Contents February 23, 2017

16 TITLE OR TRINKET?
Evaluating what it means to be a world champion in 2017

Photos: DAVID SPAGNOLO/MAIN EVENTS & STEPHANIE TRAPP/SHOWTIME

HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS

>> 20 GAVINS BIG CHANCE

30 >> 4 EDITORS LETTER
McDonnell goes for global glory, Contemplating a horrific incident
but a mean Mexican stands in his way
>> 5 GUEST COLUMN
>> 22 MAKING UP FOR MISTAKES Stefy Bull on Gavin McDonnells
Trainer Jorge Rubio does not want to incredible journey to a world title shot
fail with a British fighter once again
>> 12 MR SKY SPORTS BOXING
>> 26 INTO THE WILDER We catch up with Adam Smith
Deontay defends his WBC heavyweight
crown against a late replacement >> 30 SAME OLD PROBLEM?
Broner only squeezes past Granados,
>> 28 BIG LITTLE MEN but promises that he is a changed man
Flyweights Essomba and Harris
headline a televised show >> 33 THE BEAT GOES ON
Roy Jones Jnr, 48, refuses to bow
out, as he batters a fellow veteran
DOWNLOAD OUR APP TODAY >> 40 AMATEURS
For more details visit Ringside at the Irish championships
WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET/APPS
>> 46 60-SECOND INTERVIEW
I DONT GET STARSTRUCK. LENNOX
LEWIS USED TO COME TO MY HOUSE
EVERY DAY FOR A CUP OF TEA
Nathan Weise

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 3

 EDITORS LETTER

The Boxing News Annual 2017

Go to www.boxingnewsonline.net/shop
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE

BOXING ROYALTY: Coming

Watson [left] and
Ballack together
next time
l ITS the final
countdown
to one of the
unlikeliest
heavyweight
blockbusters of
recent years,
as Tony Bellew
Cover photography
LAWRENCE LUSTIG/
steps up to
MATCHROOM challenge David
Haye in contest
that has grabbed
the nations
attention...

l BUT is
it really a
mismatch
masquerading

SCUM as a worthile
contest due to
the incredible
marketing
The attack that Michael Watson was subjected to has sickened the boxing industry machine behind
it? We speak to
both fighters,
ICHAEL WATSON has been The industrys stomach churned furiously as l SCOTT QUIGGS switch examine the
from Joe Gallaghers gym match-up

M
to hell and back before, and the news went viral on Saturday afternoon
on Friday afternoon the shortly after Watson and Ballacks release from to Freddie Roachs was in-depth, and
an interesting one. The give our verdict
journey began all over again. hospital. The all-for-one and one-for-all mentality
move from the point on the result.
In broad daylight of the community has rarely been clearer to see
of view of the fighter
on Friday afternoon in as heartfelt support poured in for Watson. After and Gallagher was
Chingford, a Volkswagen all, his inspirational survival instincts turned him l EVER
an amicable one, and
Golf slammed into the back into a national treasure many years ago. Quiggs inbuilt desire to wondered what
of the car he was sharing I am overwhelmed with all the messages I succeed should ensure Hayes former
with driver and long-term have received and the kindness shown to me and he will get the most out partner in
carer, Lennard Ballack. The I would like to thank everyone for their concern, of his switch to perhaps crime, Adam
former boxer, who almost Watson stated. Lennard and I were involved in a the most revered coach in Booth, really
lost his life as a consequence very frightening, violent situation which came out boxing. thinks of the
Some fighters from heavyweights
of the brain injuries he of the blue in broad daylight in the middle of the
Matt suffered in afternoon. I dont want anyone
head over to America comeback?
Christie with their head in the
Wonder no
his savage
@MattCBoxingNews rematch THE else to have to go through that so
Im asking you to help the police
clouds, but expect Quigg
to knuckle down and give
more, as we talk
Editor with Chris
Eubank,
INDUSTRYS in finding these men and bring
them to justice.
everything to making
sure this relationship
extensively with
one of Britains
jerked forward in his seat. STOMACH Andy Brace, a close friend of works. finest coaches.
Ballack went to investigate,
expecting an apology and CHURNED AS both Watson and Ballack, has
been left heartbroken by the
And that is all that
Roach will ask for 100 l AVAILABLE
explanation about the collision. THE NEWS attack, and has set up a Facebook per cent.
Quigg is no stranger
to download
via iTunes and
Instead he was punched in the
face, and sprayed with a noxious WENT VIRAL page Send a card to Michael
Watson and Lenny Ballack
to the Wildcard Gym,
spending time there
Google Play
substance that also landed in where people can send in cards from February
with Gallagher in the
Watsons hair, as the disabled 51-year-old was and donations, or make an online donation at past, and he will be no 28, 2017, and the
hauled from his seat by another attacker. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michaelwatson. stranger to the incredible print edition is
But Watson got tangled up in the seatbelt, All at Boxing News would also like to extend sparring on offer there. in stores on
and as the vehicle was driven away reportedly their support to Watson and Ballack at this Boxing News wishes all March 2, 2017.
reaching a speed of 50mph he was dragged difficult time, and offer any help we can. involved Quigg, Roach
along the road, his glasses smashed, and the The boxing world will continue to look after its and Gallagher all the
very best.
skin on his back and arms tearing away. By the own, but who knows what will become of those
time the thieves put the brakes on, abandoned who carried out the attack. As Brace himself said,
the apparent carjacking and fled, Watson had if they didnt know who Michael Watson was
travelled 500 yards. Ballack was certain that his before they crashed into him, they most certainly
old friend was dead. will know who he is now.
Thankfully, both survived but are shaken up.
Follow us and keep up to date
Watson remains in a lot of pain, and Ballack still
cannot see out of one eye. @BoxingNewsED BoxingNewsOnline

4 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 GUEST COLUMN
BELIEVING AND ACHIEVING
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE
Gavin McDonnell - the village idiot - has been on an incredible journey
O put in Gavin has this party lifestyle, but
T
perspective, hes always been a genuine boxing
Gavin had fan. Wed be drunk and discussing
about four opponents for Jamie.
amateur fights When Jamie won the European
as a 13-year- title in France in March 2010,
old kid and we were all sat back at the
never did hotel sipping champagne and
any boxing celebrating. We were having banter
since. He was and then Gavin stood up and said,
actually doing If he can do it, I can do it. We
weight training, were like, Sit down, Gavin!
up at about After the fight we didnt see
11-and-a half Jamie for a few weeks as he needed
Stefy stone, and he a rest, but the following week
Bull was known Gavin turned up in the gym with
McDonnells as the village Jamies kit bag and he wanted to
manager idiot. He was give it a go. He didnt know his left
a plasterer by hand from his right hand, he was
trade and hed go out on a Friday bouncing round like Bambi on ice.
night and come back on Saturday We thought, What do we do?
morning. Thats how he lived the Weve got the European champions
life, a bit of a party animal. identical twin wanting to box. But
I became friends with Gavin what these McDonnells have got
in 2009 while I was boxing, I is something Ive very rarely come
was actually Jamie McDonnells across, and its a desire and a will
co-trainer at the time and he used that wont let anything get in the
to fight on my undercards. So I way. Weve got a saying round our
became friends with Gavin through parts: You cant back against a
Jamies boxing and wed have beers McDonnell.
together, go out on lads holidays He got stuck straight in and he
to Ibiza and everything. So Ive seen turned up the next day, and the
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 5
next day after that, and and he
never missed a session. I even used
to spar with him a bit, thinking he
just wanted to get fit, but he was
so persistent. He was 25 years old
with no experience. I didnt think it
would go anywhere. He wouldnt
be denied.
So after six months we were
getting somewhere, his hands were
up, his elbows were tucked in, he
was getting the basics right. We
had to let him have a go. So I sat
down with him and he wanted me
to manage him, and we agreed to
aim for an Area title or something
like that. He just wanted a belt.
Remember, as twins there was
competition. Before he had his
own achievements, Gavin would
be out about town pretending to
be Jamie! All hed ever been was
Jamies twin and he just wanted his
own belt.
When we started, he was
matched accordingly in his first
couple of fights as he was so raw.
But it became very hard as Jamie
was already established and had
been on Sky Sports. Financially it
was hard as people wanted to go to
a show with Jamie on, rather than
INCREDIBLE:
McDonnells
[right] rise from
obscurity is
almost hard to
believe
Gavin, so selling tickets was hard.
There was one time I had to pay
for the opponent and give Gavin
a few hundred quid. It was a real
hard slog.
This kids got to where hes got
with sheer graft and a will to win.
He wont be denied. Hes grafted
and become an elite fighter
winning British and European
titles. Now were here, WBC
championship of the world, legends
of boxing have held this title. What
a story; from trial bouts, and him
pretending to be Jamie, to fighting
for the most prestigious belt in
boxing, in Yorkshire, you couldnt
write this.
His now wife, Sophie, put up
with Gavin while he was being a
Jack the Lad. Shes a massive part
of this, without her Gavin wouldnt
have been on this journey.
This is a story to show any young
fighters with a dream that you
cant be denied and Gavin is a fine
example of how an average Joe can
be something and do something
with their life. If I never do anything
else in boxing, Ill still be a happy
man because of the journey Ive
been on with Gavin.
 Fans, fighters ON TWITTER ON FACEBOOK
@BoxingNewsED www.facebook.com/boxingnewsonline
OPINION and pundits all
have their say

LETTER OF THE WEEK

PRICES DEMONS
TWEETS
@LENNOXLEWIS
Wishing I had a
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE
moment alone with
the idiots that did A FIGHTERS mental state in
this! Glad to hear a boxing ring is his biggest
Michael and his carer strength, and can also be his
will both be okay biggest weakness. We all unfortunately
though! saw David Price mentally fall apart again
Former world against Christian Hammer. Price is clearly
heavyweight
very talented, he has the size and one
champion LENNOX
LEWIS reacts to
assumes he has the fitness too, but in
the news that the hours leading up to a fight, some
Michael Watson was fighters use up huge amounts of nervous
hospitalised after a energy, so by the time they enter the
disgusting attack. ring, they have in effect been six rounds
before taking a punch. David falls into this
@MICHAEL_BUFFER category. Before he considers whether
Hope the scumbags he has any future in the ring, I think he
that attacked Michael
should strongly think about employing
Watson get nailed!
Speedy recovery to
someone to train and strengthen his
Michael - always a mind, so that he does not let his own
gentleman, forever a demons drain him so much. David was
champion! gassed after four rounds, so this simply
Veteran MC MICHAEL cannot be due to a lack of physical fitness,
BUFFER shares the but a lack of mental fitness. Everyone
sentiments of most loves the guy, and itd be great if he gave THE END?
as he hears the awful himself every chance to redeem himself Price [left] must conquer his
news about Watson. mental demons if hes to
for his own sake, before he calls it quits. return to the ring
@ADRIENBRONER
David Gibbs, Bexleyheath
No matter what @
eltigreag youre BACKING BOO BOO
going to always be THERES one guy thats missing out on If he can get back on track, I back Boo Ryan Rowlinson, Ex-pro, Rotherham
my friend and family the boxing fever party at the moment, Boo to clean up the super-welters.
I got your back when and thats Demetrius Andrade. With Alex Springer, Birmingham McGREGOR TALK GETTING OLD
ever bro hell of a big fights being touted left right and THE whole Conor McGregor pro boxing
fight!! centre, Andrades name never seems to TRAINING DREAM TEAM thing is getting very old. I think McGregor
ADRIEN BRONER
get mentioned. Since winning the WBO WELL done to Ricky Hatton, whose is doing all this because he has a huge
shows a classier
side to himself after
super-welterweight title in 2013, his fighter, Zhanat Zhakiyanov, is now a world ego and likes seeing his name in the
defeating Adrian career has stuttered, and hes not made champion. The respect Ricky showed media. In my opinion, he wont step into
Granados. the progress many expected. to his former trainer, Billy Graham, on a boxing ring because he doesnt need
A skillful, silky boxer, Im glad to see Twitter was great. Hatton said that he to he earns millions every year and is
@KINGPETE26 that hes back out again next month learnt from the best, and he loves Billy. the poster boy for UFC, so to box anyone
Feels good to be against Jack Culcay. I hope that this fight What a coaching team those two would would be pointless.
back. Thank you to will kick-start a new chapter in his career. make if they ever teamed up together. Owen Hollifield, Bargoed
my #HB4Life team
Photo: MARK J REBILAS/USA TODAY SPORTS
@DavidAvaBoxer for
a great fight and to
all my fans for the
W E A S K E D. . .
support.
Former world
champion LAMONT
WHO SHOULD MANNY PACQUIAO
PETERSON celebrates FIGHT NEXT?
after outpointing
ALEX GAMBOA That being said, nobody. Enjoy
David Avanesyan for
Pac is left with either Amir Khan retirement.
the secondary WBA
or Jeff Horn. I prefer Khan over
welterweight title.
Horn but Id rather see Manny fight ERWIN ANDRES
Adrien Broner or Paulie Malignaggi Khan would be good for his next
@BRONZEBOMBER
for entertainment reasons. fight. Then hopefully Crawford at
2017 begins with @
the end of this year.
gwgallonegro but it
AARON FRANKLIN
will end with me as a
Terence Crawford without a doubt, DAVE BENNETT
unified champ.
dont know how weve grown Id like to see a Floyd Mayweather
WBC heavyweight
accustomed to accepting guys not vs Manny Pacquiao rematch.
champion DEONTAY
WHOS NEXT? fighting top guys.
WILDER vows to
Pacquiao remains one of ANDREW STEADMAN
unify the division as
the sports biggest VINCE CAUSARIN Winner of Keith Thurman vs Danny
he prepares to defend
talking points Absolutely amazing career. Garcia.
his title against
Gerald Washington.

6 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 ON INSTAGRAM EMAIL POST
boxingnewsonline letters@boxingnewsonline.net Boxing News Letters, 120 Leman St, London, E1 8EU

HEAD-2-HEAD
10 COUNT
THE PANEL
ADRIEN MOVERS & SHAKERS
BRONER
vs George Gigney lists boxings
AMIR best active multi-weight world
KHAN HOW WELL CAN ADRIEN BRONER champions.

Who wins and why? DO AT WELTERWEIGHT? 1. ROMAN GONZALEZ

Nicaraguas first ever four-weight
JAY BABILLA world champion, unbeaten Gonzalez
Khans offence is currently holds the WBC super-
really good; speed, flyweight title.
combos, slight
power and really 2. ANDRE WARD
fast hands. In other Having conquered the super-
words, too much middleweight division, Ward became
output for Broner, a unified light-heavyweight king last
guy with fast hands year when he outpointed Sergey
and good pressure Kovalev.
is a nightmare for
The Problem. Plus Gary Tony Frankie Chris 3. MANNY PACQUIAO
Broner does not Lockett Dodson Gavin McKenna The Filipino icon briefly retired last
possess the power to Top British Former British Former British & Daily Star year, but hes since reclaimed the
stop Khan. trainer champ Cwealth champ correspondent WBO welterweight crown.
Talent-wise, hes Hes got all the Not very well. Not very. Broner
BRODERICK DILLON 4. TIMOTHY BRADLEY
up there with talent in the world Hes in a similar will get some A former super-lightweight and
Khan. Hes too fast the best but Im but he needs to situation to the big fights at the
and throws too welterweight world champion,
not sure hes big change his team. one I was in, hes weight because of Bradley has scalped some talented
many power shots
enough to beat The extra weight too small. It would his profile but he names, Pacquiao (controversially)
in combinations,
Broner just isnt the top boys. might be the be ideal if he would be better at being one of them.
busy enough to Even Granados, a difference for him, could comfortably super-lightweight.
win by points and super-lightweight, too, it could bring make 140lbs. Maidana bullied 5. CANELO ALVAREZ
doesnt bring power looked bigger him on but he him and the The flame-haired Mexican briefly held
up from 140 to 147 the WBC middleweight title though
than him. definitely needs a likes of Garcia,
lbs. I actually think only ever fought at 155lbs for it
change. Thurman and but remains a supreme talent and
Khan would knock Brook would do
Broner out in round monstrous draw.
the same.
5, 6 or 7.
6. TERENCE CRAWFORD
Bud currently rules the super-
TRACEY BURNETT
Broner wins this by
KO in an upset. Hes
WHO ARE THE MOST MEMORABLE lightweight class, having previously
reigned at lightweight, but has his
a superb left hooker
and Khan cannot
BOXING BROTHERS IN HISTORY? sights set on higher divisions also.

get out of the way 7. VASYL LOMACHENKO

of that punch. This Just eight fights into his professional
has potential to be career but already a two-weight world
Gary Tony Frankie Chris champion, this gifted Ukrainian
a classic and Broner
Lockett Dodson Gavin McKenna might just be the most talented boxer
would be down on
the scorecards, but Top British Former British Former British & Daily Star on the planet.
twelve rounds is a trainer champ Cwealth champ correspondent
long time for Khan to Id say the Spinks Micky Ward and The Smith The Klitschko 8. LEO SANTA CRUZ
avoid those hooks. brothers because Dicky Eklund. brothers, certainly brothers because In his last fight, three-weight
champion Santa Cruz gained revenge
you had Leon, They were two in terms of British of how long they
WILLIE MOSS over Carl Frampton in another corker
who was a world ends of the scale, boxing. Their dominated the to redeem his only professional
Broner wins this by heavyweight it was unreal. record of all of heavyweights but
split decision. In my defeat.
champion, and Dicky was a them winning a there are some
opinion youre not
Michael went and decent contender British title wont great ones like 9. CARL FRAMPTON
going to outbox AB,
you have continue did the same. at one point be matched and Spinks, Fullmers, Frampton became Northern Irelands
to pressure him and and Micky went there could be Kamedas. The first ever two-weight world champion
make it a street on to have this world titles to Smith brothers are last year when he toppled Santa Cruz
fight all night. momentous come too. Britains best and at featherweight, though now wants
Khan is a boxer, AB to secure a trilogy fight.
trilogy with Arturo could still be one
will counter him all Gatti. of worlds best
night. 10. JORGE LINARES
too. Hes had his setbacks, but the current
LABATA CASHER lightweight supremo has also won
Khan wins easily.
BRONER HAS ALL THE TALENT BUT world titles at feather and super-
featherweight.

