West Leeds boxers enjoy success at Elland Road

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Elland Road win: Conor Doherty. Photo: Julian Hudson

By James Bovington

Themed as ‘Up and Coming’ the ‘small hall’ boxing event held at Elland Road on 25 November showcased local boxing talent and featured West Leeds boxers Conor Doherty and Joshua Wisher.

Both put on exhilarating performances fighting in an entertaining style against experienced opponents to win their four round bouts on points.

Hence they consolidated their appeal as exciting prospects for longer and harder fights of say six or eight rounds in the coming year. Future bouts which will test their fitness, strength, skill but ultimately their confidence, commitment and courage. 

For Conor Doherty, who beat Hull’s Luke Fash, this was the fifth win at Elland Road and for Joshua Wisher, who beat Liverpool’s Genadij Krajevskij, his third.

Doherty fights out of Camp Detox in Armley and Wisher is trained by his father Philip at The Ministry of Boxing gym they opened last September.

Wisher’s gym is already developing its community roots with recent activities including the sponsoring of a Remembrance event at Armley War Memorial and arranging a Boxathon, which raised over £300 for BBC Children in Need.

Winner: Josh Wisher. Photo: Julian Hudson

“This was my best performance yet,” said Wisher. “I am overwhelmed by the swell of support from family, friends and those attending our classes but also people I am meeting as we get The Ministry better known in the community.”

Doherty added: “Both Josh and I are buzzing. We’re undefeated in our Leeds bouts and can’t wait for our next fights to show just what we are capable of.”

‘Small hall’ boxing is best summed up as offering boxers who aren’t yet well known regionally the opportunity to box professionally and allows quality contenders to progress to bigger events and develop their fan base.

Hence East Leeds boxer Koby McNamara, 22, has graduated from small hall to boxing at Leeds Arena on 10 December in a six-round bout on the Josh Warrington fight undercard. 

West Leeds boxing fans will be hoping to see local lads Conor and Josh get similar opportunities to excel in 2023.

In the meantime both boxers would be delighted to get a high number of views for their recent fights on Youtube – search Mark Bateson Boxing November 2022. Conor is bout two and Josh bout four.

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