Leo will be better for gamble on big show

Fanthome and Lee Spare…late notice defeat in Bournemouth

LEO Fanthome took a huge gamble on his first major arena show by facing an unbeaten known puncher, a division heavier, at four days notice.

He fell short, being stopped by Alex MacMillan in two rounds, but should be applauded for stepping up to the plate.

On Saturday’s big Bournemouth bill, topped by home favourite Chris Billam-Smith, Fanthome was in trouble very early. Morecambe’s MacMillan, who’s now won four on the spin, dropped him twice in the first. Welter Fanthome, who fights out of Lee Spare’s Nuneaton gym, was floored again in the second before the towel came in at 1.44 seconds of the session.

The bout was scheduled for six rounds.

It was a huge step-up for 27-year-old Fanthome after a nine bout career spent facing journeymen and he will, no doubt, have been well rewarded for taking the bout after original opponent Tyler Rivers was forced to pull out.

Fanthome had fought only two weeks before, outpointing Fonz Alexander. When the new opportunity came, he jumped at the chance.

And trainer Spare is adamant Leo will be a better boxer for the big stage experience. Defeat hasn’t dented hopes of a Midlands title fight.

Bottom line is it was too good an offer to turn down.

“Things fall in your lap sometimes and you have to take the opportunities when they arise,” Spare said. “We knew it was going to be tough. Leo had been ticking over, but he hadn’t been fully training.

“He wanted to test himself and you can’t deprive someone that opportunity. You have to respect the lad for wanting to take the chance.”

He addd: “Leo will have learned from that, it gave him a lesson. The loss hasn’t derailed anything – a couple of fights, then a Midlands title fight, nothing has changed that.

“Lee was positive, maybe the occasion got him a bit, I’m not sure about that. He was upset afterwards because he thought he let people down. He should be proud of himself for taking the opportunity - some don’t.”