Jonjo Finnegan has been handed the chance to have a brace of titles strapped around his 12st waist in September.The popular British Masters champion from Burton (pictured) is one of the most honest and hard-working fighters on the paid circuit and crosses swords with Birmingham's dangerous Eddie McIntosh for both the Masters and vacant Midland Area super-middleweight belts on September 24 at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium.
Skillful light-middleweight Duane Parker also boxes on the three-fight First Team (PJ Rowson and Errol Johnson)-promoted dinner show on the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border but it's the tasty-looking ten-round main event that will bring a large crowd to the home of Paul Peschisolido's League Two side.
And it's difficult to see this fascinating-looking 30-minute all-West Midlands fight being anything other than a sure-fire classic. Both men have the ability to use their skills and box when required, but often find themselves dragged into a nose-to-nose war that has earned both a warriors reputation.
McIntosh once the held the Masters strap Finnegan, 31, now wears with pride and is likely to bring a sizeable army with him from the Second City. After piling up ten wins in as many pro fights, as well as winning 40 of 45 rounds, Richie Woodhall-trained 'Braveheart' has lost back-to-back outings - albeit in decent company to Carl Drake, who shockingly snapped his unbeaten run in four, and Daniel Cadman (in Prizefighter).
The 28-year-old (he'll turn 29 three days before they box) has been inactive since that split loss to Cadman in June last year but his fast hands, in-your-face pressure and fair dig (two stoppages) will make him a difficult opponent for Finnegan, who won his maiden pro belt with a ten-round decision over Steel City binman Dean Walker in October.
But solid-boxing Jonjo, 14-6-3, has something you can't buy: an unbreakable determination to go as far as he can. The former Irish light-heavyweight title challenger eats, sleeps and breathes boxing but has enjoyed mixed fortunes this year, splitting a pair of fights with Derby's dangerous Elvis Dube that saw him stopped in five in February but outclass the same man over six last month.
And he knows he could be boxing for the English crown if he can turn away the Brummie's sure-to-be ferocious challenge.
"I've got to be at my best to win," conceded an Errol Johnson-trained ex-Midland ABA champion making the first defence of his treasured title," as he's a capable fighter who will come to my back yard to win and get his career back on track.
"But i really fancy i can do a job on Eddie and September 24 can't come soon enough," he roared.
Image courtesy of Gavin Burrows.
Image courtesy of Gavin Burrows.
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