Fanthome, Wilden in action at Holiday Inn
Leo Fanthome…coming back after defeat in first six rounder
AFTER the disappointment of defeat, Leo Fanthome looks to put his career back on track with a bout in December.
And on the same December 7 show, at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn, gym mate Dan Wilden goes for his second pro win.
Both members of Lee Spare’s busy Boxing Clever Academy, in Nuneaton, have encountered bumps on the road during their boxing journeys.
Welterweight Leo took part in his first six rounder in September and was twice dropped by Ryan Frost before losing on points. That’s the hard-hitting 27-year-old’s second defeat in a six bout career: the first came before he teamed-up with Lee.
A shoulder injury has hindered Wilden’s progress following the lightweight’s May debut.
“It’s been a bit stop-start,” Spare admitted. “We’re waiting for the results of an MRI scan. He’s been training and will be good to go in December.”
Before his pro start, Wilden was away from the game for over two years.
He returned following the devastating loss of his father Marc, who took his own life. Marc was a big part of Boxing Clever Academy, where Dan spent his amateur career.
That tragedy not only pushed Dan to pursue his boxing dream, but moulded his attitude to life and spurred the 29-year-old to help those battling mental health issues.
“It has been a big motivation because my dad wanted me to box,” he told me in a previous interview. “When I moved away from the sport, my dad was the one who said, get back to your boxing because you’re good at it.”
The paid ranks have gained a colourful, popular character. Dan sold around 100 tickets for his first bout.
Dan Wilden…impressed in his debut back in May
He joined the army at 16, then, in Civvy Street, travelling the globe as a personal trainer. He’s worked in Thailand, Dubai and Ibiza.
Fanthome, from Redditch, has analysed what went wrong against Frost and aims to return a better, wiser fighter.
“I thought if he hadn’t got caught in the sixth he would’ve won the fight,” Spare said. “It was a step-up in terms of the opponent, but I don’t think that was the issue.
“He just needs a bit more experience and confidence. It was a lapse of concentration, and his concentration can sometimes wander in fights, it can drift.
“Leo’s strong and powerful, but he’s at a bit of a disadvantage because my other boxers have only ever boxed for me. They have that coaching ethos cemented into them, while Leo’s been playing catch-up.
“He is improving all the time, he’s positive, he wants to be the best version of himself he can possibly be.
“He got caught (last time) and we are looking to implement everything we can to prevent that happening again. We are always looking to be pro-active.”