NEEDS TO CHANGE HIS TEAM

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 7
THE WEEK
T R E N D I N G # J E R M A L L C H A R L O / # S CO T T Q U I G G / # B U G L I O N I M AT C H R O O M / # M I C H A E L K AT S I D I S
Photo: GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS
PROSPECT:
Thats Garcia
[right], pictured
here with De La Hoya
GBP SIGN GARCIA
WEDNESDAY February 15, 2017
GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS
announce a multi-fight agreement
with 2016 Olympian Ral Curiel
Garcia, a talented Mexican super-
welterweight who previously won
the 2015 World Series of Boxing.
I am extremely proud and
excited to belong to a company
as important as Golden Boy
Promotions, and by the vote of
confidence given by Oscar De
La Hoya, Eric Gomez and Frank
Espinoza, and I will defend with
all the colors of the company and
with the goal of becoming a world
champion, Garcia says.
This is a very important step in
Photo: STEPHANIE TRAPP/SHOWTIME
MOVING UP:
Charlo is now
operating at
middleweight
8 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net
Deontay Wilders title defence
my personal and boxing life and
I promise that I will go forward with
the help of all, especially my idol
Oscar De La Hoya, and follow in the
footsteps of a great sportsman like
Canelo lvarez.
The 21-year-olds amateur
accomplishments include Gold in the
AIBA World Championships in 2012,
the Gold medal in the 2013 Olympic
Cup Championships in Puerto Rico,
and Gold in Washington, D.Cs
Golden Gloves Tournament in 2013.
His performance in the 2015
World Series of Boxing secured his
spot on Mexicos 2016 Olympic
team, where he competed in the
mens super-lightweight division,
losing in the first round to Chinas Hu
Quianxun.
Whats been going
on in the boxing world
over the last seven days
HERE COMES UGONOH
THURSDAY February 16, 2017
POLISH-BORN heavyweight
contender Izuagbe Ugonoh
pronounces his ambitions as
his crunch clash with Dominic
Breazeale is confirmed.
They meet on the undercard
of WBC heavyweight champion
against Gerald Washington at
Legacy Arena in Birmingham,
Alabama on February 25.
Im looking forward to displaying
my skills and letting the U.S. boxing
fans get a look at what Im bringing
to the heavyweight division,
Photo: RYAN HAFEY/PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS
CHARLO MOVES UP
FRIDAY February 17, 2017
UNDEFEATED champion Jermall
Charlo relinquishes the IBF super-
welterweight title in order to pursue
another world championship in the
middleweight division.
He won the title with a
stoppage victory over Cornelius
Bundrage in September 2015, and
successfully defended it three times.
Tony Harrison and Jarrett
Hurd will battle for the vacant IBF
title on the undercard of Wilder-
Washington.
Ugonoh, who trains alongside WBO
champion Joseph Parker, says.
Dominic Breazeale is a tough
opponent, but he is also the kind of
boxer that will allow me to put on
an entertaining show for the fans in
the arena.
This is my moment and 2017
is my year, Ugonoh said. I want
to challenge myself and show the
world how good I am. I believe the
heavyweight division is wide open
right now, and the top fighters
are going to bring the best out of
me. If I do what Im supposed to
do, I can see myself fighting for a
world championship in the next 18
months.
FEARSOME:
Ugonoh is
unbeaten as a
professional
Ive been thinking about moving
to 160 pounds for a while now,
Charlo says. It was a struggle for
me to make the weight for the last
title fight. Once I captured the title
I defended it immediately, because
I wasnt sure how long I could hold
the weight. I held it an extra year
to fight Austin Trout and Julian
Williams.
I feel there are bigger and
better things for me at 160 where
I can still hold my weight and be
stronger. The idea of being a two-
time world champion is a big goal
for me.
 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
ID LIKE TO THANK JOE FOR EVERYTHING HES DONE
FOR ME HES A TREMENDOUS COACH AND FRIEND
Scott Quigg shows his gratitude to Joe Gallagher, as he joins up with Freddie Roach
Photo: STACEY VERBEEK
LIGHT-HEAVY CLASH:
Barrera [pictured]
will meet Beterbiev
KATSIDIS
TO RETURN
SATURDAY February 18, 2017
FORMER world title challenger
Michael Katsidis will return to
the ring this year when he faces
compatriot Josh King who lost to
Ricky Burns in 2015 at Rumours
International in Katsidis hometown,
Toowoomba in Queensland,
Australia.
The 36-year-old has not fought
since a six-round points win over
Rodynie Rafol in March 2015 in
a fight which came just weeks after
the death of his close friend Brayd
Smith, who had sustained a brain
bleed in a featherweight contest.
Last March, Katsidis was busted
for driving while under the
influence of methamphetamines
and in 2015 he pleaded guilty to
possessing an ice pipe.
Trainer and promoter Brendon
Smith confirms to Boxing News that
Katsidis will feature on the show in
Toowoomba.
Michael was like a big brother
to Brayd and was so good to him
growing up and Josh also later in
Brayds life had sparred and been
in training camp with Brayd in
Thailand, Smith says.
He looks good and I will help as
much as I can for Michael to win
this fight.
However, earlier this week
Katsidis partner, Annika Van Dalen,
was sentenced to nine months in
prison after being found guilty of
six counts of drug trafficking and
one count of possession.
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 9
ARTUR vs
SULLY SET
SUNDAY February 19, 2017
ARTUR BETERBIEV will be in
the most important fight of his
career when he meets Cuban-
born Sullivan Barrera for the
mandatory challenger position for
the IBF light-heayvweight world
title, held by Andre Ward. The
Beterbiev vs Barrera clash will take
place April 21 in Miami, Florida.
GYM, Beterbievs promoters, won
the IBF-ordered purse bid on Feb
2 with a $201,000 bid to $181,000
for Barreras promoter, Main Events.
Due to the 75-25 percentage
advantage going to the highest
ranked fighter, Beterbiev will earn
$188,250 to $62,750 for Barrera.
Ward won the IBF, WBA and
WBO light-heavyweight titles with a
12-round unanimous decision win
over Sergey Kovalev in Las Vegas
last year.
Beterbiev was impressive in
his most recent outing, stopping
Paraguayan slugger Isidro Ranoni
Prieto in the opening round in
December.
Barrera stopped unbeaten
Vyacheslav Shabranskyy inside
seven rounds in his last fight,
having previously been outpointed
by Ward.
Because Sullivan Barrera, the
only top-rated contender to accept
the challenge to face Artur, could
not cross the Canadian border, we
agreed to have this fight take place
in the United States, states Yvon
Michel of GYM Promotions.
QUIGG FRANK TO
LEAVES JOE MATCHROOM
MONDAY February 20, 2017
SCOTT QUIGG joins Hall of Fame
trainer Freddie Roach and will now
train out of his famed Wild Card
Gym in Los Angeles.
The former WBA uper-
bantamweight champion and
current featherweight contender
makes the decision after
consultation with old trainer Joe
Gallagher and both parties agree to
part company on amicable terms.
I have moved up to
featherweight with the goal of
becoming a two-weight world
champion and believe I need a
fresh challenge to help me grow,
states Quigg.
Over the last few weeks Ive
been in America training and Im
delighted to announce I will be
basing myself in Los Angeles at the
Wild Card gym working under the
guidance of Freddie Roach.
This is an opportunity that
I couldnt pass up and I believe this
move and change will take me to
another level.
Id like to thank Joe for
everything he has done for me; he
is a tremendous coach and friend,
which we will remain. Our first fight
together was for the British title
and I went on to become world
champion under his guidance and
for that I will be forever grateful.
I wish Joe and all the lads every
success in the future.
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/LEE SMITH
FRESH START:
Quigg [pictured]
is linking up with
top trainer Roach
TUESDAY February 21, 2017
FRANK BUGLIONI signs a
promotional deal with Matchroom
Boxing, but news that he will
defend his British light-heavyweight
title on March 4 are thrown into
doubt when he reveals he picked
up an injury in sparring.
It is announced that Buglioni
will defend his belt against Ricky
Summers on the David Haye-
Tony Bellew show at the O2
Arena, however Frank swiftly takes
to social media to break news of
an injury.
Very bittersweet day for me!
Delighted to be joining Eddie
Hearn and Matchroom Boxing but
devastatingly suffered an injury in
sparring today, he writes on Twitter.
I am en route to have the best
and fastest treatment possible
and will have more news soon.
I apologise to all parties.
Buglioni won the British title
from Hosea Burton in one of the
best fights in a British ring last year,
on the Joshua-Molina undercard.
Im delighted to welcome Frank
to the team in an exciting time
for the British and world light-
heavyweight division, said Hearn.
Frank is one of the most popular
fighters in London and has a real
TV and fan friendly style that we
of course saw in the Hosea Burton
fight in December in Manchester,
Hearn says.
 Highlighting the best
of the weeks stories
NEWS WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET

HONOURED:
Farrell [third from
left, alongside his
family] proudly
displays his British
Empire Medal

GETTING THERE
Farrells BURGEONING promoter Kieran Farrell a couple of hundred quid, Im not a some of the cheapest for a show in the
is excited about the future after seeing wealthy bloke so I knew I couldnt keep UK. We had 1,300 in last time and 1,600
promotional attendances for his shows grow and grow running shows where Im losing a couple in this time. Every time we do an event
career is over the past few months. of hundred quid, he mused. Thats its getting bigger and when I saw the set
The former English title challenger not why I got my promoters licence, I up the other day, at the Bowlers, it was
progressing who had to retire at age 22 after suffering got it so I dont have to rely on other amazing. It was something else.
well, writes brain damage during a fight with promoters. I took five fights off this Farrell is not just staying in Manchester,
George Gigney Anthony Crolla gained his promoters show and none of them were my kids, though. The 26-year-old has noticed a
licence last year. they were letting me down with tickets. lack of shows in Northern Ireland a
His most recent show (February 10) at If I was putting my lads on another problem he puts down to a lack of
the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, the same promoters show, and tickets werent suitable venues but has scooped up
venue Farrells boxing career ended in, going well, itd be my lads taken off and I several promising fighters in a bid to give
pulled in an impressive crowd. dont want that for them. boxing in certain areas a boost.
Its the biggest Farrell insists he With regards to the future, Ive signed
attendance theyve
had since Ricky
IM NOT WEALTHY, is not promoting to
make money, but
12 lads up in Northern Ireland now, he
said. Ive signed Sean McGlinchey, a
Hatton was there in SO I COULDNT KEEP rather for his love Commonwealth Games bronze medallist,
1999, he told Boxing
News. We had 1,600 LOSING A COUPLE OF of the sport. He
admits he would
hell be making his pro debut on April
22, which isnt my next show but the
in there, its the first
time we had to open
HUNDRED QUID rather promote a
fighter who sells out
one after, in Belfast at the Devenish
Centre. Hes being trained by Glenn
the whole big hall. ON A SHOW Manchester Arena McCrory at his gym in Donegal, the
Usually its fit for and wins a world title Wild Atlantic gym. Ive got Sean Magee,
1,000 and its one side of a big room, but than make plenty of money. who is Eamon Magees nephew, making
this time they opened the middle up. But things are looking up. Attendances his debut. Ive got Dan McShane and
In total, it cost me 9,000 to put on for Farrells shows a vital form of some other lads who have boxed before
the show. My expenses went from 5,000 income, given they are not shown on but havent really been given a chance.
to near enough 10,000 because I had television are steadily growing. Ive also signed Sean Higgins and
more security to pay, more to pay for We started at the Middleton Arena, Dylan Moran, who were both really
l FOR tickets or
info on any of lighting and sound systems. we had 500 there. Then we went to the good amateurs. Ive signed more kids
Kierans events When he first began staging his own Bowlers and we had about 1,000, but a up in Northern Ireland than Ive got in
please contact shows toward the back end of last year, lot were complimentary tickets because Manchester! Ive been contacted by
him directly on things did not get off to a flying start. the night was about getting people to more fighters since. Id like to take over in
07907 056211
or via Twitter I had my second show in September have a look at what I was doing as a Northern Ireland, if Im honest. But were
@kfthepeoplesgym and with that show, I lost money. It was promoter, and even then the tickets were taking it slow at the moment.

10 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

PACQUIAO-KHAN LATEST
Both sides MANNY PACQUIAOS next opponent
comment on will be revealed next week amid reports
that the Filipino superstar will fight
recent reports, former gym mate Amir Khan in May.
writes It had been believed Pacquiao would
fight Australian Jeff Horn next, but
George Gigney a report in The Times claims terms have
been agreed for him to travel to the UK
and fight Khan.
While Pacquiaos promoter, Bob Arum,
has slammed the reports as bulls***,
Pacquiaos adviser, Michael Koncz,
preferred not to dismiss them out of
hand.
ID PREFER NOT
At this time,
Id prefer not to
comment as I dont
want to cause any TO COMMENT AS
more controversy,
so I cant confirm or
I DONT WANT TO
CAUSE ANY MORE
deny anything he
told Boxing News.
Everything about CONTROVERSY
Mannys next fight
will be revealed next week.
However, a source from Khans team
told Boxing News: Nothing to report
from Amirs side or imminent with his
next fight announcement.
The word from Australia is that a
delay in confirming a Pacquiao-Horn
fight is down to finalising a location
either Brisbane or somewhere in the
United Arab Emirates. Given the money
being offered by representatives in the
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 11
UAE, Arum claims Pacquiao is seriously
considering fighting there. Manny even
said so on his official Twitter account,
though he also ran a poll asking his fans
to choose his next opponent. Khan won
the poll, trumping Horn, Kell Brook and
Terence Crawford.
Horn previously revealed that he had
accepted terms and was ready to secure
a fight with Pacquiao, who is hoping to
do a world tour as he winds down his
incredible career.
Khan was chasing a fight with Pacquiao
or Floyd Mayweather
before the two
superstars clashed
in 2015 and last
May finally secured
his dream marquee
clash when he
challenged Canelo
Alvarez for the WBC
middleweight title.
Khan was knocked
out in five rounds and has not fought
since due to undergoing surgery to
remedy a long-standing hand injury.
Talks were held for him to collide
with domestic rival Kell Brook, but they
once again fel through. Instead, Brook
will fight Errol Spence toward the end
of May in the UK. According to The
Times, Pacquiao-Khan is headed for May
20, potentially in Khans home town of
Bolton or at the Manchester Arena.
GUESSING GAMES:
We still dont know who
Pacquiao will fight next
Photo: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK
HEADING EAST
FORMER British and Commonwealth
welterweight champion Frankie
Gavin has parted ways with trainer
Max McCracken and will now train
at Eastside Boxing Club in his
hometown of Birmingham.
The gym is run by Jon Pegg
and Paul Counihan and one of its
most well-known members is Sam
Eggington, who stopped Gavin
inside eight rounds in October.
Gavin confirmed the change in
training team to Boxing News and
explained that the main reason
behind the switch is the extensive
sparring he can get at Eastside with
the various fighters in and around
his weight.
Gavin will next fight in
Birmingham on May 13 with a view
to working his way down to super-
lightweight, having admitted that
he is too small for welterweight.
R.I.P ADRIAN
STRACHAN
FORMER professional middleweight,
Adrian Strachan [pictured below],
sadly passed away on January 26.
The 50-year-old collapsed and died
suddenly while at work. A southpaw
middleweight who was born in
Bromley but lived in Richmond,
Strachan boxed as a pro from 1990-
97, compiling a record of seven
wins (two early) and three defeats.
Everyone at Boxing News would
like to offer their condolences to
Adrians family and friends.
 TOE-TO-TOE
WE DONT
WANT TO GET
COMPLACENT
Matt Christie talks to Skys Head of Boxing, Adam Smith, and
discusses the brands loyalty to Matchroom, the pay-per-view policy,
BT Sport, impartiality behind the mic, and that unforgettable moment
when Carl Froch asked Floyd Mayweather a question
HORTLY after you took over as Skys Head
of Boxing in 2010, Matchroom became
S
the channels sole promoter. Why?
Ive been at Sky for 22-and-a-half years
and I absolutely love it - I enjoy every day
more than I did the last. Even a few years
ago when we had a number of different
promoters we were working with week-in, week-out, it was
exciting, it was enticing, and always intriguing. We had a load
of shows; we were doing 45, sometimes 50 domestic shows a
year. Every week we were going up and down the country, but
the system wasnt really working. There were huge production
costs involved, and sometimes there was maybe only 800-1,000
people there, there was a Commonwealth title fight, and
an undercard. We were investing a lot and we were
not getting as much as we could have done.
So there was a conscious decision made.
I talked to Barney Francis, who had taken
over as the Head of Sky Sports and he felt we
had to reduce the amount of shows, and get
better quality, get more meaningful nights
and less of the smaller ones. Then we felt we
should align ourselves to one promoter who
we believed would be the most beneficial to
Sky and that was Matchroom. We have long
had a great relationship with them, with Barry
Hearn, through the darts, the pool, everything,
and the boxing.
The emergence of Eddie [Hearn], when he WE GO WAY BACK: Smith remembers
got involved with Audley Harrison on the when Hatton [above] was a prospect
poker table in Vegas, and then had his first
entry into boxing. Hell call it an embarrassment, the difficulties
he had with Harrison and David Haye, stating that he thought
Harrison was going to win. To him it was an awakening, and he
felt he had a point to prove. Ive always got on really well with
him, and I always felt that he had the passion, the desire and the
work ethic. And we made a deal with Matchroom, and I believe
its very much been a joint venture. Yes we debate, yes we have
discussions and even arguments about the different fights that
go on but, ultimately, we probably text or speak to each other
20 times a day, and were working 24-7 together, and that
relationship has really helped build British boxing back. Sky have
12 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net
always been in it for the long run, but I certainly think there was
a real push, a real drive, when we got the exclusive Matchroom
deal, and the long term plan to how we get the excitement back,
we got the casuals back, the demographic has changed. The
atmospheres are bigger and better in the arenas, and weve all
worked hard to achieve that. That comes through on television
the stories are better, the fights are more even. We work together
on the international events together, its been an important and
still flourishing relationship, and one that I love.
How difficult was it when relationships with some of the
other promoters ended particularly Ricky Hatton and
Frank Warren who you had known for many years?
Very. I was interviewing Ricky when he was a spiky-
haired kid and [his trainer] Billy Graham was saying
he was going to be a world champion. It was
tough, but ultimately I work for Sky, and its a
business, and we looked at what the offering
was on Sky Sports at the time and we just felt
that it could be better. Some of the shows
that the other promoters put on were great,
but over the course of it, it wasnt giving us
that dynamism that we have now.
Id got very friendly with these guys, and its
tough when things dont go according to plan
in a business sense. I like to try and maintain
good relationships with everybody I always
send Frank Warren a text at Christmas and
he always sends me one back. Were all in
business, and thats why I like the Boxing
Writers Dinner once a year, where you can
put your pens and your blunt knives down, and just enjoy each
others company. We all love boxing, we all want to do well in
business, and choices have to be made.
Frank made his choice that he wanted to go and start
BoxNation, and it was an incredibly brave one, and a very good
one, because its given boxing fans more content, and more
competition [among broadcasters] is excellent.
What was your reaction to the BT Sport deal?
Not surprised. Very excited. Weve been building a
phenomenal base on Sky and had some amazing, fantastic
 SKYS THE LIMIT:
Even after over 20 years with
his employer, Smith is as
ambitious as ever
Photo: JORDAN MANSFIELD/GETTY IMAGES

I REMEMBER
THE
EXPRESSION
ON EDDIE
HEARNS FACE
WHEN WE
HEARD ABOUT
THE BT SPORT
DEAL
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 13
 TOE-TO-TOE
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/PETER CZIBORRA
nights and weve had the monopoly, and
suddenly BT are in town. They have the
Champions League, and they provide all
this competition on the football front and I
thought it was only a matter of time before
they got involved in boxing because the sport
is flying. It wasnt a surprise that Frank Warren
and BT made that announcement, and
I remember the expression on Eddies face! It is
now our chance to rise in levels, and we cant
sit on our laurels because there is competition
out there and I welcome it. Its good for the
business of boxing, for the sports business,
and its great for the fans. But, personally, for
me and my team it didnt give us a wake-up
call because we work extremely hard we
thought, Yes, bring it on.
You mention bringing the casuals back,
building narratives. How conscious are
you about building that narrative from
the start? Is there a danger that the
build-up to Haye-Bellew is turning into a RAGING BULLS: Haye [left] and Bellew
pantomime? lose their cool at initial press conference many years, who I believe is the best sports
Its an interesting point and there is a line.
And when you cross that line you get into,
dare we say it, the wrestling world. What is YOU DONT
important though, is that we do find some
sort of storybook very early on but I agree WANT TO
with you, there is a line, you dont want it
descending into a total farce, into pantomime. CROSS THE
We had the table throwing incident with
Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte you dont LINE BECAUSE
want to cross those lines because ultimately
this is a sport, and these are role models. THESE ARE
So when Haye and Bellew came in for
Gloves Are Off, there was more security, there ROLE MODELS
was more intelligence in place, and when
things did get heated we made the decision to cool them down,
David went for a little walk, we split them up for a bit, and brought
them back together. We still had that fire, and that needle, and
that drama and the tension, but it didnt descend into chaos. We
dont want that. We want to deliver the story, and the narrative
is important because boxing characters are so wide and varied;
look at the story of Gavin McDonnell fighting for a world title, or
Anthony Crolla, who is a great guy it doesnt have to be about the
needle every time, it just has to grab you.
Is there pressure to deliver pay-per-views? Is there a set
number you have to produce each year?
Absolutely not, no.
So could you go through a year and not do any?
We went through a period after Haye and Klitschko fought
each other in Germany. Wed had a number of Box Office events
before that and some of them werent good enough. You have to
make sure these nights are special, main events where you dont
necessarily know whats going to happen, that theyre great cards.
In my team, if theres a Box Office event coming up we know
weve got to make it special, make it different. If that only happens
two, three, four times a year, then it only happens two, three, four
times a year. We went for the break because we felt that there
were too many, and the break was needed after Haye-Klitschko,
which, for many reasons, was a damp squib in Germany. But we
came back in, with the big events, more on at our time, at 10pm
which I think is key, and the stadiums and arenas. Now we have the
platforms, the O2 is selling out, we had 80,000 for Froch-Groves,
and 90,000 for Joshua-Klitschko this is unprecedented. That gives
you the drive to make these special events. It has to have that
magnetism, it has to be a special night, and we are going to make it
14 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net
extra special - as much as we can. But we dont
want to get complacent, and we dont want to
over egg it. We dont want to do too many.
Anthony Joshua draws huge numbers
for Sky, is hugely important to the brand
you effectively manage, and youll be
commentating on his fight with Wladimir
Klitschko. Its a fight Joshua could lose,
and hes a man you have great affection
for. How difficult will it be for you to
remain impartial?
I have a great deal of affection for Wladimir
too, Ive known him a huge amount of time.
Im a people person and I like to look at the
good in people, and I have found a lot of
good in a lot of fighters over a lot of years. But
theres one thing Ive wanted to do since I was
a kid and thats become a sports commentator
I used to turn the volume down on the
television and I used to commentate. The
key with all that is to be utterly fair and call it
as you see it. Working with Ian Darke for so
commentator in Britain, his ethics are simple
you cant have any bias, you cant have
any friendship, its a job. Yes, of course the
Sky business wants Joshua to come through
and grow. If Klitschko knocks him out in two
rounds then youve got a different story. It
happened to Lennox Lewis with Oliver McCall,
fighters lose, fighters come through bumps
and have problems. When I pick up that mic
on April 29, I am calling whats in front of me,
there is no bias, not at all. We call the fight as it
develops in front of us, and if we didnt do that
we wouldnt be being true to ourselves.
There was a reshuffle in the Sky Sports boxing team last
year with Nick Halling, Glenn McCrory, Jim Watt and several
people behind the scenes leaving. Did you want to return
to commentating, or was there pressure from elsewhere to
change things?
No, I never put the mic down fully. I presented for a number
of years on Ringside so I did less commentary, Nick came on and
did a terrific job a very, very good commentator. There was
Jim and Glenn who did a great job over the years; they were not
just stalwarts, they were very talented. Behind the scenes we lost
Charles Lawrence and Declan Johnson, who were great, talented
colleagues, and are now sadly missed. But weve gone through a
difficult period at Sky Sports, a transformation period where tough
decisions have been made, and not just on the talent side, but
throughout the business. This is an ever-evolving business and this
is a time that Ringside went away because of the digital growth
and suddenly there is huge power from the people who have been
working at digital, and we needed to amalgamate. So, what weve
done is put the production and digital teams together, and by
doing that we had to make tough decisions, and roles have been
re-structured.
Its the talent that get all the attention, but behind them are a
wonderful team of innovative, creative multi-skilled people, that
weve worked really hard to develop, and unfortunately, some
of those had to leave too. I can say hand on heart that everyone
who was there, and is there, has been extremely influential to the
building of Sky Boxing to this point. Its been a team effort.
Ultimately, contracts end, decisions are made, you have to look
towards the future, you have to get ready for that and we thank
everyone for all their hard work, and I never say the doors are
closed. Its an ongoing flowing process, and I dont know if well be
working with those names again. There was no definitive decision
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/HENRY BROWNE

DANGER,
DANGER:
Klitschko [right]
squares up
to Joshua

to say I wanted to pick the mic up again, that would have been very
egotistical of me, and I dont have that in me. It has been a very
difficult internal year, and I wish every one of them huge success
going forward.
You were alongside Floyd Mayweather when Carl Froch
embarked on that now infamous question. What went
through your mind?
I just thought he is going to get so much abuse [laughs]. Listen,
Carl is a one-off. I think I know him pretty well now, and he is a
great guy. Hes getting better talking about boxing. Every week that
goes by without him being in the ring, he gets better, because the
ego gets slightly less. What he has is enormous respect for anyone
who gets in the ring, whatever level they are. He was lost for a
number of years, and he didnt believe he had that stardust in those
three or four years when he was doing the Super Six. He had a
good promoter in Mick Hennessy, he had TV deals, but maybe he
felt that he wasnt a pay-per-view fighter when others were, like
David Haye and Amir
Khan, and maybe he
felt not loved enough,
and maybe that played
THE SKY BUSINESS WANTS
on his mind because
he loves to be loved. I JOSHUA TO WIN, BUT WHEN
think he felt that was
the one thing he could I PICK THE MIC UP, THERE
like, I cant believe youre talking to the greatest fighter thats laced
them up since Sugar Ray Leonard as an interviewer, or a pundit,
and bringing yourself and your 80,000 into it. If hed have said,
Ive been through some tough times, Ive come back from defeat
or something like that and related it to protecting his 0 against
Pacquiao, okay, but to get it on to him so quickly with the 80,000,
well, only Carl could have done that.
But you know the great thing about Carl? Hes learnt to laugh
at himself, and he mentions it all the time now as a joke, hes had
the nose job, and he knows what people are saying out there. Hes
never going to change completely, but he is mellowing with the
world now.
I tried to get him and George Groves speaking in Las Vegas. They
were together in the same room and I thought this was the perfect
opportunity to have a chat with him, to tell him that you want him
to become a world champion. Hes winding people up on social
media, saying hes going to fight again. Of course hes not going to
fight again, hes done everything, he went out the right way, hes fit
enough, but its over.
Go and talk to George,
but it didnt happen.
But there are signs
that he is getting
mellower, and he
will become a better
analyst and pundit.

