James Beech Jnr, a former British title challenger, aspires to a point in his career where he has the freedom to select his opponents.
Despite losing to Brad Foster in 2020, the 26-year-old has proven to be someone who doesn’t shy away from challenges. However, with each defeat (out of a total of 21 fights), Beech finds it increasingly challenging to climb up the featherweight rankings. Throughout his career, the Walsall fighter has had to face significant challenges against a particular type of opponent, which he openly admits to struggling against.
Beech admitted, “When it comes to boxing southpaws, I’ve never excelled. Honestly, if it were up to me, I would have simply avoided them altogether. Unfortunately, I’ve faced them four times and ended up losing.”
Since 2021, Beech has consistently struggled against left-handed opponents, causing significant setbacks in his career. His four losses have all been at the hands of fighters who adopt an unconventional stance. Beech has been bested by Chris Bourke, Dennis McCann, Nathaniel Collins, and Hopey Price, leaving him without the luxury of selecting his opponents. Despite his profession as a painter and decorator, Beech must face any challenge that comes his way.
I don’t have the privilege of having that luxury. Similar to everyone involved in the boxing industry, they are aware of my challenges. This is likely the reason why I am offered fights against them. However, I cannot decline these opportunities as they are significant chances for me.
It would be difficult for anyone to decline the opportunity to fight on Queensberry or Matchroom shows, especially when it means being in front of television cameras and earning a higher paycheck. This Saturday, at the renowned Ulster Hall in Belfast and broadcasted live on DAZN, Beech will have the chance to face an orthodox fighter, the undefeated featherweight from Ireland, Kurt Walker.
The athlete who won a silver medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has remained undefeated in ten professional matches, with nine of them lasting the full distance. At 29 years old, Walker has only lost a few rounds out of the 59 he has boxed and intends to handle Beech from Walsall in a manner similar to how Price, Collins, and McCann did before. However, transitioning from opponents with poor records like Angelo Turco and Darwing Martinez to someone as skilled as Beech presents a challenge that Walker must face for his personal growth.
Beech acknowledges that his opponent was a highly skilled amateur.
Although he hasn’t accomplished much in his professional career thus far, he is a respectable young man. He possesses impressive skills and is observant. Overall, he is a skilled and disciplined boxer.
Motivation is easy for Beech this time around. In December 2023 he had his hand raised in victory by referee Ryan Churchill having defeated Liam Richards – who fought for the 105th time on the night – over four rounds. Call it a tick-over fight, call it a confidence booster, but these type of fights are ones Beech would rather avoid.
Beech clarified, “Before, I found it difficult to muster the motivation for them, but now I have a clear mind.”
“I will be entering the ring on March 30th with full confidence in my ability to win. I am in a positive state of mind. In December, I had a boxing match against Liam Richards to boost my self-assurance and stay active. However, my mindset during those fights cannot be compared to the dedication and effort I have invested in this training camp.”
Beech has managed to secure two days off per week from his regular job to devote to preparing for his encounter with Walker at the camp.
“I currently work only three days each week, but luckily, owning a house helps me cover my bills and keep everything in order.”
Beech is eager for more thrilling battles and significant chances to come his way. Despite the challenges posed by Covid, he aimed to use his match against Brad Foster in July 2020 for the British super-bantamweight title as a stepping stone towards greater success. Another opportunity arose in March the following year, as Beech ventured to Glasgow to face Nathaniel Collins for the vacant British featherweight title. Unfortunately, the powerful Scot concluded the fight in the seventh round with a devastating body shot.
Three months earlier Beech picked up the biggest win of his career defeating Raza Hamza over 10 rounds in Coventry. Getting back in the win column is becoming necessary for Beech who told BN he will keep fighting until he isn’t enjoying it anymore. But that wouldn’t be the only reason to hang up the gloves.
He said he would quit if the money became terrible and he started getting offered matches against up-and-coming boxers and ended up becoming a journeyman.
James Beech Jr. is a self-assured and physically fit boxer who doesn’t fret about the number of punches he’ll need to throw in the Belfast ring on Saturday night. His determination is unquestionable, and going up against another orthodox fighter will surely enhance his performance, just like it did against Foster and Hamza. His willingness to take on challenging opponents is commendable, and the sport of boxing is enriched by fighters like James Beech Jr.
He expressed his hope to successfully conduct the business on March 30.
I could potentially choose my battles instead of engaging in foolish southpaw fights that I already know I shouldn’t participate in. The key is to prioritize the appropriate fights rather than accepting every prominent opportunity that arises.
