Boxing Perspective: Audley Harrison - “A Force” Or “A Farce”?

By Nick Chamberlain October 6th, 2009 All Boxing Articles

© Lawrence Lustig

The latest edition of Prizefighter, Heavyweights III, was highly entertaining with well-known fighters in the equation of Audley Harrison, Danny Williams and Scott Gammer. The tournament had decent domestic talent in the mix despite Michael Sprott's withdrawal.

Harrison and Williams were touted to meet each other in the final. Williams, the current British Champion, and Harrison, who was heading for great things once upon a time, had met twice before with a points victory for Williams and a stoppage victory for Harrison on the books. Both were looking for redemption.

Harrison has always been the most frustrating fighter, in the respect that we all know he has the skills of a counter punching skilled southpaw, but he just decided to never use them. He would prefer to put a couple of rounds in the bank and then coast nice and safely to victory by holding and spoiling, which aggravates the fans, and after he was knocked out by Sprott in 2007, it seems he was scared of it happening again so never fully engaged.

Worse was the fact that he never seemed to understand why the British fight fan never got behind him, when it was quite obvious, and he continued to speak of this ever elusive world title that he craved so much. More...

Boxing Perspective: Redemption For Rogan?

By Paul Downey June 24th, 2009 All Boxing Previews

Popular Heavyweight Martin Rogan is set for another crack at Sam Sexton and the Commonwealth Heavyweight title, after the British Board of Boxing Control put the bout out for purse bids.

The 38-year old Irish taxi driver was seen by many to have been dealt an injustice in the pair's first fight.

In the sixth round, the challenger's legs had gone after a barrage of punches by Rogan and the fight was temporarily halted, as Sexton's mouth piece came out.

This was seen as a missed opportunity by the Irishman to finish the bout, which was stopped in the eighth after Rogan's left eye had almost swelled shut.

The contest is certain to bring a big crowd wherever it is held, with Rogan seen affectionately as a real-life Rocky Balboa, with his brutal style which saw him win the first Prizefighter series in April, 2008.

Since then he has scored notable scalps in the form of Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton.

The bout will also serve as a eliminator for Danny Williams' British Heavyweight and Commonwealth Championship.

European Boxing News: Povetkin, Rogan, Stieglitz, Asloum, Huck, Mormeck, Jackiewicz

By Boxing Press April 23rd, 2009 All Press Releases

By Per Ake Persson

Russian heavy Alexander Povetkin has pulled out of the fight against Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko with the vacant European title at stake. The deadline for pursebids or agreement was tomorrow. More...

Boxing Perspective: Too ‘Old’ To Box?

By Zubair Ali March 27th, 2009 All Boxing Articles

Recent fights have had me thinking that the definition of an ‘old’ fighter needs revising. A fighter in his 30’s no longer seems to be all that old. Rob Norton at 37 handed David Dolan the second defeat of his career for the British Cruiserweight title in what proved to be a thrilling and tight affair.

Martin Rogan, 37 and Matt Skelton, 42, contested the Commonwealth Heavyweight title in a bruising encounter in which Rogan upset the odds with an 11th round stoppage and continued his fairytale story.

Danny Williams, who sensationally knocked out the ferocious Mike Tyson, is the British Heavyweight champion at 35. The ‘Brixton Bomber’ defends against John McDermott on May 2. There are currently over five British champions who have bypassed the 30 mark. That in itself shows that 30 is no longer a sign of the end of a fighting career.

This trend has followed on the world scene. ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley rolled back the years with a stunning knockout of the seemingly irrepressible Antonio Margarito. Juan Manuel Marquez silenced the critic’s claims that he is nearing the twilight of his career with a 9th round knockout of Juan Diaz in a pulsating contest to be crowned the WBO and WBA Lightweight Champion and the worlds best at 135lbs.

At 35, Marquez looks as good as ever and is a possible future opponent for our very own Amir Khan, who looks set to fight for a world title fight later in the year.

The evergreen Bernard Hopkins produced a devastating performance at the age of 43 when he dismantled the undisputed middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik to win a lopsided unanimous decision. Hopkins, who is 17 years Pavlik’s senior, has revealed he intends to move up to the cruiserweight division to possibly face IBF Champion Tomasz Adamek. More...

Boxing In Britain: Weekend Results

By Ricky Jones March 1st, 2009 All Boxing Results

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...

Matchroom Boxing: Light Heavyweight “Prizefighter” Hits York Hall February 20

By Boxing Press January 30th, 2009 All Press Releases

The "Prizefighter" boxing series returns next month - and this time the light heavyweights get their chance to shine. This will be the fifth Prizefighter event and the thrilling format of three round contests has captured the public’s imagination.

Once again, the historic York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, is expected to be sold out on Friday, February 20 with all the action screened live on Sky Sports 1.

The eight-man line-up includes Tony Oakey, who has previously held the British, WBU and Commonwealth titles, and three undefeated fighters. More...

