Thaxton: The best is yet to come

Jonathan Thaxton makes the first defence of his British Lightweight Title on the March 16 Hennessy Sports show insisting that the best chapter of his comeback story is still yet to come.

Thaxton faces Stoke’s Scott Lawton (20-2-1) in front of his home fans at the Norfolk Showground after his unanimous points win over fellow Hennessy Sports boxer Lee Meager in Dagenham in December.

The 32-year-old shrugged off a nasty cut eye to lift the domestic crown and complete an unlikely return to the top of the British scene after a shoulder injury suffered in a car accident forced him to announce his retirement in 2002.

Danny Williams: The Brixton Bomber’s Last Stand

Hammer fisted heavyweight Danny Williams is less than three years removed from his spectacular knockout of Mike Tyson but the ex-British and Commonwealth champion now finds himself at a crossroads, awaiting what could be the last major bout of his career when the Londoner clashes with reigning British champion Scott Gammer this Friday, March 2 at the Sports Centre in Neath, Wales.

Returning from bitter defeats during his last two outings against hated rivals Matt Skelton and Audley Harrison, the intimidating Williams is putting everything he has into this last crack at top level and like a cornered 265 lb alley cat, the “Brixton Bomber” aims to attack Gammer with every ounce of his being.

O’Donnell: Britain’s most avoided

Hennessy Sports promoted John O’Donnell faces Stuart Elwell for the vacant English welterweight title at the Nottingham Arena on March 23rd, glad that someone has at last agreed to box him.

A series of experienced fighters have turned down the chance to face O’Donnell, who is becoming arguably the most avoided boxer in Britain.

O’Donnell, who has only just turned 21, has a growing army of admirers. He had a stellar junior amateur career, claiming Olympic gold and two ABA titles, and has racked up 14 wins as a professional with his slick southpaw style and machine gun combinations.

Gammer bids to end Williams’ career – big fight preview

By Oliver Fennell

The British heavyweight merry-go-round continues on Friday night as national champion Scott Gammer defends against Danny Williams in Neath.

The tussle for the top spot in the domestic rankings has been something of a revolving door, with Williams, Matt Skelton and Audley Harrison continually chopping and changing over the past 15 months. Michael Sprott launched his own leadership bid with his surprise knockout of Harrison two weeks ago.

While all this has been going on, Gammer acquired Lonsdale honours as a virtually unknown champion. Williams, Skelton and Harrison were arguing over the Commonwealth strap, and Sprott was campaigning on the Continent, meaning Gammer had very meagre pickings from which to build his own reputation.

Tommy Farr musical set to open

A musical about Welsh heavyweight title challenger Tommy Farr is set to open in Swansea this April.

Composer Mal Pope has based ‘Contender’ on the life of the heavyweight from the Rhondda, who fought world champion Joe Louis in 1937, at the Yankee Stadium. Entertainer Mike Doyle is set to play as Farr, and singer Peter Karrie will play his mentor, Joby Churchill.

The UK Contender – The Pop Idol of Boxing?

By Suzanne Nield

Metroradio Arena, Newcastle, Friday 30 March

When the Contender first aired in the US, it inspired some strong emotions among fight fans. For some, it deserved to be ‘taken out in back of the shed and clubbed to death, with extreme prejudice’ (Jason Probst, maxboxing.com). Others hailed it as the second coming for a beleaguered sport.

Personally, I don’t think boxing’s ready to expire anytime soon. Even without the rest of us, there are 100 million Mexicans standing between it and the brink. And I had some sympathy for the purists who thought a marriage of the sweet science and reality TV would spawn an abomination fit only for wrestling fans.

Froch: O’Donnell is Britain’s best

Hennessy Sports promoted John O’Donnell, who fights for the English welterweight championship on March 23rd, has been described as the outstanding rising talent in Britain by British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch.

O’Donnell, 21, faces Stuart Elwell (9-0) for the vacant belt on the Hennessy Sports ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event at the Nottingham Arena as chief support to Froch’s 12 round international super-middleweight contest against highly ranked Russian Sergey Tatevosyan.

