Frank Maloney Boxing: Moore vs. Rhodes Earns WBC Eliminator Status

The winner of next month’s domestic battle of the year between Jamie Moore and Ryan Rhodes will be on the verge of a world title.

Not only will Moore’s European light middleweight title be on the line, but the WBC has granted the fight eliminator status for Sergio Martinez’s world crown.

It adds even more spice to the mouth-watering all southpaw clash which takes place at Bolton Arena on Friday 23rd October.

Salford’s Moore (32-3) is ranked third and Rhodes (42-4) seventh in the organisation’s latest rankings for WBC champion 154lb Sergio Martinez’s crown.

Moore’s manager Steve Wood and co-promoter Frank Maloney hope that if Moore wins he will get a straight shot at the Argentinian or at a final eliminator against mandatory contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Maloney said: “I have lobbied the WBC and it is great that they are getting behind British boxing. If Jamie wins, he will go to the WBC convention in Jeju, Korea in early November and try and get him the fight he dreams of.

“This fight is already potentially the domestic fight of the year, but this great news from the WBC makes it even bigger. No wonder tickets are flying out of the door.”

The Frank Maloney promoted show will be one the biggest in Britain this year with five title fights at the 4000 capacity arena.

In the chief support of the bill, a battle of little big men sees St Helens’ Gary Davies (9-2-1) risks his British bantamweight title against Ian Napa (18-7).

The pair were due to clash this week, but Davies, who won the crown against Matthew Edmonds in April, sustained a calf injury.

A third title sees Burnley star Stuart McFadyen (12-1-1) challenge Doncaster’s Jamie McDonnell (11-2-1) for the vacant English super-flyweight belt.

A third British title clash and another championship contest will be added to the bill later this week

Tickets are now on sale prices £40, £60, £80 and £125 from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508