“The Doctor” is back: fighting fit

Carl “The Doctor” Ozimkowski looking for first win

There’s an evening of boxing at York Hall on 21st March.
Emdad Rahman previews the show.

Welterweight boxer, Carl “The Doctor” Ozimkowski 0-3(1)-0 returns to the ring at London’s York Hall on 21st March determined to start the year and his pro career with a win. After his first three pro bouts all ended in defeats, the six foot tall 28-year-old trained by Alec Wilkey is more determined than ever to succeed, stating, “You’re never a loser – until you quit trying! Setbacks pave the way for comebacks. When you fail, get up, dust yourself off and try a different route, but don’t you dare give up.” The fight takes place on a Goodwin Promotions show with old foes Michael Lomax 21(4)-7(4)-1 and Chas Symonds 18(5)-8(3)-0 meeting for a second time for the vacant British Masters light-middleweight title in the headlining fight.

The Polish pugilist Ozimkowski has endured a rocky road in his fledgling career so far, with the first three experiences all ending in disappointing defeats.  His previous fight (he fought at the same venue for all of his pro outings) on November 29th last year, after a six year hiatus from professional boxing, ended in the confident, unwavering welterweight being knocked out cold on the end of a wild swing from opponent, Mick Mills 1(1)-5(3)-0 with just under a minute to go in the opening round.

Ozimkowski had caught the away fighter with a good left hook that sent the southpaw backpedalling across the entire breadth of the ring onto the ropes on the opposite side from the offending punch. As the Alec Wilkey fighter went in for the kill, Mills covered up and took a swipe under pressure that connected cleanly and dumped The Lansbury Gym fighter onto the canvas with no chance of beating the count. “To be honest, all I remember is getting in the ring and starting well, then waking up in the changing room!” explained Ozimkowski.

In his first stint as a pro back in 2008, Ozimkowski trained himself, losing to two unbeaten prospects – Badru Lusambya 16(15)-0-1 and Johnny Creamer 1-0-0. The second time around, “The Doctor” has a trainer in Alec Wilkey and part of a closely knit team from the increasingly successful Lansbury Boxing Club in Poplar, London which features Prizefighter winner Johnny Coyle, unbeaten lightweight Ben Day and former Southern Area champion Danny Connor.

The likeable welterweight with a solid fan-base in London, established after a whopping 150 amateur fights representing London and England, immediately returned to training the morning after the KO loss to Mills. He clarified, “I felt fresh like nothing had happened. To me, it’s a minor setback and I’ve trained so hard that I don’t want to lose the momentum.” He continued, “Alec Wilkey was surprised to see me and said, ‘What are you doing here?’ I said that I just wanted to get back on track and straight back to training again.” Carl Ozimkowski will fight in his second six rounder against an opponent yet to be confirmed.

In the show’s headlining fight, the crowd-pleasing pair promise fireworks in their highly-anticipated rematch. The 36-year-old Londoner, Michael Lomax claimed the vacant British Masters light-middleweight Gold title on their last encounter in September 2014 winning on points over ten rounds at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

The victory over Symonds for Lomax, ranked twelfth in the British ratings, propelled him into a career-changing clash with Liam Williams 12(7)-0-1 for the vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight title at the ritzy Hilton Hotel in Mayfair. The fight ended abruptly due to a first round knockout with just 12 seconds of the opening round remaining. The vacant title was handed to the unbeaten Welshman who moved up to number three in the rankings just behind Brian Rose 26(8)-2(2)-1 and Liam Smith18(8)-0-1. For the “Croydon Bomber”, this rematch will be the first fight back since the defeat to Lomax in September and his first taste of ring action for six months by the time that March rolls around. Both fighters enter the contest off the back of a loss.

The rest of the undercard features top talent as Goodwin Promotions’ shows are well renowned for with a total of four Masters title fights and four exciting debutants in action on the night. Both of the Evangelou brothers are back in the fray again with the youngest of the duo, Chris “The Flash” 12(2)-3-0 defending his International Masters welterweight title over ten rounds. The Enfield 28-year-old won his first ever title by defeating Croatian, Zoran Cvek at the York Hall on 27th September last year. The elder of the fighting brothers, unbeaten 31-year-old, Andreas “The Ace” 10(2)-0-1 also defends his International Masters honours in a ten round title fight at light-heavyweight. Both of the siblings’ challengers are yet to be confirmed.