Napa Challenges For European Title

Frank Maloney Promotions will stage Ian Napa’s (13-5) challenge of European bantamweight champion Simone Maludrutto (24-1, 10 KOs) on March 9 in London.

“Ian has lost some big fights that I thought he won,” said Napa’s trainer Brian Lawrence. “But this time he’s had proper notice and Maludrutto will find out that it’s going to be a very hard fight.”

Promoter Frank Maloney sees this contest as the latest in a series of invasions of British soil. “Ian Napa will put a stop to these foreign bantamweights coming over here and leaving with the scalps of our top men,” said Maloney.

British light middleweight champion Jamie Moore (25-3, 18KOs) will also feature on the bill.

Bacon smokes Moran in three-knockdown brawl

By Sam Doleman at ringside

The George Carnell Leisure centre, Manchester, was the venue for a real up-and-down central area Cruiserweight title contest, on a VIP promoted bill this afternoon. Liverpool’s Tony Moran 14-5 (5) was paired with Tasmanian born, now Manchester based, Chris P Bacon 12-2 (5). Both fighters had weighed inside the Cruiserweight limit of 200lbs prior to the contest.

The tall Liverpudlian, Moran, was first to the ring. His height immediately noticeable, as his skinny 6ft 6 frame took position in the blue corner. As Moran was keeping warm, Bacon began his ring walk. His entrance music wasn’t to be ‘eye of the tiger’, neither was it a thudding hip hop classic, instead the crowd cheered as Rolf Harris’ ‘Tie me kangaroo down sport’ bellowed around the arena. A brief reminder of Chris P Bacon’s roots, and also of his sense of humour.

Mitchell to defend Commonwealth crown against Ramogoadi

By Ben Carey

Hot prospect Kevin Mitchell will make the first defence of his Commonwealth super-featherweight title against Coventry based South African Harry Ramogoadi at Liverpool Olympia on March 10.

After a fairly lengthy apprenticeship, the 22-year-old Mitchell stepped up his level of competition in 2006 and earned hard-fought victories over Andrey Isaev (TKO11) and Georgie Ashie (UD), the latter securing him the title he now defends against Ramogoadi. In doing so, Mitchell answered questions about his stamina and heart but raised doubts over his potential to graduate into world class through his inability to avoid being drawn into wars of attrition.

Clinton Woods … Update

Clinton Woods … Update

By Spud Woollatt

Ukboxingpress.co.uk recently caught up with Fight Academy supremo Dennis Hobson to find out the latest news on IBF world light-Heavyweight champion Clinton Woods. 

Woods last fought in September, seeing off mandatory challenger Glencoffe Johnson on a thrilling split decision in Bolton to seal his status as the premier fighter at 175lbs (12st 7lbs).  However, a troublesome elbow injury that required a subsequent operation has meant that Woods has thus far been unable to capitalise on his status with any money-spinning fights. 

Oboh finally set to defend British title against Oakey

By Ben Carey

Appearances in a British ring (or any ring for that matter) by Peter Oboh have become rarer than sightings of Eugene Maloney. But finally, at long last, the London based Nigerian will make the second defence of his British light-heavyweight title against Tony Oakey at the Wembley Arena on April 27. David Haye’s intriguing heavyweight gamble against Tomasz Bonin tops the bill.

By the time Oboh climbs through the ropes against Oakey, it will be a staggering 35 months since he last fought when he stopped Andrew Lowe in the tenth round to retain the British and Commonwealth titles in May 2004. Despite being stripped of his Commonwealth crown (now the property of Dean Francis) the British Boxing Board of Control have taken pity on Oboh, and recognised that the awkward slugger is a fighter no one in Britain is prepared to face.

Froch to face Tatevosyan

Carl Froch hopes that defeating Russia’s Sergey Tatevosyan on the Hennessy Sports ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event on March 23rd will help him secure a world title shot by the end of the year.

The unbeaten British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion, (20-0, 16 knock-outs), will face Tatevosyan in a 12-round international fight at championship weight in front of his home fans at the Nottingham Arena, live on Sky Sports.

Froch, 29, is ranked third by the WBC and fifth by the IBF and WBO world governing bodies and hopes beating Tatevosyan will help earn him a final eliminator for a world title.

