British Boxing: Weekend Round-up

ByJane Warburton

Saturday evening was a big night for British boxing, with two good cards on tap, one of the fighting Hatton brothers in America for his first crack at a world title and a former British champion shaking off the ring rust in Germany.

At Huddersfield, Dewsbury man Gary Sykes defended his British Super-Featherweight Title against experienced Leeds boxer – Carl Johanneson. A close, all-action contest sees Sykes pick him-self up off the canvas in the ninth to finish the round and remaining three frames strongly – winning by Unanimous Points Decision.

Also on the Matchroom Sports Bill – George Groves continued his winning streak by flooring Ghanaian – Daniel Adotey Allotey in the fourth, while Polish-born Grzegorz Proksa scored a fourth round KO over Birmingham Boxer – Joe Rea, taking his record to an impressive 23 wins (16 by KO).

In Swindon, Liam Walsh (Melksham) won the vacant British Masters Super-Featherweight Title when he out-pointed Steve Gethin ( Walsall ). And in Scotstoun, Scotland, Kris Carslaw won the British Masters Light-Middleweight Title defeating Northern Ireland Boxer – Willie Thompson.

‘Magic’ Matthew Hatton stepped up to take on Mexican – Saul Alvarez for the WBC Light-Middleweight Title in California. Alvarez was unable to make the weight – but Hatton agreed to go ahead with the fight anyway. European Welterweight Champion – Hatton – gives a gutsy performance and does well to take naturally bigger Alvarez the distance. Alvarez wins by Unanimous Decision.

We heard that the Wladimir Klitschko v Derek Chisora fight rescheduled for 30th April was cancelled again due to a persistent injury with Klitschko. Chisora must have been ‘miffed’ to hear that a fight between Wlad and David Haye had been agreed for the end June/early July in Europe.

Heavyweight – Danny Williams (Brixton) scored a second round TKO over German Boxer – Frank Kary Roth, in Germany.

And finally – Matthew Macklin suffered disappointment when his scheduled April fight with Winky Wright in Las Vegas was cancelled – Wright citing a hand injury.