Huthwaite boxer targets British title

Midlands man-about-boxing Carl Greaves has added Machin to his stable – and hands the 26 year old from Huthwaite his pro debut at Leicester City FC’s King Power Stadium on Saturday, September 15.

Machin won Central Area and East Midlands belts as an amateur with Empire – but insists fans didn’t see the best of him in his 35-bout amateur career.

“’I always fell just short in the amateurs,” said Machin, who stands 6ft 4ins tall and weighs around 18 stones.

“The fights were over too quickly for me.

“I lost to (2018 Elite champion) Chez Nihell and (2017 Elite champion) Solomon Dacres, but I finished the fights strongly.

“I like to grind people down. I’m aggressive, I can take some stick and the longer fights in the pros will suit me.

“I’ve set the British title as my goal – and I’m not stopping until I’ve got it.”

It’s been a year since Machin fought competitively.

His split points loss to Jeamie Tshikeva in the final of the East Midlands Box Cup was proof it was time to move on from the amateurs.

After shipping some heavy wallops in the opening two sessions, Machin rallied superbly in the last.

Following that fight, Machin had a spell out through injury, but in recent months, he’s been back in the ring getting top-class sparring in the countdown to his professional debut.

“Dillian Whyte was very strong and Joe Joyce so fit,” he said, “but Tyson Fury was a level above both of them.”

The show at the King Power Stadium also features ‘The Battle of Leicester’ between super-welterweights Kyle Haywood and Simon Henry and tickets are available from 07891 798187.