Stubbs on top of the world

Photo: Anthony Miller

HARD WORK STARTS HERE: Darren Stubbs trains at Doughty’s Gym, in Shaw, ahead of his world title bout with Tony Dodson.

BOXING: SHAW scrapper Darren Stubbs has been handed a world title fight — and no-one is more surprised than the man himself.

The 39-year-old takes on Liverpool’s Tony Dodson for the IBO International light-heavyweight belt on October 8.

Orthodox Dodson — eight years younger than Stubbs — will be on home soil, with the Greenbank Stadium in Liverpool playing host. He has won 27 (KO 13), lost six (KO four) and drawn one since turning professional.

Stubbs, who has won 21 (KO eight) and lost six (KO three), said: “I never thought I would be involved in a world title fight at the age of 39 but I am determined to grab the opportunity with both hands.

“I could not believe it at first but now it is here I may as well make the most of it.”

A bruising defeat at the hands of Bob Ajisafe at Oldham Sports Centre last month has sparked a re-think in terms of his preparation for the bout, which came about when Dodson missed out on a WBF title showdown with Harry Simon in Namibia.

“I did so much long-distance running before that one, maybe it was a bit too much,” added Stubbs.

“This time I will be running hard but faster over shorter distances to hopefully improve my stamina.

“That said, I maintain I would have beaten Ajisafe if I had made it past the fourth round, because he was tiring. But fair play to him, he came out all guns blazing and was too quick for me.”



Meanwhile Darren’s nephew, Tommy Stubbs, is gearing up for his professional bow next month.
The 20-year-old former ABA champion, who was removed from Great Britain’s Podium squad for the 2012 Olympics following successive defeats, is the newest member of Ricky Hatton’s stable of boxers.

His first bout since turning pro will be in Sheffield on September 24, although he is yet to discover who his fly-weight opponent will be.

Northside star Stubbs said: “I cannot wait to get my professional career underway.

“It is a new start for me after everything that happened with Great Britain and I am delighted to be part of Ricky Hatton’s stable.

“I am not sure who I will be up against but the main thing is it is the next phase of my career.”

Look out for more on Darren and Tommy Stubbs in the run-up to their fights.