Hunter eases back: Undercard review

By Oliver Fennell

Hartlepool’s recent world title challenger Michael Hunter returned from his emphatic IBF defeat to Steve Molitor by thrashing – or should that be threshing – Ghanaian trialhorse Ben Odamattey over eight rounds at featherweight.

It was Hunter’s first fight at the weight. He claims he had immense difficulty making super bantam, where he reigned at British, European and Commonwealth level before his unsuccessful assault on world honours.

Bami retains in untidy brawl

By Oliver Fennell

Many people who have gotten back with an ex-girlfriend will know the feeling: you think things will be better second time around, but more often than not they end up worse.

Ted Bami’s rematch with Guiseppe Lauri had that feel about it. Having outpointed the veteran Italian for the vacant European 10st belt six months ago, Bami reckoned their second go would bring him happiness and fulfilment.

O’Donnell: Minter is not worthy

Britain’s most avoided fighter John O’Donnell believes that he should be in the shakedown for the British welterweight title this summer.

The standout 21-year-old confirmed his credentials with an impressive win over fellow undefeated puncher Stuart Elwell last Friday to claim the English championship on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event at the Nottingham Arena.

Boxing Board lead tributes to the late Ron Olver

Press release courtesy of the British Boxing Board Of Control

The Trustees and Members of the Grants Committee of the British Boxing Board of Control Charitable Trust extend to the family of the late Ron Olver their most sincere sympathies at his passing.

Ron’s service to the sport of boxing over so many years took many forms. He was Assistant Editor of the trade newspaper “Boxing News”, served on the Commonwealth Boxing Council as a representative for New Zealand Boxing, provided in his “Old Timers Column” a central point for news concerning all the Ex-Boxers’ Associations and in his role as a member of the Grants Committee of the Board’s Benevolent Fund, later incorporated into the British Boxing Board of Control Charitable Trust, Ron did valuable work providing much needed support where needed most to those who had been involved in boxing and required assistance. Despite diminishing health in recent years he maintained his enthusiasm until the very end and boxing has lost a very good friend.

Not a big man in stature, Ron was a big man in his beloved sport, and to all those who knew him.

Everyone at UKboxingpress.co.uk sends their sincerest condolences to Ron’s family and friends. He will be sadly missed.

Hunter ready to rule at featherweight

FORMER European Super-Bantamweight Champion Michael Hunter believes he is stronger than ever before after moving up to Featherweight. In November, his world title dream ended when he suffered a crushing fifth round knockout against Canadian Steve Molitor with the Vacant IBF Super-Bantamweight belt on the line.

However, Hunter returns to action on Friday when he fights dangerous Ghanaian Ben Odamattey in an eight-round contest on the undercard of Matchroom Sport’s next boxing show. The bout takes place at the K2 Crawley Leisure Centre, West Sussex and will see Hunter compete at Featherweight after repeatedly struggle to make the weight at Super-Bantamweight.

Bami Set For Rematch With Tough Italian

TED Bami will make the first defence of his European Light-Welterweight Championship on Friday in Matchroom Sport’s next boxing show. Bami, 29, clinched the title with a unanimous points victory against Italian Giuseppe Lauri in September and the two fighters will again go head-to-head in a rematch at the K2 Crawley Leisure Centre, West Sussex.

Another Italian, Gianluca Branco, had been scheduled to fight Bami but he withdrew from the contest to give Lauri a chance to gain some quick revenge.

Bami has won 21 of his 23 professional contests and after each success celebrates with a trademark somersault while Lauri’s defeat in September was only his fifth in nearly 50 contests. The venue in West Sussex will hold about 1,750 people and it should be a sell-out, especially with popular home fighter Ben Jones (Crawley – Super-Featherweight), who has won both of his professional contests, fighting on the undercard.

Peerless – The Sugar Ray Robinson Story

In polls of who is the best “pound for pound” boxer in the history of the sport, one name dominates. In a professional career lasting 25 years Sugar Ray Robinson fought more than 200 times, winning more than half by a knockout on the way to capturing world titles no less than five times.