WILL BE NO BIAS
always say, the 80,000 But when it happened,
at Wembley, but when I just thought, Only
he said it, it was just Carl. bn

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 15

 WORLD
TITLES
SPECIAL FEATURE

CRUISER CHAMP:
Bellew is extremely
proud of his WBC belt
Photo: ACTION IMAGES

16 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 Elliot Worsell investigates the true worth of world titles,
to champions, challengers and promoters, in the era
of proliferation
COULDA been a tight, hed get it. The fight, the belt, the right

I
contender.
In 1954 a line like
that meant something.
Terry Malloy, played by
Marlon Brando in On
the Waterfront, viewed
becoming a contender
as the unobtainable dream. There was no
mention of a world title, no thought of being
The Champ. Back in the fifties there was no
place for such delusion. The Champ was
feared, dominant, respected and singular.
Malloy was a dockworker.
Now, however, Malloy wouldnt set his
sights so low. Scrap contender, hed want a
Silver title, a Regular title, an Interim title, and
thats before cracking the top 10. Hed then
campaign for a vacant world title fight against
some 37-year-old Italian on some undercard
in some half-empty Vegas casino. If he sat
to call himself world champion, a lifetime
membership to an oversubscribed club.
Having a world title means everything to
me, says WBC cruiserweight champion Tony
Bellew. There are some world champions
who shouldnt be world champions, but Id
like to think I got mine the hard way. To
be honest, the WBC title was the only one
I was ever really interested in. All the great
champions of my childhood held that green
and gold belt. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray
Leonard, Mike Tyson, Nigel Benn, Roy Jones,
they all had one thing in common: that green
and gold belt.
Ignore the fact the belt was vacant and
Bellew, to his credit, won his world title the
way fighters used to win world titles. In 2016
he went into a high-profile fight as underdog,
showed cojones to battle back when decked
in round one, and then stood toe to toe

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 17

 WHO NEEDS TITLES
OR RANKINGS OR
EVEN A SENSE OF
ORDER WHEN YOU
STAND TO MAKE
MILLIONS OF
POUNDS ON HYPE
AND HISTRIONICS
ALONE?

and its participants, its distinctly possible

world titles and world title defences, those
things which often serve only to complicate
matters, will soon be viewed the way a
teenager views a VHS tape. Artefacts from a
bygone era.
When were selling the package to fighters,
the ultimate goal is to be a pay-per-view
fighter, says promoter Eddie Hearn. The
ABOVE: Chris Eubank Jnr holds the lightly stack of pay-per-view fighters might only be
regarded IBO super-middleweight strap 1 per cent, but every fighters goal is pretty
BELOW: Hearn [right] believes fighters like Joshua are much the same. They all want to achieve.
more powerful than the world titles they possess They have dreams, they have targets, belts,
Photos: ACTION IMAGES
et cetera. But they all want to earn as much
money as possible. And the longer theyre
and outgunned a puncher, eventually rankings or even a sense of order when you in the game, the more they focus on the
coldcocking Ilunga Makabu in the third. Better stand to make millions of pounds on hype money.
yet, Bellew did it at Goodison Park, home of and histrionics alone? Not boxers, thats for Historically speaking, the seven stages of a
his beloved Everton Football Club. sure. world title belt are as follows: Stage One, you
I didnt make a ton of money that night, Big fights are the only things that interest belonged to one world champion, The Man,
he says. It was one of my smaller recent me now, Bellew admits. Ive lived the dream. and the whole world knew it; Stage Two, you
purses, in fact. But money can never give Ive done what I set out to do. For someone were wrapped around the waist of one of two
me what that night gave me. I know like me youve got to look at it like this: champions in a weight division; Stage Three,
people will laugh and say its if youre playing a video game, Ive you were wrapped around the waist of one of
all about the money, but clocked the game. Im trying three champions in a weight division; Stage
I will take that night and to get the bonus things Four, you were unified with at least one of
the money I got over out of the game now. Im the other belts; Stage Five, screw order and
5m and a loss. I dont trying to get the special unification, you attached yourself to one of
know many fighters gun. Ive exceeded my six or seven champions in a weight division;
who would do that, expectations in this Stage Six, you were important to a world
but I would. That was business. Now the only champion because their television network
the night my dreams thing left to do is secure needed a world championship on the line in
came true. That night my kids future. Thats order to promote an upcoming fight; Stage
I was finally able to my plan. Its got to be Seven, you are now important to a world
call myself a world purely big fights from champion because you might aid their pursuit
champion. now on. Massive fights of a pay-per-view windfall.
Bellews next fight, with big purses. I feel like a little bit of the glory has gone
scheduled for March 4 When one considers from the game in that respect, because Im all
against David Haye, will have Bellews alternative options for winning world titles, Hearn says. Some,
no title on the line. It will, instead, were cruiserweights like Oleksandr like [WBA super-lightweight champion] Ricky
take place at heavyweight, a division in which Usyk, Murat Gassiev and Mairis Briedis it Burns, still have an old-school mentality,
neither man holds a belt. Still, it matters not. becomes easier to understand why he has though. Ricky was going to either fight [IBF
The fight carries appeal, it sold out Londons momentarily abandoned his precious green champion] Julius Indongo in a title unification
O2 Arena in double-quick time, and it will and gold belt and opted for Haye. Moreover, or Paulie Malignaggi. He would have made
do good business on Sky Box Office. Which, with entertainment and storyline never more about 30 per cent more fighting Malignaggi
I guess, begs the question: who needs titles or crucial to the financial success of an event and its a much easier fight, in my opinion,

18 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

but he said, No, I want the unification. Not will open. They might not open in six months like Billy Joe Saunders and Terry Flanagan
many would do that nowadays. Youve got or even 12, but they will open. as examples. Theyre not earning the money
the manager saying, Listen son, youve got Flanagan and McDonnell seem acutely they should be earning for being a world
an easier fight with 30 per cent more money. aware of their ceiling. They are both champion. Theyre not filling arenas and
Dont be a tit. Of course, youve got to chase good fighters, two of the best in their theyre not driving audience numbers because
the money. Its a brutal sport. Youre getting respective divisions, but they know a world they havent been built along the way.
punched in the head. Youve got to get what championship belt only provides temporary George Groves was certainly built
you deserve. But its nice to have the ones satisfaction. Its fast food. Its a loan from along the way. Rivals helped, as did
who chase the glory as well as the money. the bank. It is something which gives his swashbuckling style and ability to
For fights and fighters with a smaller them fleeting status and security, self-promote, but he was built all
profile, the belt is everything. But, once you a foundation on which to build, right. He sussed the game early.
get to a certain stage, the belt becomes less yet ultimately counts for little He maximised his earning
important. Anthony Joshua versus Wladimir if it doesnt lead to a life- potential. He also once
Klitschko, a unification fight, is a good changing payday. explained to me how his
example. If that was for just one belt or for Money is important goals had shifted as a
no belts would it sell one less pay-per-view? because thats what result of two world title
No. Once you get to an elite level you actually supports you and your defeats to Carl Froch.
become and the sanctioning bodies wont family, says Flanagan, I always said I wanted
like this more powerful than the belts. In the and big money comes to be a world champion
meantime, winning a world title can give you with success and the big but I didnt really give
the profile to go to that next level. fights. If a big fight came a s**t, Groves said in
Britain currently has 10 full world up at 140lbs, Id move up 2014. I just thought of all
champions, yet its tough to make the case two weight classes and take the things that went with
for many of them being the number one in it. Ive won my world title and being a world champion the
their division. This speaks to the fact a fighter Id like to get others and unify the recognition, the fame, the money.
now only has to be good to become a world division. Id also like to get world titles They were more important to me. But
champion, not the best, and that holding on in other weight classes. But the thing you actually, now Ive got a bit of money, I do want
to a world title in this day and age requires want more than anything is a big fight. to win one. I want to win one just to say Ive
intelligence rather than dominance, and that Hearn, meanwhile, issues a bleak prognosis done it. I dont want to win it for anyone else
often a fighters biggest win is avoiding their to world champions not called Anthony but myself. Thats a nice feeling. Its nice to
biggest threat. Joshua when he says, If youre not built know it has become important again.
It doesnt mean as much now, says WBO during the process of becoming world It may no longer mean youre the best in
lightweight champion Terry Flanagan. I can champion, you will never get the chance to the world, but, for some, a championship belt
call myself a world champion but so can [WBA exploit it when youre there. I use people still means the world. bn
champion] Jorge Linares and [WBC champion]
Mikey Garcia and [IBF champion] Robert
ABOVE: Linares is the WBA lightweight titlist, as well
Easter Jnr. Its not as special as it might have as owning the WBC Diamond belt at the weight
been. A world title just leads you to unification BELOW: Linares rival champion at 135lbs
fights or a move up [in weight class]. Theres Flanagan [pictured] says the value of world
now world title level and elite world title titles has diminished
level. So even if you have a world title to your Photos: ACTION IMAGES
name, that doesnt mean you are elite level.
You have to prove it against the elite fighters
in the division.
Pay-per-view cant be the promised land
for everyone. A champion like Flanagan,
for instance, may well be able to beat every
lightweight in the world but that doesnt
necessarily mean he has the ingredients
required to make fights against these
lightweights pay-per-view attractions. Hes
not alone, either. Jamie McDonnell, the WBA
secondary bantamweight champion, also
knows the likelihood of him ever using his
title to bag a pay-per-view bonanza is zero to
none. At 118lbs he works boxings graveyard
shift.
Its tougher to make a name for yourself
and shine in the eyes of the general public
when you fight in the lower weight classes,
McDonnell says. Ive done a lot in my career
but I still dont get the spotlight of an Anthony
C
Joshua or Kell Brook. I cant help being little.
Im just happy to have that world title. Being
EV
a world champion means youre one of the
best fighters in the world at your weight and
thats a great achievement. Also, when you
get to the top, the money is better and I can
provide a better life for my wife and baby.
Youve got to keep winning and keep that title
A
otherwise the lifestyle and nice things will go
away. Youve got to stay there because you
see the difference in money. As long as youve
got a belt and you can keep that belt, doors

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 19

PREVIEWS O U T S TA N D I N G G O O D FA I R D I S A P P O I N T I N G RU B B I S H
Previewing the best
upcoming fights
around the world

T h e s t a r r a t i n g s i n d i c a t e h o w w e l l t h e w r i t e r b e l i e v e s t h e f i g h t e r s m a t c h u p, t h e f i g h t ( s ) c o n t e x t u a l s i g n i f i c a n c e , a n d h o w g o o d t h e f i g h t ( s ) w i l l b e

TWIN PEAKS
McDonnell MAIN EVENT
Jamie currently holds is not recognised as fellow unbeaten prospect Scott Gladwin
a full title, he previously held the IBF belt in 2012, who he stopped in six.
must get U N D E RC A R D and would have the WBO one too had McDonnell earned decent wins over Paul
past Vargas ROTHERS, by default,
Tomoki Kameda not vacated it
prior to their first meeting.
Economides, Ross Burkinshaw
and Josh Wale before halting
to join TALKING

B
tend to compete On Saturday (February Leigh Wood in six for the
brother with another. As his 25), Gavin will contest POINT British title. In 2015, he
manager, Stefy Bull, the vacant WBC added the European
Jamie on the explains in his guest super-bantamweight
AS an amateur, Vargas fought
Luke Campbell who is on the
title to his haul by
column [page 5], title against Mexicos beating Oleksandr
world stage, Gavin McDonnell Rey Vargas at the
undercard in the 2009 World
championships in Milan, Italy. Yegorov before also
writes was inspired by his twin brother Jamie to Ice Arena in Hull, with Campbell managed to defeat besting Jeremy Parodi.
give professional boxing a proper go at Matchroom promoting the dogged Mexican, 17-13, One year ago, he
George the age of 25. and Sky Sports airing in on points. outpointed Jorge Sanchez
Gigney That was back in 2010 and now, over the UK. in a cracking WBC final
six years later, Gavin is on the verge of With limited amateur eliminator and, after reigning
matching McDonnells accomplishment experience, Doncaster man champion Hozumi Hasegawa
of becoming a world champion. Though McDonnell had to learn on the job announced his retirement from boxing,
the secondary WBA bantamweight title before swiftly being matched with McDonnell was ordered to box Vargas
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE

DREAMING BIG:
McDonnell is eager
to complete his
fairy tale rise

20 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

Photo: PEPE RODRIGUEZ/WBC
CRUNCHER:
Eduardo Mancito
[left] feels the force
of Vargas right hand
IM THRIVING.
I WANT TO PROVE
I BELONG AT
THIS LEVEL
for the vacant strap.
Its just exciting, Im over the moon.
I cant wait to actually win a world title
and for it to be the WBC [belt], it doesnt
get bigger. Im so close now, Im not
going to let it slip through my fingers,
he told Boxing News.
I sort of know [the world stage]
anyway, having been around Jamie.
I know youve got to up your game and
Ive seen it, Ive been around it and Im
thriving. I just want to prove I belong
at this level. Its not a case of me asking
Jamie [what its like], we sort of just get on
with it. He knows Im capable of doing
this so hes just there for support and
backing me.
In his way is Vargas, a tall, hard-hitting
unbeaten contender who looks just
like the sort of opponent who could
wreck McDonnells dreams. His last win
came in September when he stopped a
shop-worn Alexander Munoz inside five
rounds to reaffirm his lofty ranking with
the WBC.
With long levers and a venomous
punch, Vargas likes to throw in flurries
and wear an opponent down but, he has
only ever fought outside of Mexico twice
and both times in America.
That there, getting in Yorkshire, just
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 21
shows that Matchroom believe in me,
McDonnell continued. Me topping the
bill and bringing him over here, that
could be crucial. Having a home crowd
can lift you slightly, if its a close fight
and youve got your fans behind
you, you want it that little bit
more. Dont get me wrong,
a rings a ring, but its
nice to have your
home support and
your home comforts
and everybody there.
Hopefully I can
repay them and give
everybody a night to
remember.
Vargas is a dangerous foe
for McDonnell if he paces
himself and focuses on the body, as
hes done in the past, he could upset the
party in Yorkshire.
However, his defence is poor and he
usually leaves his chin hanging in the air,
TALE OF THE TAPE
GAVIN McDONNELL REY VARGAS
@bigtwinnygav n/a
Mar 30, 1986/30 DOB/AGE Nov 25, 1990/26
Doncaster HOMETOWN Otumba
English NATIONALITY Mexican
16-0-2 (4) RECORD 28-0 (22)
Orthodox STANCE Orthodox
Dec 3, 2010/24 DEBUT/AGE Mar 10, 2010/19
22 KO PERCENTAGE 79
6/5 12-ROUNDERS COMPLETED/WON 1/1
2 FIGHTS AT HULLS ICE ARENA 0
with his hands low. Hes been down a
couple of times in previous fights, against
limited opposition, and hes never looked
unbeatable. His work rate and grit will
make things tough for McDonnell, who
is prone to being cut, however
Gavin has a remarkable
engine. Also, despite his
lack of experience, he
boxes well and his
straight shots down
the middle are
damaging. Its a big,
big ask but the pick is
for Gavin to churn out
a victory on the cards.
Local lightweight hero
Luke Campbell, 15-1
(12), will continue his rise up
the WBC rankings with a win over
Mexican Jairo Lopez, 21-6 (14), on the
undercard.
Campbell [inset] has bounced back
with aplomb since losing to Yvan Mendy
in 2015, beating the likes of Argenis
Mendez (pts 12) and Derry Mathews
(ko 4).
Former Campbell victim Tommy
Coyle, 22-4 (10), also of Hull and now
boxing at 140lbs, takes on Rosehills
Rakeem Noble, 11-1 (5).
Belfasts exciting bantam Ryan
Burnett, 15-0 (9), and Conisbrough
heavy David Allen, 9-2-1 (6), also
feature on the show in keep-busy bouts.
THE VERDICT Gavin wont have it
easy, but if he pulls out all the stops
he can achieve his dream.
REDEMPTION
ROAD
Cuban coach Jorge Rubio, who made
his name training Guillermo Rigondeaux,
tells Declan Warrington why hell prove
himself with Luke Campbell, in a way he
was never allowed to with Amir Khan

JORGE
RUBIO
BIG FEATURE

POINT TO PROVE:
Rubio is determined to show
British boxing fans what
he is capable of as a trainer

