Cole ‘a credit to boxing’ for answering Benn call
SOUTHAM STAR GIVEN JUST 24 HOURS’ NOTICE FOR FIGHT
BOXING greats lined up to shake Mike Cole’s hand after the Southam welterweight stepped in at late notice to fight in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday night.
Anthony Joshua, Tony Bellew and Nigel Benn all praised the 29-year-old southpaw following his three-round defeat to Conor Benn for his honest, brave effort.
The scheduled six-round fight was screened live on Sky Sports – and was the talk of fight fans on social media.
Cole had previously told the Telegraph he was targeting Benn – and took his chance after the fight was offered at around 24 hours’ notice.
“The circumstances weren’t ideal,” said Cole, “but I like to fight, I like to entertain people and it was an amazing experience.
“For Tony Bellew to say he wouldn’t do what I did was some compliment.”
Coach Edwin Cleary said: “We didn’t go there as tourists. We went there to win. The game plan was to win one of the first two rounds to put Benn under pressure – and then get him to walk onto one.
“Mike was doing really well – until he got caught in the second round.”
The right-hand blast dropped Cole for a count of ‘nine’ – and when the fight resumed, he bravely kept taking the fight to Benn.
Benn stayed in charge, bloodied Cole’s nose, then dropped him with a flurry.
Again, Cole beat the count and was clearly devastated after the referee decided he couldn’t continue.
“I would have picked myself up another five or six times,” said Cole, “and everyone who knows me knows I would have done. But the referee was only doing his job.”
Afterwards, Bellew described Cole as “a credit to boxing,” while Joshua praised him for making Benn work hard for the seventh straight win his pro career. He was also complimented by his opponent’s father, legend Nigel ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Benn.
“A year ago, I really think Mike would have beaten Benn,” added Cleary, who also trained Cole throughout his 22-bout amateur career. “But he has improved so much. “Conor has the punch selection and the power. Mike has never been on the floor or even hurt in any fight, amateur or pro, or even in sparring.”
Cleary added that promoters Matchroom now hope to feature Cole on their next show at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, pencilled in for September. The stoppage defeat means Cole is unable to box at Chesford Grange on Friday, July 21 – and promoter Errol Johnson has decided to postpone the show. TRIUMPH teenager Aaron Bowen heads off to Miami on Monday to prepare for the Commonwealth Youth Games.
The 17-year-old will train there before jetting to the Bahamas, where he will be going for gold in the under— 75kg category.
The six-day tournament gets underway on Tuesday, July 18.
“Aaron is confident he will come back with a medal,” said coach Dinesh Darbar, “but there’s no pressure on him.
“He is still young and at this stage, the main thing is that he benefits from the experience.
“The experience of boxing internationally should really bring Aaron on.
“I’m sure he will give a good account of himself.”
Bowen has been picked to represent England after winning gold at both the Three Nations Youth championship and more recently, the Haringey Box Cup at Alexandra Palace.
At Alexandra Palace, Bowen underlined his potential with a points win over Tommy Hyde in the final.
Hyde has twice won Irish honours and as a junior, he was ranked No 5 in the world. Bowen, sponsored by Coundon’s STM Plumbing & Heating, beat him on points.