Born Walker Smith Jnr in 1920, Sugar Ray grew up in Depression-hit America where the boxing ring or gangsterism were the only way out of poverty. Sugar Ray chose the ring, coming under the tutelage of the trainer George Gainford at his Salem Crescent gym in New York and producing an outstanding amateur career of 89 fights with 89 victories.

AMATEUR boxing in North Wales has never looked healthier

By Martin Williams

At the Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele last Friday, fighters from across the region gave the sport another shot in the arm with a knockout evening’s entertainment.

Organised by Happy Faces children’s charity and Dyffryn ABC boxing club, based in Colwyn Bay, guests enjoyed a three-course meal before a series of top-level bouts.

Michael Jennings – “NO More Mr Nice Guy”

Exclusive Interview with Martin Williams

It can be argued that Chorley Welterweight Michael Jennings is the most amiable boxer in Britain. Cordial, polite and relaxed during our interview, he’s the consummate professional, but when the 29 year-old dad-of-one steps into the ring against WBU champ Mehrdud Takaloo (25-5) on April 7, at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, he won’t be quite so engaging.

With just one defeat in 30 – a closely fought battle with the rugged Young Muttley last year, where he relinquished the British title – Michael has every reason to be confident, though he admits the critics and fight fans may think differently.

Froch lays down challenge to Inkin

Carl Froch is a man on a world title mission. Rather than sit back and bask in the glory of his devastating punch perfect win over world operator Sergey Tatevosyan at the weekend, the Nottingham puncher has called on the Russian’s countryman Dennis Inkin to meet him in a final eliminator.

British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Froch, boxing in front of his loyal hometown fans at the Nottingham Arena, became the first ever to stop Tatevosyan after flooring him with a spectacular right hook in the second round. Tatevosyan beat the count, but was rescued shortly after whilst under a barrage of punches from the merciless ‘Cobra’.

Hunter returns against Ghanaian champ

By Ben Carey

Michael Hunter will begin life as a featherweight with an eight round assignment against familiar African trialhorse Ben Odamattey in Crawley on Friday night. Ted Bami’s rematch with Giuseppe Lauri, first revealed on this site, for the European light-welterweight crown tops the Matchroom bill. The all-action Hunter hasn’t fought since he was outclassed by Canadian slickster Steve Molitor in five rounds in a failed bid for the vacant IBF super-bantamweight title in November.

Edwards Earns World Ranking

British title hopeful, Chris Edwards received a boost to his preparations today when he learned that had become the first member of Impact Boxing’s fledgling stable to earn a world ranking. The WBC, one of the leading sanctioning bodies in world boxing, now ranks Edwards at number 38 in the flyweight division.

Matched against former Commonwealth champion Dale Robinson once more at Altrincham Leisure Centre on 13th April, Edwards now has his sights firmly set on becoming the first Potteries fighter to win a Lonsdale Belt since Tommy Harrison in June 1922. Contemplating the biggest fight of his career to date, Edwards has taken leave from work for the first time ever in order to prepare and is now training three times a day.

A Dunne Deal

By Suzanne Nield

From the seriously packed Point Depot, Dublin: tonight Bernard Dunne made his first defence of the EBU Super-Bantam title against Kazakhstan’s Yersin Jailauhov – 8,000 raving Irish fans in attendance!

That was such a performance against Esham Pickering in November when he lifted the European belt, that we expected one terrific show tonight from the unbeaten Dubliner, at 22-0 with 13 kayos. We weren’t disappointed – it was quick, but it was pure showbiz.

In-depth UK vs USA Contender preview

By Suzanne Nield

There are some changes to the show as announced earlier on UKBP – Wayne Alexander was forced to pull out with an injury, and Americans Miguel Angel Espino and Grady Brewer, winner of the 2006 Contender series, are also off the schedule. Their replacements are Colin McNeil, Jonathan Reid and Jesse Brinkley, respectively. (For introductions to the fighters and a discussion of the UK Contender concept see my earlier article here on UKBP).