Photo: PAUL GREENWOOD/BPI/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

22 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 VEN if to a wider
E
demographic Jorge Rubio is
recognised as the trainer
who oversaw some of the
finest performances of the
great Guillermo Rigondeauxs
career, to so many in Britain
he is still remembered as the
one who failed Amir Khan.
The powerful left hand Breidis Prescott
memorably landed on the then-21-year-olds chin
in 2008 ended Khans venture into a brave new
world under the little-known Cuban as swiftly and
ruthlessly as he had entered it, and as so often in
British sport, a scapegoat was needed.
Rubio became that scapegoat, blamed as much
for his contribution in the selection of Prescott
as Khans opponent as for the nave way his
fighter met a crude puncher in the centre of
the ring. Amid Freddie Roachs appointment as
his successor shortly after, the 56-year-old was
largely forgotten about, discernibly dismissed as
one of the numerous charlatans undermining his
sport, and yet a pedigree remains that
has continued to entice talented fighters,
notably and most recently Luke Campbell.
Khans talent
and appeal, in
combination with
his development IVE HATED FIDEL CASTRO
under Roach and
some admirable ALL MY LIFE. HE IS MY
matchmaking,
ensured his ENEMY, HE MADE ME
career imminently
resumed the
SUFFER. HE SEPARATED
upward trajectory
it had been taking
ME FROM MY FAMILY
to the point when
Rubio replaced Oliver Harrison. The Cuban,
however Khans eventual choice amid the beauty
contest of sorts in which he had also considered
Roach, Floyd Mayweather Snr and Buddy McGirt
took almost a year to move on from that episode,
devastated by a fear his reputation had been
damaged, which it had, and also that it may never
recover.
Oh man, I feel bad, he told Boxing News
of the fallout to Prescott-Khan. It was a good
opportunity for me; when he lost I felt terrible.
Everybody blamed me: Jorge did bad work hes
not a good coach.
When I came [back] to America, everybody
criticised me, saying Jorge, why did you accept
that fight? You was wrong. Six weeks is not
enough; you dont have enough experience of
training him. He needs to adapt to you; you to
him... My reputation came down completely.
I was maybe one month recuperating. That
situation: I was down. I was crying for one week,
man. I felt bad, and for my reputation: if you see
my career, its very difficult that people see me
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 23
losing one fight. When I work I put in my heart,
my feeling, my love. Boxing is my life: its more
important than my family, than everybody.
I wake up, maybe eight months, nine months
[later]; I was feeling better again. I forgot that
situation when I am focused on my life, my
career.
For a man who defected from Cuba to overcome
the flawed system he was convinced would inhibit
his ambitions, who in doing so had to leave his
wife, daughter, parents and numerous siblings,
and who had since built a new life for himself
in Miami, the hurdle presented should have
appeared minimal, but it could similarly be argued
it is largely because he made those sacrifices, in
the belief he would excel in boxing, that a setback
within it felt so grave.
Rubio, born to a poor family as one of 10
brothers and 12 siblings in the city of Camaguey
in central Cuba, grew up playing football. After his
parents separated when he was aged six, he was
one of the brothers thereafter brought up by their
father, a soldier who remarried, and throughout
an adolescence in a country that knows
only passion and remarkable success in the
sport, as he inceasingly watched boxing
he was gradually
inspired to become
a trainer, at 20
moving to the
capital, Havana, to
that end.
I was poor all
my life, he says.
A big family, and
my mum didnt
work to give full
attention to my
brothers. My
mum got the food for us, the clothes; it was very
difficult for her. But I am happy; I am the man
I am now. Ive changed my life completely; I have
money, my house, a good car, my own gym; I am
a different person. I have my family and I send
money.
I started working with kids at first, then
training good boxers. But they never gave me the
opportunity to work with the Cuba Olympic team.
In Cuba, everything is one clan, like a mafia. If you
dont believe in Fidel Castro, its difficult to end up
training the national team.
I left Cuba, because the Cuban government
sent me to work in Mexico [at the Mexicans
request for a master trainer], and I was working
with the Mexican Olympic team in Villahermosa,
Tabasco, for one year. I was supposed to come
back, but I paid a coyotaje [the MexicanSpanish
term referring to the practice of people smuggling
across the Mexico-America border] to bring me to
America, $3,000, [and] jumped the border to USA
in 1996. I was 36-years-old. [Then] I came here, to
Miami, [and] put in my papers.
 My wife, when I came to America, told me, I dont
defect with you, because I love Cuba, my familys
here. If you want a new life, thats your problem. In
Cuba, too many people dont like America. I have 20
years living here. In 21 years I went to Cuba only one
time: in 2006, because my mum died.
The Fidel Castro thing barred me from my family.
Ive hated Fidel Castro all my life, for that situation.
It was difficult for me, but I did my life here. I dont
like that anybody died [as Castro did in November],
but he made me suffer a lot. He separated me from
my family. I lost my mum and Id not seen her for 10
years. Fidel Castro is my enemy; he made me suffer.
It was while wandering Miami, having repeatedly
been dismissed despite his enthusiasm to assist
in gyms - nobody wanted to help me - that Rubio
eventually met, and impressed, Pat Burns, coach of
the 1996 US Olympic team.
Burns introduced the Cuban to the young Jermain
Taylor, starting the relationship that led to Rubio
becoming the Americans assistant trainer for Taylors
first 11 fights and working with the lightweight Zahir
Raheem before a fallout with Burns over what he
considered his low wage led to him working alone.
Between then and his brief association with
BROMANCE: Khan, from his own Miami gym, the Rubio Boxing
Campbell
Club, there were periods training the American
celebrates
alongside cruiserweight Robert Daniels, the once-promising
Rubio [right] Yuriorkis Gamboa, Costa Ricas Lenin Aroyo and,
Photo: ACTION among others, at times when he trained in Miami,
IMAGES/ANDREW David Haye. Rubio insists that it was Haye who
COULDRIDGE
recommended his services to Khan, and that he
never again heard from him once Khan had lost,
but a relationship with Rigondeaux, another Cuban
I SAID TO LUKE, YOU NEED
ME MORE THAN I NEED
YOU, YOU NEED TO MOVE
TO MIAMI. HES MORE
PROFESSIONAL NOW
24 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net
defector, began to blossom when the super-
bantamweight visited his gym to spar.
Guillermo Rigondeaux, I didnt know in Cuba,
because I came to America when he was young,
Rubio, who remarried to another Cuban woman in
Miami, told BN. When I came to America, people
started talking about him: The best boxer in Cuba.
One day he came and said Jorge, I want you to
work with me for one week. If I like how you train,
I want to train with you. After one week he said Jorge,
I like how you train me.
Briefly sounding American, Rubio continues: Oh,
man, yeah [Rigondeaux is the best fighter Ive worked
with]. Of course. Rigo for me, had everything to be
the best boxer in the world. He had power, he was
smart. Hes born to be a boxer, is good physically. Oh,
man. When I started training him, I was adapting, little
by little, to work with him. It was a different style to
what Id worked with, but he was good working with
me. I learnt a lot working with Rigondeaux, and I hope
that he learnt too. He had six fights with me; he won
six fights. For me, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Teofilo
Stevenson are the best boxers Cuba [has ever had].
Teofilo Stevenson was my favourite boxer when I was
a kid; inspired me to be a boxing coach. He was a
nice person, a good boxer. He never wanted to fight
professionally because he loved Fidel Castro, he loved
the Cuban revolution, but I dont care, its his decision.
Not everybody can think the same.
In his last fight with me [against Drian Francisco in
November 2015], he said Jorge, they want to put me
in a fight in one week. I said Rigo, you have a lot of
time youre not training, theres no time for you. He
said he was sorry, had a baby, bought a house and
 needed the money. from a mistake he felt he had made with Khan, he
I said If you fight, Im not going to be in your demanded that Campbell train with him full-time and
corner, because if you lose youre going to put me the lightweight despite his obvious attachment to
in problems, maybe my reputation dont going to be his home, his young family and his considerable self-
good. He said Dont worry, Im going to win. I needed belief agreed.
the money too. This guy going to be easy for me. I I said Luke, Im sorry, but if you want to train
accepted the fight; he won but he didnt look good with Jorge Rubio right now, you need to come here,
because he trained only five days. Incredible. He full-time to train with me, and I want to be in your
won a unanimous decision. After that, in an corner., explained Rubio, who amid Cubas
interview I told why Rigondeaux dont look changing climate is planning a rare visit back
good in that fight. And maybe Rigondeaux home later this year, and also expects his
dont like it that I tell that. daughter to eventually join
It is a similar pursuit him in Miami. No more
of self-preservation that
eventually shaped his
I LOVE ENGLAND, training you to be in the
corner with another coach.
professional relationship THE PEOPLE, THE You need me right now; I
with Campbell, the fighter
Rubio says has changed COUNTRY, BUT dont need you. You need to
move completely to Miami.
my life.
As with Khan, the 29-year-
MAYBE THE PEOPLE Hes more professional
now than when he first
old is a highly-promising HATE ME BECAUSE started training with me.
Olympian who, as is to be
expected at this stage of OF THAT LAST FIGHT The style in America is more
professional; Luke was

BRIEF
his career, is striving to
reach the same levels as a
WITH AMIR KHAN jumping too much, moving
too much, not punching
ENCOUNTER: professional that he did as effectively. He hit quickly,
Rubio [below an exceptional amateur. but with no power. Ive changed that, hes doing good.
left] poses Similarly, and largely because of Khans experience, I want to show England that Jorge Rubio can ALL SMILES:
with Khan Rigondeaux
before Rubios was a surprise name when Campbell chose to be the best coach of the future. I love the country, [below right]
disaster branch out beyond Hull in an attempt to develop his the people in England, but that last fight with Amir and Rubio
strikes abilities. As with Haye, Campbell would occasionally Khan, maybe people hate me. Now I think English share a joke
[bottom] train with Rubio in Miami while his base remained in people are accepting me a little bit more right now. during happier
times
Photos:
ACTION IMAGES/
the UK, but after the surprise defeat by Yvan Mendy England will love me because Im going to make Luke
Photo: CHRIS
PAUL BURROWS in December 2015, and perhaps with Rubio learning Campbell a world champion. bn FARINA/TOP RANK

LAST DANCE:
Rigondeaux
celebrates
victory over
Francisco
after only
training for
one week
Photo: JOE
CAMPOREALE/
USA TODAY SPORTS

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 25

 PREVIEWS
ADAPT AND ATTACK:
Wilder has had to deal with
a late change of opponent

ANOTHER ONE
is not one of them, and has been given
the chance to face his compatriot.
The former University of Southern
California American football player and
US Navy veteran has steadily built up an

BITES THE DUST

18-0-1 (12) record since his professional
debut back in July 2012, with the only
blot on his otherwise flawless rsum
coming via a draw with Amir Mansour in
their October 2015 10-rounder.
Of course, Alabamas Wilder, 31,
represents a significant step up in class
for the man known as El Gallo Negro
Unfancied W I L D E R - WA S H I N GTO N
Alabamas Legacy Arena on Saturday or The Black Rooster especially at
(February 25). Sky Sports (UK) and FOX such short notice, but the champion
substitute Sports 1 (US) televise. should not count his chickens.
Washington INCE the turn of the Wawrzyk, the 33-1 Pole, had Washington, three years older

S
year, Washington has tested positive for a banned at 34, says the short camp
steps in to been something of a substance, becoming UNDERCARD will not be a problem and
challenge buzz word across the
globe. Unexpectedly
the second man after
Alexander Povetkin
ACCOKEEK, Marylands
insists he is always ready.
I will leave it all out
Jarrett Hurd, 19-0 (13),
Wilder, for Deontay to scupper a shot at and Detroits Tony Harrison, there, he said. I will be
Wilder, in more Wilders WBC crown the best me I can be.
writes ways than one. by allegedly taking
24-1 (20), contest the vacant
IBF super-welter strap. The belt Its short notice but
Declan Just 10 days after former boxing something he shouldnt. was relinquished by Houstons the good thing about us
promoter Donald Trump was inaugurated It seems that some Jermall Charlo, who has is we stay ready all the
Taylor as the 45th President of the United heavyweights do not like now moved up to time. We dont take too
middle.
States, it was confirmed that Gerald the idea of facing Wilders much time off. We are here,
Washington would fill the void left by extreme power (he has beaten this is our life and this is what
Andrzej Wawrzyk and provide us with 36 of his 37 opponents inside the we do.
an all-American world heavyweight title distance) without some sort of outside That may be so, but it is one thing
clash against Wilder at Birmingham, help. Californian Washington, however, ticking over and another thing preparing

26 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

Photos: RYAN HAFEY/PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS
for your first shot at a world heavyweight
title.
At 6ft 6ins and anywhere up to 270lbs,
Washington certainly has the correct
dimensions for a new-age heavyweight,
and will be fighting a man not long back
from a torn bicep. But, as it happens,
they have actually been out of the ring
for exactly the same amount of time, as
their last appearances came on the same
card.
That night, July 16 last year, Wilder
stopped perennial fringe contender
Chris Arreola in the eighth round having
floored him in the fourth. But it was
a painful win for the champion, who
broke his hand as well as sustaining the
aforementioned bicep tear.
It was the fourth underwhelming
defence of the WBC belt he won so
brilliantly by outboxing Bermane Stiverne
back in January 2015. Eric Molina,
Johann Duhaupas, Artur Szpilka and then
Arreola. Hardly a Murderers Row.
Washington does little to arrest a run
of opponents who have failed to inspire
any real excitement or raise genuine
questions about the result, but there
are extenuating circumstances this time.
Those serious injuries, plus the doping
problems, meant this one was unlikely to
be any different.
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 27
In an ideal world,
Wilder would have YOUVE
travelled to Russia GOT TO PASS
TESTS. YOULL
last May in order
to face Povetkin in
a showdown which
would have silenced
NEVER KNOW
those who suggest IF YOURE
he is still yet to face
anything approaching a AFRAID
threat since he became
champion. After all, it was not his fault
that fight fell out of bed.
Washington, like Wilder, is signed with
Al Haymon, so this clash was always an
option, but it was not expected to come
so soon, or indeed too soon, as the
champion says. But Washington is not
TALE OF THE TAPE
DEONTAY WILDER GERALD WASHINGTON
@BronzeBomber @gwgallonegro
Oct 22, 1985/31 DOB/AGE Apr 23, 1982/34
Tuscaloosa, AL HOMETOWN Vallejo, CA
American NATIONALITY American
6ft 7ins HEIGHT 6ft 6ins
83ins REACH 82ins
37-0 (36) RECORD 18-0-1 (12)
Orthodox STANCE Orthodox
Nov 15, 2008/23 DEBUT/AGE Jul 28, 2012/30
97 KO PERCENTAGE 63
BIG OPPORTUNITY:
Washington is
delighted to receive
his unexpected
world title shot
fazed: Al Haymon was a
big part of this, he put me
in this position. He has
been putting me in the
right situations.
To get to certain places
youve got to pass certain
tests. You will never know
if youre afraid.
For Wilder, fights
against the likes of
Anthony Joshua and incredible amounts
of money await as long as he keeps his
title. Washington, unbeaten or otherwise,
does not look like the man to throw a
spanner in the works.
Should the champions bicep and
hand hold up okay, his power should
be enough to eliminate his tough, game
challenger in the final third of the fight.
Washington doesnt know whats
coming for him, Wilder said. I think hes
overwhelmed with the excitement of this
opportunity.
He said a lot of similar things that
I said coming up, but I dont think he
knows what February 25 has in store for
him.
THE VERDICT Washington is perhaps
better than the man he replaced,
but still not the man Wilder needs.
 PREVIEWS

FATHERS FOOTSTEPS
Harris is MAIN EVENT
stage the potentially history-making English, the African was soon pitched up
event. in Sunderland, where he spent time living
aiming to U N D E RC A R D Of course, the father-son subplot in a Salvation Army shelter, and trained
emulate his is not the only fascinating at Phil Jeffries Olympian Gym.
N February 24, 1988, narrative linked to this fight. Under the guidance of
dads title- TALKING

O
Swanseas Peter Essomba has his own Jeffries, who acts as his
winning Harris outpointed riveting tale to tell. After POINT manager, Essomba
Rochdales Kevin competing at the 2008 reached the 2014 ABA
achievement, Taylor in Port Talbot Beijing Olympics, IN addition to his father being
final, before turning
a former fighter, Jays uncle,
writes to secure the vacant Thomas made his
Michael Harris, is also an ex-pro.
pro later that year.
British featherweight second appearance Following five straight
Paul Wheeler title. This Friday (February 24), exactly 29 at the Games four
The Swansea man challenged
for British (twice) and successes, Thomas
years to the day since Peter gained the years later at London Commonwealth honours earned a crack at the
Lonsdale Belt, his son, Jay Harris, has 2012. Following the from 1986-89. vacant Commonwealth
the chance to win the Commonwealth tournament, Essomba 112lb strap in October
flyweight crown. Standing in Harris claimed asylum in the UK, 2015. Against then-unbeaten
way at Bethnal Greens York Hall is the citing political interference in the Waleed Din, Essomba ran riot,
current champion Cameroons Thomas Cameroonian Olympic boxing squad. scoring four knockdowns en route to an
Essomba. Queensberry Promotions With no money and unable to speak 11th-session stoppage triumph.
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE

ONE TO WATCH:
Harris has seemingly got a
bright future ahead of him

28 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 Photos: ACTION IMAGES
A victory in a keep-busy six-rounder
in March last year was supposed to RUNNER-UP:
lead on to Essombas first title defence Essomba [left] loses
two months later against former British to Harvey Horn in
the 2014 ABA final
and Commonwealth championship
challenger Iain Butcher. However,
after Butcher was unable to make the
flyweight limit, a non-title 10-round
contest was arranged instead, with Iain
weighing in at 116lbs, and Thomas
scaling 115lbs. The extra weight did not
favour Essomba, who came out second
best on the scorecards.
Speaking to Boxing News, Jeffries
stressed the importance of his fighter
getting back to winning ways: Butcher
couldnt make the weight in the last
fight, but Thomas
had trained long
and hard, and he TALE OF THE TAPE
wanted to box,
so we agreed THOMAS ESSOMBA JAY HARRIS
to a non-title @ThomasEssomba @jayharris19
10-rounder. Dec 2, 1987/29 DOB/AGE Aug 25, 1990/26
Ryhope HOMETOWN Swansea
Butcher was
Cameroonian NATIONALITY Welsh
massive compared 5ft 4ins HEIGHT 5ft 5ins
to Thomas on the 7-1 (2) RECORD 9-0 (6) jab, which thirds of the fight can see him earn a
THE MYSTERY
night, though. Orthodox STANCE Orthodox he follows competitive points decision after 12. FIGHT
Thomas has got Jul 13, 2014/26 DEBUT/AGE Jul 27, 2013/22 up with long, The 10-round co-feature sees
to win his next 22 KO PERCENTAGE 67 looping rights. Chingford super-featherweight Boy ON BoxRec,
fight now, then Paul OMalley TRAINER Peter Harris He crouches Jones, 11-0-1 (7), put his Southern Area Essombas
hopefully a top and weaves to belt on the line for the first time. The professional
promoter will evade attacks, popular 20-year-old defends against record is listed
snap him up, as while hurling Barnsley-born Lowestoft resident Craig as 7-2 (2),
hes a great fighter. Its fantastic for him to an assortment of shots in retaliation, Poxton, 11-4 (1), who has unsuccessfully which includes
a four-round
be headlining a show live on BoxNation, including straights, hooks and uppercuts. challenged for this title in the past, as
points loss to
because hes done it the hard way. These assaults can be slightly wild at well as the English crown. Yoan Boyeaux
Last time out in November, Harris times, though. Jones is a tidy boxer who picks his in France in
met Phil Smith, who was coming off The bout is a difficult one to call. punches well, especially to the body. November 2009.
an unsuccessful English title tilt a year When you consider that Essomba Poxton, 28, applies non-stop pressure, This is strange,
previously. Jay made short work of has completed 10 full rounds on two but his tall and rangy opponent has the considering
his most accomplished adversary yet, occasions, and Jay is yet to go past the power to force an inside-schedule win. Thomas
dropping him four times on the way fourth, the odds are stacked in Thomas Hornchurchs Harley Benn the competed as
to a fourth-frame retirement victory. favour, experience-wise. However, heavy- 20-year-old son of former two-weight an amateur in
the Olympics
Nevertheless, his clash with Essomba will handed Harris is undoubtedly an exciting world titlist Nigel Benn makes his pro
(2012) and the
represent a significant leap up in class. prospect, who looks to be going places. debut over four at super-middleweight. ABAs (2014)
To be fighting for a Commonwealth He may have to weather a storm from after this
title in just my 10th fight is huge for me, Essomba in the later sessions, but Harris THE VERDICT A welcome chance to date. Jeffries
Harris said. My plan is to go in there and eye-catching work in the opening two- shine for two lower-weight fighters. commented:
do what I do best. Thomas told me
Of Harris nine pro wins, the last that he boxed
six have all come inside the distance. on this show in
BOY WONDER: France, but he
The undefeated Welshman, 26, who is Jones is progressing had a headguard
managed by countryman Gary Lockett, well with each fight on. It was on a
launches a particularly punishing left training camp
hook to the body a punch that was with some fellow
also a favourite of his father, who acts as Cameroonian
Jays coach. A classy counter-puncher, boxers, so it
the three-time Welsh amateur champ must have been
possesses lightning fists, which he uses a pro-am show.
to land sharp and snappy combinations
both upstairs and downstairs. However,
he can sometimes smother his work by
getting in too close, while he admits that
he tends to start a bit slow.
Like Harris, Essomba also strikes
effectively to the midsection with both
hands. The tough 29-year-old, who now
trains in Hartlepool with Paul OMalley,
comes forward with an accurate double

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 29

 ACTION Reports from
the best fights
around the world

O U T S TA N D I N G G O O D FA I R D I S A P P O I N T I N G RU B B I S H
Re p o r t e r s s t a r r a t i n g s fo r m a i n e v e n t s a n d u n d e rc a r d s a r e b a s e d o n i n - r i n g e n t e r t a i n m e n t , c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s a n d w h e t h e r o v e r a l l e x p e c t a t i o n w a s m e t
Photos: STEPHANIE TRAPP/SHOWTIME

FLASHES OF QUALITY:
Broner [right] clumps
Granados with
a perfect uppercut

JURY IS STILL OUT Hey, he said sternly. Daddys talking. Broner last fought here in October
Broner C I N C I N N AT I , O H
Okay, his daughter responded, before 2015, stopping Khabib Allakhverdiev
edges past F E B RUA RY 1 8 amending her answer to a solemn, Yes,
Daddy.
for the vacant WBA super-lightweight
title. In the ensuing months, he fell out
unfancied MAIN EVENT Broner, still only 27, is with big brother Floyd
Granados U N D E RC A R D growing up. And growing
out, evidenced by the
WHEN Mayweather, was stripped

