In 2004 Midlands boxer Carl Greaves made history writes Matt Farrington.
The Newark fighter headlined the first ever professional boxing card in Gibraltar, defeating Rakhim Mingaleyev.
This week, some 17 years later, the now successful trainer and promoter returns to the rock as the man in the corner for BCB fighter Kane Baker on the undercard of the heavyweight clash between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin.
Carl was part of the only fight card ever in Gibraltar but is ready to pass the baton on to the next generation.
“My record is going to be broken”, he told bcb-promotions.com. “I’m passing the baron to the big boys on a great card.”
Carl is a replacement coach for Kane Baker in his fight against the skillful prospect Youssef Khoumari due to BCB’s Coaching Team being part of the Frank Warren Bubble for the double header of shows in the UK this weekend that sees BCB’s Zach Parker headline Friday’s show against Vaughan Alexander as he looks to cement his place as WBO Number One Challenger to Billy Joe Saunders, and BCB’s Lennox Clarke headline Saturday’s show against Willy Hutchinson for the British and Commonwealth Super Middleweight Titles. BCB’s Danny Ball, Kearon Thomas and Des Newton are all in action so, after consulting with Kane, Carl was handpicked to make the temporary switch into his corner.
Despite having not worked with Kane before, Carl insists the pair gelled instantly.
“Kane is my kind of fighter. He has high intensity, good workrate, he can overwhelm you easily.
“The kid’s (Khoumari) decent but he’s no worldbeater. Kane is the underdog but we all know the bookies have had it wrong many a time.
“Kane just needs to put it on him.
“A good win, on a massive card, would be a big statement. From there it is wide open, that super featherweight division, there’s no reason he can’t get in the mix for more big fights.”
Carl was chosen because of his close links with Head of Boxing at BCB, Errol Johnson, Kane’s relationship with him, and his great experience training fighters such as Sam Bowen and David Avanesyan.
He will be working with Kane in the lead up this week and he will be in his corner come fight night.
Let’s hope history repeats itself and Kane, and Carl, experience that winning feeling in Gibraltar.