Bami facing Lauri rematch

By Ben Carey

Ted Bami could be forced to defend his European light-welterweight crown against the man he beat to win it following the withdrawal of Italy’s Gianluca Branco due to injury. This is the second time the clash has been aborted – Bami was originally due to defend against Branco in January in Milan.

According to the EBU’s official website, Bami will now face another Italian in Giuseppe Lauri at the Crawley Leisure Centre on Friday night, but no official confirmation has been made by the show’s promoter Matchroom Sport.

Witter vs Harris heading Stateside?

By Ben Carey

Purse bids for Junior Witter’s WBC light-welterweight title defence against mandatory challenger Vivian Harris have been postponed. The bids, originally due to be opened at the WBC offices in Mexico City on March 20th, will now be opened on Tuesday 10th April.

This decision could fuel speculation that Witter vs Harris could take place in the US this Summer. Former WBA champion Harris has rebuilt his career following his surprise loss to Carlos Maussa with three wins, the latest being a narrow points victory over Juan Lazcano in a WBC title eliminator last month.

O’Donnell does it the hard way but still impresses

By Ben Carey

In the chief support to Froch-Tatevosyan, John O’Donnell won the battle of the unbeaten southpaws to capture the vacant English welterweight title with a hard-fought points victory over Stuart Elwell.

Referee Marcus McDonnell’s 97-94 scorecard in favour of O’Donnell failed to reflect the Hennessy Sports star’s superiority over his willing but ultimately outclassed opponent. With significant height and reach advantages over Elwell, O’Donnell could have made the job much easier but clearly the youngster relishes a scrap.

Sensational Froch destroys Tatevosyan

By Ben Carey

Carl Froch delivered a chilling message to the world’s leading super-middleweights by blowing away Sergey Tatevosyan in just two rounds at the Nottingham Arena tonight. Whilst the 34-year-old Russian southpaw has now lost three of his last four, he had never been stopped before and was still considered to be a fringe world operator who was capable of extending the local favourite.

Young Froch supporters given Golden opportunity

The future good citizens of Nottingham will roar on local favourite Carl Froch tonight when he faces Sergey Tatevosyan in a 12 round international super middleweight contest at the Nottingham Arena, after event sponsors GoldenPalace.com donated 100 tickets to his favourite charity.

Over the last year Froch has become a patron for the ‘Help A Nottinghamshire Child’ scheme at the ‘NCCL Galleries of Justice’ museum, one of the Midland’s leading Tourist Attractions.

Froch-Tatevosyan press conference quotes

Nottingham’s British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch and Russia’s Sergey Tatevosyan came head to head for the first time yesterday ahead of their 12 round showdown at the Nottingham Arena on Friday night.

The pair compete at championship weight in the top of the bill contest on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event that also features the championship for the vacant English welterweight title between Hennessy Sports standout prospect John O’Donnell and fellow unbeaten puncher Stuart Elwell.

Froch-Tatevosyan fight predictions

Carl Froch will hope to move a step closer to a word title shot by seeing off Russian southpaw Sergey Tatevosyan at the Nottingham Arena on Friday night. It’s a potential banana skin for the local favourite who must not only win, but look in doing so to attract the attention of division lynchpins Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler.

Suzanne Nield has previewed tomorrow night’s bill in detail below. Click the link to discover how the rest of the UKBP team think Froch-Tatevosyan will pan out. Do you agree with them?

Edwards and Robinson rematch for British flyweight title

On 13th April Stoke’s Chris Edwards will enter the ring at Altrincham Leisure Centre hoping to repeat his victory over Dale Robinson and in doing so secure for himself the British title. Should Edwards prevail he will become the first Potteries based boxer to win a British title since Tommy Harrison won the British bantamweight title by defeating Jim Higgins in June 1922. Incidentally, Harrison also won the British Empire title that day also.

When Edwards stopped Robinson in the 8th round last November to lift the vacant English title it was hailed as one of the biggest shocks of 2006. Robinson had never been stopped previously and had only suffered a reversal in 2 of his 22 contests to that date. Edwards, on the other hand, can still only boast 10 wins from 24 bouts.

