French Middleweight Champion Affif Belghecham arrived in Limerick today confident of playing his part in a French sporting double against the Irish this weekend.

On Saturday night the Lyon native, who also holds the European Union title will look to derail Andy Lee’s World and European title ambitions when they clash in the main event of the Yanjing Fight Night at the University Sports Arena in Limerick. More...

Irish – Canadian middleweight Matt O’Brien is hoping to upstage local hero Andy Lee when he has his first professional outing in Limerick on Saturday’s Yanjing Fight Night at the University Sports Arena.

Lee’s clash with reigning French and European Union Champion Affif Belghecham headlines the event with O’Brien featuring on the undercard. While Irish fight fans are familiar with current Irish middleweight stars such as Andy Lee, Matthew Macklin, John Duddy and Jim Rock the name Matt O’Brien may not be as instantly recognisable but he believes all that is about to change. More...

While Andy Lee’s bout with reigning French and European Union Middleweight Champ Affif Belghecham will be the main focus of attention on this Saturday’s Yanjing Fight Night at the University Sports Arena two other Limerick boxers will be looking to make it a memorable occasion for the cities fight fans.

The World rated Lee headlines as he bids to take another step to World and European titles by leapfrogging Belghecham who is rated above him in both the World and European ratings. More...

The Yanjing Fight Night at the University Arena in Limerick on Saturday, November 14 is shaping up to be a huge night of live sport for the sports mad city.

Not only will fight fans get to see local hero Andy Lee taking on reigning European Union and French Champion Affif Belghecham but they will also get their sporting kicks when the crucial World Cup playoff match between Ireland and France is shown live in the big screens in the arena. More...

Irish middleweight Andy Lee, will face current European Union and French champion Affif Belghecham at the UL Arena in Limerick, on November 14 in a Brian Peters event entitled ’Yanjing’ Fightnight'.

Peters sees this as Lee’s ’stepping stone’ to a title clash with Birmingham boxer Matthew Macklin, or Irish boxer John Duddy, next year.

As Macklin is now the European and British champion at the weight and Duddy has become a big name in America, either matchup would be sure to fill the seats with Irish boxing fans wherever the contest is held.

At a press conference yesterday - Lee was excited to be fighting in Limerick and though confident - admitted this would be a hard fight against Belghecham.

Middleweight contender Andy Lee announced details of his next fight today at a press conference overlooking the hallowed turf of Thomond Park in Limerick.

The U.S. based southpaw will be back at the University Sports Arena in his native city on November 14th when he takes on Frenchman Affif Belghecham on the Yanjing Fight Night.

Today’s press conference at the legendary home of twice European club rugby champions Munster gave Lee the perfect opportunity to talk about his clash with Belghecham, the reigning European Union and French Middleweight champ.

The Lyon native is rated just ahead of Lee in the current European ratings occupying eighth place with the Shannonsider just behind in ninth place on a list headed by newly crowned European Champion Matthew Macklin.

There has been plenty of talk about a possible all Irish European title showdown between Lee and Macklin but the Castleconnell man insists that his sole focus is on dealing with the formidable threat posed by Belghecham in Limerick next month. More...

Andy Lee, Irish middleweight boxer, chalked up the 19th win of his career yesterday evening in a thrilling bout against a game Anthony Shuler at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.

Lee put on a class performance using his superior technical boxing ability and punching power to dispose of Shuler by KO in the eighth round.

In the last twelve months, the Limerick southpaw has been quietly working under the radar, picking up valuable experience in the gym and his four outings in Germany, Ireland and the United States. More...

The Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN saw Irish middleweight star Andy Lee, 18-1 (13), return to an American ring for the first time in over a year following his shocking loss to Brian Vera.

The lanky southpaw came into his bout with Anthony Shuler, 20-7-1 (14), as a super middle and stopped the Indianapolis man at 2:05 of the eighth in a scheduled ten rounder.

Steel-chinned former IBF light middleweight title challenger Angel "Toro" Hernandez, 30-7 (17), followed up his defeat of prospect James McGirt Jr in January with a sixth round referee stoppage of ex-two weight world title challenger Antwun Echols, 31-12-4 (27), who hasn't won a fight since 2004.

Heavyweight Owen Beck, 29-3 (20), two years removed from his unsuccessful bid at the WBA crown, posted an eight round unanimous decision over granite-jawed former NABO cruiserweight beltholder Jermell Barnes, 18-22-2 (4), who has gone 2-18-2 since January, 2004, by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 77-75. More...

British and Irish Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin believes that the All-Ireland hurling semi final clash between Tipperary and Limerick could be replayed in the boxing ring in the not too distant future.

The Munster rivals meet at Croke Park this Sunday in a crunch decider for the right to meet Kilkenny in this years All-Ireland final. More...

The all-new Horseshoe Casino, just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago, is excited to host Horseshoe Fight Night at The Venue on Friday, August 21 at 7:30 pm.

Featured on the card will be Andy Lee, Angel Toro Hernandez and Assyias Ninos Abraham. All bouts subject to change. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Saturday night at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, two British boxers fought on an historical boxing occasion due to the number of people that had packed in the venue.

