One of the North East's most promising amateur prospects signs on the dotted line with promoter Frank Maloney.
Frank Maloney has continued to build his bustling North East stable by signing amateur prospect Glen “Hammer” Foot on a promotional deal.
The ABA finallist put pen to paper on Thurday after a meeting with the promoter and is already chomping at the bit to make his debut on the undercard of the Steve Molitor v Jason Booth word title show in Sunderland on September 11th. He explained:
“I'm excited more than anything. I know it's a different game to the amateurs but I can't wait really!
“I've just started my training and I know it will be different without the head-guard and the vest but I'm confident it will be an advantage to me.”
The 22-year old has already compared his style to that of former world champion and fellow Brit Ricky Hatton and will make his debut at light-welterweight.
“When I was in the amateurs I just wanted to be the strongest, the fittest. I would try and bully my opponents really.”
Foot narrowly lost to Dudley O'Shaughnessy in the ABA finals and boxed over 100 times in the unpaid ranks, notching up 80 wins in the process. He also represented England on three occasions recording three victories.
With only two years left until the Olympic Games in London it was not a tough decision to switch codes despite the chance of following in the footsteps of fellow prospect Tony Jeffries who won Bronze in Beijing. Manager Phil Jeffries explained:
“Glen's style didn't really suit the amateurs. He's a bully type of fighter and that didn't fit in with the rest of the GB squad. They liked the 'tippy-tappy' style and he's more of a come forward fighter and that is what people will see when he boxes on September 11th show.”
The future of boxing is looking bright for the North East as Frank continues to build a stable of talent that, in time, is capable of rivalling that of Manchester and London. Tony Jeffries, despite his draw on Friday, has made a promising start to his career whilst the Dickinson brothers (Jon Lewis and Travis) along with Kirk Goodings and Gary Fox have all impressed recently. The Sunderland based puncher is under no illusions that it will be a different style that he will need to employ both in the ring and in the gym:
“I've had a brief chat with some of the lads and they have told me how important it is to pace myself a lot more at this level, it's a slightly different type of training. I've got to pick my shots a lot more and start to hurt people.”
“I want to be unbeaten for the first two years, then set myself up from there. One step at a time”
Glen will be lining up alongside a host of other North East stars on 'The Resurrection' world title show at Rainton Meadows Arena on September 11th when Jason Booth challenges Steve Molitor for his IBF super bantamweight title. For tickets please call 07747611020 or log on to www.frankmaloney.com for further details.
