Can Napa Regain British Title On Sept 11?

Four years ago, Ian Napa lost a trio of high profile bouts in England and many thought his career was all but finished at age 27.

But the pint-sized dynamo lost those contests by slim, and in some cases controversial, margins and by 2007, “Dappa” found himself in a European bantamweight title challenge.

Napa pushed reigning champion Simone Maludrottu hard, but, despite promoter Frank Maloney securing home advantage in Essex, it wasn’t enough and the Hackney wizard again went home empty-handed.

Four losses out of five bouts at such a crucial career stage would have finished the confidence of most fighters and that of their promoter’s too, but Napa and Maloney were just getting started.

Getting right back on the horse just four months later, Napa outboxed Jason Booth in a rematch thriller to capture the vacant British bantam crown and finished the balance of 2007 with successful defenses against Lee Haskins and Martin Power.

After kicking off 2008 by schooling Irish beltholder Colin Moffett in another British title defense, Napa once again was able to contend for European honours on home soil as Maloney delivered York Hall in London.

This time, Napa emerged from a clash with “The Belgian Butcher”, Carmello Ballone, with the European bantamweight belt strapped around his waist and the satisfaction overcoming tremendous hardship.

However, the stars weren’t aligned in Napa’s favour during his first Continental title defense as he came up against the rare opponent who could outbox him in March of this year.

Ex-French champion Malik Bouzaine towered over the 5 foot 1 Napa and used the stick and move strategy to perfection as he swept all three scorecards, ripping away the Englishman’s coveted European title.

The loss has burned in the pit of Napa’s stomach ever since and the Zimbabwe born London resident has vowed to revenge himself upon the awkward Frenchman.

But before that can occur, Napa, 18-7 (1), must prove he can return to prominence in the UK and recapture his old belt with a domestic challenge of British bantam champ Gary Davies, 9-2-1 (7), Friday, September 11 at Brentwood Centre in Essex, England.

The clash serves as chief support to the headlining English heavyweight championship between titlist John McDermott and big-punching prospect Tyson Fury.

Davies has proven himself a vital, no-nonsense slugger who has crushed both Martin Power and Welshman Matthew Edmonds already over the past nine months and at age 26, five years Napa’s junior, the Liverpool area hero seems a massive roadblock to Napa’s aspirations.

The former European champion must pull off a letter perfect performance if he is to topple Davies, who on paper has all the physical advantages, but for Ian Napa, it’s just another miracle to perform.

Frank Maloney’s FTM Sports presents “Colossal”, the Heavyweight Championship of England between reigning titlist John McDermott and challenger Tyson Fury with full undercard on Friday, September 11, 2009 at The Brentwood Centre in Essex, England.

Tickets are priced £90 and £35 and are available from The Box Office on 0871 226 1508 and www.frankmaloney.com

Sky Sports will televise live on SS2 and HD2 at 10.00PM.