Maloney questions Belshaw’s heart and attitude after latest win

Promoter Frank Maloney had some harsh words for heavyweight prospect Scott Belshaw despite Belshaw extending his record to ten wins against one defeat following his eight-round points win over Pavol Polakovic at the York Hall on Saturday night.

“Scott looks the part and physically, he’s got everything he needs to succeed but he hasn’t got the right attitude; the ring is not a place for gentle giants,” said Maloney. “The best thing I can say about his fight is that he won the decision but he must be honest with himself as only he can answer the question of whether or not he has the heart and determination to go with his physique.”

Maloney stages Stars of the Future bill in London

Gavin Tait and Ryan Barrett join big punching heavyweight Scott Belshaw as veterans anchoring a show designed to help bring four promising professional debutantes to the public eye on Frank Maloney’s “Stars of the Future” bill this tonight at London’s historic York Hall.

Sexton stops Burton to win Prizefighter Heavyweight 2 Competition

By Ben Carey

Norwich’s Sam Sexton won the Prizefighter Heavyweight 2 Competition at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle tonight after stopping tournament favourite Chris Burton from nearby Darlington in the third and final round in tonight’s final. A looping overhead right sent a dazed Burton sagging into the ropes and Sexton’s follow-up barrage prompted referee Micky Vann’s intervention as Burton groggily tried to cover up.

Haye to announce heavyweight opponent on Tuesday

By Ben Carey

David Haye will finally announce the identity of his heavyweight opponent at a public workout to be held at the O2 Arena next Tuesday (September 16). The Hayemaker cancelled a press conference previously scheduled for September 3 after the mystery opponent with whom he had a verbal agreement decided to pull out of the fight.

The identity of Haye’s new opponent is being kept closely under wraps but speculation has centred this week on unbeaten American contender Kevin Johnson.

Small Takes on Former Contender Star in London tonight

By Ben Carey

Anthony Small will look to continue his fine run of form by defeating former USA Contender contestant Freddie Curiel in a light-middleweight 10-rounder in London tonight. This Frank Warren dinner show will raise money for DebRA, the charity that helps those suffering from the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). SKY Sports will screen the fight on delay at 10pm on Monday.

Eighteen months ago Small and veteran Curiel recorded victories on Warren’s and Sugar Ray Leonard’s UK vs USA Contender competition staged in Newcastle. Small withstood a torrid final round to outpoint Walter Wright over eight rounds while Curiel came from behind to sensationally flatten Ross Minter in the final round.

Fehintola to defend English title in ….. Jersey

By Ben Carey

English super-featherweight champion Femi Fehintola will defend his title against the unbeaten Gareth Couch on a Dennis Hobson promotion to be staged in Jersey, of all places, on October 25.

Fehintola was scheduled to put his title on the line last weekend at the M.E.N Arena against Stephen Foster Jr, only for Foster to pull out on a week’s notice leaving Fehintola seething. The Bradford boxer was offered a rematch with Steven Bell, who he outpointed to capture the English crown, but declined.

Will Burton’s chin carry him to Heavyweight Prizefighter success? In-depth preview

By Ben Carey

Darlington’s unbeaten heavyweight prospect Chris Burton is a clear favourite to win the second Heavyweight Prizefighter Series in Newcastle on Friday night after the draw could bring him face-to-face with two fighters he has already beaten.

Burton will face rank tournament outsider Dave Ingleby in the quarter-finals with the confidence of having stopped Ingleby in three rounds on his pro debut. Should Burton prevail, as is widely expected, he will meet the winner of Lee Swaby versus Darren Morgan in the second semi-final pairing.

Williams-McDermott Heavyweight Rematch Set

By Ben Carey

The British heavyweight title rematch between champion Danny Williams and mandatory challenger John McDermott will take place on Saturday November 1st at the Alexandra Palace in London after promoters Hennessy Sports won the purse bids.

Williams retained his British heavyweight title against McDermott in July on a majority points verdict but was badly hurt in the fifth round and later deducted three points by referee Dave Parris for separate infringements. McDermott’s camp complained bitterly afterwards that their fighter was robbed and some ringsiders, including the SKY Sports commentary team, were in agreement.

This writer wasn’t one of them. Apart from winning the fifth round big when he repeatedly had Williams rocking, it’s hard to recall which other rounds McDermott won clearly, with the exception of the ones where Williams was (harshly) deducted points by the overzealous Parris. Certainly the post fight arguments were more exciting than the scrappy contest itself.

To peruse the rest of the latest British title news click the story link.

Maloney has selective memory regarding Dunne – Munroe

Memory loss?

