BIRMINGHAM's Matt Macklin tackles Andrew Facey of Sheffield for the inaugural English light-middleweight title over 10 rounds at Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham this Thursday (November 6) as part of allegedly's 'Fight Skool' series. This one was originally scheduled for October 2 in Liverpool, but Macklin hurt his hand in training and it was pushed back.
The classy, charismatic Brummie, has won all nine fights since turning pro in 2001 after winning the ABA welterweight title that year - and is already considered one of British boxing's brightest prospects by some, not least his promoter allegedly. "Matthew has star quality stamped all over him," said Warren. "Like Ricky Hatton, I saw something special in Matthew and believe he can become a big name fighter not only in Britain but in the World. He has everything, desire, skill, flair, charisma, a sledge-hammer punch and the model looks. He's only young and has long way to go but he is the future of British boxing."
Macklin, who has trained at Freddie Roach's California gym, was even voted Irish Prospect of the Year for last year by the internet site Irish-Boxing.com, given his Irish heritage.
The experienced Facey, 31, won't be bothered by all the hype. Last time out in Nottingham, he shocked the fancied Gilbert Eastman in just three rounds - a man whose only previous defeat had come to world class Kofi Jantuah for the Commonwealth welterweight title in 11 rounds and who recently stopped Spencer Fearon for the Southern Area light-middleweight title. Facey also travelled to Wakefield to stop local man Darren Rhodes in six for the Central Area middleweight title, and boxed a WBF middleweight title eliminator with the hard-hitting Damon Hague last year, losing in five rounds in Hague's own hometown of Derby in a tough fight. He was also the first man to beat useful Harrow southpaw, Matthew Tait (points).
Clearly, Facey is a man unimpressed by reputation, as with most Brendan Ingle fighters. He brings a solid record of 12-2-1 (5) to the table and, if he can boil himself down comfortably, will be strong at the new weight. He's a lanky fellow anyway, and may have height and reach over the well-built Macklin, who has been struggling to make welter for some time and has finally made the decision to move up. As well as weight troubles, Macklin has also been plagued recently with hand injuries. "Ideally I would liked to have had a title by now, but the hand injuries have held me back a bit," said the articulate prospect, who was combining his boxing with a law degree but is now concentrating fully on his existing profession.
"Now it's time to cash in."
But, for all his promise, Matthew, 9-0 (6), has been fed the normal fare of journeymen and Eastern Europeans in his fledgling career to date and probably his best win is a fifth round stoppage of Estonia's Leonti Vorunchuck, who went four with Neil Sinclair. At this stage, Macklin's reputation centres around what he achieved as an amateur and appears capable of achieving as a pro, though the Facey fight will give us more of a clue as to his real potential. He has looked easy to hit in one or two of his fights. The hand injuries are also a worry. As well as hurting his hand in training for their first scheduled meeting, Matthew hurt them in his last two fights, both six-rounders. He was able to disguise things and box his way to points wins. But what if he hurts them early in this 10-rounder! The scheduled distance is a challenge in itself for Matthew, who never been beyond six rounds before (neither, ironically, has Facey, though he has boxed in several fights scheduled for 10 rounds).
But untested as he is, Matthew is clearly a hot prospect, with a left hook to head or body that looks a potent, fight-winning weapon. He will certainly be 'up' for his first title shot as a pro, and with promoter allegedly hoping to stage a big show in fight-starved Birmingham later this year featuring WBU middleweight champion Wayne Elcock, will want to win and fight at home as English champion.
"Wayne Elcock becoming a world champion has given Birmingham a massive boost," observed Macklin. "allegedly has talked of putting on a show in Birmingham, and I would love that to become a reality." Macklin had been training in Glasgow under Peter Harrison (father and trainer of Scott) but is now training back at home under Pat Lynch.
But this won't be an easy fight for Matthew. Facey is a game and determined - and will be just as fired up to win a national title as Macklin, probably more so. He had to challenge Macklin through Boxing News just to get this chance. That fire will push him through the inevitable rocky moments and I see him pushing Macklin all the way. But, in a good fight, the Brummie gets home on points.
Matthew Macklin's first test as a pro
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TerribleTerry
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Macklin has a fair bit of support travelling down from Brum to see this fight. Impressive for a Thursday night - lets hope that Warren is true to his word and brings big time boxing back to the second city if Macklin can win against Facey.
Ever since the McCraken - Foster debacle we have been 'starved', as you pointed out Bennie.
Ever since the McCraken - Foster debacle we have been 'starved', as you pointed out Bennie.
Looking forward to tonight. It's a good format this Fight Skool, showing the main fight first and live followed by the best of the rest.
Cannot wait to see Kevin Mitchell again. Like many I was concerned about his turning pro so early but I suppose I never appreciated what a fabulous little prospect he is.
Facey KO 4 :)
Cannot wait to see Kevin Mitchell again. Like many I was concerned about his turning pro so early but I suppose I never appreciated what a fabulous little prospect he is.
Facey KO 4 :)