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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Friday night at the Bolton Arena in Bolton, England, Frank Maloney promoted a fight night headlined by three title bouts, billed as ‘War of the Roses’.

Salford boxer Jamie Moore faced Ryan Rhodes of Sheffield for the European light middleweight title, St.Helens boxer Gary Davies made the first defence of his British bantamweight title against Londoner Ian Napa and Stoke‘s Chris Edwards made his second defence of the British flyweight title against Mongolian-born Shinny Bayaar.

Jamie Moore (Salford) v Ryan Rhodes (Sheffield)
12 x 3 European Light Middleweight Title

Reigning European champion Moore starts off busy from the first bell, keeping former two-time British light middleweight champion Rhodes on the back foot. Rhodes - having the shorter reach - just misses his target a few times with sweeping shots.

Moore dominates from centre of ring, while Rhodes struggles to settle in to this first round. The Sheffield man goes for the body of ‘Mooresy’ but Moore looks determined, ploughing through with more punches - landing a hard shot which rocks Rhodes’ head from side to side. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

British super bantamweight champion Jason Booth put together yet another sterling performance in turning back the comeback hopes of Michael Hunter last night at the Seaburn Centre in Sunderland, England on a Frank Maloney promotion.

31 year old southpaw Hunter was attempting to recapture the glory days of 2004-2006, over which he held the British, Commonwealth and European titles before losing a vacant IBF title bid to sharp Canadian Steve Molitor.

The Hartlepool man started strong once the bell rang, pressuring Nottingham based Booth, also 31, with a high work rate and had some success when the champion was put upon the ropes. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

On Saturday night at the Altrincham Leisure Centre in Manchester, England, lightweight John Murray won the division's biggest domestic showdown as he stopped Jon Thaxton in the fourth round.

Local hero Murray regained the British title he lost on the scales in June with one of his best performances to date.

Southpaw Thaxton came out strong and was controlling the pace early on but the much younger Mancunian simply waited to get the measure of his rival before going on the attack.

That took place in the third and by the fourth frame, Thaxton could no longer keep up with Murray and was taking a lot of punishment as a result. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

It was a full house last night at the packed Brentwood Centre in Essex, England for the Frank Maloney promoted Fightnight headlined by the eagerly awaited contest between John McDermott and Tyson Fury.

The night was billed as ‘Colossal’ with McDermott defending his English Heavyweight title against younger, less experienced Fury.

The atmosphere inside the Brentwood Centre was fantasti ! And dancing along to his entrance music - ‘Tonight’s gonna be a good night’ - Fury, as usual, was clearly enjoying the attention.

Unlike his opponent - a mean looking ‘Big Bad John’ McDermott - who ‘plodded’ down the stairway to the ring. More...

Controversy erupted last night at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, England after Tyson Fury was declared the winner in his bout against English heavyweight titlist John McDermott following ten rounds of combat.

With only seven professional bouts under his belt, Fury at times looked well out of his depth against the smaller, quicker champion and only the towering heavyweight's hard jab kept him competitive during the contest.

After absorbing a verbal onslaught from Fury during the pre-fight media buildup, McDermott went on the offensive from the first bell and put his challenger into the unaccustomed position of having to fight off the back foot. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Last night at the Eston Sports Academy in Middlesbrough, England, Matchroom Sport hosted a fight night which headlined by the much anticipated Commonwealth Featherweight title rematch between Champion John Simpson of Greenock, Scotland and local man Paul Truscott of Middlesbrough.

The fight against Simpson in January was Truscott's only defeat and ended because of a cut to the right eye as a result of a head clash.

Last night's exciting return bout was even bloodier than the first and had the crowd applauding the gritty determination of both boxers all the way through the contest. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Friday night, at the Velodrome in Manchester, England, Hatton Promotions hosted a fight night which would prove to be an all-action bill culminating in another war from returning Mancunian, Michael Brodie.

Billed as ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, the fight card consisted of seven contests. Encircled by the indoor cycling track, the ring looked impressive with its lighting ‘rig’ and plasma screens.

The main and last fight of the night was well worth the wait! After a break of four years, former featherweight champion Michael Brodie made his come-back last night in spectacular style.