Bernard Dunne’s manager Brian Peters has accused Rendall Munroe’s promoter Frank Malonely of selective memory over the Londoner’s claim that Dunne is “running scared“ from the current European Super Bantamweight champion.

Yesterday Maloney claimed that he had made a “substantial offer” to Dunne to come to England to challenge Munroe for his old title. However Peters remains puzzled as to why Maloney rejected a career best purse for Munroe to defend his title against Dunne in Ireland.

Murray handed home advantage for British title defence

By Ben Carey

John Murray will make the first defence of his British lightweight title against mandatory challenger Lee McAllister in Manchester on Saturday November 29 after his promoter Mick Hennessy won yesterday’s purse bids.

The unbeaten Murray, 25-0 (13), claimed the British crown vacated by Jon Thaxton by hammering stablemate Lee Meager in five rounds in July. Thaxton challenges Juan Carlos Diaz Melero for the vacant European title in Norwich on October 4.

Hayemaker prospect steps up in class against former British title challenger

Barnsley punch-machine Josh ‘The Outlaw’ Wale feels like a kid on Christmas Eve right now. In the best shape of his career and with a fight scheduled for September 20 on Hayemaker Boxing’s ‘Rhodes-show’, the unbeaten Yorkshireman can’t wait to start throwing leather.

“I’m in really good shape,” claims the talented super-bantamweight. “I’ve been on weight now for about three weeks and am just ready to go. I was ready to fight weeks ago. To be honest, it’s probably the hardest I’ve ever trained for a fight. I always train hard for my fights but this one has just gone even further.”

That’s an ominous sign for Wale’s September 20 opponent Marc Callaghan and the rest of the British super-bantamweight division. Even in his worst shape, the indefatigable Wale is fitter than most.

Dunne declines European title meeting with Munroe

By Ben Carey

Bernard Dunne has turned down a substantial offer to face European super-bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe, according to Munroe’s promoter Frank Maloney. The Dubliner’s management claim they are snubbing an opportunity to face Leicester’s punching binman later this year because of contractual obligations to Irish TV network RTE.

Munroe’s promoter Frank Maloney said: “That is a lame excuse if ever I heard one, and it really is a bit hard to swallow. We all know that TV companies will not stand in the way of fights if it will progress their boxer in the long term.

Burton favourite to win Prizefighter 2: Fighters’ form guide

Chris Burton has been installed as favourite to win Prizefighter Heavyweights 2 on Friday at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. Burton, who is undefeated from his 11 professional contests with six knockouts, is priced at 11/8 with bookmakers Sky Bet.

His odds have dropped sharply after last week’s draw saw him paired with outsider David Ingleby, whose odds have drifted from 25/1 to 33/1. Sam Sexton, who had been joint favourite with Burton before the draw, is now at 7/2 – the same price as his opponent Pele Reid.

Home hope David Ferguson has also moved out from 6/1 to 7/1 but Lee Swaby has come in to 10/1 from 14/1.The other two contenders are Darren Morgan at 12/1, while Luke Simpkin, who came in as a late replacement for the injured Ian Millarvie, is 16/1.The competition sees four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final all take place in one action-packed night, with each contest lasting a maximum of three rounds.

“Cut me some slack and tell it like it is,” Harrison tells critics

By Ben Carey

Audley Harrison has hit out at the fans who jeered him throughout his dull 10-round spectacle against Brazilian George Arias at Manchester’s M.E.N Arena on Saturday. Despite clinching a comfortable 98-92 points win (though many had it much closer), Harrison’s uninspiring performance has led many to write off his lingering chances of capturing a world heavyweight title for good.

Harrison though, who turns 37 next month, remains as defiant as ever and has hit back at the doubters writing on his own official website.

“I sometimes feel there is a conspiracy against me which only strengthens my resolve to succeed,” he began.

Heavyweight Belshaw tops York Hall card

While such instantly recognisable names as Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton continue to pack out arenas around the world, these luminaries of boxing were once just pinpoints of light among a dense field of strivers, all trying to fight their way to the top.

It’s the entry level of boxing that will provide the sport with tomorrow’s headliners and it’s no secret that some of the most competitive bouts in the game take place within this tumultuous tangle of ambition.

The scene in Britain today features a healthy crop of young talent and there is perhaps no one better in the UK at picking the cream of the crop than promoter Frank Maloney, who presents an impressive assemblage of up and coming boxers this weekend as London’s famed York Hall hosts “Stars of the Future” on Saturday night, September 13.

Froch and Hennessy heading to Setanta?

By Ben Carey

If I was a betting man, I’d put my money on Carl Froch’s vacant WBC super-middleweight title clash with Jean Pascal being screened by Setanta Sports as part of a new television deal with Froch’s promoter, Mick Hennessy. There has still been no official word from Hennessy as to when Froch-Pascal will take place but the promoter is hoping to stage the contest in England in November.

