Akaash Bhatia Heads Up Undercard At Newham

Fresh off a riveting destruction of former English super bantamweight titlist Marc Callaghan, undefeated prospect Akaash Bhatia returns to the ring in support of Ian Napa’s European bantamweight title defense against Malik Bouziane this Friday, March 20 at Newham Leisure Centre in London, England.

Red hot Bhatia stepped up against veteran Callaghan and gunned down the former British and Commonwealth title challenger in just two rounds last November, joining Michael Hunter and Jackson Asiku as the only opponents to send Callaghan home early over the last seven years.

Bhatia, 13-0 (4), got to try out every tool in the arsenal but it was the left hook that shattered the seasoned man from Barking, earning “Kash The Bash” his first title belt, the southern area featherweight crown.

The 25 year old Harrow sharpshooter is fast becoming the young gun to beat in the UK at 126 pounds and his appearance at Newham Leisure Centre this Friday brings blazing speed to a packed undercard.

In a pair of eight round bouts, rugged lightweight Henry Castle, 19-4 (11), faces the comeback of former British super feather champion Carl Johanneson, 27-4 (19), who has vowed to regain his elevated stature by any means necessary while light middle prospect Sam Webb, 12-1 (4), tangles with cagey “Mad” Max Maxwell, 9-4-1 (2), and must win the difficult clash in order to see a possible upcoming British title challenge.

In a six rounder, promising flyweight Ashley Sexton, 4-0 (2), takes on a more experienced foe in Robert Nelson, 6-1-2 (0), who is coming off a failed bid to unseat English super fly titlist Andy Bell, and welterweights Tomas Grublys, 2-0 (1), and Paul Dyer, 18-10 (1), go at it over a scheduled four frames.

Two of Maloney’s promising young heavyweights are also on the bill as Tom Dallas, 3-0 (1), trades leather with Ben Harding, 2-1-1 (0), and Larry “The War Machine” Olubamiwo, 3-0 (3), gets to grips with former amateur star Mick O’Connell making his long awaited pro debut while super feather prospect Liam Shinkwin, 1-0 (0), meets journeyman Johnny Greaves, 1-25 (1), all in four round contests.

Frank Maloney Promotions presents the Bantamweight Championship of Europe as reigning titlist Ian Napa defends against Malik Bouziane along with full undercard support at Newham Leisure Centre in London, England on Friday, March 20, 2009.

Tickets, priced at £80 for Ringside and £35 General Admission, 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 SS2 at 10PM.