British Super Bantamweight champion Brad “The Blade" Foster (22) has won the legendary Lonsdale belt outright after an epic battle against fellow west Midlands fighter James Beech jr (23). Foster (13.0.2) won the title against Josh Wale in March of 2019 on a unanimous decision. Foster then went on to defend his title and also win the Commonwealth title stopping Ash Lane in May of 2019 with a 12th round TKO. Foster stayed busy defending his titles against Lucien Reid which ended in a majority draw in September 2019, in the rematch, Reid’s corner retired him in the sixth after a near perfect performance by Foster.
Foster against Beech jr was the first main event in professional boxing since the Lockdown and was behind closed doors and was aired Live on BT sports under stricted hygiene conditions. Foster weighted in 8 stone 8 with the challenger Beech weighing in 8 stone 9 for the 12 found title fight.
Both fighters seemed to feel each other out for the first part of the first round with Foster just edging it as he started to let his hands go, Foster was warned for hitting low. In the second Foster out worked Beech winning the round but was warned again for a low blow and seemed to get away with one later in the round. Round three saw Beech stand his ground more and got some good combinations off to nick the round.
Foster showed great movement and some good combinations in the forth with Beech sustaining a cut above his left eye early in the round. Round five was a close one with Foster starting strong but Beech finishing stronger. The sixth round was an even one with both fighters having good moments in the round. A great seventh round with some great exchanges with some big shots by both fighters.
Foster got on his toes in the eighth and started to use his ring craft to set traps and temped Beech in. Beech stepped up the pace and his work rate to win the round, Foster sustained a cut above his left eye. The pace slowed in the ninth which suited Beech, he went on the front foot and pressured Foster. Foster fought back hard to get a share of the round but was also warned by the ref for using his head.
Fast start by Foster in the tenth but seemed to slow as the round went on with Beech battling hard to win it. As they entered the eleventh Foster started fast again and got some great shots off, Beech seemed to be tiring in the championship rounds. Foster showed his championship quality in the final round as he stepped up the pace to close out the show strong.
The judges score it unanimous to Foster with judge Michael Alexander had it 116 – 113 Foster and judges Howard Foster and Terry O’Connor having it 117 – 111 to Foster.
Foster took to social media and said this, he said ‘OUTRIGHT‼️ AND STILL‼️ Yesssss thennn, Unreal Night for Myself, Team Foster and the Barmy Army
Was a goal of mine to win the British Title Outright an yesterday I achieved that
Big love to everyone for the messages of support before and after the fight means a lot. Thankyou to the boxing people for watching! Boxing is back!
Big up my sponsors that help me on this journey:
Harrison Homes, Knockout Diner, LA Roofing Lichfield, Tyres R Us(Erdington), Fosters of Lichfield
Emporium gym, Warren Emporium gym, Trade tyres Nankang tyre uk, PCA official, Phenom boxing, Gym unity.
Respect to My opponent Beech , he’s a good fighter an I’m sure he will come again’.
James Beech jr also took to social media and said this ‘Would like to start with thanking everybody that got behind me last night the support has been unbelievable and I’m very grateful, Thank you to the main man Peter Hickenbottom for getting me in such great shape from 10 an half stone 6 weeks ago when we found out about the fight.
To my sponsors as always helped massively with this camp James Evans financial services, mba and bronze beauties.
Lastly to my management bcb, Frank Warren an team Foster for the opportunity.
Although I’m a bit gutted I didn’t get the win I’ve loved every second of it from the build up to fighting, even this week I was dreading but really enjoyed it up London, last night proved I’m not a million miles away and I need to keep my head and training up then there’s definitely a British title in the sport for me in the future.
For now can’t wait to enjoy some time with me family and lil man n friends, love yas cheers'.
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great fight, Foster and Beech put on a great display of the noble art for all the boxing fans watching. I thought 2 of the judges scores where way off as I had it 116 – 114 Foster, but the right fighter won. Foster has now won the British Super Bantamweight title outright which in its self is a great achievement and he must now be looking to move on to European or even world titles. Brad has shown over the last 16 months that he is a quality boxer and has improved in every fight. I can see the talented 22 year challenging for a world title very soon.
As for James Beech, he fought with a lot of heart and showed that he is not far off the mark. He asked a lot of questions of Foster who's experience gave him the answers, when it came to the championship rounds Foster really took control but Beech will learn from this I’m sure. I have never made it a secret that I am a big James Beech fan and have followed his career from his debut at Tudor Grange. This is his first defeat of his pro career but there were a lot of pluses in this defeat. He showed he can mixes it with the very best Britain has to offer and he wasn’t that far off. He got the experience of completing a 12 round championship fight at the highest level Britain has to offer and has proved that he is British standard. I’m sure Beech and his team will regroup and come again and I’m sure there will be a British title around his waste very soon.