Area Title fights - who would you propose?

[Cazelo]

Now we have the English/Celtic titles we should reduce the Area titles to 8 rounders , would be the next step before 10 rounders . Proposed to board previously but knocked back .

Would the titles be recognised by boxrec them? Don't see belts recognised that are contested over 8. Would be a great route though. Fighter does his 4 X 4 rounders, 2 6 rounders, does an 8 rounder for challenge belt then 8 rounder for area belt. Moves up to 10 rounder for Celtic or English before looking at British commonwealth or international belts.

[maley1984]

The problem is fights aren't happening after getting made. So many English title or area title fights or eliminators dont happen and fighters withdraw from the purse bid. It's a fight for down the line wat a load of rubbish. Step the lads up stop conning the fans

Wen my cuz boxed he was matched against midlands champ. Fight doubled up to vacant English title the kid retired unbeaten. Then our kid was matched with 4 unbeaten fighters at purse bids with all withdrawing finally another unbeaten kid took the fight. Months waiting round wen all the lad wanted to do was test himself against so called prospects.

[m1kee50]

Now we have the English/Celtic titles we should reduce the Area titles to 8 rounders , would be the next step before 10 rounders . Proposed to board previously but knocked back .

Would the titles be recognised by boxrec them? Don't see belts recognised that are contested over 8. Would be a great route though. Fighter does his 4 X 4 rounders, 2 6 rounders, does an 8 rounder for challenge belt then 8 rounder for area belt. Moves up to 10 rounder for Celtic or English before looking at British commonwealth or international belts.

I think that is a sensible idea - making the Area title 8 rounds, 10 for the English/Celtic and 12 for the British -

but there's no need for any sort of 'challenge' or 'masters' belt to be thrown into that mix. If the regional/British titles are being contested regularly then there will be plenty of opportunities to fight for BBBofC titles, it's up to the board to work with promoters and fighters to make sure these matchups happen,

then there'd be no need for these mickey mouse belts, same as at higher level youve now got WBO/WBC etc 'European' titles to go with their International, Silver, Intercontinental belts, because they feel that to sell a fight it must have a belt involved and theres only (only!) 4 world titles to go around.

it shouldn't be a straightforward progression either, as in, once you've had the requisite amount of fights, in you go. if you arent good enough after your 7 or 8 fights, for the Area title, you should have to make the case for it in the ring, not just a matter of ticking off the number of fights had

and imo the British title should only be open to you after you've won the English/Celtic, English/Celtic only after an Area title... you dont have to be the current holder but you need to show you''ve got to that level and stayed there, even if the opportunity to fight for the E/C or Area title didnt reappear, you're fighting people who themselves are at that level, former title holders, etc.

e.g right now I would say that the people eligible for the British HW title, if it were up to me, would be

Whyte (holder)
Joshua (former holder, evidently above the level of British title)
Tyson Fury (former holder, evidently above the level of British title)
David Price (former holder, probably at the level of British title despite recent losses)
Chisora (former holder, probably at the level of British title)
Winner of Akinlade vs Gorman (English Champion)
(There is no current Celtic Champion)
Lewison (probably at the level of British title due to competitive challenge to Whyte)


and 'highly rated' people who shouldnt be put forward for it:
Hughie Fury - world title fight or not, hasnt beaten anyone of the caliber required, if he loses to Parker he shouldn't go straight into consideration for the British, he should have to beat someone of the level first
Gary Cornish - badly beaten by future holder, hasnt shown he belongs at the level, should be fighting for Area/Celtic title
Nick Webb - should be put forward for the Area title
Kash Ali - should be put forward for Area title
David Allen - Area title. Best showings in defeat, still relatively inexperienced as a pro
Dorian Darch - should be fighting for the Area title, possibly Darch vs Cornish for the Celtic title with a view to the winner fighting whyte for the British. Darch's fight with Webb is a good matchup that if they were both from the same area could easily be for an Area or English title.
Sam Sexton - last notable win was in 2009. Should be in the queue to fight for an Area title.

