Future is bright at Boxing Clever gym

Lee Spare with Leo Fanthome. Picture: Campfire Stories Productions

FROM small beginnings, things have certainly kicked into overdrive at Lee Spare’s Boxing Clever pro-am gym in Nuneaton.

The professional stable is going from strength to strength. Ashlee Eales has already claimed a Midlands title and featured in the main event on a major televised bout just before Christmas.

Nepalese whirlwind Minaaz Gurung is Midlands light-welter champ, Leo Fanthome is being guided towards title and lightweight Dan Wilden is looking to return from injury in February.

The next to do battle on a huge arena show is Danny Costello who boxes on Queensberry’s  January 24 bill at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. It’s screened by DAZN, topped by heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma and features the mouth-watering scrap between Liam Davies and Zak Miller.

Welterweight Costello, having his first bout in over two years, plunges straight back in at the deep end. In the opposite corner will be John Joe Carrigan.

The Carlisle boxer – one fight into his pro journey – was an amateur superstar, winning multiple national titles, two European titles and was crowned world under-19s champion.

Lee said: “I’m really proud, it’s something I started up by myself. It has come so far for a gym with no real background – other clubs have that history, we had to play catch-up.

“Every boxer I’ve got – apart from Leo Fanthome who’s now part of the team – has only ever boxed for me.

“We have two Midlands champs and could have two more by the end of the year.”

“It has grown and grown and grown. That’s something to be proud of, something me and the boxers take pride in.

“Dan Wilden had a shoulder injury but will, hopefully, be back out in February.” Welterweight Fanthome is scheduled to box on Scott Murray’s Cannock show on February 7.

Costello, aged 25, is only days away from re-igniting a career that saw him lose only one of four. Few give him a chance of upsetting John Joe Carrigan in their four rounder.

“It’s all in his hands,” said Spare. “It’s a good lad who he’s boxing and Danny won’t be expected to do much. Hopefully, he acquits himself well, which he should do. The lad he’s boxing has stock and background, but he’s young and just starting as a pro.

“Let’s see what Danny’s about. He has come back with a different mindset and, hopefully, later in the year he’ll get a Midlands title shot.”