Choi Tseveenpurev may have won the Prizefighter-Featherweights tournament back in October, but it was without doubt his semifinal opponent, 20 year old ‘Saint’ George Jupp, that stole the limelight – and the plaudits, for his sensational performance against the twice his age two-time World Champion.
The Belvedere youngster showed a maturity that belied his tender years as he traded with the Mongolian Warrior, matching him punch for punch throughout, only to lose out on a place in the final by the slimmest of margins.
Jupp’s disappointment, of not making the final and potentially winning the £32K prize money, was short lived as within days Francis and George Warren signed him to a promotional contract with their Queensberry Promotions organisation.
To complete his joy, the Warren brothers have ‘Saint’ George making his maiden outing, under their promotional banner, on the undercard of fellow TRAD TKO Boxing Gym and Queensberry Promotions team mate Leon ‘Solid’ Williams’ first defense of his British Cruiserweight title, against Shane McPhilbin, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Friday, 13th January.
Following a sparring session, with Super Bantamweight Commonwealth Champ Carl Frampton, yesterday Jupp spoke briefly about the Choi battle, “Yeah, it was a close fight, I couldn’t really scream about the decision as it could have gone either way.
If ten people watched it, five thought I won and five thought he won.
I thought it was a good fight and I take a lot of confidence from that, I mean he’s a two time World Champion and there’s no one at my level that’s going to have done that.”
before moving onto discuss the upcoming bout against Dan Naylor, “I’ve seen a few video’s of Dan, he’s quite a slick southpaw. I’m glad I’m fighting someone like him so I can show my skills to full effect.
He’s in your face, unlike some other opponents, which suits me and my style of fighting.
I keep doing what I’m doing, hopefully this six rounder goes OK and I get a few rounds under my belt.
It’s important to get a couple of six rounders under my belt as hopefully within the next twelve months or so I’ll then be able to get in position for a shot at the Southern Area title.
Saying that I’ll keep looking at each fight as gaining more experience, I will never look past any opponent as each fight is an important part of my learning curve.
It’s hard not to think of titles as we’re doing really well here at the TRAD TKO at the moment, we have had so many Champions over the past year, I think it’s five or six.
That’s why I’m really glad to be fighting on this show, as one of our British Champions, Leon Williams, is headlining.
I can’t wait, I’ve been training hard all over Christmas, been getting some good sparring with Michael Maguire, he’s lighter than me and he’s so good technically he’s hard work. If you can catch him with a clean punch you can catch anyone.
Also been sparring with Juris (Varuskins), he’s quite a tough kid, he pushes you for every round, and Danny (Connor), he’s a bit heavier than me, a bit of an awkward type and of course today was sparring Carl (Frampton), he’s already a champion so very much on top of his game. So I’m getting the best of all worlds, sparring like, with all the different styles.
I am really happy with the way the training and sparring has been going and I’m really looking forward to the 13th.”
‘Saint’ George Jupp, against Dan Naylor, features on the undercard of Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Shane McPhilbin for the British Cruiserweight title headlines Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions first event of the New Year, which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 13th January 2012 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546)
Tickets, Standard Seated – £40 and Ringside SOLD OUT for Williams vs. McPhilbin are available now on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com. Tickets are also available direct from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
