Full-time focus on British belt for Marc Leach

Marc Leach vs. Chris Bourke

York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England – 11 March 2022

MARC LEACH celebrated his long-awaited British title fight by becoming a full-time boxer.

The slick Salford man challenges Queensberry promoted puncher Chris Bourke (10-0, 6 KOs) for the vacant British Super-Bantamweight championship at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday March 11, live on BT Sport.

Tickets are available now directly from the fighters or at: Eventbrite.co.uk

Since turning professional in September 2014, Leach (17-1, 4 KOs) had worked 6pm-2am shifts in a Argos warehouse, but thanks to generous sponsors was able to give up his job last month.

The relieved father of four said: “Finally, I am a full-time boxer and there are no more night shifts in the warehouse.

“I now get all the rest I need and train twice a day. That is already improving me and bringing out the best in the gym.

“This is the first time I have had a full camp for a fight. Usually I have trained, but camp has been two or three weeks.

“This is a make or break fight for me. I am not going to lose, but if something went wrong it would take me years to rebuild and I am not financially sound enough to do that.”

Leach, 27, was first nominated for a British title eliminator almost two years ago and had to win ten rounders on points against Olympian Qais Ashfaq and Thomas Essomba to get his shot.

Jamie Moore trained Leach expected to be challenging another Queensberry boxer, Jason Cunningham instead of Bourke but he  relinquished the British title to chase World honours.

Leach didn’t have to think twice when fellow southpaw Bourke was nominated to face him and a deal was quickly agreed.

“I knew I was in for the British title, but I was only looking at Jason because I thought he would want to win a Lonsdale belt outright which is one of my main goals,” admitted Leach who knocked out Stefan Nicolae in 26 seconds last month.

“I am now fully focused on Chris and looking at him. Now I am at this level I can’t make any wrong moves and everything has to go to plan.

“Chris is a big puncher, pretty strong and he is going to be there for what will be 12 tough rounds.

“But, you can’t hit what’s not there and he has to catch me first. I can take a punch as well.

“It is going to be a good fight fans at York Hall and watching on BT Sport. I appreciate how hard and tough this fight will be.

“I am in the sport to fight the best, be the best and I wouldn’t be a professional boxer if I didn’t think I had the capabilities to be a World champion one day.”

Tickets are available now directly from the fighters or at: Eventbrite.co.uk

Also on the show, Hackney Super-Featherweight Frank ‘The Tank’ Arnold  (8-0-1, 2 KOs) will make the leap to ten rounds in a non-title contest.

British boxing’s latest Light-Heavyweight hopeful Karol Itauma (5-0, 3 KOs), an eight-time National amateur champion boxes a six rounder.

In four round action is Conor McGregor’s Super-Lightweight training partner Willo Hayden (2-0), Reading Super-Welterweight Joshua Frankham (4-0,1 KO), Portsmouth Super-Featherweight Jamie Chamberlain (3-0), Welling Super-Welterweight Jake Henty (1-0), and exciting teenage Cruiserweight Aloys Youmbi (0-1).

The quality card also features the debut of another top London Cruiserweight prospect, Arnold Obodai, a former Repton ABC boxer who won two National championships.

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