Haye set for heavyweight ‘teaser’ against Bonin

WBC cruiserweight mandatory challenger David Haye will venture into the heavyweight division on April 27 when he meets Poland’s WBC no.12 ranked heavy Tomasz Bonin in a 12-round non-title affair. The heavyweight bout will take place at London’s Wembley Arena and will act as a stopgap ahead of Haye’s impending WBC world title attempt at cruiserweight.

The 33-year-old Bonin boasts an impressive 37-1 (20 KO’s) record and has been a professional since February 2001. After suffering his first and only pro defeat in June 2004, Bonin has enjoyed an 11-bout winning streak. He meets Haye in the form of his life.

Pickering set for Norwich showdown against Callaghan

Esham Pickering claims winning back the British Super Bantamweight Title by defeating Marc Callaghan at the Norwich Showground on March 16 will be the first step back towards world title contention.

The Newark boxer (30-5) faces Barking’s Marc Callaghan (19-10-1) for the vacant belt as co-feature on ‘The Showdowns At The Showground’ event being shown live on Sky Sports.

British lightweight champion Jonathan Thaxton defends his recently won title against Scott Lawton on the same Hennessy Sports bill.

Froch to face International Opponent

Press release and image courtesy of Hennessy Sports

Tickets have gone on sale for the Hennessy Sports promoted ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event at the Nottingham Arena on Friday March 23rd featuring British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch.

The local hero will feature in a 12 round International championship weight contest to be shown live on Sky Sports against a highly ranked opponent to be announced shortly.

“I had hoped to make another defence of my British Title by knocking out Robin Reid,” said the unbeaten Froch yesterday. “As a former world champion that would have been a good scalp on my record, but he’s bottled it so I will be looking to build on my International experience.

Hatton lands marquee showdown against Mexican hardman

By Ben Carey

Approaching two years and three fights on since defeating former 140lb division lynchpin Kostya Tszyu, Ricky Hatton has finally landed a fight of magnitude when he takes on hardened Mexican Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas on June 23. Having relinquished the IBF light-welterweight crown he recently acquired from Juan Urango rather than face mandatory challenger Lovemore Ndou, Hatton’s lame pursuit for belts rather than for recognition appears to be refreshingly over (though Hatton & Castillo will contest the IBO bauble, but so what?).

Though a former WBC world lightweight champion, arguably Castillo doesn’t quite warrant his “Mexican legend” tag. His record of 55-7-1 (47) contains some notable wins down at 135lbs against, controversially, Diego Corrales in their rematch, and also includes victories over Joel Casamayor, Julio Diaz and Stevie Johnston.

Stunning Sprott leaves Audley’s career in tatters

By Oliver Fennell

The old maxim that any heavyweight can knock out any other heavyweight if given the chance was proven correct on Saturday night as Michael Sprott made a mockery of 5-1 odds against him to render Audley Harrison unconscious with a single, devastating left hook.

If that maxim is indeed true, what separates winners from losers is the ability to prevent the other heavyweight from landing his best shot. Harrison inexplicably gave Sprott such an opportunity, and one moment was all it took to not only end the fight, but quite possible Audley’s career, too.

Khan cruises to 1st round win: Undercard review

By Oliver Fennell

Frank Warren’s Wembley bill once again featured a packed undercard that typified his “quantity over quality” philosophy.

The biggest attraction was, naturally, Amir Khan, who entered the ring to a rousing ovation for his 11th pro fight, but left it to boos following one of the more pointless exercises of his short career.

Having travelled the 10-round distance last time out, Khan wanted a knockout this time.

So did his fans, but even they felt short-changed when opponent Mohammed Medjadji could not even see out one minute with the Bolton phenom.

Brave Earl rescued for his own good

By Oliver Fennell

Michael Katsidis goes by the ring name of “Rocky”, but it was Graham Earl who epitomised the celluloid legend with his astonishing display of bravery in defeat on Saturday night.

Katsidis-Earl always threatened to steal the show from the heavyweight main eventers at Wembley, and so it was, even with Michael Sprott’s dramatics.

