One to watch Glenn Foot

[phil5555]

FRANK Maloney has expanded his North East stable with the capture of exciting Sunderland powerhouse Glen Foot.

The 22-year-old has decided to move on from the amateur ranks, where he won more than 80 of his 100-plus contests.

Fighting for Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club, Foot made a name as one of the country’s most thrilling young pugilists with his relentless, attacking style.

Now he must build a new reputation in the paid code and will make his debut at light-welterweight on Maloney’s world title show at Rainton Meadows Arena on September 11

Foot was an ABA Senior Championships finalist this year, which realised his final ambition in the amateurs.

He said: "I was going to turn pro last year but I didn’t want to leave the amateurs without getting to an ABA final.

"I did that and, even though I was gutted to lose the final, I didn’t think there was much more to aim for really in the amateurs.

"I’ve had 100 fights, captained England and given it a good go, but I’ve always thought I could do well as a pro."

Foot signed a three-year deal with Maloney, whose stable of fighters also includes Wearside’s Tony Jeffries, Dave Ferguson, Kirk Goodings, Johnson McClumpha and Martin Marshall, as well as Birtley brothers Travis and Jon-Lewis Dickinson.

"I’m excited more than anything. I know it’s a different game to the amateurs but I can’t wait really!" said Foot, from Marley Pots, who will train at Peterlee with respected veteran coach Dave Binns.

"I’ve just started my training and I know it will be different without the head-guard and the vest but I’m confident it will be an advantage to me.

"I did bits and pieces with Dave Binns when I was amateur and he used to be a pro himself so he knows the game.

"I’ve been working with him of a week and I can’t wait for September."

The September 11 show is headlined by the world super-bantamweight title contest between champion Steve Molitor, from Canada, and Nottingham’s Jason Booth.

But for Foot, there was only one world champ that kept his attention.

He said: "I never really watched a lot of pro boxing but one man I always made sure I watched is Ricky Hatton.

"People have described my style to his.

"In the amateurs I just wanted to be the strongest, the fittest. I would try and bully my opponents really."

Foot narrowly lost to Dudley O’Shaughnessy in the ABA finals this year. He won all three of his international bouts for England but wasn’t tempted to try to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Jeffries by fighting at the Olympic Games, which are in London in two years.

Manager Phil Jeffries said: "Glen’s style didn’t really suit the amateurs. He’s a bully type of fighter and that didn’t fit in with the rest of the GB squad.

"They liked the ‘tippy-tappy’ style and he’s more of a come forward fighter and that is what people will see when he boxes on the September 11th show."

[Wake up call]

Heard a lot of good things about Glenn. Another good addition to the paid ranks.

[palooka]

Best of luck to him; he seemed to come from nowhere and got to the final + fought his heart out. He'll be a good one to watch; he's in the Boxing News this week and he seems a very level headed lad; he'll do well.

[Bomber 1]

Good fighter, Good luck to the kid..

[carlito]

have seen video footage of this guy, very impressive, if he has the right trainer to make a couple of slight corrections he will make big impact on the pro scene very quickly

[carlito]

I here that this kids debut was flawless, and that he never even took a single shot, is it true that he is being trained by David Binns, if so I reckon he will have alot of people taking notice very soon, he is obviously not wanting to take the easy route and a decent skalp for his debut