Khan can answer his critics against Maidana

By Ben Carey

Amir Khan has been ordered to defend his WBA light-welterweight title against interim champion Marcos Maidana. Purse bids will be opened at the WBA’s offices in Panama on January 18 and the contest must then take place within 90 days.

The WBA’s ruling has led some to speculate whether Khan will vacate his world title rather then risk damaging his rebuilt reputation against the dangerous Argentinean who has 26 stoppages from his 27 wins.

Groves and Dallas given early chance to impress in 2010

By Ben Carey

Unbeaten prospects George Groves (pictured) and Tom Dallas have been added to Frank Maloney’s show at Brentwood Centre on Friday January 22. Super-middleweight Groves and heavyweight Dallas will meet selected opponents on the bill being televised live by Sky Sports.

Groves, 21, is a man in a hurry and is already targeting Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Charles Adamu who controversially won his title on a split decision against Liverpool’s Carl Dilks last month.

British title shot finally in sight for Thompson

By Ben Carey

Mark Thompson could earn himself a shot at the British welterweight title if he can overcome former champion Kevin McIntyre in a ten round eliminator. This excellent match will take place on Hatton Promotions’ first show of 2010 at the Altrincham Leisure Centre on January 15.

They Heywood puncher has put together an impressive 11-fight win streak since first bursting onto the scene following his thrilling but ultimately gallant loss to South Africa’s Vincent Vuma 18 months ago. At 28 and after 23 fights (22 wins, 1 defeat), Thompson has more than served his apprenticeship and will be looking to finally win a title of significance in 2010.

Comment: Frustrated Arthur needs to face up to reality

By Ben Carey

I read with interest Alex Arthur’s recent comments in The Sunday Mail that he is planning imminent talks with promoter Frank Warren concerning his future career direction.

Arthur, surprisingly outpointed by Nigel Wright on the undercard of Amir Khan’s one-round demolition of Dimitriy Salita last month, is frustrated over his perceived lack of opportunities and may consider leaving long-time promoter Warren.

UKFN January British ratings

By Ben Carey

As we prepare to kick-off 2010 with several intriguing fights, UKFightNews.co.uk (UKFN) has updated its top ten British rankings in each weight division, from heavyweight down to flyweight. Click the link to see where we rank our leading boxers and feel free to email editor Ben Carey with your feedback.

Napa handed European title chance

Exclusive by Ben Carey

Ian Napa has been handed the opportunity to regain the European bantamweight title he previously lost in March.

Malik Bouziane, who dethroned Napa on points at the York Hall has vacated, prompting the EBU to order France’s Jerome Arnould and Napa to contest the vacant European championship. Both parties have until 15 January to reach an agreement or submit purse bids to the EBU offices in Rome.

Olubamiwo handed Belshaw test

By Ben Carey

Larry Olubamiwo will be pushed towards a British heavyweight title shot because his promoter fears time might catch up.

‘The War Machine’, 31, takes a step up in class when he meets Irish puncher Scott Belshaw at Brentwood Centre on Friday 22nd January. Olubamiwo (6-1) knows an impressive performance against Belshaw (10-3) will put him in the title picture.

SKY reveal New Year line-up

By Ben Carey

SKY Sports have announced their first batch of televised shows for 2010. Rob Norton’s British and Commonwealth cruiserweight title rematch against David Dolan (pictured) kicks things off at the Altrincham Leisure Centre on Friday January 15.

The pair swapped five knockdowns in February but Norton ultimately prevailed on the judges’ scorecards by the rather bizarre totals of 116-109, 115-110 and 114-111. Despite the drama of the knockdowns the contest was rather scrappy and the rematch between Norton and Dolan may not be a classic either.

Napa and McDonnell set for little and large battle

By Ben Carey

Ian Napa will defend his British bantamweight title against Jamie McDonnell at the Brentwood Centre on Friday 22nd January.

The pocket-sized Napa, 31, will be making the first defence in his second reign as champion and will give away seven inches in height and eight years in age when he tackles the 5ft 8in challenger from Doncaster.

