Boxing writer Peter Mann rounds up the latest news on the North-East boxing scene

DARLINGTON fighter Neil Hepper, who has won six of his nine outings to date and been in the ring with Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell, looks to get his career back on track at the end of the month.

The return of Sunderland promoter Phil Jeffries has been a welcome boost for Wearside and County Durham boxers and Hepper looks to be one of those coming out of the wilderness he unexpectedly found himself in.

Since his loss to Gary Fox for the Northern Area title, two years ago now, the Darlington light welterweight has only fought four times, and just once in the past 12 months. It’s a statistic which the 26-year-old is worried about, and he knows that nothing but victory at Rainton Meadows on November 30 will suffice.

“I need to get back and win this one for my fans due to recent inactivity so I'm looking to be more active both at home and on the road,” said Hepper.

“They need to see me again because I know I did well when Stuey Hall won the Commonwealth in Darlington (November 2012), even when I lost the Area title fight to Gary Fox in Hartlepool (September 2012) so I promise to be more active again over the next 12-18 months.”

Those last two fights for Hepper, an opportunity to face Olympian Luke Campbell as well as a mundane, run of the mill outing against Graham Fearn, left the fighter wondering on his next step in the sport. Most would have given up the ghost but as Hepper explains, the thought of his fans spurred him on.

“It was a structured fight, a one I had to keep to my boxing when I faced Fearn,” said the light-welterweight.

“I was not as exciting as I could have been and usually am, but it went fine and I out-boxed him for the four rounds which is what I needed after I lost to Campbell.

“Facing him, and in that venue (the O2 Arena in London) was an experience in itself. People don’t seem to realise how hard he can actually hit as well, the shot he put to my head was actually what took me down against him.

“I was disheartened afterwards, maybe I was too keen going in there as well and he took advantage of the situation, but it wasn’t an opportunity I could turn down really. I mean, to go in the ring against someone I believe can become a world champion.”

As for his upcoming bout at Rainton Meadows, it’s all about getting the win.

“I’m looking at this being a catch-weight outing over eight four or six rounds at Rainton,” Hepper concluded.

“I will have improved quite a bit though since my last couple of outings but I will say now that I am going to step up and excite my fans again.”

CHANGING TIMES

The winds are changing in relation to North-East boxing.

The introduction of Fighting Chance Promotions to the mix will no doubt cause a stir and, Travis Dickinson’s recent disappointment aside, will look at making a big statement when they co-promote ‘Resurrection’ with Dennis Hobson Promotions on November 29 at the Gateshead Leisure Centre.

Then you have another Tyneside duo, Steve Wraith and Danny Cox, making waves of their own. Not only was their recent show in South Shields an astounding success, with Anthony Nelson and Peter Cope both claiming titles, they’ve played their part in today’s press conference in Newcastle.

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing announced the signing of Bradley Saunders at the highly anticipated St. James’ Park press conference, but the sports promoter and Matchroom as a whole will be looking to expand their sports train throughout the region.

At last we can say that, with the return of Phil Jeffries to the promotional mix, North-East boxing is making that long awaited statement - and long may it continue.