Reid Prepares for Fight of his Life

Hanley’s light-welterweight hopeful Gary Reid took time out of his hectic training schedule to talk about his forthcoming Commonwealth title clash with unbeaten Ajose Olusegun. The bout is scheduled to take place at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on 15th June.

“I can’t wait to get into the ring with Olusegun,” said Reid, “He’s the toughest opponent that I’ve had to face to date and it’s the most important fight of my career. I know that I will be going there as the underdog but that’s something that I’m used to so I’m not daunted by the prospect.”

Froch eyes Kessler after being made WBC no.1

By Ben Carey

Carl Froch’s mission to prove that he is the best super-middleweight in the world moved a step closer after he was named as the WBC’s no.1 contender following his devastating destruction of the normally durable Sergey Tatevosyan. The Cobra, who has recently undergone corrective surgery to address a long-term ligament problem, could challenge current WBC champion Mikkel Kessler next year.

Negotiations between Kessler’s camp and Joe Calzaghe, to determine the 168lbs division’s undisputed kingpin, would appear to have stalled which could pave the way for a Kessler-Froch showdown. It would be ironic if Froch landed a fight of such magnitude having failed to reach an agreement with Calzaghe’s promoter Frank Warren for an all British clash against the Welshman this Summer.

To find out where the rest of the Brits are currently ranked by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO click the link below.

Beaten Contender lined-up as Rhodes’ comeback opponent

By Ben Carey

Ryan Rhodes will make his first appearance in 11 months when he takes on Paul Buchanan in a middleweight eight-rounder at the Barnsley Metrodome on Sunday afternoon. Rhodes’ prolonged absence stems from a long-standing back problem that has kept him on the sidelines since his points defeat to Gary Lockett last July.

Following successful treatment, the former “Spice Boy” is looking to propel himself back into title contention and build on his creditable showing against Lockett. After experiencing a flash knockdown in the opening round, Rhodes gradually fought his way back and floored Lockett heavily for the first time in his career in round ten.

Homecoming for Duddy

The “Derry Destroyer” John Duddy returns home this summer to show Irish fight fans just what they’ve been missing during his impressive four year stint in the Big Apple.

Duddy will return to the National Stadium, Dublin – the scene of many of his amateur triumphs, on Saturday, 14th of July in his first ever professional fight in Ireland.

“They’ll see the new John Duddy on July 14th,” promised the 27-year-old. “The guy who shows up will be a lot different to the guy who fought in the National Stadium as an amateur. It’s going to be explosive and action packed and there won’t be any need for seats there because the crowd will be on their feet!”

UKfightnews.co.uk June British ratings

By Ben Carey

The British boxing season may be drawing to a close but there has been some welcome activity in the previously stagnant light-heavyweight division this month. Tony Oakey captured the vacant British title after stopping Steve Spartacus, and we saw a shock when English champion Peter Haymer dropped a surprise eight-round points loss to Paul David.

To discover where we rank Britain’s leading light-heavyweights in a new look top 10 click the link below, where you will also see the rest of our British ratings from heavyweight to flyweight.

Reid and Olusegun clash for Commonwealth title

For Stoke boxers major titles are like buses; you don’t get one for ages and then three come along all at once. On 15th June Gary Reid will follow stable-mates Scott Lawton and Chris Edwards, both of whom have already challenged for British and Commonwealth titles this year, when he contests the vacant Commonwealth light-welterweight title. Reid will become the third Impact boxer to attempt to emulate the achievements of the Potteries last major champion, Tommy Harrison, who won British, Commonwealth and European honours during the 1920’s.

Gary will face Nigerian born Ajose Olusegun on a Frank Maloney promoted card at The National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace. Reid was offered the same opportunity against Olusegun last June at short notice consequently, after discussion with his management team; Reid had no option but to decline the offer on that occasion.

Morrison Puts British Title On The Line

Courtesy of Matchroomsport.com

Barry Morrison makes the first defence of his British Light-Welterweight Championship in the next Matchroom Sport / Tommy Gilmour boxing show. Morrison will be fighting in front of a home crowd at the Motherwell Civic Hall on Friday, June 8 when he meets England’s Colin Lynes (Hornchurch).

This will be 27-year-old Morrison’s first bout since he gained the belt after a split decision points victory against Lenny Daws at the Alexandra Palace, London, back in January. Lynes, 29, a former IBO champion, needs the victory to get his career back on track after he suffered two high-profile defeats at the end of 2005 and beginning of 2006.

