Boxing: Humphreys brothers aim to conquer all on the island

Porthmadog boxer Cafan Humphreys is confident he can retain his British heavyweight title this weekend despite injury hampering the build up to his defence against Anglesey’s Barry Fielding.

Cafan, who is 30 today, takes on Fielding, from Holyhead, in Saturday night’s Battle of the Island show at Shell Island, Llanbedr, Gwynedd.

Undefeated Cafan landed the UBA British heavyweight crown this summer at the Tivoli in Buckley, defeating Jack Godfrey from Derby.

He faces a tough first defence against the experienced Fielding, a former Welsh super-heavyweight champion.

Cafan reports a setback in training has affected his preparations.

“I have hurt the knee that I had an operation on last year,” he said. “But I’m still pretty confident I will come out with a win.

“It will be a fight to his (Fielding’s) liking now as it’s going to be more of a toe to toe – my game plan was to keep him moving.

“I know Barry is a very tough opponent and has a lot of experience and wins; he is a former Welsh super-heavyweight champion.”

On the same card, Wayne Humphreys, 34, will put his UBA Welsh heavyweight belt on the line against Derwyn Brooks, who hails from the Wrexham area.

Wayne won the Welsh crown on the same Tivoli show as brother Cafan, beating undefeated Martin Jones.

“I don’t know much about Derwyn to be honest, but he’s a very strong lad and a heavy hitter so it should be a tough fight,” said Wayne.

Ben Humphreys, twin brother of Cafan, will take part in an eliminator for the Welsh super heavyweight title.

This will be the first of three massive fights in as many weeks for Ben, who on October 19 challenges Alan Blacks of Caernarfon for his WUMA heavyweight title (KB 5 x 2 min) at the Rise of the Welsh Warriors event in Criccieth.

Then seven days later Ben comes up against Stephen Wilkins at the Ultimate Fight Night show in Colwyn Bay for the UFN British heavyweight title (boxing).

Amy Kerrigan, a coach at the Humphreys’ Mad-Dog gym in Porthmadog, makes her kickboxing debut at the Battle of the Island this Saturday. Amy’s original opponent pulled out, but by Thursday evening a replacement had been found.

The bill will also feature a battle between champion Paul Thomas of Dolgellau and challenger Guto Davies for the UBA Welsh cruiserweight championship.

The youngest of the Humphreys fighting clan, Dion, will feature in his first contest.

Recently crowned Welsh champion Martin Williams of Penrhyndeudraeth and local prospect Gethin Jones are also on the schedule.