Brixton fighter Isaac Chamberlain signs promotional deal with Mick Hennessy

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Isaac Chamberlain has signed a long-term promotional agreement with promoter Mick Hennessy – and his ring return will be televised on Channel 5.

The Brixton fighter (10-1) has been  out of action for 16 months.

Chamberlain will feature in an eight-round contest on the domestic dust-up between Shakan Pitters and Croydon’s Craig Richards for the British light-heavyweight title on March 28 at the Coventry Skydome.

He is due to box again soon after on an another Hennessy Sports event.

Chamberlain turned professional in January 2015 and captured the Southern Area title in a memorable points victory over Wadi Camacho despite suffering a dislocated shoulder injury in the third round.

His sole loss was against bitter rival Lawrence Okolie on points for the WBA Continental title, but he rebounded with a victory over Luke Watkins in his last fight in October 2018.

Chamberlain said, “The time out of the ring has been a period of immense frustration for me but it has been a real character building exercise also.

“I like to look at the positives and going through this has strengthened my will and determination.  I believe that I will be more dangerous and savage when I make my return to the ring on March 28.

“I’m so happy to have signed this long term promotional deal with Mick Hennessy and he is a person who I believe is passionate about his fighters and he fights for them.  He’s a real solid person to have on your team and I need someone like him that to push me to where I need be.

“He’s got the track record with creating stars like Tyson Fury, Carl Froch, Darren Barker, Junior Witter and Chris Eubank Jnr and a great eye for spotting talent.  He makes world champions and that will motivate me to work hard and win.  Becoming the WBC world cruiserweight champion is my primary goal and I’m obsessed with it.

“I want to be the best I can be and prove myself.  I just can’t wait to get back into the ring and with the Channel 5 cameras on me and knowing that a viewing audience of millions will be watching me comes with pressure but I will thrive and perform to my best.

“I know the pain and heartache of not fighting and being inactive but Mick has a long term plan for me and I’m really excited again.”

Hennessy said: “I’m delighted to welcome Isaac to the Hennessy Sports team and I’m looking forward to an incredible ride with him to the world title.

“I can see in Isaac a fighter with incredible potential, character and determination and he has world champion stamped all over him.  I believe he has the personality that will attract the masses because of his all round appeal and he will be a fantastic addition to Channel 5.

“The inactivity has been a hindrance but we have moved quickly to ensure he gets great exposure on national free-to-air TV on Channel 5 on two of my shows in quick succession that will raise his profile and shake off the ring rust.

“He’s still a young man at 25 and has a lot of time in front of him as we plan and manoeuvre him into world title contention.”

Matt Hamilton, exclusive advisor to Isaac, said: “We are beyond delighted to have signed with Mick Hennessy.

“His record at creating PPV A-siders is without equal in modern British boxing, he is the guy who created Carl Froch and Tyson Fury. We are all in with Mick, it’s a long term promotional deal under Mick’s direction for the remainder of his career.

“Isaac has enough ability; a vastly improved trainer and all around support behind him for us to want to pick one promotional platform and run with it. His path to a world title & PPV A-sider status is, in my view, inevitable.

“Lofty goals indeed but there is no point in investing a working lifetime in this sport if you don’t have your eye on the big prize. And Isaac has always had an unshakeable belief in how far he can and will go in this game.”

PICTURE BY MARK ROBINSON