Elcock v McDermott at Coventry Skydome.

[scrap iron]

Surprised, but happy that this fight is now talking place at the Skydome in Coventry on June 20. It may be a bit further for Birmingham fans to travel, but the Skydome is a cracking venue and more boxing should be held there. Easy to find and lots of parking too. Hope Mick Hennessy adds Lee Purdy and John O'Donnell to the undercard.

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Surprised, but happy that this fight is now talking place at the Skydome in Coventry on June 20. It may be a bit further for Birmingham fans to travel, but the Skydome is a cracking venue and more boxing should be held there. Easy to find and lots of parking too. Hope Mick Hennessy adds Lee Purdy and John O'Donnell to the undercard.

Nah, only about 10 miles away from Brum is Cov. Macca's fans will have to travel the furthest: Dudley is a good 15-20 miles away.

Wayne is angry that it’s had to be moved to the Skydome. He really wanted to make all his defences in his hometown, but said he’ll box at the NIA for his second defence. Daz said he honestly couldn't care less where the fight has been moved to, as he'll win the title wherever the fight takes place.

Can't wait.

[scrap iron]

Surprised, but happy that this fight is now talking place at the Skydome in Coventry on June 20. It may be a bit further for Birmingham fans to travel, but the Skydome is a cracking venue and more boxing should be held there. Easy to find and lots of parking too. Hope Mick Hennessy adds Lee Purdy and John O'Donnell to the undercard.

Nah, only about 10 miles away from Brum is Cov. Macca's fans will have to travel the furthest: Dudley is a good 15-20 miles away.

Wayne is angry that it’s had to be moved to the Skydome. He really wanted to make all his defences in his hometown, but said he’ll box at the NIA for his second defence. Daz said he honestly couldn't care less where the fight has been moved to, as he'll win the title wherever the fight takes place.

Can't wait.

Who's your money on?

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Who's your money on?

I’ve been changing my prediction on the fight every single day for the last four years. Still, I think that Mac will win. I think that he’s too hungry, too fresh and will just keep pumping those fists in Wayne’s face until he can take it no more, probably stopping him in the last three.

Having seen 14 of Elcock’s 21 fights live and ten of McDermott’s 15 live I have seen more than enough to know what each are capable of. Wayne’s always thrived on confidence and I just wonder what it will be like on the back of that stoppage loss to Abraham?

I remember how timid he was in his first few fights after the knockout loss to Murphy in 2003. Being short on confidence is the last thing you want when someone like Darren, who is full of confidence and one of the fittest fighters I have seen, is pumping his long-armed attacks in your face for 12 rounds.

How about you?

[scrap iron]

Who's your money on?

I’ve been changing my prediction on the fight every single day for the last four years. Still, I think that Mac will win. I think that he’s too hungry, too fresh and will just keep pumping those fists in Wayne’s face until he can take it no more, probably stopping him in the last three.

Having seen 14 of Elcock’s 21 fights live and ten of McDermott’s 15 live I have seen more than enough to know what each are capable of. Wayne’s always thrived on confidence and I just wonder what it will be like on the back of that stoppage loss to Abraham?

I remember how timid he was in his first few fights after the knockout loss to Murphy in 2003. Being short on confidence is the last thing you want when someone like Darren, who is full of confidence and one of the fittest fighters I have seen, is pumping his long-armed attacks in your face for 12 rounds.

How about you?

Yeah, I agree with you. I remember how gun shy Elcock looked when he was in against Scott Dann, the Murphy loss was clearly playing on his mind that night. I think Elcock has a nice jab and smooth skills, but I get the feeling the Black Country Bodysnatcher's style is going to be a hard one for Elcock to deal with. Am I right in thinking McDermott has never been shown on TV before?

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Yeah, I agree with you. I remember how gun shy Elcock looked when he was in against Scott Dann, the Murphy loss was clearly playing on his mind that night. I think Elcock has a nice jab and smooth skills, but I get the feeling the Black Country Bodysnatcher's style is going to be a hard one for Elcock to deal with. Am I right in thinking McDermott has never been shown on TV before?

Yeah, this will be the first time he’s been shown on the box.

