Brian Rose back in the ring after tragic events in his last fight with Jason Rushton

Brian Rose the British light-middleweight contender plans to match Blackpool football clubs rise to the  Premier League, with his own brand of championship winning form in the boxing ring.

Manchester based seasider Rose (14-0-1) is looking forward to a proposed British title challenge against the champion Sam Webb in the autumn.

Firstly on Friday night, at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre he faces Birmingham’s Max Maxwell, and if he comes through that fight against the tricky Midlander, then his dream shot at the Lonsdale belt will be touching distance away.

Rose is lined up to fight British champion Sam Webb for his title this September, but has been out of the ring since last October, when he was involved in near tragic events in a fight with Doncasters Jason Rushton for the Central area light-middleweight title.

Brian Rose vs Jason Rushton by Sean Keating

Rose won the fight with a 10th round stoppage over the tough Yorkshire man, and although Rushton looked fine when leaving the ring, he later collapsed outside the dressing room and was rushed to hospital, and put into a drug-induced coma as the result of bleeding on the brain.

Rushton is said to be making a slow recovery, and his girlfriend has recently given birth, although he is still not back to full health, and will never fight again.

The events which took place that night, had a massive effect on Rose, who blamed himself for the tragic circumstances that occurred and has had to soul search and take time off to get his head around boxing again.

Brian Rose

“I was devastated when it happened, absolutely gutted, I’m still gutted for Jason now, but Ive had to get over the fact that it wasn’t my fault. At first I was blaming myself, so I’ve had a bit of time out to think about it and I’m ready to fight again now” said Rose.

“I went to see Jason just after it had happened with my trainer Bobby Rimmer, and I burst into tears and walked out. I went to see him too soon I think, that’s why I didn’t go back again, Jason’s girlfriend and my trainer were brilliant and made me feel so much better about it”. added Rose.

He now hopes to put the events of last year behind him and wishes Jason a speedy recovery  and him and his family all the best, has he looks to continue his fledgling career with a win over Maxwell and an eventual meeting with Sam Webb in his dream fight for the British title.Rose, who has boxed since the age of nine, names his Mum and Dad, as his inspiration to box, and above all doesn’t want to let them or anybody else down.

“Sam Webb is really fit, he is a talented boxer, but I definitely think I’ve got it in my locker to beat him, all I’ve got to do is match his fitness and technically I think I’m better than him. On paper its a fifty, fifty fight, but to me, I think I can definitely win that fight.” said Rose.

“The British title means the world to me, ever since the age of nine as an amateur, I went on to box for England and in the four nations, but to win the British title would just top everything off. Ive always said that if I ever even boxed for the British title Id be over the moon, but hopefully I can win it, and then who knows, European titles, but I’m not looking past Max Maxwell at the moment.” he added.

Likable lad Rose from the seaside town that hit the headlines, after their sensational play-off triumph against Cardiff City on Saturday.

And his supporters at Friday night’s fight will wear the tangerine wigs worn by Blackpool fans at there successful Wembley playoff final win.

Rose, 25, said: “The Wembley triumph has given Blackpool the lift that it needed.

“What Ian Holloway and the boys achieved was magnificent and I wouldn’t mind some of that success myself.

“Some of my fans are still celebrating promotion and everyone who has bought a ticket from me will be wearing a tangerine wig at the Maxwell fight.

“Provided I get thorough Maxwell, my promoter Frank Maloney will deliver a British title fight and like the footballers I won’t let the town down.”

Maxwell, 30, (11-9-2) will certainly give Rose a test in their eight rounder that is to be televised live on Sky Sports.

He holds a draw with Prizefighter winner Prince Arron although he lost their return on points earlier this month, and Rose is expecting Maxwell to give him a test
By Chris Maylett for www.britishboxers.co.uk 

Huddersfield Boxing Bill, 28th May 2010

Top of the bill is local favourite Gary Sykes (14-0) who makes the first defence of his British super-featherweight title against Belfast’s Kevin O’Hara (17-5).

Former domestic champion Carl Johanneson (28-4) who is lined up to face the winner is a late addition to the bill.