Hennessy Sports’ contract with SKY Sports expired in July and the promoter is believed to be close to sealing a new mystery TV deal to televise his stable of fighters, which in addition to Froch, include Junior Witter, John Murray and Darren Barker.

Arthur has himself to blame for world title loss to Cook

By Ben Carey

Edinburgh’s Alex Arthur surrendered his WBO super-featherweight title in his first defence by allowing Dagenham’s Nicky Cook to outwork him over 12 intriguing rather than action-packed rounds in the chief support to Khan-Prescott. There was little to choose between the pair throughout but Cook’s energy, particularly in the early stages, saw him build a comfortable lead which Arthur was never able to peg back despite mounting a more determined late effort.

Though the margin of Cook’s victory, by six and five rounds on two judges scorecards’, seemed harsh on the deposed champion, Arthur’s post-fight claims that biasness from the English ringside judges had cost him his world title were equally wide of the mark. The third judge, Terry O’Connor’s 115-114 verdict, tallied more with my 115-113 scorecard in favour of Cook. Unquestionably, the right man won on the night, but arguably the better fighter didn’t turn up, which is where Arthur should really focus his frustrations.

Jamie Moore European shot postponed yet again

By Ben Carey

Jamie Moore has suffered a devastating blow after European light-middleweight champion Zaurbek Baysangurov pulled out of their showdown in Wigan on September 26. The unbeaten Russian has sent a medical certificate to the European Boxing Union’s office in Rome claiming he is injured and will not be fit enough to defend the title against Moore.

The Salford fighter’s camp are now demanding that the Russian is stripped of the title and the next available contender challenges Moore for the vacant title at the earliest opportunity. Moore’s co-promoter Frank Maloney has protested to the EBU and is confident that Moore will face a new opponent for the vacant European crown in November.

Cuban boxing trio set for Celtic crossing

Ireland’s boxing heroes will arrive home today with Kenny Egan, Paddy Barnes and Darren Sutherland proudly showing off their Olympic wares. However another boxing trio touched down in Ireland this weekend intent on global domination.

Cuban’s Mike Perez, Luis Garcia and Alexei Acosta are 3 former World Junior Champions who spurned a place at the Beijing Olympics in order to concentrate on success in the pro ranks and bringing World titles to their newly adopted home city of Cork.

Former English lightweight king Lawton tops Stoke bill

The new boxing season kicks off at the Kings Hall, Stoke on September 13th when local promoters Impact Boxing host their latest event.

The city’s leading professional, Scott Lawton, will head the bill and will be joined by local welterweights Scott Miller and Jimmy Doherty, heavyweight Alex Ibbs completes the local contingent. Chester boxers Chris Goodwin, Omar Gumati and Paul Economides make up the remainder of the remainder of the seven fight card.

Hyland brothers on the winning trail again

By Jonny Stapleton

On the same night Amir Khan’s career suffered a powerful and detrimental blow, Tallaght’s brotherly boxing champions Edward, Patrick and Paulie Hyland all recorded impressive victories at the City West hotel in Dublin at the weekend.

The local pugilists came through their latest tests with victories over John Gicharu, Emile Tiedt and Christian Nicolae and Father and show promoter Paddy Hyland was delighted with the outcome. “It was a great show and a good night of boxing and we are over the moon to come away with three wins once again. The lads all done well against testing opponents,” began Paddy Hyland.

Peters doesn’t the keys to title gateway

By Jonny Stapleton

Paddy Hyland has dismissed claims he is to employ the services of boxing promoter Brian Peters to ensure title shots for any of the Hyland fighters.

Golden Cobra coach Hyland, who is himself a promoter, manages and coaches his three sons Edward, Patrick and Paulie has been quoted as saying he would consider employing the services of Brian Peters, the man who has helped Bernard Dunne become such a boxing success, to help Patrick secure a European title shot.

Prescott brutally exposes Khan’s lack of punch resistance

By Ben Carey

Amir Khan’s fragile chin and inexplicable tactics contributed to his sensational 54 second loss to power punching Colombian Breidis Prescott at Manchester’s M.E.N Arena on Saturday night.

Promoter Frank Warren, who afterwards insisted that the costly decision to put Khan in with a regarded puncher must ultimately rest on his shoulders, will this week sort through the wreckage of Khan’s first defeat and plan a re-building programme to restore the former amateur star’s shattered confidence and reputation.

Quite how Warren manages this, given Khan’s worrying lack of punch resistance, remains to be seen, but the promoter has already announced that Khan will return to the ring on December 6.