Munroe facing final eliminator for WBC title

By Ben Carey

Rendall Munroe has been ordered to face Mexican Victor Terrazas in a final eliminator for the WBC super-bantamweight title.

Leicester southpaw Munroe expects the battle for the right to challenge for Toshiaki Nishioka’s WBC world crown to take place in February or March.

60 second news round-up

By Ben Carey

Terry Lawless (pictured), former manager of Frank Bruno, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. Lawless also guided John H Stracey, Maurice Hope, Charlie Magri and Jim Watt to world title success.

Harrison: ‘David Haye is not the saviour of the heavyweight division’

By Ben Carey

Audley Harrison has criticised the manner of David Haye’s world heavyweight title winning effort against Nikolai Valuev and claims that the ‘Hayemaker’ still has much to do to convince sceptics in America.

Writing on his official website, Harrison comments, “After David’s (Haye’s) snooze-fest to win the title and Vitali’s (Klitschko’s) lacklustre defence against blank bullets Kevin Johnson, who speaks more than me, I can see how critics get frustrated with the heavyweight division.”

Moore v Sinclair to meet in April?

By Ben Carey

Neil Sinclair will defend his Irish light-middleweight title against USA-based former amateur star James Moore, according to a press release from Irish promoter Tommy Egan. No official date has been set but Egan claims the fight will be held at the City West Hotel and Conference Centre in Dublin sometime in April.

Until a date has been confirmed, details of the undercard matches emerge and Sinclair comments on the fight, experience tells me not to take Egan’s latest announcement as gospel.

Optimistic Adamu targets Froch rematch

By Ben Carey

Charles Adamu is hoping that his Commonwealth super-middleweight title success over Carl Dilks at the weekend will earn him a rematch with Carl Froch. Reigning WBC champion Froch outpointed Adamu in just his 12th fight to capture the Commonwealth crown in March 2004.

Adamu was awarded a controversial split decision over Dilks at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday night in a contest which many ringsiders and the SKY Sports commentary team felt Dilks had won clearly. Personally, I scored the fight a draw and felt Dilks paid the price for a lazy spell between rounds seven and ten in what was, in truth, a dire contest.

No Haye-Vitali agreement, insists Booth

By Ben Carey

Reports of a bout agreement reached between world heavyweight titleholders David Haye and Vitali Klitschko are wide of the mark, insist ‘The Hayemaker’s trainer and manager Adam Booth.

It had been reported that WBC champion Klitschko claimed a ‘preliminary agreement’ was struck with Haye to meet at some stage in 2010. However, Booth has strongly disputed these comments, reiterating that no contact has been made with the Klitschko camp since Haye’s November WBA title triumph over Nikolai Valuev.

Hatton hoping to be a cut above N’Dou

By Ben Carey

Hatton Promotions are hopeful of attracting a sell-out crowd to their first major promotion in Stoke which will see Matthew Hatton top the bill against Lovemore N’Dou for the IBO welterweight title at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex next Friday (November 13).

The quality card also features Rob Norton defending his Commonwealth cruiserweight crown against Akinyemi Laleye, Darren McDermott contesting the English middleweight championship against Danny Butler and an intriguing eight-rounder between Derry Matthews and local favourite Scott Lawton at super-featherweight.

Froch: “Kessler will bring a war, unlike Dirrell”

By Ben Carey

Carl Froch is expecting a “war” when he meets Mikkel Kessler in the second group stage of the Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup tournament in contrast to the frustrating evening he endured against Andre Dirrell in front of his Nottingham fans a fortnight ago. Froch scraped a split decision (113-114 and 115-112) on the judges’ scorecards to retain his WBC title against the flashy but elusive Dirrell to get his Super Six super-middleweight campaign off to a winning start.

“It was close but I had no doubt in my mind that I had won the fight. He’s (Dirrell) a slick, fast, counter puncher and when you combine that with the negativity he showed in there it made it a very difficult night,” admitted Froch.

Strictly Frustrating: Froch gets judges’ nod over dancing Dirrell

By Ben Carey

Carl Froch’s persistent endeavour impressed two of the three judges to enable him to retain his WBC super-middleweight crown on a split decision against the fleet-footed Andre Dirrell in the Super Six tournament in Nottingham on Saturday night. Two ringside officials crucially preferred Froch’s dogged determination by scores of 115-112, whilst the other favoured Dirrell’s flashy combinations and quick reflexes, scoring it for the American 114-113.

