Cannock bonanza as Murray unveils a four title blockbuster bill!

Sam Eggington…significant 10 rounder at Chase Leisure Centre

HUNGRY, ambitious promoter Scott Murray has pulled out all the stops for his first major public show – and unveiled an absolute blockbuster.

The scale of the event, to be staged in Scott’s hometown of Cannock on September 13, has caught me by surprise. But then, Murray doesn’t believe in doing things by half.

Former British, European and world champ Sam Eggington, fresh from capturing the WBC international silver title a light-middleweight, will top in a 10 rounder.

English featherweight champ Jess Barry will face Stevi Levy, former European super-bantamweight champ, in another 10 rounder. That mouth-watering scrap is billed as being for an international belt at super-bantam – a weight below the division in which Coventry’s “Banshee” usually operates.

Nuneaton’s Minaaz Gurung – the only British pro of Nepalese heritage – fights for the vacant Midlands super-lightweight title on the bill, but not against Conor Baker, the unbeaten boxer the Board of Control called on him to meet. The Tipton boxer has been forced to pull out of the date.

Add to the mix, title action for Cannock’s own welterweight hope Zach Evans – either an area title shot or English or Celtic eliminator.

That’s four 10 rounders on a nine fight bill. The former mining town is about to be gripped by a boxing bonanza.

Jess Barry…featherweight champ moves up for international title

“It’s definitely the biggest show Cannock has seen,” said Scott, “maybe the biggest show Staffordshire has seen. We’re hopeful of getting TV coverage.

“When you are doing something for the first time you have to do something special. When you’re doing something for the first time you have to go all the way.”

It’s a pro boxing return to the leisure centre after about a decade away. Back in the 1980s, former Cannock promoter Ron Gray regularly staged cards at the spacious venue.

Minaaz Gurung…gets his Midlands title chance on the show

Scott’s show will also feature Oscar McCracken, Leo Fanthome, Brad Willetts and big punching heavyweight newcomer Arlo Stephens.

The icing on the cake is the UK debut of Las Vegas KO specialist Craig “Sledgehammer” Parker who has compiled a remarkable record – 20 wins, all by stoppage.

Not surprisingly, Parker is billed as “the cruiserweight Mike Tyson.”

The link with Cannock – more specifically Murray – comes courtesy of California’s Hall of Fame trainer Jesse Reid, a legend who has trained 23 world champs.

Back in the 1980s, when Scott was making a name for himself in the amateur ranks, Reid invited the heavyweight to train with him in the States. A lasting friendship was forged.

Scott said: “Jesse said he’d got this great cruiserweight, but there were some issues with American promoters. I offered to help and the result is Craig Parker’s making the trip from Vegas to Cannock.”

That may be a first. The town doesn’t top American tourists’ wish-list.