Dunston v Afolabi

Terry Dunston and Ola Afolabi square up for the WBO Inter-Continental Title. Afolabi , a cruiserweight contender from London, has been sparring with Klitschko on the build up to the big night as you may have seen on SKY’s ‘Behind The Ropes’. Dunston, 42 years old and seemingly seems to lose every time he takes a slight step up in competition, Ovil McKenzie and Carl Thompson both causes losses on his record. Dunston, however, seemed like he didn’t just want to turn up and claimed before the fight that if he didn’t win it would be time for the 42 year old veteran.

First 2 minutes 20 seconds into the fight very tentative, both fighters just looking to work the jab and set up the bigger punches and then out of nowhere Ola Afolabi decides to let his punches his go and after slipping a return shot from Dunston catches him with a devastating Roy Jones Jr like right hand and put his older opponent to sleep. Game over. Afolabi looks a real man to watch another potential British world title challenger.

Afolabi, dubbed Kryponite, was quoted as saying he is now working twice as hard and believes in his power and stated his ambition to go after the bigger boys. A K.O win over Enzo Maccarinelli hasn’t gone unnoticed but 2 losses in his record still leave him a lot to prove. Afolabi looks a real sickster and seems to have all the skills and all the style could make all the big boys in the promotion business take a second look. After less than round he had managed to create a cut on his opponent and a score a highlight reel knockout. He also predicted a K.O win for Klitschko in the first seven.

Summer Rumble... The Stage Is Set

These are the scenes at Sunderland's Stadium of Light ahead of the eagerly anticipated Summer Rumble Courtesy of Phil Jeffries and Neil Fannan. The main event sees Sunderland's own David Dolan take on Jon-Lewis Dickinson for the Northern Area Title with Ian Napa lacing up his gloves against Martin Ward and a host of top North east boxer's in the supporting Role.

to take a look at what's in store check out;  http://www.northeastfightscene.co.uk/site/article/1442
:http://www.northeastfightscene.co.uk/site/article/1450

Courtesy of http://www.northeastfightscene.co.uk/ the number 1 on north east boxing. A big thanks to Phil Jeffries, Neil Fannan and everyone involved with north east fight scene for putting together what is going to be the biggest boxing event in the north east in 25 years and all the goings on behind the scene.

Full Fight coverage from Silver Dukes on the way, following every punch from this Epic event.

‘McKenzie is in for a Shock’ Tony Bellew Exclusive!!!!

Tony ‘Bomber’ Bellew is currently in the middle of preparations for his Light Heavyweight Commonwealth rematch with Ovill Mckenzie but the Bomber opened his inbox to let Silver Dukes get a behind the ropes insight on things are going for the 15-0 (10KO) Commonwealth Champion
In the first fight with McKenzie, Bellew picked up an 8^th round TKO win over at the Echo arena in his home town of Liverpool.

Dukes: A rematch with Ovill McKenzie July 16^th, how are your preparations going?

Bellew: Preparations have gone great, I could not be happier, I have 6 pounds to lose as of today (before training) and I’m flying in the gym, My output is at the highest its ever been and I’m getting better track times than ever before, My body fat levels are the lowest yet for this stage of camp and I know come the 16th July Ill be at my best and most patient I’ve ever been! McKenzie is in for a shock!.


Dukes: I understand Ovill accused you of using drugs after your first fight and had a drug testing unit sent to your home recently, do you feel this is a sign of weakness from McKenzie?

Bellew: Absolutely, He showed me his hand and it was a disgusting accusation to make! However he has been humiliated as I passed the test the very next day! I take it as a compliment personally BUT it is disgusting to have the sport I love dearly dragged through the mud by someone who just cant believe that someone took his best punch and was able to continue? How is that any kind of basis to make such a claim? Like I said he should be severely punished for his accusations by the BBBoC because he is single handily dragging our sport through the mud!.

Dukes: Was it a case of maybe Mckenzie underestimated the Bomber?

Bellew: He underestimates my toughness and my will to win! He could never imagine what I go through in camp nor could he replicate it! I push myself to the limit EVERYDAY and I never second guess myself! I look in the mirror and know I have given it everything! I know he cannot do the same! I am a better fighter than him and deep down he knows this, He wants me to go out and fight him head on! Its his only hope against me! I’m gonna do what’s good for me in this fight and the only person who is gonna be upset is the upsetter!!.

