Home Boxing News Lee Churcher sends warning to Joe Mullender

Lee Churcher sends warning to Joe Mullender

Hammer hitting Newport middleweight Lee Churcher could experience a resurrection of biblical proportions if he can spring an upset against Essex ticket seller Joe Mullender on Frank Warren’s Xmas bonanza at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday evening.

Less than three years ago, the then reigning Welsh champion – a father of four – was languishing in a prison cell reflecting on the folly of supplying cocaine; his promising ring career seemingly in tatters.

But a stunning victory over leading contender Mullender in their spat for the IBF European belt this weekend could be rewarded with a British title challenge at the ripe old age of 37.

‘It was very bad timing, very frustrating to lose that time, something I hugely regret,’ says the plasterer who served five years in the British Army.

‘But I’ve been able to take a lot of positives from it. It was a turning point both in my life and my career. I was training stupid and my lifestyle wasn’t right. Thankfully, I’ve come out the other side.

‘Victory next Saturday could earn me a fight for the Lonsdale Belt – a beautiful thing – and get me a top 15 world ranking.’

Cruncher Churcher’s ring journey started at the age of 12 when he laced up hoping to learn how to defend himself. His career in a singlet spanned 14 years but just 26 bouts and peaked with an appearance in the 2009 Welsh ABA final.

He was already 28 when he chanced his arm with the profession in 2009 but the popular ticket seller triumphed in just six of his first ten and twice suffered crushing stoppage losses inside five minutes.

‘I’ve always had plenty of power – all of my knockout wins have been one punch jobs – but early in my career my former manager told me to carry the journeyman otherwise I’d get no work,’ recalls Lee.

‘Trouble was, my fans who buy the tickets started to question why I wasn’t finishing guys off after I’d wobbled or dropped them. I started listening to my mates rather than my manager and twice copped big right hands on the chin. You can’t argue with them!’

However, either side of his ‘interruption’, Churcher has won seven straight – with several victories achieved by chilling kayos – and insists he isn’t visiting London this weekend for a spot of sightseeing.

‘It’s by far the biggest test, biggest opportunity of my boxing career but there’s no pressure at all on me and I love that,’ says Churcher who has lost just three of 17.

‘I’ve always had a successful building company so I’ve never really boxed for money. I just want to get as high as I possibly can. Any money is a bonus.

‘Joe Mullender’s an interesting fighter, very big for a middleweight. But whereas Joe can only come forward, I’ve got options. I’m known as a powerful puncher and a skilful puncher but I can box front or back foot, move laterally or plant my feet and unload my bombs. Mullender will have to wait to see what I choose.

‘He’ll discover I’m a huge puncher. As a plasterer, moving my arms up and down walls all day helps develop real power and 12 rounds is a long time for him to avoid getting hit clean. If he hasn’t got a granite chin, he’s going to sleep.

‘It’s a well matched fight and I’m really looking forward to it. I believe I win because I’m a better boxer and I hit harder.’

Coach Gavin Rees, the former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion adds: ‘Not many have heard of Lee but he’s got a decent record and we believe he could pull off a shock. He’s got a nice dig on him; hits far harder than his record suggests.

‘Lee’s a lot fresher 37 year old that I am. Ok, he’s been to jail but everyone makes mistakes in life and honestly, he’s a lovely kid.

‘At his age, you can’t turn chances like this down. It’s a great opportunity to finally showcase what he’s about. Better late than never. You don’t know what might come off the back of it.

‘For once Lee has had six or seven weeks notice. He’s trained very hard and we’ve got him as good as he’s gonna get. Joe Mullender is very fit but, from what I’ve seen, he’s not the best technically, doesn’t bring much fire power.

‘Mullender will be in Lee’s face and it’ll be a brawl. Lee will have to hold his ground and bang back. Our plan is to take him out early. Lee’s certainly capable of that.’

James DeGale MBE (23-1-1, 14 KOs) tops an unmissable evening of boxing in the capital when he makes the fourth defence of his IBF Super-Middleweight World Title against American Caleb Truax (28-3-2, 18 KOs); Lee Selby (25-0-1, 9 KO’s) defends his IBF Featherweight crown against Mexico’s Eduardo Ramirez (20-0-3, 7 KO’s);

Light-Heavyweight ‘Beast’ Anthony Yarde (13-0, 12 KOs) defends his WBO Intercontinental and European belts against Nikola Sjekloca (32-4-1, 11 KOs), Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois (5-0, 5 KOs) aims to continue his KO streak when he faces former Anthony Joshua opponent Dorian Darch (12-5-1, 1 KO) in his sixth contest;

Hugely-popular former English Welterweight Champion Johnny Garton (20-1-1 7 KOs) fights for the Vacant IBF European Welterweight title;

WBO European Lightweight Champion Craig Evans features in an eight round International contest and rising talents Archie Sharp (Welling), Sanjeev Sahota (Hornchurch), Ben Smith (Wycombe), Hamza Sheeraz (Ilford), Umar Sadiq (Ilford) and debutant Harvey Horn (Chigwell) complete an action-packed night of boxing.

Remaining tickets for The Boys Are Back In Town are available via See Tickets, Eventim and Ticketmaster:

See Tickets
0871 230 7148
www.seetickets.com

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

Ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.co.uk