Featherweight Josh Holmes gets a homecoming on Friday September 3 when the Fightzone cameras head to the Municipal Hall in Colne – a venue that always guarantees a great atmosphere.
Holmes has shone on Fightzone twice previously, building his record to 7-0 (1), and gets his toughest test yet when he headlines the Colne event. The 26-year-old will take on Berkshire’s Jonny ‘The Matador’ Phillips over six rounds in what should provide a useful yardstick on his level.
Phillips, has won five of 11, has never been stopped, and just two fights ago gave top prospect Hopey Pricey a competitive six round workout.
Holmes, from nearby Earby, was a successful amateur, winning 24 of 29 fights, and is now trained by Robert Rimmer. After signing to Fight Academy earlier in the year, Josh is aiming to start collecting titles over the next 12 months but will enter the ring with a note of caution from experienced manager, Kevin Maree.
“Jonny Phillips is a dangerous fighter and it’ll be a good test for Josh,” said Maree. “I know Jonny’s coming to win, he’s trying to turn his record around, and they really wanted this fight. So they’re coming with real confidence, and he’s been in with some top operators. I believe that Josh can perform at a higher level, but this is a tough fight.
“I’m expecting him to give me a good fight,” analyzed Josh. “I’ve seen a bit of him before, he comes to have a real go and that’s what we’re looking for, a step up. He’s a good opponent but I’m aiming to get the job done on him.
“He’s coming for the victory and has got some good wins on his record. He’ll come out firing, which will suit me because he’ll end up walking onto something big. It’s really good to be fighting locally, I’ll have all my support there, a good crowd coming to watch me. You’ll see the crowd bouncing and it’ll be my best fight to date. There’s going to be some shots coming back at me, and I can’t wait!”