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Brian Rose says he is ‘honoured’ to be the first British boxer to wear the ‘Lonsdale badge’ on their shorts as an outright holder of the Lord Lonsdale belt in his clash with Joachim Alcine. Rose headlines ‘The New Life of Brian’ event live on Sky Sports HD1 from 8pm on Saturday night, from the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Rose became the proud owner of the coveted belt when he beat Sam Webb in the same venue in December, and when he steps up to World level to face Alcine for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental light middleweight belt on Saturday, he’ll have the belt in the ring with him as well as the motif on his shorts and gown.
“I’m deeply honoured to be the first boxer to wear the Lonsdale badge,” said Rose. “Winning the British title outright is the dream of any boxer and it’s certainly the stand-out highlight of my career so far.
“I was co-promoting myself going for the Lonsdale belt which is something I always wanted to do and I’m glad I did. It’ll be sad to give it up but it’s not fair on the lads fighting domestically to keep hold of it so I will have to give it up eventually.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I am ready for this but going into the ring with the Lonsdale belt is a huge confidence boost for me. I’ve got that belt for keeps so I don’t mind letting someone else fight for it.”
Rose’s stable mates Carl Froch and Kell Brook will also wear the badge in their next fights as Lonsdale belt holders, and Robert Smith – the General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control – said the Board are fully behind recognising what a huge accomplishment claiming the Lonsdale belt ‘for keeps’ is.
“The British Boxing Board of Control are happy to agree to honour all outright winners of the Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt by the introduction of this badge,” said Smith.
“It is a wonderful achievement for any boxer to win a British Championship and any boxer who wins the belt outright has a special place in the sports’ history.
“After the idea being suggested by Ross Thompson-Jenkins at Sky Sports and subsequent discussion between Melissa Anglesea of Suzi Wong Creations and myself, I am pleased that the idea has come to fruition and that all Lonsdale Belt outright winners – regardless of promoter, broadcaster and clothes manufacturer – can wear the badge with pride.”
On behalf of Suzi Wong Creations, Melissa Anglesea added: “It was a great honour for us at Suzi Wong to be asked to work with The British Boxing Board of Control on something that is such an historic piece of British boxing history.
“When first asked to design the badge, it was obvious there wasn’t much design needing to be done here. It is a beautiful piece of jewellery and needs no design touches to it.
“It was extra special to present the badge firstly to the most recent holder and fantastic ambassador for the sport and what hard work brings – in Brian Rose.”
Rose and Alcine top a fantastic bill in Blackpool with the chief support provided by British featherweight champion Lee Selby who defends his Commonwealth title against unbeaten Australian champ Corey McConnell.
Scotty Cardle’s first title fight comes on home soil against fellow unbeaten 23 year old prospect Maxi Hughes for the vacant Central Area lightweight title and Matty Askin says he’s in the ‘last chance saloon’ as he provides the first defence for English cruiserweight champion China Clarke.
Olympic captain Thomas Stalker and former Team GB star Callum Smith continue their exciting pro careers on a stacked undercard which also features Dudley middleweight Ryan ‘The Tank’ Aston. The undercard action is once again live on the red button on Sky Sports HD1 from 6pm.
Tickets for ‘The New Life of Brian’ cost £40 unreserved, £80 Ringside and £150 VIP and are available through www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.
