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.