THREE DOMESTIC TITLES ON THE LINE AT YORK HALL

In the first instalment of a new regular feature, we take a closer look at some of the fights taking place on small hall shows this weekend…

With three titles up for grabs, those lucky fight fans heading to York Hall on Saturday for the Goodwin Boxing show have plenty to look forward to. Small hall boxing doesn’t get much better.

Headlining the card is the undefeated former Southern Area Super-Lightweight champion Denis Denikaev, who faces Sajid Abid for the vacant English Super-Lightweight Title, with Mitchell Frearson versus Brad Pauls featuring as the co-main for the vacant English 160lbs title. 

Before that, somebody’s unbeaten record will have to go as the 9-0 Yaser Al Ghena faces the 12-0 Aaron Prospere for the vacant Southern Area Super-Lightweight Title, and that’s where our preview begins.

Yaser Al Ghena vs Aaron Prospere - Vacant Southern Area Super-Lightweight Title

A real ‘pick em’ fight, the Syria-born Al Ghena faces off against the heavy-handed Prospere. 

To date, Al Ghena is yet to face an opponent with a winning record, whilst Prospere’s only previous opponent in that particular mould was the well-travelled Tom Ansell, who he stopped in less than a round. 

Al Ghena is a fighter who likes to throw jabs from his hip and unload in bunches, which will likely suit the explosive Prospere who will look to counter with heavy single shots and land a big shot similar to the one which subsequently led to his stoppage of Ansell.

Either way, this will be a chess match early on but don’t expect it to go the distance.

Mitchell Frearson vs Brad Pauls - Vacant English Middleweight Title

In an intriguing co-main, the undefeated Frearson takes on former Southern Area Middleweight champion Pauls, who will be looking to win the English title at the second time of asking following his points defeat to Tyler Denny earlier this year. 

Frearson goes into the fight off the back of securing the first knockout victory of his career last time out, and that’ll certainly give him a much-needed confidence boost when he comes up against the highly experienced Pauls this Saturday night.

Stylistically, Pauls is the heavier-handed fighter and looks to plant his feet at every opportunity whilst Frearson uses his feet and lateral movements to set traps. This has the potential to be a barnstormer from the first bell and the winner could put themselves in pole position for a crack at Denzel Bentley’s British title.

Denis Denikaev vs Sajid Abid - Vacant English Super-Lightweight Title

The main event sees the Lithuanian-born Denikaev go up against the fleet-footed Abid of Derby.

Apart from a draw early on his career against the game Ben Fields, Denikaev has been faultless in the professional ranks whilst Abid has only had one setback in his career after being stopped on the Amir Khan vs Billy Dib card in Saudi Arabia back in 2019.

Both fighters are similar in style and size. Both throw with intent and both can mix it up on the back foot. This is an intriguing clash.

Expect the momentum to swing between both men as they take it in turns on both the front and back foot. Whoever can ultimately maintain the pressure for longest will be the man with their arm raised at the end of the fight.

As a boxing institution, there’s still something special about an event at York Hall.

This weekend promises to be no different.