Undercard Round-up: ‘Hot Stuff’ blown out by tricky Facey

By Dean Moston 

It was double disaster for the Maloney stable as English Light Middleweight Champion Andrew Facey ripped up the plot and derailed the ‘Hot Stuff’ movie, handing Woolcombe a surprisingly one-sided beating to retain his title in five rounds.

All Ingle fighters should come with obligatory hazard warning triangles and Facey, the slippery Sheffield technician, proved no exception to the rule. He completely dominated from the opening round and kept it at range in the classic Ingle style – head up like he was looking over a fence and bowling punches from tricky angles starting from the waist.

Munyai has ‘Too Much’ Power for Martin

By Dean Moston 

What was billed as ‘Payback or Playback’ turned out to be a repeat of last June’s title fight for both men – but it was definitely a case of ‘fast-forward’ this time round. In a charged encounter, Commonwealth Bantamweight Champion Tshifhiwa Munyai and Martin Power picked up business where they had left off in their previous encounter, meeting head on from the opening bell.

Hatton on BBC

News taken from the BBC Website has informed us that the BBC intend to show the highlighted version of Ricky Hatton’s IBF World Light Welterweight fight against previous champion Juan Urango.

Whilst the programme starts at 10 minutes past midnight on Sunday evening (29 Jan 07), it is nonetheless a major piece of news that the BBC are wanting to yet again showcase professional boxing, and with Ricky Hatton being one of this countries biggest sporting stars, this news may lead to speculation that the BBC maybe willing to dabble into showing boxing ”live” in the future?? ukboxingpress.co.uk will wait in anticipation for future developements!!   

Harrison no show results in extended suspension

By Sam Doleman

Scott Harrison failed to appear in front of a British boxing board of control tribunal yesterday. Just last month the troubled Scotsman promised fans a ring return was imminent, but this latest discrepancy will further fuel rumours that the former WBO champion’s career may be hanging by the thinnest of threads.

As yet there has been no response from team Harrison, but the BBOFC’s general secretary Simon Block released this press circular yesterday:

“Despite confirmation from the office of his Manager Barry Hughes, Boxer Harrison failed to appear before a Tribunal of the Stewards scheduled to take place at the Board’s offices this afternoon.

“Accordingly his licence will remain suspended and he will not be permitted to take part in any boxing contest within the Board’s jurisdiction until such time as the Stewards permit him to do so, if appropriate, following an appearance before them.”

Audley gatecrashes world top 15

Audley Harrison’s trouncing of Danny Williams in December has inched him closer to a world title shot. The WBO list Harrison at no.12 in their latest rankings. A-FORCE’s domestic rival and likely future opponent, Matt Skelton, is rated at 10. First, Harrison must despose of Reading’s Michael Sprott next month.

Click the link below to discover where the rest of Brits are ranked by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO.

Munyai worried about the weather more than Power

Robert Macleod, trainer of Commonwealth Bantamweight Champion Tshifhiwa Munyai, sits in a quiet corner of a small pub near the Elephant and Castle in London where the pair await Munyai’s second title defence.

Just hours earlier they had flown in from South Africa and were feeling the effects of the climate change as they prepare for their forthcoming clash with British Champion Martin Power

“We got on the plane in a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and when we got off here is was 2 degrees,” Macleod began. “The weather is big problem. It took 15 minutes of skipping to get Tshifhiwa warm enough to start sweating when we trained earlier.

“The weather really scares me; Power doesn’t,” he said referring to the much anticipated rematch.

Maloney delivers petulant Power Munyai rematch

By Ben Carey

Martin Power will hope that a good rest and ample preparation time will see him exact revenge on Tshifhiwa Munyai when he challenges the South African for the Commonwealth bantamweight title in Dagenham on Friday night. The British champion hasn’t fought since being handed the first defeat of his career, a ninth round stoppage at the hands of the then unknown Munyai in June.

Despite successfully defending his British title only 30 days prior with an eighth round stoppage of Isaac Ward, Power agreed to fill the void when David Haye pulled out of his European cruiserweight title defence against Ismael Abdoul due to injury. Sadly, the St Pancras based Power got more than he bargained for.

“I wasn’t happy about it to be honest as I’d only just fought but Frank (Maloney) said if I didn’t top the bill then he’d lose the TV date with Sky so it was either take a 12 round fight or not fight at all so I accepted it,” began Power to www.irish-boxing.com back in July.

