Ash and Leo boxing clever on same bill

Eales talks at Sunday’s conference, Leo looks on. Pics: Aidan Hewitt

ASHLEE Eales and Leo Fanthome may be part of the same gym – Nuneaton’s Boxing Clever, but they’re very different fighters, very different individuals.

Eales is the flashy, fast-talking showman who collected 10 straight wins and the Midlands light-middleweight title before coming a cropper in his last outing 14 months. A broken hand has kept the 31-year-old sidelined since that points defeat.

Fanthome, from Redditch, is more measured in conversation and in the ring. He’s picked himself up after stoppage defeat in his second bout to compile a 4-1 record.

Both fight on Scott Murray’s title extravaganza at Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock, on September 13.

Eales told Sunday’s press conference to unveil the show: “Hopefully, I’m doing an eight rounder. I’m coming off a loss, I’ve had 14 months off, I’m starving to get back.

Leo Fanthome at the Premier Suite, Cannock

“I broke my hard, it’s the third one (I’ve suffered). I was quite complacent going into my last fight, but things happen for a reason, it’s all part of the game. I couldn’t get an opponent when I didn’t have a loss. Hopefully, I’ll get an opponent now.”

Fanthome, too, has had to overcome defeat.

“I was complacent,” he shrugged. “It was a bad night at the office. I’ve always been strong, punch hard with both hands and I became complacent.”

Performance since that final round loss show important lessons have been learned.