Paul Butlin and Michael Sprott boxed on the undercard of the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ruslan Chagaev world heavyweight title headliner in front of a massive crowd of 61,000.

Butlin of Melton Mowbray faced Johnathan Banks of Detroit in an eight round heavyweight contest. More...

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Last night, at the Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, 61,000 people enjoyed a night of boxing and entertainment in the home of Schalke F.C.

It was indeed the biggest and most lavish boxing event I’ve ever witnessed.

There were seven fights in total - but of course - everyone was there to see the Heavyweight clash between immensely popular Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev.

Michael Buffer made the usual introductions and entering the ring first - to the sounds of ‘Guess who’s back?’ - came the Challenger Chagaev proudly sporting a Schalke F.C. tshirt. Shoots of fire and sparkling fireworks lit up the arena (inside!) to welcome the Champion who entered the ring amidst an entourage of red-track-suits with the three belts held aloft. More...

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Irish middleweight prospect Andy Lee chalked up another decisive win on undercard of the Waldimir Klitschko vs. Ruslan Chagaev world heavyweight clash tonight in Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Lee shared the ring with the durable and strong Olegs Fedotovs from Lativia, who carried a record of 10-5 (6), before the fight. More...

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

All eyes in the boxing world will be on Veltins Arena tonight in Gelsenkirchen, Germany as WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko puts his belts and top standing in the division on the line against WBA champion in recess Ruslan Chagaev.

Klitschko, 52-3 (46), comes into the bout after having trained for ex-cruiserweight world champion David Haye and now must adjust for a completely different opponent in the form of Chagaev.

Where Haye is a big punching, fast-handed right hander who likes to go after opponents with all guns blazing, Chagaev, 25-0-1 (17), is a crafty, patient southpaw with less power than Haye but better pure boxing skill. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

At 2.00 PM this afternoon, at the impressive Karstadt Sports Store in Dortmund, Germany, media and fans gathered to witness the official weigh-in of Wladimir Klitschko and Rusland Chagaev ahead of tomorrow night's heavyweight contest at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirschen.

Introduced by Michael Buffer, both men made their entrances to huge support from the waiting crowd. Wladimir arrived wearing his red Team Klitschko tracksuit alongside trainer Emmanuel Steward.

Wladimir’s elder brother Vitali, the WBC Heavyweight Champion, came along to keep an eye on proceedings.

Looking ’steely-cool’, IBF/WBO Champion Wladimir towered over his opponent, Chagaev, who looked far more relaxed than he appeared at Monday's press conference. More...

Earlier this week at a press conference held at Real Hypermarket in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Irish boxer Andy Lee confirmed to SaddoBoxing that he was ‘feeling great’ and ‘looking forward to Saturday night’ when he is scheduled to fight Latvian Olegs Fedotovs in an eight round middleweight contest at Veltins Arena.

A smiling Lee looked happy as he took time out to pose for photographers after the conference between headliners Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev, who will contend for three of the four major heavyweight titles on Saturday.

Southpaw Lee has an impressive 17 win record with 13 of those wins coming by way of knockout and just 1 loss.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, Lee now resides in Michigan, U.S.A. and trains under Emmanual Stewart.

Also on the undercard, British boxer Paul Butlin faces Johnathan Banks of Michigan in an eight round heavyweight contest and Michael Sprott of Reading, England faces Alexander Ustinov of Atlanta, Georgia.

Sprott has some impressive names on his record which includes Saturdays’ headliner Chagaev, who Sprott lost out to three years ago.

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Yesterday, at Real Hypermarkert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Media gathered for the official press conference between Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev ahead of their clash at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday for the IBF, IBO, and WBO Heavyweight titles.

The press area was a cordoned off section of the Real retail store and - being open on one side - the conference was watched by Klitschko fans waiting to catch a glimpse of their idol. They weren’t disappointed!

Klitschko - aka ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ - entered the area to a mass of photographers as he settled into his seat on the raised platform. Wearing a bright red tracksuit (as did his entourage), Klitschko looked ‘radiant’ (an odd word for a male - I know!) and proudly sat with his three belts on display in front of him.

The challenger, Chagaev, entered wearing a dark suit. He seemed a quiet, shy man but he too sat with his WBA belt in front. More...

© K2 Promotions

Irish Middleweight prospect Andy Lee turned 25 years old today and he certainly got the birthday present he was looking for.

It has been confirmed today that the Kronk star will feature on the undercard of the Waldimir Klitschko vs. Ruslan Chagaev World Heavyweight title clash on June 20 in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. More...

Brian Peters enjoyed a boxing double last weekend with his charges Paul McCloskey and Matthew Macklin both recording impressive British title victories in the UK.

He’s hoping to extend that success to a treble on Saturday night when he promotes the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night at The O2 in Dublin. More...

Former WBO heavy champ Chris Byrd, who fought both Klitschko brothers, looks to continue his career at cruiser and face German Ralf Riemer in the chief support to Klitschko vs. Gomez March 21 in Stuttgart.

Riemer, 8-6-2, is not exactly the toughest opponent around, even at national level. Another former Wladimir Klitschko opponent, Tony Thompson, is in against Adnan Serin - a brave German heavy who always gives his best. More...