Turner backs entertaining George for title challenge

SHAMROCK trainer Mervyn Turner believes that fighter Bobby George will be challenging for a title by the end of the year, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 29-year-old Bulgarian Olympic bronze medalist fights late replacement Phil Boyle on the Dennis Hobson ‘Futures Rising’ promotion in Sheffield this weekend, with his opponent having lost eight from his nine pro bouts.

George, who has won four from four, was last out in March, beating Ideh Ockuko on points in four rounds and according to Turner, gave further examples he is destined for great things.

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Turner said: “He’s very hard to hit. Someone called him the ghost once and I think it’s very true. In the ring he’s ghostlike, he’s just not there.

“(Ideh) Ockuko was a live opponent. Usually in your fourth professional fight, you’re not going to get a live opponent. I don’t think he knew what happened, I think he only hit Bobby three or four times.

“His skill is unbelievable and we don’t need to teach him anything. He wants to go up quickly to a championship, hopefully by the end of the year, a southern area title, something of that nature.”

After he fights Boyle, George will then appear at the Bedford Corn Exchange on a bill arranged by Shamrock in conjunction with Dennis Hobson Promotions.

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Turner has managed to persuade Matt Skelton to headline the bill, while Luton fighters Duane Grimes and Marco Stephenson are also set for bouts.

Turner added: “It’s going to be a bill of fighters from the area. It’s a great thing for the town, a great thing for the county, to highlight the talent in the area.

“Everybody goes to London, Manchester and Liverpool. This area has a rich tradition of boxing, some very, very good boxers have come out of here.

“Matt is coming home for the first fight of his career in his home town, to give his fans a big thank you, but more importantly to promote boxing.

“We want to come back again, again and again to promote the local talent as it should be in the county.”

For tickets to the event, visit www.shamrockboxingpromotions.com.