Eales faces hardman Stewart on big show

Ashlee Eales…returns after 15 months away with broken hand

FORMER Midlands champ Ashlee Eales – blessed with more moves than a chess grandmaster, will face battle scarred Jamie Stewart on the big Cannock show next week.

It’s a good test for a fighter whose coming back after 15 months away. The Nuneaton light-middle suffered a broken hand in his bout with tough Panamanian Omir Rodriguez last June. That points loss is Eales only setback in an 11 bout career.

Stoke’s Stewart always comes to fight and has a heart as big as a spit bucket. What’s more, the former welterweight area champ loves to fight in Cannock.

In 2023 in the former pit town, he fought a thrilling draw with former outstanding amateur Ray Moylette – and had the Irishman out on his feet in the closing seconds. In March this year, the 32-year-old again had to settle for a share of the spoils following six exciting rounds with Frenchman Dassa Namana.

On September 13 at Chase Leisure Centre, Jamie will look to put it on big-hitting Eales. That’s the only way he knows.

“Ashlee’s looking good, very committed,” trainer Lee Spare said, “the best he’s looked for quite a while.

“The only thing he’s been lacking is consistency. Once he’s fit and has that consistency, Ashlee can give anyone a challenge. We’ll take the opportunities when they come along.”

September 13 is going to be a busy night for Lee, with two others from his gym in action. Minaaz Gurung faces Nottingham’s Joe Underwood Hughes for the vacant Midlands super-lightweight belt and Leo Fanthome continues his rise up the rankings.

He added: “Right now, the gym is a special place to be with the lads pushing each other on.”