Professional Record - W 21 (6 ko's)  |  L 6  |  D 0  |

Chesterfield butcher Mark Krence is a two-time British Title challenger and the current English Champion.

A former ABA cruiserweight champion, Mark has gradually grown into being a fully fledged heavyweight since turning pro in April of 2000.

He gained great credit by taking on Audley Harrison on three days notice in May 2002, hurting the Olympic champion before simply running out of rounds against the undefeated 'A Force' in their six rounder.

However, game and always in good fights, Mark rebounded from a brace of losses to give defending British champion Matt Skelton a hellish time in July 2005. More incredibly, Mark had accepted the fight with the unbeaten mauler Skelton on just 10 hours notice, after Danny Williams cried off sick. Mark pushed Skelton hard before a lack preparation caught up with him and he was retired on his stool.

Two further disappointments, including losing a vacant British Title fight to old rival Scott Gammer, have left Mark at a crossroads.

But at 29 - relatively young by heavyweight standards - the 6'5 Krence still has time on his side.



HEAVYWEIGHT

DAVID DOLAN
Age: 26
Division: Heavyweight
Trainer: Richard Poxon
Pro record: 1-0 (2002 Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight gold medallist)

Professional Record - W 3 (0 ko's)  |  L 0  |  D 0  |

2002 Commonwealth Games super-heavyweight gold medallist David Dolan made his long awaited professional debut on May 13, defeating French brawl Nabil Haciani on points in Sheffield on the undercard of a big Clinton Woods card.

The 26-year-old fromSunderland - fighting at heavyweight - is now on his way to replicating his success in the unpaids in the pro ranks. But most expected the skilful box-puncher to begin punching for pay immediately following his Manchester gold rush four years ago but, as Dolan tells it, an intervention from Lennox Lewis convinced him to remain in the unpaids.

Dolan said: "There were loads of offers for me to go pro right after Manchester but I spoke to Lennox and he gave me some great advice. He told me that he turned down offers to go pro after the (1984 Olympics) but he staying amateur until after the 1988 Olympics. Lennox said that I'd get better experience from fighting top international amateurs for a few years and that experience would eventually help me in the pros.

"Lennox said the top amateur experience could be the difference between winning titles or not."

Indeed, outside of current WBC king Hasim Rahman, it is hard to think of too many top heavyweights of the last 20 who didn't have solid international amateur pedigree. Former three-time world heavyweight champion Lewis was also in in mid 20s when he turn pro, beating Al Malcolm in two round in 1989, and Dolan is confident that he, too, can achieve great things in the professional ranks.

"I think the pros will suit my style better," he said. "Doing 4 x 2 minute rounds doesn't actually suit me, because one of my main strengths is my fitness and after eight minutes I'm always disappointed the fight is over. I want to go longer."

Dolan has signed a long-term deal with Fight Academy and he and his business manager, Carl Dunn, say they will be working hard to reinvigorate boxing in the North East.

Dunn added: "There were a lot of offers on the table from promoters but the only people we wanted to work with were Fight Academy. We'll be working together with them to help bring the sport back to the North East in a big way."