In less than two weeks time, Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton faces Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium in a Frank Maloney promoted Fight night in association with Punch Promotions and Golden Boy.
Is the Hispanic going to cause Panic?
At his training quarters in Houston, TX, Lazcano told Sky Sports presenters last week that he sees the fight with Hatton as “Two Gladiators…looking forward to a battle”. More…
Friday night, in a Matchroom Sports promoted fightnight at Eston Sports Academy, Middlesbrough, England, homeboy - Paul Truscott defeated Ghanaian - Osumanu Akaba to take the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title.
This was Truscottʼs 11th professional win in less than two years as a professional and heʼd never previously fought past eight rounds!
Face bloodied as he finished the twelfth and final round, Truscott - stood with his glove raised aloft, as did Akaba, whilst he listened for the result. Ringside judges scored the contest 116-112, 115-113 and 116-112, all in favour of the local lad, who was clearly emotional on hearing the decision.
Punch stats revealed that although Truscott threw less punches - he had a better success rate than his opponent, landing 26% of punches as opposed to 21% for Akaba.
Also on the ʽfight cardʼ - heavyweight Chris Burton of County Durham, gained a points victory over Lee Swaby of Lincoln in an eight round contest. Burton has won all eleven of his professional fights. Swaby has lost his last six.
Yorkshireman, Gavin Reid, knocked out not-so-ʽDangerousʼ - John Donnelly of Liverpool in round four of their scheduled eight round super bantamweight contest. It was Donnellyʼs first loss in seven fights, while Reidʼs record moves to five wins and two losses.
Liverpudlian Nathan Brough kept his perfect pro-record, scoring a points win over Polish Boxer, Arek Malek, in a six round light welterweight contest. Broughʼs record now stands at five wins and no losses.
Craig Denton of Hartlepool knocked out ʽGypsy Boyʼ - Ernie Smith, in round two of their four round middleweight contest. Denton improves to six wins (1 by KO).
Bob Ajisafe of Darlington scored a points win over Yanko Pavlov in their four round light heavyweight contest. This was Pavlovʼs pro-debut. Ajisafe now has four professional wins.
SaddoBoxing Exclusive Interview With Gomez Trainer Bobby Rimmer
This week it was announced that Michael Gomez will face Amir Khan on June 21 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England. Gomez will be hoping for the best birthday present he could ask for - if he can successfully defeat the Bolton Boxer, as it is Gomez’s 31st birthday that same day.
Gomez was to face Peter McDonagh on May 23 at Robin Park, Wigan, but McDonagh pulled out of the contest.
Khan, who has split with trainer Oliver Harrison and is now fighting under new trainer - Dean Powell, will be looking for his 18th professional win.
SaddoBoxing spoke to Bobby Rimmer this morning to find out how the ‘camp’ is feeling about the news.
“This is sure to be a ‘beltin’ fight!,” enthused Rimmer, “Michael gets ‘written off’ by everyone but he’ll be the best opponent Amir Khan’s ever fought and it couldn’t come at a better time. More…
Apart from the European Super Bantamweight title main event between Rendall Munroe and Salem Bouaita - there was also an exciting undercard at Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham, England on Friday night.
Top of the support bill saw Ian ʽthe Dappaʼ Napa face experienced banger - Colin Moffett - in a bid to win the Lonsdale Belt outright.
Cockney Lad Napa, looked cool as he entered the ring wearing sunglasses while tough Belfast boxer Moffett had former Commonwealth Light Welter Champion Eamonn McGee and trainer John Breen at his side. More…
It was a lively crowd that attended the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham, England last night. A ‘sea’ of fluorescent green work-jackets awaited the arrival of “Boxing Bin-Man” Rendall Munroe in a Frank Maloney promoted ‘One Night Only’ fight-night.
This was to be ‘TwoTone’ Munroe’s first defence of his European Super Bantamweight title against Frenchman Salem Bouaita.
Bouaita - having gone the distance against Spanish boxer Kiko Martinez, the man Munroe beat for the European crown - was going to be no ‘walkover’ for Munroe.