O’Donnell: I’ve had a few sleepless nights

John O’Donnell admits he has had sleepless nights ahead of his next fight on Friday at the Nottingham Arena, but not at the thought of challenging for his first professional title.

The welterweight, regarded as one of the most promising young talents in world boxing, faces fellow unbeaten prospect Stuart Elwell on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event, headlined by Carl Froch’s 12-round International super middleweight fight against Sergey Tatevosyan.

Booth promises to put on a show

Tyan Booth hopes to become the latest star to emerge from the Ingle production line and can take a step towards that goal by winning his first title in Nottingham on Friday.

The Nottingham welterweight contests his first title as a professional against Walsall’s Darren Gethin when he fights for the Midlands Area Welterweight Championship on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com ‘Cobra’s Hood’ event at the Nottingham Arena.

Froch steps up his bid to secure world title shot: big-fight preview

By Suzanne Nield

Ice Arena, Nottingham, 23 March

British and Commonwealth super-middleweight king Carl Froch wants a final eliminator for a world title shot by the end of this year. The clean-living, 29-year-old Nottingham native hopes to meet WBO/IBF champ Calzaghe – although Mikkel Kessler, who faces Librado Andrade in his defence of the unified WBC and WBA title in Copenhagen the following day, is also on his wishlist.

To boost his chances of securing a shot with either the Nottingham native must impress against seasoned Russian Sergey Tatevosyan on Friday night. The 34-year-old Tatevosyan, 26-7 (14), may have entered the latter stages of his career but is more than capable of causing a shock, and is currently ranked at 10 by the IBF.

Rock eyes Summer clash with Duddy

Jim “The Pink Panther” Rock is set to rock the Point in Dublin again – over 11 years after he made his pro debut at the venue!

Rock has stepped in at short notice to fight on the undercard of Bernard Dunne’s first European title defence at the Dockland’s venue this Sunday.

The popular Dubliner was added to the card after both Matthew Macklin and Neil Sinclair were forced to pull out from their scheduled bouts due to injury.

Thaxton signs long-term deal with Hennessy Sports

British Lightweight champion Jon Thaxton is looking forward to bigger things after making the first defence of his domestic title and signing a long-term deal with promoter Mick Hennessy.

Thaxton, 32, thrilled his home fans at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich by stopping Stoke challenger Scott Lawton in the seventh round on Friday in outstanding fashion.

Ross and Keeton in Commonwealth clash tonight

Troy Ross hopes beating John ‘Buster’ Keeton for the vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title tonight will edge him closer to facing the division’s top fighters.

Canadian Ross faces Sheffield’s British champion Keeton, (26-14), at the Montreal Casino on a Hennessy Sports Canada/GYM event, aiming to move his career on to the next level.

Khan earns world top 15 ranking ahead of Bull fight

By Ben Carey

Anyone think that Amir Khan is ready for Michael Katsidis? The WBO obviously do as they list Khan at no.12 in their latest world rankings, despite the Olympic silver medalist failing to beat an opponent of note during his embryonic career to date.

Michael Jennings and Nicky Cook also feature prominently by the world governing body. Click the link below to discover where the rest of Brits are ranked by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO.

Heavyweight Sexton impresses: Norwich undercard wrap-up

By Suzanne Nield

Sam Sexton v Paul King

Sam weighed in a pound heavier at 17 st 10 – although King had the height advantage he wasn’t in the best condition. Sexton started strong with a jab to the body and an overhand right upstairs. King looked very upright and had his head taken back with the jab. Sexton landed a big left to the head and drove to the ropes but King proved surprisingly slippery.

Esham Shines

by Suzanne Nield

Vacant British Super-bantamweight Title Norfolk Showground, Norwich March 16
Esham Pickering v Marc Callaghan

At the outset it looked as though Marc had a good plan for dealing with Esham’s style – he kept a tight defence and pressed in close so the Newark man, who likes a bit of room to look at his best, couldn’t extend his range. But Esham still landed some telling head shots in the first and dominated an early exchange in the second with a strong right to the head followed by an uppercut. Pickering kept his jab busy and deadly accurate as usual, playing around Marc’s head like a hornet. Callaghan was warned for failing to break – the holding threatened to become messy.

