Bid to bag ‘Savage’ a title final eliminator

Sam Eggington…top the big February show at Chase Leisure Centre

IF everything goes to plan – and in boxing things rarely go to plan, Sam Eggington will top Scott Murray’s major new year Cannock show in a British title final eliminator.

The news is the icing on the cake for a bonanza bill that seems to get bigger with each week. The Cannock Chase Leisure Centre event, on February 7, is close to colossal.

There are two Midlands title fights planned for the card, a British bantamweight title eliminator for Nyall Berry and I’m pleased to see Coventry’s Jess Barry – out since April through injury – returning in the Cannock fight carnival.

Murray has certainly pushed the boat out. If my calculations are correct, the current list of contests stands at 10.

And it could be a very significant night for Stourbridge “Savage” Eggington, a former British, European and world champion. It is hoped he’ll put the seal on a Lonsdale Belt opportunity at light-middle.

But manager Jon Pegg stressed: “(A British title final eliminator), that’s the plan, if we can find an opponent – and finding opponents for Sam isn’t easy.”

Jess Barry…back after being sidelined through injury

For Barry, who in a nine-fight career has collected a Midlands title, English title and Commonwealth silver title, Cannock presents the opportunity to put the frustration of recent months behind her.

Barry’s last contest took place in France, a points win over Laela El Ksiri. You have to feel for the 31-year-old, sidelined just as her career was gaining real momentum.

“She suffered a neck and foot injury,” manager Pegg said. “She’ll have a six rounder, then we’re planning to have Jess make a title defence a month later on Scott’s dinner show (The Excelsior Sporting Club). She had her first couple of spars this week.”

Barry has taken a philosophical approach to the setback, telling me in October: “It’s really disappointing, but this one isn’t going to put me out. There were opponents I felt I was – I am – ready to fight and I was getting down to the weight where I want to be (super-bantam).

“It is what it is, I’ve got to put it down to experience and be ready to go in February or March. I just want to get the biggest fights I can.”