Hayemaker Boxing: Woodhouse Heads Home To Hull

Currently playing host to Premier League football, Hull City F.C.’s KC Stadium will welcome big-time boxing and one of its former stars to the city on September 27 when “Hayemaker 9” arrives.

Headlined by former Hull City player Curtis Woodhouse, the bill will be a non-TV show, designed to kick off the new boxing season in style, as well as showcase two of the city’s boxing stars.

Driffield-based Woodhouse played for Hull City in 2005, appearing 18 times for the Premiership new boys. Since then, Woodhouse has amassed a 10-1 (5 KO) record as a professional welterweight boxer.

The 29-year-old returns to one of the clubs he watched as a child on September 27, intent on securing win number 11.

“I’ve wanted to fight in Hull for ages now and have always been banging on about the interest I could generate up there,” says Woodhouse, who also enjoyed spells at Sheffield United and Birmingham City and was capped at England Under-21 level.

“The KC Stadium is only five miles from where I live in Driffield and it’s a dream come true to be heading back to another one of my old clubs, this time as a boxer.

“All my old school friends will be coming down for this fight and there will be a lot of eyes on me. The Hull City fans have been enjoying a lot of success of late, and I just hope I can be a part of that on September 27.”

Also set to appear in Hull is professional newcomer Kevin Hooper and home city light-heavyweight Phil Goodwin.

Determined to help bring back big boxing nights to Hull, Woodhouse has one Hull-based opponent on his radar who could become something of a local rival.

“By the end of the year I’d love to be in a position to box Glen Matsell for the Central Area title,” says Woodhouse. “That’s my plan. I want a couple more six-rounders and then I’m ready to fight for my first belt. Matsell’s also from Hull and I know it would be a good fight for the area.

“Matsell has called me out a couple of times in the past, and even called me out after my first pro fight. He’s always fancied the fight and I’m ready to grant him his wish. If he still wants it, he can have it.”

Another opponent Woodhouse has his sights set on is Jay Morris, the man who handed him the first loss of his career back in April.

“Dealing with that loss has been a nightmare and I’d love nothing more than to fight Morris again and avenge the defeat,” admits Woodhouse, who dropped a controversial points decision to Morris in Belfast.

“I think about that loss every day and it won’t be removed from my mind until I beat him. I want a rematch and I want to put the record straight.

“I believe I won the first fight and 95% of the people I’ve spoken to agree with me. That’s perhaps the most frustrating part.

“In an ideal world, I’d fight Morris on September 27 in Hull. If he’ll take it, I’m ready. If not, I’ll happily go to the Isle of Wight and fight him.”

For ticket details contact Head of Boxing Dave Coldwell on 07799 456 400.