Hall and Lloyd carry Reload’s pro banner
Sam Hall…RAF man with high hopes. Pics: Manjit Narotra/BCB
JACOB Lloyd and Sam Hall are at present carrying the pro banner for Telford’s Reload gym.
But more of the club’s amateurs will move into the paid ranks, bosses Mitch Roberts and Lou Vidor promise – among them, in years to come, teenage champ Connor McNamara.
Lloyd and Sam, scheduled to fight on this Saturday’s Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton, BCB bill, represent the tall and short of the Ketley outfits aspirations.
Lloyd, from Shifnal, recently moved up to heavyweight and impressed last month with points victory over Ross McGuigan. The 23-year-old has lost one of five – and there was no disgrace in that setback.
In only his second outing, Jacob was outpointed by fellow unbeaten newcomer Craig Nelson, a man who claimed the Midlands cruiserweight belt only two bouts later.
At a stage in his career where most apprentices dine on journeymen wins, Lloyd took a gamble. He should be applauded for that.
Hall, an RAF physical training instructor, is a stocky, barrel-chested welter with two pro wins to his name. The 25-year-old, from the small Shropshire village of Boningale, is a work in progress.
“He won a regional title at RAF level, but didn’t get past the regionals in Civvy Street,” Mitch, aged 30, admitted.
“Sam was taking fights in the amateurs at 76 kilos (light-heavy), some mad weights.”
It was Mitch who initially advised Sam to delay his planned move to the pros: “He had the opportunity to be a PTI, I said, ‘go away for two years, get your career sorted’. I didn’t believe he’d come back, to be honest, but the day after his (RAF) passing out ceremony he was in the gym.”
Hall is developing at a rate Mitch described as pleasing. “Considering he had two years out, I’m now seeing in sparring what I want to see – it’s taken him a bit to get the wind in his sails.
“He’s trying to see what category he fits in at, but will be (currently) competing at welter. At present it’s a case of keeping your feet on the ground, respect the game. Obviously, he would love to win a Midlands title.”
Jacob Lloyd…benefitted from a move up to heavyweight
The public know a lot more about Lloyd who faced very good lads in the amateurs. He’s well-schooled, has good punch variety and plenty of old-fashioned bottle.
“I’ve been really impressed with Jacob, I was very impressed with his last performance,” Mitch said. “At the start, when he went up to heavyweight he didn’t take his feet with him.
“We pondered moving to heavy for six months, then he came back from holiday and looked like he’d filled out a lot more. He’s still young – let him learn, let him progress through the levels.”
Mitch has no doubt Jacob is a better fighter at heavyweight, a better fighter for suffering that early loss.
“I’ll admit after it he wasn’t himself,” Mitch said. “Every young pro has that mindset about keeping their ‘0’, but it’s taken the pressure off his shoulders. Taking the fight shows the measure of the man.”
With Lloyd, there’s no hurry to move into 10 round class. “If there was an offer on the table we’d sit down at the table.
“Jacob’s still about 20 months away from a title fight. He’s getting paid for sparring, enjoying gaining the experience. Keep your nose clean and a title shot will come, but we’re not in a rush. I’ve got to put the brakes on slightly so he can get the experience.”
Others Reload boxers are poised to follow in Sam and Jacob’s footsteps, although it’ll be some time before national junior champ McNamara turns professional.
“Two or three are thinking about it,” Mitch added. “The one to watch is Connor because he’s just getting better and better.”