Boxing couple share the limelight

A boxing show will feature two fighters believed to be the first professional boxing couple in the UK.

Nathan McIntosh and Nina Bradley, of Welbeck Avenue, Newark, will fight on the same card for the first time at Newark Showground next month.

Bradley turned professional in April when she signed for former champion Carl Greaves, who also trains her partner.

The 29-year-old, originally from Boston, started boxing in her home town seven years ago and rose to become an amateur champion.

She won on her professional debut in May, against Poland’s Monika Antonik, winning all four rounds, despite breaking her knuckle in the first round.

McIntosh, originally from Nott-ingham, is a former Midlands title challenger and has won 12 fights in his nine-year career.

He said: “We are looking forward to the fact we get to box on the same card. It will be an experience.

“I know when Nina watches me she gets very nervous but I get a buzz out of watching Nina fight.

“I don’t think it has ever been done before — a couple boxing together and sharing that experience of the same show.

“I am looking forward to that. When I’m fighting I am in the zone, so I will have to bring myself out of that zone.”

Bradley said she usually gets worked up when Nathan fights.

“I will have to learn to block that out and not really worry about his fight,” she said.

“After, we will be able to go and have a meal together because neither one of us will be on a strict diet so it will be nice to experience that.”

'A little bit of extra buzz'

Bradley said after breaking her knuckle she trained for ten weeks without punching but had now fully recovered.

“It was only a minor setback. It is unfortunate I hurt my hand because I wasn’t able to box how I like to.

“It was a great experience and I loved every minute of it and I am looking forward to the next one.

“There is that little bit of extra buzz because we are both on the same card.”

McIntosh and Bradley will fight at the Sunday Sizzler at Newark Showground on September 24.

Carl Greaves said: “I have never heard of anything like this, a professional boxing couple being on the same show, and it is good it is happening in Newark.

Also fighting will be light heavyweight Jake Sharp, of Newark, who knocked out Jack Davies on his professional debut in May.

Light heavyweight Olly Marple, of Newark, will make his debut while Nottingham’s Carwyn Herbert, a middleweight, will defend his unbeaten record.

Former Irish super welterweight title challenger Terry Maughan, of Sneinton, will at middleweight and welterweight Ben Eland, of Ollerton, is also on the card.

Tickets costing £20 for under-16s and then £35-£60 are available at www.carlgreavespromotions.co.uk