Boxing News

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

John Murray may have lost his British lightweight title on the scales on Friday but the 24 year old Manchester phenom had everything go his way enroute to stopping opponent Scott Lawton last night at Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England.

Murray came out of the gates on fire and was bent on knocking out his more experienced foe. The former British champ strafed Lawton upstairs and down until the man from Stoke was canvassed near the end of the first frame.

Lawton beat the count but the round ended before Murray could uncoil his follow-up assault.

The Mancunian started the second looking to bust up Lawton but the challenger had begun to get the timing of Murray and managed to negate much of what was hurled his way and managed some offense as well. More...

Commonwealth champion Darren Barker is now one step closer to solidifing the middleweight division in the UK after stopping English titlist Darren McDermott last night at the Colosseum in Watford, England.

McDermott began the first looking to press Barker but couldn't past the champion's superb jab. Things opened up a bit in the second frame as McDermott managed to get closer.

The challenger scored with a few decent shots on the inside but the proximity allowed Barker's faster hands to find the target with ever increasing frequency. More...

The Colosseum in Watford, England tonight sees an interesting bill headlined by Darren Barker's Commonwealth middleweight title defense against challenger Darren McDermott.

Barker, 19-0 (12), had a great amateur career and as a result has been in the spotlight throughout his five years as a professional.

"Dazzling Darren" won the Commonwealth in November, 2007 with a dominating decision over Australia's Ben Crampton and has since defeated the respectable line up of Steve Bendall, Larry Sharpe and Jason McKay.

In contrast, McDermott, 16-1-1 (9), came up the hard way, culminating in a second round cuts defeat to British champion Wayne Elcock, in June of last year in which McDermott had looked promising before the stoppage. More...

KO losses don't come any more devastating than the one Ricky Hatton suffered against Manny Pacquiao and the question must now be asked: should "The Hitman" retire or keep going?

There doesn't seem to be any point in a rematch given Pacquiao's thorough dismantling of the British bulldog, unlike the Filipino's clashes with Mexican greats Eric Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera.

There seem to be three ways the Hatton camp can proceed from this point. Either pull the plug on a highly decorated 12 year pro career or continue to face world class opposition in America in search of more world titles or return to England and fight lesser opposition.

Retiring represents the least profitable option of course but Hatton's legacy, which saw Ricky only come up short against the two greatest fighters of his generation, would remain intact, something that could prove invaluable to any future career as a promoter or boxing commentator in the UK. More...

European Light Middleweight Champion Jamie Moore retained his title for the first time by smashing the challenge of Roman Dzuman in the second round at Crow Tree Leisure Centre in Sunderland, England.

Just as in his title winning effort against Michele Piccirillo two month ago, Moore was simply on fire, pounding through the defenses of his Ukrainian opponent in the first frame before dropping Dzuman twice in the second with shattering body shots to produce a stoppage.

The 30 year old Salford southpaw improves to 32-3 (23) while Dzuman loses his third straight, and second European title challenge, to drop to 23-7-1 (10).

The big undercard saw a raft of important clashes as British Heavyweight Champion Danny Williams, 41-7 (31), again had mixed success against opponent John McDermott, 25-5 (16), posting a split decision win after the majority decision result last July. More...

A good fight card takes place tonight at Crow Tree Leisure Centre in Sunderland, England headlined by Jamie Moore's maiden European Light Middle title defense against Ukraine's Roman Dzuman.

Moore, 31-3 (22), finally got an opportunity to fight for the European crown two months ago after years of false starts and the 30 year old Salford southpaw simply tore through ex-IBF Welter and two-time former European light middle ruler Michele Picirillo, who was knocked out in two rounds.

Moore rarely has big fights this close together but wasn't taxed very hard by Piccirillo and should be in good fighting shape in tonight's defense against Dzuman.

Dzuman, 23-6-1 (10), has some names on his resume that will be recognizable by British fans during his nine year career at welter and light middle, including Jawaid Khaliq, James Hare, Jozsef Matolcsi, Eugenio Monteiro and Vladimir Khodokovski. More...

Last night at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, local man Martin Lindsay stepped up to the challenge during the biggest fight of his career by ripping the British Featherweight title from Scotland's Paul Appleby.

21 year old Appleby came into the bout unbeaten and with the reputation as one of the UK's top young fighters following his British title win over John Simpson and defense against Esham Pickering last year.

Lindsay had earned his shot at the featherweight crown by a shocking KO of former WBU kingpin Derry Matthews last year and the 26 year old had vowed not to disappoint his fans at Ulster Hall.

Once the bout began, Lindsay appeared to be the faster of the two combatants, beating the champion to the punch on most occasions. More...

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Welterweight John O'Donnell is the new Commonwealth Champion after dethroning Craig Watson in a riveting all-southpaw clash last night at London's historic York Hall.

As expected, Watson was on fire in the opening frame, pushing O'Donnell back but was unable to steamroll the lanky 23 year old from Shepherd's Bush. More...

