Boxing Info: Femi Fehintola ready to catch fire

Trainer Richard Poxon is having to hold British super-featherweight challenger Femi “Fire’ Fehintola back in the gym while the unbeaten 9stone 4lbs quicksilver awaits final confirmation of the date for his challenge to champ Carl Johanneson.

The 24-year-old “Fire’ Fehintola, 14-0 (1KO), is expected to fight for the British Title in September or October but is having trouble keeping his enthusiasm in check.

Femi said: “I’m always in the gym but Richard said we’re waiting on the date before we really start hitting it. But I just want to get going full blast. I mean, if you don’t“ get excited about fighting for the British Title, what do you get excited about?”

The 28-year-old Johanneson, 24-2 (17), is coming off an impressive four round win over Bill Corcoran, where he won the vacant British Title.

“Carl looked really good in winning the title but I know how to beat him,” said a confident “Fire“. “He’s strong and fit as a butcher’s dog but, to fight me, he fights in the wrong style. What Carl does is great, but there’s no variation to what he does. He comes in straight lines and I’ll pick up him off and gradually take him apart. He does have skills but he’s mainly a come forward puncher and that“s exactly the style I match up best against. I know my speed will just do his head in.

“But no disrespect to him, other than Alex Arthur he’s the best super-feather weight in the country and I’d be silly not to expect the fight of my life. The win will take me to a whole new level.”

It will be a classic case of the puncher against the boxer, of the slugger against the stylist but, adding spice, will be the local derby factor.

Fehintola explained: “He’s from Bradford and I’m from Leeds which are five, 10 minutes apart and if we can get it on at a venue up here the atmosphere will be absolutely electric.

“I’ve got friends who also go see him fight and some of his friends come and see me fight. We live only a few miles apart and it will be a great fight.”