The opening round saw a very ‘open’ Bouaita throwing long-reaching shots and ‘wild’ punches. Munroe kept concentrated and although he also takes some shots from the Frenchman - he looks the sharper, more polished of the two. More…
Yesterday, at Vermilion Cinnabar - the stylish, new, Thai influenced restaurant and bar in Manchester, England, Frank Maloney hosted a press conference to update media on the forthcoming fightnight which headlines Ricky Hatton and Juan Lazcano.
Despite other important press conferences held on the same day - it was a full-house at Manchester’s trendy new venue.
In attendance were, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton, Ricky and Matthew’s father/manager Ray Hatton, Hatton trainer Billy Graham, welterweights Matthew Hatton and Craig Watson as well as super bantams Danny Wallace and Mark Moran.
Frank Maloney in association with Punch Promotions and Golden Boy presents ‘Homecoming’ - a fightnight staged at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, May 24. More…
At the end of this month, Ricky Hatton will take ‘centre stage’ at his beloved Manchester City Football Ground when he faces the Mexican, but now residing in California, Juan Lazcano.
I’ve openly admitted to knowing very little about the ‘Hispanic causing Panic’ and so I have decided to ‘educate’ myself by firstly watching his fight against Vivian Harris.
The WBC Light Welterweight Title Eliminator between Juan Lazcano and Vivian Harris took place on February 10, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, and was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.
With a record of 37 wins (27 by way of KO) and 3 losses - Lazcano has faced some ’notable’ boxers which include: Steve Johnston and Jose Luis Castillo.
The younger (by three years), taller, ‘Vicious Vivian Harris’ - formerly from Guyana and now living in New York, had changed trainers and now seemed settled with Lennox Blackmore. With a fight record of 27 wins (18 by KO) and 2 losses - Harris too has fought some tough boxers which include: Stevie Johnston, Carlos Maussa and Oktay Urkal.
Rounds one and two were surprisingly ’quiet’ on the part of Lazcano, in fact, I think he threw three punches in the opening minute of round one. Straight away, it’s clear that Harris is keeping distance between the two men and Lazcano teeters around the perimeter of the ring. More…
Last night at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England, Steve Woods of VIP Boxing staged an action-packed night of boxing billed as ʽLights Going Outʼ. The main event featured popular Mark Thompson of Heywood, Lancashire, as he faced Polish Boxer Maurycy Gojko, for the Masters International Welterweight title.
But it was a quick nightʼs work for Thompson as he polished-off Gojko in round one of the contest! The Polish man was on the canvas in the first minute of the round but jumped up quickly to take the count from Referee Steve Gray.
A hard left-hook from Thompson, 15-1 (9), sent Gojko,13-9-1 (5), crashing to the canvas in the second half of the round and the impact of his head on the canvas could be heard clearly around ringside! Gojko got to his feet, but Grey stopped the fight just seconds later - seeing that the Pole had not fully recovered from the blow. An impressive victory for Thompson - who afterward proudly ʽdonnedʼ the ʽMasters International Welterweightʼ belt. More…
With just four weeks until Ricky Hatton’s ‘Homecoming’ in Manchester, ‘The Hitman’ is already looking in great shape at 10 stone and 12lbs [152 lb] and is looking forward to the fight against California based Mexican-American Juan Lazcano.
Talking to Sky Sports, Hatton said that Lazcano is a ‘come forward’ boxer - who fights toe-to-toe…that’s something I like!,’ he smiled. More…
Tomorrow night, Saturday, April, 26, Steve Woods of VIP Boxing is staging what’s sure to be another action-packed night of boxing at the Robin Park, Wigan, England.
The main event sees Lancashire boxer, Mark Thompson, face Polish man Maurycy Gojko in a ten round welterweight contest. But also on the bill, popular Blackpool light middleweight Brian Rose is looking for a good win this time, having earned a draw in his most recent outing against Manocha Salari.
