A busy period of boxing for Newark promoter Carl Greaves with former Olympian Cheavon Clarke fighting Dec Spelman on the undercard of the Leigh Wood/Mauricio Lara WBA featherweight title fight and Emma Dolan, Craig Derbyshire, Kyle Haywood and Connor Meanwell also fighting elsewhere

Carl Greaves has big plans for 2023 as it shapes up as one of the biggest years to date for the veteran boxing trainer and promoter.

Greaves’ Newark-born and bred boxer Connor Meanwell will face a big challenge in an eight-man tournament in Solihull on February 18.

It will be only his second professional event but the fighter is confident he can win the tournament.

Meanwell is training hard in his bid to be the last man standing and his trainer Carl Greaves believes he has a good shot.

“It’s a great opportunity for Connor and this tournament really suits his style,” said Greaves.

“It will be the luck of the draw and come down to who wants it most on the night but I know Connor will give it everything.

“He had a good debut against a fighter that came to win, which sets him up nicely for this event.”

On the same evening, former English champion Dec Spelman will be facing undefeated former Olympian Cheavon Clarke on the undercard of the Leigh Wood/Mauricio Lara WBA featherweight title fight.

The fight is an English title fight eliminator with the winner getting a shot at the national belt.

A week later on February 25, Greaves’ promoted fighter Craig Derbyshire will be fighting for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight title in Malta against Connor Butler.

Carl Greave’s next boxing show will be held in Leicester on March 11 and will feature his promoted fighters Sean Bruce, Joe Jackson Brown, Tyler Rivers, and female fighter Ellis Hopkins.

Newark-based boxer Stanley Stannard will also be on the bill for the Leicester show as he looks to extend his ten-fight undefeated record.

The plan is for him to then face highly-rated Lee Cutler in an English title eliminator on Sky Sports.

Cutler currently has a 17 and one record, and Greaves believes that he will be a good challenge for his fighter.

Greaves’ trained and Newark based fighter Kyle Haywood will headline the event with a much-anticipated rematch against Ryan Amos after the two previously drew their last bout.

The first quarter of the year will culminate in Greaves’ 150th show at the Newark Showground.

“My 150th show is coming up on the 25th March and it’s going to be in my hometown of Newark,” said Greaves.

“I am excited to bring the show to the Lady Eastwood Pavilion at the Newark Showground as we have had a number of them there previously.”

Emma Dolan will be headlining the event as she takes on Halima Vunjabei from Tanzania for the vacant Commonwealth super-flyweight title. The full undercard will be announced soon said Greaves.

Greaves added that he has seen a lot during his time as a promoter and things have evolved throughout his shows.

“During my time I’ve seen so many promoters come and go, the fight game is not easy,” he said.

“Trust me when I say only the strongest survive.”