Commonwealth Welter Champion Craig Watson puts his belt at risk for the second time as he meets challenger John O'Donnell at London's famed York Hall tonight.

Although Watson at 13-2 (4) doesn't have a record on paper to match the bigger numbers of O'Donnell at 20-1 (9), it is indeed the Manchester southpaw that has the greater experience.

As an amateur, Watson made waves by flooring future Olympic hero and professional sensation Amir Khan and the 26 year old was thrown in tough as a young pro, facing the likes of John Fewkes, Michael Lomax and Robert Lloyd Taylor by the time he'd been in his tenth contest.

Having only lost a close decision to Fewkes as a light welter, Watson went up to welter and shocked reigning Commonwealth king Ali Nuumbembe in a brutal and bloody battle in December, 2007 that was stopped in the ninth when Nuumbembe's cuts became too severe. More...

Two shows last night in the UK with the bigger bill taking place at the Bellahouston Sports Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.

Local hero Ricky Burns was in action as the Commonwealth Super Feather Champ put his title belt at risk against former British Champion Michael Gomez in what had turned into a grudge match complete with pre-fight scrums in the street during the media build up.

While Gomez was at his intimidating best before the fight, it was Burns who was in the driver's seat once the bell rang, peppering the Mancunian with sharp counters off the jab.

At 31 years of age and four years past his prime, Gomez was a shadow of his former self but still managed to test Burns as the Scotsman lost a point for holding in the fifth while attempting to nullify Gomez's inside aggression. More...

Former European Super Bantam titlist Bernard Dunne takes a very big step up tonight in challenging reigning WBA 122 pound Champion Ricardo Cordoba tonight at the 02 Arena in Dublin, Ireland.

Southpaw Cordoba, 34-1-2 (21), of Panama has enjoyed a stellar career since turning pro in 2000 and holds a win over current IBF Champion Celestino Caballero in 2004.

24 year old Cordoba drew twice with WBA Champion of the time, Wladimir Sidorenko, during bouts in 2006 and 2007 in Sidorenko's adopted homeland of Germany and lost his only bout by split decison against Thailand's Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym for the Interim WBA belt in Thailand.

Cordoba will once again be fighting on his opponent's home turf when he faces Irish hero Dunne tonight at the 02 Arena.

Dunne, 27-1 (14), will be making his first appearance at genuine world class level after starting his career in America in 2001 and moving back to his native Ireland in 2004. More...

European super bantam champion Ian Napa will put his title belt at risk tonight at Newham Leisure Centre in London, England a day after voluntarily giving up the British crown.

Napa, 18-6 (1), has big plans to improve upon his world ranked status and has moved above taking the domestic level fights needed to retain the British title.

But before Napa can even think about facing world class opposition at bantamweight, the Hackney whirlwind must meet the challenge posed by former French champion Malik Bouziane tonight in Newham.

Bouziane, 10-1 (1), is one of the Continent's best kept secrets, an Algerian residing in France who possesses impeccable amateur credentials and genuine skill that is sure to give Napa a stern test this evening.

Promoter Frank Maloney has stacked the undercard tonight in support of Napa as there are two very difficult matchups for two of his up and coming prospects.

Lightweight Henry Castle, 19-4 (11), is on the hunt for a domestic title opportunity but before that can happen, the Salisbury slugger must stifle the comeback hopes of former British super featherweight champion Carl Johanneson, 27-4 (19), in a dangerous eight round affair. More...

Last night at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England, lightweight Amir Khan stepped up to take on former multi-weight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera and came away with the biggest win of his career.

At 35 years of age, former super bantam, featherweight and super feather champion Barrera proved just too small and faded to deal with the handspeed and size of the much taller 22 year old Khan.

While Barrera's experience and acumen did lead to a few good shots on Khan, the Mexican veteran wasn't able to get out of the way of the Englishman's lightning quick combinations and sharp right hand.

As the bout wore in, Barrera did seem however, to be getting used to the timing of Khan's efforts and was beginning to force his rival onto the back foot but by this time a bad hairline cut suffered by Barrera earlier due to an unintentional clash of heads had worsened and the contest was called off at 2:36 of the fifth round.

Amir Khan was declared the winner on scores of 50-45 twice and 50-44 and goes to 20-1 (15), adding the WBO Intercontinental crown to his existing WBA International and Commonwealth Lightweight titles. More...

The European Union Super Middleweight title changed hands on Sunday as Spanish southpaw Gabriel Campillo pulled off an upset of reigning champion Lolenga Mock at the Holmegaardsskolen in Kokkedal, Denmark.

30 year old Campillo, 17-2 (6), was coming off a narrow loss to European Champion Karo Murat by majority decision last September but the man from Madrid proved to have more in the tank than the iron-chinned Mock, taking a 115-114, 115-113 and 116-111 unanimous decision after 12 hard rounds.

For the 36 year old Mock, 28-12-1 (12), this is likely just another career setback to overcome as the Congo born Aarhus resident has endured many such disappointments in a still viable career.

