In the sport we all love, promoters are seen as villains with fans. Often it’s justifiable, blaming them for preventing match-ups from happening, protecting prospects, and generally putting their bank balances ahead of the interests of the public. One man who certainly cannot be accused of this is Dave Coldwell. In his nine years as a promoter Coldwell has consistently delivered exciting small hall shows without a TV deal.
In June Coldwell Boxing delivered two British fight of the year candidates when former professional footballer Curtis Woodhouse faced Dale Miles in a light welterweight British title eliminator and prospect Nav Mansouri battled Nathan Graham in front of a sell-out crowd at Rotherham’s Magna Centre.
Woodhouse showed great heart standing toe-to-toe with the hard hitting southpaw before succumbing to a fifth round TKO. Mansouri was involved in a similarly enthralling encounter in which he stopped his opponent in the sixth and final round. Both men return to the Magna Centre on September 28th in a show aptly named “The Warrior’s Return”.
Woodhouse will top the bill once more against Dave Ryan in an English title eliminator.“Curtis against Dave Ryan is a cracking fight. It’s the English title eliminator but I’m hoping that by then it gets made up to a full English title fight but either way I’m of the belief that it’s fighters that make great fights not titles,” Coldwell told ThaBoxingVoice.com.
Woodhouse has made huge strides since changing careers and has proven many doubters wrong with a series of impressive performances, including a split decision loss to former acclaimed amateur Frankie Gavin. His promoter has a clear goal set for him. “The British title has always been the aim for Curtis. He’s got the drive and determination to do it. He has shown to everyone now he has the heart and ability to take him to British title level.”
Once again Nav Mansouri will be chief support in a tough test against Joe Rea. “Nav Mansouri is a kid I’m very excited about, he’s a sharp shooter, and he likes a tare-up. He’s sparred (Paulie) Malignaggi and Malignaggi is a big fan of his and he’s done a lot of sparring with Ryan Rhodes which has brought him on. I’ve got high hopes for him.”
Mansouri has been progressed faster than many prospects at similar stages. Despite having only had eight fights he has been in a series of tough match-ups which Coldwell believes can only be beneficial. “My job is to promote the fighters and get their careers up there in the shortest time possible, boxing is a dangerous sport. If your man goes into a 50/50 fight and gets beat then all you do is bring them back. You can’t convince them to have real fights then abandon them if it goes wrong due to lack of experience,” said Coldwell. “Promoters aren’t going to get away with it much longer (protecting their prospects), fight fans want more bang for their buck.”
After the “The Warrior’s Return” Coldwell Boxing’s next show will “Made in Manchester” on October 12th at Bowlers Exhibition centre. The main event will see David Barnes face Ronnie Heffron in a potentially thrilling welterweight clash.
Barnes burst onto the British boxing scene as one of the most naturally gifted prospects in years. Now at 31, he may not have achieved the highs many expected from him but is focussed and determined to show fans what might have been. Heffron is a bright young talent and will be looking for Barnes to be his first big scalp.
“I’m really excited about that fight, it’s a cracking fight. You’ve got Barnes’ slick experience and ability. Then you’ve got Heffron’s youth, strength and fitness. We pit them against one another and we will see who is up there and who is for real. It is a bit of a crossroads fight, ” Proclaimed Coldwell
On the undercard Matthew Hatton will be looking to bounce back from the Kell Brook defeat against Michael Lomax in preparation for his shot at the IBO title against Chris Van Heerden. “He’s got a title fight against a tall southpaw so we’ve gotten him Michael Lomax which will be good preparation. Lomax fancies it so I think this will be a good fight and all.”
One of the most admirable achievements of Dave Coldwell is an education through sport programme which he runs along with his business partner and co-founder Spencer Fearn, managing director of Life Skills; one of the biggest education providers in the UK. After the success of the scheme in the Rotherham area, they are currently looking for a location to role out the programme in London
“We work with 16 to 18-year-old kids, disengaged kids, kids who don’t really learn much at school, kids that have been expelled, kids who have been in trouble with the police. We provide them with sports awards qualifications levels one and two. They learn how to box and they learn how to coach boxing. We give them a weekly allowance and pay for their travel, they get £10 a week as well as their travel card but for that, they have to make sure their attendance is good. They get a Coldwell Boxing hoodie and t-shirt so they get an identity and feel part of a team. They get tickets to all our shows as well. It’s great; we’re getting great results from it.”
