Sheffield boxing: no more Mr Nice Guy from Clinton Woods' prospect

He's a nice enough bloke - although he's about to become pretty spiteful and malicious.
Joss Paul beats Darren Snow: Pic by Andy GarnerJoss Paul beats Darren Snow: Pic by Andy Garner
Joss Paul beats Darren Snow: Pic by Andy Garner

Joss Paul, the 26-year-old cruiserweight from Eckington, chalked up his fifth straight win last Saturday, against Dinnington rival Darren Snow. He stopped Snow - with whom he has history - in round two at Magna.

Paul showed the ruthlessness that his trainer, Clinton Woods, has been calling for and wants to see more of. Woods said: “I have told him to be nastier. When he lands a big shot we need him go back in again quickly - not let his opponent off.

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“There was a bit of needle between him and Snow, they had some history. But he got the stoppage and we were pleased with that.

“Now Joss needs to start stepping it up. He has no real experience other than three or four unlicensed fights where the quality of opponents can be dubious. He has come from nothing but there have been big improvements.

“We are getting him some good sparring, he has already been in with Russell Henshaw (Ilkeston cruiserweight) who is a really tough kid.

““I think he should continue with his job (welder) - I was a plasterer all day and trained at night when I started off. He already has some good sponsorship, from the likes of Northern Ground Care, so we will see how far we can go with him.”

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n Chris Eubank Jr is exhibiting some pretty sour grapes over the Kell Brook v Gennady Golovkin fight.

Eubank’s team had been in talks to face GGG, but their demands proved too much - and welterweight Brook nipped in to secure the middleweight clash. Eubank tweeted: “GGG when you’re done with the child’s play, I’m ready & waiting to take those belts off you in a REAL fight. “Oh & I’m in the same weight class as you so it will be fair ‪#‎Fraud ‪#‎SayNoToBullying.”

However, undefeated welterweight Errol Spence Jr has applauded Brook for taking the GGG fight.

“I think everybody is surprised that Kell Brook took that fight,” said Spence.

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“He’s moving up to 160 to fight Triple-G, a very hard puncher, a knockout artist.

“Triple-G been heard to knock out heavyweights in the gym. So for him to move up and take that fight, it takes a lot of guts. I applaud him on it.”

The Boxingscene.com website also reports that “speculation persists regarding Brook’s plan to relinquish the IBF welterweight title no matter what happens against Golovkin.”

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