Mock fought his way out of Kinshasa, going 17-0 to start his career before losing a ABU Super Middle tile clash to Joseph Marwa in Tanzania in 1998. More...

There was a good card at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England last night that saw a big upset on the domestic heavyweight scene along with a Commonwealth title fight, an English title scrap and the professional debut of three Olympic boxers.

At the rather advanced age of 42 years, Bedford brawler Matt Skelton, 22-3 (19), had risen through the ranks to stand atop the heavyweight division in England and came into his Commonwealth title defense with Belfast's Martin Rogan, 12-0 (6), on the strength of a European title winning effort against Italy's Paolo Vidoz in December.

Rogan, no spring chicken himself at 37, came into his bout with Skelton as the far less experienced man and despite a good 2008 that saw him win the heavyweight "Prizefighter" tournament and narrowly outpoint Audley Harrison, was not expected to defeat Skelton.

But the Irishman proved to not only be able to take the punishment and bullying of Skelton but had the ability to give it back like no one else at domestic level has done so to date. More...

The WBC Super Middleweight title fight between undefeated title holder Carl Froch, 24-0 (19), and ex-Middleweight World Champion Jermain Taylor, 28-2-1 (17), has been set for April 25 with the clash possibly taking place at Foxwoods at Mashantucket, CT.

Showtime will present the bout as Nottingham man Froch makes his American TV debut following the exciting victory for the vacant WBC title against Canada's Jean Pascal last December.

Taylor is coming off a WBC title eliminator win over former IBF Champ Jeff Lacy in November and represents the biggest threat to date to Froch's unbeaten record.

Aside from the boxing bills we've already run down this weekend, there were a few good Continental shows and we kick off this report at Salle des Fetes in Carouge, Switzerland where South Africa's Vincent Vuma ruled the spotlight.

The 33 year old light middleweight bounced back from losing his WBC International belt to Ryan Rhodes in November with a closely contested points win against Hamlet Petrosyan over twelve rounds.

Swiss based Armenian Petrosyan, 27-6 (10), hit the deck in the sixth and that proved to be the difference as Vuma took a 115-112 and 114-113, 114-113 decision to sweep the cards and take home Petrosyan's IBF Intercontinental Light Middleweight title.

On the undercard, Belgian light heavy Djamel Selini, 19-8-1 (14), shocked Sofiane Sebihi, 14-2 (10), by knocking out the local prospect in the first round and Swiss based Rwandan lightweight Patrick Kinigamazi, 11-0 (2), stayed perfect with a six round points verdict against Morrocco's Samir Boukrara, 11-10-1 (1). More...

Despite an eight month hiatus from the ring following the loss of his IBF Light Heavyweight title to Antonio Tarver last year, Clinton Woods came roaring back to life last night at Hotel de France in Jersey on the Channel Islands, handling opponent Elvir Muriqi over 12 one sided rounds.

With the victory, Woods becomes the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

The 36 year Englishman proved to be the far sharper man in the ring with Muriqi, who many thought could have the advantage in this contest due to a better showing against Tarver during a disputed majority decision loss in 2007.

The much shorter American based visitor tried to come forward against Woods but Muriqi found a wall of leather for his troubles as the Sheffield native picked off Muriqi repeatedly. More...

Dennis Hobson puts on a boxing bill tonight in Jersey on the Channel Islands, a British Crown Dependency 14 miles off the coast of northern France. Headlining is former IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Clinton Woods, who meets America's Elvir Muriqi in a 12 rounder.

36 year old Woods, 41-4-1 (24), of Sheffield, England is coming off a disappointing loss to IBO titlist Antonio Tarver in Florida ten months ago and for the ex-European titlist, this is a must win bout if he is to once again fight for world honors.

Muriqi, 35-4 (22), a Kosovo native now residing in New York, is coming off a KO win of Jameel Wilson a year ago but the stocky 29 year old produced a far better performance against Tarver than Woods, pushing the veteran hard before losing a very close and controversial majority decision in 2007.

Both combatants will have to shake off the ring rust due to inactivity but it should be a good contest as the willful Muriqi will undoubtedly come forward and tangle with the taller and more skilled Woods in a bout that should go the distance.

It's a crossroads battle to be sure with the winner going onto a likely world title bid while the loser will be back at square one.

Last night at Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, England, two of the top light heavyweights in the UK saw action but had very different results.

Commonwealth kingpin Nathan Cleverly, 15-0 (5), continued to show excellent form while destroying big puncher Samson Onyango, 18-4 (12), of Kenya in a single round.

Onyango, nicknamed "The Hammer" came into the bout with the reputation of being a danger man but it was the sharply-skilled 21 year old Welshman Cleverly who landed the bombs to end the night early.

Cleverly has now retained his title for the second time, achieving a knockout result in both instances.

Current British and former Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champ Dean Francis, 30-3-1 (24), had a much harder time as he was held to a draw after eight rounds in a non-title bout at cruiserweight by former British Masters Super Middleweight titlist Joey Vegas, 11-4-1 (4). More...