Jon Pegg’s New York fight week notebook
The view that greets Jon and Louie Counihan as world title beckons
Jon Pegg and Louie Counihan, of Birmingham’s Eastside gym, are living every fight fan’s dream.
Last weekend, they arrived in New York. It’s no holiday for the pair – on Friday, July 11, they are part of a major fight at a truly legendary venue. Madison Square Garden beckons.
The pair are key members of female boxing legend Savannah Marshall’s team for her forthcoming world title bid.
They’ll be in Savannah’s corner for the Hartlepool boxer’s world super-middleweight clash with Shadasia Green.
While tasting the Big Apple, Jon has agreed to keep readers posted through a diary of the week.
Jon Pegg…Birmingham fight figure in the Big Apple for big fight
SATURDAY, JULY 5
First full day. Early start, walked to Madison Square to take a look at it from the outside. continued to Times Square, soaking up the post July 4th celebrations.
On Paulie Malignaggi instructions, went out to find Joe’s Pizza as it’s the best in Manhattan. As we neared it, we wondered what attraction people were queuing around the block for. Turns out it was Joe’s Pizza - and being an author, TV promoter or unbeaten boxing prospect didn’t earn any favours in the queue, so we decided to try another day.
Later on, myself and Louie did a light training session with Savannah and (unbeaten pro) Fran Hennessy, before going for another walk and just soaking up the sights. You can see the Empire State Building from my hotel window. Met up in the lobby to discuss the day and plan Sunday and we decided on a trip exploring Central Park before training. Went to bed wide awake.
The team are straight to work ahead of Friday’s date at the Garden
SUNDAY
Up early, found a deli with pastries for breakfast. Morning walk, found the Empire State Building and the famous Penn Station. Sat in the hotel with (Savannah’s manager) Mick (Hennessy) and got chatting to (super-bantam world champ) Ellie Scotney and her brother - they are both hilarious and really friendly.
Found a small local gym a minute from the hotel and decided to use that for gym sessions from tomorrow. Spent the afternoon in, as it’s just too hot. This doesn’t stop Louie who goes off exploring and finds Little Italy and the Brooklyn Bridge for some pics. I contented myself with a walk around the huge (and air conditioned) world’s biggest store, Macy’s. While it’s impressive it just made me wish my wife and daughter were here as they would appreciate things like this way more than me.
Gym session on the evening, around the time Sav will be boxing. She’s looking sharp and very hurtful and there is a quiet confidence about her that I’m very happy with. Finish the evening with our chat, then I decide to order a pizza as we still haven’t had a proper one. Something the size of a truck wheel appears and we have a few slices each before leaving it with the hotel staff.