Dukes: You survived two knock downs to come back and beat McKenzie, what would you put your success in that fight down to? Fighting spirit, Warriors grit or was it just a case of good conditioning in the camp leading up to the fight?

Bellew: I put it down to various things, My conditioning, My heart and my will! The biggest reason if the truth be known is my KIDS!! I ain’t going home to them without my belts! My kids are my life and I’m in this brutal game to give them a better life and if I have to scrape myself off a floor to do so then so be it! I have improved 10 fold in camp for this fight so don’t anticipate this happening again but you can never say never in boxing! Either way I have taken his best and he has only taken 50% of mine! On July 16th he'll feel the full force of a very motivated Bomber!!.


Dukes: you recently stated you want to make a name for yourself and leave a legacy, do you think this should be important for every boxer?

Bellew: Its a catch 22, I mean I’m the game to make money but also create a legacy especially on the domestic scene, I mean look at Jamie Moore! I take my hat off to what he did domestically!! The guy is unreal, If I can be remembered like he is then, Il be happy with that kind of legacy! A world title would be the icing on the cake but for now I just want to dominate on the domestic scene.

Dukes: You almost had a shot at the WBO world title when you stepped in at short notice due to Jurgen Brahmer pulling out against Nathan Cleverly, it must have been hard to pick your spirits up when you failed to make the weight how did you deal with this?.

Bellew: It was the darkest 36 hours I have endured BUT I have a fantastic team around me and they all where there for me! I lost 14 pounds in 18 1/2 hours and had 6 more pounds to lose, I went into a sauna for the last 2 1/2 hours and only lost 1/2 a pound! It was then that the boxing board stepped in and had my health at the forefront!!

Dukes: A world title shot surely is not far away and we all know who’s title you’re after but do you think Nathan Cleverly would risk fighting you before heading to the states in the quest of more titles?.

Bellew: I have to come through July 16th first and until I do come through it's all about Ovill McKenzie, He presents a massive amount of danger! I am not underestimating him and will not be going into the fight naive this time! We can talk about my future in the press conference after the fight on July 16th.

Dukes: It seems every week there’s a new fighter on the scene from Liverpool, Like yourself, Stephen Smith and David Price, what is the secret behind the talent coming out of Liverpool?

Bellew: There are great amateur gym in the city, Rotunda ABC is a fantastic gym and is in a deprived area of the city so it appeals to the kids round there, I feel David Price is gonna be the future of boxing in the city and will be Britain’s answer to the Klitschko brothers! He is a great fighter and a top athlete! he also has a lovely aura and personality too, He is very old school and very humble, Look out also for the likes of Joseph McNally, Joseph Selkirk and Paul Edwards from Liverpool!.

Dukes: Who was your inspiration behind becoming a boxer?

Bellew: My Dad nurtured me towards it but never forced me, I idolised Tyson & Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe.., Bowe is my all time favourite fighter! I love him!.

Dukes: Which current boxer do you most enjoy watching? (Pro’s Choice)

Bellew: Mayweather is the man on P4P scene but I study various fighters such as Toney, Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr ,Sanchez, Chavez, Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez and so on! I really admire top level fighters who use there brains to outwit and outsmart top level fighters!! Its truly inspiring!.

Dukes: Who wins Haye/Klitschko?

Bellew: I was all Klitschko at first BUT as of today and seeing the weigh in I’m lumping £100 on each of rounds 2&3 for David Haye to win by knockout!! David is really gonna utilise his speed and he is gonna catch Wlad out!
WAR HAYEMAKER!!.

We would like to say a massive to Tony ‘Bomber’ Bellew as he is training for a fight, especially against an opponent that can almost certainly cause big problems in Tony’s quest to get his hands on a world title shot. We also wish Tony the very best of luck for July 16^th and I look forward to working with the ‘Bomber’ in the near future as he was an absolute gentleman and a pure pleasure to work with.

Yassine El Maachi, Prizefighter Champion Exclusive

The Moroccan born Londoner spoke to us over the phone this morning and told us what the future holds and how Prizefighter changed his career. 17-4 southpaw El Maachi beat Peter McDonagh, Colin Lynes and Junior Witter at the Prizefighter Light Welterweights tournament hosted by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. Let’s find out what is in store from the man himself;

Dukes: What is next for Yassine?

