Ian Napa vs. Martin Power 2

Nearly two years to the date after Martin Power claimed a hotly disputed points decision to retain the British title over Ian Napa, he steps back into the fray to try and regain a title he never lost in the square ring on Friday, November 30, at the Newham Leisure Centre in London, England.

This is one of the most eagerly awaited rematches for a British title and continues a line of eagerly contested domestic title fights promoted by Frank Maloney, which has seen fight fans appreciate the return to traditional boxing.

In the last meeting between Power and Napa, held at York Hall in November, 2005, two judges voted 116-113 for Power while one judge saw it 116-113 for Napa.

Since that fight, Napa, 15-6 (1), lost a European title bid on points but then won the British belt in July of this year before claiming his first stoppage win in a 21 fight career against Lee Haskins last month.

Power, 19-2 (8), has had changing fortunes as well, as the previously undefeated Londoner suffered two convincing losses, both stoppages, by the world ranked Commonwealth bantamweight champion Tshifhiwa Munyai, who will also be appearing on the card, looking to push his claim for a world title.

“To this day, I never believed that I lost to Martin Power, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to put that right on my record,” said Napa.

“The roles are revered this time; I am going in as champion and Martin is the one who has to come to me to take the title. He’ll have to fight my sort of fight and he’s coming off a career worst loss, a fourth round stoppage.

“I am getting better with every fight and improving with age, I am like a vintage bottle of wine.”

After defending the British title twice, Power had to drop the belt during the fallout from the Munyai losses and can’t wait to regain the crown.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time,” said Power. “I’m fully recovered from all my injuries and I’m in the gym working hard. I want my title back.

“I’ve never lost to a British fighter and I dont intend to start to now. I’m going to regain my title, have a good Christmas and be an active champion in the new year. ”

Promoter Frank Maloney is ecstatic about putting these two rivals back together again. “I’m looking forward to staging this clash of two of Britain’s most skillful boxers and continuing to give the British fight public the sort of fights and undercards they want to see,” he said.

“I’ve heard and seen quotes where they say that my undercard fighters are in hard fights. To me, a fighter can’t learn his trade with 20 knockouts in easy fights and then stepping up and being totally exposed.

“I am from the old school where I believe that an unbeaten record is a handicap to a fighter. My most successful fighter, Lennox Lewis, lost and still became Britain’s most successful fighter.

“Scott Harrison lost early in his career but came back to become one of Britain’s most fearsome featherweights. Ian Napa is also a testament to fighters learning from losses.

Chief support to Napa – Power 2 is popular London light middleweight Garl Woolcombe, who since losing to Andrew Facey has turned his career around with two impressive stoppage wins and now believes he’s ready to contest a major title.

Also on the card is the fast improving and highly popular undefeated super featherweight Akaash “Kash” Bhatia.

As no regular London fight venue was available, promoter Frank Maloney will be holding the first ever fight card at the Newham Leisure Centre, which has had a number of amateur and international amateur tournaments and may also be used in the London Olympics of 2012.

Frank Maloney Promotions presents Ian Napa vs. Martin Power 2 for the Bantamweight Championship of Britain at Newham Leisure Centre on Friday, November 30. Sky TV will televise live.

Tickets are priced at £75 and £40 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508. For any further press information please call 0208 267 7647.