Bradley ‘Super’ Skeete chats with Silver Dukes

Bradley ‘Super’ Skeete, A 23 year old British Welterweight hopeful that only turned Pro in 2010. Super Skeete’s first Professional fight took place last October in Bethnal Green London which seen a points win over Billy Smith. It did not take Bradley long to pick up his first KO which came in his second Professional fight against Johnny Greaves, putting Greaves down in the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds then a points victory over Kevin McCauley wraps up this young talents perfect start.

In my opinion and tell me if I’m wrong but the welterweight division has not been as dominant in recent years since like likes of Ricky Hatton retired and the world just that used to Pac-Man making light work of just about any opponent but with future stars like Bradley Skeete and Kell Brook coming through the future looks bright and I would even go as far as saying it looks like Britain has another two world champions in wait.

UK #1 Promoter Frank Warren and Super Middleweight contender James DeGale believe the future is bright for the young gun from London. Now here is what Super Skeete told Silver Dukes Boxing news;
Dukes: How are you finding Pro life?

Skeete: I'm really enjoying being a pro. I boxed at a high level as an amateur so starting out at the bottom again working my way up is a real buzz.

Dukes: As good friend of James Degale were you as shocked as the rest of us at his performance against Groves?

Skeete: Yea I was really shocked I thought James would of changed his tactics when he see George didn't wanna stand and trade. He just walked him down for 12 rounds.

Dukes: Do you think Degale will return better than ever?

Skeete: Most defiantly. He will wanna get straight back in with a big name and show everyone he's world class.

Duke: What is in store for the immediate future?

Skeete: I'm boxing on the under card to Kevin Mitchell Vs John Murray on the 9th July.

Dukes: How far can you go?

Skeete: I wanna go all the way to the top! One day I wanna be a world champion!

Dukes: It is only a matter of time before you will be compared to Kell Brook, will this become a burden or inspire you to reach new heights?

If so early on in my career people start comparing me to Kell Brook it will only inspire me to reach new heights. Kell Brook is world class and I'm sure he will soon be a world champion. If I can achieve what Kell has I'll be a very happy man.

Dukes: What's your thoughts on the current Welterweight scene and does it need the likes of yourself and Brook to reignite the division?

Skeete: Domestically and internationally I think its a tough division. Kell Brook is knocking on the door for a world title fight and I'm a young prospect on the way up. There are some big names and fights out there at the minute for Kell. All I've got to do is keep winning and performing well and I'll be in them big fights one day myself.

Dukes: How important is it to have the right trainer in your corner?

Skeete: I think its very important. I think u need to have a very good relationship with your trainer in and outside the ring.

Dukes: Could we see a repeat of the ABA 2009 final against Heffron, do you want to settle the score or are you happy enough to slug it out with whoever Is in front of you?

Skeete: 100% I wanna settle the score! I won't chase the fight though if it happens it happens. I'm happy with boxing whoever is put in front of me.

Dukes: David Haye as we know plans to retire by the end of the year what is your thoughts on this, is the desire to leave a legacy fading in Boxing?

Dukes: I think that's a good choice. In my eyes if David beats Klitschko he would have left a legacy if he retires. He unified the Cruiserweight division and stepped up to Heavyweight and become a world champion and on the 2nd July he's got a chance to unify that division as well! He's still young got his family to enjoy and stacks of money! Good luck to him.
Dukes:Which Current Boxer do you most like to watch fight? (Pro's Choice)

Skeete: Manny Pacquiao

Dukes: Who Wins Haye/Klitschko?

Skeete: Haye!

Dukes: What can Arsenal achieve next season?

Skeete: The treble would be nice!

Frank Warren is going all out July 9^th with the under card growing day by day and certainly seems worthy of opening the act for the Domestic fight of the year with two of Silver Dukes’ exclusives on the card at the Excel Arena. Make sure you look out for Bradley ‘Super’ Skeete and JJ Bird on what is simply shaping up to be one of the boxing nights of the year and potential future world champions by fist full.
As always we appreciate the time given to us by the Pro Boxer’s, especially this close to a fight. A big thanks to Bradley Skeete and Frank Warren for allowing us the opportunity to bring the Silver Dukes viewers an inside Exclusive on what the future holds for British and World Boxing. We wish everyone at Team Super Skeete the very best of luck, Remember July 9^th, You heard it here first.

