BOXING: Cello could be fighting for the English title soon

Peterborough puncher Cello Renda has his fingers crossed boxing bosses will give him the green light to challenge for the English middleweight championship.
Cello Renda (right) in action.Cello Renda (right) in action.
Cello Renda (right) in action.

Manager Jon Pegg this week wrote to the British Boxing Board of Control pressing Renda’s claims for a shot at the St George’s belt, currently held by Lee Markham.

The 28 year-old from Essex captured the vacant title by out-toughing Joe Mullender in a toe-to-toe fight-of-the-year contender on the latest David Haye show at the O2 Arena in London last month.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He’s also challenged for Commonwealth and WBO European honours up at super-middleweight in a crowd-pleasing 20-fight career - and says he’s happy to defend his English title against Renda.

The 30 year-old from Newborough said: “I contacted Markham on Twitter and he’s agreed to fight me.

“My manager (Jon Pegg) is going to put the fight forward to the Board and we will have to see what happens.

“I believe I’m definitely due a shot and (promoter) Eddie Hearn has promised me an English-title fight.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hearn made that promise after watching Renda outpoint Mike Byles over six rounds on his show in Birmingham in March.

There’s talk Hearn will promote again in the Midlands later this year - and Renda reckons fans would love to see him battle Markham for the vacant English title on Sky Sports.

He said: “I wouldn’t have to go looking for Markham. He comes forward and has a go. That’s my kind of opponent !

“I’m boxing better now than I ever have, but I can still have a fight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Him and Mullender stood in front of each other and knocked lumps out of each other and that sounds good to me!

“I want the fight, Markham wants the fight and I’m sure the fans would love to see it.

“It would be an exciting fight. It would be an absolute barnstormer.

“I always give the fans value. Either I win by knock out - or I get knocked out myself !

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“These fights bring out the best in me. I don’t want to be training for eight weeks to beat up a journeyman on a small-hall show. I want to be fighting for big titles against good fighters on TV shows.

“I’m just hoping the Board rubber stamp the fight so I can train for it.

“I’ve stayed in the gym since my last fight in March waiting for the ‘phone to ring. I just need six weeks’ notice and I’m ready to fight. I just need a date to work towards.”

Should Renda get a shot at Markham, it would be his third attempt to win the English middleweight title.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “I was beating Paul Smith until he caught me and against Danny Butler, he caught me early with a shot behind the ear and I lost control of my legs. These things happen in boxing and I’m a better fighter for all the things I’ve been through.”