Frank Maloney Boxing: Napa Out To Regain Euro Crown

Ian Napa has been handed a chance to regain the European bantamweight title.

The slick Hackney boxer (19-7) has been nominated to face Frenchman Jerome Arnould for the vacant title, which is likely to take place in March or April.

Napa, 31, will still press ahead with his British title defence against Jamie McDonnell at Brentwood Centre on Friday January 22 despite his date against the former world title challenger.

Promoter Frank Maloney said: “The pressure is on now for Ian, because a loss to McDonnell and the EBU will withdraw their nomination.

“The fight against McDonnell is all or nothing for Ian, but if he has prepared right McDonnell cannot beat him.”

Arnould, 24, is on a eight fight winning streak and unbeaten since being knocked out in the seventh round of a WBA bantamweight title challenge Wladimir Sidorenko in June 2007.

Napa lost the European title ten months ago when he was shocked by Arnould’s countryman, Malik Bouziane.

Top of the bill is Ian Napa’s (19-7) British bantamweight title defence against Jamie McDonnell (12-2-1)

On the same bill Cheshunt’s cocky Ashley Sexton (8-0) faces fellow extrovert Usman Ahmed (6-2-1) in a clash for the vacant English flyweight championship.

On the comeback trail is former British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson (27-4) who boxes for the first time since his defeat to Kevin Mitchell in March 2008.

Maloney’s heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo (6-1) moves up a notch when he boxes Irish puncher Scott Belshaw (10-3).

Tickets for this top class show, priced £80 and £35 are available on line www.frankmaloney.com or 0871 226 1508