British News: Welborn-Blackwell, Lloyd Ellett, Yarde

Exciting and hard-hitting light-heavyweight talent Anthony Yarde has signed with promoter Frank Warren.

The 23-year-old amateur standout won the Haringey Box Cup tournament in 2013, winning all his fights by knockout and ended his career in a vest and headguard with 12 wins and 11 stoppages.

All-action Yarde believes that his explosive style was always suited to the professional code and is excited to now join the paid-ranks and starts his dream of becoming a world champion.

Yarde wasn’t only a hit in the boxing ring, he showed great potential on the athletics track in the 100m, 200m sprints and shot put under GB Olympic legend Tessa Sanderson, but the thrill of the boxing ring ensured that he kept his gloves on.

The Ilford ace will be trained and managed by Tundi Ajayi, head of Staminaforsale UK Management, at East London’s world famous boxing gym The Peacock and the date of his pro-debut will be announced shortly.

“I’m very happy and grateful to start my professional career under Frank Warren and with Tundi training me, I believe that I’ve got the best team to take me to the very top of the sport,” Said Yarde.

“I’m not going to make big boasts about becoming a world champion in X amounts of fights, my dream, like any fighter is to become a world champion and that’s what I’m in this sport to achieve and I know that I’ve got the talent to do that, but I’ve got the best people around me to guide me and I’ve now got to do my part in the ring,”

“I’ve had a short but exciting time in the amateurs and I always believed the professional side of things is where I belong.  I believe that I can liven things up in the light-heavyweight division, I’ve got the flair and the KO punch that my fans love and will attract new fans,”

“I’m an exciting fighter, I love going for the knockout and bringing excitement.  I’m fast, I’ve got speed, great movement and power, it’s all there, but I know that I’ve got a lot to learn in the professionals and with Tundi’s guiding experience I can reach the top.”

Warren said, “I’m delighted to welcome Anthony to my organisation.  I’ve had very good reports on him and from the fights I’ve seen of him he looks like a very powerful and hard-hitting raw talent and is welcome addition to the light-heavyweight division.”

Ajayi added, “Anthony is an exceptional talent and I believe that with Frank’s promotional expertise and my guidance he can achieve his goals in boxing.  He’s got the talent there, that’s unquestioned, he’s dedicated to his training, he lives the life of a fighter and has the raw hunger and desire to become a champion.”

LLOYD ELLETT: ‘I WANT TO HEAR MY NAME CROP UP WHEN PEOPLE ASSESS THE LIGHT-MIDDLE DIVISION.’

After quietly building an unbeaten 16 fight slate over the past three years, Brighton light-middle ‘Lightening Lloyd’ Ellett intends exploding onto the British 11 stone scene in 2015.

Formerly an English and British universities champion, the Scott Welch managed 28 year old makes his BoxNation debut on Friday night’s fabulous looking York Hall card, knowing he has to shine.

Last Sunday, boxing writer Glynn Evans tracked down the mystery man of the division and took a delve into his background.

When did you first start to show an interest in boxing?

Dad boxed as an amateur through the schools and I probably started to show an interest myself from the age of about 10, watching the Rocky films, Benn-Eubank and Mike Tyson on TV.

I finally took the sport up, aged 14, at the Brighton and Hove club run by (ex British heavyweight champion) Scott Welch. It was one big family, a great set-up.

What do you recall of your amateur career? What were the highlights?

I had 64 amateur fights with 41 wins. Bradley Skeete, my stable mate at the iBox Gym, beat me in the quarter-finals of the NABCs and I went in the senior ABAs a few times, winning the Southern Counties title and reaching the national quarter-final in 2011 (beaten by Reading’s Tamuka Muchapondwa).

I was frustrated not to have done better in the ABAs but I was studying at Chichester University and the tournament always seemed to clash with exams. I’d be stressed out of my mind!

I boxed loads of good kids. (2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist) Anthony Fowler was the best; very big and strong for the weight.  I also fought (2012 ABA champion) Kelvin Fawaz, (current English light-welter king) Tyler Goodjohn and (Irelands World quarter-finalist) Willie McLoughlin.

I won the Haringey Box Cup and was named Boxer of the Tournament but the highlight of my amateur career was when I got my England vest, boxing Irish Olympian Adam Nolan at Aldershot Army Barracks.....even though I lost 6-4!

You’ve a degree in sports science. What use do you put that to?

Until very recently, I worked as a teacher with secondary school kids who had challenging behaviours. Let’s say, there were some very big characters!

