Ben Day and Ryan Taylor set for December showdown

Emdad Rahman

Unbeaten Ben “The Entertainer” Day is due to fight Londoner Ryan “Crash Bang” Taylor on 5th December at London’s historic York Hall for the now vacant Southern Area super-lightweight title. The Goodwin Promotions show features two Southern Area clashes at a packed event boasting a whopping 18 scheduled fights.

Taylor, 27 years old, will be hoping it’s third time lucky on that first weekend in December after challenging for the Southern Area title twice before back in 2013. Trained by Johnny Greaves out of the famous Peacock Gym in Canning Town, “Crash Bang” first competed for Southern Area honours in March 2013, losing out on a three-point margin to Liam Shinkwin at Wembley Arena for the lightweight version.

At 37 years old, this is Day’s second title fight after winning the International Masters Bronze lightweight scrap with a first round KO of Latvian opponent Ilja Sovdra in March this year. The London gym owner, unbeaten in eight fights and four years, said of his forthcoming opponent, “I know he’s had 70 amateur fights so, that’s 70 more than me!

“He’s a come-forward fighter, had a glittering amateur career; fair play to him, he wants to win. I like that he said in an interview that he’s not taking me for me granted. I’ve got fresh legs, I’m awkward, and I’ll do what I do and hit and move.”

Day added, “I’ve been getting some good sparring down at RJ’s in Chingford with Andrew Joicey and Tyler Goodjohn. It’s a great gym and Rod Julian has been giving me some great advice.”

Taylor has competed in twice as many paid contests as Day, as well as boasting a decent amateur pedigree – so he certainly possesses an advantage in experience going into the title fight. Day responded, “It should give him an advantage, he’s fought for this title twice already. Behind every misfortune is an opportunity but it’s down to the individual whether he sees it as a loss or experience, it could either make him or break him. It’s not nice going into a fight having lost it before, but it’s how it sees it.”

The Devonian boxer only turned pro aged 32 with just a couple of white collar boxing fights to count on as experience. “When I first turned pro I wasn’t even thinking about winning a fight, let alone a title!” he laughed. “A lot of people have told me to give up boxing, but there’s no reason for me to do that whatsoever. I’m not punchy, not been in many hard fights,” he firmly stated.

A close friend of Day’s, Darren Hamilton, won the British title in his mid-30s against the odds by stepping in as a last-minute, stand-in opponent to defeat the title-holder Ashley Theophane (now signed to Floyd Mayweather) on points.

Day draws inspiration from the Bristolian still fighting on, aged 37, “If you don’t want to fight for the British title, then you shouldn’t be in boxing – that’s the ultimate goal,” he affirmed. “People would have thought I was mad challenging for the Southern Area a few years ago, so look at it that way.”

The Devonian boxer is the owner of a boutique boxing gym in Central London and balances his time between his demanding business and professional boxing career. “It’s hectic but I’d like to say thanks to Greg White for looking after my business, Ringtone Boxing Gym, so I can concentrate on training,” he concluded.

The packed Goodwin Promotions show boasts yet another exciting Southern Area clash as well as nine unbeaten prospects and two debutants. Baghdad-born Ali Adams (14-1) and unbeaten Dominic Akinlade(4-0-1) will clash for the vacant Southern Area heavyweight title. Thirty-four year old Adams’s most recent loss came at the hands of former European champion and prizefighter winner Audley Harrison, and his latest win was over Larry Olubamiwo, a former Southern Area heavyweight champion himself. Thirty-five year old South Londoner Akinlade’s inferior experience is made up by the fact that he has taken the unbeaten record from three of his five opponents, who have a combined record of 9-6.

New recruit, Wadi Camacho (13-5) gets his debut outing under the Goodwin Promotions banner. Peckham’s Johnny Garton (15-1-1), a former Southern Area welterweight titleholder, takes part in a six-rounder, in what will be a tune-up fight for a major title challenge next year.

Promoter Steve Goodwin’s son, Josh competes in his professional debut over four three-minute super-middleweight rounds. The 20-year-old from Leighton Buzzard has staged his own shows under the Goodwin Sports banner and turns over after many years as an amateur at Luton Academy.

Former English super-lightweight champion Tyler Goodjohn (11-4) makes his eagerly awaited return to professional boxing after an eleven month hiatus in a six-round welterweight contest. John O’Donnell (29-2), former English and Commonwealth title-holder, performs in a six-round welterweight contest.

Unbeaten prospects Jose Lopes (4-0), Freddy Kiwitt (7-0), Adam Hart (2-0), Lucas Balingall (3-0), Neil Parry (1-0), Darren Townley (1-0) and Mickey Diggin (1-0) are all in action on the night. Top talents, Karl Wheeler (10-5-1), Jamie Speight (13-8), Matt McCarthy (13-1), and Todd Roberts (4-1) are also competing. Middleweight debutant, Brad Pauls completes the busy line-up.

Ben Day is on Twitter – @benday32

Ben would like to thank his sponsors Ringtone Boxing Gym and PR Manager Tim Rickson.

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