Interview - Lewis Pendleton of Fighting Chance
One way in which we commonly find ourselves describing the whole British Boxing Blog experience is an "eye opener". We are extremely grateful for the access we have been afforded so far as it gives a terrific insight into the sport and shows exactly how much work goes into training for a fight or promoting a show. As the main man at Fighting Chance Promotions, Lewis Pendleton has recently taken out his promoter’s license, struck an exclusive TV deal and a lot more besides. Here, we find out what makes him and his team tick, as well as his big plans for the future.
On the origins of Fighting Chance:
Ron and I go back a while, too long! I worked with Ron when he ran Birtley boxing club creating a fantastic legacy for the local community. He established a blueprint and a philosophy that I loved. He was able to manage running community engagement programmes, sessions for beginners and produce excellence. He was also renowned for running the best dinner shows in the region with many memorable dinner shows being held at the Lancastrian suite. I remember watching Gary Barr box in the Lancastrian and every time the roof came off and from there I was hooked. Ron was asked by Jon and Travis to train them not long after they left him in the Amateur ranks to turn pro. At the time Ron was coaching England squads, was the regional coach and supported the GB boxing Programme.
Ron decided that he would take on the Dickinson’s in the pro ranks training them under the management of Frank Maloney. Following Franks retirement he took on the management of them and Craig. At the time the lads trained in a variety of gyms. I worked with Ron to help identify and secure a facility and we partnered with North Benwell amateur boxing club who have since changed to Gateshead Victoria ABC. We wanted to create a Professional atmosphere in which pro boxers could aspire to achieve major honours, we have done this by working with many people and creating partnerships and friendships to develop a fantastic gym and a company with a team of people with one common goal, to help improve and give every boxer a fighting chance.
On the team around him:
There are many people who help to make Fighting Chance what we are.
The key people are Ron Rowe and Gary Barr. Ron is the licensed manager who takes care of all of the boxers needs in terms of managing the programmes and negotiating on behalf of the fighters to create opportunities and pathways for fighters Ron oversees the training programmes for the fighters. Garry Barr dedicates countless hours training the fighters and overseeing coaching sessions alongside Ron. Gary and Ron provide the tactics and game plan and devise training sessions for the squad of fighters. We have Chris Clayton who is a performance nutritionist. Chris is a MSC performance nutritionist and he works to devise nutritional strategies based on science to create tailor made solutions for each of our fighters. Martin Nugent is the lead strength and conditioning coach who runs Jon-Lewis Dickinson’s S and C. Martins experience is based on science and adapting strategies and solutions that improve the fighter’s performance, he focuses on biomechanics, posture and improving patterns and lines of movement. Andre Tulip is our Physio, he works to screen fighters prior to training camps and provides ongoing support and injury rehabilitation.
We then have Tony Dalglish who is our Commercial Director. Tony works to identify sponsor opportunities and new revenue opportunities to improve our events and provide opportunities for our fighters to train full time in the build up to certain fights by sourcing finance to help fighters achieve their goals. Our Head of Media is Nathan Orr who oversees and manages our social media, our blog, fight reports and boxer updates, Nathan works to maintain and improve the brand of Fighting Chance, and he works alongside our broadcast partner to develop content for TV and the content for FC TV. He will also manage the website as soon as this is finished and updated. We have Tom Dallas who is our Operations Manager who works alongside myself to source sponsorship and manage the operations of events and help with the running of our events. Tom also manages the other facets of the business and is developing fitness and nutrition. Michael Briggs is our video Journalist who creates YouTube footage and does our behind the scenes and pre fight TV adverts and trailers. Steven White is our photographer. Steven follows the lads where ever they box and captures all of our highs and lows and really is the best in the business.
Then there is me, I don't do much!
On becoming a boxing promoter:
I wanted to take out a promoter’s license so that our fighters can be fully supported. It was a long time planning and something we always intended on doing. Having worked on many sporting events in my various day jobs the crossover into pro boxing was a smooth one. I worked with Dennis Hobson to deliver Resurrection 2 years ago which featured 3 titles. We effectively ran that show and really set the bar high. From there I have worked alongside Steve Wraith with fighting chance providing many fighters boxing on his shows
We wanted to take the license out so that we could control our own destiny and manage the timescales of when our boxers fought and therefore influence and improve their progression. We felt that we could deliver high quality productions and we are keen to work with the regions managers to put many fighters on and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a TV audience. Upon taking the license out we announced 4 dates effectively planning out the dates our boxers would compete. These dates left gaps in which fighters could perhaps also box on Phil Jefferies or Steve Wraiths shows. By taking out the promotional license it creates choice for local fighters which can only be good for the sport.