Tomorrow, the World – Jono Hands Lawton His First Stoppage Loss

by Suzanne Nield

British Lightweight Championship – Norfolk Showground, Friday 16 March

When Jono entered the ring with that ‘take no prisoners’ glare, the air around him seemed to crackle. It kind of went with the thunder he got from the crowd, although Lawton brought some pretty massive support with him from the Potteries, too.

Thaxton came in with a slight edge in weight at 9st 8lb 7oz over Lawton’s 9st 8lb, but Scott had the height and reach advantage.

Keeton-Hobson rematch heading to Docklands

By Ben Carey

John “Buster” Keeton’s first defence of his British cruiserweight title against former champion Mark Hobson appears to be heading to the ExCeL Arena in London’s Docklands on May 26. This rematch of their June 2006 classic (which Hobson won in the fourth) will be on the undercard to another rematch which will form the top of the bill when heayweights Matt Skelton and Michael Sprott collide.

The bill is also set to feature the British welterweight title eliminator between Colin McNeil and Ross Minter and the pro debut of the highly touted Jamie Cox. Promoter Frank Warren will be announcing more contests in due course.

Former football star Woodhouse returns to the ring

By Ben Carey

Footballer turned boxer turned footballer Curtis Woodhouse will resume his boxing career at the Barnsley Metrodome on a show promoted by David Coldwell’s Koncrete Promotions on April 15.

Woodhouse, who rose to prominence as a teenager with Sheffield United before eventually sliding down the leagues, quit football in the Summer to try his luck in the ring despite having no amateur experience. The Driffield terrier turned pro in September and impressed when dropping Dean Marcoantonio on his way to clinching a four-round points win.

Scots pair set to defend British titles – Latest Championship News

Scots pair Barry Morrison and Kevin Anderson are set to defend their British light-welter and welterweight titles respectively. To find out where, when and who against click the link below. We also bring you the lastest domestic championship news in the light-heavyweight and light-middleweight divisions.

Thaxton comeback story continues

Jon Thaxton defends his British Lightweight Title in front of his home crowd in Norwich on Friday in the latest stage of his comeback after thinking a car accident had ended his career as a boxer.

The Norwich boxer initially retired after a car smash with a lorry in 2002 left him with a shoulder injury considered serious enough then to end a career that had seen him give the likes of Ricky Hatton and Eamonn Magee good fights at British and Commonwealth Title level up at light-welterweight.

Bami to defend, Hunter and Dodson return to action

Press release courtesy of Matchroom Sport

TED Bami will make the first defence of his European Light-Welterweight Championship later this month in Matchroom Sport’s next boxing show.

Bami, 29, clinched the title with a unanimous points victory against Italian Giuseppe Lauri in September and is scheduled to face another fighter from Italy, Gianluca Branco, on March 30 at the K2 Crawley Leisure Centre.

Pickering looks to impress against Callaghan

Esham Pickering intends to win back the British Super-Bantamweight Title at the prestigious Norfolk Showground on Friday night to show he deserves a rematch with either Michael Hunter or Bernard Dunne.

Newark’s former European champion faces Barking challenger Marc Callaghan (19-10-1) for the title on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com ‘The Showdowns @ The Showground’ event being shown live by Sky Sports.

Callaghan hopes his luck will change – big-fight preview

By Suzanne Nield

Vacant British super-bantamweight title: Marc Callaghan v Esham Pickering
Norwich, March 16

Marc Callaghan has had a very rough time over the past few years. He suffered a tragedy in October 2002, with the loss of his brother John, a multiple sclerosis sufferer. Marc was the one to find him after he collapsed. On autopilot for months to follow, the Barking-based fighter dropped consecutive points decisions until he found his feet again with wins over Baz Carey and Steve Gethin.

