END OF SEASON REPORT FOR VIP FIGHTERS WITH HOPES FOR THE NEW SEASON(1-5 FROM 25)
JAMIE MOORE – Closed off the 07/08 season with a 3 round stoppage win over Ciaran Healey to become the first ever holder of the Commonwealth , British and Irish titles. This fight was a second quick KO win following a stoppage of a tough Mexican on the Hatton under card in May and both were perfect in shedding ring rust following a shoulder operation in November after a British Title KO victory over Andrew Facey in October. Jamie had been hoping to move on after his impressive victory over Sebastian Lugan at the end of the previous season but injuries again held him back , but it looks like the new season could be the one as his first fight will be the delayed European title challenge , we await a date of Sky but the 3rd of October is looking likely.
MARK THOMPSON – After finishing 06/07 season with his only loss in a brave challenge to Vincent Vuma , Mark has bounced back with 5 out of 5 wins , 4 coming by KO (3 in 1st rounds) to demonstrate his increased punching power. The only points win was against Frenchman Frank Horta who has since proved his quality by winning his next 6 fights and becoming his country’s Welterweight Champion – that is Marks goal for the coming year. Last season saw him loose 2 chances to step closer to the Lonsdale belt when his promoter let Kevin McKintyre out of a eliminator contract to box for the title and then when he was not fit to box Kell Brook in another eliminator the board ruled he must forfeit that opportunity too. Mark is now in a new eliminator series and will fight Tony Doherty by the end of November in an attempt to move closer to the Lonsdale belt which VIP expect he will earn before the new season ends.
MARK MORAN - Another VIP fighter who will be looking for the Lonsdale belt to be placed on his mantelpiece by the end of the forthcoming season. Mark had a 3 year break before becoming part of our team in September 07 and last season won 5 out of 5 finishing the season with an impressive performance stopping Danny Wallace in the 9th round to win the English Super-bantamweight title. We expect Mark to make a defence of this before becoming the mandatory challenger to new champion Matthew Marsh who we believe to be more than beatable.
GARY DAVIES - This little quality battleship is a recent addition to the camp and has been promised to be kept busy after only fighting 9 times in 6 years . He has settled down working hard in the Gym and moved down to bantamweight weighing 8stone 6lb for his contest in May on the Hatton show which was unfortunately cancelled due to time restraints. He was soon back out looking good in June stopping Sumail Badu in 2 rounds and this year will be looking to challenge Jason Booth for his Commonwealth title.
GARY SYKES – Finishes this year on Friday against Harry Ramagodi and hopes to end the season with a perfect 9 from 9 record . Assuming he does we will be looking to push Gary on in the new season and at least contest for an English title by the end of the season.
We will back next week with another 5 VIP fighters end of the season reports and also confirming shows at Wigan on the 14th September , Colne on the 28th September and the impressive Blackpool Tower on the 22nd November