TalkingBoxing Articles
12 Round News: British Special
THU May 15, JASPREET PANCHHI - As part of a new series for TalkingBoxing, the first instalment of '12 Round News' composites of the latest news in Britain, which embodies TalkingBoxing
as the global source of "Talking Real. Talking Serious. Talking
Boxing."
The installment consists of news of Britain’s top fighters such as Carl Froch and Ricky Hatton as well as those that are impressing on a local level such as Martin Power.
1. British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch, who recently knocked out Eamonn Magee in the 11th round of a bout that was the Englishman’s most impressive to date, underwent successful surgery to his right hand. He now wants to return in autumn.
2. Oliver ‘The Atomic Bull’ McCall, 46-8 (30), is planning to make a return to the heavyweight division after his last bout on May 27th, which saw him take a TKO win over Wallace McDaniel. He is promoted by Warriors Boxing and Chris Webb Promotions, and has a win over the retired Lennox Lewis.
3. Ricky Hatton is likely to face Oktay Urkal in his next bout in a fight that will see Hatton defend his WBA Light-Welterweight title against the mandatory challenger. Urkal holds the European belt.
4. Ricky Hatton is eyeing a contest with WBO Welterweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto down the line. He said, “Hopefully Cotto will come through this because, sooner or later, we're going to fight each other”, although the two-weight champion labelled Malignaggi as being a “tricky” and “very quick” opponent for Cotto.
5. According to his promoter, Clinton Woods will defend his IBF Light-Heavyweight title against Glencoffe Johnson, whose notable wins have come against Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Junior, who destroyed Woods in September, 2002.
6. Kevin McBride has claimed that he is on the verge of a shot versus Sergei Lyakhovich, who is the WBO Heavyweight champion. McBride, who overcame Mike Tyson in 2005, said new promoter Don King has sealed a deal for him to challenge the Belarusian on August 5th, 2006.
7. After drink problems and after being arrested as a result of such problems, WBO Featherweight champion Scott Harrison is said to have recovered and is making progress. His promoter Frank Warren indicated that he may fight in September. European super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur said he would welcome the chance to share a bill with Scott Harrison again with open arms on a bill in September. Arthur’s only loss came against Michael Gomez in October 2003 and he has won the rest of his 23 fights.
8. Mark Hobson beat John Keeton to defend his British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles. The fight was televised in England on ITV 4 and took place in Barnsley. Keeton knocked the champion down but he was stopped in the 4th round after referee Dave Parris called a halt to the bout.
9. Kevin Anderson defended his Commonwealth Welterweight belt and added the British Welterweight crown after defeating Young Muttley in Birmingham in a bout that was televised on Sky Sports 1. Anderson was struggling in the earlier stages but managed to mount a successful comeback.
10. On 29th June, Martin Power, the unbeaten British Bantanweight champion, will defend his title against Ian Napa at the York Hall. The fight will be his 20th fight after looking impressive in his first 19 fights. The bout will take place at York Hall.
11. On July 14th, Britain Graham Earl will attempt to take the European Lightweight title from Juan Carlos Melero. He will attempt to get down to weight and has ambitions in being a World champion – a goal that will be a real possibility for Britain’s best lightweight is he manages to eclipse Melero like he has done to opponents in his homeland.
12. Over the past two weeks, two Hennessy Sports fighters have been
rewarded
for their Championship performances. Junior Witter has been named as
Europe’s best champion, whilst Carl Froch has been installed as the WBC
#3.
Witter was named as the European Boxing Union’s title-holder of the
Year at
the Governing Body’s recent General Assembly in Serbia and Montenegro.
He
has now successfully defended their light welterweight belt against
Krzysztof Bienias, Andreas Kotelnik and Colin Lynes. The 32-year-old
from
Bradford saw off fellow Brits Alex Arthur, (super featherweight),
Michael
Hunter, (super bantamweight), and David Haye, (Cruiserweight), to land
the
award.
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