SECONDSOUT Quartet set to turn pro under guidance of manager Jobes
NEWCASTLE’S Matty Jobes, granted his manager’s licence, has snapped up four amateur boxers who are turning pro under his guidance.
Mark Taylor, Connor Sommerville, and Chrissy Atkinson are from the West End, while Tom Walsh comes from Wooler.
Three of them – Sommerville, Taylor and Walsh – will be looking at making their debuts on the upcoming Phil Jeffries show at Rainton Meadows in May.
Jobes said of his decision to turn to management and sign the four amateurs: “I felt that we needed to take the next step and most of the lads have had a feel for this place for a number of years now.
“Several others apart from these four are wanting to turn professional under me, so I’m looking at putting together a decent stable. We’ve got some pretty big plans for the future.”
Taylor is the most experienced of the quartet with a strong amateur background and title-winning success to his name.
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring as things have been a bit hit and miss for the past two to three years,” he said. “I’ll admit that I started losing interest, but having come here to Jobes Gym just after Christmas I’m really loving it.”
With Jobes looking at six bouts per fighter over the next 12 months it’s going to be a busy transition for the quartet.
Walsh added: “I’m 28 and feel that the time is right for me. I’m really looking forward to the style which the pro game poses. It will definitely suit me more.”
Walsh is the elder statesman and will be making up for lost time, having spent a number of years on the unlicensed scene after an amateur career at the former North Benwell club.
Jobes and his coaches have been training pro boxers for a number of years with the likes of Sam Best, Dougie Curran, and James Barnes passing through the gym. Now he will manage his stable as well. ■■WORLD boxing legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales are headlining a dinner at Hedworth Hall in South Shields on Thursday.
A few tickets are left and are available by phoning Martyn Devlin of Fighting Talk on 07752 515280. ■■BOLDON were unable to produce a winner from two attempts on their own dinner show at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle.