FORMER amateur stand-outs Lee “Mighty” Quinn and Cameron Halfpenny turn pro this Saturday (October 15) on a Fight Options promotion at the Northgate Arena, Chester. Undisputed managed to speak to the promising pair, who have both trained diligently in Shotton boxing club, North Wales under the watchful eye of grizzled trainer Shane Thomas, himself a former pro super-middleweight.
Big things are expected of the Welsh duo, who train alongside current pro’s Tom Doran and Paul Davies in the pro/am gym near Chester. Trainer Thomas is excited at the two fighter’s prospects, insisting that they can go far and help put the North Wales fight scene on the boxing map.
Cameron Halfpenny turns over at the young age of 18-years-old after a stellar amateur career that saw the Welsh dynamo win numerous schoolboy and youth titles before winning the national prize and competing in the British championships. At 5’10”, Cameron is a well-proportioned welterweight who isn’t afraid to get stuck in. “It’s his work-rate” surmises trainer Shane, “it’s unbelievable; you can hit him once and he’ll hit you back five or six times straight away.”
Halfpenny, who regularly spars gym-mate Doran (as does Lee), likens his fighting style to legendary Mexican Erik Morales as, like his idol, he can “box and fight whatever I need to do to win.”
Cameron is confident his training regime will take him to the top, “I believe I can go all the way if I work hard. It won’t be easy but I’ll give it everything I can to make it all the way.”
Thomas is equally enthusiastic about his young charges’ prospects, “Cameron got a bit stale in the amateurs, and I’ve always said he’d be better suited to the pros. He’s sparred Tom for a few years now. He’s got a great chin and is a tough kid.”
Cameron, who works full time around his training, has also benefited from sparring Matthew Hatton before the former European champion’s last contest. The younger brother of Ricky was said to be very impressed with the youngster after sparring four brisk rounds in Bob Shannon’s gym.
Cameron takes on Sean Gorman from Aberystwyth over four rounds and is clearly one to watch.
Fellow Welshman Lee Quinn makes his pro bow against Welshpool’s Russell Pearce on the same bill. Older than Cameron at 23-years-old, Lee has worked with the Shotton boys for the last seven months in preparation to his debut pro contest. Light-welterweight Quinn, who also works as a qualified plasterer when not training, is also excited at making his debut, “I feel good, preparation has gone well, I’m a bit nervous with it being my first fight but I’m still looking forward to it.”
5’8” Lee describes himself as a “counter-puncher who can also fight going forward” and is a great admirer of boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather.
“Lee really impresses me” enthuses Thomas, “he’s a counter-puncher but also moves his head very well.”
Shane continues “he throws shots sometimes and they can look a bit strange, unorthodox, but they are so effective; they can be amazing when they land.”
Lee, who is orthodox but can switch stance, also has no trouble making weight “he’s on the weight right now, the other day I asked what he’d eaten for dinner and he said a MacDonalds!!” revealed Shotton boss Thomas.
Lee is a little more reserved when asked how far he thinks he can go, “I think I’ll do well, I’m working hard and want to stay active once I’ve turned over; fight every six weeks if I can.”
Saturday’s opponent Pearce is returning from a two-year hiatus from the sport after suffering a series of losses in a now 2-8 (0) record. A former decent amateur who fought Tom Doran on five occasions, Pearce is said to be training hard for his return to the ring, though Lee must still be the firm favourite to get his debut victory.
Also on the Chester show is Quinn and Halfpenny’s gym-mate Paul Davies who takes on tough journeyman Kristian Laight. Well-schooled Davies is coming off a stoppage loss to Scott Moises after reportedly having problems making weight. After four fights (presently 3-1) at super-featherweight, Paul, who stands nearly six-feet tall, makes his lightweight debut on the show.
Top of the bill sees title fights featuring Chester’s own Paul Economides and Chris Goodwin featured in separate bouts. Economides takes on former opponent Shaun Docherty for the British Masters super-bantamweight title while Goodwin squares off against in-form Geoffrey Munika for the International Masters lightweight belt.
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