BOXING: JOE Sherriff will fight Ricky Summers for the vacant Midlands area light-heavyweight title at Walsall Town Hall next month.
The Coventry-based fighter will take to the ring on Saturday, November 25, in an attempt to re-establish some form after losing out to Jake Ball in September.
But Summers will also enter the fight looking to reverse his fortunes after losing on points to British Champion Frank Buglioni at the 02 Arena in July.
“The fight makes sense for both of us at this time,” said Sherriff, who turned 30 this year.
“We’re both coming off the back of defeats and we are both from the midlands, so the area title will be on the line when we fight.
The light-heavyweight prospect suffered the first loss of his professional career against Ball at Matchroom Boxing’s ‘NextGen’ card.
But Sherriff felt as though he put in a solid performance in front of the cameras.
He said: “It was hard to gain real momentum in the fight because Jake had a great movement and use of distance hence why it was hard to put combinations together.
“It turned out to be a great fight and although I did not get the result I wanted, I was happy with the performance and ticked a lot of boxes for future fights at that level.”
Sherriff wants to continue fighting recognisable names as he feels he already has plenty of experience in the ring.
“I think every fighter should have learning fights when they start out in the professional game,” he said.
“I only had 29 amateur fights. I needed these learning fights to help me apply the skills developed over training camps.
“Now I feel as though I have enough learning experience. I don’t see the point in going back down a level.”
Inspired by Ricky Hatton and American heavyweight Mike Tyson, the Coventry fighter first entered a ring at 18.
And it’s been a gradual climb up the professional ladder since then.
He said: “I got into boxing after I was injured during my time training for the Royal Marine Commandos.
“As I couldn’t play football anymore, I started training with Glenn Smith who had just opened a boxing gym. It all went from there.”
