British Boxing: Weekend Roundup

ByJane Warburton

This weekend in the UK, Kieran Farrell added another win to his perfect record when he out-pointed tough Ibrar Riyaz over six rounds. Also on the ten-card VIP Promotions Bill – Debutants John Quigley and Arran Michael blasted on to the pro scene – both scoring TKO’s, while Joe Ainscough secured a first round stoppage of Belarusian Lliya Shakura. Ainscough then gets the news that he is to take Tony Dodson’s place in Prizefighter on the 23rd March.

In Glasgow, Scotland, Ricky Burns successfully defended his WBO Super-Featherweight Title a second time by forcing a seventh round retirement of Joseph Laryea of Ghana. Also on the Frank Warren Bill – James DeGale scored a fifth round TKO over Alpay Kobal of France ahead of his British Super-Middleweight Title Clash with George Groves next month.

Carl Greaves promoted a fight-night at Sleaford, Lincolnshire, which featured five contests of local boxers.

Middleweight – Andy Lee scored a tenth / final round TKO over Craig McEwan in Connecticut. Lee – born in London of Irish descent, now lives in Detroit and trains under Emmanuel Stewart. Scottish (Edinburgh) born McEwan now resides in Hollywood.

Heavyweight Giant – Tyson Fury eagerly awaits his clash with current Champion – Dereck Chisora. Purse bids are due in by the 13th April with the fight to take place by the end of July this year.

The fight-card headlining Amir ‘King’ Khan v Paul McCloskey continues to ‘hot-up’ with the announcement today of it’s under-card. In a Hatton Promotions press conference this afternoon, the following fights were announced : Matthew Macklin vs. Khoren Gevor, Craig Watson vs. Lee Purdy (British welterweight title), Scott Quigg vs. Andrei Isaeu (WBA super bantamweight interim title), Martin Murray vs. John Carvalho (WBA middleweight interim title), Dezzie Higginson vs. Andy Murray. Jamie Kavanagh, Richard Towers, Adam Etches and Tasif Khan are also on the Bill. The Hatton Promotions, in Association with Khan Promotions and Golden Boy, takes place on April the 16th at the MEN Arena, Manchester.