Brian Peters Boxing: Haughian Confident For Walsh Clash

By Boxing Press January 26th, 2009 All Press Releases

Billy Walsh and Stephen Haughian will finally get it on for the Irish Welterweight title at the Craigavon Leisure Centre on February 7. Haughian has been eyeing a crack at the undefeated Corkman’s title ever since Walsh won it 12 months ago and now he’s got his wish.

“To be fighting so close to home is a dream come true and to fight for the Irish title is the icing on the cake,” said the Lurgan man. Haughian’s only up close and personal look at Walsh came when he appeared on the Leesider’s undercard in Cork two years ago and he says he saw enough night to know he can win. More...

Brian Peters Boxing: Homecoming For Haughian

By Boxing Press January 6th, 2009 All Press Releases

Stephen Haughian believes he’s ready to start chasing down major titles in 2009. The County Armagh boxer will look to take his career to the next level when he headlines a first ever pro fight night at the Craigavon Leisure Centre in Northern Ireland on Saturday, February 7.

The Lurgan welterweight who trains out of John Breen’s Gym in Belfast is hoping to enjoy the same success in 2009 that gym mates Paul McCloskey and Martin Rogan enjoyed last year.

Both ended 2008 on a high with McCloskey claiming the British Light Welterweight title and Rogan ending any remaining world title aspirations that Audley Harrison might have had. More...

Boxing Result: Khan, Maccarinelli, Rogan Win In London

By Ricky Jones December 7th, 2008 All Boxing Videos

Amir Khan, 19-1 (15), made a good comeback last night as the 21 year old from Bolton finished off American based Irishman Oisin Fagan, 22-6 (13), in the second round to win the vacant WBA International Lightweight title.

Former WBO Cruiserweight Champ Enzo Maccarinelli, 29-2 (22), also returned from defeat to post a victory as the hard-hitting Welshman stopped heavyweight Matthew Ellis, 20-6-1 (9), in the second of a scheduled ten rounder.

Belfast heavyweight Martin Rogan, 11-0 (5), likely finished off the future career prospects of 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist Audley Harrison, 23-4 (17), posting a one point victory over "A Force" after ten rounds.

Light middle Anthony Small, 21-1 (15), made short work of Steve Conway, 34-12 (7), stopping the ex-IBO titlist in the second frame and ex-WBA Light Welter Champion Souleymane M'baye, 37-3-1 (21), posted a narrow one point victory over southpaw Barrie Jones, 15-3 (7), after eight rounds.

Boxing Preview: Prizefighter Series Part Two

By James Oakley September 12th, 2008 All Boxing Previews

Tonight, September 12, 2008, Barry Hearn's Prizefighter tournament will take off again. In the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, eight heavyweight hopefuls will battle if out to win 25,000 pounds and become the new heavyweight prizefighter champion, succeeding the first champ, Martin Rogan, who won the initial tournament in April.

Prizefighter's catch line is 'eight heavyweights, seven fights, one winner. Modeled on Cricket's 20:20 series, the first installment of Prizefighter was a hit on Sky Sports television and certainly is expected to be once more.

The winner will have to go through three fights of three rounds each, winning all. The favorite appears to be undefeated Chris Burton. Burton, from Darlington, stands ix feet five inches tall and is 11-0-0 with six knockouts to his name.

He will start against David Ingleby, 5-21-1. Despite being a heavy favorite, if the fights are anything like Prizefighter one, being the best boxer in the tournament may not mean as much as it seems to on paper.

A dark horse in the championships is the veteran Pele Reid. His record of 19-5-0 with 17 knockouts shows he will certainly test the favorite Burton if they are drawn to fight.

Reid has fought names such as Micheal Sprott and most recently, John McDermott. He starts off against Norfolk's Sam Sexton. Sexton has one loss to his name and has previously beaten fellow Prizefighter contestant Luke Simpkin by knockout, so is no pushover.

Simpkin will start against another man with only one loss to his name, Dave Ferguson, who lost to last year's winner Martin Rogan in the semi finals. Ferguson will believe he can go all the way this year after winning his last fight over four rounds. More...

Ringside Boxing Report: Martin Rogan Wins First Prizefighter Series From York Hall

By Jane Warburton April 13th, 2008 All Ringside Boxing

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

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...

Ringside Boxing Report: Undercard Of Prize Fighter Series From York Hall

By Jane Warburton April 13th, 2008 All Ringside Boxing

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

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...

PrizeFighter Boxing Show

By Jane Warburton April 11th, 2008 All Boxing Previews

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).

British Boxing: York Hall “Prizefighter” Lineup Set For April 11

By Jane Warburton April 5th, 2008 All Boxing Previews

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)

Impact Boxing: Alex Ibbs Added To Heavyweight “Prizefighter Series” At York Hall April 11

By Boxing Press April 4th, 2008 All Press Releases

Werringtonʼs 22 year old heavyweight Alex Ibbs will become the latest Stoke-on-Trent based boxer to seek to win honours in a high profile event. Alex takes part in the first ʽPrizefighter Seriesʼ which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green on April 11. More...