Woodhall to top the bill once again
Sep 26 2008 By Ian Johnson
JUST like old times... world champion Richie Woodhall, top of the bill, promoted by big Ron Gray. Dream on...
Richie is the guest speaker at the Gray-organised celebrity sporting lunch at the Copthorne Hotel next Friday.
It is 10 years since he beat Sugar Boy Malinga to become the WBC super middleweight champion and he will be reminiscing on that and other events in his wonderful career.
As an amateur Richie represented England 43 times, won a bronze medal at the 1988 Olympic Games and also a gold at the Commonwealth Games.
He became WBC champion in 1998, defended it twice and then lost it to Marcus Beyer.
His last fight was equally memorable, losing to Joe Calzaghe for the WBO super middleweight crown.
Clearly Richie has a lot to talk about...
He might even mention his growing stable of young boxers in Aston and how much he is enjoying helping their development.
He has been “at it” now for three years and sings the praises of the likes of Max Maxwell, D Mitchell and youngsters Mark Regen and Nasser El Harbi, along with “jewels in the crown” Matthew Macklin and Don Broadhurst.
He said: “I am really enjoying the coaching and it is great to see young lads developing. I would like to see more dedication but I don’t want to get on to that subject.
“I am passionate about the sport and when I am in the corner I throw every punch and take every punch.’’
In the evening Dudley-born Rob Norton, who now lives in Stourbridge, challenges for the vacant British cruiserweight title in Burton.
Standing in his way is Londoner Micky Steeds, the Southern Area champion who has a decent record of 12 wins (three inside the distance) and two defeats.
Norton, the English champion, has been involved a lot longer, winning 29 (19 via the short route) and drawing one.
His last outing was last December in Switzerland where he was outpointed on the Wayne Elcock IBF world title bill.
In fact, Norton has not been at all busy having been in the ring just four times in the last four years, which included winning the English title against Tommy Eastwood in 2007.
His unusual style of boxing, with gloves held low, will probably give Steeds a few problems early on but I would then expect the Londoner to pick up the pace and make it a close finish.