Marc looked on the road to recovery, but John Simpson proved too tough a proposition, outpointing Callaghan over eight in September 2004. (No-one can doubt, by the way, that Simpson is tough after what he put up with against Dirty Derry Matthews recently. We predicted a win for Matthews on these pages but didn’t we wish we could have been wrong? That decision should have been so much tighter, at least).

Williams offered European heavyweight title shot

By Ben Carey

Danny Williams’ reward for regaining the British heavyweight title by impressively stopping the previously unbeaten Scott Gammer could be a crack at the European title, according to promoter Frank Warren. The Sports Network supremo, writing in his regular ‘Frankly Speaking’ Sunday column, said:

“Now, Danny, who recaptured his British title has been offered a shot at the European heavyweight title, and the talks we’ve had, he is likely to take it. The current champion is Ukranian Vladimir Virchis, who was handed a dubious win over Michael Sprott a couple of years ago – and I believe he is very beatable.”

Underdog Lawton bids for glory

Press release preview courtesy of Impact Boxing’s Keith Chadwick

When Scott Lawton enters the ring in Norwich at around 10 pm on Friday night he will be carrying the hopes and best wishes of the Potteries with him. A victory by Lawton on the evening will represent the biggest sporting victory for the city since Stoke City lifted the League Cup in 1972.

With odds of around 7/1 being quoted on him to win, Lawton will start the contest as the underdog and in champion Jon Thaxton he will be facing a formidable adversary, consequently few in the know will be tipping Lawton to win this one.

Thaxton: ‘Khan isn’t ready’ – Pickering takes first step back

Jon Thaxton has warned Amir Khan that he is a long way from challenging for his British Lightweight Title.

The popular Norwich boxer makes the first defence of the title he won by out-pointing Lee Meager in a gruelling clash last December at the prestigious Norfolk Showground on Friday March 16 live on Sky Sports.

Moore warms up ahead of WBC title eliminator: undercard review

By Ben Carey

Jamie Moore kicked-off the most important year of his career with a routine eight-round points win over Romanian trialhorse Mugurel Sebe. The only way Moore could have come a cropper here would have been if he had fallen asleep chasing his negative opponent around the ring for 24 minutes – Jamie and his wife have a two-week old baby which will no doubt be occupying their attention throughout the night.

Fortunately, Moore suffered no ill-effects after going under the surgeon’s knife to correct an injury to his shoulder following his unforgettable war against Matthew Macklin in September.

Nearly man Napa falls short again

By Ben Carey

A tremendous effort in rounds seven and eight, where he threatened to take control, ultimately proved to be in vain as Ian Napa conceded a unanimous points verdict to European bantamweight champion Simone Maludrottu in Dagenham last night.

After eight rounds the fight was still in the balance. But having expanded a lot of energy in the previous two sessions to battle his way back into contention, Napa wasn’t able to maintain his incredible workrate down the stretch. Maludrottu, a seasoned but unremarkable champion, regained the initiative and made his size and strength advantages count when it mattered.

Lawton happy to enter Lion’s den

Scott Lawton insists champion Jon Thaxton’s home crowd will not intimidate him in his British lightweight title challenge on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com ‘Showdowns @ The Showground’ event in Norwich on Friday 16th March.

The Stoke challenger expects to have a loyal army of over 100 fans down from the Potteries for his first chance at winning the domestic crown.

Sexton sets sights on lifting heavyweight division

Former standout amateur Sam Sexton insists he can be the new face of British heavyweight boxing and give the domestic division a much-needed boost.

The Norwich fighter is in Germany sparring with Richel Hersisia, the Dutchman who was stopped by London’s 2000 Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison in 2004, ahead of his fifth professional fight on the Hennessy Sports and GoldenPalace.com bill at the Norfolk Showground on March 16.

Callaghan confident of continuing momentum

Marc Callaghan challenges Esham Pickering for the vacant British Super-Bantamweight Title on March 16 confident of continuing his career’s recent momentum after recovering from a family tragedy.