Jones must deliver a Milan mauling to lift EBU belt

By Sam Doleman

Image by Chris Royle

Liverpool’s former British and Commonwealth light-middleweight champion, Michael ‘The Destiny’ Jones 24-2 (10), will challenge tough Italian veteran Michele ‘Gentleman’ Piccirillo 46-3-0 (1 no contest) (29), for the European light-middleweight title tomorrow night. The fight is part of a co-production between Italian promoter Salvateore Cherici, and Matchroom Sport’s Barry Hearn. The promotion will take place at the Palalido boxing venue, in the European capital of fashion, Milan.

Thrilling Rematch On Tap For Munyai – Power 2

In these times when fighters, managers and promoters are so careful about matchmaking, a thriller is in store when Martin ˜Too Much” Power, 19-1 (8 KO’s), goes head to head with Tshifhiwa “The Atomic Spider” Munyai, 12-0-1 (7 KO’s), his sole conqueror to date, at Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham on Friday.

Gary Woolcombe on target for English Title

By Dean Moston

It could be a big year on the domestic scene for Sidcup’s Gary ‘Hot Stuff’ Woolcombe. Ahead of his English Light Middleweight title fight against Wolverhampton’s Andrew Facey on Friday, I caught up with him at The Lord Clyde public house in New Cross, home of Maloney’s Fight Factory and a welcome landmark in a treeless and windswept South London environment.

Gary, the 24 year-old Southern Area champ, is upstairs in a remarkably tiny gym warming up for another session in preparation for his first push of 2007. After nine weeks of training, he looks as ready as he’s going to be for what this fight and the year ahead may have in store for him.

Witter stops the Mexican who wasn’t there

By Suzanne Nield

Anticipation was keen – we were going to see what the mature, WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter would have to say to a tough, forward-coming Latin who wouldn’t take a ‘rattlesnake’ for an answer.

(You don’t know what a ‘rattlesnake’ is? It’s right here in Mr Ingle’s book of magic charms – ‘delayed countering tactic in which the rear glove shakes rapidly up and down before striking at the hypnotised prey’.)

Anyway, that’s the fight Junior prepared for, but it wasn’t the fight he got.

Morrison dethrones Daws

By Suzanne Nield

Those at ringside agreed that this was the most difficult outcome to predict on the bill at the Ally Pally on Saturday night. Both fighters had fourteen matches on their records, Lenny unbeaten but Barry having unexpectedly dropped a points decision to Mihaita Mutu over eight rounds last April. This was Lenny’s first defence of the British light-welterweight title he won in a vacant title clash with southpaw Nigel Wright back in May, in a very impressive performance. After a slow start Lenny had dominated to win a wide points decision.

Morrison was going in with a higher knockout percentage on his record, but both boxers have shown themselves to be genuine battlers who give it their all, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

Theophane books British title shot

By Suzanne Nield

Suzanne Nield reports extensively on Saturday’s Witter-Morua undercard which featured important wins for Ashley Theophane, John Murray, Esham Pickering and Matthew Thirlwell amongst others.

Hatton disappoints on Vegas debut

By Ben Carey

Ricky Hatton may have regained the IBF light-welterweight title with a lopsided points win over the limited Juan Urango on Saturday night, but this was the only consolation for Manchester’s favourite son, as he once again failed to justify his star billing in front of an increasingly sceptical US audience.

All three judges’ scorecards tallied 119-109, this writer gave Hatton every round – at face value an impressive night’s work from the challenger in dethroning the previously undefeated Colombian champion. However at best Urango was a paper champion, and those who had witnessed his controversial IBF title winning triumph over Naoufel Ben Rabah would argue a wholly undeserving champion to boot.

Slow, predictable, inexperienced and sorely lacking in imagination, Urango was tailor made for Hatton to shine as he sought to restore his reputation following his bumpy ride against Luis Collazo seven months prior. But although ‘The Hitman’ did enough to secure a comfortable victory, the 42nd of his career, he looked a shadow of the rampaging pit bull who had savaged former division lynchpin Kostya Tszyu 18 months previously.

Hatton can sweep up caretaker champion Urango

By Oliver Fennell

It’s common for Manchester fight fans to chant “Who are ya? Who are ya?” at foreign boxers who enter the ring against one of their own.

This is meant to deflate the visitor’s ego rather than proclaim his lack of profile. The chant was used against Kostya Tzsyu, who was one of the sport’s best known figures at the time he met Manchester ’s most famous son Ricky Hatton.

