Boxing: English title shot looms for Rotherham's Lee Appleyard, in Doncaster

Lee Appleyard's disappointment at losing a Commonwealth title contest seven weeks ago could soon be swept away with another golden opportunity.
BEAUTIFUL BRUTALITY PROMOTIONECHO ARENA,LIVERPOOLPIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIGCommonwealth Lightweight ChampionshipSEAN DODD v LEE APPLEYARD
Dodd v AppleyardBEAUTIFUL BRUTALITY PROMOTIONECHO ARENA,LIVERPOOLPIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIGCommonwealth Lightweight ChampionshipSEAN DODD v LEE APPLEYARD
Dodd v Appleyard
BEAUTIFUL BRUTALITY PROMOTIONECHO ARENA,LIVERPOOLPIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIGCommonwealth Lightweight ChampionshipSEAN DODD v LEE APPLEYARD Dodd v Appleyard

The Rotherham boxer will compete for the vacant English lightweight title at Doncaster Dome, Doncaster on July 1.

After his unanimous decision defeat to Sean Dodd in Liverpool, he attempts to spring back against another North West fighter, Steve Brogan.

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Appleyard, 29, yearns for a professional title - he also lost out to Chris Conwell in 2016 at the Dome, Doncaster in a Central Area super featherweight showdown.

He seemed to ran out of steam in his last fight against Dodd.

But his manager Dave Coldwell believes a victory over Brogan can catapult his man back on to the radar of domestic achievers.

“I’m happy he’s back out pretty much immediately because I want him back to winning ways” said Coldwell.

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“He showed me a lot of good things against Dodd but he didn’t maintain it and he let him back into the fight and made it too easy for him at stages.

“He’s had the exposure of a big show and fighting in front of a hostile crowd on television so there were some positives to take from the experience and he has to use that in this fight and moving forward.

“We’re grateful to (promoyer) Stefy Bull for getting this fight on and allowing Lee to get back into the groove straightaway because we didn’t want him sitting around and waiting for a date.

“He’s been back in the gym and he’s got a worthwhile prize to fight for on July 1st.”

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On Brogan, Coldwell admitted: “He’s a very tough fighter with a pleasing style who likes to have a fight. Lee will have to be switched on at all times and be prepared to match Brogan every step of the way because I think there could be some hard moments in there.

“The pair of them will want the English title really badly as it gives them something to defend and can also open the door for a much bigger opportunity in the near future. This is the type of fight I love because you know it means absolutely everything to fighters involved. I think the fans are in for a real treat.”

Appleyard, whose W10 L3 career started on the first Jerome Wilson v Serge Ambomo contest at iceSheffield in May 2014, looked to be on his way to a win after he staggered Dodd in the first round of their fight but could not sustain his early rounds advantage. He lost 117-113 116-112 and 117-112 at the Echo Arena.

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