By Matt Bevan
Manager and promoter Steve Goodwin has told Boxing Scene that he is looking for a year of consolidation in 2017 following an extremely successful 2016 which saw him end with seven Southern Area champions, two English and a British champion in Frank Buglioni.
Goodwin also supplied undercards for David Haye’s return fights at the O2 Arena and is confident that his business is going in the right direction as he looks to remain one of the UK’s most prominent and active promoters.
He also provides ‘Scene with updates on his ever growing stable and what his hopes are this year for some of his bigger names, including the likes of Johnny Garton, Leon McKenzie and Rakeem Noble.
Goodwin said: “2016 was good, we are certainly going the right way. I want to consolidate this year and make sure that last year’s success stories continue to grow and move on up to a higher level in 2017, possibly towards British title shots.
“I want to cement where we are and increase the number of English champions we have on the books. Let’s be realistic there is still a big jump from us to the big TV promoters, so I want to get some of my fighters in line for an opportunity on those big shows so they get the exposure they deserve.
“Johnny Garton won and defended the English title at welterweight, so he’s closing in on a big fight and Rakeem Noble did the same at Southern Area level. Leon McKenzie was unlucky to lose in his shot at the English title, as I thought he won it, so we’ll be bringing him back into contention.
“John O’Donnell is returning with an immediate shot at the English that Garton vacated against Erick Ochieng on March 18 [at York Hall] and I expect him to be a force once more. I was proud of Matthew Chanda who pushed a future world champion in Duke Micah all the way in a Commonwealth title fight while you should also watch for Josh Kennedy, who has lots of potential, who fights for the English super-bantamweight title on the same show as O’Donnell-Ochieng.”
Goodwin is extremely active in the London area, with his cards at York Hall drawing praise and regularly selling out. He is also looking to expand his business further, after already branching out into Portsmouth and Devon last year.
He also insists that his role as a manager will always come first over the promotional side of the business as he aims to secure opportunities and exposure for all the up-and-coming fighters on his books.
These chances could certainly be on the up for Goodwin’s stable, especially with the addition of ITV and BT in the boxing market. Two of his fighters are already reaping the rewards in Lucas Ballingall and Jordan Dennis, who –– as previously reported on Boxing Scene –– will appear on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jnr’s ITV Box Office clash with Renold Quinlan on February 4 at the Olympia in London.
“We expanded into those two new areas last year and we’re looking to expand further again in the near future,” Goodwin revealed. “I manage 95 boxers at the moment with more coming on board all the time, so if one is in a certain area then if we have more boxers there then we will look to put on an event.
“I have the two roles but management comes first for me. I want my fighters on the best show for the biggest money available and the greatest chance to win. That is my job to provide that. If I have to compromise on one, I will, especially as we don't have TV, but usually we get it right.
“We calculated it all with the likes of Buglioni when he travelled to beat Hosea Burton and Joel McIntyre when he did the same with Miles Shinkwin, so it shows that we can provide the right shot at the right time for our fighters.
“Other promoters keep their lads on their own shows and don’t try to progress them, but we do aim to do it whenever possible and help them improve.
“With the new boys in BT and ITV joining the market there are so many opportunities for boxers now and the platforms are there to take advantage of.
“My job is to make sure my fighters get on those platforms and I’m confident that many will achieve that aim this year.”