World media: “Macklin has No Chance”

29 year old 28-2 19Ko Matthew Macklin Takes on seasoned WBA champion Felix Sturm in Germany tonight and as the British media rightly back Macklin’s cause it seems the rest of the world are firmly in Sturm’s corner

The fight as been dubbed as an almost impossible task, claiming Macklin is too basic and lacks power and unless I’ve been watching someone else knockout 19 of his 30 opponents then maybe they’re right. But no it was most certainly Macklin. Some even go as far as saying Macklin will be massacred this evening.

Once again one bad night in the ring surfaces it’s ugly head and now the whole of Macklin’s career is judged by it after is disappointing 12 rounder with Ruben Varon, yet future world star Marcos Maidana put in a woeful display against a bonified Grandad of Boxing Erik Morales but nothing much was said about Maidana and he has just signed a fight with two time world champion Robert Guerrero.

I, on the other hand believe a win for Macklin is More than possible and I would stick my neck on the chopping block and say I think he will win. Not because I am from the UK but because he has the tools to beat Sturm and Joe Gallagher in his corner.

Sometimes a fighter’s corner and training can be over looked much like the Degale/Groves grudge match in which George Groves caused the upset of the year because no-one gave a second glance at Adam Booth in his corner and ultimately the training camp prior to this fight proved the telling factor.

Germany is going to be electric tonight and Matthew Macklin is in for a tough old time but I think he’ll come through a fight that is guaranteed not to have it all his own way and bring that WBA Title home. Here's a treat to get stuck into as we see Macklin prepare for his big fight. 

Silver Dukes talks to Brian ‘The Lion’ Rose

Another Exclusive for our fans and this time we caught up with Light Middleweight English champion Brian ‘The Lion’ Rose in one of the must read Interviews in recent British boxing news. As you know, here’ at Silver Dukes it is not all about the glitz and glamour of the world stage or who said what about who? just to get a story, We write for the Boxer as well as the fans and the sort of thing you won’t get to read anywhere else you find right here. Here’s what The Lion had to say;

Dukes:What is next for The Lion?

Rose: I've had a defence of my English title, now I'm ready to fight for the British, so it all depends on prince Arron and who he wants to fight next.
Dukes: Will we see Erick 'The Eagle' Ochieng in the ring with you anytime soon ?

Rose: I want to fight for the British title next and It was said the winner out of me and martin welsh would fight the winner of Aaron + Webb, so its seems like a backwards step for me.

Dukes: How have you dealt with the defeat by Max Maxwell?

Rose: By winning the English title !! I looked past the Maxwell fight, a mistake I will never make again .. Also went to see a Psychologist called Emma James who helped me mentally get over the Jason Rushton incident ( he fell in to a coma after the fight, which was the fight before Maxwell)

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

Rose: Recently watched Mikel Kessler’s return to the ring and think he came back with a bang, I like to think we have the same sort of styles (at different levels)

Dukes: Can Blackpool bounce back to the top flight ?

Rose: Yes, I think they can , they haven't got much money but with Ian Holloway still backing us we've got every chance as the boys showed so much heart and desire last season.

Dukes: Is a shot at Sam Webb your immediate goal and have you any doubts about facing him?

Rose: If I have to fight Sam Webb to get at the British title I will, Sam is a friend of mine but its just business, I'm sure he will say the same thing, I have no doubts as I can only get as fit as I can possibly get and do as much hard work in the gym as I can , then what ever happens, if I don't win, I just wasn't good enough, as long as I get the opportunities I deserve I will be happy.

Dukes: Do the Media read too much into a fighter losing their 0?

Rose: There's a lot of pressure on undefeated fighters keeping there 0 , but once it goes , if you can bounce back from that the pressures off , you know what its like to taste defeat , all you've got to worry about then is winning and not worrying about getting beat ( positive thinking, read a book ' the secret ' )

Dukes:What would you say was the most valuable lesson you have learned since your defeat ?

Rose: I learnt more in the Rushton + Maxwell fight than I will in my whole career , I went from seriously hurting some 1 myself , found it so hard to deal with the next fight I get knocked out myself ! I look back at the Maxwell fight now and people will think I'm lying when I say this but I'm glad it happened because now I'm a stronger and more mature fighter .

Dukes: Enough about losing what has been the crowning moment of your career thus far?
What was your favourite fight?
Rose: My most favourite fight has got to be winning the English title , it probably would of been the central area title as it was the professional title I won but with what happened it just can't be so the proudest moment of my career is winning the English title
Dukes: What was your favourite fight?