Of course, nobody in the MEN Arena that night could have claimed to be ignorant about the status of the mighty Australian who strode to the squared circle to face Hatton, surrounded by 22,000 hostile faces and voices.

But the chant will be more than appropriate when Hatton laces up on Saturday night to meet Juan Urango of Colombia in Las Vegas .

Witter targeting Corrales and Castillo

By Martin Williams

“I’ve always known how good I am. This title is my reward for the dedication and the ups and down boxing brings, and what life throws at you – this is enough for me.” JUNIOR WITTER

When Junior Witter steps into the ring against unknown quantity Arturo Morua (24-7-1) on Saturday, he promises to forget the talk and do what he does best – win at all costs.

Making the first defence of the WBC light-welterweight belt he snared with a decisive points win against DeMarcus Corley in September, the Bradford switch-hitter plans to entertain the Alexandra Palace crowd, but not at the expense of victory.

He doesn’t know too much about his opponent, and was a little truculent with his opinions on Morua, but we’ll put that down to focus and preparation.

“I know he’s Mexican, and that he’s a guy,” said the 32 year-old “Hitter”.

“He has a come-forward style and a decent record, fast hands and a decent chin. I have a DVD I plan to watch in the coming days.”

Hennessy Sports kick off 2007 @ Ally Pally

On September 15th 2006 Sky Sports kicked off their coverage of this latest boxing season with a Hennessy Sports event at the Alexandra Palace headlined by Junior Witter in a challenge for the prestigious WBC light welterweight championship.

This Saturday, their coverage of boxing in 2007 begins with another Hennessy Sports promotion at the historic venue.

Fittingly, Witter returns to the scene of his under-rated triumph over DeMarcus Corley to make the ‘First Defence’ of the title he claimed by dominating the former world champion.

He meets Mexico’s Arturo Morua in the headline fight of the UK portion of a Sky Sports Pay Per View Event that also features his long-term rival Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

2007 Prospect watch – John O’Donnell

By Ben Carey

When considering Hennessy Sports’ leading prospects, the spotlight will usually centre on John Murray and Darren Barker. But in welterweight John O’Donnell, Mick Hennessy has a real gem within his ranks. Brought along quietly, normally located deep on the undercards of stablemates Carl Froch, Lenny Daws and Lee Meager, a terrific end to 2006 singled O’Donnell out as one of the country’s outstanding talents.

Considering his amateur pedigree at junior level – two-time ABA champion, gold medalist at the Junior Olympics and Four Nations tournament, its perplexing as to why O’Donnell’s progress since turning pro has gone largely unnoticed.

2007 Prospect Watch – Anthony Small

By Ben Carey

Flash, brash Anthony Small has captured the imagination of the regular London small hall punters with his flamboyant hands-down, high-risk style. Walking to the ring wearing a Scream mask, it’s difficult not to take note of the cocky Deptford slickster, and he hasn’t disappointed in reeling off 15-straight wins since making his debut in May 2004.

Dazzling his opponents by delivering his punches from seemingly impossible angles, Small’s blinding hand speed and developing power has accounted for ten of his victims inside schedule, including five of his last six. Last time out, Small destroyed Kevin Phelan in the opening round, a fine result when considering the plucky Geordie had ran David Walker close a couple of years previously.

Witter: time is running out on Hatton

Bradford’s Junior Witter, who made history in September by becoming the first ever Brit to win a WBC world championship at 140lb, believes the clock may be ticking on an all-domestic marquee affair against Ricky Hatton.

Whilst the 32-year-old has a raft of options ahead of him as the holder of the most prestigious belt in the division, he has admitted that long-term rival Hatton is still on his radar as ‘an itch he wants to scratch.’

The pair are already scheduled to headline on the same Sky Box Office Pay Per View Event on January 20th, but on different promotions.

Witter tops the bill on a Hennessy Sports show at the Alexandra Palace in the ‘First Defence’ of his title against tough Mexican Arturo Morua before coverage switches to Vegas, where Hatton takes on Juan Urango for his old IBF crown.

Latest English title news

Date changes for John O’Donnell vs Stuart Elwell and Billy Corcoran vs Sean Hughes. Click the link for more details and for news in the cruiserweight, light-heavyweight and super-featherweight divisions.

Latest British title news

British title action returns to Norwich. Click the link to read the details and for news in the heavyweight, cruiserweight, light-heavyweight, light-welterweight, lightweight and super-bantamweight divisions.

