Wraith’s decision is a showstopper
CRAIG JOHNS BREAKS THE FIRST RULE
TYNESIDE promoter Steve Wraith has announced he will step away from promoting professional boxing when his licence expires in July.
Wraith has promoted shows in the North East for the last seven years and has helped play a huge role in big shows such as Matchroom Boxing’s coming back to the region in recent years.
In the past year he has worked closely with his Wearside-based equivalent to put on shows in the region and throughout the years the pair’s hard work has provided a stage for many boxers to shine on and hone their skills.
Explaining his decision, Wraith said: “I think I have achieved everything I set out to in promoting.
“I became involved in the pros to try and reinvigorate the sport in Newcastle and Gateshead.
“Phil (Jeffries) was doing a brilliant job on Wearside but I felt there was a big gulf since Glenn Mccrory really on Tyneside.
“Phil got the ball rolling with the revival in the North East and I thought I would give it a go. Seven years on I feel I have achieved everything I set out to and I can leave with my head held high.
“I have helped bring the big-time shows back to Newcastle and hopefully along the way helped a few lads achieve things in the sport.
“Now we have Matchroom up here and potentially Boxnation too, it feels like the right time.”
The good news is Wraith is not walking away from the sport altogether.
He will keep his management licence and will continue to guide one of the region’s top talents in Lawrence Osueke – as well as others on his books such as Teessider John Green.
He added: “I am still going to retain my manager’s licence and that will be good for the sport because it means I will still be working with Phil to make stronger cards.
“It takes the pressure off me a little as well because I have plenty of other things going on with my acting and other things and there are quite a lot of things people don’t see which promoters need to do before shows and it is just a little tying for me.
“I will still be working closely with fighters as a manager and I believe I can still help guide fighters to where they need to go. I have Lawrence Osueke who has a big year ahead of him as he looks to step-up to move towards the title picture.
“There is also John Green who has made a comeback and is game to rise up and fight whoever.
“My energy will be pushed behind the boxers and also in helping Phil continue to deliver great shows for the fans.”
There are two shows booked in already this year for Wraith and Jeffries.
They start the season in Darlington next Saturday with Green topping the bill.
They then have a huge show at Durham’s Rainton Meadows Arena on March 16 which will feature a whole host of tap talent, including the charismatic Joe Laws. Wraith is not sure whether there will be one more Tyneside show.
MTK Newcastle plan to have a show on May 3. Full details are to be announced but Darren Surtees has been confirmed to be fighting Kieran Gethin in a super lightweight British title eliminator.
As such, Wraith says it probably makes more sense to work with MTK and have his boxers on that show too.
The huge Newcastle United fan’s final promotion could be the annual Summer Rumble at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light – but Wraith is fine with that. He isn’t looking for a big swansong.