Tim Rickson reports…
Former English super-lightweight champion Anthony Upton (13-1) is back in the ring on March 3rd at the Devenish Complex in Belfast on an MTK Promotions show.
Anto will take part in a six three-minute rounds contest at the 140lbs weight limit with an opponent yet to be confirmed.
The 25-year-old will be the first of the Upton Clan, which includes brothers Sonny and Pauly, to fight this year, although it’ll be almost eight months since his last bout when he steps back through those ropes on the first weekend in March.
He said, “It’s been a while since I’ve been out, my last fight was in July for the English title.
“The show is just around the corner from my house in the Devenish Complex, so I can’t wait to get back in there.”
All three brothers have a strong connection to the Emerald Isle having lived and fought there throughout most of their amateur careers. Anto won over a dozen Irish amateur titles and older brother Pauly is the current Irish super-welterweight champion.
Anto won the English super-lightweight title in his last fight over six months ago with a stunning ninth-round knockout over Luke Paddock (15-2) in Cannock, shortly before splitting with former trainer Ricky Hatton and relocating back to Romford with his brothers.
“I’ve had a good bit of time off over Christmas after the split with Ricky Hatton, but I’m ready to get back in there again,” said Upton.
Since leaving Hatton’s Gym in Manchester, the brothers are now settled with their new team consisting of Barry Smith, Harry Andrews and former English champion Tommy Martin in their West Ham Gym.
Anto, a father of one, plans to shake off the ring rust in the next fight with the aim to get used to his new outfit in the corner, he confirmed, “Just a six-rounder next just so I can get used to my new trainers in the corner. It should be the first time for Tommy Martin being in a corner.”
The West Ham Gym is thriving under Barry Smith and attracting the attention of many talented boxers from around the capital.
“You can’t beat good sparring,” the 140-pounder declared. “Got Philip Bowes here, Bradley Smith, Larry Ekundayo… its world class sparring in your own gym so don’t have to go anywhere else looking for it.”
Anto vacated his English championship when Joe Hughes was presented as his mandatory challenger in December last year, publicly stating that he wouldn’t defend the title without experiencing a couple of warm up fights with his new team first.
Upton’s solitary career loss was at the hands of Hughes in December 2015 on his first crack at the English crown. He has openly stated his ambition to fight his one and only conqueror at some point down the line in their respective careers, ideally for a bigger title.
Hughes regained his English championship with a points win over Andy Keates (12-5) last December, after previously vacating to fight Jack Catterall for the WBO Inter-Continental super-lightweight belt (Hughes lost on points), and next challenges Tyrone Nurse on April 22nd for his British belt.
Like Hughes, Anto is also keen to experience bigger title fights.
“I spoke with my managers and had a good chat,” said the 25-year-old from Essex. “The plan for this year is all good; first to get this six-rounder out the way, then to push on for titles.
“I’m 25 now so I want to be in the mix soon. I want titles this year, at least one, if not, two.”
Anto is managed by Spanish-based promotional outfit MTK, formerly known as MGM, headed by two-time World title challenger Matt Macklin and partner Daniel Kinahan.
The March 3rd show will be co-promoted by MTK and Mark Ginley, a former professional boxer from Belfast.
“It’s the first show for Mark Ginley,” confirmed Anto. “He used to be a pro so fair play to him for getting involved in promoting and starting from the bottom, and best of luck to him. It’ll be mostly MTK fighters on the show.”
The rest of the card is yet to be announced.
For tickets to the show, please contact 07951 318 081
