Fight Options bring Boxing back to the Roman City of Chester

Hometown favourite Chris Goodwin will be topping the bill as he seeks to wrestle the International Masters lightweight title away from seasoned pro Geoffrey Munika of Kenya. Goodwin (12-1-1) is an exceptional stylist with skills to burn, but he will have seen nothing like the 37 year old Munika, (21-16-2 12KO) a man who shocked the British boxing scene when he ripped the title away from champion and former British title contender, Ryan Barrett in June, knocking him out in six rounds. Munika is an all action come forward warrior, so the clash of styles should make for an enthralling match up.

Having waited so long for his first belt, Munika will have no wish to travel halfway across the world to meekly give away his title. Will the youth and speed of Goodwin prevail or will the experience and raw power of Munika prove just too much for the hometown boy? We will find out on October 15th.

Chester warrior Paul Economides will also be gunning for a title when he takes on Bradford’s Shaun Doherty for the Yorkshire man’s British Masters super-bantamweight strap. Economides (10-2) has already beaten his foe twice over four rounds, but both times he got the nod by merely a point.

Now over the ten rounds distance Doherty (3-5-3 1KO) will fancy his chances of getting the result he believes he deserved previously. Doherty is no stranger to an upset. He won the belt when, on away turf down in Newport, with barely a friendly face in the crowd, he knocked out former British and Commonwealth title challenger Matthew Edmonds in the tenth. Having beaten a man of that ilk, travelling to Chester will cause no worries for the champ and he will no doubt be looking to take his title back home.

Also on the bill, Prestatyns ‘Discoball’ Paul Davies will be looking to get his career back on track after a devastating first round defeat last time out, which shattered his unbeaten record. Davies only has to look at Amir Khan to see how quickly a career can recover, but will need to show what he has learned in the Connahs Quay gym he shares with Tom Doran.

Chester light-welterweight Joe Lovell will be returning after a nine month layoff. Lovell (1-0) was scintillating on his debut, but seemed to fall off the map afterwards. Now, with a new trainer in Peter Buckley and a re-kindled desire, Lovell will begin his quest for the success many in the know have deemed a near certainty.

Leek super-featherweight Andy Keates will be hoping to stretch his unbeaten record to three wins when he laces on the gloves on the undercard. Keates, a stylish boxer with a pleasing style has earned good reviews at the start of his novice pro career and will be looking to continue his education with a victory.

Connahs Quay youngsters Cameron Halfpenny and Lee Quinn will be making their professional debuts on the bill. Both men boast quality amateur records and fight out of the same gym as Tom Doran and Paul Davies, under the tutelage of Shane Thomas. Every voyage has to start somewhere and their move into the paid ranks begins here.

So big time boxing has finally come back to Chester. One can only anticipate the thrills and spills that surely await us. In the words of MC Michael Buffer ‘LET’S GET IT ON’.

Tickets are priced at either £30 outer or £50 ringside and can be purchased from Ticketmaster (0844 844 0444) or from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

By Martin Dobbing