Yassine: I am not sure yet, my manager Steve Goodwin is hoping to get an IBF title fight signed and we are waiting for possible date to be set. I would love the title fights to come with help from Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, I would get in ring with anyone, any time anywhere. I would also Love to fight Matthew Hatton, I could teach him a great lesson on how to box if he would take the fight. I would love to fight the younger brother of the Hitman, He has not fought abroad fight and displayed his country’s flag, I carry two flags with me to each fight and I take great pride in that.

Dukes: You are on some what of a winning streak, what has changed?

Yassine: I have not lost in 4, I dropped McDonald in fourth round they pulled Him out, and I don’t believe that any fight should only last four rounds but I mashed him and his corner stopped it. There is a lot of difference with the media calling and more people want to talk to me. Frank Warren offered me a contract, we are still working on it and it will be one of the best boxing deals for everyone involved.

Dukes: You have struggled to find opponents in the past. So much so your promoter at the time offered a reward of £15,000 for anyone to fight you, why do you think this is?

Yassine: Because I don’t come to lose, my manager Steve Goodwin offered to pay Anth Small £50,000 just for him to fight me and he wouldn’t take the fight. We try to get the big names but no-one will fight me. I don’t want to fight Journeymen no more.

Dukes: Would you be interested in a Prizefighter final rematch with Junior Witter?
.
Yassine: Yeah I would love a rematch with Witter or Lynes 10 rounds, 12 rounds I’d love it. I was ill on prize fighter u could c I had flu and I suffered with a chest infection earlier that week, but I can perform much better than that. Even though I was ill I was still putting pressure on every one. Witter and Colin Lynes, I took the fight to him, the final was too messy, He (Witter) felt my power and try to run away.
　
Yassine on Promoters and management;Yassine: Steve Goodwin is a good friend of mine and he is like family and you always have to keep your family close and look after them. I have been with Steve since 2009 and have achieved big things, like the International Masters Title and most recently Prizefighter. Even though I will be fighting for Frank Warren, Steve Goodwin will remain as my manager as he has been with me from the start.
My Dream is to be world champion, WBC or IBF I don’t mind. My other dream was to win Prizefighter and I have done that now.
　
Dukes: Which current boxer do you most like to watch? (Pro’s choice)

Yassine: My favourite boxer’s of all time are Sugar Ray Leonard and Sugar Ray Robinson. David Haye has to be my favourite current boxer, he’s a fighter, and he doesn’t get scared he just gets in there and does his thing; it’s like hit him if you can.

Dukes: Who wins Haye/Klitschko?

Yassine; Haye, KO win in the middle rounds between 5 and 8, Klitschko is good but with the heavyweights one punch can chance everything. Too much confidence can work against you sometimes but I don‘t think it will cause a problem for Haye.

Thanks to Yassine El Maachi for talking to us and we wish him and Frank Warren the best of luck in the Future. El Maachi is possibly the single most confident Pro boxer I have spoke to, I always say there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance and in this case it is simply sheer confidence.

Yassine asked me if I had heard anything on the next Prizefighter and said he would sign up and do it all again in a heart beat. This proves to me that Prizefighter is on the up and means more to everyone involved than it seems. Some say the prize money could be better but ultimately it gives a second chance for fighters to rebuild a career or a newer fighter a stepping stone to a title fight.

I say long may it continue, I am a huge fan of Prizefighter, the winner has to adapt to three different opponents to be crowned champion with little or no knowledge of the men in the other corner and a curse of being the pre tournament favourite it seems.

The Jackal with Dukes, And the winner is…..