Australian Katsidis came to Britain with a puncher’s reputation, with a huge knockout ratio (19 of 21 victims dispatched early in an unbeaten career), but he hadn’t been in with anybody of Earl’s ability or experience.

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Suspect chin ultimately proves to be Audley’s downfall

Comment by Editor Ben Carey

Audley Harrison has vowed to pick himself up, dust himself down and carry on with his career following his devastating loss to Michael Sprott. Is there any point?

Harrison’s chin, long considered suspect by his detractors, has ultimately proven to be the fundamental flaw which has cost him his three defeats thus far. Doubts first surfaced when Harrison was buzzed by the feather-fisted Mark Krence, and A-FORCE also seemed stunned by the fleet-footed Matthew Ellis before taking Ellis out in the second round.

Thaxton comes home for Lawton challenge

Jon Thaxton will fight in Norwich for the first time in eighteen months when he makes the first defence of his British Lightweight Title against Scott Lawton on Friday March 16th live on Sky Sports.

The pair will square off on a Hennessy Sports promotion at the Norfolk Showground, an all-purpose Exhibition and Events Centre that will play host to professional boxing for the very first time.

“I’m coming home,” said the 32-year-old Thaxton. “It’s been a long time since I boxed in Norwich, so I’m really excited about it. I don’t mind boxing away – sometimes it takes you out of that comfort zone – but it’s always good to come back.

Nuumbembe snatches Anderson’s Commonwealth crown

By Ben Carey

A grandstand finish by Glossop-based Namibian Ali Nuumbembe saw him dethrone Commonwealth welterweight champion Kevin Anderson in Fife this evening via split decision following twelve engaging rounds.

Judges Victor Loughlin (a Scot, how refreshing) and Howard Foster favoured Nuumbembe by 116-114 and 116-112 respectively, whilst Terry O’Connor’s scorecard tallied 115-114 for Anderson. For the record, UKBP couldn’t split this well-matched pair, scoring the bout a draw.

Lynes lands crack at British light-welterweight crown

Newly crowned British light-welterweight champion Barry Morrison will make the first defence of his title against Colin Lynes following his upset points victory over Lenny Daws in a pulsating battle last month. For additional British title news in the heavyweight, light-heavyweight, light-middleweight and flyweight divisions, click the link below.

Audley & Sprott clash for English title

As well as contesting the spurious EU heavyweight crown tomorrow night, Audley Harrison and Michael Sprott will also battle it out for the vacant English title. For the rest of the English title news in the cruiserweight, light-heavyweight, light-welterweight, super-featherweight and featherweight divisions, click the link below.

Ali looks to silence the Scots

By Sam Doleman

Ali ‘The Silent Assassin’ Nuumbembe, 16-2-1 (6), challenges Scotland’s Commonwealth welterweight champion Kevin ‘Ando’ Anderson 18-0 (11), at the Kirkcaldy Ice rink, Fife, on Friday night. The fight, promoted by Barry Hearn’s Matchroom Sport will mark Anderson’s third defence of the Commonwealth title he won by the slimmest of margins over the distance against Joshua Okine back in September 2005.

Nuumbembe’s story is like no other in British boxing. He was raised in his home of Namibia in the midst of a ferocious guerrilla war during which Ali and his family lived in constant fear. Soldiers would enter the school Ali attended to beat information from fearful students, whilst a curfew resulted in nobody being able to walk the streets beyond six in the evening. The culmination of years of war torn hardship resulted in Namibia’s independence, but it also left many broken families and painful memories for the people of Namibia.

‘A-FORCE’ to be reckoned with?

by Suzanne Nield

The first British boxer to take an Olympic gold in 32 years. A heavyweight pro record reading 21-2 with 16 kayos. Last bout, a third round defeat of Danny Williams, the Brixton Bomber, conqueror of Tyson.

At a time when the heavyweight division in this country is so weak that the technically deficient Matt Skelton is taken seriously, the British Public might be expected to make a hero of a man matching this description.

But things aren’t quite so simple.