In truth, this disappointing spectacle wasn’t easy to score predominantly due to Dirrell’s unwillingness to stand and trade combined with Froch’s inability to cut the ring off and land often and accurately against the nimble challenger who was impossible to pin down. Watching at home live on the Primetime pay-per-view network I scored the fight even.

Classy Booth knocks the fight out of Hunter

By John Hannen at ringside

Jason Booth looked tremendous on Friday night forcing Michael Hunter to retire on his stool, and surely from the fight game altogether, as he retained his British super bantamweight title at the Seaburn Centre in Sunderland. A mixture of Booth being just ‘2 smooth’, and Hunter seeming a shadow of the fighter he once was, combined to see the fight waved off between rounds five and six as the man from Hartlepool told his corner ‘no mas’.

Glover and Amar contest English title on Froch-Dirrell undercard

By Ben Carey
Essex battler Tom Glover will be out to dethrone another Nottingham champion in the form of English welterweight title holder, Adnan Amar, on the undercard of local hero Carl Froch’s Super Six WBC super-middleweight scrap with Andre Dirrell at the Trent Arena tonight.

While the eyes of the boxing World will be on Froch’s showdown with Dirrell for Glover and Amar it will also be a huge night in their respective careers. Reigning title holder Amar will be looking to put a frustrating year and a half of inactivity behind him while Glover will be looking to bounce back from his Commonwealth title defeat to John O’Donnell last month.

Injury to Fury places McDermott rematch on hold

By Ben Carey

Fans clamouring to see the eagerly anticipated English heavyweight title rematch between Tyson Fury and John McDermott will have to wait a little longer. An injury to Fury, sustained to his right hand during his points win over Tomas Mrazek in Dublin three weeks ago, has resulted in the British Boxing Board of Control to put back the opening of purse bids until its next meeting on Wednesday 11th November. The rematch, which was originally stipulated to take place before the end of December, has now been extended until the end of February next year.

The unbeaten Fury was awarded a highly controversial 98-92 points victory by referee Terry O’Connor over McDermott to capture the English title in Brentwood last month. Somewhat ironically, even the Board (incorrectly) list the unfortunate McDermott as the reigning English champion in its latest Championship circular. To read the rest of the latest English title news click the link.

Fortunate Williams given British title reprieve

By Ben Carey

In a surprising outcome, The British Boxing Board of Control has allowed Danny Williams to keep his British heavyweight title despite Williams losing in the quarter-final of the recent Prizefighter: The Heavyweights III competition against outsider Carl Baker a fortnight ago. Williams, who was floored twice by Baker in the opening round before conceding a three-round points decision, was expected to be stripped of his British crown and retire following his disappointing loss. The Board of Control has given Williams a reprieve however but have insisted that the Brixton man must defend his British title against the winner of Sam Sexton and Martin Rogan who will contest the Commonwealth crown in a rematch in Belfast on November 6.

The Board’s decision now opens the door for current British title holders to take part in future Prizefighter events and potentially keep their Lonsdale belts even if they fail to win the tournament. To read the rest of the latest British title news, click the link.

Dirrell battles the scales and Froch in Nottingham tonight

By Ben Carey
Andre Dirrell needed two attempts to make the weight ahead of his Super Six super-middleweight tournament showdown with Carl Froch at Nottingham’s Trent FM Arena tonight. The American, who will challenge Froch for his WBC super-middleweight title, initially tipped the scales fractionally over the super-middleweight title limit at 168.4 lbs at the first time of asking at the weigh-in yesterday afternoon.

Dirrell quickly returned to the gym at his hotel to lose the excess poundage. He returned one hour later to finally make the weight on the second attempt registering 167.5 pounds on the scales. In contrast, consummate professional Froch comfortably made the weight at the first time of asking, registering 167.4 lbs.