Trainer Bobby Rimmer spoke to SaddoBoxing this morning and confirmed that after a last minute substitute, Rose is now fighting ‘Gypsy Boy’ - Ernie Smith of the Midlands, who was originally scheduled to fight Alex Matvienko on the same bill.
‘Brian is absolutely fantastic!’ Rimmer enthused, ‘he’s feeling very confident and, as usual, training has gone absolutely great!’
After a break of 14 months, Audley Harrison of London, made his return on Saturday night as he faced Jason Barnett of Florida at the Thomas and Mack Centre, Las Vegas, on the undercard of the Joe Calzaghe vs Bernard Hopkins main event.
Under promoter Frank Warren again, Harrison has something to prove, because this is really his last chance. If he fails at this one - I doubt he’ll be taken seriously by the boxing notables - or fans again.
For me, Harrison won the Olympic Gold in 2000 and, in his mind I feel, he believed that he didn’t need to prove anything else, that the British public would give him respect and honour and he no longer needed to ’earn it’. More…
It was ‘spot the celebrity’ on Saturday night as the stars came out for Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins as they battled for the Light Heavyweight Championship at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas.
Both men fly out of their corners for the first round but after only one minute - Hopkins lands a left followed by a right punch straight through the middle, landing hard on the nose of Calzaghe and the Welsh man goes down to the canvas - for only the third time in his career.
“Super, Super Joe…..Super Joe Calzaghe…” the British fans sing. There’s a cut on the bridge of Calzaghe’s nose as he returns to his corner at the end of the first frame.
Mid-way through round two and a swinging left from Calzaghe, its impact can be heard clearly, lands on the face of Hopkins but the veteran doesn’t flinch from it! Seconds later and another solid right hand from Hopkins lands on the face of Calzaghe. More…
On Friday night, in a Frank Maloney promoted fight night at the famous York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, Gary Woolcombe made his first defence of the British Middlweight Title against Ryan Rhodes.
Taller, younger, ʽHot Stuffʼ Woolcombe of Kent faced the more experienced ʽSpice Boyʼ Rhodes of Sheffield. Ironically, Rhodes won this same title - eleven years ago.
Rhodes seems to be having trouble getting a grip on the canvas as he slips two or three times in the opening minute of the first round. But despite being the ʽolderʼ guy - Rhodes looks in fantastic physical shape.
Rhodes looks sharper, quicker and more stylish than the younger Woolcombe. More…
The next Steve Woods/VIP Boxing event takes place on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England. Please note the change of venue - which was originally to be held at the GH Carnall Centre in Davyhulme, Manchester.
Featuring nine fights - this is sure to be another action-packed night of boxing!
The main event sees popular welterweight Mark Thompson fighting for the vacant Masters International title and promising Blackpool light middleweight Brian Rose, both against opponents to be announced.
On Saturday night, Sheffield Boxer Clinton Woods, put his IBF Light Heavyweight title at risk against ‘Magic Man’ Antonio Tarver in Tampa, Florida. Unfortunately for Woods, Tarver was indeed ‘Magic’ and Woods - having struggled to settle in to the fight from the first bell - lost his title after 12 rounds of passion-less boxing.
The slow start to the contest continued throughout. Woods realised that Tarver did not like the body-shots, so he tries to concentrate on them but the action was lacking. In the closing seconds of round three, the travelling British fans cheered as Woods strikes a straight left to the face of Tarver, who tilts off balance.
A couple of left jabs rock back the head of Woods mid-way through round four and, finding it difficult to settle in, he switches from southpaw to orthodox.
Throughout the fight, Tarver used a variety of shots but his most notable was the uppercut. More…
On Friday night, Irish-man Martin Rogan became the first ‘Prizefighter’ winner after successfully defeating Alex Ibbs of Stoke in the quarter-final, Dave Ferguson of North Tyneside in the semi-final and bookies favourite - David Dolan of Sunderland, in the final.
Ironically, aged 36, Belfast Boxer ‘Rogie’ was the oldest of the eight boxers! Rogan received a cheque for £25,000 and the Prize-fighter trophy as well as significantly increasing his profile in a short space of time.
