Light-middleweight prospect Lloyd Ellett (17-0) has received confirmation of his next opponent as former English title challenger Ryan Toms (13-11-2).
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Best test so far
The Brighton-based boxer will be looking to extend his unbeaten run on October 2nd at the Metropole Hotel in his hometown in East Sussex on a Crusader Events show promoted by former world heavyweight title challenger Scott Welch.
28-year-old Ellett, now signed to Queensberry Promotions, is respectful of the challenge in front of him on the first weekend of October; he said of his forthcoming opponent, “He’s been a Southern Area champ and mixed with some good names, he’s probably the best I’ve faced as a pro.”
33-year-old southpaw Toms, hailing from Middlesex, is a two-time Southern Area champion and an English title challenger.
An encouraging stat for Ellett is that Toms has not managed to win against any of the previous seven unbeaten opponents faced, and not one of their perfect records reached into double figures at the time, unlike Ellett’s impressive 17 fight unbeaten streak.
He continued to say, “I’ve seen a fair bit of him, he’s a southpaw so that’s different but I’ve fought a load of southpaws in the past and can deal with them quite well.
“I sparred Iain Weaver a few weeks ago to get some southpaw experience and you can’t get much better than him – he’s absolute class!
Iain Weaver (6-1) has not quite managed to get going with his pro career, despite being regarded as an incredibly bright talent, due to the British Boxing Board of Control not permitting a pro licence on medical grounds. Instead, he has had to fight abroad in the States and Spain, losing only once to an unbeaten American prospect.
17 fights unbeaten
On reaching 17 fights unbeaten on the small hall circuit, Ellett discussed his current position after signing contracts with one of Britain’s top promoters – Frank Warren.
“I feel I’m ready to go up through the levels now,” he enthused. “I’ve been doing well in sparring in the gym for long enough against boxers with English and British titles, such as Bradley Skeete, Darryl Williams, Johnny Garton, and Chris Eubank Jr.
“I did a lot with Eubank in the summer, about 20 rounds or so. I spent a good two or three weeks sparring with him.”
Ellett’s extended stint in the gym, opting out of a possible run-out at the end of the previous season, has proven effective, he explained, “June fight was cancelled and then July, then there was the option of a small hall fight but it was out of my hands in the end, really, and it wasn’t something I needed so I just trained all the way through from my last fight in March.
“That extended time in the gym has really brought me on, hopefully we’ll see it next week.”
He elucidated further, “I’m hoping for everyone to see some more power, better defense, and just a general all-round improvement. I want to come out and show everyone what I can do.”
The 154-pounder is looking to push on and begin to challenge for major honours within the light-middleweight division, currently topped by British champion Liam Smith.
“I’d love to fight for the English title if it got presented to me, or an International title, hopefully we’ll sit down and discuss it after this next fight.
“I want to work my way towards the British title. Whatever fights I have now, that’s the direction in which I want to be heading and hopefully I’ll be knocking on the door early to mid-next year.”
Of plans for the remainder of the year, Ellett predicted, “No definite plans yet but I’ll be back in the gym straightaway, looking to get out before the end of the year.”
An avid Brighton and Hove Albion FC fan, Ellett will be supported by the club on the night when first team goalkeeper David Stockdale walks him to the ring when he headlines the Crusader Events show.
Bumper bill
This will be the fourth time that the 154lbs prospect has topped the bill in his coastal hometown in East Sussex and will provide the ‘Lightning Bolt’ with just his second fight of 2015 after competing 16 times in his first three years in the paid ranks.
The Crusader Events show, headed by former World title challenger Scott Welch, is already looking likely to be a sold-out event.
“Most of the boxers on the show know each other so the support will be massive,” enthused Ellett. “We’re expecting a sell-out event, I think the capacity in The Metropole is around 1500 fans.”
The supporting acts will feature Sussex southpaw Nicky Jenman (13-8-1), Shoreham’s Marcus Eaton (5-0-1), unbeaten Surrey heavyweight Nick Webb (2-0), middleweight Ben Butler (1-0) from Brighton, and Barry McGuigan’s latest protégé Josh ‘The Punisher’ Pritchard (3-0).
(Image courtesy of Tim Rickson)
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