YOURE AS
of his WBA crown for
AT M O S P H E R E
in his
decision to move this failing to make weight,

hometown N interesting
bout from 142 to 147lbs
three weeks before fight TALENTED AS and served multiple jail
stints for various offences.
US, YOURE
A
exchange occurred night. Granados, friends Last October, when
after Adrien with Broner outside the Broner posted seemingly
Broners split ring and a long-time GOING TO GET suicidal messages on
verdict win over
Adrian Granados.
sparring partner, believes
Broner changed the IT BACK Instagram, Mayweather
intervened. He told
As the winner weight to absorb blows me, Youre going to f**k
answered questions during the post- better. Broner did eat a lot of shots. But up a lot because youre young, Broner
Kenneth fight press conference, he paused he also dished out enough to nick a recalled. But when youre as talented as
Bouhairie mid-sentence to address a noisy group decision he may not have gotten outside you and I, youre going to get it back. And
RINGSIDE huddled in a corner. his hometown of Cincinnati. its about what you do with it when you

30 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

get it back.
After Saturday night, some would say
its too late. Thats being short-sighted.
Broner and trainer Mike Stafford told the
media that Granados was no pushover.
El Tigres record isnt impressive the a black ski mask shimmied toward the
story behind it is. He was a 2008 Mexican
Olympic alternate who studied under
trainer Nacho Beristain. As a professional,
hes always been the B-side. Touted duo
Frankie Gomez and Felix Diaz scraped
by him, both winning majority decisions.
However, in November 2015, he scored a
stunning stoppage win over the favoured
Amir Imam.
Granados figured to test Broners
newfound commitment to the sport.
When the weight debacle leaked,
however, it reeked of more of the same.
That made it four of the last five fights
that Broner had come in over 140lbs. If
he had in fact turned over a new leaf, it
wasnt at the salad bar.
Even so, 6,085 were on hand at the
Cintas Center to witness his first fight in
10 months. Broner, decked out in glittery
black and yellow threads and donning
punches. Granados was busier down
ring alongside rapper Kodak Black.
His moves werent so slick once he
stepped through the ropes. Flush shots
in the first didnt discourage Granados
from digging to Broners midsection. A
hard right in the second appeared to stun
Broner, and another got his attention in
the third. The uneasy crowd chanted,
A.B! A.B! A.B! Granados continued to
bore in and raid the body.
Broner began timing Granados rushes
in the fourth, stepping back to land his
check hook. Even Broners best strikes
couldnt slow Granados down. Neither
did an accidental headbutt that opened
a cut on the bridge of the Mexican-
Americans nose.
To his credit, Broner never lost
composure. His best moments came in
the middle rounds as he countered the
swarming Granados with short, punishing
the stretch, Broner more efficient. A
right uppercut-left hook combination
shouldve flattened Granados in the
seventh. Instead, the Cicero, Illinois man
advanced, causing ringsiders to shake
their heads in awe.
Granados body barrage was as
effective as Broners head shots, though
the latter was easier to discern. With
seconds left in the 10th and final
frame, Broner rocked Granados with a
thunderous left hook. The crowd leaped
to their feet as the visitor finally backed
up, but the final bell would ring moments
later. Judge Phil Rogers had it 97-93 for
Granados, while Broner won

CARELESS WHISKERS:
Broner [left] takes
a huge right hand
from Granados

FRIENDS WILL BE FRIENDS:

The old buddies embrace after tearing lumps out of each
other [top]; Broner celebrates [above] as he is declared the
winner of the heated 10-rounder

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 31

 ACTION

Photos: STEPHANIE TRAPP/SHOWTIME

FULL
R E S U LT S GOING FOR GOLD:
Granados [right]
attacks the favourite
Adrien Broner (146
1/2lbs), 33-2 (24),
w pts 10 Adrian
Granados (146
1/2lbs), 18-5-2 (12);
Lamont Peterson
(146 1/2lbs), 35-3-1
(17), w pts 12 David
Avanesyan (147lbs),
14-2 (4); Marcus
Browne (174 1/2lbs),
19-0 (14), w ko 6
Thomas Williams Jnr
(174 1/2lbs), 20-3
(14); Curtis Hill Jnr
(173 1/2lbs), 10-0
(5), w ko 1 Cory
Dulaney (168lbs),
5-4-1 (1); Trakwon
Pettis (136lbs), 12-0
(6), w pts 4 Mike
Fowler (136lbs), 5-6
(2); Desmond Jarman
(126 1/2lbs), 1-0 (1),
w ko 1 Lucas Burger
(126lbs), 0-2. 96-94 (Robert Pope) and 97-93 (Steve the aforementioned Diaz he exhibited Avanesyan down to the body. He grew
Weisfeld) on the other two cards. Ernie a variety of old-school skills in this one, stronger in the championship rounds,
Sharif refereed. matched by a throwback pair of trunks laying into Avanesyan as if he were
Afterwards, Granados called for a that wouldve made Oscar De La Hoya setting him up for a last-second KO.
rematch on neutral territory. He deserves jealous. Avanesyan, on the other hand, resembled
one, yet is unlikely to get it. Broner says Avanesyan doesnt have any one a runner in desperately clawing to the
he injured his left hand early on and had standout quality, but hes solid all-round. finish. Final cards read 115-113 (Mr
to eschew the jab. He also Washington, D.C native Rogers) and 116-112 twice (Mr Pope and

GRANADOS
confirmed plans to stay at Peterson pulled a bait Mr Weisfeld). Harvey Dock officiated.
welter, with his sights set and switch in the early In a scheduled 10-rounder between
on Manny Pacquiao.
Im taking my career DESERVES going, boxing from the
outside behind the jab.
light-heavyweight southpaws, Staten
Islands Marcus Browne finished
more serious, Broner
said. That career was once
A REMATCH Avanesyan threw more,
but once Peterson settled
Fort Washington, Marylands Thomas
Williams Jnr off at 0-42 of the sixth. Past
brimming with promise. BUT ITS in, he began walking the wars have finally caught up with Williams.
Whether he can salvage it
remains to be seen. UNLIKELY Russian down and banging
his sides. And no matter
He was a shell of himself on this night,
moving slower and on unsteady legs.
In the co-feature, the range, the ex-world Even his muscles werent as defined.
Lamont Peterson defeated David super-lightweight champs defence A right jab in the second caused
Avanesyan via 12-round unanimous was exquisite. Questions about his Williams to stumble towards the floor.
decision. Peterson showed no ring rust punch resistance at welterweight went Browne stepped in with a left cross to
OFF THE HOOK: following a 16-month layoff. On the unanswered because Avanesyan couldnt finish the job, but it landed on the back
Peterson [below contrary, the time off did him some hit him with something meaningful. of Williams head after he had already hit
right] returns to good. After sleepwalking through his last Peterson came forward throughout the canvas. Referee Ken Miliner initially
form against
Avanesyan fight a majority verdict victory over the second half of the fight, breaking counted to 10 and was set to declare
Browne the winner. However, after
conferring with ringside officials, Miliner
deducted a point from Browne for the
rabbit punch instead.
Browne [pictured left, cracking
Williams] later explained afterwards that
he wasnt sure if Williams was down.
Sounds plausible, except he also hit
Radivoje Kalajdzic while he was down
when they fought last April. Not that he
needed to foul to beat Williams.
A counter right hook dropped Williams
in the fourth. He rose just before being
counted out, but made no attempt to
do so in the sixth, when a right hook
followed by a left ended the fight. bn

THE VERDICT Broners talent is clear

to see, his dedication not so much.

32 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 ACTION

Photo: MIKE GREENHILL

Jack Hirsch watches an ancient

Roy Jones Jnr thrash Bobby Gunn VETERANS DAY:
Jones [right] launches
a right hand at Gunn

W I L M I N GTO N , D E
F E B RUA RY 1 7

MAIN EVENT
U N D E RC A R D

FOR years now we have gotten it all

wrong by accusing Roy Jones Jnr of
being in denial when in reality it is really
us. As long as we give him a platform to
exhibit his wares who are we to criticise
him if he elects to do so?
Tonight we brought you junk,
Larry Merchant once stated after HBO
exhibited a gross mismatch that was far
below the cable giants standards. Boxing
News can borrow that line as well in that
we are reporting on an event it would
have been perhaps best to ignore. The
problem is that we are all addicted to
greatness even if it is no longer there.
Frank Sinatra had no shortage of
fans paying to see him in later years
when his voice was greatly diminished.
Golf great Arnold Palmers popularity
remained long after it was apparent he
could never come close to winning a

ECHOES GETTING QUIETER

major tournament
again. If fans could
just catch Sinatra
hitting a high note
or Palmer making
an unlikely shot,
it would suffice. A mere glimpse of what each other. Gunn looked content to just opponent. Officially referee Bill Clancy
be there. Jones never fully opened up,
FULL
they once were is the best we can hope terminated the contest at seven seconds
leading some to believe he intentionally
R E S U LT S
for in a fading legend. of the eighth round. The flow of blood
For Jones, that glimpse came late in held back. The words of both were from Gunns nose was getting into his Roy Jones Jnr (199lbs),
the seventh round when he unleashed revealing. I could have turned it up and mouth. His face was a mess. It was at 65-9 (47), w rsf 8 Bobby
a two-punch combination of a right tried to end it earlier, but wanted to give least a dignified way for him to be pulled Gunn (197 1/2lbs),
cross-left hook that wobbled Bobby the fans a show, said Jones. Gunn, billed out. Gunn announced his retirement 21-7-1 (18); Kanat
Gunn. It was an impressive burst and as a legendary bare-knuckle champion, right after the match, something many Islam (154 1/4lbs), 23-0
reminded us of what Jones, now 48, but one who had not won a contest have called on Roy to do. But the (19), w rsf 1 Robson
Assis (154 1/2lbs), 16-4
used to do so routinely. For the with the gloves on in years, Pensacola native, who earned a little
(9); Dagoberto Aguero
most part Jones has lost actually agreed: I enjoyed under $100,000 for the nights work, rolls (118 1/2lbs), 11-0 (8),
his once blinding speed, him beating me up. on. Jones believes that people still want w pts 6 Olimjob Nazarov
power, and ability to TALKING POINT I think he took it easy to see him perform, and unfortunately (119 1/2lbs), 14-5 (8);
put combinations on me. he is right. Frank De Alba (130
SINCE being knocked out by Enzo
together. His Maccarinelli in December 2015, Jones No one in the The chief-support, scheduled for 10 1/4lbs), 21-2-2 (9),
durability that has has won three fights in a row. However, Chase Center rounds, ended sensationally at 2-11 of w pts 6 German Meraz
failed him over the his opponents were hardly stellar names seemed to care. the first with Kazakhstans Kanat Islam (129lbs), 55-42-1 (32);
years was not tested debutant Vyron Phillips, 40-year-old Delaware had not landing a right down the middle that Joey Tiberi (136lbs),
Rodney Moore and now Gunn, who 14-2 (7), w rsf 4 Bryan
by a 43-year-old hosted a professional dropped Brazilian southpaw Robson
hadnt fought in over three years. Timmons (138 1/4lbs),
opponent who was boxing show in the Assis for the full count. To say that Islam 5-9 (5); Henry Stewart
too slow to pull the last two years. They was fighting with a sense of urgency is (176 1/2lbs), 3-0 (1),
trigger on his punches. were practically ready to an understatement. About 30 seconds w pts 4 Martez
The only thing in Jones adopt Jones as their own. The into the contest a clash of heads opened Williamson (190
arsenal that has not diminished crowd fawned over him when he a deep cut over his right eye that bled 1/2lbs), 2-16; Lamont
is his immense ego. He continues to was presented with the championship badly. It is doubtful that Islam would Singletary (204 3/4lbs),
describe himself as the Great Roy belt from the WBF, having won its vacant have been allowed to continue beyond 8-1 (5), w rsf 1 Dan
Jones Jnr, not only in a past tense but a and essentially worthless cruiserweight the round. In desperation he fired rights Biddle (214lbs), 9-6 (5);
Ikram Kerwat (135lbs),
current one as well. title on this night. with all his power until one got through,
7-1 (5), w pts 4 Blond
Gunn, a New Jersey-based Canadian, Outside of the mentioned two-punch ending the fight. Vic de Wysocki refereed. Bomber Hart (135lbs),
tried his best, but this really was no combination, Jones did not really do 2-1 (2).
more than a glorified exhibition. After anything noteworthy. He won every THE VERDICT The show must go on,
every round the fighters grinned at round by pecking away at his easy-to-hit unfortunately.

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 33

 ACTION
Simon Euan-Smith
RINGSIDE
BETHNAL GREEN
F E B RUA RY 1 8
MAIN EVENT
U N D E RC A R D
AT M O S P H E R E
READINGS Asinia Byfield retained his
Southern Area super-welterweight title,
halting gallant John Brennan in the sixth
of a scheduled 10-rounder at York Hall.
Byfield came storming out for the
sixth, and Brennan who had taken stick
but always fired back simply fell apart.
Byfield crashed in shots without reply, and
referee Kieran McCann called it off after
39 seconds.
After a messy opener, with a lot of
missing, the bout quickly became a war,
with first one on top and then the other.
Brennan (Slough) had a good second,
twice having Byfield under pressure but
the champion rallied to force Brennan to
cover up. But Brennan was fighting back
at the bell.
Brennan was aiming to get close in the
third, but Byfield hit back grimly. Byfield
was pressured to the ropes but never
stopped punching and Brennan was
warned for headwork. A left hook to the
head rocked Brennan, but he blazed back.
The fourth saw more great action, with
Byfield landing a burst to the head but
Brennan firing back. Not surprisingly, the
fifth was quieter, and we wondered if it
would go the full 10 but when it came
to it, Byfield had reserves to draw on and
Brennan hadnt. The game challenger had
no reply to Byfields sixth-round assault.
Kian Thomas (Kentish Town) halted
Sheffields Ryan Hardy after 1-14 of the
sixth and last round. A right to the head
dropped Hardy spectacularly. He was up
quickly, and took the eight-count but
Thomas was on him at once, and Hardy
was taking stick on the ropes when
referee Lee Cook stepped in.
Thomas drew blood from Hardys
nose in the fifth, and Hardys left eye was
swollen.
Belvederes George Jupp outscored
Polands Damian Lawniczak over
six, referee McCann scoring 60-54.
Despite the margin, the visitor made it
competitive, coming forward constantly.
Jupp had to take a couple of left hooks in
the second but generally stayed in control
with his boxing on the retreat.
Joe Hayes (Bournemouth) outpointed
Latvian Zaurs Sadihovs in another six
handled by triallist referee Lee Every.
Mr Cook scored it 60-54.
Eleven four-rounders completed this
Warrior Promotions bill.
Readings Gelasius Taaru scored
34 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net
Photo: PHILIP SHARKEY
WHAT A WAR:
Byfield [right]
overcomes Brennan
in a cracking clash
ALL GUNS BLAZING
Byfield his second inside-schedule win, halting
Bulgarian southpaw Stefan Sashov after
outlasts 1-35 of the third. Taaru was in charge
Brennan throughout, and Sashov lost a point in
in a thriller the third for holding. Another two-fisted
attack had Sashov holding on again, and
triallist referee Chas Coakley waved it off.
Londoner Richard Riakporhe beat
fleshy Hungarian southpaw Istvan Orsos
in just 2-54. A right-left to the head
had Orsos on his knees by the ropes for
seven. On resumption, a burst to the
head prompted Mr Coakley to call it off.
Zack Davies (Carmarthen) stopped
Huddersfields Ismail Anwar after 1-00
of the second. Anwar came to fight, and
there were some good exchanges in the
first, but the Yorkshireman was tagged
by two rights to the head in the second.
Davies pressured his man to the ropes
and opened up with both hands and
referee McCann signalled the end.
Lewisham debutant Ibz Mercan
dominated Bulgarian Merdjidin
Yuseinov, floored him in the second
F U L L R E S U LT S
Asinia Byfield (154lbs), 12-1 (4), w rsf 6 John Brennan (152lbs 6oz), 7-5-1
(2); Davis Pagan (159lbs), 3-1, w pts 4 Sonny Whiting (160lbs), 5-13-2 (2);
Dan Neville (130lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Ricky Leach (130lbs), 2-14-1; Joe Hayes
(149lbs), 6-0-1, w pts 6 Zaurs Sadihovs (148lbs), 4-14 (4); Gelasius Taaru
(125lbs), 2-0 (2), w rsf 3 Stefan Sashov (121lbs), 2-9 (2); John Harding
(172lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Iain Jackson (175lbs), 5-33-2 (2); Joshua Ejakpovi
(155lbs 3oz), 6-0 (2), w pts 4 Mario Petrov (153lbs 2oz), 3-7 (1); Richard
Riakporhe (198lbs), 3-0 (2), w rsf 1 Istvan Orsos (194lbs), 15-39-2 (5); JJ
Hughes (165lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Scott Hillman (168lbs), 0-16; Kian Thomas
(150lbs), 7-0 (3), w rsf 6 Ryan Hardy (151lbs), 8-13; Robin Dupre (204lbs),
12-0 (1), w pts 4 Dimitris Neroutsos (195lbs), 4-5 (1); George Jupp (132lbs),
15-3 (4), w pts 6 Damian Lawniczak (133lbs), 3-21-1; Ibz Mercan (195lbs),
1-0, w pts 4 Merdjioin Yuseinov (184lbs), 7-18-2 (2); Zack Davies (140lbs),
7-1 (2), w rsf 2 Ismail Anwar (142lbs), 6-11 (1); Charlie Wynn (151lbs), 2-0,
w pts 4 Matthew Ashmole (151lbs), 1-30-1.
(apparently from an accumulation of
blows) and ran out a 40-35 winner.
Mr Coakley refereed, Mr Cook scored.
Another first-timer, Brixtons well-
supported John Harding, took a 40-37
win over Brightons Iain Jackson. Harding
dominated, and Jackson finished with
bumps under both eyes but referee Cook
had to warn Harding twice for low blows.
Bexleyheaths JJ Hughes had a more
torrid debut. He clearly beat Eastbournes
Scott Hillman, but suffered damage to
both eyes. A huge gash appeared above
Hughes left eye in the second, and referee
Every halted the action for a careful
examination. By the end of the round
Hughes was also cut in the corner of the
right eye but he stayed composed, and
took Mr Cooks 40-36 verdict.
Readings Dan Neville won his debut,
beating Westbrooks Ricky Leach by
40-36 for Mr McCann. Leach suffered a
bloody nose, but never stopped trying.
Davis Pagan (Basildon) outscored
Rochesters Sonny Whiting in a lively
curtain-raiser handled by Mr Coakley
who took a point off Whiting in the
fourth for holding. Mr Cook scored 39-37.
Dagenhams Robin Dupre beat
Athenian Dimitris Neroutsos by 40-36
for referee Cook.
Charlie Wynn (Southwark) took
a 39-37 win over Cardiffs Matthew
Ashmole Every refereed, McCann
scored.
Every also handled Marylebones
Joshua Ejakpovis bout with Mitchams
Mario Petrov, which Mr Cook gave to
Ejakpovi by 40-36.
THE VERDICT Terrific title bout,
with Brennans tank giving out first.
 ACTION
HOOKING HELL
Gorman Andy Whittle
delivers pain RINGSIDE
to Gorgiladze
S TO K E
F E B RUA RY 1 8
MAIN EVENT
U N D E RC A R D
AT M O S P H E R E
JUST 109 seconds was all that promising
Nantwich heavyweight Nathan Gorman
needed to condemn Georgias Gogita
Gorgiladze to defeat at the Fenton
Manor Sports Complex. A pair of left
hooks to the body sent the visitor
writhing in agony to the canvas, and as
Gogita made a half-hearted attempt at
rising, referee Kevin Parker dispensed with
the count. It had been set for 10 rounds.
Next up for Nathan is a tilt at the vacant
English title in Crystal Palace in April.
Belper welter Ryan Fields turned in
a cracking performance to regain his
old Midlands Area strap. A wide 99-93
JOB DONE: decision, handed down by Shaun Messer,
Gorman walks away was his reward for a dominant showing
after dismantling against Ludlow southpaw Craig Morris,
Gorgiladze
who, if he was waiting for Ryan to slow,
Photo: MARK JONES/
was left disappointed.
HATTON PROMOTIONS
Barring just one or two flat spots,
including one early on that earned him
a rollicking from trainer Clifton Mitchell,
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 35
Fields bossed proceedings sufficiently
enough to ensure that the Shropshire
champion who did well to take a
thunderous left late in the eighth
finished second best by some margin.
A point docked by referee Messer
for holding in the sixth round proved
pivotal in Market Harboroughs Reuben
Arrowsmith being denied his ninth
straight victory, with the score at the end
of eight against Northolts experienced
Ryan Toms reading 77-77.
Arrowsmith, who seemingly picked
up an early rib injury, had opened up a
decent lead by halfway, but was forced
to settle for a share as Toms came on
strongly, especially after that point
deduction.
A second eight-rounder, seemingly
enjoyed by both combatants, saw Stokes
well-supported Kieran McLaren emerge
a clear 80-74 winner for referee Parker
over Michael Mooney. The Worcester
man fully played his part, especially in the
closer middle rounds.
Staffords Rob Hunt was sharp behind
the jab from the off, and avenged a
loss suffered at the hands of Athertons
William Warburton at this same
venue just four months ago. That initial
meeting saw Warby triumph 59-56 at
the conclusion of six, but he never looked
like repeating the feat here, going down
40-37 for Mr Messer over the shorter
four-round distance.
Newcastle-under-Lyme first-timer
Luke Caci began with plenty of ambition,
catching Hulls Andy Neylon with a
looping left in the opening seconds of
their four-rounder. He seldom looked
back, extending his lead with a series
of body shots, before sending the man
from Humberside to one knee with a
combination midway through the third.
Referee Parker tallied 40-35 to Caci.
Just one of three further four-rounders
went the distance. Local Owen Jobburn
secured a 40-37 success against returning
Southwark-based Italian Victor Edagha,
who scored a flash knockdown in the
third that wasnt enough to win the
round. Mr Parker officiated.
Two bouts ended in the third frame,
and saw Macclesfields Jake Haigh and
Winsfords Nathan Clarke claim the
spoils. Haigh handed Yeovils Bryn Wain
his 16th defeat on the bounce, hurting
him with a body shot in the dying embers
of the second, and forcing referee Parker
to halt what had become an increasingly
one-sided affair at 2-12 of the next.
Clarke, meanwhile, took seven seconds
longer to see off Nick Golubs. The
Sutton-in-Ashfield-based Latvian had
his nose bloodied by a combination in
the second, and was floored in the third,
referee Messer waving it off at 2-19.
The quickest victory on the undercard,
in what had been a scheduled six, went
to Wednesburys Sam Evans, who
floored Polands Sylwester Walczak
twice inside the opener, having already
had one knockdown ruled out due to a
push. With a bump below his left eye and
facing more of the same, the retirement
of Walczak at the conclusion of the first
came as no huge surprise.
THE VERDICT Gorman follows trainer
Ricky Hattons lead, and finishes
things with a vicious body shot.
F U L L R E S U LT S
Nathan Gorman (258 1/2lbs), 8-0 (7), w rsf 1
Gogita Gorgiladze (226lbs), 34-16 (28); Ryan
Fields (147lbs), 10-3-1 (4), w pts 10 Craig Morris
(146lbs 14oz), 7-1 (2); Kieran McLaren (140lbs
10oz), 10-0, w pts 8 Michael Mooney (141lbs),
8-25 (3); Reuben Arrowsmith (155lbs), 8-0-1
(2), d pts 8 Ryan Toms (153 3/4lbs), 14-14-3 (8);
Sam Evans (156lbs), 8-0 (3), w rtd 1 Sylwester
Walczak (152lbs 14oz), 5-29-2; Jake Haigh
(171lbs 10oz), 3-0 (2), w rsf 3 Bryn Wain (170
1/4lbs), 0-16; Owen Jobburn (157lbs 6oz), 3-0,
w pts 4 Victor Edagha (155 1/4lbs), 0-11; Rob
Hunt (155lbs), 24-5-2 (3), w pts 4 William
Warburton (155 1/4lbs), 22-107-9 (3); Nathan
Clarke (152 1/2lbs), 4-1-1 (1), w rsf 3 Nick Golubs
(151 3/4lbs), 0-2; Luke Caci (176 3/4lbs), 1-0,
w pts 4 Andy Neylon (180lbs 14oz), 2-17-1 (1).
 ACTION