On the inaugural Fighting Chance promoted show; Genesis:
It went well. The atmosphere was electric and we had 1400 fans all in attendance which proved to me that all of the hard work and pre fight build was worth it. We wanted to create more than just a show, we did pre fight build up, behind the scenes access. Gym and media workouts, a press conference complete with a pre-fight trailer which was shown on the large screens at Aspers Casino.
The show itself was a great platform for the fighters on the bill to raise their stock. I was delighted that we got 4 wins on the night. Mark White stepped up and showed his class putting down his opponent twice, he delivered an accomplished performance. His attitude is first class and if he continues the sky is the limit. TK Jone managed to hurt a very tough and durable opponent who has been in with Diallain White who couldn't stop him TK showed real intent and spite in his shots and has shown that he has an explosive come forward fans favourite style. Jamie Jones has transitioned over from MMA and looked great in his first outing, his fans where superb and he has shown that he can box as well as bang and I am very excited about his future, he needs to keep learning and improving but again he has all the right attributes and with the right dedication he can go far.
Jon Lewis performed well against a durable opponent. I am delighted with the progress Jon is making, he has a new found belief and it's a delight to be around him, he seems to have a determination and desire to go and attack the word stage and I am delighted for him, he is on a mission to achieve all he can and I believe he can mix it at word level and with his commitment and dedication to training along with the mind-set he has he can achieve anything he wants. It was great to help Danny Wall progress his career and profile him as he moved to 2-0 and we look forward to seeing him progress on future shows. Josh Leather performance was excellent and again I was delighted that we could help bring him back to the north east. I would love to work with his team again as I believe he has a big future.
It was great working with Mark Clauzel and helping to get Basi Razaq career back on track. He showed a different side and boxed well on the night. I believe that he can progress well and archive things in the sport if he maintains that disciplined performance. The TV coverage was excellent and there are things to learn and improve. Everyone involved in the production played their part and I like to think that we delivered a Professional production that gave the fans value for money. I am keen to work with more fighters in the region and hope to pull managers and fighters together to pool resources to deliver major shows and titles in the north east.
On the exclusive deal with Made TV:
The deal started as I engaged with their station manager and Chief Executive prior to the station launching. I felt that Made TV fits our philosophy of showcasing the best regional talent. Made operate a number of stations and are briefed to improve regional content having won a tender to deliver regional content in a number of areas. Like ourselves they are an evolving channel and I believe that we can benefit each other and grow together. In May they will be Barb rated which means hopefully we can attract more sponsors and grow our revenue to allow us to attract bigger fights and big titles onto our show. Our aim is to stay loyal to fighters and use the platform to help profile the fighters and improve them up the rankings to get them into title contention.
We are Made’s exclusive boxing partner and are working on other ideas and content in the future to further enhance the boxing content on the channel. The benefits of the deal are the fact that fighters are exposed on free to air TV to over 1m viewers. The content is a high quality and will improve with each show and this in turn will attract bigger sponsors and therefore bigger title opportunities for north east fighters in the north east. We are working with Made to look at adding a well-known brand as a subscription platform which if the deal comes off and get approved by the board will create an even bigger platform on a national stage for our shows to be shown to an even wider audience.
On Jon-Lewis Dickinson:
Jon was one of the main reasons I got involved in the pro game. I wanted to play a small part in helping him fulfil his potential. He now has all the tools he needs with an unbelievable team around him. I believe that Jon is a natural Cruiserweight who is established at the weight and has proven that domestically he is the best there is.
When Jon is fully on song I believe he is on another level to everyone domestically including McKenzie. Ovil for me won the world title in Argentina and was unlucky not to get the decision. I believe if Jon boxes McKenzie the way he did Simmons he wins that fight comfortably. I believe he can beat Ramirez and I believe that he is ready for the right challenges and he has to remain active, remain focused and he can achieve world level honours.
Ron and Gary do an amazing job with Jon and he has remained loyal throughout his career, something that is rare in this sport. He has adapted and improved with the addition of Chris Clayton who has provided that extra edge by addressing and improving his nutrition. Martin Nugent for me is one of the very best strength and conditioning coaches who again understands Jon and does a great job, so why can't he push for world honours. I believe he deserves it, but it's up to him to prove that he belongs at world level.
