Noble not at fault for Wilson withdrawal, says Ingle

Dominic Ingle, trainer of Lee Noble, got in touch with BoxRec News to counter our story about him pulling out of a fight tomorrow with cross-city rival, Jez Wilson.

We wrote, "Chinese whispers told Wilson that Noble had pulled out due to child care related issues. A more believable reason would be the fact Noble has a more lucrative fight against Billy Joe Saunders lined up for the Khan-Salita undercard on 5th December."

Ingle explained, "Ken Morton (the matchmaker) was informed on Monday that Noble wouldn't be able to take the fight on Sunday and it was nothing to do with child care related issues.

"Nobles' girlfriend gave birth two hours after Lee got back from Belfast after fighting Ciaran Healey. It came earlier than expected and it was a difficult and complicated birth. Noble spent the half the week with his girlfriend at the hospital the days he did train he might as well have stayed at home - hardly ideal circumstances to prepare for a fight.

"Also we never put any of our kids in fights unless they are in the gym week in, week out, training everyday. We are a professional outfit and this is our main business. It is in our best interest to make sure every fight we agree to take we intend to fufill our obligation as was the case when Salari fought Wilson.

"We work with all the promoters in Sheffield, Hobson, Coldwell and Rhodes and you will find most of our kids have fought on their shows against their kids.The only way to make boxing work in Sheffield is work together regardless of inter-promotional or personal issues.  We all realise how difficult it is to promote small hall shows especially where fighters who are ticket sellers are concerned.

"So the decision to pull a fighter out is never taken lightly. The fight with Saunders was already arranged a week before the Healy fight, pending Lee Noble beating Healy which he did and was expected to.

"As for Wilson, Noble didn't see that fight as a problem and one he would get through win or lose as you will see Noble has only been stopped once against a highly rated Polish fighter for basically not fighting back.  So to imply that he has pulled of of this fight (because he may get stopped) and jeopardise a more lucrative purse is rubbish his intention was to fight both.

"As for Saunders, Noble sparred him and Degale a few years back in Sheffield when they were preparing for the World Championships and never had a problem with either. Although Jez Wilson may be feeling hard done to and I know as a fan I am sure you were looking forward to the fight, there are only so many journeymen you can beat on your own show and if that is the path you are going to take then you are going to be sat at home a lot twiddling your thumbs.

"Noble has been a pro three years, approximately six months longer than Wilson and has had four times as many fights, winning and losing more fights than Wilson has had.  Apart from one fight at Bristol, every fight Billy Boyle won was in Sheffield and as soon as he boxed away from home he lost.  If Glyn isnt prepared to take a risk with his kids then Jez and Glyn can only blame themselves.

"Lee Noble as his record suggests is a hard working pro and although he doesn't always turn up on the night as we say he has put in good performances against the so called propects many times on the wrong end of a home town decision in my opinion. To simply state that Noble's withdrawal was down to "Child care issues" simply isn't true."

BoxRec News is happy to clarify the situation, apologises for any inaccuracy and wishes Lee Noble the best of luck with his new addition to the family.