Whelan lands fight for light-heavy title
Ryan Whelan…faces veteran Cliff Henry for Midlands belt
RYAN Whelan – part of Birmingham’s famous Holt family boxing dynasty – will fight for the Midlands light-heavyweight title in the new year.
The likeable 26-year-old will face remarkable champion Cliff Henry, a serving soldier who turned pro at 40-year-old. At 43 – positively ancient for a boxer – the Hereford man remains frighteningly fit and has an Adonis physique.
No date or venue has been announced for the title fight, but I believe it will be on a Scott Murray promotion in February. That makes Scott’s glitzy Excelsior Sporting Club, in Cannock, the favoured setting.
If likeable Ryan wins, he’ll bag a piece of local boxing history, I believe, by becoming the third member of the same family to become a Midlands champ.
Cousin Paul Holt and uncle Mark Holt were both belt holders. The Holts are the men behind proud Nechells amateur boxing club where Ryan learned his craft.
“Being a member of the Holt family plays a part and I’m proud of it,” said Ryan. “Two members held the title. But because of my surname, I’m not tightly tied to the legacy, I can write my own story, my own chapters.”
The big opportunity has come early for a tall boxer with a long, broom stave jab. Ryan has had five contest, all won on points, all over the four round distance. The only minor blemish on his record is a May draw with Zane Clark in a thrilling slugging match.
Henry has had the same number of fights, but travelled the 10 round distance in April when he outpointed Michael Stephenson for the title.
It’s a mighty leap from four to 10 rounds, a sprint to a marathon.
“I’m training for 10 rounds,” Ryan said. “I’m preparing myself as I go along and there is plenty of time to work on things.
“I’m excited about it. I said in our very first interview the one thing has always been fighting for the Midlands title, winning the Midlands title.
“It will be a challenge, but I believe that will only make myself better. The fights I’ve had have been a learning experience. When I got the draw, I thought at the time it might be the worst thing. Looking back, it might have been one of the best things.
“I was in with a guy who came to be in a good fight and I stuck in there. I probably learned more in that contest than in 10 with men who don’t want to engage.”
Ryan and Henry have shared a ring together – behind closed doors.
He added: “We’ve sparred in the past. I don’t take too much out of sparring. I know he’ll be very fit, I’m anticipating the best Cliff Henry. He always comes to prove a point.”