McDermott puts his shots together so well: threes and fours at a distance where his height shows. He will have significant advantage in height (6’1 to 5.9 1/2) and is stronger than a lot of people give him credit for, probably thinking that his long, lean body means he is weak. Wrong. Mick Monaghan and Darren Rhodes said that Mac was stronger than Elcock.

Elcock has to try and box the way he did against Stevie Bendall a few years ago: forcing the fight and trying to bang away at the body. If he does end up being the stronger man on the night – and who knows until they actually star fighting – then he needs to make sure this fight stays in close so he can outmuscle him.

Its such a close fight and even better that it’s a Birmingham versus Black Country clash for the Lonsdale Belt.

[scrap iron]

It will be a good weekend for boxing in the midlands with the Amir Khan fight happening in Birmingham the next day. Good names on the NIA bill, just a shame they're not in very competitive matches. How would you rate Thomas Costello and Jamie Cox? Has Cox now left Richie Woodhall's Aston gym?

[TerribleTerry]

Absolutely gutted. The revised date cuts right across my holiday - feckin typical. My tickets are on their way back to the booking agent.

The atmosphere will be electric - even though its now in Cov, as Tom points out its no real distance, esp for Elcock's fans.

Where ever this fight was to take place in the midlands it was always going to be a barnburner..

As a fellow Blues fan I want to see Elcock defend his crown but my head says McDemott's long armed, raking attacks will see to Mad Dog and bring Dudley the British crown.

Hell of a fight!

[Podmore_Birmingham]

It will be a good weekend for boxing in the midlands with the Amir Khan fight happening in Birmingham the next day. Good names on the NIA bill, just a shame they're not in very competitive matches. How would you rate Thomas Costello and Jamie Cox? Has Cox now left Richie Woodhall's Aston gym?

Martin Concepcion has a quality-looking fight on the NIA card: a six-rounder with Kerry Hope. Martin was only saying to me last week how he wanted a couple of confidence-boosting wins before going for another title shot – obviously Hope, who has only lost one of 12, meets that criteria.

I rate both Costello and Cox very highly. Both are a capable at competing at a high level, though would probably tip Cox to go further. Costello, who has fast hands and fights tall, is turning into a Nathan Cleverley due the fact he turned over at 18 (last year) at light-welterweight and is now growing into a middleweight.

Yes, Cox is now back in Swindon.

[whiteboy]

hmmmm not sure whether to go to this or the amir khan one, how much are tickets for this one?

is it a good idea having it on this date, will the crowd be affected? I went to the Eastman fight at skydome and the crowd wasn't huge.

Agree though, good venue - plenty of drinking outlets nearby 8)

[Podmore_Birmingham]

is it a good idea having it on this date, will the crowd be affected? I went to the Eastman fight at skydome and the crowd wasn't huge.

The difference there was that Eastman couldn't sell a seat to save his life. This is a Birmingham versus Black Country derby and McDermott regularly use to sell in the region of 550-600 for his fights at Dudley Town Hall. He is expected to shift a hell of a lot more than that for his British title fight.

I’ve heard Wayne is doing really well on the ticket-selling front.

[scrap iron]

Tom, you mention that Wayne wants to make the second defence of his title (presuming he gets past Mac of course) at the NIA. With the greatest of respect to Wayne isn't that venue too big for him to sell out or would he be fighting on an undercard of someone else?

[whiteboy]

is it a good idea having it on this date, will the crowd be affected? I went to the Eastman fight at skydome and the crowd wasn't huge.

The difference there was that Eastman couldn't sell a seat to save his life. This is a Birmingham versus Black Country derby and McDermott regularly use to sell in the region of 550-600 for his fights at Dudley Town Hall. He is expected to shift a hell of a lot more than that for his British title fight.

I’ve heard Wayne is doing really well on the ticket-selling front.

Fair play then, didnt realise he has such support (then again I've never even seen him fight). Would be a top atmosphere!

What I really meant about the Eastman fight was I thought there might be more Brummies there.

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Tom, you mention that Wayne wants to make the second defence of his title (presuming he gets past Mac of course) at the NIA. With the greatest of respect to Wayne isn't that venue too big for him to sell out or would he be fighting on an undercard of someone else?

