DARLINGTON boxer Ben Marksby is coming to the end of his most intensive training camp yet as he prepares for his 10th professional bout and first eight round fight.

Marksby will be in televised action when he goes up against Argentinian Miguel Cesario Antin on a show in Bolton next Friday, June 14, which will be shown live on Channel 5.

The 24-year-old is currently ranked 27th out of 120 British boxers in his super lightweight division according to BoxRec. His first paid match was in autumn 2021 and he remains undefeated in nine bouts, all won on points with five six rounders following four four rounders.

As an amateur Marksby trained at Phil Thomas School of Boxing and Darlington ABC and won 80 of his 91 contests, as well as picking up five junior national titles. He also represented England in a tournament in Ukraine and in the British tri-nations competition.

Marksby was the first local boxer to be signed by Tenacity, a professional boxing stable run jointly by Sunderland’s Anth Kelly and Hartlepool’s John Stubbs. Both men had long amateur boxing experience when they obtained professional boxer coaching licences from the British Boxing Board of Control in 2021. Marksby was subsequently joined by the Sunderland trio of Beau Smith, Adam Reichard and Travis Waters.

"We’ve four top quality boxers now including Ben," said Kelly.

"All have the required high work ethic. Ben trains exceptionally well for his bouts and has great potential. He’s ambitious and talented.

"Manchester-based promoter Steve Wood manages Ben and has given him lots of professional exposure across the north by providing regular matches. We’re confident that Ben will be competing for regional titles or even be in English title eliminator bouts before 2024 is over."

Marksby, who recently became a dad, said: "I intend to win in Bolton and make everyone in Darlington proud.

"I’m fortunate to be able to concentrate full time on my boxing thanks to generous sponsorship from Cold Tub Club, Up and Go Man with a Van, the Burtree Inn and Fitness Physio."

The former Longfield Academy student's dad, Andy, is well known in local boxing circles as head coach at Darlington Amateur Boxing Club.

He said: "We introduced Ben to boxing aged six and he took to it like the proverbial duck to water. I’m proud of all the young lads we’ve trained at our club, but especially of Ben and British title winner Troy Williamson, who’ve both shown how boxing can provide an honest living at a time when a lot of young men often choose a different route."

Anyone who would like to start boxing training with Andy Marksby at Darlington ABC should contact him on 07395 303968.