Coventry’s Amir and Callum in title action

Amir Abubaker…travels to Alfreton for first defence of Midlands title

IT’S a title fight weekend for Coventry hopes Amir Abubaker and Callum Singh.

And both bouts feature boxers who have never tasted defeat. As the old adage goes, “someone’s O has got to go”.

On Saturday, thunderous punching Abubaker makes the first defence of his Midlands light-middleweight title. He travels to Alfreton Leisure Centre to face local hope Jack Mantell who is unbeaten in seven (two draws).

And on the same night, bantamweight Singh is in action at Glasgow’s Double Tree Hilton Hotel. He enters the lion’s den to take on the city’s Lennon Mulligan for the Commonwealth silver belt.

Abubaker, a barber by day, has made a habit of trimming opponents down to size in quick time. Five of his eight straight victories have come by stoppage.

The 25-year-old won the belt in spectacular fashion in December, demolishing Callum Hill in five rounds with thunderous body shots.

He appears a KO king destined for TV appearances and the clash with Mantell, dubbed The Machine, is a calculated “stay busy” risk while bigger things brew in the background.

Mantell, aged 33 and fighting out of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, is tough and game, but has stopped only one opponent.

Abubaker’s manager Anthony Manning said: “Do we take a six or eight rounder against a journeyman to keep busy or do we keep the momentum going with a title fight? We’ve gone for the 10 rounder.

“Jack Mantell is a tough southpaw who has come from white collar. He is backing himself, his team fancy it and we’ve accepted.”

Callum Singh…hopes his trip to Glasgow has a silver lining

Singh, a 23-year-old, who trains at the respected Bulkington gym, appears to have the tougher assignment.

“Mayhem” Mulligan, aged 22, was a fine amateur who has peeled off six straight wins as a pro, two by stoppage.

Callum said: “I’m in boxing to face the best and test myself. As an amateur, Mulligan boxed for Scotland, he boxed abroad a lot. I think he was a multiple national champion, he’s a good fighter.

“I think it will be a good fight for the fans, but I’ll come out on top. He’s a good fighter, but he hasn’t fought me. One hundred per cent it’s my toughest test as a pro.”

Unbeaten in seven, it’s also Callum’s first test since a bid to take the Midlands super-flyweight title was scuppered by the scales last October. Callum came in a mere pound over the limit, but still boxed champ Sean Bruce without the belt being on the line and won on points.

Singh added: “I’m looking to win the title, make a statement and push on through the rankings. I’m pretty sure a win will put me in the top five of the rankings.”