Steeds struggles / Haymer shocked

By Ben Carey

Oakey-Spartacus undercard highlights

A slimline Mickey Steeds had to climb off the floor in round two to outpoint the crude but dangerous John Anthony over six rounds on his cruiserweight debut. Ken Curtis’s 59-55 scorecard looked far too wide but watching from television I only witnessed rounds 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Mickey, who lasted the distance with Scott Gammer in a failed British heavyweight title challenge last time out, was almost unrecognizable at 14st 9lbs and sporting a full head of hair. He began confidently, forcing Anthony to crouch low to avoid being nailed by a succession of right hands. But like a wounded tiger, the heavy-handed Anthony possesses the power to turn a fight in an instant. And when a left hook put Steeds in a daze and a socking right hand dumped the Isle of Dogs man in a neutral corner, a shock looked possible.

The History of the Lonsdale Belt

By Ann-Marie Cartwright

The much coveted Lonsdale belt originated from the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Cecil Lowther. A keen enthusiast of sports, Lowther became the first president of the National Sporting Club and bequeathed the first Lonsdale belt in 1909 for a boxing championship trophy. The original Lonsdale belts are crafted from porcelain and are twenty-two carat gold making them valuable items. An anonymous owner recently auctioned a nine-carat gold Lonsdale belt awarded to Randolph Turpin over 40 years ago, which packed a punch of its own, fetching a staggering £23,000.

The first boxer to be decorated with the Lonsdale belt was former British lightweight champion Freddie Welsh in 1909. Due to its historical and financial value, the original Lonsdale Belt is now kept at The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, South East London. Unfortunately it is not exhibited to the general public.

Froch vs. Stefani – Hennessy vs. Warren?

Hennessy Sports head Mick Hennessy wants to know if rival boxing promoter Frank Warren intends for the British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch to share a ring with pop sensation Gwen Stefani.

He is also wondering if the Sports Network chief now finally agrees with his opinion that Froch is the future of world boxing. It is a fair question; on Monday Warren made his second purse bid to secure the promotional rights to a mandatory defence by ‘The Cobra’.

This time he was successful – winning the right to promote Froch’s defence of his Commonwealth Crown against Ghana’s Charles Adamu.

Oakey breathes new life into light-heavyweight division

By Ben Carey

A masterful display of boxing from Tony Oakey saw him crowned the new British light-heavyweight champion after he stopped Steve Spartacus at London’s Excel Arena on Friday night.

Oakey’s superior boxing skills had placed him in a commanding lead going into the final round, but not content with cruising home to collect his inevitable victory on the cards, he continued to punish his dejected co-challenger. A left hook sent a weary Spartacus to the ropes, and when a series of follow-up rights snapped the Ipswich man’s head back, referee Richie Davies waved it off 34 seconds into the 12th.

Ladies to make history at the Point

History will be made at the Point in Dublin on June 23rd when Jill Emery and Angel McKenzie go head to head in the first ever Women’s professional fight to be staged in the Republic of Ireland.

The 8 round international light welterweight contest is a special attraction on a star studded Hunky Dorys Fight Night headlined by Bernard Dunne’s second European title defence against Reidar “The Viking” Walstad.

The card also features former World Champion and Olympic medallist Wayne McCullough, Irish light welterweight champion Oisin Fagan and former British Champion and World title challenger Neil Sinclair.

Spartacus: Oakey is made for me

Steve Spartacus claims Tony Oakey is ‘made for him’ and expects their clash of styles to make for a thrilling fight in Friday’s showdown for the vacant British Light-Heavyweight Title, being shown live by Sky Sports.

Spartacus and Oakey will swap blows in the top of the bill feature on the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ promotion in the ‘TOE 2 TOE’ Arena at ExCeL London in Docklands, the launch event for a three day Combat Sports Show.

Haymer targets Spartacus-Oakey winner

English Light-Heavyweight Champion Peter Haymer is out to erase the painful memories of his last fight when he takes on Paul David at ExCeL London in Docklands this Friday.

The Enfield-based boxer, who trains out of Tottenham, appears on the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ promotion headlined by the clash for the vacant British Light Heavyweight Title between Spartacus and Tony Oakey.

Oakey: I was expecting Jeremy Beadle

Tony Oakey has warned opponent Steve Spartacus that he is in the shape of his career for their vacant British Light-Heavyweight Title showdown at ExCeL London in Docklands this Friday.

The pair headline the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ promotion, the launch event for the three day seni07 Combat Sports Showcase that has been brought to the Capital for the very first time.

Hillyard: best is yet to come

Light middleweight George Hillyard believes that he has had the best preparation of his career ahead of his appearance on the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ promotion at ExCeL London in Docklands on Friday night.

The 22-year-old appears on the undercard of the clash between Ipswich’s Steve Spartacus and Portsmouth’s Tony Oakey for the vacant British Light Heavyweight Championship.

Hillyard knows Spartacus well. The two both train at the same Wanstead gym under Tony Sims and have shared many sparring sessions.

Stewart in line for Limond-Khan winner

Wanstead based Scot Dave Stewart – who is line to face the winner of the upcoming Commonwealth Lightweight Title clash between Willie Limond and Amir Khan – looks to build on his win over Kpako Allotey this Friday.

