Hitman Hits Shefield

The Fight Academy stable is packed with young talent, none more so than Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hodgson. A former England international and senior ABA winner, the 25-year-old has made a big impression already, with promoter Dennis Hobson – who has worked with some of the world’s best fighters – believing Hodgson’s debut last year was the best he’d ever seen. Since that debut, Tommy has notched up another brace of wins, and gets his fourth outing on February 12 at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on a card headlined by heavyweight Kash Ali, live on Fightzone. All three of Hodgson’s fights to date have been in Yorkshire, but that’s set to change for the man from North Shields who gets a Northeast homecoming on March 19 when he will make an eagerly anticipated appearance in Newcastle on another Fightzone show. Ahead of that homecoming, the Newcastle United fan is slated to take on well-respected journeyman, Lee Connelly, on the Ponds Forge show.  Connelly, from Derbyshire, has only failed to hear the final bell eight times in 81 contests, and is known in the game as tough, durable and always up for a fight. “I feel like I’m developing really well, and have shown a bit of everything,” said Tommy, who is trained by Dean Laing and Ross Wilkinson.  “I’ve shown I can box and get stuck in when needed. I’ve got a good boxing brain and can cover all aspects of the game.  I just need to keep busy, that’s the main thing. “I’m pleased to be doing six rounds for the first time on this upcoming show.  You’ll see the best of me when I start getting into longer fights.  Lee [Connelly] will give me the rounds, one hundred per cent and it’s early in my career so I want to learn as much as possible. “He’ll have a go and he’s a tough lad, and that’s what I want. I want to show some improvements, be nice and sharp and not get caught with anything silly. I’d love to get the stoppage, and if it comes it comes, and if not that’s fine. “I’m looking forward to fighting again in Sheffield.  When it comes to Newcastle though it’ll be a different story. I’ve had so many people messaging me asking when I’m fighting at home.  When my fans go to Sheffield they’re the noisiest and craziest there, so it’ll be absolutely buzzing when I fight in Newcastle.” Fight Academy present an evening of boxing at Ponds Forge Arena on February 12. Appearing on the card will be Rotherham’s Kash Ali; Sheffield fighters Conner Daubney, Muheeb Fazeldin, Perry Howe, Zane Clark and Keanen Wainwright; North Shields’ Tommy Hodgson; Barnsley’s Matty Heppenstall; Ashton under Lyne’s Zak Miller and Connor Lawrence from Nelson. Follow Dennis Hobson Promotions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Visit www.fightzone.uk and join the revolution. Follow Fightzone on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter