Boxing Promoter Frank Maloney Bets On Scott Belshaw

As the architect of Lennox Lewis’ meteoric rise to the undisputed world heavyweight title in the late 1990’s, brash promoter Frank Maloney knows a thing or two about the big men and doesn’t mince words when it comes to his take on the glamor division. “There are two categories in boxing; the heavyweights and then everyone else,” he said. “As the heavyweights go, so go the fortunes of the sport.”

The colorful Londoner is well aware that British fans will be looking for a heavyweight they can pin their hopes on when the current rotation of Matt Skelton, Danny Williams, Michael Sprott and Audley Harrison run their course and Maloney has rested his long term aspirations on the broad shoulders of big punching Irishman Scott Belshaw, who will appear on two of Maloney’s fight cards this spring.

At just 22 years of age, Belshaw has quickly amassed a record of seven wins against no losses since joining the professional ranks in October, 2006 but the promoter knows there’s still a long way to go in the maturation process of Belfast prospect.

“Scott has just made a successful return to the ring after an absence of seven months and he’ll be looking to make a statement in the division, but he’s still a young heavyweight who needs to be brought along,” said the promoter.

“Unlike other weight classes, a lot of heavyweights don’t mature until they’re in their late 20’s or early 30’s and provided Scott’s handled right, he could be a name to watch in the future.

One thing that is already evident about the skills of the 6 foot 7 inch Belshaw is that he can punch with definite authority. Of the seven opponents that have faced the Ulster heavyweight, only granite-jawed Yorkshireman Paul King has finished the fight on his feet.

With Maloney keen to continue Belshaw’s learning process, the towering youngster will make his next appearance in the squared circle on a Maloney show taking place at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham, England on Friday, March 7 and then it’s right back to the grindstone at York Hall in London on Friday, April 18.

Should the spring campaign of Belshaw pan out, Maloney has plans for his heavyweight hopeful that should reach fruition in 2009 but the seasoned fight figure is taking a patient approach.

“My track record is good in the heavyweight division and this process has to be done the right way,” he said. “Even the most experienced amateurs coming into the pro game can fail miserably, as we saw with Audley Harrison.

“It’s my job to bring Scott along and he’s still a long way off from fighting for major honors. He’s still only in junior school at the moment and I’ll make his fights accordingly; I’m not going to rush him but we’ll be looking for domestic type titles over the next 18 months.”

Scott Belshaw will appear on the Frank Maloney event, ‘The Bull vs. The Matador’, headlined by Rendall Munroe’s European super bantamweight title challenge of reigning champion Kiko Martinez at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham, England on Friday, March 7, 2008.

Chief support features Commonwealth bantamweight champion Jason Booth making his maiden title defense against steel-chinned challenger Lante Addy of Ghana.

Ex-IBO champion Brian Magee meets British Midlands Area titlist Tyrone Wright at light heavyweight and Derby’s flashy Scott Haywood takes a step up against Potteries powerhouse Gary Reid at light welter.

Leicester middleweight Kevin Concepcion and Leeds featherweight Danny Wallace are also scheduled to appear.

Tickets are priced at £75 and £35 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 467 7647.

Sky Sports will televise live on SS2 starting at 9:30PM.

Frank Maloney Promotions announce a new show featuring British super flyweight champion Chris Edwards defending his crown against English titlist Andy Bell at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England on Friday, March 28, 2008.

On Friday, April 18, 2008, Frank Maloney Promotions present British light middle champion Gary Woolcombe meeting the challenge of big punching southpaw and former titleholder Ryan Rhodes at York Hall in London. Also featured will be seasoned vet John McDermott and the explosive Pele Reid, who will argue the vacant English heavyweight title.

Press Release composed by Curtis McCormick for www.frankmaloney.com