Rose: My favourite fight was probable beating Jonny Harrison for 1 reason only fellow Blackpool boxer and stable mate Jack Arnfield boxed him the fight before me and beat him on points and I knocked him out in the 2nd , so you could imagine the banter in the gym , I've never let him live it down , lol
Dukes: Just what can the Boxing Universe look forward to from Brian Rose and how far can you go?

Rose: I Wanna get my hands on that British title couple of defences , don't want to look past that so people will just have to wait and see , like I said if I'm given the opportunities, I’ll be happy.
Dukes: Who wins? Haye/Klitschko

Rose: My heart tells me haye and really hope he pulls it off but think that the fight is too hard to predict as its too top athletes in there primes who both have 1 punch knock out power , so would not like to be betting the winner There you have it folks, truer words have never been spoken. Real thoughts from a Real Boxer on the other side of the ropes, society try to dictate to us through fancy advertising who we should follow or what products to buy but sometimes you if you dig a little deeper and break the mould you will find your own path. We all love world champions but seem to forget the path they had to take to get to the top table. Brian Rose is a fine example of just what a boxer goes through to get to where they want to be yet the world’s media won’t cover it because money talks!, Well money doesn’t talk it swears!, Money ruins our fine sport much in the same way as most sports.

The Hot topic on Silver Dukes recently is the impact a loss has on a boxer, for instance if a boxer has a poor start to his career it is tough to turn it around but nothing gets said about the 50+ fights they had as amateurs to get there, unpaid no less.
We would like to thank Brian Rose for taking time out of his busy training schedule to talk to us and give World Boxing fans the view from outside the ropes and we wish him the best of luck for the future.
　

No Ordinay Life - With Eddie Hearn (Part 1) - iFILM LONDON MINI-SERIES.

Check out the Latest on Matchroom Sport chief Eddie Hearn Courtesy of iFilm London

Mitchell plans next move

Some would say this is a bit premature but you can make your own mind up, A matter of weeks away from the Domestic fight of the year in what is promising to be bigger than Groves v Degale. Check out Predictions and betting page for more on this one and Gav's Pick

Latest from Zab Judah’s Training Camp

Zab Judah plans to be Amir Khan’s worst nightmare “I’m pretty sure after this fight Freddie Roach would never put in Golden Boy Manny Pacquiao against me in the ring”
Adding it’s not just about age, it’s maturity. Judah also paid homage to the great Pernell Whitaker in his corner calling Whitaker a masterful trainer and having him in his corner exempts the whole Freddie Roach thing.

Zab Judah is not to be taken lightly and says due to who he has in his corner he has the edge going into the fight. I believe momentum going into the fight is huge, you can usually tell at a press conference or weigh in before a fight who is going to come out on top, unless your Ricky Hatton going into a fight with Floyd Mayweather where it seemed Hatton was the more confident before he got flattened.

A win against khan would mean? “for the most part it unifies the division, it’s a closer step to undisputed” Zab on Khan “ I think Khan is a good boxer. He has fast hands, decent power, but I think he will realize this once the bell rings”

“I don’t have a problem taking the long, hard road” I wasn’t the Golden Boy I wasn’t the guy always first picked, but somehow I made my way back to the top with many thanks of Main Event and Super Judah Promotions.

Zab added he takes great pride in being one of about two fighters from the ‘96 team that is still fighting at world level.

23^rd of July is about this; what can you bring as far as your skills; what can you bring as far as your brains;what can you bring as far as your knowledge of boxing and so on and basically comes down to how confident Khan is once he steps through the ropes.

You either fold or play your cards “I’m going to win” Zab Judah.

Doubters Are Out on Brook’s Title Claim

This weekend’s Boxing starts at Hillsborough Leisure Centre Where Sheffield’s Kell Brook tries to become the first man to stop the well seasoned 39 year old Lovemore N’dou. Matchroom Sports latest signing is one of the transfer’s of the year in world boxing, at only 25 years old and with a record of 23-0 16KO’s Brook certainly seems all but set to take on the world. Not according to the experts, (that does not include me) I must be an amateur as I never seem to agree with these so called experts but I’ve still only got one fight wrong this year and that was DeGale v Groves so hang me.

 The Brooks v N’dou fight excites me, it has been signed for months and yet the first sign of the fight in any shape of the media only came out this morning?. It seems my “Boxing’s coming home for Brook” is one of very few Previews to the fight out there and that was wrote a three weeks ago. I am not trying to big myself up but the point I am taking the long way around to get to is, The Media has been so quiet about this fight and the first news I see of it that is not my own work is once again rubbishing a Boxer’s ambitions.

