Walsall’s unbeaten two times, two weight Midlands area champion James Beech Jr has been given the opportunity to fight Litchfield’s Brad Foster for his Super Bantamweight British and Commonwealth titles. The fight is scheduled for Friday 10th of July and will be behind close doors at the BT studios in London and will be aired live on BT sports. Foster (22) is making his 4th defence of his Lonsdale belt that he will win out right if he beats Beech jr.
Foster who is a former kickboxer has an impressive unbeaten record of 12 wins and two draws and will be determined to win his British title out right.
Beech Jr (23) has also got an impressive unbeaten record with 12 wins without defeat claiming two Midlands area titles along the way, one at Featherweight and the other at super Featherweight respectively. Beech Jr also had an impressive amateur career having over 80 fights and winning 5 Midlands titles.
The Column contacted Beech Jr and asked him a few questions about what will be his hardest fight to date. My first question to Beech was, how did you feel when you were told you were fighting Brad Foster for his titles? James told me “Over the moon to be honest, it’s a very winnable fight for me I just got to get in there and perform to my best”. I then asked the unbeaten fighter, The fight is only 4 weeks away, have you been training during the gym lockdown? Beech Jr informed me “I have knew about this fight for a couple of weeks now so I will be fully prepared come fight night”.
I then talked to Beech about his weight and asked him, “You haven't fought at super Bantamweight in a while now, do you still think you can make the weight? Beech replied, “Yes fairly comfortable I think as I make 9 stone easy, I have just been taking the fights I get offered but have always wanted to stay at super bantamweight”. We then talked about the fight and I asked the two weight champ “This on paper will be the hardest fight of your career, how do you see the fight going? Beech told me “Yes definitely my toughest test but I see a James Beech win, I will be prepared to leave everything in that ring to get my hands on these titles. My next question was about Foster experience, I asked James, “Foster like yourself is young but has already fought at a high level do you think his experience will be a factor? Beech told me, “Not really as I believe everybody he has boxed I would of beat to”. We then talked about fighting behind closed doors, I asked Beech, “how do you feel about fighting with no audience, but knowing that it will be aired live on BT sports? Beech said “I have fought without a audience many a time in the amateurs in championships, you can hear a pin drop, knowing it is being aired on TV will just make me arise to the occasion more”. I then asked Beech for a prediction, he said “James beech win (points or late stoppage)”.
Beech Jr finished by saying, “ I’d like to thank all my fans, I am gutted that I can’t bring you with me for the biggest night of my boxing career but after this we are in for many more big nights”.
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great fight this is going to be and what a great advertisement for Midlands boxing. I’m gutted that there will be no audience to cheer these two Midlands fighters on. Both fighters have massive followings and but for the Lockdown the atmosphere at this fight would have been unbelievable. Now I have never made it a secret that I am a massive James Beech Jr fan, I have raved about this young fighter since he made his debut at the age of 19 at Tudor Grange Leisure centre Solihull. This is a massive opportunity for him and I think he is determined to take it with both hands but I will say he has a big obstacle in front of him in Brad Foster.
The first time I saw Foster fight was when he drew against Brett Fidoe at the Holte Suite Villa park in June of 2017. Honestly I was not that impressed and didn’t really think much of Foster at that time. Roll on a year and 3 fights Foster fought for his first title a Midlands area at super Bantamweight against Leon Gower at the Stadium Suite Walsall. Foster put on an outstanding performance with great movement and shot selection with Gower retiring in his corner at the end of the eighth round. Foster then went on and won the British super Bantamweight title against Josh Wale on a unanimous decision in March of 2019 in an impressive victory. Foster has improved in every fight I have saw him in, even in the draw against Reid he adapted and fought hard to earn that result. Foster without a doubt is a worthy champion and deserves to win the Lonsdale belt out right but he can not look beyond James Beech jr.
Beech has shown as a pro that he has heart and can dig deep when he needs to, he has sustained bad cuts in fights which has just made him fight harder. He as well has improved in every fight I have saw him in and has won 2 Midlands titles at weights above his preferred fighting weight. I think he has a great chance of winning this fight but he will have to be at his very best to beat Foster who has already shown that he is at British standard and higher. The Birmingham Boxing Column wishes both fighters the best of luck in this great fight and great advertisement for Midlands Boxing.
The Column has also Contacted Brad Foster, we await his reply.
