Fanthome (right)…pushing for title fight. Picture: Campfire Stories
A SOLID East Midlands presence on the December 10 show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport.
Nuneaton’s Minaaz Gurung eases back after over a year away on the Scott Murray/Jon Pegg bill. Welter Leo Fanthome, who fights out of Lee Spare’s Boxing Clever Academy, continues his march towards a Midlands title, heavyweight Joe Guest Bourne takes part in his third pro bout and super-feather Joe Taylor is also on the card.
Taylor, who made his debut in September, is one to watch, his team at Bulkington gym tell me. Tom Powell said of the 23-year-old: “I think there’s a British title, minimum, in him. I think he’s capable of becoming a British champion. He has all the tools to make a good pro. I’ve taken him to spar pro and he’s done 10 rounds, no problem.”
Gurung, the country’s only Nepalese born pro, is exciting, tough and hits with authority, but has lost precious time.
Unbeaten in six, he hasn’t fought since lifting the Midlands title in spectacular fashion last September. Just as the going appeared to be getting tough, 24-year-old Minaaz turned things round with a power-laden shot in the sixth to halt Joe Underwood Hughes.
He should have capitalised on that win, but has been sidelined by illness and family issues. “Get him back, something nice and simple,” said manager Jon Pegg. “Get him back in the swing of things.”
Fanthome, with three losses in 11, has the skill, strength and talent, trainer Spare assures me. It’s confidence and self-belief that have been an issue in the past.
In an interview earlier this year, Lee told me: “When he lets the shots go in sparring, he’s one of the strongest in the gym.”
“It’s a mental thing. He can become very tight and tense-up and we try all sorts of things to get fighters to relax and show more fluidity. I just want to see positive strides, get him to control the space, ring and fight more.”
Fanthome has come on since then and appeared on a major, televised show.
Minaaz Gurung…back in action after more than a year away
Big Joe Bourne, articulate and honest, will be having his first fight of 2026. He looked well below par in a drawn debut, much more sharp and purposeful in outpointing experienced Phil Williams.
He told me recently: “British title level, I know that’s achievable. I spar the good guys and that shows the level you are at. The difference is experience – they have done the rounds, they know when to take rounds off, when to apply pressure.
“I can achieve British title level, but being at British title is one thing, winning it another.”