Tim Rickson reports…
Essex light-heavyweight prospect Darrel Church’s (3-1-1) next opponent has been confirmed as Czech boxer Josef Obeslo (6-32-3).
The 175-pounder from Witham will face the European puncher on April 1st in Southend on a Warrior Boxing Promotions event.
Despite his losing record, the 28-year-old from Hradec Kralove has four first-round knockouts on his ledger, taking the unbeaten record of one of his victims in Denmark in 2013, and his last win in February 2015 took just 35 seconds to deliver.
Church’s teammate Sam Stokes defeated Obeslo on his pro debut back in July 2014 at the Camden Centre in Kings Cross, so is on hand to offer any advice.
“My teammate Sam Stokes fought him on his debut and he said to me that he always comes to win,” said Church. “That’s exactly what I want in an opponent, someone to come looking for a win, who’s confident and throwing shots at me.”
Church was due to face Richard Harrison (2-13) at London’s York Hall on March 11th but fell ill in the days preceding the event titled ‘Knuckle 2 Knuckle’ that saw underdog Chris Hobbs (6-1-1) defeat favourite Jordan Joseph (6-1-1) on points to win the Southern Area light-heavyweight title.
The 27-year-old Essex boxer was initially devastated at his situation after an eight-week training camp but manager Steve Goodwin came up trumps immediately by landing his light-heavyweight charge with a new fight date just three week’s later at the local show in Southend.
“I’m going away to Portugal this week to train hard in the heat to finish off my training camp,” Church confirmed. “It’s been a long camp, having had my fight moved from March to April, but I couldn’t be happier with how it’s all gone.
“It’s nice and local for everyone to get to at The Skylark Hotel in Southend so, hopefully, everyone will get behind me and I’ll get another win on my record and push on to bigger and better fights next.
“I’m looking finish the year with a British Challenge belt.”
It’ll be Church’s sixth fight in his two-and-a-half year-long professional career, back in his home county of Essex where he originally began his prize-fighting journey following an unbeaten stint in the unlicensed scene.
The Witham resident, trained by Mark Massow, first debuted back in 2014 at the Grays Civic Hall when signed to Carl Greaves Promotions and ended his inaugural year undefeated with two wins on his ledger.
Those bouts were just four months apart but, since then, he has endured inactive spells spanning over 10 months and only managed to fight once during 2015, suffering a shock defeat to Angelo Crowe (2-6).
A long-awaited reappearance came in April 2016 at the York Hall against Mitch Mitchell (7-54-3), ending in a hard-fought draw.
The Essex boxer, who counts Anthony Yarde as a sparring partner, then got back to winning ways against Croatian Toni Bilic (1-6) on December 3rd at the same East End venue.
Church plans to move up to six-rounds after his April 1st fight before aiming for a British Challenge belt towards the end of the year.
April 1st
The five-fight card promoted by Warrior Boxing Promotions will also feature highly-rated unbeaten welterweight prospect Kian Thomas (7-0) in a six-round contest.
The 25-year-old from Kentish Town will complete his second year in the pro ranks on April 1st with his eighth paid contest and looks set to challenge for silverware in 2017.
Super-welterweight Davis Pagan (3-1) is back in his fifth pro fight after avenging his sole career loss in his last outing.
The 26-year-old from Basildon defeated his former conqueror Sonny Whiting on points in February to right the wrong on his record. This will be his first fight away from the York Hall in London.
Debutant Sam Mason makes his pro bow in a four-round super-lightweight contest.
For tickets to the show contact Team Church on 07938 878 962
