BRADLEY Goldsmith, the middleweight with mass support, is back in his home city of Coventry – and matched in a real title test.
The 27-year-old will face former British title challenger Asinia Byfield for the Commonwealth international title on the major promotion at Sports Connexion next Friday, March 27.
The tough Reading battler was outpointed by Ted Cheeseman in a British light-middleweight title bid back in 2018 and sports an 18-7-1 record.
The 10-rounder tops a Scott Murray bill packed with Sky Blue talent.
Speaking from Fuerteventura where he’s been training for three weeks, Goldsmith said: “I’m privileged to be on a platform like this. It’s my chance to show what I’m about. He’s experienced, durable and, most importantly, game.
“The training here (in Fuerteventura) has been hard, gruelling, but enjoyable – it’s been just what I needed.
“Fighting in my home city means the world and this is the perfect opportunity to catapult myself towards bigger titles.”
Goldsmith, a former stand-out amateur for Triumph, has lost only one of 15 in the paid ranks. That defeat came in his first appearance on a major arena show against Midlands champ Troy Coleman.
The local favourite went for broke too early, ran out of gas and was stopped in the seventh.
That’s not belittling the bravery and durability shown by Coleman, but the challenger’s naivety undoubtedly played a part.
Since that setback, Goldsmith has bounced back with two victories, one in Dubai. He’s learned an important lesson from the loss.
He added: “It’s one fight at a time and I’m fully confident of doing the business on March 27.”
Leamington’s Danny Quartermaine gets back on the title trail at Sports Connexion. He faces rugged Yorkshireman Kurt Jackson for the Commonwealth international belt at super-feather.
For Quartermaine, a product of Edwin Cleary’s gym, it’s the first outing since he lost his unbeaten record and European belts to Royston Barney Smith last October.
The 28-year-old, who also has a legion of fans, was widely outpointed that night and is now looking to get back in the mix at top level.
He’s excited and all action, but looked below par against Smith. Maybe Smith made him look below par.
In Jackson, he faces a boxer who has won seven of 11 and taken talented Ibrahim Nadim the full distance. He doesn’t appear to carry KO power, with all contests going the distance.