Warren receives British Boxing Board rap

Following a complaint by manager Jess Harding against promoter Frank Warren, the British Boxing Board of Control has fined Warren £7,500 + £2,500 costs at an emergency meeting held yesterday by the Southern Area Council.

The exact nature of Harding’s complaint is not known (Harding, just for a change, refused to return our calls) but falls under Regulation 24.

Harding, long-time manager of featherweight Nicky Cook, expressed his exasperation when his charge missed out on a December WBO title shot when the troubled Scott Harrison elected to relinquish his crown following his much publicised out-of-the-ring problems.

In addition, Harding was reportedly aghast when Cook went on to sign what is believed to be a six-fight deal with the lure of a future world title shot with Warren’s Sports Network organization.

In other news, British heavyweight title challenger Micky Steeds has had his contract terminated with manager John Rooney after issuing a complaint. Rooney raised eyebrows last year when claiming that Steeds was in the running to be a comeback opponent for former world champion Riddick Bowe.

Finally, footballer turned boxer Curtis Woodhouse is to remain under suspension under his Community Service Order has been completed.

The Witter Palace

By Suzanne Nield

On the same pay-per-view event as Ricky Hatton’s IBF title challenge to Juan Urango on January 20th, our very own WBC light-welter champ Junior Witter takes on Mexico’s Arturo Morua at London’s Alexandra Palace in his first title defence. The last time an Ingle boy met a Mexican under the spotlights things didn’t go too well, and the humiliating defeat of Naz at the hands of Barrera is being bandied about the chat rooms as though there’s a chance something like it could happen again.

No way. And let me tell you why.

It’s true that The Hitter’s style has the eccentric Ingle stamp, which makes him something of an acquired taste. Junior has a sort of barbed feline playfulness. When he befuddled DeMarcus Corley to win his present title, we were entertained with a bit of swashbuckling, some naughty snappy jabs like a towel flicked in a locker room, and a half-minute game of musical statues. Witter eluded the Washington southpaw’s jabs with ease, picking his shots and landing terrific right hooks in the middle rounds, effortlessly keeping the action ring-centre despite Corley’s attempts to drive him. Corley, smug from mixing it with royalty like Pretty Boy and Cotto, was confused, lost badly on points, and shuffled off mumbling something about hometown decisions. He now works as a stepping stone and designer of quality menswear.

Power Lays Revenge Plan For Munyai

Spurred on to avenge his only career loss at the hands of South Africa’s “Atomic Spider”, Martin Power has pushed himself to the brink in a bid to topple reigning Commonwealth Bantamweight supremo Tshifhiwa Munyai on Friday, January 26 at the Goresbrook LC in Dagenham, England.
The London based Power already has the British title belt in his trophy cabinet but the setback at the hands of magnificently tall African in July of last year has consumed the St. Pancras man and stoked his competitive fire like no other contest in his 20 bout career.

“Munyai is a freak of nature, he can’t be far off from six feet tall, and at eight stone six (118 lb) he’s amazingly difficult to fight,” seethed Power. “He’s so tall and just totally outboxes his opponents; that’s why he’s given good fighters over here problems but I’m on to him now and he’s in for a big surprise. For me, this is less about the Commonwealth title than a personal thing.”

Jones relishing Italian job

By Ben Carey

Image by Chris Royle

Michael Jones insists that he can accomplish the improbable and bring the European light-middleweight crown back to Liverpool when he challenges Italy’s Michele Piccirillo in Milan on January 25 – a bill which also features Brixton’s Ted Bami’s first defence of his European light-welterweight title against another Italian in Gianluca Branco.

Up against two world-class opponents in hostile away territory the Britons will, literally, have to register stoppages in order to return home with the belts. It can be done. Nigel Benn, Carl Thompson and Jason Cook have accomplished such feats in Italy within the last 15 years. However, don’t bet on Bami and Jones adding to this list. But try saying that to their faces.

“While people were having their Christmas dinners I was in the gym. This is what it’s all about, it’s my job and part and parcel of what I have to do,” reasoned Jones, who has also embarked on regular six-mile hill runs in preparation for his mountainous task.

2007 Prospect watch – Darren McDermott

By Ben Carey

At 28 Darren McDermott might not be an obvious choice as one of Britain’s better prospects, but anyone who has seen the Dudley slugger in action would agree that he could emerge as the dark horse on the domestic middleweight scene.

McDermott didn’t turn pro until he was 24, but after serving a three-and-a-half year apprenticeship, is closing in on a British title shot following a run of impressive performances. Next month, he faces a British title eliminator against Leeds’ Darren Rhodes, a fighter destroyed in the opening round by McDermott’s Midlands rival and reigning English champion, Wayne Elcock. It is a contest that many expect McDermott to win, and win well.