It wouldn’t be too big if he fights the man he's widely expected to, same city rival Matthew Macklin. That would probably do better business than this one, mainly because Macklin is well-known outside Midlands and hardcore boxing circles.

Matthew has always been able to sell loads and loads. He got rid of 1,000 for his first (only) pro fight in Birmingham, the undercard of Mutley-Anderson at the Aston Villa Events Centre two years ago, on three weeks notice.

Imagine how many he’d sell for an all-Birmingham (all-Birmingham City-supporting) clash with plenty of notice.

[whiteboy]

Just belled the skydome and floor and tier seats are £35

Only bronze ringside left £75

[scrap iron]

Tom, you mention that Wayne wants to make the second defence of his title (presuming he gets past Mac of course) at the NIA. With the greatest of respect to Wayne isn't that venue too big for him to sell out or would he be fighting on an undercard of someone else?

It wouldn’t be too big if he fights the man he's widely expected to, same city rival Matthew Macklin. That would probably do better business than this one, mainly because Macklin is well-known outside Midlands and hardcore boxing circles.

Matthew has always been able to sell loads and loads. He got rid of 1,000 for his first (only) pro fight in Birmingham, the undercard of Mutley-Anderson at the Aston Villa Events Centre two years ago, on three weeks notice.

Imagine how many he’d sell for an all-Birmingham (all-Birmingham City-supporting) clash with plenty of notice.

I find it astonishing Macklin hasn't fought more in the midlands. It was a big shame he was only allowed about 50 tickets in the 1,000 capacity George Carnell Leisure centre when he fought Jamie Moore in Manchester. Hopefully with Frankie Gavin and Kal Yafai turning professional after the Olympics, Birmingham boxers can start fighting in Birmingham more often.

[TerribleTerry]

I find it astonishing Macklin hasn't fought more in the midlands.

Blame allegedly.

Macklin was desperate to fight in Brum the whole time he was under SNs banner but for unknown reasons FW wouldnt promote there (surely the McCraken fiasco cant have been the only reason?)

Now that 2 hot prospects for the Olympics come from Brum SN are suddenly putting on a card in the Second City - FW is so transparent it is comical at times..

[scrap iron]

Tom, you mention that Wayne wants to make the second defence of his title (presuming he gets past Mac of course) at the NIA. With the greatest of respect to Wayne isn't that venue too big for him to sell out or would he be fighting on an undercard of someone else?

It wouldn’t be too big if he fights the man he's widely expected to, same city rival Matthew Macklin. That would probably do better business than this one, mainly because Macklin is well-known outside Midlands and hardcore boxing circles.

Matthew has always been able to sell loads and loads. He got rid of 1,000 for his first (only) pro fight in Birmingham, the undercard of Mutley-Anderson at the Aston Villa Events Centre two years ago, on three weeks notice.

Imagine how many he’d sell for an all-Birmingham (all-Birmingham City-supporting) clash with plenty of notice.

Even though there has been no publicity about this fight being moved to the Skydome (I can't believe Wellington has posted something up yet), a mate of mine who works there has told me tickets are flying out and they expect a sell-out.

Tom, what exactly would it mean if Darren McDermott won the fight. Could he defend against Macklin at the NIA instead? Will Mick Hennessy have control of him?

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Even though there has been no publicity about this fight being moved to the Skydome (I can't believe Wellington has posted something up yet), a mate of mine who works there has told me tickets are flying out and they expect a sell-out.

Tom, what exactly would it mean if Darren McDermott won the fight. Could he defend against Macklin at the NIA instead? Will Mick Hennessy have control of him?

I don’t doubt the tickets are flying. I did something for a local newspaper the other day and the paper’s offices were flooded with calls about who to phone to get tickets. If they had read to the bottom of the piece – would have been the sensible thing to do – then they would have seen a number to contact!

McDermott is actually promoted by allegedly and managed by fellow-Black Countryman Dean Powell so the Hennessy angle would be out of the window. It’s difficult to say what his next move would be, although Macklin is next in line for the winner.

Maybe Sports Network would try and manoeuvre him into a voluntary defence against Paul Smith?