On a potential comeback for Craig Dixon:
Craig is and will always be a big part of our team. Craig has great boxing pedigree and is an outstanding boxer. He is one of the nicest men in boxing. The defeat was tough, we built and created a platform and I truly believed he would win the fight. The first round he was excellent, he got carried away and went looking to trade and forgot the plan and unfortunately the referee saw fit to stop the contest in the 2nd round. It's a bitter pill to swallow for the whole team. Craig has a wonderful family around him and I'm sure that whatever Craig decides he will do the right thing for himself, his family and his boxing. We will support him 100%
On FC prospects:
Mark White is a former England international and trained under Ronnie and Gary during his amateur career. He fits our profile and is dedicated to the sport, listens, works hard and always wants to improve. He is establishing himself as an excellent contender and I believe he has the ability to win titles. He must continue to learn and be tested and he will be moved along at the right pace. He will provide problems for anyone and it is going to be an exciting ride.
Jamie “Boom-Boom” Jones is slightly more unorthodox, we traditionally develop technical amateur style fighters and Jamie provides something slightly different. Jamie is again a former amateur under Ron and Gary and is fitting into the team well. He has an excellent fan base and is getting used to being profiled in the media. Our plan is to progress him and continue his learning curve. He really impressed me in his first outing and if he continues to listen to Ron and Gary and improve then again he can go far.
Jone TK is an exciting prospect. The heavyweight division is a tough division, but in his last fight he proved to me that he has that desire and bit of spite that is needed to cause people problems. Again TK is improving all the time and we would love to get an area Title shot for him. We are hoping that some of the area heavyweights would agree to take him on perhaps at the end of the year. He is a serving soldier and his commitment to travelling up from his army base to train each night takes dedication and commitment. I am looking forward to an exciting ride with TK.
On the size of the Fighting Chance stable at present:
We have a number of other fighters on trial at present, Ron and Gary will decide if they feel they fit our philosophy. We have some very exciting fighters that we hope to sign onto contracts with potential announcements made in the coming weeks. We expect to grow the stable with new boxers this year. We can provide a complete package of training fighters, managing fighters and promoting fighters. Or we can just train fighters. Just manage fighters. Or just promote fighters. Ron manages the fighters. I promote the events and shows and Ron and Gary train the fighters.
On potentially working with other promoters:
Phil Jeffries does a great job promoting Wearside fighters and has put on good shows. He manages many north east fighters and so clearly we need to work together and perhaps in the future match fighters against each other, we would like to provide opportunities for Phil’s Tyneside fighters to potentially box on our shows if the schedules fit. We have worked with Steve Wraith in the past and remain open to working together in the future. We want to continue to work with Tommy Conroy and Mark Clauzel. We have a good relationship with Imraan Naeem and are keen to work with Mal Gates, Jeff Saunders Sr, Peter Cope and Davey Binns.
We also enjoy a good relationship with Billy Nelson and MGM and are keen to work with him and his / their fighters in the future. The north east have great gyms and trainers and we hope that we can provide a platform for the next big NE star. The important thing for us is that we want to work with everyone in the region and build bigger and better shows. If we can work together we can improve and maximise future revenue from TV. If we can galvanise the north east and get more fighters on the bills then everyone can benefit, we want to increase revenue from broadcasting to benefit north east fighters. This can only be achieved by working together. If we collectively put good shows on then we can attract major fights and titles to the area and attract TV revenues by working together and pitching title fights to the broadcasters.
On the state of North East boxing:
As I said previously competition is good, it creates choice for fighters and managers. We are keen to enhance that offer and provide a high quality platform in which fighters can grow their stock and showcase their talents live on TV. I would hope that we can work together and not against each other to benefit north east boxing.
On the immediate future of Fighting Chance Promotions:
We have announced and had all our show dates approved by the board in January. Our show dates are:
25th June Conquest at Gateshead Leisure Centre
10th September Gateshead Lesiure Centre
3rd December Gateshead Lesiure centre.
We originally had May 28th approved by the board but following the announcement that Amon would box in Scotland that same night we cancelled that date freeing the date up as Phil Jefferies had a show planned for that same day so it worked out well.
We were considering running a show in Morpeth on May 21 around Danny Wall and featuring 3 of Billy Nelson’s fighters at Morpeth Leisure Centre. However as Morpeth FC are now in the vase final it was decided to re-look at a new date. We will discuss this with Tommy and see if we can agree something later in the year. We are ultimately guided by Tommy as his manager.