Maloney’s Stable Hard At Work At The Fitness Academy

Frank Maloney’s Fitness Academy is a training facility for his ever-growing stable of boxers. Based in Deptford, South East London, it has been home to many well established boxers over the years and is renowned for cultivating talent.

Upon entering the intimate gym, there is one poster in particular that catches the eye. It shows Maloney, his face red with anger, doing some serious finger wagging in the direction of WBC president Jose Sulaiman after Lennox Lewis’ controversial draw with Evander Holyfield in 1999. “His bark is worse then his bite,” laughs head trainer Alan Smith.

Team Haye Clarify Maccarinelli Situation

Press release by Team Haye

With regards to the British super fight between David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli, Team Haye would like to confirm that at no time did they made any extra demands or try to move the goalposts for the fight that all of Britain wanted to see.

From the commencement of negotiations, this fight was always a one fight deal when Team Haye offered Enzo Maccarinelli a “one off” fight on Sky television in April against David Haye.

Ricky Hatton Shakes Off Arm Injury Suffered In Training

Ricky Hatton has overcome an arm injury during training sessions for his January 20 Las Vegas debut and continues preparing for his HBO/SKY televised showdown with IBF Light Welterweight Champion Juan Urango.

“Ricky lost four sessions of sparring because he damaged his arm,” said father/manager Ray Hatton.”It’s not ideal but we got through it because of Ricky going into the gym so early. His fitness is bang on and we thought instead of taking any chances we’d have a week off from punching and sparring.

“He just did his second spar session yesterday and it looks like we’re on the other side of the injury now. We lost anywhere from 12 to 18 rounds of sparring but it can’t be helped. This is boxing, it’s a physical sport and you’ve just got to get on with it.”

Despite the setback, the Hatton camp is taking things in stride. “Ricky has learned to live with this sort of thing, and it never plays on his mind, because the minute you start doing that, you start looking for every ache and pain you get,” said Ray. “We’ve had all these problems before; you don’t go through 41 fights without having bumps along the way.

“This isn’t ideal but I can look back and say that the only preparation that went absolutely perfect for Ricky was when he fought Kostya Tszyu. We’re very confident going into the Urango fight. I don’t think Urango has been in with anyone who punches as hard as Ricky and I think it will be interesting to see what happens when he gets a few back. We know that this is going to be a great TV fight and we’re really looking forward to fighting Urango.”

2007 Prospect watch – Darren Barker

By Ben Carey

Both physically and mentally 2007 promises to be a tremendously testing year in the career of Darren Barker. The former Commonwealth Games gold medallist has decided that his future lies firmly in the middleweight division having previously set his sights on championship honours at light-middle. But undoubtedly Darren’s greatest challenge will be coming to the terms with the loss of his brother Gary, a fine amateur prospect, who was tragically killed in a car accident in December.

Harrison set for Sprott Euro challenge

By Ben Carey

Having being thwarted in his attempts to entice British champion Scott Gammer into defending his title against him, and with Matt Skelton still recovering from a hand injury, Audley Harrison is expected to turn his attention to Reading’s Michael Sprott when he returns to the ring at the Wembley Arena on Feb 17. According to the EBU’s official site, the clash will be for Sprott’s EU heavyweight crown (the sister title, not to be confused with the proper European title).

Takaloo-Jennings clash resurrected

By Ben Carey

Takaloo’s WBU welterweight title defence against Michael Jennings is back on. The pair were originally scheduled to meet at the Bolton Arena in September until a hand injury sidelined the Margate-based Iranian.

However, promoter Frank Warren will resurrect this crossroads match-up to take place on the undercard of Joe Calzaghe’s latest world title outing against Peter Manfredo at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on April 7 – a bill that is also expected to feature the mouthwatering duel between cruiserweights Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye.

Takaloo rebounded from his devastating knockout loss to Wayne Alexander by dropping down to welterweight and outfoxing Eamonn Magee by split decision in a turgid affair to claim the WBU strap in May but hasn’t fought since.

2006 promised to be a big year for Michael Jennings but the likeable Chorley man lost his British welterweight title in his second defence to Young Mutley on a controversial (but fair, in my opinion) split decision a year ago. It remains the only blemish on Jennings’ 30-fight record. He returned in September, impressively halting Rastislav Kovac in three rounds despite dealing with the disappointment of Takaloo’s late withdrawal.

