STEFY BULL has promised “New Beginnings” on the September 2 at the Doncaster Dome, with his latest card headlined by former British title challenger Maxi Hughes, his latest signing and the return of former British champion Curtis Woodhouse, after three years out of the ring.
Hughes, pushed Martin J Ward all the way in March in their latest tilt, whilst Woodhouse’s journey from Premiership footballer to British champion was one of the best stories in recent years for British boxing.
Also on the bill will be Commonwealth featherweight and British bantamweight champions Jason Cunningham and Josh Wale, both in non-title action, Lewis Taylor will aim to bounce back from May’s defeat to Jamie Cox, whilst prospects Tom Bell, Anthony Tomlinson and Lewis Booth will continue on their respective paths.
Hughes will face Liverpool’s Ryan Moorhead over 10 rounds in what will be his first fight in his hometown since 2012, with the winner likely to propel themselves into the discussion for a British title shot at super-featherweight.
His new manager Bull states he is looking forward to working with Hughes in the coming years. He said: “I’ve wanted to work with Maxi for a long time and when I got a phone call out of the blue, I couldn’t wait to get started.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for him, as a fellow southpaw, and he’s a great ticket seller, so it’s a win-win really. He’s always in the away corner for his big fights, so to be in the home corner in the main event at the Doncaster Dome means the table is all set for him.
“A win over Moorhead, will get him right back into the mix for a title shot and we’re confident that he’ll get the win. He’s beaten better kids than Moorhead already, but he won’t be looking past him. I can’t wait to get started.”
Bull also gave his thoughts on Woodhouse’s return, after a brief tenure in football management, after he retired from the ring following a defeat to Willie Limond in Glasgow, where he lost his British title that he claimed on an emotional night in Hull.
He added: “It’s been seven years since me and Curtis locked horns in the ring, but it’s a different this time around and it’s a pleasure to be a part of it. He’s a great character and a good fighter, so I’m proud to be giving him to chance to re-launch his career in Yorkshire.
“Curtis is a realist. He knows he won’t be going straight in for the British title, so the plan is to do 6×3’s against foreign opposition, the same again in November and we will judge it from there. You can’t deny he’s got that ambition and hunger back though.
“He may be 37, but there aren’t that many years on the clock boxing wise and on top that he is eager to get back to where he was when he retired before. Once a fighter, you’re always a fighter and you never lose that fire, so I’m interested to see how this goes.”
Bull has enjoyed a stellar year so far in 2017, seeing his fighters claim major titles, often in the away corner and against the odds. But, he is refusing to rest on his laurels and is hoping to push on and not lose any of the momentum that his gym has picked up this year.
“I take great pride in what has been a fantastic year. To win four major titles this year in our gym, with no Olympians or elite amateur standout’s is absolutely amazing. I might never enjoy this sort of form again in my career, so I’m going to embrace it while it is here.
“All good things must come to an end, but I’m going to enjoy the ride while I’m still on it. I have to pinch myself at times and I’ll look back on it in a few years with a huge smile on my face. It hasn’t all gone our way, but that’s boxing and what we have achieved is down to pure graft and my stable has plenty more to come.”