Booth and Hunter’s careers in the balance in winner takes all showdown

By John Hannen

When the fighting’s finished, so could be a career at title level, after Jason Booth and Michael Hunter have contested the British super-bantamweight title this Friday at the Seaburn Centre in Sunderland.

With both boxers aged 31, and with long careers behind them, this fight really has a ‘winner takes all’ feel to it – more glory nights for the victor, a very long road back for the loser. Frank Maloney promotes this cracking crossroads clash which also features local hero and Olympian Tony Jeffries and a host of talent from the North East on a jam-packed undercard.

Froch and Dirrell continue to trade insults ahead of Super Six Showdown

By Ben Carey

Andre Dirrell is insistent that his speed and flashy switch-hitting style will be too hot for Carl Froch to handle ahead of their Super Six world super-middleweight championship showdown at Nottingham’s Trent Arena on Saturday night. Froch will defend his WBC super-middleweight crown against the undefeated American who hasn’t been shy to talk up his chances in the build-up.

“He may have fought southpaws and orthodox style fighters, but he has NEVER fought a switch-hitter like me. I’m going to go Mickey Mantle on him and shoot the works from the moment the bell rings. Mr. Froch can kiss my Yankee Doodle,” boasted Dirrell.

UKFightNews.co.uk’s October ratings

Brodie returns

By Ben Carey

It’s all change this month in UKFightNews.co.uk’s October British ratings. The recent retirements of heavyweights Danny Williams and Matt Skelton along with former European lightweight champion Jon Thaxton has seen a number of new fighters gatecrash our domestic top ten ratings from heavyweight down to flyweight.

And as we say goodbye and extend our warmest wishes to the above veterans we prepare to welcome back former European lightweight champion Jason Cook (now campaigining at welter), three-time world title challenger Michael Brodie and the comebacking former WBA light-welterweight champion Gavin Rees. To see where we rank the above and the rest of Britain’s leading fighters, click the link.

Froch-Dirrell & Abraham-Taylor Double Header Live On Primetime for £12.95

New satellite channel Primetime (Sky channel 480) is now taking bookings on primetimelive.co.uk for the opening night of the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Saturday, October 17th. The knockout double header kicks off in Germany when former middleweight champs Arthur Abraham and Jermain Taylor clash at the O2 World Arena in Berlin before the action moves to The Trent FM Arena in Nottingham for Carl Froch’s WBC World Super Middleweight title defence against unbeaten American hotshot, Andre Dirrell

The pay per view event can be purchased by calling 0871 200 4444 (+448702 416 666 from the Republic of Ireland ) or visiting http://www.primetimelive.co.uk. The event is available at a special price of £12.95 until 24 hours before the fight after which it will then increase to £14.95.

McCracken has faith in Froch to see off young gun Dirrell

Carl Froch’s trainer Robert McCracken believes his charge has what it takes to see off the challenge of unbeaten American Andre Dirrell when they clash in the Super Six World Boxing Classic at the Trent FM Arena, Nottingham on October 17th.

Froch’s WBC world super-middleweight title will also be on the line against Dirrell, a bronze medallist from the 2004 Olympic Games but ex pro McCracken is confident that Froch will maintain his own perfect record against the touted American.

Moore-Rhodes winner will edge closer to WBC title shot

By Ben Carey

The winner of the European light-middleweight title showdown between champion Jamie Moore and Ryan Rhodes will edge closer towards a world title shot following the WBC’s decision to grant the fight eliminator status for their championship currently held by Argentina’s Sergio Martinez.

Salford’s Moore (32-3) is ranked third and Sheffield’s Rhodes (42-4) seventh by the WBC and the world title eliminator status will add even more spice to this quality all- southpaw clash at the Bolton Arena on Friday 23 October.

Hearn maps out Audley’s world heavyweight title route

By Ben Carey

Barry Hearn believes Prizefighter Heavyweights III winner Audley Harrison could have a shot at a world title before 2011. Hearn, who promoted Friday’s Prizefighter event, thinks Harrison , 37, is finally showing his ability after winning an Olympic gold in 2000.

“Winning Prizefighter is the biggest thing that has happened to Audley Harrison since turning professional and he did it with style and power,” said Hearn. “He showed people he has ability and turned the boos into cheers.”