Ireland’s own Super Bantamweight Celtic Champion Carl Frampton shares his views with Silver Dukes. The 24 year old (10-0 6 KO) Irishman has caught the eye of hall of famer/Former World Champion and Manager Barry McGuigan who has spoke of the young man’s talent. Barry McGuigan MBE believes Frampton has the tools to emulate the great Steve Collins and even McGuigan himself.
Here’s what Carl told Silver Dukes;

Dukes: What is next for Carl Frampton?.
Carl: There has been talk of me and Kiko Martinez fighting. His team have said they would give me the fight with Martinez for the EBU title, in Belfast, in September. This would be a massive fight for me and definitely my toughest to date but its one I know I can win. So I really hope it gets made.
Dukes: Having the right men in your corner is of great importance, what have you learned from one of the very best fighters to come out of Ireland in Barry McGuigan?.
Carl: It's great having Barry as a manager. He's a legend of Irish boxing and he's really looking after me. Along with Gerry Storey and his son Shane, Barry has also helped with my training. He brings me to his house to stay so I can get the best possible training and sparring. I think he really believes I can get to the top and I aim to prove him right.
Dukes: Do you feel you are ready to challenge for the British/European title?.
Carl: I'm ready for the British, commonwealth or European title right now. So what ever comes first I know I'm ready.
Dukes: How far can you go?.
Carl: I truly believe I can become a world champion. I wouldn’t have turned pro if I though I could only achieve British or euro level, and stayed amateur and tried to qualify for London 2012.
Dukes: What is the current boxing scene like in Ireland with the likes of Paul McCloskey and Matthew Macklin leading the way?.
Carl: Boxing in Ireland is on a real high at the minute. Obviously with Paul, Brian Magee and Matthew doing great things on the world stage but you also have a lot of new guys coming through such as myself, Eamon Okane, Jamie Conlon, Patrick Hyland, Spike O’sullivan and Steven Ormond. Things are looking really bright.
Dukes: Do you feel the Bantam and Super Bantamweights are under rated in the eyes of the media?
　Carl: I do feel that the Super Bantamweights are over looked. In my opinion its one of the most competitive weight divisions in world boxing. There is some massive fights out there which I hope to be involved in sooner rather than later.
Dukes: Superstitions play a big part in the lead up to a big fight, are you superstitious?.
Carl: I don't really have any superstitions. I'm not superstitious at all.
Dukes: Which current boxer do you most enjoy watching (Pro’s Choice).
Carl: It has to be Pacquiao. He's not just my present day favourite fighter but probably my favourite of all time. So exciting! I have to give a mention to my good friend paddy Barnes. I love watching him box. So fast and aggressive for a little man and always involved in pulse raising fights.
Dukes: Who were your inspirations growing up?
Carl: As a young boy my main sporting inspiration was Wayne McCullough. He was and still is a hero of mine. He was such a dedicated athlete. He was unbelievably fit and brave. He would fight anyone. He had a chin like no one else; he was always very respectful to his opponents in and out of the ring and is a gentleman.
There you have it, I have seen Carl fight and trying to sound unbiased he is a real talent and Barry McGuigan has every right to believe he has a future world champion under his arm. After only 10 professional fights you may say he has not really been challenged and I would agree with you, But, and there is always a but, look at the likes of Maidana or Alvarez who had stacked up their fights without so much as a whisper until last year.
All it takes is that one fight that the world remembers then we are hooked, I feel Carl Frampton falls into that category and within one or two more fights his time will come.

As always we’d like to thank Carl for taking the time to talk to us and share his views with all of our readers, I am sure it will not be long until TV fights around the world comes a calling and you will get the chance to see one of the hottest tickets in Ireland.
　

Haye v Klitschko From the Very Beginning

Former Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis on Haye’s Chances

　

The UK’s last Unified Heavyweight champion of the world has spoke out on David Haye v Wladimir Klitschko. Lennox Lewis has said he thinks David’s Haye’s best chance of dethroning Wladimir Klitschko is to stick and move and concentrate on quick combinations much in the same way he overcame Nikoli Valuev.

The reaction to this news has been immense and a lot of people saying it is going to be a great deal harder against Klitschko and I agree, Of course Wladimir is not going to walk around the ring at a snails pace catching flies while Haye ducks in and out at his hearts content. Many feel the chances of Haye sustaining 12 rounds and picking up a decision win is even less likely with the fight taking place in Germany. The Valuev fight however was in Germany and maybe the Felix Sturm v Matthew Macklin fight last week may have added more concern to the British boxing fans.