Photo: KAREN PRIESTLEY

TAKE THAT!
Taylor [left]
wallops Emilov
MOORHEAD EDGES IT
with a right
Thomas Latham is ringside Hungarys Imre Nagy. Roberts
to see Ryan overcome McCorry controlled the bout, using his
in a keenly fought contest jab to set up combinations, and
landing hurtful body shots. Referee
Kevin McIntyre awarded Michael
PA I S L E Y an 80-72 verdict.
F E B RUA RY 1 8 Jervistons Iain Butcher
prepared for his vacant British
WHOLE SHOW super-flyweight title tilt in April
with an impressive first-session
AT M O S P H E R E
victory. A vicious body shot sent
MTK SCOTLAND returned to the Hungarian Gyula Dodu to the
Lagoon Leisure Centre with an canvas at the end of the round,
action-packed evening of boxing. forcing his corner to retire him on

FALLEN
applecart by scoring a first-session The main event featured two his stool. It had been set for eight.
stoppage. Referee John Latham rising super-featherweights in Mr Pringle officiated.
waved it off with just four seconds Cambuslangs Jordan McCorry In his first bout under new

ANGEL
Returning Taylor gets back
to business against Emilov
MANCHESTER
F E B RUA RY 1 8
WHOLE SHOW
EXHIBITING little by way of ring
rust, Middletons Liam Taylor
returned to the squared circle after
an absence of 15 months at the
Victoria Warehouse. Taylor eased
to a shutout 80-72 points victory
over Bulgarias Angel Emilov for
referee Phil Edwards. Numerous
right uppercuts and body shots
in the later rounds were Liams
weapons of choice.
Hugely popular Mancunian
Anthony Leak impressed, having
a look in an entertaining opener
before bringing down the curtain
in the next against Bulgarian
Teodor Lozanov. Mr Edwards
officiated the four-rounder.
In a four-round contest
between Gorton novice Lee
Carter and Bulgarias Zheko
Zhekov a Scrabble-players
dream the visitor upset the
of the opening frame left.
Nine other bouts with
Mr Edwards and Mr Latham
sharing refereeing duties went
the distance. There were a quartet
of six-rounders. Salfords Marc
Leach ran out a 59-55 points
winner over Eveshams Brett
Fidoe, while there were shutout
wins for Manchesters Charlie
Schofield, Salfords Luke Evans
and Rochdales Bilal Rehman,
who triumphed over Bulgarian
Georgi Valevski, Readings
Ibrar Riyaz and Newarks Fonz
Alexander respectively.
Over four, there were 40-36
triumphs for Manchester
trio Jordan Latimer, Arthif
Daniel and John Telford. Their
opponents were Norwichs Duane
Green, Bognor Regis Liam
Griffiths and Telfords Kieron
Gray respectively. Things were a
little closer in the four-rounders
between local Omar Dusary
and Bentleys Craig Derbyshire,
and Ashton-under-Lynes Lee
Oldham and Stourbridges Kevin
McCauley. Dusary won by 39-37,
while Lee was victorious by 39-38.
THE VERDICT Promoter Steve
Wood serves up the first of
what will doubtless be many
shows this year.
and Liverpools Ryan Moorhead. trainer Billy Nelson, Inverness
The early stages were nip and Gary Cornish worked his jab
tuck McCorry looking to land to good effect en route to a
his big right hand and Moorhead 59-55 decision over six against
establishing his jab. During Plymouth-based Pole Kamil
the middle rounds, the cleaner Sokolowski. Darren Maxwell
work came from Moorhead, as refereed, while Mr Pringle scored.
he began to land some good Castlemilks Ross Murray,
counters. However, McCorry was Dundee southpaw Paul Kean and
working well on the inside, and as Glasgows Ahmed Ibrahim all
we approached the final frame the impressed with points wins. Murray
contest was in the balance. Both won 58-56 (Mr McIntyre) against
boxers went to the trenches in Nicaraguas Jose Hernandez over
round eight, but it was Moorhead six, Kean triumphed 40-36 (Mr
who landed the telling shots and McIntyre) over Bangors Casey
edged the decision by 77-76 for Blair, while Ibrahim overcame
referee Kenny Pringle. Belfasts James Gorman by 40-36
Balornocks Michael Roberts (Mr Pringle for referee Maxwell).
returned after an eight-month
absence and impressed over eight THE VERDICT A captivating
rounds with a dominant win over headline bout.
F U L L R E S U LT S
Ryan Moorhead (129lbs), 9-1 (1), w pts 8 Jordan McCorry (130lbs), 11-3-1 (2); Michael
Roberts (129lbs), 19-0-1 (1), w pts 8 Imre Nagy (129lbs), 15-9 (7); Iain Butcher
(118lbs), 16-2 (5), w rtd 1 Gyula Dodu (117lbs), 10-3 (5); Paul Kean (159lbs), 3-0, w pts
4 Casey Blair (161lbs), 4-22; Gary Cornish (254lbs), 24-1 (12), w pts 6 Kamil Sokolowski
(221lbs), 2-9-2; Ross Murray (112lbs), 5-0 (1), w pts 6 Jose Hernandez (112lbs), 4-13-1
(3); Ahmed Ibrahim (149lbs), 3-0 (1), w pts 4 James Gorman (149lbs), 8-34-1 (3).
Photo: STUART WARD
CLOSE ONE: McCorry
[right] and Moorhead
put on a quality bout

F U L L R E S U LT S
Liam Taylor (147lbs), 14-1 (5), w pts 8 Angel Emilov (153lbs), 5-12 (3); Charlie Schofield
(175lbs 5oz), 9-0 (1), w pts 6 Georgi Valevski (174 1/4lbs), 3-11; Luke Evans (142lbs 3oz),
6-0, w pts 6 Ibrar Riyaz (141lbs), 4-114-4 (2); Marc Leach (121lbs 5oz), 8-1 (2), w pts 6
Brett Fidoe (121lbs 1oz), 6-33-2 (5); Bilal Rehman (148lbs 2oz), 7-0 (2), w pts 6 Fonz
Alexander (139lbs 9oz), 4-50 (2); Lee Oldham (155lbs 6oz), 4-0, w pts 4 Kevin McCauley
(158lbs 6oz), 12-135 (10); Zheko Zhekov (234lbs 2oz), 2-2-1 (1), w rsf 1 Lee Carter (253
1/4lbs), 0-2; John Telford (168lbs 5oz), 4-0, w pts 4 Kieron Gray (164lbs 6oz), 8-59-2 (1);
Arthif Daniel (162lbs), 5-2, w pts 4 Liam Griffiths (165lbs), 5-70-1; Omar Dusary (124lbs
1oz), 3-0 (1), w pts 4 Craig Derbyshire (123lbs 6oz), 3-17 (1); Jordan Latimer (162lbs 1oz),
1-0, w pts 4 Duane Green (154lbs 6oz), 4-24-4; Anthony Leak (163lbs 3oz), 2-0 (1), w rsf 2
Teodor Lozanov (166lbs), 3-6.

