Polish welterweight, Carl ‘The Doctor’ Ozimkowski 0-2-0 is set to make his professional boxing comeback after a six year break against Mick Mills 0-4(3)-0 at London’s York Hall on November 29 on the Goodwin Promotions show dubbed ‘Under Starters Orders’ featuring 18 scheduled fights.

The Goodwin Promotions show in association with Kevin Campion presents an action packed night with a whopping 18 scheduled fights featuring some of the brightest young talent from the country’s capital.

In September 2008, ‘The Doctor’ took on number one ranked Ugandan southpaw, Badru Lusambya 16(15)-0-1 on his professional debut losing on points over four rounds. Lusambya was unbeaten and held the African Boxing Union light-middleweight title at the time of Ozimkowski’s debut defeat.

Ozimkowski recalled, “I found out that I was boxing him the night before in the weight division above. I knew nothing about him and the next day I weighed in and was supposed to box at 10st 7lbs. My manager rung the night before and he said ‘go home and eat a steak because you’re boxing at 11st tomorrow.’”

He went on to say, “I felt really stitched up. I was actually in the ring waiting for him to come out and I still didn’t really know who he was, and when I saw his face, I remembered him from Boxing News and thought this guy has had 15 knockouts. I thought I might as well try my best and I managed to nick a round off him but I thought I fought closely enough to make it a draw, and managed to get in a great right hand to push him backwards in the third round so I jumped on him but he got saved by the bell.”

A return to the same venue three months later in December 2008 saw Ozimkowski taste his second consecutive loss in the pro game to Portsmouth’s Johnny Creamer 1-0-0, also in his second professional contest, coming away from the ring that night still unbeaten.

“The fight after that was Johnny Creamer and this time I was more confident because I knew about hm. The referee flicked his hand up instantly after the final bell sounded and I immediately thought that it was a stitch-up again. Afterwards, I actually asked one of the officials why he had won because I was in charge of that fight.”

Ozimkowski went back to basics following the frustrations, “I returned to the amateurs after that, I was so badly disappointed. I was more disappointed with my manager, to be honest and thought I’d rather go back to the amateur game and enjoy my boxing again.”

Ozimkowski was a stand-out amateur winning countless accolades in boxing as the SE Senior Division champion and Haringey Box Cup finalist in 2010, a Belfast Cup Gold medallist in 2012 as well as representing London many times and also England on two occasions against Germany and Scotland. In kick-boxing, he also attained a Bronze medal in the 2003 European Cup and was the Polish national champion for six years running.

Originally, Ozimkowski started kickboxing as he entered his teenage years in his native country of Poland and was competing very soon after joining. The coach picked up on his natural ability and developed him into a boxer whilst he continued for the next seven years competing at both sports. Concentrating on the boxing, he headed to London at the age of 19 to follow his dreams of becoming a professional boxer and began boxing for Broad Street ABC in the heart of the East End.

“So far, I’ve had 150 amateur fights in total. I love boxing and I’m 28 now so I thought I might as well go pro again as it’s now or never. If I wait any longer then I might be too late. Going back to the amateurs worked because it increased my profile and my name is more well-known. I’ve got a better following now so I’ve got better people supporting me now than what I had seven or eight years ago. With my last manager, I was always training on my own with no support but with my new manager, Alec Wilkey, I’ve got best people around me now,” said Ozimkowski.

Now Carl’s ambitions are to become a contender within the welterweight division and eventually start challenging for titles in 2015.

On his opponent, Carl commented, “Mick Mills – he’s an awkward southpaw plus I’m doing six rounds. Alec Wilkey decided to do the six rounds because I’ve already got the experience and it’ll be shorter steps to get to titles. I’ve been sparring Prizefighter champion, Johnny Coyle – one of the best southpaws in the country. I’ve also sparred Lenny Daws, Danny Connor, Adam Salman, Brett Saggs, Ben Day, and Rudi Michael – he’s definitely a good little fighter.”

Headlining the Goodwin Promotions show, Lee “The Banjo” Markham takes part in an International super-middleweight contest over six rounds.
 
Former Commonwealth champion, Tony “The Conqueror” Conquest also takes part in an International Cruiserweight contest over six rounds.
 
Two exciting heavyweight contests with Richard Towers making his return to the ring (his first after teaming up with Adam Booth) whilst returning heavyweight Ali Adams takes on Larry Olubamiwo in an intriguing six round clash.
 
The show will also pave the way for some very exciting debutants to make their foray into professional boxing with light-welterweight, Luke “The Duke” Davy, Kent’s Oli Edwards, Matt Marsh trained welterweight protégé, Ru28-year-olddi Michael, welterweight Londoner, Robert Asagba and Luton’s super-middleweight, Mustafa Mohammed all looking to kick-start their pro career with a win.
 