Ryan Taylor 9(3)-3(1)-1 looks to claim his second Masters belt with a bid for the vacant International Masters Bronze lightweight title against an unnamed opponent over eight rounds. “Crash Bang” Taylor from Upminster, London collected his first title on his eighth pro gig over two years ago, winning the International Masters lightweight title with a shut-out points victory over The Warrior from Razgrad, Kristian Dochev 11(4)-20(3)-0 at the Prince Regent Hotel in Essex.

It’s been somewhat downhill since taking the step up to championship level as Taylor then lost to Liam Shinkwin 7-1-1 on points in a battle for the vacant Southern Area lightweight title in his first fight of 2013 at Wembley Arena. The second disappointment came in the form of a semi-final loss to Danny Connor 11-9(1)-2 in Prizefighter Tournament light-welterweights III on 6th July at York Hall. Finally, in December 2013 at the Excel Arena, Taylor challenged once again for the elusive vacant Southern Area lightweight title against Floyd “Pacman” Moore 10(7)-6(3)-1 conceding his first ever stoppage in the fourth round of the contest. A victory over Vasil Vasilev 4-13(5)-0 exactly one year later on 13th December at York Hall affirmed Taylor’s intentions to get back to winning ways. Prizefighter winner, Robert Lloyd Taylor 19(5)-7(2)-0 makes his first appearance in almost three years as he participates in a six round light-middleweight contest against an opponent still to be confirmed.

Welterweight, Adam Salman 4(2)-1(1)-0 takes part in a six round welterweight contest. The 24-year-old Londoner is still awaiting news on his opponent. Kent’s 24-year-old southpaw, Brent Osborne 0-1-0 looks towards his first pro win over four rounds at light-heavyweight after his disappointing debut loss to journeyman Mitch Mitchell 5(2)-30(4)-1 at York Hall on 19th April last year as referee, Jeff Hinds scored the bout 38-39 for the away fighter.

Dagenham light-middleweight, Taylor Jordan 2(1)-0-0 is back after a stuttering start to his professional career. The six foot tall 21-year-old began his journey in December 2012 with a shut-out points win over Aaron Csipak 2(2)-15(4)-0 at the Prince Regents Hotel in Essex. Two months later, in February 2013, Jordan was seen to blast debutant Harjinder Gill away with 30 seconds to spare of the first round at the York Hall. Over two years later, after pursuing a modelling career, the good-looking prospect is back in action over four rounds.

Light-heavyweight Remel Scott 1-2(1)-0 will be desperate to score a win after two successive losses at the hands of journeyman fighters, Iain Jackson 4(1)-23(8)-2 and Elvis Dube 6(5)-31(4)-2. The 32-year-old Essex lad enters into a four round contest on the night.

Four exciting debutants take to the professional stage for first time. Welterweight debutant, Luke Davey is the only fighter on the action-packed bill who currently has an opponent confirmed – Bheki Moyo 0-70(6)-2. The Berkshire 24-year-old, nicknamed “The Duke”, kicks off his pro career with a four-rounder. The second of the four debutants is Watford’s 29-year-old David Abraham, in a four round heavyweight contest. The third of the foursome comes in the shape of 26-year-old super-middleweight Billy Long. The Essex boy makes his pro bow in a four round contest with his opponent yet to be confirmed. The last of the debutants is the lightest and youngest of the quartet in action. Danny Parsons from Walton-on-Thames is just 22-years-old and makes his pro bow at super-featherweight over four rounds.

•For tickets to the show call 07922-843 199 or visit http://carlthedoctor.com/

•As well as standard unreserved and reserved ringside tickets there are also VIP tickets priced at £100 which includes a guaranteed reserved ringside seat in rows one or two together with a free private bar from 5pm until 7.30pm with snacks included.

•Follow Carl “The Doctor” on Twitter at @CarlTheDoctor

•Carl would like to thank his sponsors (ID Block, No.1 Fitness, Body by Nature Supplements and Aggressive Art) and PR Manager Tim Rickson.