Local professional boxing scene is alive and kicking

Photo: Karen Priestley

Andy Kremner can't wait for his home-town show on March 3. PIC courtesy of Karen Priestley

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Unbeaten Delph welterweight hopeful Andy Kremner can’t wait to strut his considerable stuff in his home town for the first time on Saturday, March 3.

The Oldham Sports Centre will be the venue for VIP Promotions’ latest exciting professional showcase, and Kremner (25) can’t wait to feature on the bill.

The last of his eight professional wins so far came in December when he outpointed Duane Green at Trafford Park’s Victoria Warehouse, but that came after a nightmare stop-start couple of years in which Kremner suffered a badly injured shoulder and was involved in a terrible car crash.

Kremner said of the forthcoming Oldham show – which also features local favourites Danny Wright, Joe Eko and Jack Kilgannon: “I can’t wait to get back in the ring again, I’ve really been stepping up my training (with Matthew Hatton in Tameside).

“I moved up to welterweight now and I feel so much better.

“I’m now working hard to build myself up big and strong. I want to be a solid welterweight.

“There’s no motivation needed for the Oldham show as far as I’m concerned.

“It’s brilliant to finally get the chance to shine in front of a home crowd.
“The atmosphere will be amazing.”

Meanwhile, Kremner has secured one of the eight berths available at the inaugural 'Ultimate Boxxer' tournament, which takes place at Event City at the Trafford Centre on April 28.

Backed by the likes of Ricky Hatton, Paulie Malignaggi and Anthony Crolla, 'Ultimate Boxxer' will see eight fighters in four quarter-finals of three x three minute rounds, followed by two semi-finals and one final, with the winner becoming tournament champion for their weight class.

It is similar to the Prizefighter format that was promoted by Matchroom.

Sign up at www.ultimateboxxer.com for access to ticket pre-sales on February 19.

Another top local prospect – and another unbeaten welterweight – is the aforementioned Wright from Failsworth.

Wright (21) has won all seven of his professional bouts so far, having completed another KO success against Jan Korec at Wigan last time out in December.

He is currently ‘ticking over’ under the guidance of trainer Ben Lancaster in Middleton, and is also set to fight on the mouth-watering Oldham bill on March 3.

Former national amateur champion Wright said: “This year is going to be another one for making good progress I hope.

“I reckon I can get myself up to central area title level.

“Maybe after nine or 10 fights I can secure myself a shot at that belt. That’s the plan.”

Looking at a slightly higher profile, Chadderton-based Crolla (31) – the former WBA world lightweight champion – is currently training with Joe Gallagher in Bolton ahead of whatever next lies in store.

Crolla, who lost his world belt to tough-as-teak Venezualan Jorge Linares last March, got back on track with a unanimous decision non-title win against Scottish rival Ricky Burns in October.

He is now awaiting his next assignment, with an announcement anticipated soon.

Top Oldham-based amateur prospect Will Cawley, meanwhile, continues to make huge strides as he works towards his dream of an appearance at the Olympic Games.

The former Oldham Boxing-trained fighter is now a fully funded member of the Great Britain boxing team and has recently been away on a winter training camp in the USA.

A former British Lionheart team member and the 2016 England Boxing Elite National champion, Cawley is currently gearing up for a prestigious inter-continental tournament in Bulgaria, and then the rest of 2018 promises plenty.