36 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2016 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 ACTION
Photo: ROBERT ELLIS
ON THE
WAY UP
Unbeaten Clarke continues his
progression with another victory
Andy Whittle
RINGSIDE
WA L S A L L
F E B RUA RY 1 7
WHOLE SHOW
AT M O S P H E R E
POLANDS Bartlomiej Grafka
had been beaten on all five
previous visits to the UK,
something of a case of dj vu for
him then that he should succumb
over eight rounds to Halesowens
Lennox Clarke, who improved to
15-0 by virtue of a shutout 80-72
scoreline.
Clarke, now trained by former
two-time British title challenger
Malcolm Melvin, has his eye on
a domestic title shot in the not-
too-distant future. Grafka, with
his nose already bloodied, came
on strongly after picking up a
diagonal cut above his left eye
midway through the seventh.
However, it was Clarke who
proved in the ascendancy for
F U L L R E S U LT S
Lennox Clarke (169lbs 10oz), 15-0 (6), w pts 8 Bartlomiej Grafka (169lbs), 18-25-3 (9);
Brad Foster (114 3/4lbs), 6-0 (1), w rsf 1 Leonard Rafael (114 1/4lbs), 2-11 (1); Connor
Parker (144lbs 2oz), 2-0, w pts 4 Liam Richards (142lbs), 12-29 (1); Josh Stokes (179
1/2lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Mitch Mitchell (182lbs 1oz), 7-55-3 (3).
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2016 l BOXING NEWS l 37
BURSTING THROUGH:
Clarke [right] crashes
past Grafkas guard
the most part. Referee-for-the-
evening Shaun Messer officiated.
Also maintaining his 100
per cent record with a success
against overseas opposition was
Lichfields Brad Foster, who fully
lived up to his nickname of The
Blade by cutting down Slovakias
overmatched Leonard Rafael
in less than a round. Thirty-seven
seconds of the opener remained
when Rafael, having already been
softened up by some punishing
work to the body, doubled over
in pain after falling victim to yet
another combination downstairs.
It had been set for six.
Novice Woodville southpaw
Connor Parker (cousin of highly
rated Zach Parker) made it two
wins out of two by seeing off an
experienced opponent in the
shape of Melkshams always-
durable Liam Richards. With
Parker relaxed throughout and
mixing things up nicely, the 40-36
result was never in doubt. It
was just reward for a dominant
performance.
West Bromwichs debuting
Josh Stokes also emerged a
40-36 winner, against Lincolns
heavily tattooed Mitch Mitchell.
The first-timer, whose younger
brother Tom Stokes also punches
for pay, stayed busy behind a jab
that he regularly followed up with
purposeful rights to the head.
THE VERDICT A good learning
experience for Clarke.
NEW FACES
Braithwaite tops a showcase verdict from referee Phil Edwards,
for emerging North West talent who was in charge of all the
evenings bouts.
Accringtons Artif Ali
Chris Walker experimented with a number
RINGSIDE of stances and defences, and
although the vast majority of them
LIVERPOOL were short-lived, he was always
in control, which earned him the
F E B RUA RY 1 7
nod via a 39-37 verdict against
West Bromwichs determined Jack
WHOLE SHOW Summers.
AT M O S P H E R E There were harsh lessons for
local debutant Byron Abiru,
BLACK FLASH PROMOTIONS who went down 39-37 against
returned to the heart of the Nottinghams Simone Lucas.
Liverpool club scene for the Abiru was roared on by the home
second time in three months as crowd, but his gutsy efforts, of
Fusion Nightclub played host to which there were plenty, were
a four-fight card highlighting the answered back with interest from
next generation of North West Lucas, who enjoyed a rare victory.
talent. The best action was in the
Occupying the premier spot on fast-paced encounter between
the bill was Liverpools Marcel Ellesmere Ports Mason
Braithwaite, who moved to 3-0 Cartwright and Middleton
with a win over Islingtons Jules southpaw Darryl Sharp, which
Phillips in a contest where the was decided by the formers
local man was forced to work intelligence. Sharp battled
harder than many had predicted. throughout, but often missed,
Opting to set up counters in the whereas Cartwrights assaults
early going, Braithwaites plan was seemed to leave a lasting impact.
thwarted by his opponent, who Sharps repeated goading of his foe
refused to commit any offence in was ignored, as Cartwright fought
the opening stages. Braithwaite on his own terms, which led to
reacted to this and became more him receiving a 39-37 win.
aggressive, which worked better
than his original tactics, and THE VERDICT A thriving North
ultimately took him to a 40-36 West scene currently exists.
F U L L R E S U LT S
Marcel Braithwaite (121lbs), 3-0, w pts 4 Jules Philips (124lbs), 0-3; Mason Cartwright
(155lbs), 8-0-1 (1), w pts 4 Darryl Sharp (161lbs), 3-12; Simone Lucas (160lbs), 9-30-5
(1), w pts 4 Byron Abiru (154lbs), 0-1; Artif Ali (127lbs), 10-1, w pts 4 Jack Summers
(131lbs), 2-1.
HAT-TRICK:
Braithwaite
moves to 3-0
 RANKINGS
HEAVYWEIGHT
over 200lbs/14st 4lbs
1. DEONTAY WILDER 37-0 (USA)
2. KUBRAT PULEV 24-1 (BGR)
3. LUIS ORTIZ 27-0 (CUB)
4. ANTHONY JOSHUA 18-0 (ENG)
5. JOSEPH PARKER 22-0 (NZL)
6. ANDY RUIZ JNR 29-1 (USA)
7. CARLOS TAKAM 34-3-1 (CMR)
8. DAVID HAYE 28-2 (ENG)
9. ARTUR SZPILKA 20-2 (POL)
10. DILLIAN WHYTE 20-1 (ENG)
CRUISERWEIGHT
200lbs/14st 4lbs
1. OLEKSANDR USYK 11-0 (UKR)
2. KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI 26-1 (POL)
3. MARCO HUCK 40-3-1 (GER)
4. MURAT GASSIEV 24-0 (RUS)
5. DENIS LEBEDEV 29-3 (RUS)
6. TONY BELLEW 28-2-1 (ENG)
7. KRZYSZTOF WLODARCZYK 52-3-1 (POL)
8. FIRAT ARSLAN 38-8-2 (GER)
9. ILUNGA MAKABU 19-2 (COD)
10. MAKSIM VLASOV 37-2 (RUS)
LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT
175lbs/12st 7lbs
1. ANDRE WARD 31-0 (USA)
2. SERGEY KOVALEV 30-1-1 (RUS)
3. ADONIS STEVENSON 28-1 (CAN)
4. NATHAN CLEVERLY 30-3 (WAL)
5. JUERGEN BRAEHMER 48-3 (GER)
6. ARTUR BETERBIEV 11-0 (RUS)
7. ELEIDER ALVAREZ 21-0 (COL)
8. JOE SMITH JNR 23-1 (USA)
9. JEAN PASCAL 31-4-1 (CAN)
10. OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK 12-0 (UKR)
SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT
168lbs/12st
1. JAMES DeGALE 23-1-1 (ENG)
2. BADOU JACK 20-1-3 (SWE)
3. GILBERTO RAMIREZ 34-0 (MEX)
4. ARTHUR ABRAHAM 45-5 (GER)
5. GEORGE GROVES 25-3 (ENG)
6. ANTHONY DIRRELL 30-1-1 (USA) [above]
7. FEDOR CHUDINOV 14-1 (RUS)
8. ANDRE DIRRELL 25-2 (USA)
9. CALLUM SMITH 22-0 (ENG)
10. MARTIN MURRAY 34-4-1 (ENG)
l If a fighter has been inactive for over a year, he will not be included
in the rankings, unless he has a fight officially scheduled.
l Each fighter is ranked on the results they have achieved in their
own specific weight division (excluding the pound-for-pound list).
l A fighter cannot be ranked in a specific weight division until he has
competed in that division.
38 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net
MIDDLEWEIGHT
160lbs/11st 6lbs
1. GENNADY GOLOVKIN 36-0 (KAZ)
2. DANIEL JACOBS 32-1 (USA)
3. BILLY JOE SAUNDERS 24-0 (ENG)
4. DAVID LEMIEUX 36-3 (CAN)
5. HASSAN NDAM NJIKAM 35-2 (FRA)
6. WILLIE MONROE JNR 21-2 (USA)
7. AVTANDIL KHURTSIDZE 32-2-2 (GEO)
8. MACIEJ SULECKI 23-0 (POL)
9. SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO 9-0 (UKR)
10. CURTIS STEVENS 29-5 (USA)
SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT
154lbs/11st
1. CANELO ALVAREZ 48-1-1 (MEX)
2. ERISLANDY LARA 24-2-2 (CUB)
3. JERMALL CHARLO 25-0 (USA)
4. AUSTIN TROUT 30-3 (USA)
5. JERMELL CHARLO 28-0 (USA)
6. DEMETRIUS ANDRADE 23-0 (USA)
7. VANES MARTIROSYAN 36-3-1 (USA)
8. ISHE SMITH 29-8 (USA)
9. LIAM SMITH 23-1-1 (ENG)
10. WILLIE NELSON 25-3-1 (USA)
WELTERWEIGHT
147lbs/10st 7lbs
1. MANNY PACQUIAO 59-6-2 (PHL)
2. TIMOTHY BRADLEY 33-2-1 (USA)
3. KEITH THURMAN 27-0 (USA)
4. SHAWN PORTER 26-2-1 (USA)
5. DANNY GARCIA 33-0 (USA)
6. JESSIE VARGAS 27-2 (USA)
7. ERROL SPENCE 21-0 (USA)
8. FRANKIE GOMEZ 21-0 (USA)
9. KONSTANTIN PONOMAREV 31-0 (RUS)
10. LAMONT PETERSON 35-3-1 (USA)
SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT
140lbs/10st
1. TERENCE CRAWFORD 30-0 (USA)
2. VIKTOR POSTOL 28-1 (UKR)
3. JULIUS INDONGO 21-0 (NAM)
4. RICKY BURNS 41-5-1 (SCO)
5. ANTONIO OROZCO 25-0 (MEX)
6. JOHN MOLINA JNR 29-7 (USA) [above]
7. RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV 25-5 (RUS)
8. THOMAS DULORME 24-2 (PRI)
9. EDUARD TROYANOVSKY 25-1 (RUS)
10. SERGEY LIPINETS 11-0 (RUS)
LIGHTWEIGHT
135lbs/9st 9lbs
1. JORGE LINARES 41-3 (VEN)
2. MIKEY GARCIA 36-0 (USA)
3. ANTHONY CROLLA 31-5-3 (ENG)
4. TERRY FLANAGAN 32-0 (ENG)
5. ISMAEL BARROSO 19-1-2 (VEN)
6. RANCES BARTHELEMY 25-0 (CUB)
7. ROBERT EASTER JNR 19-0 (USA)
8. DEJAN ZLATICANIN 22-1 (MNE)
9. MICKEY BEY 22-2-1 (USA)
10. YVAN MENDY 36-4-1 (FRA)
SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT
130lbs/9st 4lbs
1. VASYL LOMACHENKO 7-1 (UKR)
2. JEZREEL CORRALES 21-1 (PAN)
3. TAKASHI UCHIYAMA 24-2-1 (JPN)
4. MIGUEL BERCHELT 31-1 (MEX)
5. FRANCISCO VARGAS 23-1-2 (MEX)
6. TAKASHI MIURA 31-3-2 (JPN)
7. GERVONTA DAVIS 17-0 (USA)
8. JASON SOSA 20-1-4 (USA)
9. BRYAN VASQUEZ 35-2 (CRI)
10. ROMAN MARTINEZ 29-3-3 (PRI)
FEATHERWEIGHT
126lbs/9st
1. GARY RUSSELL JNR 27-1 (USA)
2. LEO SANTA CRUZ 33-1-1 (MEX)
3. CARL FRAMPTON 23-1 (NIR)
4. SIMPIWE VETYEKA 29-3 (RSA)
5. LEE SELBY 23-1 (WAL)
6. ABNER MARES 30-2-1 (MEX)
7. JESUS CUELLAR 28-2 (ARG)
8. OSCAR VALDEZ 21-0 (MEX)
9. EVGENY GRADOVICH 22-2-1 (RUS)
10. RONNY RIOS 27-1 (USA)
SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT
122lbs/8st 10lbs
1. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX 17-0 (CUB)
2. JESSIE MAGDALENO 24-0 (USA)
3. NONITO DONAIRE 37-4 (PHL) [above]
4. GENESIS SERVANIA 28-0 (PHL)
5. CESAR JUAREZ 19-5 (MEX)
6. REY VARGAS 28-0 (MEX)
7. HUGO RUIZ 36-4 (MEX)
8. MOISES FLORES 25-0 (MEX)
9. YUKINORI OGUNI 19-1-1 (JPN)
10. NEHOMAR CERMENO 26-5-1 (VEN)
BANTAMWEIGHT
118lbs/8st 6lbs
1. SHINSUKE YAMANAKA 26-0-2 (JPN)
2. ZHANAT ZHAKIYANOV 27-1 (KAZ)
3. RAUSHEE WARREN 14-2 (USA)
4. JUAN CARLOS PAYANO 18-1 (DOM)
5. ANSELMO MORENO 36-5-1 (PAN)
6. JAMIE McDONNELL 29-2-1 (ENG)
7. LEE HASKINS 34-3 (ENG)
8. MARLON TAPALES 29-2 (PHL)
9. STUART HALL 20-5-2 (ENG)
10. PUNGLUANG SOR SINGYU 52-4 (THA)
SUPER-FLYWEIGHT
115lbs/8st 3lbs
1. NAOYA INOUE 12-0 (JPN)
2. ROMAN GONZALEZ 46-0 (NIC)
3. CARLOS CUADRAS 35-1-1 (MEX)
4. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI 41-4-1 (THA)
5. KAL YAFAI 21-0 (ENG)
6. KOHEI KONO 32-10-1 (JPN)
7. JERWIN ANCAJAS 26-1-1 (PHL)
8. McJOE ARROYO 17-1 (PRI)
9. GIDEON BUTHELEZI 18-5 (RSA)
10. JONAS SULTAN 12-3 (PHL)
FLYWEIGHT
112lbs/8st
1. JOHN RIEL CASIMERO 23-3 (PHL)
2. AMNAT RUENROENG 17-1 (THA)
3. KAZUTO IOKA 21-1 (JPN)
4. JUAN CARLOS REVECO 37-3 (ARG)
5. DONNIE NIETES 39-1-4 (PHL)
6. McWILLIAMS ARROYO 16-3 (PRI)
7. NAWAPHON POR CHOKCHAI 36-0 (THA)
8. DAIGO HIGA 12-0 (JPN)
9. JUAN HERNANDEZ NAVARRETE 33-2 (MEX)
10. ZOU SHIMING 9-1 (CHN) [above]
LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT
108lbs/7st 10lbs
1. GANIGAN LOPEZ 28-6 (MEX)
2. YU KIMURA 18-3-1 (JPN)
3. PEDRO GUEVARA 29-2-1 (MEX)
4. RYOICHI TAGUCHI 25-2-2 (JPN)
5. AKIRA YAEGASHI 25-5 (JPN)
6. REY LORETO 23-13 (PHL)
7. JESSE ESPINAS 16-2 (PHL)
8. KOSEI TANAKA 8-0 (JPN)
9. OMARI KIMWERI 16-3 (AUS)
10. RANDY PETALCORIN 25-2-1 (PHL)
STRAWWEIGHT
105lbs/7st 7lbs
1. KNOCKOUT CP FRESHMART 14-0 (THA)
2. BYRON ROJAS 18-3-3 (NIC)
3. WANHENG MENAYOTHIN 45-0 (THA)
4. JOSE ARGUMEDO 19-3-1 (MEX)
5. KATSUNARI TAKAYAMA 31-8 (JPN)
6. CARLOS BUITRAGO 30-2-1 (NIC)
7. JOSE ANTONIO JIMENEZ 17-6-1 (COL)
8. XIONG ZHAO ZHONG 26-7-1 (CHN)
9. SIMPHIWE KHONCO 17-5 (RSA)
10. SAUL JUAREZ 23-5-1 (MEX)
POUND-FOR-POUND
The best of the best
1. ROMAN GONZALEZ 46-0 (NIC)
2. ANDRE WARD 31-0 (USA)
3. SERGEY KOVALEV 30-1-1 (RUS)
4. MANNY PACQUIAO 59-6-2 (PHL)
5. TIMOTHY BRADLEY 33-2-1 (USA)
6. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX 17-0 (CUB)
7. CANELO ALVAREZ 48-1-1 (MEX)
8. GENNADY GOLOVKIN 36-0 (KAZ)
9. TERENCE CRAWFORD 30-0 (USA)
10. VASYL LOMACHENKO 7-1 (UKR)
 DIARY
FEBRUARY Puerto Salvador Allende, Managua,
THURSDAY 23 Nicaragua
Forum, Nizhny Tagil, Russia Felix Alvarado v Gabriel Ruiz; Cristofer
Dmitry Bivol v Robert Berridge; Sergey Rosales v Sebastian Sanchez; Keyvin Lara v
Kuzmin v Vaclav Pejsar. (Promoter: LTD RAT Alexander Taylor. (Promoter: Nica Boxing).
& World Boxing).
Maunoloa Night Club y Casino,
FRIDAY 24 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
York Hall, Bethnal Green (BoxNation) Norberto Jimenez v Michell Banquez.
Thomas Essomba (holder) v Jay Harris (Promoter: Shuan Boxing Promotions &
(Commonwealth flyweight title); Boy Upper Promotions).
Jones (holder) v Craig Poxton (Southern
Area super-featherweight title); Lerrone The Spectrum, Oslo, Norway
Richards v s/o; Sanjeev Sahota v Elemir Cecilia Breakhus (holder) v Klara
Rafael; DP Carr v s/o; Harley Benn v Svensson (WBC, WBA, IBF & WBO female
Dominik Zubko; Zak Chelli v s/o; Naylor welterweight titles); Tim Robin Lihaug v
Ball v s/o; Charlie Driscoll v Rhys Tomas Adamek. (Promoter: SPAG & First
Saunders; Billy Long v s/o; Archie Sharp v Lady Promotions).
s/o. (Promoter: Queensberry Promotions).
SATURDAY 25
Middleton Arena Hull Ice Arena (Sky Sports)
Mark Heffron v Christian Hoskin Gomez; Gavin McDonnell v Rey Vargas (vacant
Zelfa Barrett v Reynaldo Cajina; Lyndon WBC super-bantamweight title); Luke
Arthur v Tzvetozar Iliev; Jack Flatley v Campbell v Jairo Lopez; Tommy Coyle v
Anthony Fox. (Promoter: Black Flash Rakeem Noble; Ryan Burnett v Joseafat
Promotions). Reyes; David Allen v Lukasz Rusiewicz; Dec
Spelman v Nathan King; Connor Seymour v
Bramall Lane, Sheffield William Warburton; Jacob Wooley v Jordan
David Howe v Tomas Mrazek; Loua Nassa Ellison; Carl Chadwick v James Carney.
v Anwar Alfadli; Sam Omaison v Lee (Promoter: Matchroom Boxing).
Connelly; Joel Palmer v Curtis Gargano.
(Promoter: Dennis Hobson Promotions). Maidstone Leisure Centre
Richard Harrison v Darren Snow; Oli
Holte Suite, Villa Park, Birmingham Edwards v Scott Hillman; Grant Dennis
Charlie Williams v s/o; Ryan Kelly v s/o; v s/o; Chris Lawrence v Russ Midgley;
Cori Gibbs v s/o; Sean Davis v s/o; Tommy Charlie Shane v s/o; Luke Gibbo v Ibrar
Silcox v s/o; Raza Hamza v s/o. (Promoter: Riyaz; Martin Hillman v s/o; Ronnie
Tommy Owens Promotions). Bullen v Edgars Sniedze. (Promoter:
JE Promotions).
Centre Videotron, Quebec City, Canada
Eleider Alvarez v Lucian Bute; Francis Holiday Inn, Birmingham
Lafreniere v Uriel Gonzalez. (Promoter: Jordan Clayton v Arvydas Trizno; Mike Cole
GYM Promotions). v s/o; Ikram Hussain v s/o; Luke Heron
v s/o. (Promoter: Black Country Boxing
Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Promotion).
California (Showtime)
Christopher Pearson v Justin DeLoach; Civic Hall, Bedworth
Andrew Tabiti v Quantis Graves; Lionell Joe Sherriff v s/o; Troy James v s/o;
Thompson v Steve Lovett; Ronald Gavril Michael Green v s/o. (Promoter: Sam
v s/o; Saul Rodriguez v s/o. (Promoter: Kynoch).
Mayweather Promotions).
Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Tony Rosa Community Center, Palm Bay, (Sky Sports & FOX Sports 1)
Florida (USA Telemundo) Deontay Wilder (holder) v Gerald
Ricardo Rodriguez v Carlos Narvaez. Washington (WBC heavyweight title);
(Promoter: All Star Boxing). Jarrett Hurd v Tony Harrison (vacant
BOXING ON THE BOX
THURSDAY 23 FRIDAY 24 SUNDAY 26
7.00pm BoxNation 7.00pm BoxNation 1.00am Sky Sports 1
Cassius & Helder LIVE Thomas Essomba LIVE Deontay Wilder v
v Jay Harris Gerald Washington
7.30pm BoxNation
LIVE WSB: France SATURDAY 25 MONDAY 27
Fighting Roosters v 8.00pm Sky Sports 2 7.00pm BoxNation
British Lionhearts LIVE Gavin McDonnell Boxing Matters
v Rey Vargas
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 39
IBF super-welterweight title); Dominic
Breazeale v Izuagbe Ugonoh; Alantez
Fox v Kenneth McNeil; Jorge Lara v
Jhon Gemino; Caleb Plant v Thomas
Awimbono; Iago Kiladze v Byron Polley;
Junior Fa v Keith Barr. (Promoter: DiBella
Entertainment & TGB Promotions).
MARCH
THURSDAY 2
Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
Shinsuke Yamanaka (holder) v Carlos
Carlson (WBC bantamweight title); Kenichi
Ogawa v Satoru Sugita; Brian Viloria
v Ruben Montoya. (Promoter: Teiken
Promotions).
FRIDAY 3
Alona Hotel, Motherwell
Eddie Doyle (holder) v Lee Redpath
(Scottish Area super-lightweight title);
Rhys Pagan v s/o; JP McGuiness v James
Gorman; Leon Roberts v Jamie Quinn;
Stephen Carroll v William Warburton;
Giuseppe Daprato v Alec Bazza. (Promoter:
Prospect Boxing).
The Halls, Norwich
Zaiphan Morris v s/o; Nathan Dale v s/o;
Scott Moises v s/o; Alan Ratibb v s/o;
Marcus Poston v s/o; Connor Vian v s/o;
Fabio Wardley v s/o. (Promoter: Shamrock
Promotions).
Leeds United FC Banqueting Suite,
Elland Road
Hassan Younis v s/o; Henry Thomas v
s/o; Billy Pickles v s/o; Lee McGhie v s/o;
Chris Harding v s/o; Danny Holmes v
s/o; Hamed Ghaz v s/o; Daniel Ruddock
v s/o; Steven Mennell v s/o; Sean Hare
v s/o; Damon Jones v s/o; Tom Young v
s/o; Mike Ash v s/o. (Promoter: Bateson
Promotions).
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
Stewart Burt v s/o; Lewis Paulin v s/o;
Jamie McGuire v s/o; Ryan Smith v
s/o; Ally Black v s/o. (Promoter: Alex
Morrison).
Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley
Kieran Smith v s/o; Scott Allan v s/o.
(Promoter: Lock Stock Promotions).
SATURDAY 4
O2 Arena, Greenwich (Sky Sports
Box Office)
David Haye v Tony Bellew; Sam Eggington
v Paulie Malignaggi; Ohara Davies v Derry
Mathews; Frank Buglioni (holder) v Ricky
Summers (British light-heavyweight
title); Lee Selby v s/o; Katie Taylor v
s/o; Craig Glover v s/o; Ted Cheeseman
v s/o. (Promoter: Matchroom Boxing &
Hayemaker Promotions).
Doncaster Dome
Robbie Barrett (holder) v Kevin Hooper
(English lightweight title); Josh Wale
v Ramesh Ahmadi (vacant English
bantamweight title); Aston Jolly v Evaldas
Korsakas (vacant Central Area super-
welterweight title); Jason Cunningham
v Jamie Speight; Lee Appleyard v Adam
Hague; Andy Townend v s/o; Anthony
Tomlinson v s/o. (Promoter: Stefy Bull
Promotions).
Park Hall Hotel, Chorley
Liam Conroy v Steve Cooper (vacant
Northern Area light-heavyweight title);
Tom Aspinall v s/o; Jimmy Kelly v s/o.
(Promoter: Johnney Roye).
Rainton Meadows Arena,
Houghton-le-Spring
Martin Ward v Cristian Rodriguez; Lewis
Ritson v Henry Janes; Isaac Macleod v
s/o; Jay Hughes v Russ Midgley; Darren
Surtees v Fonz Alexander; Glenn Foot
v s/o; Jonson McClumpha v s/o; Adam
Watson v Sigitas Lengvenis; Warren
Baister v Christian Adjoufack; Gary Fox
v s/o; Richard ONeill v s/o; Peter Cope
v s/o; Chris Wallace v Matthew Ashmole;
Thomas Patrick Ward v s/o; Martin Ward
v s/o; Daniel Cope v s/o; Greg ONeill v
s/o; Simon Vallily v s/o. (Promoter: Phil
Jeffries).
Town Hall, Walsall
Luke Paddock s/o; Dwain Grant v s/o; Kyle
Williams v s/o; Manny Zaber v s/o; Tom
Stokes v s/o; Ijaz Ahmed v s/o; Dilbag
Singh v s/o; Tyler Denny v s/o; Lauren
Johnson v s/o. (Promoter: Black Country
Boxing Promotion).
Grand Connaught Rooms, Holborn
Ben Jones v s/o; Sam Jones v s/o; Alfie
Best v s/o; Max Wicks v s/o; Bobby Gunn
Jnr v s/o; Jake Best v s/o; Josh Douglas v
s/o; Vladimir Belujsky v s/o; Kirk Garvey
v s/o; Ray Moylette v s/o. (Promoter:
Assassin Promotions).
Shorts Sports & Social Club, Belfast
Matthew Wilton v s/o; Luke Wilton v
s/o; Tony Nellins v s/o; Ryan Greene v
s/o; Casey Blair v s/o; Ryan Peake v s/o.
(Promoter: Prospect Boxing & Team
Allio).
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
(BoxNation & Showtime)
Danny Garcia v Keith Thurman (for Garcias
WBC & Thurmans WBA welterweight
titles); Erickson Lubin v Jorge Cato; Omar
Andres Narvaez v Emmanuel Rodriguez;
Andrzej Fonfara v Chad Dawson; Heather
Hardy v Helen Joseph. (Promoter: DiBella
Entertainment).
National Stadium Gymnasium,
Bangkok, Thailand
Nawaphon Por Chokchai v Juan Hernandez
Navarette (vacant WBC flyweight
title). (Promoter: Nakornluang Boxing
Promotion).
 AMATEURS

AMATEUR SCENE The very best action, previews and

news from Olympic-style boxing
With JOHN DENNEN | @BoxingNewsJD

SEND us your club's news, results or upcoming events to john.dennen@boxingnewsonline.net or 020 7618 3478
Photo: EIN NOONAN/SPORTSFILE

Three Olympians defend

titles at the Irish Elite CHAMP AGAIN:
Light-heavyweight Ward
championships [right] reclaims his
national title

Ciaran Gallagher
RINGSIDE

DUBLIN
F E B RUA RY 1 7

FORMER European silver medallist

Darren ONeill claimed his seventh
title at the Irish National Elite
championship finals last Friday in
Dublin, while reigning European
light-heavyweight champion and
World silver medallist Joe Ward
made a successful return to the
domestic tournament.
Kilkenny veteran ONeill (31),
who was Irelands team captain at
the London 2012 Olympic Games,
took a unanimous decision over
Kenneth Okungbowa of Athlone
to retain his heavyweight crown.

The 2010 European championship
finalist was competing in his 11th
Irish Elite decider, completing a hat-
trick of consecutive heavyweight
titles having previously won four
middleweight belts from 2009-2012.
ONeill was one of three
champions to successfully defend
their titles on the night in Dublins
National Stadium, along with two
Belfast natives Rio Olympian
Brendan Irvine and former World
Youth medallist Kurt Walker.
Irvine retained his flyweight
crown, showing his class in the
third and final round to pull away
to a unanimous decision against
game Cork teenager Thomas
McCarthy, while Walker claimed
a third bantamweight title on the
bounce with a relatively comfortable
win over Stephen McKenna.
Monaghans McKenna, the 2016
light-flyweight champion, was
jumping two weight classes while
Walkers victory was his first Irish
elite final win since Michael Conlans
decision to turn professional
World 56kgs champion Conlan did
not enter the Irish championships in
2015 or 2016 meaning Walker is
now Irelands No. 1 bantamweight
for the first time.
Another reigning champion
also emerged victorious, but
Dean Walsh opted to move up
in weight. Walsh, the Irish light-
welterweight champion from
OLYMPIANS MARCH ON
2014-16, successfully jumped up to
welterweight by comprehensively
defeating Commonwealth Youth
silver medallist Brett McGinty
and the impressive win saw the
victorious Wexford native named
Boxer of the Tournament for the
second time, having previously been
awarded the same honour following
his 2015 victory. Walsh is now in
position to leapfrog Rio Olympian
Steven Donnelly, who did not weigh
in for the tournament, as Irelands
first-choice welterweight.
Two-time European champion
and World medallist Joe Ward
reclaimed the Irish Elite light-
heavyweight title with a split-
decision victory over Dubliner
Anthony Browne. Ward
had not competed in the Irish
championships since his 2014
success due to his involvement in
AIBAs APB series over the past two
years. The 23-year-old Westmeath
man picked up a cut seemingly
caused by a head clash in the
second round of his contest against
the gutsy Browne, with Ward having
dominated the opening round after
abandoning his usual back-foot
style to adopt a more aggressive
approach. While Ward appeared
tired in the third round against the
determined Browne, the 2015 World
finalist remained composed to take
his fifth Irish elite title.
Two-time lightweight champion
Sen McComb, a European
Games bronze medallist, claimed
the light-welterweight crown
vacated by Walsh as the Belfast
man convincingly overcame former
European Junior medallist Wayne
Kelly. The lightweight title was
also vacant as reigning champion
David Oliver Joyce, a Rio Olympian,
is understood to be considering
a professional move. Patrick
Mongan of Galways Olympic
club claimed the vacant belt with a
slightly contentious split-decision
(3-2) win over three-time finalist
George Bates of Dublin.
New champions were also
crowned at light-flyweight,
middleweight and super-
heavyweight. With McKenna having
moved up in weight, Derrys Blaine
Dobbins overcame a competitive
Darryl Moran at 49kgs on a split
decision (3-2). Dubliner Emmett
Brennan claimed the vacant 75kgs
title with a 4-1 split victory over
2015 finalist Stephen Broadhurst.
At super-heavyweight, reigning
champion Dean Gardiner did not
compete this year due to injury, and
Limericks Martin Keenan lifted
the vacant 91&kgs crown with a 4-1
split call going against Dublins 2016
finalist Thomas Carthy.
In the female finals, World silver
medallist Kellie Harrington
successfully moved down in weight
to succeed Katie Taylor as Irish
Elite lightweight champion. With
Taylor now 2-0 as a pro, Harrington
impressed when claiming a 4-1 split
decision over 2016 finalist Shauna
OKeeffe in a lively bout.
Belfasts Carly McNaul (51kgs)
and Corks Christine Desmond
(75kgs) were both awarded
walkovers at the other female
Olympic weights. Ciara Ginty
unanimously outpointed Emma
Agnew at light-welter, while Moria
McElligott of Athy was defeated via
a 4-1 split by Mulhuddarts Dervla
Duffy. Grinne Walsh and Leona
Houlihan both recorded dominant
stoppage wins at 69kgs and 81kgs
respectively after Kristina OHara
picked up the light-flyweight belt.
Both Terri Mullarney (Ballyhaunis,
54kgs) and Maeve McCarron
(Carrigart, 81&kgs) also picked up
titles on walkovers.