Anderson in third Commonwealth defence

Press release and image courtesy of MatchroomSport.com

UNBEATEN Scotsman Kevin Anderson will be aiming to hold on to his Commonwealth Welterweight crown in front of his home fans against Namibia’s Ali Nuumbembe.

Anderson, 23, has won each of his 18 professional bouts and will be hoping to extend that record, as well as hold on to his belt, against the highly-rated Nuumbembe. This will be Anderson’s (pictured right) third defence of the title that he won in September 2005 when he beat Ghana’s Joshua Okine before successfully defeating Scot Craig Dickson and England’s Young Muttley.

Devastating Francis salvages his career

by Ben Carey

Dean Francis required only 1 minute and 47 seconds to relieve Ovill McKenzie of his Commonwealth light-heavyweight crown amid jubilant scenes inside Bristol’s Marriott Hotel on Friday night. It was a performance reminiscent of the Francis of old, the swashbuckling, heavy-handed marauder who was expected to gatecrash the upper echelons of the world super-middleweight scene over a decade ago.

With question marks still lingering over his ability to consistently throw his right hand following a long-standing shoulder injury which has ransacked his career, Francis was up against a man who hadn’t lost in three years, who had never been stopped, and who possessed a confident pre-fight swagger.
McKenzie’s 13-6 slate was unflattering, but he entered the ring on the back of a winning run of eight, and as a champion having trounced English champion Peter Haymer in two rounds to claim the vacant Commonwealth strap in September.

Gunpowder, Treason and Losing the Plot

By Suzanne Nield

Lawks, but John Fewkes has a sparkle about him. And self-crowned prospect Craig Watson was well and truly betrayed by his crew when they let him take this fight, although I gather it was his idea. Maybe he shouldn’t have been dreaming about revenge on Amir Khan at the time…

Watson looked soft about the middle, which was a gift to Wicked John. He nursed that right hand like some sort of a vicious pet, only letting it fly when it could take a chunk out of Watson’s wind and self-confidence. The rest of the time the Sheffield lad was grinning evilly and tickling Craig’s nose with his left, only to trip lightly away when the enraged Watson finally pressed an attack.

Sorry Scotland – It Wasn’t Burns’ Night

By Suzanne Nield

It would be hard to imagine a more complete and devastating answer to any argument that Carl Johanneson couldn’t go the distance, than his spectacular victory over Ricky Burns on Friday.

The champion hammered home a unanimous points decision with a single-minded drive that was little short of awesome.

This against a mandatory opponent who may have left his subtlety at home, but who came armed with an endurance that three trips to the canvas did nothing to erode. Ricky Burns lost clearly, lost every round on my card, but won the grateful respect of the audience for battling all the way and giving them a British title fight to remember.

Sinclair returns, Belshaw’s big hopes

Former World title challenger and undefeated British welterweight champion Neil Sinclair is another quality addition to the March 25th card. The Belfast man is widely recognised as one of the hardest punchers pound for pound in Europe with 23 of his 28 wins coming via knockout. After an excellent amateur career which included Commonwealth Gold and a Bronze medal at the World Junior championships “Sinky” turned pro in 1995.

In December of 2000 he took on WBO welterweight champion, Daniel Santos in Sheffield but his World title bid ended in brave defeat having floored the champion in the opening round. Within a year of that defeat Sinclair had bounced back to win the British title and he successfully defended it three times to win a prestigious Lonsdale belt outright.

Last time out Sinclair made his U.S. debut headlining an ESPN card that was televised live coast to coast in the U.S. Now back in Belfast Sinclair is hoping for a busy 2007 and has his sights set on a European title.

Macklin & McKay set for all Irish showdown

An All Irish middleweight showdown could steal the show at the Point on March 25th when Matthew Macklin and Jason McKay clash for the Irish title.

It will be Macklin’s first outing since his fight of the decade candidate with Jamie Moore in Manchester last year.

Their September showdown for Moore’s British light middleweight title ended in brave defeat for Macklin after an enthralling back and forth war which fight fans will remember for a long time to come.

Macklin is adamant that the defeat can ultimately be the making of his career. The Birmingham based Irishman said, “I know I fought the wrong fight against Jamie Moore but I’ve taken a lot of lessons from the experience. That was the difference between us on the night, Jamie just had that little bit more experience but other than that there was nothing to choose between us.