Who could forget the Brodie v. Injin Chi WBA title fights in 2003 and 2004? Last night's fight was in true Brodie-style - another bloody war. More...

There were two fight cards in the UK last night with former world champions Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe as promoters.

Hatton's bill took place at the Velodrome in his hometown of Manchester and featured a brace of six and four rounders.

The big name on the bill was that of ex-European, Commonwealth and British super bantam champion Michael Brodie, 35-3-2 (23), who had been out of the ring since losing a WBO

Returning as a super feather, the 35 year old local hero felt the ring rust acutely as he was dropped by opponent Mark Alexander, 8-4 (0), of London in the first and third frames before finding his rhythm to stop Alexander at 1:25 of the fourth after landing a perfect right hand. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Last night at the Floral Hall in Southport, England, Steve Wood of VIP Promotions presented a fight night which would feature six thrilling contests.

The venue is sited in a lovely location - right alongside Marine Lake in the coastal town of Southport - in the Northwest of England and was hosting its first boxing event since 1934. Even more surprising is that it was a warm, sunny day - with no rain!

Boxing commenced with a four round light middleweight contest between Chris ‘Johno’ Johnson of Manchester and Geraint Harvey of Pontypridd, Wales. But it was a nightmare for the home-corner as Johnson is on the canvas in the first round. Looking stunned by the knockdown - Johnson digs in to see it out to the end of the round.

The second frame sees the southpaw regain some composure as he throws lefts and rights at the head of the Welshman, but Harvey was motivated and had Johno down in the third frame again. Getting up for the count, the Mancunian looked dazed and referee Mark Lyson called a halt to the contest. More...

There was a big show last night at Mangaung Indoor Centre in Bloemfontein with a South African and three WBF title belts at stake.

Ex-South African light and super middleweight champ William Gare, 26-14 (5), continued his reign as WBF super middle kingpin by dropping previously undefeated Mexican champ Rigoberto Alvarez, 22-1 (16), in the first enroute to a 12 round unanimous decision.

34 year old iron-chinned Braamfischer man Gare has now won four straight bouts and managed three WBF title defenses.

The "Killer Shark" was back in action on the bill as undefeated Mlungisi Dlamini, 20-0-1 (12), retained his WBF lightweight crown for the fourth time, handling ex-super feather world title challenger Francisco Lorenzo, 33-6 (14), via 12 round unanimous decision.

Big punching Bongani Mwelase, 14-0 (12), lost his WBF welter belt on the scales during his last appearance so the Gauteng southpaw simply went up to light middle to capture the vacant WBF title with a 12 round unanimous decision over Attila "Viper" Kovacs, 25-4 (17).

With the South African super middle trophy at risk, Tshepang Mohale, 7-2 (6), gained revenge upon Kgotso Motau, 15-3 (13), to reverse a May, 2008 loss and regain the title.

© Cate McKeating / Saddo Boxing

In a dramatic, exciting and stunning upset Friday night at the Pachanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, veteran lightweight Tyrone Harris, 24-5 (16), scored an 8th TKO victory over the highly touted Marvin Quintero, 16-2 (12).

From the opening bell Harris controlled the action, establishing his stiff jab early in the bout and utilizing his superior boxing abilities to neutralize the young Quintero’s power.

Quintero had success in round three, landing numerous solid straight lefts, however Harris was able to counter effectively, keeping Quintero constantly firing from his heels. More...

Three good fight cards took place over the last few days and we kick things off with Thursday's show at The Orion Function Centre in Campsie, NSW.

Former two-time super middle world title challenger Sakio Bika, 28-3-2 (19), annihilated chinny Argentine import Nestor Fabian Casanova, 22-15 (9), in the first round to win his sixth bout in a row.

The iron-chinned Cameroon born Sydney resident could be heading for another title challenge and to date has only come up short against Joe Calzaghe, Lucien Bute and Sam Soliman.

Also on the bill, Solomon Egberime, 20-2 (10), retained the Australian light welter title with a ten round unanimous verdict over NSW welter champ Bobby Antonakos, 11-3-1 (3), despite losing a point for low blows in the sixth frame.

