Spartan Barton gets first shot at pro title
ABIG step up looms for Southport’s Jake Barton after he succeeded in landing his first career title shot as a professional boxer.
The former WBC Muay Thai champion who switched over to professional boxing in March 2018 will be looking to add the British Boxing Board of Controls Central Area Light Heavyweight Championship to his resume when he challenges for the belt on Saturday 9th July at the Liverpool Olympia.
Barton, 28, is currently undefeated with a record of seven wins with no defeats.
However, in order to win the title he will be taking on the more experienced Mickey Ellison, 32, who has 12 victories to his credit with four losses.
Ellison not only has an advantage in the amount of fights but also the rounds.
The fight will take place over a championship distance of 10x3 minute rounds.
Ellison no stranger to the distance as he has been scheduled to go 10 rounds on four occasions, succeeding on three.
Still, the Southport man has never been more than six rounds in his career thus far, and has only completed that distance once despite being scheduled for it three times.
Previously, he stopped his opponents Olly Newham (then undefeated) and Vanja Dumitrovs, both in the second round.
It wasn’t until his last bout in November 2021, when he had to get up off the canvas to beat Mohamed Cherif Benchadi, that he went the sixround distance, outpointing the Frenchman by 58-56.
The fight is certainly an interesting one on paper – Ellison is stepping up to Light Heavyweight for this one following a defeat for the Super Middleweight English title in his last contest.
Barton, who has campaigned his entire career in the division may be more suited to the weight and seems to be finding his power with two stoppages in his last three fights.
Barton’s coach Robbie Butler, who trains him at the Rydal Gym in Kirkdale, said: “I’m really happy Jake’s getting the opportunity to step up and push on for titles.
“It’s something we’ve been working towards for some time now.
“He’s put in the work in the gym and had really high level sparring.
“It’s time for him to go and take his opportunity with both hands”.
For anyone wanting go along and support the town’s only active professional boxer, tickets are now available, with various prices depending on where you want to sit.
There will also be coaches leaving from Southport for those who need transport.
Can the Spartan stay undefeated and pick up the championship belt he’s been chasing? Be there on Saturday 9th July to find out live.
Jake has also just opened up the JB Boxing & Fitness Gym on Mosley Street, just off Upper Aughton road in Birkdale with a view to passing on some of his knowledge and help create the next crop of fighters to represent the town.
The gym also caters for those who don’t want to compete but want to learn boxing, general fitness classes and a variety of personal trainers each with their own expertise to offer something for everyone.
Tickets for the fight can also be picked up from the gym.
To keep up with Jake’s training in the build up to the fight you can follow him on social media @jakebarton94 on Instagram or Jake The Spartan Barton on Facebook.