Gary Reid Confirmed as English Title Boxing Challenger

ByBoxing Press

At a meeting today (10th August 2006) the British Boxing Board of Control announced that Stoke’s Gary Reid will challenge holder Nigel Wright for the English Light-Welterweight Title. No date for the bout has yet been set as purse bids have to be made before 12 noon on 13th September 2006.

On hearing the news the likeable member of Team Impact said:

“Its fantastic news, just what I’ve been waiting for. I’ve been saying for ages that I am capable of fighting for major titles and now I’ve got the opportunity; I hope this is just the first step on the ladder.”

“Nigel Wright is a great boxer and I won’t underestimate him but I know that I am capable of beating him. I’m in the best condition of my life both physically and mentally and at Impact Boxing I now have the best management and training that I’ve ever had in boxing; I am confident that the team there will get behind me and give me the best chance possible.”

“I am also lucky to be part of the same set up as Scott Lawton; Scott won his English title only recently and he will be a great help to me, there are few people who know and understand boxing better than he does.”

Reid’s trainer and Impact Boxing’s head coach Lindon Newbon added:

“I know I keep saying this but Gary really is in great condition and looking sharp, he is improving all the time. He is focused and provided he maintains his training he has every change of bringing a second English Title back to the gym.”

Hartlepool’s Wright will prove a tough opponent for Reid having won all but two of his 18 bouts. The first of his two defeats came against Kevin MacIntyre who Reid stopped in the sixth round at The Kings Hall in May; his second defeat was on points to Lenny Daws in a British Title clash at York Hall in May. Wright’s most notable victories have come against Dean Hickman, the tough Silence Saheed and a first round stoppage reversal over Kevin MacIntyre last November. At 5’9” Wright has a significant height advantage over Reid (5’5”) but lacks Reid’s punching power. Wright is currently rated at 6 with Reid at 10 in the British Light-Welterweight rankings.

Reid has won each of his last three bouts, the last two by knockout. In May he stopped the highly rated Kevin MacIntyre in the sixth round to lift the vacant British Masters Light-Welterweight Title and later in the same month he stopped English Lightweight Title nominee, Leo O’Reilly, in the second on a televised show at York Hall, Bethnal Green. Reid was also offered a tilt at the Commonwealth Title in June but was forced to turn it down due to a minor shoulder injury. Renowned for his punching power and avoided by many in the division Reid will pose a threat to Wright.

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