Argentinian beef is on menu at Excelsior

Woodall and Paul Counihan…comeback fight for Steed on Thursday

THERE’S Pampas power behind the punches at Scott Murray’s plush Excelsior Sporting Club on Thursday with Argentinians in the opposite corner for two of the night’s three bouts.

And at Cannock’s dicky bow dinner show they’ll face men coming back from key losses.

The Argentine beef will be provided by Buenos Aires southpaw Marcelo Fabian Bzowski, a 36-year-old good enough to box for the South American title down at welter, but on a long winless streak. He’s won 11 of 45, with four draws.

Bzowski has been chosen as the comeback opponent for Birmingham’s talented super-middle Steed Woodall, having his first fight since being stopped by Callum Simpson in a British title bid eight months ago.

Cordoba’s Jose Maria Pombo is the other South American selected for the swank Staffordshire show. He’s been selected to face Cory O’Regan, from Leeds but managed by Birmingham legend Matt Macklin.

Cory, a top amateur, was on a 14 fight winning streak before being halted in April by rugged Jack Rafferty for the Commonwealth super-lightweight belt.

I’ve said it in print and that loss has not altered my opinion. Regan is a very talented, gifted fighter who, even at 29, made the step-up before fully-equipped for 12 round class. Champions have come back from bigger set-backs.

Cory O’Regan with Macklin (right)…looking to get back in title contention

Pombo looks a decent test. The 37-year-old has pulled off some good wins in his native country, compiling an 18-27-1 record.

I’m a little concerned by his nickname, however: “Tomate” – “Tomato” doesn’t really strike fear in opponents’ hearts. It’s no “Dark Destroyer” or “Manassa Mauler”. Somebody should’ve told Pombo tomatoes are soft and easily squashed.

It’ll be interesting to see how both Woodall, a former world class amateur, and Regan respond to adversity.

I’m an unashamed fan of “Stallion” Woodall, a 31-year-old with all the tools to still deliver big things – power, ring intelligence and a good engine.

Remember, last year Woodall ended the long unbeaten run of former British, European and IBO world champ Lerrone Richards with a one pulverising right hand in the sixth.

He appeared to be caught cold by Simpson and stopped in the second. It can – and has – happened to the best.

To date, Steed’s 23 bout, 11 year career, which started in America, has been a frustrating story: a promotional deal with Frank Warren didn’t work out, injury hampered progress.  I truly believe Woodall has yet to show his full potential in the ring.

The frustration is shared by Eastside top trainer Paul “Soggy”. Last year he told me: “Steed’s had a stop-start career. When he came back from America he was expecting big things to happen straight away and it didn’t happen that way – it was delay after delay.”

On Thursday the journey begins again.

Completing the bill, former Midlands 12st champ Liam O’Hare goes over old ground when he faces Jordan Grannum, the most accomplished journeyman in the business, over four. He beat the Islington veteran over the same distance in February, but was wobbled in the second. That adds spice to the return.

I like 29-year-old Liam, I like his ethos. “I just want to be in exciting fights,” he told me. “I bloody love boxing and I will do everything to be in the most exciting fights I can be in.”