BOXING: Reeve ready to top bill at Deco show

The 28-year-old super-flyweight tops a bill at the Deco Theatre on Friday, March 9 that also features Jamie Spence and the Felix brothers, Curtis and Dominic.

Reeve made an impressive return last year, stopping Central Area champion Craig Derbyshire in four rounds in September, and now he’s looking to push his career on.

“That fight proves that I can fight at Area level,” said Reeve, “and I want to prove to my supporters and the British Boxing Board of Control that I’m good enough to fight for English and British titles.

“I want people to watch me and think: ‘This guy can go on and win things.’

“This is a six rounder, but I’m training like it’s a 10 rounder and that’s the level I want to be fighting at.

“I’m really happy to be boxing again and be involved in the sport, but I’m not doing it for the sake of it.

“I want to achieve things. I don’t feel I have achieved my potential yet.”

Reeve won British Masters honours, winning the belt with an exciting stoppage of Terry Broadbent at the Moat House Hotel in September 2012, and challenged for English honours in his 11-fight career before having a break of more than three years.

“I was out for three-and-a-half years and the time went so quickly,” said Reeve. “I thought: ‘In another three-and-a-half years it will be too late.’

“Last year was all about making my comeback and my aim this year is to get back in title contention. I want to be active and if the call comes for a big fight, I will be ready.”

Reeve is training with a pair of champions at the Far Cotton gym on Towcester Road.

Gym-mates there include Chantelle Cameron, currently preparing to defend her IBO lightweight title, and Ash Lane has made the trip up from Bristol for sparring.

Lane and Reeve started out at Far Cotton together under John Daly when they were amateurs – and Lane has gone on to win the Commonwealth super-bantamweight title.

He makes his first defence seven days after Reeve’s next fight.

“Sparring has been going well,” said Reeve, who says he’s benefited from one-on-one training with Daly.

“But on the night, there will be more nerves, it’s a big occasion.

“I usually do perform on the night and I love it when supporters want to shake my hand afterwards and say: ‘Brilliant fight.’

“I watch fights on TV sometimes and think: ‘I’m sure I have better fights than this !’

“People usually like my style and I hope I get the chance to fight on TV again.”

Tickets for the show in Northampton are available from 07725 098499.

KINGS HEATH ABC endured the agony and ecstasy of top level amateur boxing in this year’s Youth Championship finals held over three days at the Doncaster Dome.

Simraun Kaur emerged as the new national champion with a sensational victory over GB-trained boxer Chloe Watson (Birkenhead) at 52kg.

Kaur had gained her place in the final with a smooth showing against Sophie Rogers (Dunstan), but all eyes were on the showdown with hot favourite Watson.

Kaur gave a dream performance as she fought to instructions, taking every round to earn a dominant unanimous points decision.

“This was one of the best showings that we have had the pleasure to be involved with over many championship bouts and years,” said Kings Heath head coach Arthur Daly.

“Not only were we not expected to win, but a lot of people thought it was a mismatch against a GB boxer.

“But Simmy’s hard work and preparation in the build-up allowed her to adapt in a pressurised final and she performed in the manner that was a testament to her character.”

Eithan James reached another national final but lost by the narrowest split decision against Jimmy Sains (Repton).

The Kings Heath boxer, who fights at 60kg, had the roughest of semi finals against Dontay Dixon.

He looked to have done enough in the second and third round of the final, but it was not to be as he went down on a 3-2 decision.

“Eithan lost nothing in defeat and we move on,” Daly said.

“There is not an amateur boxer who has not lost. This was just a decision that unfortunately did not go our way.

“He is still the most decorated boxer in this town and we will prepare diligently for his forthcoming international duties in the near future.”