Marple ready to take the next step

Boxer Olly Marple is determined to put on a show for the crowd as he prepares for his second professional bout.

The 21-year-old, of Newark, is stepping up his training programme before his next fight at Beachcomber Club, Cleethorpes, on March 3.

He is due to face a tough opponent in Kamim Al Temimi, who held fellow Newark boxer Jake Sharp to a draw last year.

Marple, who has signed with Newark promoter Carl Greaves, said 2018 would be vital for his progress as he looked to build experience before challenging for titles.

“I am feeling confident ahead of this fight. I have been training hard for about four weeks now to get myself in the right shape,” he said.

“Right now I am not thinking about titles, I want to take each fight as it comes, keep winning and push on from there.

“I want to keep learning and taking away those good lessons, which are going to be vital if I am going to get anywhere.

“If this year goes to plan then maybe we start looking at Midland area titles, but before then I still have a lot to do.”

Marple impressed on his debut with a points victory over Darren Snow at Newark Showground in September.

Marple, who returned to live in Newark two years ago, previously excelled at rugby for North Wales, and played football and squash before finding his calling in the ring.

He has been coached since last year by former-middleweight boxer Andrew Lowe after impressing during a sparring session with other boxers at the gym.

'Bags of raw ability'

“We have a really great relationship,” Marple said. “Even though what we are doing is serious, there is always time for a laugh and a joke.

“I have not had to change a huge amount, just a couple of tweaks here and there.”

Lowe believes Marple has the ability to make an impact in the sport, and is confident he will continue to improve this year.

“When he first came down to have a spar with some of the other lads he was smashing them to bits,” he said.

“He has bags of raw ability, an awkward style to fight against, and he has no problem fighting longer bouts so he has got a good future.

“Olly is disciplined and determined. If I ask him to complete a type of training or get down to a certain weight he just gets on with it.

“He is fighting against a dangerous opponent who should be a good test for him, but I believe he has the ability to come through and win.”