The Contenders: Langford, Speight & Day – Eubank Pulls Out and Speight and Day Call for Devon Support

The Contenders: Langford, Speight & Day – Eubank Pulls Out and Speight and Day Call for Devon Support

Picture of Tommy Langford (c) Queensberry Promotions; In-text Picture of Jamie Speight (c)Sport South Devon/Matt Green; Picture of Ben Day supplied by Ben Day.

There are three championship boxers from Devon, all flying the flag for the home county – Bideford’s Tommy Langford, Kingsteington’s Jamie Speight and Teignmouth’s Ben Day.

All three Devonians have moved away from home to further their boxing careers and each one has achieved title glory by doing so and plan to challenge for more belts this year.

The Contenders will keep you updated with a monthly column exclusive to Sport South Devon on their respective journeys to the top of the world.

Bideford’s Tommy Langford:

“My next fight will be on Saturday 26th November for the British middleweight title against Sam Sheedy.

“We both have the same number of wins on our record – 17 – so it should make for a very good fight for the fans.

“It’ll be back in Cardiff again, like my last fight was, but this time at The Motorpoint Arena. I’ve sold 2,000 tickets to my fans in Birmingham and in Devon, so I’d like to say a huge thank you; it’s really humbling.

“Since my last column, a lot has happened! This next fight was originally scheduled for October 22nd against Chris Eubank Jr. although he pulled out with a supposed injury, but, in truth, he never wanted to fight me anyway.

 “This next fight was originally scheduled for October 22nd against Chris Eubank Jr. although he pulled out with a supposed injury, but, in truth, he never wanted to fight me anyway.” – Tommy Langford

“Sheffield’s Sheedy stepped in last minute and, fortunately for him, the show has been postponed a month to the end of November due to injuries.

“I’ve been sparring British and European super-middleweight Callum Smith and I also had three good spars with IBF World welterweight champion Kell Brook, ahead of his September fight with Gennady Golovkin.

“I am frustrated about the postponement but it’s happened before so I’ll deal with it like the professional I am, but I’m most disappointed for my fans who had travel and hotels all paid for. Tickets are still valid for the new date and I hope that everyone can make it still.

“Tickets are available on my website or through my dad Dave on 07877 730 986. Richard Grigg from Bideford ABC, and Sam Stephens is organising travel.”

Kingsteington’s Jamie Speight:

“It’s fight week for me!

“I’ll be defending my Southern Area featherweight title on home soil on October 22nd at the English Riviera International Centre in Torquay against unbeaten prospect Lucas Balingall.

“The 19-year-old challenger from Portsmouth has won all five of his professional contests, knocking out his last opponent in the fourth round of their scheduled eight-round bout.

“There’s a public workout this week at Champs Gym in Newton Abbot for the fans to attend and buy tickets.

“I would love to have all of your support and to really bring back professional boxing to the South West!” – Jamie Speight

“The doors open at 7pm and the first bout is on at 7:30pm. There’s also two exciting unbeaten prospects appearing on the show – middleweight Brad Pauls from Newquay and super-lightweight Darren Townley from Plymouth.

“I would love to have all of your support and to really bring back professional boxing to the South West!

“For tickets, contact me on 07796 081 776.”

Teignmouth’s Ben Day:

“Since my last column, I experienced my first ever loss in a boxing ring, which was the opinion of just the referee only.

“No one that I spoke to afterwards thought I’d lost, even the victor Floyd Moore and his trainer both said it could have gone either way.

“However, I’m very proud and I’ve received more recognition from that defeat than any of my victories.

“I completed the London Marathon shortly after fight night and raised over £5,000 for Motor Neurone Disease in memory of my father. Despite not training, I managed to get a brilliant time of 3 hours and 19 minutes, which I’m very pleased with.

“Since my last fight, nobody has wanted to step into the ring with me. My manager has offered fights to everyone, and I mean everyone, but no one has wanted to take it.

“I’d like to get a few more faces from Devon up to this next fight…it could be treated as the last night out before the Christmas festivities start up!” – Ben Day

“Finally, I’ve managed to get a title shot slated for December 3rd at York Hall in Bethnal Green. I’ll be challenging for the Southern Area lightweight title against my former team-mate Michael Devine.

“Known as ‘Chunky’, Mike is a former Area titlist, like me, and once reached the finals of Sky Sports’ Prizefighter tournament.

“We’re good friends but we are doing a job and we’ve just got to put friendship to the side for one night, it’s as simple as that.

“I’d like to get a few more faces from Devon up to this next fight. It’s right at the start of the festive season on 3rd December, straight after payday, so it could be treated as the last night out before the Christmas festivities start up!”

To follow the contenders’ progress via Twitter, click the relevant link:

@Tommy_Langford1
@boxerjayspeight
@benday32