“People forget that I’m still only 24 so I’ll come back a better, smarter fighter because of that defeat. I’ve seen McKay and he’s a good fighter but I’m more determined than ever to go all the way in this sport and I won’t let McKay stand in my way.”

Dunne set for first defence

Following on from his historic European title success at the Point last November Bernard Dunne will return to the venue for the first defence of his belt on Sunday, March 25th.

Over 7,000 fans packed into a sold out Point last time out while over half a million watched live on RTÉ TWO as Dunne lifted the European title after a boxing masterclass against Esham Pickering.

Now Bernard wants to cement his position as the best in Europe and is willing to take on all comers for his beloved belt. First in the queue is Yersin Jailauov a 29-year-old from Kazakhstan who will arrive in Dublin next month determined to relieve Dunne of his prized possession.

The undefeated Dubliner though is determined to ensure that Jailauov will return to Kazakhstan empty handed. “This belt’s going nowhere,” said Dunne.

“It looks very nice on my mantelpiece and that’s where it will be staying. I’ve worked all my life to become European Champion and I really want to make my mark at this level before we go after the World title.”

Warren & Leonard spearhead UK vs USA Contender battle

By Sam Doleman

The UK and the USA will compete for the first Sugar Ray Leonard cup on March 30 at the Newcastle Metro Arena. Seven of Frank Warren’s Sports network stable will go to battle with seven former contender contestants.

In a UK first, Barry McGuigan will lead a team consisting of Wayne Alexander, 24-3, Anthony Small, 15-0, Ross Minter 16-1-1, Martin Concepcion, 11-3, Paul Smith, 18-0, Paul Buchanan, 8-0-1 and Nigel Wright, 17-2. In the opposite corner Sugar ray Leonard will lead a team of former US reality TV stars, set to include Alfonso Gomez, 15-3-2, Walter “Two Guns” Wright, 13-2, Grady Brewer, 22-11, Jerson Ravelo, 17-2, Freddy Curiel, 16-6, Cornelius “K9″ Bunderage, 25-2, and Miguel Espino, 13-2-1.

Francis aims to be head and shoulders above McKenzie

By Oliver Fennell

The name Bethany Hamilton means little outside of surfing circles, but most people will at least be familiar with her story.

She was the 13-year-old American surfer who had an arm bitten off by a shark while competing in Hawaii in 2003, and then spurned self-pity and inner demons by getting back in the water just 10 weeks later.

The story of the attack alone made international news, and her return to competitive surfing as an amputee was a tale of human triumph the likes of which is rarely seen outside of the most far-fetched Hollywood fables. Bethany has since won a national schools championship and, at almost 17, is eyeing a professional career.

It just goes to show how, with enough resolve, even such a dramatic setback as the loss of arm need not spell the end of your title ambitions in certain sports.

But what about in boxing?

That’s a question Dean Francis seeks to answer in Bristol on Friday as he bids for Ovill McKenzie’s Commonwealth light heavyweight championship.

Burns challenges Johanneson in his own back yard

By Suzanne Nield

Carl ‘Ingemar’ Johanneson makes his second defence of the British Super Featherweight belt in his hometown of Leeds this Friday.

Although born in Yorkshire, Johanneson’s early pro career was in the States, and he didn’t make an impact here until he took the WBF title well inside the distance from Newark’s Carl Greaves with some powerful body work three years ago. Andrew Ferrans was subsequently battered in six. However, the Leeds man lost momentum after this promising start when Russian Leva Kirakosayan took him out in the first round. Although this was staged as a non-title bout, Carl was stripped of his WBF crown.

However, respected trainer Rick Manners stepped on board after that fight, and linked up with the Ingle family to work Johanneson’s corner and co-promote. Together, they have arguably reinvented Johanneson, with help from chief fitness coach for Leeds United, Dean Ridele. Manners says that Carl took the Kirakosayan fight for the money and wasn’t in shape, but that since then he has dedicated himself to his sport and built a solid platform to reap benefits.