Peter Mann rounds up the latest news from the North-East boxing scene

FOLLOWING on from the excitement of the recent Wraith Promotions show in South Shields on October 12 a blast from past has sent vibrations through the boxing community.

Having announced his promotional retirement following the July Summer Rumble, stating he was staying behind the scenes and concentrating on management, Phil Jeffries has announced this week that he is RETURNING to the promotion game.

Having been in and around the fight game for a number of years Jeffries, known as ‘Jaffa’ in boxing circles said of his return: “I caught the bug again at the Shields show, I loved it.

“Now, having spoken to people like Steve (Wraith), Mal (Gates) and Ronnie (Rowe) I feel it's right for me to return. They all know that I am making this return and are happy for me to be back in the game.

“I’ve also had a number of fighters coming to me asking why I’ve made the decision and that I shouldn’t have done so; that and I have Glenn Foot facing Ahmet Patterson early next year in an English welterweight title bout that couples as a British eliminator.”

With that in mind Jeffries announced that his comeback show will be at the Rainton Meadows Arena on November 30 and, although further details aren’t available, his first few fighters are.

“At the minute I’ve got the Sunderland trio of Glenn Foot, Kirk Goodings and Jonson McClumpha on as well as Teesside cruiserweight Simon Vallily as well as a few others,” said Jeffries.

“I’m aware that there is a show down for the Gateshead Leisure Centre the day before but there’ll be no knock on effect between the two as there is a different client base with theirs being predominantly Tyneside and mine Wearside.”

Of those fighters, Foot won the 2013 welterweight Prizefighter title with a split decision success against Dale Evans, Goodings has recently been the English lightweight champion having won it against Paul Truscott in late 2013 and McClumpha won the International Masters middleweight strap on that last Summer Rumble show.

Others include Darlington’s Neil Hepper, Newcastle’s James Barnes, Middlesbrough’s John Green and Sunderland’s Cameroonian Olympian Thomas Essomba – with more to come.

Darlington amateur gets double international call-up

Fighting out of Darlington ABC, 23-year-old middleweight (75kg) Troy Williamson has had an unexpected double call-up this past week.

First Williamson was called up for an England select alongside Tyneside’s 81kg fighter Lawrence Osueke as part of an eleven strong team against Denmark, then, a few days later he received a call to attend the GB Assessments where he has been completing alongside Middlesbrough’s Joe Maphosa.

As a front footed, counterpunching fighter Williamson will have a lot to give to the internationals set-ups. Having debuted in 2008, the Darlo lad is ageing well beyond his years in the ring and with training not only from his current club, but the few years he spent alongside the legendary Imran Naeem at Stockton’s Natural Progression Boxing Academy, he’ll have more reason than most to be confident.

“I’ve been doing the GB assessments for a while now and spoken every other month,” said Williamson.

“Even though it was down to just me I was still rather unsure if I would actually be given the opportunity. Not only that but I will also be representing England Boxing directly beforehand so I’ll be kept busy.

“It’s been a good ride in the amateur ranks and it’s six years this Halloween since I made my debut on our home show at the Dolphin Centre. Since then I’ve gone on to win 33 of my 43 bouts and reached the Senior ABA finals this year in Liverpool which was an amazing experience, more so with it being televised.”

With Troy’s impending international duties for both England and the GB Squad any kind of sponsorship to aid his progression is more than welcome. To discuss details for this, contact his coach Andy Marksby on 07794712160.