JE Promotions’ Annual Awards 2017
Since their first show at Medway Park, Gillingham on July 11 2015, JE Promotions have gone from strength to strength and finished this year with two Southern Area champions, a Central Area champion, an English title contender, a two-time Southern Area contender, British and International Challenge Belt champions, and six unbeaten prospects.
Boxer of the Year – Grant Dennis (10-1) Southern Area middleweight champion
“Grant won this award in 2016 as well, and I’m presenting it to him again because he has achieved more and challenged himself even further.
He was JE Promotions’ first ever Area champion and challenged for the English middleweight belt in December. He won that fight so, in my eyes, he’s the English champion, but just not on paper.
He won three six-rounders on points during the year, whilst waiting for his title shot, which he won but didn’t get the decision. We are waiting for the rematch now because there’s unfinished business.”
Young Boxer of the Year – Chris Reyes (1-0) Unbeaten bantamweight
“‘Razor’ is a pleasure to work with. He won his debut comfortably in November and put on a good display.
He really can fight, and he’ll challenge for the English title very soon. He’s just 24-years-old from Dinnington; he can box, he can fight, and he’s got that killer instinct.”
Most Improved – Chris Matthews (8-0) Unbeaten super-featherweight
“Chris has improved so much in the last year. He’s unbeaten in eight and won all three fights this year – all six-rounders.
I’ve always known he can fight but since moving up to six-threes, he’s a lot more composed and a much neater boxer; he’s really adapted to the pro ranks during 2017.”
Trainer of the Year – Sam Latham Invicta Gym, Sheppey
“Sam Latham works at Invicta Gym, under Ray Askew. He’s the second in charge, but the work he does and his influence and input is equal to being in charge.
Would also like to give Simon Gill a mention from Kent Gloves. They both work so hard behind the scenes but don’t always get the credit they deserve. They put just as much work in as the head coach.”
Event of the Year – "Judgement Day" October 7th atMote Park, Maidstone
“Charlie Shane headlined in a good scrap for the British Challenge super-middleweight belt against a game Lewis van Poetsch, who felt he deserved the win, which shows you what a close, competitive fight it was.
The undercard was great, the Dave Jones v Dorian Darch fight was an epic heavyweight battle that had it all.
Tom McGinley came up with the KO of the night, all five unbeaten fighters continued their unbeaten streaks, and it was crowd-pleasing event that really showcased the boxing talent in Kent.”
Fight of the Year – Dave Jones v Dorian Darch October 7th atMote Park, Maidstone
“Dave Jones got off the floor to rescue a hard-fought draw against tough Welshman Dorian Darch. It was a cracking fight and the crowd were on the feet, it was so exciting.”
KO of the Year – Tom McGinley (4-1) October 7th at Mote Park, Maidstone
“Tom moved up to 4-1 with a first-round KO of debutant Kieran Holman. It was a perfectly-timed left hook to the temple that floored Holman in the opening round.
The knockout set up a British Challenge belt contest for Tom next.”
Upset of the Year – Spiros Demetriou (7-1) L PTS Danny Couzens
“SD suffered a surprise points loss to Danny Couzens in a Southern Area cruiserweight title eliminator. It was a toe-to-toe war, but he didn’t throw as many shots as his opponent and loaded up too much when he did. He’ll learn a lot from it and come back stronger.”
One to Watch in 2018 – Luke Gibb (3-0)
“Luke was in a six-rounder in just his third fight and is moving up to eight-rounds in his next fight.
He was standout amateur, boxed over 80 amateur fights, made the Team GB Development squad and boxed internationally.
He’s trained by Ray Askew and we both knew he could be fast-tracked, so he’s fighting for the British Challenge belt on Februay 7th in Maidstone against Jordan Ellison. After that, we will be putting applications in for the Southern Area title.”
Special Mentions:
JE Promotions have built a good team over the past few years. We have great partnerships with Kent Gloves and Invicta gym, and we have established a new partnership with Lee Page and his gym recently. He already has signed Lenny Fuller with us to the pro ranks and there will be more of his boxers signing with us during 2018.
Michael White in Yorkshire is continuing to work wonders with his Fighting Fit gym and the shows in North Notts Arena. I would also like to thank Scott Calow for his invaluable input to our Yorkshire shows.
I would also like to thank our MC Dave Bassant; Tony Withams; Jamie Lerpiniere; Stephanie Diaper – she does all of the accounts; Mike Lerpiniere; Justine Pullen; Tim Rickson of TR Sports Agency who does all the PR. It’s a collective team effort to make the shows successful and without any of them, it wouldn’t be a success.
The JE Promotions stable is growing and we are all looking forward to a big 2018.”