Steed bags big fight on world title show

Poster for Woodall’s short notice dream chance on Saturday

BIRMINGHAM’S Steed Woodall has bagged a big title fight – out of his natural weight division and at only six days notice.

And for those compelling reasons, he’ll enter the contest with Ezra Taylor for the WBA continental gold light-heavyweight belt free from the pressure of expectation. Sometimes a “nothing to lose” mentality can carry the same power as a left hook.

The pair meet on the undercard of Saturday’s huge O2 Arena, Greenwich, show topped by the world heavyweight title showdown between Fabio Wardley and Joseph Parker.

And Woodall will be a decided underdog against Nottingham’s Taylor, unbeaten in 12 and coming off a win over Chelmsley Wood’s Troy Jones.

Taylor was to have faced Lewis Edmondson for the Lonsdale Belt. When the Southampton boxer pulled out through injury, “Stallion” Steed got the call.

Taylor, 31, shouldn’t become too complacent: Woodall has a puncher’s chance against the best.

He showed that last year by demolishing Lerrone Richards, a former British, European and IBO world super-middle champ who had never before tasted defeat. One wrecking ball right hand did for Richards in the sixth.

And Steed, also 31, was in training for a “last man standing” knockout tournament which takes place on November 8. That, however, was a night of three rounders, not the championship 10 round marathon of Saturday’s gamble.

Manager Jon Pegg and Eastside gym trainer Paul Counihan understandably felt the challenge too good to turn down.

“Steed was in training for the competition in two weeks time,” Pegg said. “Things are never going to be absolutely perfect for any fight, no one goes into a fight with everything perfect.

“There are no expectations – that’s the big weight lifted from Steed. He’s just looking forward to it.”

Of the step-up in weight, Pegg shrugged: “Super-middle is better, but it is what it is.”

In that respect, the weekend’s battle is in marked contrast to former amateur star Woodall’s  British title challenge in January. Many considered he posed a real threat to super-middleweight champ Callum Simpson, yet lost the January clash in two rounds.

Pegg stressed this is a “winnable” fight. “Taylor is a good fighter, you have to be good to beat Troy Jones, but he’s not better than Lerrone Richards. Lerrone was undefeated, a British, European and IBO champion and Steed took him out with one shot.

“Steed, on a good day, can do that to anyone. That win over Lerrone Richards is a better win than anything on Taylor’s record. That’s not a dig at Taylor, it just is.”

And Pegg pointed to Woodall’s world class amateur pedigree: “Steed against Taylor as amateurs would not have been allowed.”

Woodall, who started his career in America, has lost three of 24. He boxed last month, gaining a points tune-up win over Argentinian Marcelo Bzowski.

Neither he or his team could’ve dared dream it was a tune-up for a major fight on a world heavyweight title card.

*Steed would like to thank his main sponsors Target Fire Systems.

 

 

Previous
Previous

Tyler: ‘I will run right through Sowe to get that Midlands belt’

Next
Next

Troy: there are more big nights out there