A change is as good as a rest for Dempsey Madden after reaping the benefits of added time to prepare for his next ring assignment.
He laces on the gloves when BCB Promotions stage a Friday fight night at the Park Inn Hotel, in Northampton town centre (Silver Street), on November 18.
The show was due to take place on September 9, at the same venue, but the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the day before, led to the British Boxing Board of Control ordering a postponement, as a mark of respect.
As a result, Madden has had even longer to prepare and he’s feeling great after joining up with M & J Evans Construction, as a groundworker, after previously being a self-employed block paver.
The 31-year-old super welterweight, who is from Northampton, has nailed down a strict training regime since taking up new employment.
That has left Madden with an increased focus on his boxing career, which stands at 3-0 less a year on from his pro debut.
His amateur career started at the age of 13, representing Weedon Boxing Club in Daventry. There would be an 11-year gap before his next competitive bout.
Another two contests for Carmarthen Boxing Club was the sum total of his amateur experience, having stepped away to become a family man and married father-of-two.
His pro bow, last October, saw him outpoint Kevin McCauley, before seeing off Phil Price over-the-distance, with both outings coming in 2021.
The last ring action for him came in July, where he recorded his first points whitewash, 40-36 over Paul Cummings. Those other two bouts were by 39-37 and 40-37 verdicts, respectively.
He said: “The new job has helped me out massively, I’ve got set hours so I can train in the morning, before work, and after I’ve finished. It’s still graft, too, so I’m physically fit.
“It’s a good company to work for and there are some good people there. They have got two tables at the show, to come and support me, and I’ll have M & J Evans on my shorts.
“I’ve been flying in training, my fitness has improved and I’m able to go longer and better in sparring, which sets me up nicely for this six-rounder.
“Everything has gone well and, hopefully, that will show in my performance. It’s time to put all that I’ve been doing into action and I’m excited to go.
“I can feel my punch power coming along and I’m still after my first stoppage (as a pro). I could do with going the distance, as well, so let’s just see what happens!
“I was happy with my last performance, I moved around and showed that I can box a bit, rather than just getting in and whaling away.
“I want to accelerate my career and push on now. I’m looking past this fight, but if the opportunity to box for the Midlands (title), came along straight after, I’d take it.
“I work at my best when my opponent is throwing shots, when I can find the openings and exploit them. I’ll meet anyone in the middle. I won’t move.”
Stephenson Eyes Area Honours
Michael Stephenson wants to become the pride of the Midlands after becoming eligible to box for the area’s super middleweight title.
First comes another outing when BCB Promotions stage a Friday fight night at the Park Inn Hotel, in Northampton town centre (Silver Street), on November 18.
The show was due to take place on September 9, at the same venue, but the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the day before, led to the British Boxing Board of Control ordering a postponement, as a mark of respect.
Stephenson was born and raised in Bedford, but now qualifies as Northampton-based after effectively moving there to train out of the town’s Team Shoe Box gym.
English champion Zak Chelli is expected to move up and relinquish the belt, with William Webber in possession of the Southern area strap, with Stephenson setting his sights on the Midlands alternative, after another run-out.
The 29-year-old missed a July date, due to injury, and last stepped through the ropes for competitive combat in Ma, outpointing Lewis van Poetsch in his maiden six-rounder, through a 59-55 scoreline.
That improved his pro record to six wins and one defeat, all over-the-distance, the sole blip coming against Danny Shannon in 2018.
Stephenson is moving fast despite being relatively short on experience, with just one amateur bout and seven unlicensed affairs before turning pro.
He said: “If I can get active and keep on winning, there are some big fights out there for me. I’m pretty much living in Northampton now, what with the time at the gym.
“I’m now eligible to box for the Midlands title. It’s vacant and we’ve looked at opponents. I’m just waiting to get going again.
“I’ve already done a six-rounder and this will be another step up for me. I’m 29, but I feel like I’ve got the body of a 21-year-old.
“I didn’t really get out of first gear, over six rounds, and I felt like I controlled the whole fight. My opponent (Lewis van Poetsch) was stronger than I thought, but he didn’t want to engage.
“He had a go, in the first round, but I caught him with an uppercut and I kept on changing the angles that I was throwing my punches from. I was pleased with the performance.
“I’m not playing around, I want to take opportunities when they come and I’ll be ready when that happens. I believe that I can compete at a high level. I’ve only ever lost once, ever.
“Hopefully, I’ll get this one out of the way and I could do with a knockout. That is the sort of statement that would be good to make.”
Tickets for the Park Inn bill are available, priced at £40 for unreserved seating or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.