Reports coming from England have Italian cruiserweight Giacobbe Fragomeni cutting a wide swath through a host of British sparring partners as the Continental visitor prepares for his European title challenge against Champion David Haye at London's York Hall this Friday, November 17.

"The Italians had trouble getting anyone to spar their bloke last week after he sparked out all the lads we put in there with him," said Desmond Stout, owner of a small, dilapidated gym on the Bentilee Estate in the northern city of Stoke-on-Trent. "One of the sparring partners was an amateur, just a kid really, but the others were either former British or Commonwealth Champions, known for being able to hold a shot."

With the winner of the Haye - Fragomeni bout assuming the number one spot with the WBC, Team Fragomeni sought to avoid media heavy London and opted instead for the relative obscurity that this industrial region affords. "They went all over the Potteries looking for a gym and they picked mine because they said no one would ever think to look for them here," laughed Stout. "To be honest, I thought it was some mates of mine having me on but when a lorry full of Italians popped 'round, I knew it wasn't no joke."

Having been involved on the periphery of David Haye's early pro career, Stout is well acquainted with the style of "The Haymaker" and expresses real concern for the European Champion when he climbs in the ring with Giacobbe Fragomeni this Friday at the hallowed Mecca of British boxing, York Hall in London. "I used to tell Haye he needed to box more and let the knockout come but if he were here now, I'd tell him just the opposite," intoned Stout gravely. "David is going to need to try and knock this Italian out right away. If Haye doesn't get to him early, I don't think he'll be able to live in the same ring with Fragomeni."

Maloney Promotions presents the WBC Final Eliminator between David Haye and Giacobbe Fragomeni for the European Cruiserweight Championship on November 17, 2006, at York Hall in London, England. Tickets are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Maloney Promotions box office at 0871 226 1508.

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Boxing Result: Fragomeni Wins WBC Cruiser Belt In Milan

  39 year old European Union titlist Giacobbe Fragomeni turned back the clock last night to top previously undefeated WBC International beltholder Rudolf Kraj for the vacant WBC Cruiserweight Championship after >
  
  

• Boxing Result: Fragomeni Keeps WBC Title On Draw With Wlodarczyk

  The WBC Cruiserweight title remained with Giacobbe Fragomeni tonight after 12 rounds of combat at the Gran Teatro in Rome, Italy with ex-IBF champ Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. The champion started out strong, >
  
  

• Giacobbe Fragomeni Back To Shatter Another David Haye Boxing Dream

  Giacobbe Fragomeni, scheduled to meet European Cruiserweight Champion David Haye in a WBC final eliminator, is confident that he can leave a second lasting impression on the hard-hitting Englishman when >
  
  

• Boxing In Italy: Fragomeni vs. Wlodarczyk For WBC Title In Rome

  WBC Cruiserweight Champion Giacobbe Fragomeni puts his world title belt on the line for the first time when he meets ex-IBF Champ Krzysztof Wlodarczyk at the Gran Teatro tonight in >
  
  

• Boxing Result: David Haye Stops Fragomeni And Wins WBC Top Spot

  

  Last night on a Maloney Promotion at York Hall in London, European Champion David Haye pulled out a hard fought win against old amateur >
  
  

• European Boxing Champion David Haye Plans The Italian Job

  In the same way that Julius Caesar came and conquered from the Mediterranean centuries ago, this week sees an Italian invasion taking place in London. Giacobbe Fragomeni and his Italian >
  
  

• David Haye Meets Giacobbe Fragomeni In WBC Boxing Final Eliminator

  England's most exciting fighter, David Haye, will make the third defence of his European crown against unbeaten Italian Giacobbe Fragomeni on Friday, November 13 at the world-renowned York Hall in >
  
  

• Can David Haye Pick Up Where Lennox Left Off?

  David Haye gets the opportunity in London's York Hall on November 17 to live up to his potential and make his mark on the world scene by defending his European >
  
  

• David Haye Gambles Everything In Last European Boxing Title Fight

  European Cruiserweight Champion David Haye puts it all on the line tonight at London's York Hall when the big punching British superstar places his crown at risk against old foe, >
  
  

• Boxing Preview: David Haye Meets Giacobbe Fragomeni In WBC Final Eliminator

  Bermondsey's David Haye will make the third defence of his European crown against unbeaten Italian Giacobbe Fragomeni on Friday, November 13 at the world-renowned York Hall in Bethnal Green, London. In >
  
  

---