Lewis told BBC radio: “What makes me give Haye a chance is what he did against Valuev. He fought a perfect fight, he kept moving, he stayed elusive and the final round he almost knocked Valuev out. Klitschko has the bigger advantages but David is able to stay with his game plan and throw combinations he should do well”

“If Haye is going to attack Klitschko when he attempts to hold, Haye had better be careful of where he lands his punches because he could find himself in a deep hole.

Sky Sports, keeping with one of the biggest run ups to fight in recent history showed the Haye v Valuev and Vladimir v Peter fights this week and I could not resist having another look. Blatantly forgetting how slow and boring both fights were and did not really do any justice to either fighter.

The important thing was showing Klitschko grabbing and holding which David Haye has often referred to or Haye’s in out tactics that Lennox Lewis spoke of. For me though they had 49 fights to choose from the Klitschko archives that show the effectiveness of his jab and his right straight, or his movement which is simply incredible for a man of Klitschko’s stature.

I agree with Haye about the holding and grabbing but Wladimir controls his opponents and enforces his weight advantage he carries into almost every fight. Wladimir like most great boxer’s claim the centre of the ring but very few claim their opponents too with a “you step in my ring then I own you” type dominance.
The Haye v Valuev fight went as most expected, in/out and whatever you do “Do NOT get hit” and pick up the points. What we did not see was a great deal of Haye’s speed and power, his movement was good and he got the job done.

Now to Haye v Klitschko, who is going to win? You could put on the back of a postage stamp what tools David Haye has to defeat Klitschko and it may probably take a 400 word essay to list all the problems Klitschko will cause David Haye on Saturday night and I am stuck between a rock and a hard place with this one and remain on the fence but it is comfortable here and I like it.

David Haye has really got to roar to take victory in this lion’s den | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

David Haye has really got to roar to take victory in this lion’s den Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

BIG Gloves to Fill

Every soul in the boxing universe will be well aware of what is going down in Germany this weekend, still four months from Oktoberfest yet you can not book a flight to Hamburg for all the schnitzels in Berlin ahead of the fight of the year. Everybody who is anybody EVEN the nobodies like me know that David Haye takes on Wladimir Klitschko Saturday night.

We can not turn on a TV or read a paper or even go for a cheeky pint when the wife thinks you’re walking the dog without constant reminders of this gargantuan war that’s been brewing up for over two years. Every couple of minutes or so there is a new development, Haye has said this about that, trainer Adam Booth broke his phobia of TV interviews and Vitali Klitschko pretending he’s from the media to ask David Haye his own questions. It may sound like I’m complaining; far from it I love it. The build up the hype the suspense.
At Silver Dukes we’ve been rather quiet about the whole thing as just the thought of staying on top of the goings on gives me writer’s cramp. In honour of this we dedicate Boxer Of The Week to our own David Haye if you have not already than check it out.
So with all this media attention what is left to say? Well, David Haye also plans to retire in October and Vitali has said he will not fight David Haye this year or at all if Wladimir picks up a win. Where does British Heavyweight boxing go from here?

David Haye is going to leave some big gloves to fill so I have had a little look at who is likely to be the next big name in the Heavyweight division.

First up and likely to be the most common choice would be Derek Chisora or Tyson Fury and co
me July 23^rd we may be that bit closer to finding out who is British number one when these two get it on at the 02 Arena London on what is going to be a close second for the biggest night of the year in British Boxing. July 23^rd not only throws up a British and Commonwealth Heavyweight scrap but over in Vegas Amir Khan takes on ‘Super’ Zab Judah for his IBF title and earlier this week it was announced that Gavin ‘Rock’ Rees will put his European title on the line against Derry Mathews.
Derek Chisora 27, (14-0 9KO) has two wins over Sam Sexton and a win over Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams, also was booked in to fight Wladimir Klitschko before the Ukrainian pulled out due to an injury and in most experts eyes will go further than his rivals and is Britain’s best hope at regaining a Heavyweight world title once David Haye hangs up his gloves.

