Lee wants Leo to be more relaxed in ring

Leo Fanthome…fights next month. Pic: Campfire Stories Productions

NUNEATON trainer Lee Spare is using some “out of the box” techniques to get the best from welter Leo Fanthome.

He hopes breathing exercises will unlock Fanthome’s full potential and allow the fighter to punch more freely.

Spare, boss of the busy Boxing Clever gym, admits his frustration over Leo’s tendency to “not let the shots go” or flow.

He has a point. The 27-year-old has a solid fan base, a crowd-pleasing style and healthy dig. Yet I’ve witnessed him load-up on single shots when he should be punching in bunches and letting the combinations flow.

That gives opponents confidence to trade. Spare hopes to see a more relaxed Fanthome when he steps in the ring for his next bout at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn on February 21.

It was a flaw – I feel – that cost Leo dearly in last September’s points loss to Ryan Frost. The only other setback on a seven bout record came against journeyman Naheem Ali. In only his second pro outing, Fanthome let his concentration slip and was caught in the fourth.

“Leo needs bouts,” Lee said. “He needs to develop and progress. By the end of the year I want him to be in a position to box for titles, but he needs four or five fights where he shows he can let his hands go like he does in sparring. When you do that, opponents don’t want to come in and engage. 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. Get him plenty of fights and look for him to push for a Midlands title by the end of the year.

“I still think he had the ability to beat Ryan Frost – Lee just didn’t throw the shots.”

Of the breathing exercises, Lee said: “It’s one tool we use. We’ll try to do something out of the box to get results.”

Of his growing stable, Lee added: “I love them all, I have that emotional attachment to them and want them all to do so well.”