The well-received super-middleweight, Grant “Go Getter” Dennis from Chatham, Kent returns to the same venue that saw him impress the York Hall faithful in July with his shut-out debut win over tough Bulgarian, Tzvetozar Iliev. Dennis looks to double his win ratio as he goes up against Mark Till over four rounds.

Welterweight, Hassan “The Afghan Lion” Yaqobzai, light-middleweight Ashley Hill, and the exciting Matthew Chanda at super-bantamweight all take the stage in four round contests.
 
Another Adam Booth fighter, Ryan Burnett has a six round contest at bantamweight. Ryan boasts three KO’s from four wins and is making exciting strides in his division.
 
Adam Salman takes part in a six round welterweight contest whilst Remel Scott returns at super-middleweight.

Carl ‘The Doctor’ concluded with the utmost confidence and vigour, “In my head, this fight is already won. I’ve worked the hardest I’ve ever done. My old manager that I signed with all those years ago was the difference and with Alec Wilkey I now feel like a professional boxer. I’ve got the best people around me now.”

For tickets to the show call 07922 843 199 or visit http://carlthedoctor.com/ As well as standard unreserved and reserved ringside tickets there are also VIP tickets priced at £100 which includes a guaranteed reserved ringside seat in rows 1 and 2 together with a free private bar from 5pm until 7.30pm with food snacks included.

BOLTON’S VALI IN HOMETOWN PROMOTION

Asif Vali has teamed up with Salford trainer and promoter Oliver Harrison to bring a Christmas evening of boxing to Bolton’s Macron Stadium on December 14.

Vali and Harrison have known each other for a number of years and the Bolton businessman is delighted to be involved in a show close to home.

“It’s my hometown so I’m so really excited,” explained Asif.  “I’ve been involved in boxing for a long time and some of the amateurs are now turning pro so this is a great opportunity to showcase them. 

“I’ve also worked with Oliver for a number of years, he’s very knowledgeable and I’m delighted to be doing this show with Oliver Promotions.”

The show will feature northwest talent including Warrington’s Nathan Wheatley and Stockport’s Chris Healey, as well as Cumbria’s Liam Conroy and Birmingham’s Nasser Al Harbi.  Also appearing will be a former rugby star hoping to make it big in the world of boxing.

“We’ve made sure this dinner show is really affordable, just before Christmas,” stated Vali.  “We’ve got some great talent on, and we’ll have an International Masters title fight topping the bill.  A few kids from Bolton will make their debuts, and former rugby league and Widnes star Phil Joseph is swapping his boots for boxing gloves, so we might have another Curtis Woodhouse on our hands!

“Also appearing will be Matty Clarkson who was in a ‘fight of the year’ war recently against Travis Dickinson.  Chris Jenkinson is always value for money, and Salford’s Marc Leach is going to be a future star even though he controversially lost his debut.

“It’s a going to be a great atmosphere with a real Christmas feel to it.  This show will be the first of many, we’re looking to make an impact and want to stay in the local area because there are a lot of kids that don’t get opportunities unless they’re associated with a big promoter.  We’re looking to develop future champions from this area.”

Tickets priced at £30 unreserved and £80 with a three course meal are available by calling 07812 581512 or 01204 528898. 

23 year old Middleweight Jesse Goodhand-Tait is the latest prospect to ink a three year promotional deal with Goodwin Promotions.

The exciting Goodhand-Tait is based in Guildford Surrey and is managed by former British Boxing Board inspector and professional boxer Lewis Byrne.

Jesse makes his debut at the Goodwin promoted “Real Deal” show at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth on Friday 5th December where Jesse debuts in a  round contest. The opponent is yet to be decided.

“Myself and Lewis had a meeting with the Goodwin team and its was easy to see why so many are signing with them and they are expanding numerically more than anyone else in the UK. They make you feel part of the team and are so easy to deal with. Steve has helped work with Richard Commey to get a Commonwealth title, Lee Markham towards an English title shot and resurrected Michael Lomax’s career to get him a Commonwealth title opportunity. An easy decision for Lewis and myself”

Manager Lewis said “I have worked on many of the Goodwin shows and they are great people to work with so they were my first port of call”

Steve Goodwin head of Goodwin Promotions was over the moon with signing Jesse “Jesse has great talent and brought along right (which he will be) will be winning titles and we want to be a part of that. We are delighted to be working with Lewis’ first managed boxer and hope to be able to help Lewis with all of his boxers as he develops his team in Surrey over the next few years.”

Jesse can be contacted on facebook for tickets to his debut.