Tyson Fury stands at 6ft 9” and has a professional record of 14-0 10KO and is only 22 years old. Should Fury get the W over Chisora than this will boost his chances of reaching Boxing’s top table, or should he fail Tyson has plenty of time left in his career to rectify it and I have always said that perfect record will not last forever and it is best get lose it earlier rather than later. Chisora v Fury is one of my picks (Check out Predications page) the bookies favour with Chisora but I think Fury will come out on top. (Don’t forget you can see Chicora v Fury on channel 5 July 23^rd)
　
Tom Dallas (13-1 10KO) looks a lot bigger than 6ft 6” when he is in the ring and packs a big punch to back it up. Tom’s last outing was short and not at all sweet as he suffered a 2^nd round KO courtesy of David Price’s right hand. I hope this is just a blip for Dallas as he was not at the races in his precious fight against Zak Page which seen Tom struggle to the final bell and pick up a disappointing points win. Dallas will take time out to put right things that are going wrong and I am sure he will bounce back and promoter Frank Maloney has given Dallas his full backing.

David Price (10-0 8KO) with his less than four rounds boxed in his last two fights but both ending the same way David ‘Pricey’ Price would be my pick. The power Price possesses is scary and his famous right hand put 6ft 6” Tom Dallas on his back within two rounds. Next up for Price is a final British title eliminator against John McDermott who should prove a tough test for David but the Experts said that about Tom Dallas, I don’t know what to believe anymore. I have no doubts that David Price will go along way, yes you could say his chin has never been tested and he looks a bit fleshy when he gets in the ring but when your in and out of a fight in 4 and a half minutes does it really matter?.

Price is far from the finished article but is taking all the right steps and making all the right moves. After John McDermott (should David win) Price will take on the winner of Chisora/Fury and the Number one spot will be up for grabs again.

Richard Towers from Sheffield, at 31 years old ‘The Inferno’ may be a little over the hill as far as world domination is concerned but I am sure will be a stern tester for British Heavyweights coming through the ranks. British and Commonwealth title may not be too far away. 6ft 8” Towers has a record of 11-0 8KO and has somewhat been kept on the down low thus far but is planning to make some noise and mix with the top British Heavyweights. The Inferno has only boxed 33 rounds out of his 11 fights which proves almost “Whatever he hits, he destroys” thanks to rocky 4 for that one, Towers can also boast a KO% 72.

There is also the likes of John McDermott and Sam Sexton but without sounding too disrespectful, out of the pack I feel these two punchers my only be the stepping stone fights for the others as they try to repeat what the Hayemaker has achieved “Not an easy task”.

Cleverly Eyes Up Title Defence Stateside

WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Has returned home after a long and well deserved vacation in Florida and claims he wants to return to America but with his Title in tow.

Rested and refreshed from his May showdown at the 02 Arena London against Aleksy Kuziemski, Cleverly sets out to impress in his first title defence and he is keen on returning to the states later in the year with Vegas high on the list of destinations. Apart from mass amounts of gambling, shows, 5 star hotels or even the place where you could legally marry your goldfish in the company of Elvis Presley Las Vegas is also the home of world Boxing.

"I'm raring to go," said Cleverly. "I trained hard for my fight in the May and it was good to take some time off.

"But I can't wait to get back in the gym and starting making preparations for my first title defence.

"I will fight anyone promoter Frank Warren puts in front of me, and that includes any of the big name Americans.

"I got a taste for the US when I went to Las Vegas in 2008, and I'd love to go back there as a world champion and defend my title."

WBO champion Beibut Shemenov showed his interest for a possible meeting in the States with Cleverly but feared he may not make the trip across the Atlantic to take a fight. With these revelations it is entirely possible A Nathan Cleverly v Beibut Shemenov WBO/WBA Title fight could be penned.

I would not expect anything to come of this just yet as Cleverly’s promoter Frank Warren has another big boxing event just around the corner on July 9^th
 Tavoris Cloud picked up an 8^th round TKO win over Yusaf Mack on Saturday night in Saint Charles, Missouri so the IBF champion may also be a possibility with Chad Dawson v Bernard Hopkins all set for October 15^th for the WBC title.

This is all ifs and buts and down to whether Warren and Clev decide to go for another title, Jean Pascal would prove a big fight stateside for Clev and not forgetting Tony Bellew also wants a crack at Nathan Cleverly which would draw in great crowds in the UK and a return to the 02 would be imminent.
These are great times for the Light Heavyweight division with top American fighters leading the way and the British contingent hoping to make an impact.

