Undefeated Super-Welterweight machine James Metcalf has signed a long-term promotional deal with Frank Warren. The son of Liverpool fight legend Shea Neary has won all 14 of his professional bouts to date and is determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and win a World title of his own.
28-year-old Metcalf, known as ‘Kid Shamrock’, made his professional debut in 2011 and is itching to be thrown into title fights after building his reputation as one of the most exciting rising talents in the 154lb division.
Metcalf’s father, known as the ‘Shamrock Express’, held the WBU Super-Lightweight crown from 1996 to 2000 and was immortalised in celluloid thanks to his appearance in the Hollywood film The Fighter; starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.
Trained by Georgie Vaughan at Derry Mathews’ gym in Liverpool, Metcalf is preparing to secure his own legacy.
“My dad was a huge inspiration growing up,” said Metcalf. “Watching him fight made me want to get into professional boxing and win titles of my own. It’s great having someone who has been there and done it giving me advice.
“He’s trained me in the past so that’s probably why a lot of people say our styles are very similar. He trained me for my first couple of pro fights before injuring himself and taking me to Georgie Vaughan who has trained me ever since.”
With a rich batch of Champions and contenders, boxing in Liverpool is booming. Metcalf is aiming to punch his way into the limelight and has big plans for 2017.
“The plan is to get a few wins under my belt and then push towards a title. I haven’t boxed since October so all I need is one or two fights to shake off the ring rust and then I’ll be ready take on anyone. I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the British title in the next year or so.
“I’m over the moon to be teaming up with Frank. I grew up watching his shows and to now be fighting on them is massive for me. The extra exposure I’m going to get can only benefit me so it’s an exciting time to be teaming up with him.”
Warren stablemates Liam Smith and Liam Williams currently rule the roost in the domestic Super-Welter division. The fierce rivals face-off in at the Manchester Arena on April 8th and Metcalf is predicting a fight of the year barn burner.
“This fight has got the whole country buzzing. All fight fans have wanted to see them get it on for years and now it’s happening it’s impossible to predict a winner.
“Smith is the former World Champion and Williams is the rising star in the division; it has all the ingredients for an explosive clash. I want to be in their position soon.”
GLASGOW AMATEUR STANDOUT BROWN TEAMS UP WITH WARREN
Glasgow Middleweight Aston Brown is delighted to have signed a long-term promotional deal with Hall of Famer Frank Warren. After a successful amateur career Brown is looking to be pushed quickly into title contention and is already targeting Tommy Langford’s Lord Lonsdale belt.
Brown, 25, is a former star of both the Scottish and British amateur scenes, boxing not only for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games, but for Great Britain and the Great Britain Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing.
“It all started when I was nine-years-old,” said Brown. “I soon realised that I loved boxing and it was something that I had a talent for. I progressed very quickly through the ranks and in 2010 I lost to Callum Smith at the Commonwealth Games. After that I secured a place on the Team GB Development Squad where I only spent around six months before progressing onto the Podium Squad.
“I travelled the World boxing some of the best fighters around, going to around three or four European and World Championships. I learnt a lot during my two seasons in the WSB with the British Lionhearts before deciding to turn pro in 2015.”
He made a winning start to life in the paid ranks, comfortably outpointing Georgi Vlevski in Edinburgh. However, injury during his pro debut resulted in surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“It was a very frustrating for me. I had to get an operation straight after my first fight and it took around a year for the injury to heal properly. During that time I’ve moved to Manchester and teamed up with Arnie Farnell. Things are looking really good now and I can’t wait to push on under the guidance of Frank and Arnie.
“I bonded straight away with Arnie and all of the boys in the gym are absolutely spot on. It’s the perfect gym for me and I’ve got a great relationship with everyone who trains there which is great for my development. We all have a laugh and get on really well.”
Tipped as one of the best amateurs to come out of Scotland in recent years, Brown is aiming to take his career onto the next level under Warren and is planning an assault on the domestic 160lbs division.
“I’ve had over 130 amateur fights and mixed it with the best in the WSB so it won’t take me many fights to be challenging for titles. I’m aiming to be taking on the best domestic Middleweight fighters within the next couple of years. I’m hungry for success and want to be pushed on quickly.
“I’m over the moon to be starting this new journey with Frank and BoxNation. I believe he is the best man out there to take me forward and I’m aiming to get Scottish boxing back under the spotlight. Me and Josh Taylor are probably the most successful amateurs to come out of Scotland in recent times and I want to fly the flag for Scottish boxing for years to come.”