Callaghan knows he will be underdog when he climbs into the ring for the co-main event along with Jonathan Thaxton’s British Lightweight Title defence against Scott Lawton at the Norfolk Showground.

Big Fight Weekend Predictions

UKboxingpress have already provided in-depth previews for Ian Napa’s European bantamweight title challenge to Simone Maludrottu and Derry Matthews’ WBU featherweight title defence against John Simpson. Here, a selection of the UKBP team offer their opinions on the likely outcomes. Do you agree?

Will lady luck shine on Napa

By Ben Carey

Ian Napa knows what it feels like to be on the wrong end of a contentious decision after experiencing narrow points losses to Marc Callaghan and Martin Power.

On Friday, the vertically challenged slickster will be hoping for a slice of overdue luck when he challenges Simone Maludrottu for the European bantamweight title – the kind of fortune which Maludrottu profited from when being awarded a disgraceful verdict against Damaen Kelly last year.

Moore eases back following Macklin war

By Ben Carey

Following his epic war with Matthew Macklin in September, Jamie Moore will make his eagerly awaited returned to the ring in a low-key eight-rounder on the undercard of Ian Napa’s European bantamweight title challenge to Simone Maludrottu in Dagenham on Friday night.

After being involved in some bruising battles in recent times, Moore is entitled to a last strenuous night’s work. Opponent Mugurel Sebe looks made to order. The Romanian, boasting an unflattering 10-36-2 slate, has lost eight of his last nine.

Froch: Calzaghe can happen

Carl Froch believes a marquee all-British clash with WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe can happen and hopes his next fight will be good preparation for a possible future showdown with the Welshman.

The British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion can edge closer to earning a world title final eliminator if he beats Russian Sergey Tatevosyan on March 23rd.

Keeton-Hobson clash in doubt

By Ben Carey

John “Buster” Keeton’s first defence of his British cruiserweight title against former champion Mark Hobson seems unlikely to take place next month. Promoter Frank Warren won January’s purse bids to stage the rematch of their June thriller in which Hobson recovered from a second round knockdown to stop Keeton in the fourth at the M.E.N Arena on April 28.

But with Warren still to announce the Manchester bill, and Keeton set to square off against Troy Ross for the vacant Commonwealth crown in Canada on March 19, Keeton vs Hobson would appear to have been placed on the backburner.

Odds-on Matthews should triumph over Simpson – big-fight preview

By Ann-Marie Cartwright

Derry Matthews will fulfil a dream by returning to his home city as a champion when he makes the first defence of his WBU featherweight title against Scotland’s John Simpson at the Liverpool Olympia on Saturday night.

Matthews, 17-0, claimed the title on the undercard of Calzaghe-Bika in October by dethroning the then unbeaten Steven Foster Jnr, dropping Foster in the tenth on his way to registering a landslide points win.

Alexander out of Contender show; line-up announced

Big-punching Wayne Alexander is out of the UK vs USA Contender show at Newcastle’s Metro Arena on March 30. Scottish welterweight Colin McNeil is standing by to replace him. The line-up is almost complete:

Paul Smith v Johnathan Reid
Martin Concepcion v Alfonzo Gomez
Paul Buchanan v Jason Revelo
Nigel Wright v TBA
Ross Minter v Freddie Curiel
Anthony Small v Walter Wright
TBA v TBA (now there’s a surprise)

Contests are scheduled for eight rounds

Rejuvenated Thaxton can see off Lawton’s challenge

By Suzanne Nield

December 8 was one of the high points of 2006 for British boxing. The performance turned in by Jon Thaxton to take the Lonsdale from Lee Meager was superb on every level, a work of art. Exaggerated praise? Not at all.

As I said at the time, it was a real Christmas present for the fans. For the purists, Thaxton showed the fluidity, precision and awareness of a top-class fighter at the height of his abilities. But the guts and glory crowd got their battle too, as Meager took some serious rocking and still kept coming.

Maloney announces Spring show schedule

Frank Maloney Promotions have announced three high level fight cards this spring that will bring compelling bouts to British fight fans in both the London and Manchester areas over the next two months.