40 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

PROMISE OF YOUTH
Eleven split decision
verdicts in the sixteen that
go the distance show just
how close many of these
championship finals were
Andy Whittle
RINGSIDE
ROT H E R H A M
F E B RUA RY 2 0
ROTHERHAMS Magna Events
Centre once again played host to
the Youth championships finals
where a decent sized Sunday
afternoon crowd witnessed eighteen
contests both male and female split
equally between two rings.
One downside of that two
ring system is that sometimes two
cracking bouts just happen to be
taking place simultaneously and
that was the case very early on
when Burys Ibrahim Nadim and
Hope Price of the Hunslet Club
were battling for supremacy and the
49kgs title in Ring A, while just a few
yards away in Ring B Ben Vaughan
(Lydney Community & Police) was
doing likewise with John Johnstone
of The Ring club in Bracknell
with the 64kgs belt up for grabs.
Ultimately victorious both by way of
Photo: CHRIS BEVAN/ENGLAND BOXING
www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 41
split decision wins were industrious
Bury southpaw Nadim and in one
of the best bouts of the afternoon
Vaughan whose strong late finish
resulted in Johnstone being counted
with just a few seconds remaining.
Just two contests failed to run
their full course, those being the
81kgs final between Karol Itauma
(St Marys) and Knowles Noah
Marshall which was halted with
Noah having been counted twice
towards the end of the third and
the 91&kgs clash between Martin
Mongan of Ardwick Lads and
Stainforths Robert Davies which
was stopped late in the secnd after
Martin crashed home a pair of
heavy rights.
It was hard not to feel for
Reptons Shiloh Defreitas, who,
at the end of an at times scrappy
56kgs final against The Rings
Charles Frankham, lost out on
a split decision verdict. Not so
fortunate was Charles brother, Josh
Frankham, in the 69kgs final, he
came out on the recieving end of a
split decision loss to Birtleys Mark
Dickinson at the finish of another
highly watchable scrap, while
Beartowns Ramtin Musah was a
unanimous winner at 75kgs against
Triumphs Aaron Bowen.
Theo Fearon (Bilborough
Community) bounced back after
being floored in the opener of
the 91kgs final by Reptons Jesse
Dean Harris but was unable to
prevent the boxer dubbed Birdie
running out a unanimous winner,
while at 60kgs Mark Chamberlain
(Team Wiseman) triumphed by
way of a split decision verdict at
the conclusion of a see-saw and
always watchable encounter against
Darlingtons Ben Marksby. Another
split decision winner, in the 52kgs
final was Kings Heaths Ethan
James, he earned the nod over
Gemini southpaw Jake Harrison
who having fallen behind early did
close the gap in the later stages.
First of the female final of the
afternoon, at 48kgs, saw Elizabeth
Bools of Trowbridge get the better
of East Middlesbroughs Macy
Kilkenny, a unanimous decision
coming the way of the busier,
shorter Wiltshire boxer who ignored
her opponents natural height and
reach advantages to work her way
inside with right hooks upstairs.
Birkenhead Venture southpaw
Chloe Watson scored a split
decision victory in her 51kgs final
against East Durhams Shauna
Leigh, her pressing tactics forcing
the jabbing Shauna to work clear
of a corner late in the opener and
a looping right late in the next
helping to extend her lead before a
busy closing session.
Courtney McCarthy,
representing Wythenshawes Jimmy
Egans club, won her 54kgs final
against Maisey Rose Courtney
of Bodyshots with a unanimous
verdict. Maisey didnt disappoint
though and contributed well
especially during a spell of toe-to-
toe trading in centre ring.
Droitwich ABC had a winner
in the 57kgs final, Sian OToole
taking a split decision verdict at
the conclusion of her bout against
Bethany Warne of the Devonshire
Police club, the taller Worcestershire
girl working well behind the jab and
pulling away in the later stages with
there having been precious little
daylight between the pair early on.
There were split decision wins
for Headlands Sadie Thomas and
Ellie Hopkins of the Braunstone
Golden Gloves club in their
respective 60 and 64kgs finals
against Harli Whitwell (St Ives)
and Patsy Smith (March), while
at 69kgs Olivia Hussey (Hook
& Jab) was victorious by virtue
of a unanimous verdict against
Millicent Hanson of the Fusion
Boxing Fit club.
Ward Degans Tori Creighton
went down to a split decision
loss against the more aggressive
Georgia OConnor (Seconds Out
Boxing Academy) at 75kgs.
See www.boxingnewsonline.net for
the full results.
STRONG FINISH:
Vaughan attacks
Johnstone [right]
in one of the best
finals of the day
 AMATEURS

Photo: ISLINGTON

Martin McDonagh takes

revenge win over Mason TRIUMPH:
Smith [left] and
Smith at the Boston Dome McDonagh at the
Boston Dome

ISLINGTON BOXING CLUB held a

successful open show at the Boston
Dome in Tufnell Park on February
9. The show had 16 bouts in total
all which featured Islington boxers
on one side of the bill. It was a
well supported evening and many
commented on the good standard
of boxing.
Mason Smith (Islington)
competing for Islington for the
first time since his selection in the
GB Podium Potential squad boxed
against National NABC and English
Elite Title Belt-holder, Martin
McDonagh (Rumbles) in a rematch
from the 2016 England Boxing
Elite semi-final. The first round was
slow with both light-welterweights
waiting to see whod strike first,
McDonagh landed a couple of
quick fire southpaw jabs in the
opener before Mason started to
get involved in the contest finishing
the first round strongly. The second
round saw Smith up his game and
start exchanging uppercuts and
hooks against the Kent boxer who
was using the ring well. The last
round was very close both having

BEYOND THUNDER DOME

their own successes but McDonagh
won on a split decision.
Sherif Musah (Islington)
won on a unanimous decision
against heavyweight Ifeanyi
Noiqi (Miguels). Amy Andrew
(Islington) faced Leanne Belcher
(Cheltenham KO). In the second
round Andrew avoided an overhand
right to drop Belcher and she ended
the contest in the third round.
Aaron Nicely (Islington) won on
a unanimous points decision against
Alex Cole (Creekside). Islington
middleweight Demi Carter came
up against Catherine Holst (Exeter
MKO). Carter used straight left
and rights to take a unanimous
verdict. Youth boxer Connor Daly
stopped Alfie Quinn (Rumbles)
in the third round. Daly would
win the Best Home Boxer of the
Night award. Islington lightweight
Freddie Kinsella had a toe-to-toe
encounter against Anwar Rahman
(London Community). In the second
round Kinsella forced a standing
count. Rahman had a positive third
but Freddie won a split decision.
Troy Smart (Islington) lost
to Chris McKenzie (London
Community), who was later awarded
the Best Away Boxer of the Night
accolade. Jack Tyrimos (White
Hart Lane) outworked Jiyan Oguz
(Islington) to win on a split decision.
Borys Feldman (Islington) lost on a
split to Jordan McIntosh (Double
Jab). Masood Abdulah (Islington)
halted Ricky Ali (Double Jab).
Tolga Kesen (Islington) beat Steve
McDonagh (Fairbairn) by split
decision. Joshua Strong (Islington)
halted William Waller (Creekside)
in the second round. Kerem
Sertten (Islington) took a split
decision victory over John Bignall
(Repton ABC). Judah Meade
(Islington) edged Zain Mohammed
Khan (Edmonton Eagles) on a split
decision. Slavisa Gegic (Islington)
unanimously outpointed Brahima
Kooswowa (Miguels).

KINGS HEATH PROGRESS

The clubs boxers impress early KINGS HEATH punching machine
on at the Youth championships Nico Leivars outpointed Callum
Grace in the pick of the Youth
championships East Midlands-
Matt Bozeat Yorkshire pre-quarter finals.
RINGSIDE Beaten in four national finals,
Leivars went through to the last
COTG R AV E eight at 60kgs with a unanimous
points win after a ferocious, high-
F E B RUA RY 1 2
quality bout. The opening round
was close they stood in front
of each other and traded quality
punches and after that, Grace
(Platinum) couldnt stay with Leivars.
He forced Grace to give ground
with body shots in the second and
kept the punches coming in threes
and fours throughout the last.
Leivars is joined in the last eight
by clubmates Eithan James and
Ben Vaughan, at 56kgs and 69kgs
respectively. James, silver medallist
at last years European Juniors,
outboxed Mohammed Ahmed
(KBW). Vaughan was too strong
for Lewis Spaven (Westway) in a
battle of southpaws, upping a gear
in the second round to unload a
tremendous barrage of around 20
unanswered punches that forced a
count. Vaughan needed only two
more punches a right and left
to force the stoppage.

42 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 AMATEURS

NEW LION RISES

Chris Kempson on Hoxtons
Lion Club rising from the
ashes with a rebuilt facility
A NEW Lion Club in Hoxtons
Pitfield Street, London N1, has
arisen from the ashes of the former
amateur boxing club and youth
club which had stood there for well
over half a century. In the spring of
2011, the club realised that their
old building was no longer fit for
purpose and started the process of
drawing up plans for a brand new
building. Planning permission was
granted in 2012 for a new building
housing the amateur boxing club
and youth club with nineteen flats REFURB:
on top. The Lion Club retains the The wait is over
freehold of the land. for the new club
Construction work took longer
than anticipated or desired by the
club but eventually last month the
club took possession of its new
premises and staged their first
Open show on January 28 in their
brand new state-of-the art facilities.
Lion fielded a total of nine boxers
and from the five scoring bouts,
the host club had four winners [see
below]. A second Open show is
scheduled to take place at the Club
on Saturday March 25.
The main gym is situated in the
basement, there is also a small
gym for a newly constituted Cubs
Department. The new facilities are
equally available to both male and
female boxers and are also adapted
to cater properly for disabled
members and visitors.
As both club chairman, the a fine coaching staff comprising They are supported by Jay Singh Francis Ampofo, who although
long serving Alan Parry and his the very experienced father/son and also Alan Neale, formerly with now living in Norwich, attends
nephew Paul Morant, chairman of team of Steve Walters and his son another local club, Gator BC and once per week to add his
the Boxing section, acknowledge Stevie. Roy McDonald is back in the former Lion club amateur favourite considerable ring experience to
the new club facilities enable the coaching fold, as is Julian Borg. and former professional champion, members old and new.
Lion to offer its facilities to a much
wider range of boxers. For instance
a Nursery class for those aged
six to nine years takes place on
Mondays with later that evening
the main Lion squad of sixteen
SINGH STARS
boxers undertaking their training. Ken Selleck watches the speed of Singh that allowed him RAM SINGH (Lion) outpd Tony Doherty (West
The girls section takes centre stage show at Lions new gym to catch his opponent as he came Ham) split, JAMIE HALL (White Hart Lane)
on Wednesdays, at present the Lion forward with left jabs and right outpd Kenny Cooney (Dagenham) unan, REECE
have six girls undergoing training, hooks. The Lion boxer got the split COSGRAVE (Lion) outpd Patrick Purcell (Thames
followed later that evening by THE LION ABC in Hoxton had a decision. Valley) split, GEORGE DAWSON (St. Marys) bt
the clubs main squad. Thursday full house for their January open Amos brother, Ram Singh, Freddie Butcher (Brentwood) dq, Ryan Bond
evenings sees both boys and girls show at their newly revamped club was also a split winner, against (Lion) outpd by CHARLIE POWER (West Ham)
involved in non-contact work. house. West Ham BCs Tony Doherty. unan, WILL COAKLEY (Lion) outpd Jordan Davis
Boxers pay a very modest annual In a 13-bout programme, star This contest was a lot closer, Singh (Windrush Valley) unan, AMO SINGH (Lion) outpd
fee of 10, with 3 being charged of the night was Amo Singh in gaining revenge after losing to Robert Caswell (St. Marys) split, JACOB GABRIEL
per nightly session. his match against St. Marys ABCs Doherty only a week previously. (Basingstoke) outpd Elliott Whale (Nemesis)
The Lion are well supported by Robert Caswell. It was the hand RESULTS: unan.

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 43

 FLASHBACK

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

BIZARRE DECISION:
Fullmer [left] and Tiger draw in
their rematch, despite the latter
looking like a worthy winner

IS WEEK
TH

IN
1963

NOT GOOD ENOUGH Bo

Thats the A DRAW is always a disappointing result
in a world title fight, particularly when
quality of the one fighter seemed to have done enough
action and the to earn a victory. Such was the case when
judging for Dick Tiger retained his middleweight belt
against Gene Fullmer in Las Vegas.
Tiger-Fullmer Having outpointed Fullmer for the
II, writes vacant strap the year before, Tiger was
forced to box a different fight the second
George Gigney time round as Gene back-pedalled all
night. Instead of his usual aggressive
style, Fullmer boxed negatively. Youve
got to be an exceptionally clever fighter
to win a fight this way, more clever than
Fullmer, we wrote.
The silver lining was that Tiger rightly
kept hold of his title, though we were left
bemused how one judge scored the bout
a draw, while the other two tallies had
six-point differences going either way.
ry
in
g Histo
x
Tiger struggled to pin Fullmer down
at first, though eventually closed the
range, while Gene landed the occasional
body shot. All the action came in the
final four rounds when Tiger managed
to force Fullmer to engage, although the
challenger clinched at every opportunity.
They fought for a third time later in
the year, with Fullmer being pulled out
after seven rounds.

OLD BONES RATTLED TERRYS TV TRIUMPH

AT Belle Vue in Manchester,
Dave Charnley exacted punishing
revenge over former world
lightweight champion Joe Brown,
knocking him out in six rounds.
Brown had twice defeated
Charnley during his world title
reign, but lost his belt to Carlos
Ortiz in 1962.
Charnley came out punching
from the opening bell, hurling
himself at Brown with a look of
determination etched across his
face. Daves tactics brought him
success in the early stages, and
although Old Bones Brown
shared the spoils in the third, he
was not the fighter he once was
and could not keep Charnley off.
Early in the sixth, Charnley
stiffened Browns legs with a short
right hand. Floundering, Joe tried
to smother Charnleys work, but
a left to the head sent him to his
knees, and Brown could not beat
the count.
THOUGH the fight itself was of
little note, Terry Downes clash
with Jimmy Beecham at Seymour
Hall in London was said to be for
the largest-ever TV fee for a live
bout in the UK.
The contest was to take
place on a Tuesday evening,
and although Downes was a
comfortable favourite to win,
we noted that it was vital he do
so, and that he looked good. A
rematch with Sugar Ray Robinson
who Downes had outpointed in
1962 was being floated, as was a
world title shot at Dick Tiger.
Beecham had shared the ring
with decent company without
ever reaching the heights, as we
put it. He had few inside-schedule
wins to his name, but was
durable, suggesting Downes may
be extended over the 10-round
distance. Instead, Terry stopped
him in the ninth, though he never
met Tiger, nor Robinson again.

44 l BOXING NEWS l FEBRUARY 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net

 YESTERDAYS HEROES

HAROLDS HISTORY
Photo: PHILIP SHARKEY
NE way or another, FOUNTAIN OF
KNOWLEDGE:

O
Harold Alderman
Alderman knows
MBE was destined all there is to know
to be involved with about British boxing
boxing. When he through the ages
was young, the
sport seemed to
be everywhere he
turned. I could read
before I went to
school, he reveals,
thanks to Boxing
News. My brother,
Jimmy, taught me
Alex to read with Boxing
Daley News before I was
@thealexdaley five.
Historian And if Harold
& author needed a personal
connection to the
boxing world, there was his fathers
cousin, 1920s Pontypridd pro Hector
Alderman. Ive got a big painting of him
that used to hang in The Star pub in
Pontypridd, Harold says. And even on
visits to the local workingmens club with
his parents, boxing was there waiting
for him: There was an old pro up there
called Buller Ford, and he used to get me
in the corner and teach me how to box.
So Harold who was born in
Aylesham, Kent in October 1941 was
raised on boxing, and naturally wanted
to be a pro himself. He had 15 Schoolboy
contests before eye trouble thwarted his We talk to dont put them in their records, he that on the promoters and matchmakers.
dream. So instead, he made charting the notes. They were called exhibitions The matchmaker I had a lot of time for,
sports history his lifes mission. Harold because they were almost terrified to call in the 50s, was Eddie Derfield. He always
This started with visits to various Kent Alderman MBE, them actual fights in case the police got said a 60-40 fight was a mismatch. He
libraries, leafing through old newspapers boxing involved and they got closed down. But tried to put on 50-50 fights. Now, I say,
to uncover missing bouts for Buller Ford if the fighters didnt put up a good show, you know when certain boxers go in the
and Hector Alderman. Pretty soon he historian and they didnt get paid. So they were like the ring, theyre not gonna win or attempt to
was compiling other records and his record- no-decision fights in America. win. So to me theyre fixed fights.
research took him regularly to the British Harold still follows modern boxing but In 2009, Harolds dedication to boxing
Newspaper Library in north London. compiler with some reservations. I dont like the was formally recognised when he
As Harolds reputation grew, requests extraordinaire way the papers have put boxing in the received an MBE for services to sporting
for research assistance poured in. In his background, he says. But I blame a lot of heritage.
60-plus years studying boxings past, he
has helped countless relatives of boxers
to trace their fight history. Often this
involved self-funded research trips and EX-BOXER ASSOCIATION NEWS
hours poring over old newspapers, but
Harold never asked for a penny in return. CHARLIE WAGGY JEFFRIES, R.I.P 18. In 1948, Charlie was Class A featherweight
Needless to say, Harold Alderman MBE LONDON EBA (LEBA) member Charlie Waggy ABA Youth champion, and as a pro welter in the
is a veritable human encyclopaedia of Jeffries, a Normandy veteran, passed away aged 50s he fought the likes of Albert Carroll, Tony
British ring history. Ask him about any 94 on January 16. LEBA President Stephen Powell Mancini, Johnny Mann, Ron Richardson and
era and hell reel off facts and anecdotes reflects: One of the best nights out Waggy and Teddy Best. As a trainer/cornerman with Dennie
that few others know. His favourite era? I shared was when Wag was my guest at the 2009 Mancini he was the tops, writes Stephen Powell.
I love them all, he says, especially the BBBofC Awards Dinner in Hammersmith. Good old At the [Thomas a] Becket gym he was revered,
pre-war. Theres something interesting in Wag made my night by just being so happy to be and he trained some of the best fighters of the
every period. there. day, including British bantamweight champion
He does, however, have a special Johnny Clark.
affection for the 1860s to 1890s, when CHARLIE PAGE, R.I.P
pugilism was semi-legal in Britain. There ANOTHER LEBA member, Stepney ex-pro and EMAIL exboxers@gmail.com with your ex-boxer
were lots of so-called exhibitions held respected trainer Charlie Page, died on January association news.
in pubs, and a lot of record-compilers

www.boxingnewsonline.net FEBRUARY 23, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 45

 SIXTY SECONDS

NATHAN WEISE
Paul Wheeler talks to a man who used to have a cuppa with a Hall of Famer

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/PETER CZIBORRA

When and why you started
boxing: I CALL MYSELF
I started when I was 10 years old SUGAR BOY
at Thamesmead ABC. My older
brother went, so I went too. My AFTER LEONARD
next-door neighbour was Ryan
Barrett, who went on to become got loads of friends in the sport.
English super-featherweight I couldnt mention them all.
champion as a pro. His dad, Steve Other sportsman you would
Barrett, used to be a trainer at like to be:
Thamesmead, but then he left there Lewis Hamilton, Michael Jordan or
and took me and Ryan to Eltham The Ultimate Warrior!
ABC. Last film/TV show you saw:
Favourite all-time fighter: EastEnders I love that show
Sugar Ray Leonard could do it all and the horror film, The Omen.
fight and box. Thats why I call Who would play you in a film of
myself Sugar Boy. your life:
Best fight youve seen: Eddie Murphy!
Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward I was a Have you ever been starstruck:
cracker, as was Alex Arthur-Michael I dont really get starstruck. Lennox
Gomez. When Sam Webb fought Lewis used to come to my house
Daniel Herdman in the ABAs, every day for a cup of tea, and
everyone stood up and gave a all the neighbours would get
round of applause at the end. starstruck.
Personal career highlight: Last time you cried:
Being involved in three Southern When I lost my brother Matthew
Area title fights. to drugs. He had a heart attack on
Toughest opponent: June 1, 2006.
Ryan Toms. Hes an awkward Best advice received:
southpaw and he can whack! Keep your f*****g left hand up!
Best and worst attributes as a Worst rumour about yourself:
boxer: Even now, I hear that Nathan Weise
My strengths are that Im tall for my dont train hard. As a kid I used to
weight, I can punch and Im always cut corners all the time, but as a
in the gym. My weaknesses are the pro Ive always put the effort in.
things Im working on now. Something not many people
Training tip: know about you:
Always give 110 per cent and never Im a very tidy person. I hate mess.
doubt yourself. Stick at it, because
boxing is a hard game.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
My girlfriend, Tania Viller, cooks a
FAST FACTS

Age: 32 Twitter: @Nathansugarboy Nickname: Sugar Boy Height:

mean dish of oxtail, rice and peas. 5ft 11 1/2ins Nationality: English From: Thamesmead Stance: Orthodox
My favourite restaurant is Sheesh in Record: 11-5-2 (2) Division: Welterweight Titles: n/a Next fight:
Chigwell. Weise faces Stanislav Nenkov over six rounds in Bethnal Green on May 13.
Best friends in boxing:
Well theres Ryan and Steve Barrett,
who first got me into boxing. Ive

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