A BOXING coach turned promoter says his first show was such a huge hit he wants to go bigger and better than before, potentially bringing fights outdoors.
Jon 'DP' Shaw of TakeOver Promotions is in the midst of organising a 'Summertime Showdown' in late summer in Worcester after the success of his first show at the city's Perdiswell Leisure Centre on Saturday, April 30.
Indeed, Mr Shaw says the show, designed to showcase local talent and foster young fighters, was so popular that the venue was at capacity and people had to be turned away.
The 31-year-old heavyweight fighter and coach for DP Boxing, based at the city's Sherriff Street, is now exploring the possibility of having the next show outdoors.
They hope to draw crowds of 1,500 in a marquee and fit in more fights.
Mr Shaw, together with Matt Tout, is organising the show at the same time as he prepares himself to fight four fights in six days - two in Swindon on June 18 and two in Birmingham on June 24.
If he wins these 'all or nothing' heavyweight fights he has vowed to give the £1,000 fighter's purse for each win to two charities - New Hope Worcester Children's Charity and Age UK.
The venue, time and date for his big summer show have yet to be confirmed and he says he is exploring the options at the moment.
The show could take place indoors or outdoors and the decision has yet to be taken.
Mr Shaw, a father-of-one from Malvern, said of the inaugural event: "We were over the moon with how it went.
"How supporters behaved at the venue was immaculate and the way the boxers fought from the home and away camps was excellent."
The first show featured 36 fighters and 18 bouts including men and women, boys and girls.
The middleweight TakeOver Promotions title was won by 'Cassius' Clayton Scott, 19, a fighter Mr Shaw believes could turn professional, after he won over Aaron Martin.
The anthems of England and Wales were played at a heavyweight clash between Droitwich's Jay 'the myth' Smith (a DP Boxing club captain) and Welsh fighter Craig Griffiths with Mr Smith emerging the victor.
Another DP Boxing captain, Shaq 'Too Smooth' Tulloch returned to the ring to win his super middleweight fight by TKO over Birmingham's Lee Adams. Mr Shaw believes he could turn professional and has a bright future ahead of him.
The main event of the evening involved two titans of the ring Lewis McIver (6ft 8ins) and James Crane (6ft 6ins). McIver outpointed Crane in what Mr Shaw called 'a brilliant heavyweight match-up'.
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