Darrel Church: “2016 is going to be my year”
Essex light-heavyweight prospect, Darrel ‘The Baptist’ Church (2-1) gets his next outing on March 4th at Grays Civic Hall in Essex on a Carl Greaves Promotions show.
The 26-year-old from Tiptree has had an unfortunate year in 2015 and will be looking towards the New Year with a positive outlook, starting with his fourth pro bout on the first weekend of March.
“Yeah, it’s not been a great year but I said to my fiancé Demi last night that I’ve got a feeling about 2016, it’s going to be my year!” he enthused.
The 175lbs prospect will take part in his in a four three-minute rounds light-heavyweight contest against an opponent yet to be confirmed.
“It should be my last four-rounder because I want to move on now,” he added.
Unbeaten in 11 fights in the thriving unlicensed boxing scene in Essex, Church turned professional under the guidance of manager, Carl Greaves and debuted in July 2014, defeating Curtis Gargano (0-1-1) on points at the familiar setting for all his pro fights to date – Grays Civic Hall.
He followed up with another points win over debutant Haidar Sadik four months later in November, capping off the year with a decent unbeaten start to a promising pro career.
In what should have been a hat-trick for Church in June this year, he unexpectedly suffered his first loss to Angelo ‘Concrete’ Crowe (3-6), ending a 13 fight winning streak stretching back over six years to the unlicensed circuit.
The father-of-one then switched training camps to respected boxing coach, Mark Massow to be located closer to home and family life.
The 42-year-old Firefighter and former paratrooper used to work closely with Frank Maloney and has a mix of amateurs and pros training in his Witham gym.
Church said of the relationship with his new trainer, “It’s going really well, I’ve never been so happy. We really understand each other and he knows what’s the best for me.”
The rejuvenated pugilist was then due to tackle Darren Snow (0-1-1), 33-years-old from Yorkshire, on December 3rd but fell ill with tonsillitis in the week preceding the contest, ending his second year in the paid ranks with disappointment.
He said at the time of his withdrawal, “It’s fair to say that I’m left feeling pretty gutted, I get no luck, I really don’t!”
However, the six-foot tall Essex boxer is looking ahead to the New Year with renewed optimism, “Feeling really good about 2016, I just can’t wait!” he beamed.
The March 4th Carl Greaves Promotions show will also feature two unbeaten prospects plus an exciting, young debutant.
Nigerian-born super-lightweight, Idris Hill (2-0), 30-years-old from Westciff-on-Sea, gets his third outing in under five months of entering the paid ranks.
A product of Ross Minter’s Queensbury Boxing League, light-heavyweight Joe Jackson Brown (3-0), 23-years-old from Banbury, enters into his fourth paid contest against an opponent yet to be confirmed.
Welterweight prospect, George Hennon (2-0), 21-years-old from Kent, enters into his third pro bout on his trainer, Johnny Greaves’ 37th birthday.
Church’s former teammate, Paul Hilz (2-2) will be looking to get back to a winning record after losing his last fight to Scott Douglas (3-3-2) on December 3rd at the same venue.
Middleweight, Paul Southwick (0-1), 32-years-old, had a nightmare start to his pro career, losing on points to 24-year-old travelling opponent, Sam Wall on his debut. He will be looking to right that wrong in his second paid contest.
Debutant Tey Lynn-Jones, another product of the successful Queensbury Boxing League, makes his pro bow in his home town of Grays to complete the exciting card.
For tickets to the show contact Team Church on 07938 878 962
Follow Darrel ‘The Baptist’ Church on Twitter @Darrel_Church89
Team Church would like to thank sponsors MB Surfacing and Tiptree Jam and Incredible Pixels and PR Manager Tim Rickson
