With Boxing, like other sports, currently in lockdown, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, we look at five UK prospects to watch once the action finally resumes.
Deion Jumah (13-0, KO7), Cruiserweight, Chelsea
Deion Jumah turned professional under the Sauerland Promotions banner in February 2013 in Germany with a first round knockout win.
The 30-year-old boxed in Germany and Denmark for his first seven contests, with an appearance at the Copper Box Arena in January 2016 on his UK debut, a points win over Colin Faricker.
The Londoner endured a tough career mainly outside of the ropes though, with a serious heart illness taking two years off his fledgling pro journey from 2016 to 2018.
He returned in March 2018, under new management with Goodwin Promotions and has steadily built his career back to where he should be in the past two years.
First came the Southern Area belt in December 2018 with a fifth round stoppage of Ossie Jervier followed up by a defence of the title with another fifth round halt of Wadi Camacho in September 2019.
Last time out ‘The Ghost’ added the English title to his collection back in January with a thrilling points win over Sam Hyde in Manchester.
With that victory, Jumah is now mandatory challenger to Richard Raikporhe’s British title.
John Docherty (8-0, KO6), Super Middleweight, Montrose, Scotland
Scotland’s John Docherty has impressed thus far in his eight paid outings and the tests should get stiffer going forward.
The 22-year-old turned over in October 2018 with a first round knockout of Jordan Latimer, and the Matchroom promoted Super Middleweight has boxed on some big bills.
‘The Doc’ has only been the distance twice, against tough customers Daryl Sharp and Lewis van Poetsch and his last assignment saw him stop Pablo Mendoza inside a round in Sheffield back in February.
Dennis McCann (6-0, KO4), Bantamweight, Maidstone
Frank Warren-promoted, hot prospect Dennis McCann has been building quite the reputation as a devastating puncher, but has steadily been learning with each fight.
The 19-year-old southpaw was stepped up against tough journeyman Pablo Narvaez last time out at the York Hall in February and had to settle for a whitewash points win over six rounds.
‘The Menace,’ who trains out of the iBOX Gym in Bromley with coach Alan Smith has dedicated himself to the sport from a young age, having dropped out of school at Primary level and looks a real talent.
Archie Sharp (18-0, KO9) Super Featherweight, Welling
Archie Sharp has taken some notable scalps in his 18 fight career thus far and is currently highly ranked with the WBO, as a result of being their European champion.
The 24-year-old Welling-based Super Featherweight came to prominence in dropping and clearly outscoring Leicester’s Lyon Woodstock in a grudge match in October 2018.
‘Sharpshooter’ has since scored a points win over the tough Jordy McCorry and stopped Declan Geraghty with a monster of a left hand. His last outing was a wide points victory over unbeaten Latvian, Artjoms Ramlavs at the Copper Box Arena in December 2019.
Zach Parker (19-0, KO13) Super Middleweight, Derby
Derbyshire-based Zach Parker is on the cusp of a world title shot after working his way up to become the number one contender with the WBO, following a tough but disciplined eleventh round stoppage of Rohan Murdock in Manchester earlier this month.
He has benefited from appearing on several World Boxing Super Series bills, boxing in events in Germany and Scotland and he captured the British title with a points win against Daryl Williams in November 2018.
The 25-year-old, who campaigns under the Sauerland Promotions banner will no doubt be chasing a world title shot next, with Billy Joe Saunders the current WBO Super Middleweight champion.
