Boxer Eland's pro career is back on track

Boxer Ben Eland says his professional career is back on track after he returned to winning ways in front of an army of fans from his home town of Ollerton.
Boxer Ben Eland, from Ollerton.Boxer Ben Eland, from Ollerton.
Boxer Ben Eland, from Ollerton.

The 28-year-old Eland landed a points decision in his last fight of the season against London’s Lee Hallett at a show promoted by Carl Greaves at Stoke on Saturday night.

And now he is looking ahead to the future after putting behind him the disappointment of crashing out in the quarter-finals of the prestigious Ultimate Boxxer event in Manchester at the end of April.

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“I’m feeling good and ready to rock and roll next season,” said Eland. “There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders because, in my mind, I felt that two defeats on the bounce would mean game over for me as a pro.

“It was mentally challenging, but I got the job and done and now we go again. The main aim was not to do anything silly and just to get the win.

“It was the first time I had fought a southpaw and my first fight at super lightweight after switching from welterweight. At Ultimate Boxxer, it was clear I was visibly smaller than all the other lads in the competition, so I felt it best to go down in weight. It felt good and I will be sticking at super lightweight now.”

A coachload of supporters made the trip from Ollerton to Stoke, where Eland now lives and trains under the wing of former pro Scott Lawton (pictured).

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“I want to say a massive thankyou to everyone who bought a ticket,” he said. “The reception I got was unbelievable. I wasn’t sure how they would react after Ultimate Boxxer, but they came out in force again.”

Eland now heads for a summer break before returning to the ring on Saturday, September 29, with details of venue and opponent to be announced later.

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