[Realistic]

Any Welsh, Irish or Scottish title should be called a National title not area.

[Stuffs]

Completely agree with the structures proposed. Area > English > British etc. The 8/10 rounds suggestion also a great shout.

As for some not so great shouts, here's my suggestions for the Central Area, currently vacant belts...

Cruiser

Jack Massey v Sam Hyde

If Jack is edging towards an English title then I'd put in Simon Vallily. Last I saw Jack was with a Masters belt. Talented kid though.

Light Heavy

Charlie Schofield v Lyndon Arthur

In all honesty it's way too soon for Arthur, but there's a dearth of LH action in the area with Tatham and Conroy already beyond Area level.

Super Middle

Nathan Wheatley v Dale Coyne

I'd possibly want Mark Heffron in the mix, but think he's beyond this now.

Super Welter

Mason Cartwright v Matthew Ryan

Light

Kallum De'Ath v Artif Ali

Maybe Steve Brogan, but again possibly beyond this level now.

Feather

Zahid Hussain v Michael Gomez Jnr

Gomez I think might have moved up, but just going off Boxrec. Maybe in which case swap for Jack Chruchill. I don't know much about him though tbh.

Super Bantam

Marcel Braithwaite v Ricky Starkey

Both practically novices in the pro ranks, but options pretty limited unless someone comes up or goes down in weight. A bit soon for both.

Bantam

Osman Aslam v Marc Leach

Leach again is possibly beyond this. I think he might have had a English challenge go up in smoke a few months back, but not much in way of local talent at this weight.

Super Fly and Fly, there just isn't anyone.

[Greg Houston]

Scottish Area Title fights

Heavyweight

Ross Henderson v Ian Millarvie or Jay McFarlane

Cruiserweight

Not many apart from Simmons who is past this level.. Got James Quigley maybe v Heron I think his name is.

Light Heavyweight

Brian Forsyth v Grant Quigley ... I think this may be happening on a MTK show

Super Middleweight

David Brophy v John McCallum.. I know David is fighting for the Commonwealth but will be difficult away from home.. If he wins I'd like to see a defence of the commonwealth and Scottish Title here.. Very good fight

Middleweight

Connor Law v Marc Kerr

Light Middle or super welter

Kieran Smith v Gary Murray ... Kieran looks the real deal and Gary improving all the time

Welterweight

John Thain v Kris Carslaw - rematch Sam Ball is this mix also

Super Lightweight

Lewis Benson v Jason Easton .... Very strong division in Scotland and the fight everyone wants to see. great Rivalry as Amateurs

Lightweight

Charlie Flynn v Ryan Collins... We are getting it fantastic fight..

Super Feather

Ronnie Clark V Jordon Mcrorry... I think Jordon deserves a rematch was a very competitive first fight would like to see it again or John Simpson I am a huge fan of John's and so is Ronnie I know he would love that fight.. I'm sure both would love to prove whose the best Super Feather in Scotland

Featherweight

Darren Traynor v Michael Roberts Jnr .. I'm told Roberts Jnr wants to fight at this weight bring Stephen Tiffney into the mix and we have a strong division..

Super Bantamweight

Not really got anyone

Bantamweight

Ukashir Farrooq v Jamie Wilson .. I like this fight very even on paper

Super flyweight / flyweight

Scott Allan v Ross Murray .. Would like to see Scott a bit lower in weight to use his natural advantages. I think he would be really strong a flyweight

Plenty of good all Scottish fights there and all can be made quite easily let's get these belts moving

Forsyth boxes Rhys Pagan for the super-middleweight title next month, whilst Quigley faces Philbin in June with the hope that it will be for the light-heavyweight. Eddie Doyle currently has the super-lightweight title and was due to defend against Redpath next week but now boxes Stephen Carroll for the eight round Celtic Nations title.

On a side note, the Scottish Area Council don't actually have belts for the titles. Some promoters have them made and then give them to the winner.