CHRIS BOURKE will meet Marc Leach in an exciting clash for the vacant British super-bantamweight title at York Hall in Bethnal Green on March 11.
It’s a fine match up. Leach might have suffered a shock loss on his pro debut, all the way back in 2014, but he’s a quality fighter who upset 2016 Olympian Qais Ashfaq and then beat Thomas Essomba as he waited for this shot at the British crown. Streatham’s Bourke is 10-0 (6) and won the Southern Area title before beating Michael Ramabeletsa and James Beech.
“This is what you wake up early, train late for. It’s to win titles and this is a massive title,” Bourke told Boxing News. “I think he [Leach] is a bit of an avoided fighter. Got a bit of an awkward style, his record doesn’t show that he can punch but I think he’s got a bit of a dig so it’s a proper fight and I think a lot of people are going to be excited to watch it.
“[After he beat Qais] no one wanted to fight him,” he continued. “He looks very tricky, he looks a bit of a counter-puncher, he looks sharp. It’s a British title. It’s not going to be an easy fight.
“Since I turned pro I’ve wanted to headline shows and to headline a Frank Warren show on BT Sport card is unbelievable. I can’t wait.”