Coventry cruiserweight, Joe Sheriff, is ready build on his positive start to life as a professional boxer when he appears on Black Country Boxing’s Bad Blood In The Black Country show this weekend.
Just two years ago the 27 year-old was left fighting for his life after being stabbed while on holiday in Las Vegas but he defied the odds to turn professional and recorded an impressive points victory over Welshman, Jamie Ambler, in September.
Sheriff’s debut was closer to home, in Bedworth, but he will be hoping to carry on where he left off when he takes on Lincoln’s Mitch Mitchell at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday (29th November).
“I’m enjoying my time as a professional,” Sheriff told www.uko-boxing.com. “I’m training hard and working towards my goals.
“I really enjoyed my debut. Fighting Jamie Ambler could have been a banana skin on my pro debut as he’s a tough, awkward customer. We knew from studying him that he tries to tire you out in the second half of the fight. I set a high pace from the start and although he tried to come on strong from the third round, I was able to pick up the pace again and l I was happy with my performance.”
Sheriff, who reached the ABA Novice Class B Final in 2011, and had a 29-bout amateur career with Red Corner ABC, admits to knowing little about his latest opponent, Mitch Mitchell. However, after a positive training camp, he is determined to record another victory.
“Training has gone well for this fight,” he added. “I’ve been doubling the rounds in sparring, doing lots of track work and having done some work with a new strength work.
“I haven’t watched too much of Mitch Mitchell but what I’ve seen from him, he’s a tough kid who likes to start fast. If that’s the case then it will work in my favour as I’ll look to exchange with him early and land as he opens up.
“I’m looking forward to boxing in Walsall as its away from home and out my comfort zone. I perform better when I’m out my comfort zone and with a good support from my Coventry-based fans, I’m ready to put on a good display.”
Tickets, priced at £30 and £50 Ringside, are available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. The aftershow party and weigh-in both take place at the Pitch Sports Bar and Grill on Bridge Street, Walsall.
Sheriff is joined at Walsall Town Hall by a host of Black Country boxers.
English super featherweight title challenger, Lee Glover, tops the bill as he takes on Plymouth prospect, Chris Adaway, for a British Bronze Masters Featherweight Title. The pair will weigh-in at The Pitch Sports Bar & Grill, Bridge Street, Walsall, at 1.00pm this coming Friday (28th November).
Halesowen super middleweight prospect, Lennox Clarke when he takes on Welshman, Jamie Ambler, whilst Tewkesbury light middleweight prospect, Adam Harper, faces Manchester veteran, Dee Mitchell.
Super featherweight duo, Sean ‘Showtime’ Davis (Birmingham) and Ryan Corrigan (Dudley) complete the bill against Northern Ireland’s Ben Mulligan and Sheffield’s Qassim Hussain respectively.
The boxing will finish in time for boxing fans to make their way to The Pitch Sports Bar and Grill on Bridge Street, Walsall, where the Bad Blood: Chisora versus Fury/Saunders versus Eubank Jr will be shown live on Giant Screens. Fight fans will be able to gain free entry into Walsall premier night spot on production of their boxing ticket.
