James BovingtonA new bare-knuckle fighter from East Leeds has announced his arrival on the professional scene, drawing his debut match on a major Yorkshire card at Elland Road. Marshall Furey, a 22-year-old from Seacroft, showcased his skill and resilience in the triangular ring, fighting in front of the President of the Bare-Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame, Scott Burt.
Marshall Furey, 22, showed skill, courage and resilience as he drew his debut bare knuckle match with Nottingham’s Omari Grant. “I’d sold 40 tickets to my fight and I enjoyed it,” said Furey. “I frequently had my opponent on the backfoot. My performance was well-paced. I came out of it pretty much unscathed and can’t wait to be back out. I relish the opportunity to prove what I’m made of and I come with an amateur record of 28 wins in 30 bouts.”
Former Corpus Christi student Furey works as a co-ordinator for a company installing telecoms systems. Furey began boxing at Seacroft Select and thanks coach David Zubrzycki “for seeing some potential in me. I’m also grateful for the constant ongoing support of my wife Teegan and her parents Sarah and David.” The Furey family including two young children now live in Swarcliffe and Marshall trains at Al Osta’s gym in Farsley. “It’s worth crossing the city to train with Al and top amateurs and professionals like bare knuckle veteran Scott McHugh who’s won fifteen fights. There were some cracking fights at Elland Road. I know that with continued quality coaching I’ll be able to fight at the highest level.”
Picture by James Bovington
American visitor Scott Burt brought along the historic and prestigious Police Gazette belt worn in the ring by a victorious world champion bare knuckle fighter and which subsequently designates that fighter’s BKB status. He said: “I was proud to present the Police Gazette Championship belt and offer high quality numbered event-unique medals to the winning fighters. First presented in 1882 the belt is pure quality made of real silk, real sterling and with real diamonds and real history.”
Marshall Furey was suitably impressed. “I’ve just started out in this bare-knuckle game. I plan to wear that belt. Diamond studded. With support from people in what BKB describe as the ‘great fight city of Leeds,’ I’ll achieve my ambition. Watch me.”
Furey’s next fight is on 5th December when he takes on Wolverhampton’s Ryan Meer in a hybrid boxing contest with 4oz gloves. If potentially able to sponsor Furey or wanting fight tickets, contact him via Facebook at Marshall N Teegan Furey or Marshallfureybkb on Instagram. You can also see the highlights of his fight at Elland Road by clicking here.