When the Brook v N’dou fight was confirmed Kell Brook joined the crew on Sky Sports Ringside and spoke of his desire to become world champion and he would fight anyone to achieve his dreams yet this morning I read about how Brook has set his sights too high and would only ever be a “Paper Champion”. WELL, you know me by now and as the self proclaimed marmite of boxing I certainly have no intentions of letting this one slip the jab. Does a 23-0 record mean nothing no more when a 14-0 Derek Chosora was all but set a world title fight at Wladimir Klitschko? Twice no less.

The Welterweight division used to be THE division when Hatton was mixing it up with Pac-Man and Mayweather but I feel the buzz has died off for the Welterweights. It seems the Middleweights and Super Middleweights are taking over but I think Kell Brook will reignite the Welterweight Division. Lovemore of course is well past his sell by date but he is surely planning to leave a stink in Sheffield tomorrow night and won’t go away easy. We would love to see the top fighters in the top fights and WBO #2 Ranked Kell Brook take on the best but these sort of fights need to happen first. How many Boxer’s out there constantly fight the top fighters apart from Carl Froch? (Another Matchroom World Champion).

Kell Brook hopes a win tomorrow night will land him a world title shot. Manny Pacquiao Certainly will not be next in line for Brook and with May weather v Ortiz being signed for September who is left?. IBF champion Jan Zaveck and WBA champion Vyacheslav Senchenko both of whom the media have said will walk through Brook yet claiming both Zaveck and Senchenko are paper champions and Brook would join the list of paper champions should he fight either man.

As it turns out if Frank Warren does not like you than neither do the media, Frank Warren of course claiming he no longer wanted to promote Kell Brook AFTER Brook made the switch to Matchroom. This is not Frank Warren’s fault the media have their own mind and Frank is a business man and will continue to produce fine Champions and top fights. Much in the same way Amir Khan the media turn their back and unless they have something bad to say they don’t say nothing, yet I always though it was meant to be the other way around?. Maybe I am doing this all wrong? Maybe I should start bad mouthing Boxer’s to get ratings? NO thanks I’ll just do what I do and wish Kell Brook and everyone involved at Matchroom the best of luck for the weekend and long may the rise of Matchroom continue.

Saturday night also sees Matthew Maklin v Felix Sturm in Germany for the WBA Middleweight title, Check “Sturm test for Maklin” for full preview.

Silver Dukes EXCLUSIVE Q&A with JJ Bird

Another addition of Dukes’ Quick Fire Top 5. It has been a busy day at Silver Dukes Boxing News as we have been digging up the dirt on the UK’s Finest Punchers and Shakers to give YOU the next Silver Dukes Online EXCLUSIVE. In the proverbial Hot Seat from 200+ miles away (Still not sure why I got the Hoover out before this interview) We have Peterborough’s JJ Bird.

JJ is no stranger to the spot light and you may remember him as a big brother finalist or winning £10,000 on ITV’s The Cube, But more than likely your fondest memories of JJ Bird will be his famous win over British and Commonwealth Contender David Walker, as we are here to talk about Boxing and not who we think will go in the jungle this year, JJ has swapped Golden Balls for the Gym.

JJ has had a tough time of it in the ring since turning Pro in 2007 with a 5-5-2 Record, here’s JJ Quick Fire Top 5,


Dukes: What's happening in the life of JJ Bird?

JJ: My life at the moment is nothing but early morning runs and training in the gym with Spencer Oliver

Dukes: Will we be seeing you back in the rind any time soon?

JJ: Yes I'm back on the 9th July fighting on the under card to Kevin Mitchell v John Murray (Check out Gav’s Pick on Prediction Page)

Dukes: You have made many TV appearances but what sort of pressure do the TV cameras bring to a fight?

JJ: Well I’ve been on a couple of televised fights and they haven't fazed me. Its still only me an my opponent fighting


Dukes: How is your Fight Preparations going?

JJ: It’s going good, obviously I've had a 2year break from boxing so there's been a lot of ring rust to get rid of but I'm improving every day in the gym

Dukes: Which current Boxer do you enjoy watching most? (Pro's Choice)

JJ: I’m a massive Floyd Mayweather fan but he's been out of the ring a while although he has a fight scheduled later this year

JJ Bird makes in long awaited return to the ring after two years out, on the card of John Murray v Kevin Mitchell July 9^th at the Excel Arena. This is a huge opportunity to get his career back on track at possibly the biggest domestic fights of the year. So, I decided I wanted a little more.

