IT was good to see Scott Melvin – one of the brightest talents in Midlands boxing – get a richly deserved slot on a major televised show.
The lightweight, a product of Birmingham’s Eastside gym, has been matched competitively on Boxxer’s November 29 bill at the Valiant Live arena, Derby.
Televised by the BBC, the main event sees Frazier Clarke and TKV battle for the British heavyweight title.
Melvin, a former Midlands lightweight champ, faces an unbeaten prospect over six rounds. Nottingham’s Harvey Sturton has won three, one by stoppage, and is pretty much boxing at home. He’ll have the lion’s share of supporters in the arena.
But he’s taking a huge step-up against Chelmsley Wood’s Melvin who has lost only one of 12 – and that came by split decision over three rounds.
In fact, Sturton has yet to face anyone approaching a winning record. His first two opponents are still looking for a victory after a combined 17 fights.
With 25-year-old Melvin, he faces a man with power and skill. In his epic Midlands title fight with Mykey Lee Broughton, he also showed a champion’s courage and tunnel vision.
He told me: “I’ll be honest, I’m feeling unbelievably good. Sparring has been going the best, everything is on point and this stage is exactly where I belong.
“This is the last one before titles and big fights.”
You have to feel for Melvin. That 2023 last round stoppage of Broughton should’ve been the start of something big, but injury and cancellations slowed his progress.
He has, however, taken bad breaks on the chin and shown patience.
Scott said: “You have to look at the bigger picture and the big fights to come and I know they will come.
“One hundred per cent, I want to take risks.
“I want it all, I want it as soon as possible. I want the British title. It is going to happen for me. I’ve put too much into this not to carry on. I’ve been doing it for 15 years and I’m going to see it through.”
