North Wales pros box in Bolton after life-changing events
Gerome Warburton boxes on Saturday night for the first time since winning the Welsh middleweight championship in May.
The Colwyn Bay man meets London’s Jordan Grannum in a non-title affair at Bolton Stadium.
While Warburton, 27, is glad of the opportunity to fight, he admits this contest is a bit of a comedown from his title-winning heroics in Swansea, where he beat Aberdare’s Morgan Jones over 10 rounds.
‘Breadmaker’ says Welsh title win is ‘just the start’
“It’s nice to have another fight to add to my record, but unfortunately it’s only a four-rounder,” he says. “It’s a little disappointing, but at least I’m in the ring.”
Grannum is one of Britain’s most experienced professional boxers, having racked up 104 contests, albeit losing more than he wins.
Among his defeats is one to Ruthin’s Sion Yaxley, who outpointed the ‘Brown Eagle’ exactly a year ago.
While that was a one-sided affair, Grannum can be dangerous when in the mood, having scored a handful of upsets and pushing a lot of favoured opponents close.
But Warburton, 10-1-1, cautions Grannum against getting too brave. “I watched his last couple of fights and he had a bit of a go,” he says. “But if he comes to have a go with me, he’ll be in trouble.”
There’s an edge to Warburton that wasn’t apparent before. No doubt being crowned champion of his country will have given him a little extra swagger, but ‘The Breadmaker’ insists nothing has changed.
“It’s made me more confident and I’m looking ahead to bigger things, but I’m exactly the same as I was before,” he says. “I’m keeping my feet on the ground and will take each fight as it comes.
“I know this is just the start of what will be a successful career.”
Yaxley fighting to make his girl proud
Yaxley will also be in action in Bolton, looking to extend his unbeaten streak to 11 contests.
The light-middleweight last boxed in April – with his partner expecting to give birth at any moment.
“She [daughter Enni] was due two days before, so she could have been born while I was in the ring,” says Yaxley, 26.
“So I was glad it was a four-rounder, and Kieran [Farrell, the promoter] put me on first so I could get home.”
Thankfully, all was well as Enni delayed her arrival for a few more days. Now, at four months old, she gives Yaxley more reason to succeed.
“[Fatherhood] is really tough, but it gives you more incentive, not just in boxing, but life in general,” he says.
“Everything I’ve done, or I’m going to do, it’s to make her proud.
“I want her to look back and say ‘that was my dad’.
With that in mind, Yaxley has moved his training base to Manchester, where he spends three days a week at Gallagher’s Gym.
“It’s been really tough, hard camp, but good though, obviously, with the knowledge of Joe [Gallagher, head coach],” he says.
“And the sparring’s been really good, with Mark Heffron, who’s just won a British title, and Marcus Morrison, who’s fought for one.”
As of Thursday, Yaxley still hadn’t learned who his opponent will be, but it seems that scarcely matters.
“I’ll be honest, I just turn up and go,” he says, before casting an eye to the future.
“There’s some vacant titles at my weight. I want to get an opportunity – it’s time to push on.”
- This story first appeared in the print edition of the Daily Post, August 19, 2022
LINKS
Vicious 4.0 event page
Warburton new Welsh middleweight champion
Will Gerome Warburton join North Wales’s magnificent seven?
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