Dukes: What threats do you feel Matt Scriven could bring to the fight?

JJ: Well he is a tough durable fighter that's not to be taken lightly. He doesn’t get stopped very often and if I'm not on point and sharp he has the ability to cause me problems


Dukes: Do you feel this is a do or die fight with your record and that a loss could make you slip into a Journeyman status?

JJ: No I don't see this as a do or die fight, I believe for me this is a new start to my boxing career, granted I have to make a lot of improvements if I want to as successful career as I aim to. But I believe I have what it takes at the very least to make it to British title level, I'm not saying its going to happen overnight and I'm fully prepared to put the hard work in I need to, to get there. My record doesn't look great on paper but u think a lot of pressure is put on fighters to keep an unblemished record. When you look at the opponents I've fought and lost to and even drawn and then look at their records they have been unbeaten or maybe lost 1 fight and I have taken fights last minute and haven't disgraced myself losing marginally. This is because I believe you have to fight fighters that are going to test you all the time and I've never been scared to put my record on the line to try to improve.

Dukes: Do you think Ring Rust will cause a problem and will you be fighting fit come July 9th?

JJ: There might be a bit of ring rust still, I mean any boxer will tell you that there's a big difference between sparring and gym fitness, so some ring rust is normal, and especially after 2 years without a competitive fight

Dukes: Does it add any more pressure being on the card of such a highly anticipated domestic battle?

JJ: I guess there is a little pressure but not because of the bill I'm on, more because of how I'm perceived because of big brother and my record to date! But I aim to go out and give a solid convincing performance, it could be in a field somewhere with 5 people watching and there would still be pressure. I just can't wait to get back out there and start a fresh

Dukes: Just how far do you believe you can go?

JJ: As said above I believe I can get to at least British title level and that's my main focus now. Obviously step by step and not looking past Matt Scrivern on the 9th but I believe if I put in 100% determination dedication and discipline I'll get there! People will doubt me but in a way that helps push me a little more

Dukes: Who's going to win, Haye/Klitschko?

JJ: I think its a close fight but Klitschko hasn't fought anyone like Haye. It could go either way, I mean Haye’s quick and does hit hard and if he catches Klitschko he will go, but if Haye let's his guard down Klitschko has the power to do the same as we've see Haye get caught before. But if I was to put money on it I'd go Haye by K.O rounds 8-10

Silver Dukes would like to say a big thank you to JJ for taking time out of his preparations to talk to us ahead of his big fight and we wish him the very best of luck for his big night and well into the future.
Personally I think JJ has every chance of becoming a future British champion, and going back to a previous post, Look at some of the world’s best and how many losses are on their records. JJ is a young hungry fighter and I still believe a boxer doesn’t know what they are capable of until they lose a fight, Some fighters choose the easier path of hand picked opponents then are shell shocked when they’re on the wrong end of a result and it’s those fighters that find it harder to bounce back.

Make sure you tune in to Sky Sports 9^th July I’m sure you will but see for yourself why I am backing JJ Bird. I look forward to writing the fight review and when he’s champ you can say “Silver Dukes was right”.
Thanks Again to JJ

Chisora Speaks out “No concerns” over Fury

With little over four weeks to go until Derek Chisora takes on Tyson Fury at Wembley Arena July 23^rd. Del Boy Chisora puts his British and Commonwealth titles on the line against 6ft 92 Fury but states “I don’t really see anything in Fury that concerns me”.

Derek Chisora is heading back to Spain to continue his training camp. Chisora told Hennessey sport that Training is going great, “I’ve trained twice for a Klitschko fight and I was already in great shape”. Tyson Fury on the other hand is promising to put Chisora in his place next month in London and plans to scratch Del Boys 14-0 perfect record.

Channel 5 host the show which is great for British Boxing having a high profile fight on terrestrial television. Personally I am looking more forward to this fight than the Khan v Judah fight that takes place the same night. I admit I have not seen a great deal from either Chisora or Fury but from what I have seen tells me this will be a classic.

With all the domestic battles we have witnessed recently and are anticipating in the near future nothing compares to a domestic Heavyweight clash. We all love it when the heavyweights come together and all the brain bashing that goes along with it, Can’t wait.