Boxing News Boxing News
Frank Maloney returns to the capital city in a big way when the South London based promoter puts on a thrilling fight card at historic York Hall in Bethnal Green, headlined by Ian Napa’s exciting challenge of European bantamweight champion Carmelo Ballone on Friday, October 17, 2008.
The UK’s most skillful boxer, Napa, 17-6 (1), won the British title last year and his three scintillating defenses of the domestic crown have led the 5’1 dynamo to a second crack at the European trophy but in order to claim Continental glory, the flashy 30 year old must surmount a difficult opponent.
After cleaning out the bantamweight division in his native Belgium, 32 year old Ballone, 21-2 (10), proved his pugilistic acumen on a wider playing field by capturing the European Union belt against Spanish bomb thrower Ivan Pozo in 2003, which led to a close and controversial split decision loss to European kingpin Simone Maludrottu in the champion’s home country of Italy two years later.
Ballone got another opportunity at European honors and made the best of it by stopping Romanian spoiler Eugen Sorin Tanasie in 2007 to claim the vacant title. In May, Ballone crushed the challenge of Valery Yanchy, extinguishing the Belarus titlist in the tenth round.
Can Ballone enter the lion’s den of York Hall and emerge still in possession of the European bantamweight title? Ian Napa and a packed house of rabid supporters say not and have thrown forth the challenge to the hard as nails Belgian in what could turn out to be the fight of the year in England.
Maloney has stacked the undercard with typically competitive matchmaking and chief support on October 17 will be provided by the do or die battle of former British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Graham Earl, 25-3 (12), against ruthlessly efficient contender Henry Castle, 18-4 (10), who has stopped five of his last seven victims and has vowed to end the career of Earl as part of his quest to rule over the United Kingdom’s lightweight scene.
One of the top light welterweights on the planet, Commonwealth champion Ajose Olusegun, 24-0 (12), will also feature on the card as the Londoner stays busy in hopes of turning his #3 WBC position into a world title shot.
Red-hot undefeated featherweight prospect Akaash Bhatia, 12-0 (3), makes an appearance on the bill as does bruising welterweight Mark Thompson, 16-1 (10), and outstanding light middle hopeful Sam Webb, 11-1-1 (3), will meet former Commonwealth welter title challenger Gilbert Eastman, 20-6 (13).
A handful of Maloney’s top prospects round out the lineup as lightweight Liam Shinkwin, 1-0 (0), joins heavyweights Tom Dallas, 1-0 (0), and Larry “War Machine” Olubamiwo, who makes his professional debut.
For further information or press credential requests contact the NEW address ftm.press@gmail.com
Tickets to “Dapa Napa”, Ian Napa vs. Carmelo Ballone for the Bantamweight Championship of Europe at York Hall, London, England on Friday, October 17, 2008 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.
Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 9:30pm.