The York Hall, Bethnal Green, England, was packed with an excited crowd awaiting the first of this new style boxing tournament billed as ‘The Prize Fighter Series: The Heavyweights’ promoted by Barry Hearn of Matchroom Sports. Consisting of eight boxers, four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final - each contest of three x three minute rounds, all on the same night.
Rogan’s first opponent was Alex Ibbs of Stoke, aged just 22 - it was a match-up of the youngest versus the eldest contender! More…
The Prizefighter Series was a fantastic occasion on Friday night at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London England. The Matchroom Sports promoted event consisted of seven boxing contests to find the winner of the first Prizefighter Trophy and a cheque for £25,000.
Waiting backstage should one of the scheduled participants get an injury were boxers Derek Chisora and Dave Ingleby, hoping that they would get a ‘wild-card’ chance to compete as replacements.
The first quarter-final of the night was between big guy Dave Ferguson of North Shields and the more-experienced Billy Bessey of Portsmouth.
Both fighters go all out for it, right from the bell, but Bessey goes down from a big right punch after just 20 seconds of the opening round. He takes the count and continues boxing, but a body shot sends him slightly off-balance in the closing seconds. More…
Barry Hearn of Matchroom Sports chaired the final press conference yesterday for the ‘PrizeFighter’ Boxing show which takes place at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, tonight.
Eight British Heavyweight Boxers will be competing in 3-round contests, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final - all taking place in one exciting night of boxing.
The ‘brainchild’ of Mr. Hearn - this revolutionary new style of Boxing Tournament is hoped to raise the profile of British Heavyweight Boxing.
The Boxers competing tonight are Billy Bessey (Portsmouth) Paul Butlin (Melton Mowbray) David Dolan (Sunderland) David Ferguson (North Shields) Alex Ibbs (Stoke) Colin Kenna (Southampton) Darren Morgan (Swansea) Martin Rogan (Belfast).
This morning - the live draw took place for the ʽPrizefighter Seriesʼ, which takes place this coming Friday, April 11 at the York Hall, Bethnall Green, London.
The ʽbrainchildʼ of Barry Hearn of Matchroom Sports, it will see eight heavyweight contenders slug it out in a tournament-style fight night in which the quarter, semi and final will take place all in one night of exciting boxing.
It will be a case of ʽthe last man standing - takes the prize!ʼ - the prize being a cheque for £25,000
Bookies’ favourite, David Dolan faces Darren Morgan and their three-round contest will be the last of the quarter-finals.
The quarter-final match-ups are:
Dave Ferguson (North Shields) vs. Bill Bessey (Portsmouth)
Alex Ibbs (Stoke) vs. Martin Rogan (Belfast)
Paul Butlin (Melton Mowbray) vs. Colin Kenna (Southampton)
Darren Morgan (Swansea) vs. David Dolan (Sunderland)
Last night at a packed York Hall, Bethnall Green, London, England, Jon Thaxton challenged Yuri Romanov for the European Lightweight title in a Hennessy Sports promoted fight night.
Thaxton, of Norwich, England, has not lost a fight since 2002 and is the current lightweight champion of Great Britain. He looked mean as he made his way to the ring ahead of the Champion.
Romanov, of Belerus, looked relaxed as he prepared to defend his title for the third time.
Round one and in the first thirty seconds Thaxton takes a solid left hook from the Belarusian, then takes a barrage of punches mid-way through the round which sees him under pressure from the champion, but he takes them well. Itʼs not been a good round for Thaxton, Romanov looks far more relaxed whereas Thaxton has struggled to settle-in.
In the closing minute of round two, Thaxton takes a good left hook followed by a number of punches as Romanov backs Thaxton against the ropes. Thaxton looks in real danger from some hurtful punches but manages to get out of the situation and stand up to the champion. Itʼs been another tough round for Thaxton.
Blood flows from Thaxtonʼs nose during round three and the stronger punching Romanov continues to dominate. More…