On Friday at Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club in Cronulla, NSW, Ryan Waters, 16-2-1 (10), put a 13 bout win streak and the WBO Oriental light middle belt on the line against IBF Australian light middle and former Australian welterweight titlist Shannon McMahon, 16-4-1 (6). More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Last night, at the Sutton Sports Centre in St. Helens, Merseyside, England, Oliver Harrison promoted a fight-night which would see nine all-action contests.

The headliner would see popular Martin Murray of St. Helens face Ghanaian boxer Thomas Awinbono in an eight round middleweight contest, his first since splitting with Steve Wood of VIP Promotions.

Looking in great physical shape - as ever - confident Murray entered the ring to huge support from the St. Helens fans. Murray dominated from the start, keeping centre of ring, he forced Awinbono to ‘edge’ around the ropes.

Landing some clubbing left punches to the head in the early rounds, Murray looks for the shots. Awinbono manages to land some decent shots of his own as he sneaks the right jab through the middle of Murray's guard.

Round three sees Murray sinking in some punishing body-shots that had his opponent cringing, sucking in air after each blow. It seems as if he can’t possibly take any more of the body-shots but he soaks them up and carries on - albeit tentatively at times. More...

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

It was a typical English summer evening on Friday; rain, rain and more rain! But it didn’t dampen the spirit of fans enjoying an evening of boxing at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in the West Midlands.

PJ Rowson and Errol Johnson of First Team Promotions hosted a fight card which would see action from five bouts.

Rob Doody (Tipton) v Jason Nesbitt (Birmingham)
6 Round Light Welterweight Contest

There was good support for Doody, who used long-reaching left and rights to the head of Nesbitt.
At the end of round four, he lands two shots after being told to break. The second shot landed cleanly and he’s given a stern warning by referee Rob Chalmers. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Last night at the Seaburn Centre in Sunderland, England, Frank Maloney hosted a fight night headlined by Bristol-man Lee Haskins’ first defence of the British super flyweight title against active duty British Army soldier Ross Burkinshaw of Sheffield.

Ross ‘The Boss’ enters the ring to a fanfare of bugles from fellow soldiers. Former IBF light heavyweight titlist Clinton Woods follows Burkinshaw into the ring with British belt held aloft.

The champion Haskins enters the ring looking as confident as ever, his belt held aloft by Jamie Sanigar, brother of Chris Sanigar, Haskins' trainer, co-promoter and manager. More...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

On Sunday, at the Liquid Envy Night Club in Luton, England, PJ Rowson and Errol Johnson of First Team Promotions put on another action-packed fight card.

The show was headlined by local-man, the former British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Graham Earl, against tough veteran Karl Taylor of Birmingham.

It wasn’t an easy fight for Earl, who hasn’t fought since he lost by first round TKO to Henry Castle in October. He had success with the straight left, sometimes dipping low to target the body, but experienced Taylor scored with some left shots of his own and gave Earl a tough contest throughout.

The Luton favourite secured a 60-54 points win and improves to 26 wins (12 by KO) and 4 losses (3 by KO). More...

Argentina's top boxer was in action last evening as Omar Andres Narvaez retained his WBO flyweight title for the 16th consecutive time by crushing opponent Omar Soto in the 11th round at Buenos Aires' famed Luna Park Stadium.

Mexico City man Soto had come into the bout riding a three fight win streak and the former Mexican minimumweight titlist was confident of his chances of ending the seven year reign of Narvaez but reality proved to be something much different.

It was the razor-sharp skills of "El Huracan" that separated the boxers from the first bell as the Cordoba southpaw worked like an effiecient machine behind a piston-like jab that tore big holes through the defense of Mexican visitor Soto. More...

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© 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...

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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Friday night at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, England, PJ Rowson and Errol Johnson of First Team Promotions hosted a fight night headlined by a female title bout.

The night should have been headlined by local-man Steve Savilles’ defence of the Midlands Lightweight title against Stoke's Gary Reid, but Saville pulled out last week with an injury.

Lyndsey Scragg of Wednesbury faced last minute opponent Kristine ‘Krissy’ Shergold of Paignton, for the Global Boxing Council Female Super-Featherweight title.

Scragg was originally scheduled to face Florea Lihet, but when Lihet pulled out, Shergold stepped in at short notice. More...

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© 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...