, the stakes couldn’t be higher and Castle must wage his career best performance if he is to walk away from the ring with Lawton’s belt around his waist.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Stoking The Fire”, featuring Chris Edwards vs. Wayne Bloy for the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight championships along with full undercard support on Friday, January 23, 2009 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke, England.
Tickets are priced at £70 and £35 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508.
Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 10PM.