The London-based Scot appears on the undercard of the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ event at ExCeL London in Docklands, which features Stewart’s gym-mate Steve Spartacus challenging Tony Oakey for the vacant British Light-Heavyweight Title as main event.

McGuire upsets father despite victory

By Ben Carey

Anderson-Magee undercard wrap-up

Whilst Steve McGuire will be the first to admit that he wasn’t at his best during his light-heavyweight eight-rounder with Neil Tidman, he surely wasn’t prepared for his father and exasperated head trainer Steve Snr existing his corner midway through the seventh round.

McGuire Snr, frustrated by his son’s inability to follow his instructions and simplify the task at hand, made his feelings clear by watching the remainder of the contest from the back of the hall leaving Bennie King solely in charge of the young Scot’s corner. A clearly bemused McGuire Jnr saw out the final round without incident to clinch a 79-75 points victory to improve his record to 10-0-1.

Steeds returns at Cruiser on Seni

Mickey Steeds is confident that reinventing himself at cruiserweight will lead to bigger and better things. The Isle of Dogs boxer has competed at heavy throughout his career, but makes his debut in the lighter division on the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ promotion at ExCeL London in Docklands this Friday.

Despite notching up 11 wins and only suffering two defeats in the unlimited division – both to Scott Gammer, one for the British Title – the 23-year-old feels that his best form lies ahead. He debuts against Doncaster’s useful John Anthony, 5-5 (3).

Walker returns at welterweight

David ‘Kid Dynamite’ Walker believes he can still be a force to be reckoned with as he makes his comeback at welterweight on the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ event at ExCeL London in Docklands on Friday, May 18th.

The Hennessy Sports boxer was last in action against Manchester’s Jamie Moore in a fourth round stoppage loss for the British Light-middleweight Title in September 2005.

Spartacus vows to kick-off Seni in style

 

Modern day gladiator Spartacus has promised to open the ‘seni07 Combat Sports Show’ being staged at ExCeL London in Docklands this weekend in style.

The 30-year-old from Ipswich meets Portsmouth’s Tony Oakey this Friday for the vacant British Light Heavyweight Championship on the Hennessy Sports ‘SENI:BOX’ promotion, the launch event of the three-day showcase of Combat Sports, Martial Arts and Extreme Fitness.

Latest English Title News

By Ben Carey

English cruiserweight champion Robert Norton has been ordered to defend his title against Chris Bacon. The 35 year-old southpaw claimed the title by stopping Tommy Eastwood in March. Bacon earns his chance after halting former British title challenger Tony Moran in seven rounds a month earlier. It was the 37-year-old’s second win in succession since he elected to return to the ring last November following a five-year lay-off.

McCracken sets O’Donnell record straight

Trainer Robert McCracken and promoter Mick Hennessy still believe that Junior Olympic Gold Medallist and English Welterweight Champion John O’Donnell is a major talent, despite the inaccurately reported setback he suffered at the weekend.

The just turned 21-year-old with strong Irish heritage lost to Christian Solano on the undercard of the Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather mega-fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Whilst the tough Mexican did stop O’Donnell in the second round, many accounts of the fight and it’s build up have been off the mark.

Elcock form secures British title shot

By Ben Carey

Wayne Elcock’s fine run of form has secured him a crack at the British middleweight title on home turf. The popular Brummie will challenge Howard Eastman at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre on September 28. Elcock’s previous bid for the Lonsdale belt saw him concede a listless points decision to the recently retired Scott Dann in September 2005. Wayne has since won three in a row, gaining revenge over Lawrence Murphy for his first round KO loss, culminating in him capturing the English crown with an eighth round stoppage of Steve Bendall in December.

The 36-year-old Eastman, now in his second reign as British champion, won the vacant title after knocking out Richard Williams in the final round. He has since added the Commonwealth strap by outpointing Evans Ashira last month but failed to convince. He will start a firm favourite against Elcock however, given his previous third round stoppage of Dann.

Click the link below to read more British title news in the cruiserweight, light-heavyweight, super-middleweight, light-middleweight and lightweight divisions.

Anderson back on track after Magee win

 By Ben Carey

A disciplined performance from Kevin Anderson saw him retain his British welterweight title with a lopsided points victory over veteran Eamonn Magee in Motherwell (119-110, 118-111 and 117-110).

The 24-year-old Scot, beaten narrowly on points for the first time by Ali Nuumbembe in February, had spoken of retirement had he suffered back-to-back defeats against a challenger who was 11 years his senior. But having rededicated himself to his profession, and drafted in respected trainer Bob Shannon to head his corner (who ironically also trains Nuumbembe), Anderson produced a mature display to sweep a unanimous points decision on the cards and became the first man to floor Magee with a right hand in the eleventh.