But Warren hasn’t promoted Mac since he drew with then-unbeaten Gokhan Kazaz – I was in London watching that fight (undercard of Hatton-Olivera in 2004) and I thought Daz was robbed. Since then he has been boxing on Errol Johnson and PJ Rowson’s cards at Dudley Town Hall and the Wolverhampton Civic, building up an even bigger fan base.

[scrap iron]

I remember allegedly tried to get McDermott in to face Gary Lockett a couple of years ago, sounds like Warren been doing another great job of promoting a boxer from the midlands. Not.

[CB]

Even though there has been no publicity about this fight being moved to the Skydome (I can't believe Wellington has posted something up yet), a mate of mine who works there has told me tickets are flying out and they expect a sell-out.

Tom, what exactly would it mean if Darren McDermott won the fight. Could he defend against Macklin at the NIA instead? Will Mick Hennessy have control of him?

I don’t doubt the tickets are flying. I did something for a local newspaper the other day and the paper’s offices were flooded with calls about who to phone to get tickets. If they had read to the bottom of the piece – would have been the sensible thing to do – then they would have seen a number to contact!

McDermott is actually promoted by allegedly allegedly and managed by fellow-Black Countryman Dean Powell so the Hennessy angle would be out of the window. It’s difficult to say what his next move would be, although Macklin is next in line for the winner.

Maybe Sports Network would try and manoeuvre him into a voluntary defence against Paul Smith?

But Warren hasn’t promoted Mac since he drew with then-unbeaten Gokhan Kazaz – I was in London watching that fight (undercard of Hatton-Olivera in 2004) and I thought Daz was robbed. Since then he has been boxing on Errol Johnson and PJ Rowson’s cards at Dudley Town Hall and the Wolverhampton Civic, building up an even bigger fan base.

Providing a great deal of interest here with the three local lads (Flinn, Davies and Mulhern) all popular boxers who should have great support.

Should be a good night and glad to have some decent boxing back in the City.

[chris_23]

I remember allegedly allegedly tried to get McDermott in to face Gary Lockett a couple of years ago, sounds like Warren been doing another great job of promoting a boxer from the midlands. Not.

I haven't read the rest of this thread but I do know this one was meant to happen but McDermott was getting married either the week or the week after it was proposed so it never happened because the lad had everything booked and literally just couldn't do the date.

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Providing a great deal of interest here with the three local lads (Flinn, Davies and Mulhern) all popular boxers who should have great support.

Should be a good night and glad to have some decent boxing back in the City.

And don't forget Danny Coyle, who comes from nearby Atherstone. Both of his pro fights (both wins) have been crowdpleasing battles and sells loads of tickets.

[CB]

Providing a great deal of interest here with the three local lads (Flinn, Davies and Mulhern) all popular boxers who should have great support.

Should be a good night and glad to have some decent boxing back in the City.

And don't forget Danny Coyle, who comes from nearby Atherstone. Both of his pro fights (both wins) have been crowdpleasing battles and sells loads of tickets.

I saw Coyle fight over in Brum (Was meant to be Llewelly Davies' first fight) a month or so ago and considering he was being hyped up to be a very decent fighter I wasn't overly impressed and he got hit very easily.

Did have great support though so should definitely add to the atmophere.

[Coco]

It will be a good weekend for boxing in the midlands with the Amir Khan fight happening in Birmingham the next day. Good names on the NIA bill, just a shame they're not in very competitive matches. How would you rate Thomas Costello and Jamie Cox? Has Cox now left Richie Woodhall's Aston gym?

Martin Concepcion has a quality-looking fight on the NIA card: a six-rounder with Kerry Hope. Martin was only saying to me last week how he wanted a couple of confidence-boosting wins before going for another title shot – obviously Hope, who has only lost one of 12, meets that criteria.

I rate both Costello and Cox very highly. Both are a capable at competing at a high level, though would probably tip Cox to go further. Costello, who has fast hands and fights tall, is turning into a Nathan Cleverley due the fact he turned over at 18 (last year) at light-welterweight and is now growing into a middleweight.

Yes, Cox is now back in Swindon.

Whats Cox doing now then, what happened with Ritchie?