Haye v Klitschko Final Face Off

Saunders Joins support act in London

Unbeaten Billy Joe Saunders is all set to play a major part in the warm up to Kevin Mitchell v John Murray on July 9^th at the Excel Arena. 9-0 Saunders joins Welterweight Prospect Bradley ‘Super’ Skeete and Light Middleweight JJ Bird in the under card of what was already a Huge night of British Boxing. Frank Warren is of course well known for his big fight nights and I think he may have just out done himself with this one, and for that I salute him.

Not only has this fight been billed as one of the biggest domestic fights of the Year when Manchester’s John Murray heads into Kevin Mitchell’s backyard in London’s East end. All three under card fights have young British talent eying up major domestic titles within the next 12 months.

If you are one of many viewers from outside the UK then these names are likely to be brand new to you, but these names are going to be big names in world boxing in the future.

Billy Joe Saunders takes on Gary Boulden for the Middleweight Southern Area in which will be his first Professional title fight. Saunders started at Welterweight and reportedly sparing with Light Heavyweights and Cruiserweights with no problems.

Billy Joe’s trainer Mark Tibbs said “the fans are in for a treat, he (Saunders) has come a long way and made real improvements over the last 6 months. He knows how to handle himself better”.

Billy Joe Saunders is still only 21 years old and has a bright future; he has only boxed 28 professional rounds out of his 9 professional fights with a 66% KO rate. Box Office event This Is It at the 02 Arena in May that saw Nathan Cleverly v Jurgen Brahmer and James DeGale v George Groves was almost over shadowed by Saunders’ 2^nd Round TKO win over Kevin Hammond who had never previously been stopped.

Which ever style of boxer you prefer Billy Joe Saunders has just about everything in his locker and his talents knows no bounds, certainly one to look out for

WBN - World Boxing News: Kell Brook blasts Amir Khan Twitter comment

WBN - World Boxing News: Kell Brook blasts Amir Khan Twitter comment: "Phil D. Jay WBN Editor ‘Special K’ promising title chance for Khan at 147lbs Kell Brook woke up this morning with a great feeling after ..."

Matthew Macklin Reaction!!!!!!!

I don't even need to say anything. World Champion without the belt, Until November?

Special Kell Shines in Sheffield

Kell Brook put in a champions shift last night at Hillsborough Leisure Centre as fans piled up to the rafters witnessed something special. Kell Brook showed his skill and class from the word go against the forever standing man machine Lovemore N’dou. The African born Australian showed his true warrior spirit throughout and took some punishment for his troubles.

Brook claimed the centre of the ring early as you would expect but N’dou was throwing bombs trying to break Brook’s stride, Brook’s head movement was good and swiftly got his head out of the way before it was taken off by the swinging left hand of N’dou. Lively starts to the fight on what was the start of another remember night in British Boxing with both fighters trying to get on top. Brook however was a different class and having not been in the ring for 6 months failed to show any sign of ring rust.

A truly classy and professional performance by brook who was taken past 7 rounds for the first time in what was his 24^th Professional fight. You may have read articles or papers that claim Brook will never be a top world champion and needs to fight the top fighters to prove himself after N’dou was dubbed a push over but I feel as the boxing world wake up this morning the first name they will hear is Kell Brook.

Not to be entirely out done N’dou caught Brook with some good right hands and kell’s chin proved to be something special as Brook was unfazed. In the later rounds one expected Brook to start fading and N’dou to show why he has never been stopped but brook went on strong and barely broke a sweat throughout the entire fight. Full credit to N’dou for keeping his record but other than the 1 round I gave him the fight was hugely one sided and N’dou was hurt on several occasions and looked very much like it was only a matter of time before Brook got a stoppage win.

The referee had a busy last round as Lovemore spent the best part of 2:30 minutes of the round holding on for dear life and looked to his corner to say “how much more?”. It may have been a little unfair had N’dou been pulled out as he put up a good fight with a warriors spirit. Kell Brook looked fresh at the end and a valuable 12 rounds under his belt suggest he is not too far away from the world stage. I know Brook would say give me a shot now but patience is a virtue and maybe two more tough fights will silence the critics and surely the top fighters have one eye on Brooks’ progress.

Brook Said after the fight
“It’s a learning curve in my career, my first 12-round fight. Maybe I held back a bit and there were some things I did wrong, but that’s all learnt now.”“I maybe said I’d stop him to get people interested, but at the back of my mind I knew it would be a 12-round fight,”.

