SMALL HALL SPOTLIGHT - 20TH & 21ST OCTOBER
Small hall boxing returns this weekend with a British title, English title and Area title up for grabs across two exciting shows away from the TV cameras.
The action begins on Friday night in Birmingham with the highly anticipated rematch between local fighter Ijaz Ahmed and Liverpool’s Marcel Braithwaite, which is where our preview starts…
Ijaz Ahmed vs Marcel Braithwaite, Vacant British Super-Flyweight Title - Friday
A guaranteed barnstormer with plenty of needle, Ijaz Ahmed faces off with Marcel Braithwaite in a rematch of their split-decision draw back in March.
With three draws from his last five fights, all of which came when the British title was on the line, Ahmed is building up quite a reputation on the domestic circuit for being a draw specialist.
Once again, though, he faces the tough task of trying to become the first man in over three years to inflict a defeat on the Liverpudlian Braithwaite.
With three defeats from his 19 career outings so far, Ahmed won the English title down at flyweight back in 2019, and most recently claimed the vacant Commonwealth title against Ryan Farrag in June.
The first clash between the pair, in March, was a fight-of-the-year contender and a small hall classic. A typical ‘you go, then I’ll go’ contest, which means it’s no surprise we are seeing the two men face off again so soon.
Despite the draw last time out, Braithwaite has won six of his last seven fights ensuring he goes into the contest with most momentum.
Ahmed, meanwhile, has picked up just three victories from his last seven and undoubtedly needs to come out on top to start moving in the right direction.
This is a fight that could genuinely go either way, but one thing is for certain – it’s not to be missed.
Lewis Sylvester vs Jimmy First, English Lightweight Title - Saturday
It’s an all-Yorkshire clash in Rotherham on Saturday as Lewis Sylvester puts his English title and undefeated record on the line against Bradford’s Jimmy First.
With a perfect record in the professional ranks to date, Hull’s Sylvester recorded the best victory of his career last time out when edging out fellow prospect Adam Cope by a close points decision in front of the DAZN cameras on the Dalton Smith/Sam Maxwell undercard.
First, meanwhile, has had a rather indifferent career.
After turning professional at the age of 36, he was unbeaten in his first 14 fights, before suffering back-to-back losses at the hands of Josh Padley and Cori Gibbs, a man who he caused one of the upsets of 2022 against last December.
These are two fighters at the opposite ends of their respective careers. Sylvester, at 25, is 17 years younger than the man who will stand across the ring from him on Saturday and with just as much experience as a professional, that freshness and youthfulness could be the deciding factor.
That, however, could work in First’s favour. He knows it’s his last chance and a defeat could see him decide to hang up the gloves, so he will undoubtedly be giving it his all until the last bell.
With current British champion Gavin Gwynne fighting for the European title in his next fight, the British title could potentially become vacant and the winner of this will be in pole position for a shot at that.
James Flint vs Adam Sircar, Central Area Super-Lightweight Title - Saturday
The chief support to Sylvester vs First is a War of the Roses clash as Doncaster’s James Flint takes on Salford’s Adam Sircar for the Central Area Super-Lightweight Title.
Both men have suffered one defeat to date, although Flint is far more experienced with 15 career fights in comparison to Sircar’s six, which could prove pivotal on the night.
Flint’s sole defeat came when he fought Dom Hunt for the Area title up at welterweight but since then, he’s gone on an impressive run of four straight wins, including a stoppage victory over Joe Garside who, coincidentally, is the only man to beat Sircar.
Sircar, 32, turned professional relatively late in his career meaning there’s little time to waste, and it’s probably why he’s been thrown into 50/50 fights so early in his career.
Both men will look to establish their jab and lead the exchanges. It could end up with one chasing the fight and turning it into a bit of a tear-up, but the two fighters are more than capable of boxing on the back foot, ensuring we can expect a solid, entertaining encounter.