2007 prospect watch – Nathan Cleverly

By Ben Carey

Any fighter singled out for praise by Joe Calzaghe and Barry McGuigan is worth monitoring. Talented teenager Nathan Cleverly has been tipped as Wales’ next big boxing star following in the footsteps of Calzaghe, and more recently Enzo Maccarinelli.

And it’s a case of Cleverly by name, Cleverly by nature. In addition to plying his trade in the ring, the Welsh wonderkid is also busy preparing for his long-term future away from boxing by studying Mathematics at Cardiff University.

Team Hatton Prepare To Leave Manchester For Las Vegas

Ricky Hatton and his team, consisting of manager Ray Hatton, trainer Billy Graham, strength coach Kerry Kayes and agent Paul Speak, are making preparations to move their camp from the grim northern environs of Manchester, England to sunny Las Vegas, scheduled to take place on the 7th of this month.

On January 20 at Las Vegas’ Paris Hotel, Hatton will challenge dangerous Colombian puncher Juan Urango for the IBF Light Welter title, a belt “The Hitman” took off Kostya Tszyu in June 2005, only to relinquish it less than a year later in order to challenge and subsequently defeat WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo.

Hatton knows this is the riskiest fight of his 41 bout career and has been taking no chances, sparring a succession of strong southpaws in trainer Billy Graham’s Phoenix Camp gym in Manchester and carefully controlling his weight under the watchful eye of Kerry Kayes.
Upon arrival in Las Vegas, the Ring Magazine Light Welterweight Champion will continue to spar tough opposition.

Lenny Daws: Heir Apparent

Morden¹s Lenny Daws has the opportunity to demonstrate that he is the
Next big thing in his division when he appears on the Sky Box Office Pay Per
View Event on 20th January alongside two current marquee light welterweight operators from Britain.

The 28-year-old defends his 140lb British Title against mandatory
Contender Barry Morrison in the chief support contest of the UK leg of the
broadcast being promoted by Hennessy Sports at the Alexandra Palace.

Who should step up in 2007 – and who should step down

By Oliver Fennell

Two perennial bugbears of boxing fans come at opposite ends of the career scale. On the one hand, we are continually calling for certain up-and-comers to prove themselves against a higher level of opposition. Then at the same time, there will always be a legion of old pugs who no longer have anything to prove and who we wish would grow old gracefully instead of plodding on in a young man’s game. So, with the turn of the new year, we select five fighters who we’d like to see step up in 2007 – and five who should step down.

Power Training Hard For Munyai Rematch

On a cold and foggy East End morning, British Bantamweight Champion Martin Power was busy preparing for his rematch against Commonwealth Champion Tshifhiwa Munyai on Friday, January 26 at the Goresbrook LC in Dagenham, England.

Having been stopped by Munyai earlier this year after the lanky South African stepped in at the last minute to replace the injured Ian Napa, Power has been sparring with larger opponents such as Ashley Theophane, Robin Deakin and Jamie Radford in an attempt to nullify his opponent’s size advantage.

“I would have liked to fight Lee Haskins for a defence of the British title, but the only two people my promoter Frank Maloney could get me were Ian Napa or Munyai,” said Power from his London gym. “I didn’t beat him but I feel like I can do a lot better against Munyai. I got more to prove against Munyai then I have with Napa.”

Woolcombe and Magee Added To “Payback Or Playback”

Frank Maloney has added two solid supporting bouts to the hotly anticipated Commonwealth Bantamweight title rematch between reigning champion Tshifhiwa Munyai and British titleist Martin Power at Goresbrook LC in Dagenham, England on Friday 26 January.

The promoter announced that Welling’s Gary “Hot Stuff” Woolcombe will meet dangerous Sheffield spoiler Andrew Facey for the English Light Middleweight title and popular Irishman Brian Magee takes on Andrew Lowe of London’s East End in a final eliminator for the British Light Heavyweight title.

Hatton On Weight For Urango Showdown

With less than a month to go before his IBF title clash with Juan Urango in Las Vegas, Ricky Hatton is just eight and a half pounds above the light welter 140 lb weight limit.

“Ricky officially weighed in at ten stone eight and a half pounds (148.5 lb) last week,” said father/manager Ray Hatton. “He’s well in front of schedule from what he normally is a month away from a fight. Ricky is out to prove a point as a lot of people said that they didn’t think he’d make the ten stone (140 lb) limit. He’s actually busted his weight schedule wide open.”