Arthur-Cook world title clash should be fight of the night in Manchester

By Ben Carey

Alex Arthur will defend his WBO super-featherweight title against Nicky Cook at Manchester’s M.E.N Arena tonight and aim to prove that he truly belongs in world class company. The all British clash promises to be the fight of the night.

Arthur’s proposed marquee showdown against the supremely talented Juan Guzman in May was shelved after Guzman elected to move up to lightweight. The Scot was subsequently upgraded from interim championship status to official champion by the WBO. Arthur, 26-1 (19), hasn’t fought since narrowly outpointing Stephen Foster Jr last December when he had to climb off the floor after being heavily dropped by a right hand from Foster in the eleventh round.

Prizefighter 2 Heavyweight Draw made

The draw for the Prizefighter Heavyweights 2 tournament has been made with a host of intriguing fights due to take place next Friday at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.

Sam Sexton, the youngest man in the competition, will be involved in the first contest of the night against veteran Pele Reid. Home hope David Ferguson will be next up and the crowd at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle will be hoping he defeats Derbyshire’s Luke Simpkin. Chris Burton, tipped as joint favourite by the bookmakers, faces rank outsider David Ingleby, while the last first round match sees Lee Swaby up against Darren Morgan.

The event, will be held on September 12 and four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final will be held in one action-packed night, with each contest lasting a maximum of three rounds.

Munroe retains European title / Fewkes pays the price

By Ben Carey

Rendall Munroe withstood a determined challenge from French-based Armenian Arsen Martirosyan to make a successful second defence of his European super-bantamweight title in Nottingham on Friday night. The busier Munroe eventually emerged victorious following twelve, action-packed rounds to clinch a unanimous points win (115-113, 117-112 and 115-114) on the judges’ scorecards.

An upset looked on the cards in the early stages as the shorter Martirosyan came out swinging and rocked Munroe with a left hook which stunned the Leicester southpaw inside the opening 30 seconds. Martirosyan’s fast start forced a surprised Munroe into his shell who was forced to rely on mostly pitter-blows to keep his challenger at bay in the early stages.

Khan ventures into the unknown

By Ben Carey

Those who doubt Amir Khan’s punch resistance following the knockdowns he has suffered against Craig Watson (amateurs), Willie Limmond and Michael Gomez, are not prepared to discount the chances of the raw but apparently dangerous Breidis Prescott when the unknown Colombian takes on Khan inside Manchester’s M.E.N Arena tomorrow night.

The WBO inter-continental title is at stake, but more critically are Khan’s world title aspirations and promoter Frank Warren’s considerable investment in Bolton’s Olympic silver medalist. This contest is the first of Khan’s new multi-fight deal with broadcaster SKY who have gambled, along with Warren, on Khan’s thrill-seeking style persuading a minimum of 250,000 subscribers to fork out a hefty £14.99 for them to justify airing Khan on SKY Box Office. Khan doesn’t come cheap, for anyone.

Fewkes fails to make the weight for English title clash

By Ben Carey

Undefeated prospect John Fewkes failed to make the 9st 9lbs lightweight limit for his vacant English title shot against Martin Gethin at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham this evening after coming in at 1 pound, 3 ounces over at yesterday’s weigh-in.

The bout will proceed but should Fewkes win the fight, he cannot take possession of the English title. Gethin made the weight handily at 9 stone 8 pounds and 10 ounces and can claim the domestic crown should he defeat Fewkes.

Fewkes has British champion Murray in his sights

Sheffield’s John Fewkes sees opponent Martin Gethin as a stepping stone in his quest for a crack at British lightweight champion John Murray.

Fewkes (17-0) meets his Walsall rival for the vacant English lightweight title at Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden leisure centre tomorrow (Fri) night when someone’s ‘O’ has to go. Gethin (14-0-1) scored an upset two months ago when he stopped Nadeem Siddique in seven rounds.

“Gethin is very game and comes to have a fight, but he will need a lot more. I believe I have the tools to defeat any of the British lightweights out there and I’m out to prove that,” claimed the 23-year-old Fewkes.

Hyland brothers seeking to entice top British opposition into the ring

By Jonny Stapleton

The Hyland brothers return to the ring at the City West Hotel in Dublin this weekend and are being hailed as the “Untouchables”. But unlike Al Capone in the famous film, the Tallaght trio are confident they will live up to the name and won’t fall foul to their respective Elliot Ness’s.

John Gicharu, Sandi Kizito and Geoffrey Munica are the Kenyan trio planning the demise of Patrick, Paulie and Edward respectively but father, manager and coach Paddy Hyland claims that despite facing stern tests he is confident the local brothers will emerge victorious on Saturday night.