In addition to some boxing coaching, I’d teach other lessons such as English and IT. There were some angry kids but it was good fun, very rewarding. Today, I work as personal trainer.

You’re part of the Alan Smith and Eddie Lam’s fast rising iBox set-up in Bromley. Why is the gym enjoying so much success?

Al’s a brilliant coach who’s there for the boys every night. We’ve got a team vibe going, a bit like it was in the amateurs. There’s Bradley Skeete, Lewis Pettitt, Adam Dingsdale, Johnny Garton and Darryll Williams. (Ex British light-middleweight champions) Gary Woolcombe and Sam Webb also help out with coaching. It’s all very professional.

Though you’ve amassed a perfect 16 fight pro slate, only three opponents had winning records. You’re already 28. What gives you confidence that you’re ready to push on for major titles?

My first 16 pro fights came inside three years so there’s no real need for me to rush but we’re certainly coming to the time where I need to step things up.

In addition to Brad (Skeete), I’ve sparred some real good fighters over at the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas and I also worked with Isaac Real in Barcelona when he was European light-middleweight champion. I know what I’m capable of.

Thus far, you’ve largely built your record away from the TV spotlight. What can viewers expect to see when they tune in on Friday night?

I can mix it up if I need to but I’m more of a boxer who brings a lot of speed and power. My boxing heroes are guys like Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Meldrick Taylor, slick US fighters with speed. The power has definitely increased recently since Al got me to relax a lot more when shadow boxing or on the bags and pads.

Living in Brighton, do you ever cross paths with the Eubanks?

Yeh, I’ve known Chris Jr since he was a 15 year old amateur and we’ve sparred quite a few times, including this January before his ‘interim’ (WBA) title fight with Chudinov.

He’s a quality, quality fighter who’s blessed with a bit of everything. He also picks stuff up very quickly and he’s a natural athlete. Sometimes we do our track and hill sprints together. He’s very quick.

What’s your assessment of the domestic light-middleweight scene?

British champion Liam Smith looked very good the other week and he’s definitely the best at the moment. He’s cleaned up domestically and is now ready to move on. 

I hear Brian Rose is moving up to middleweight but you’ve also got (Commonwealth king) Liam Williams who looks a tough, strong kid.

It’s quite an exciting division. Now I want to start hearing my name crop up when people assess the division. Signing with Frank and BoxNation is definitely a step in the right direction.

On Friday you make your first start of 2015 in an eight rounder against Latvia’s Raimonds Sniedze. Career wise, what do you hope the year will bring?

This year I’d love to get my hands on a meaningful belt that’ll put me in the mix for British or Commonwealth title eliminators so I’m in position to challenge for those titles by this time next year.  I’ve already trained for two 10 rounders, although only one went the distance. 

A fight with (reigning Southern Area champion) Freddie Turner would be realistic. We’ve done a lot of sparring and I was happy with how it went.

I’ve been training really hard since my last fight in October. On Friday, I intend to be really impressive and make a statement.

Black Country Boxing’s ‘A New Dawn’ at Walsall Town Hall next month is taking shape.

The show, on Saturday, 25th April, features nine intriguing bouts.

Rowley Regis’ two-time British Title Challenger, Jason Welborn, takes on Trowbridge’s teak-tough Dan Blackwell over 6x3’s (at light middleweight) whilst Stourbridge’s former Midlands Area Welterweight Champion, Steven Pearce, steps in with Sleaford’s Amir Unsworth, again over 6x3’s.

Walsall’s Midlands Light Welterweight Champion, Luke Paddock, warms up for his latest defence, scheduled for June, with a 4x3’s run-out whilst Welshpool light middleweight ticket-seller, Warren Sinden, faces Lincoln’s former World Champion Kickboxer, Aaron Robinson.

Stoke’s Joshua McLaren faces Melksham’s Liam Richards, again over 6x3’s, whilst Wolverhampton welterweight, Sid Bowater, is set to make his professional debut against Tamworth’s Matt Seawright. Fellow debutant, Ludlow’s Craig Morris, faces Halesowen’s Kevin McAuley at light middleweight.

Two boxers – Wolverhampton’s Ben Wilkes and Burton Tom Shaw – make their ring return after lengthy absences. Middleweight Wilkes’ opponent is yet to be confirmed whilst light welterweight, Shaw, takes on ‘Dangerous’ Dan Carr (Trowbridge).

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 Ringside, are available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900.