Boxing coach Kennedy eyes next step for duo
ROTHERHAM boxing coach Jamie Kennedy reckons he has two fighters ready to move up the boxing ladder, following successful weekend outings.
Welterweight Jake Jon Cleary, (28) took his seventh straight victory back to the Masborough Street gym, after beating Josue Bendana, from Nicaragua, at the Old Forge in Sheffield.
It was Cleary's third six-rounder, and he won each one on Saturday.
But it wasn't the fight he'd been expecting.
He had been due to compete for an international Commonwealth title against Tyler Jolly in Scotland, but Jolly was forced to pull out.
Then he was told he'd be facing Angelo Dragone, from Wales, but Dragone had been stopped a fortnight ago and couldn't take part.
The plan was then to switch to Bolton's Leon Entwistle, but he couldn't make the weight.
Bendana came in at short notice, but he would only fight six rounds rather than the eight Cleary wanted.
However, Kennedy said his fighter dealt with the change of plans well: "Jake boxed great, getting a chance to work on things we have been doing in the gym and getting a shutout points decision.
"We'll be looking at one of the opponents we missed out on and will be up for eight rounds in September.
"Then we reckon he’s knocking on the door for an Area title."
On the same bill, cruiserweight Burhan Nishat, (26) enjoyed another clean sweep, in a four-round points win over Robbie Chapman.
The coach said: "Burhan wants to move fast and be in the mix as soon as possible.
"There’s no one more experienced out there than Chapman to share a ring with for only your third fight.
"Most prospects wait a little longer but at Millennium Management we decided it was time to learn the lessons now.
"Burhan boxed very well and to orders, using his sharp jab and brilliant footwork.
"Robbie felt the power and thought he was very skilled and switched on early in his career."
At the Magna Centre, Dinnington's Charlie Ellis enjoyed a 39-37 win over Manchester's Luke Thomas.
Coach Daz Medcalf said the 22-year-old: "Gave a big chunk of weight away as the opponent weighed in eight pounds heavier than agreed. Charlie's reaction was 'At least he's here and I can fight.'
"That's a proper fighting mentality.”
Meanwhile Conisbrough's Dave Allen outpointed Peckham's Ross McGuigan on the same card in a four-round tick over fight.