The first promotion features sharply skilled bantamweight Ian Napa, who will attempt to land in the world rankings by challenging long reigning European champion Simone Maludrottu at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, London on Friday.

Join the UKBoxingPress Team – Reporters wanted

Impressed by what you’ve been reading on ukboxingpress.co.uk? Do you fancy a challenge? Why not join the UKBP team?

We’re on the lookout for passionate reporters from all over the UK who are interested in attending shows, penning previews, submitting news stories and contributing interesting feature articles.

Since going live in October, ukboxingpress.co.uk have provided a fresh and forthright view of the British Boxing scene. Our talented team are not afraid to state their opinions, write honest and thought provoking copy and are not motivated by securing press credentials alone.

In short, we want to make a difference!

If you would like to join the team and contribute to this exciting venture, please contact Ben Carey in the first instance at benjcarey@yahoo.co.uk.

Experience would help but is by no means essential. Two of our finest reporters, Sam Doleman and Suzanne Nield, had no prior reporting experience before joining the team.

So, don’t just sit there, get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ben Carey
Editor

Bami secures home advantage ahead of Branco challenge

By Ben Carey

Ted Bami will make the first defence of his European light-welterweight title against Gianluca Branco at Crawley’s K2 Leisure Centre on March 30, live on SKY. The pair were originally due to meet in Milan on January 25 on a bill that featured Michael Jones’ brave (but ultimately unsuccessful) bid to win the European light-middleweight title against Michele Piccirillo until a mystery injury forced Bami out.

It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Brixton barber who was a firm underdog to retain his title against the Italian, a former European champion at 10st and two-time world title challenger, who would have been challenging on his home turf.

McDermott continues rebuilding process: Undercard review

By Ben Carey

Photo by Chris Royle

John McDermott got a useful six-round workout with a routine points victory (60-54) over Sheffield journeyman Paul King on the Gammer-Williams undercard last night. It was the Essex heavyweight’s second win a row as he attempts to get his career back on track after being blown away inside a round by Matt Skelton in a failed British title bid in December 2005.

The excess flab that has made McDermott the butt of many internet forum jokes continues to be in the evidence, but “Big Bad” John does possess some noteworthy qualities, albeit at in and around English title level. True, the out-of-shape King was hardly stern opposition but McDermott looked good in cameos.

Williams stops Gammer to regain British heavyweight crown

By Ben Carey
Photo by Chris Royle

Danny Williams salvaged his career at the age of 33 by regaining the British heavyweight title with a ninth round stoppage over champion Scott Gammer in Neath tonight.

Williams was written off by practically everyone after being destroyed by Audley Harrison in three rounds in December, suffering his second successive defeat in the process. But with his career on the line, a refocused Williams shed nearly three stone to tip the scales at a trim 16st 4lbs. How it paid off.

Trim Williams takes everyone by surprise

At the official weigh-in for the most anticipated fight this year in the UK, British heavyweight champion Scott Gammer and former title holder Danny Williams each tipped the scales at career levels as they go into tonight’s contest at the Sports Centre in Neath, Wales, viewable outside the UK as a live internet streaming broadcast on 101knockouts.com

Gammer vows to destroy Williams – live web broadcast details

British Champion Scott Gammer has found a way to turn back every opponent he’s faced thus far in his career but this Friday, March 2, in front of a worldwide internet viewing audience, the powerful Welshman will find himself in a pressure cooker with the most accomplished British heavyweight since Lennox Lewis, Danny “The Brixton Bomber” Williams.

Nothing less than a searing twelve round firefight is expected when Gammer clashes with Williams at the Sports Centre in Neath, Wales but the unbeaten 30 year old puncher will be dealing with the issues of respect and recognition as well the worst intentions of the former world title challenger.

Gammer-Williams predictions

Scott Gammer makes the second defence of his British heavyweight title against Danny Williams tomorrow night. Oliver Fennell has already provided his expert take in an in-depth preview for ukboxingpress.co.uk yesterday.

Here the remainder of the UKBP team cast their opinions. Do you agree with them?