So what next? Well IBF champion Dejan Zavec at 35 years old would be a stern test for brook and the powerful Vyacheslav Senchenko WBA champion may well be interested in a fight with Brook but is Special Kell ready to make that step?. There was really no doubt that Brook would win last night and I would love to see Brook go right to the top but I’m old fashioned, I’d like to see Kell go for Daniele Petrucci or Leonard Bundi who also fought last night in a technical draw for the vacant European title. Although the likelihood is a rematch will take place. There is of course Paul Mallignaggi and Andre Berto sitting nicely in the top 10 world rankings and either would be a great scalp for Brook.

Either way I’m sure Kell Brook will not find any trouble in finding an opponent for his next fight and knowing Matchroom it is going to be huge. Eddie Hearn has said this morning he expects Special Kell to be back in action late September or Early October.

10 Seconds Cost Macklin 4 Rounds?

Felix Sturm successfully defended his WBA crown in Germany last night but the question of the day must be HOW?. Matthew Macklin set out from the first bell ‘once they got the bell to work that is’ like a man possessed showing not only to Sturm but the rest of the world that he meant business. Macklin bossed the first round with big body shots and good combinations upstairs whish left Sturm a little red faced when he returned to his corner at the end of the first.

Felix Sturm however being the champion that he is came out sharper and started to find success behind the jab but Macklin answered with a lot more, both men literally standing toe to toe and head to head for the best part of the entire 12 rounds with Macklin not allowing Sturm to find much space at all. The pace Matthew set from early on certainly caused concern for the later rounds as Macklin has been criticized in the past for his conditioning.

Round four was the stand out round of the early exchanges with both fighters giving it their all and really got the crowd going for both home and away fans, the noise was electric. Sturm’s jab was doing it’s job well but still Macklin found answers. The pace of the fight throughout was to be admired as Macklin barely slowed and Sturm finding his feet in the middle round and arguments can be made in both corners about who won what round.

Sturm was economical not wasting too much and rocking Macklin’s head back with an uppercut and strong jabs. Macklin for me controlled the fight from the centre of the ring in every round for me but the eye catching punches were coming from Sturm. Into the last round we went and Both fighters as you would expect in any final round got their second wind, I had Macklin winning the round until the very last 10 seconds of the fight when Sturm decided I need to dig deep and felt this fight was slipping away. A flurry of huge punches landed from Sturm and rocked Macklin and it was at this point I thought “that 10 seconds has won the fight”.

I must admit I had Sturm up by 2 rounds but my thinking behind was I was judging it like a home judge would have seen it and unless Macklin had literally killed Sturm then he was never going to get the result. Maybe a dozen eye catching shots in 12 rounds was enough in the judges decision. Sturm did not at all look confident returning to his corner after the fight and seemed reluctant to be raised in the air in his trainer’s shoulders.

Matthew Macklin can certainly be proud of his performance and proved a lot of doubters wrong, A rematch is said to be agreed for November. Macklin said after the fight “I won the fight, I thought I strolled the first 6 or 7, some of them were touch and go but I was still winning them on my work rate” Matthew’s work rate can not be questioned but it again depends on what you prefer, I busy fighter or a cleaner puncher.
In a fans Poll this morning on who they thought won the fight the results were 44% for Macklin 33% Sturm 22% Draw. You will have your own opinion and no one could argue as both fighters made a great fight and one we will be talking about until the rematch.

Richie Woodhall said “There’s no way Macklin lost that fight, it wasn’t as is his work rate just dipped, he maintained it” I agree with Richie and had the fight been anywhere else in the world I believe we would have crowned a new champion. Trainer Joe Gallagher was just one shy of 50 straight wins, not that Joe train’s fighters for records and has plenty of world champions in the making at his gym.

Once again judges cards are questioned as the world want to know where the 4 rounds came from for Sturm which begs the question why not just use the Olympics method of scoring? Well if we did we would not be ‘able to have these very conversations.

In hindsight Matthew Macklin can be proud of his performance last night, if Sturm is the proud champion we all believe he is then let’s get the rematch in the UK or on a neutral ground and I’m sure the result will go something like this And the NEW………….