UK Boxing News

Following his thrilling WBO super featherweight title success against Roman Martinez last weekend, new Scottish hero Ricky Burns is set for a quick ring return.

By Tom Gray at Ringside: Undefeated Stephen “Swifty” Smith of Liverpool won a hard fought and controversial split decision over Greenock’s John Simpson to lift the Commonwealth featherweight championship over a disapproving Scottish crowd at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.

By Tom Gray at ringside: Ricky Burns ripped the WBO Super Featherweight world title from previously undefeated Roman Martinez at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow tonight before a frenzied capacity crowd. The judge’s cards read 115-112 twice and 115-113 all for the unanimous decision winner.

Matthew Macklin will face Georgia’s Shalva Jomardashvili for the vacant European middleweight title at the LG Arena in Birmingham on September 18.

By Dewi Powell: While most university graduates have spent the summer trying to find a job, there’s one in the South Wales Valleys that has been focusing on the biggest night of his life thus far.

According to media reports Sheffield’s Ryan Rhodes has pulled out of his European junior-middleweight title clash against Lukas Konecky in Birmingham on September 18.

Irish Heavyweight Champion Coleman Barrett has thrown down the gauntlet to any prospective challengers and says he wants to be a busy champion.

WBA heavyweight champion has finally broken his silence given his personal account of why his eagerly awaited world heavyweight unification fight against IBF/WBO and IBO champion Wladimir Klitschko has not happened.

The culmination of years of hard work have paid off for Scottish super-featherweight Ricky Burns.

Having made the decision to end his own ring career Dublin’s Jim Rock is now lending a helping hand to another Dubliner, Brendan Fitzpatrick as he prepares to make his pro debut on September 11th.

By Dewi Powell: Having recently been made mandatory challenger for John Murray’s British lightweight title, Gavin ‘The Rock’ Rees recently took time out to talk to SecondsOut about moving down to lightweight, rival Kevin Mitchell and more.

European Champion Paul McCloskey and Cavan’s double Irish and former European Champ Andy Murray share the top spot for the longest unbeaten runs in Irish professional boxing with both men sporting perfect 21-0 pro records

Tony Jefferies has split with trainer Bobby Rimmer after 18 months together.

WBO junior lightweight champion, Román "Rocky Martínez, arrived in Glasgow, Scotland this morning , where, this Saturday, September 4, he will defend his title against Ricky Burns at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.

Tyson Fury has promised to shut Derek Chisora’s mouth if the British heavyweight champion comes through next month’s double title dust up on promoter Frank Warren’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ bill.

Bury’s Scott Quigg will face Nelson Monte when he challenges for the vacant WBA international super-bantamweight title on September 25.

Marcus Maidana, a 12 round points winner over DeMarcus Corley on Saturday night, has made it clear he wants to face WBA junior-welterweight champion Amir Khan on December 11.

By Andrew Wake: If he can emerge victorious this Saturday night Stephen “Swifty” Smith will be one of the few fighters able to boast being a Commonwealth champion in more ways than one.

By Dewi Powell: Fresh from a second round knockout victory over former European champion Ted Bami, Bradley Pryce, 30(18)-8(4)-0, is getting used to life back at his natural fighting weight of 10 stone 7lbs.

Prizefighter returns in October with the fourth edition of the Heavyweights division hoping to follow Audley Harrison in lifting the title and gate crashing the World Heavyweight scene.

Having conquered Europe by winning the European Super Middleweight title Brian Magee is edging ever closer towards a world title shot but one final hurdle remains at the National Stadium in Dublin on September 11th.

Brian Halquist Productions presents: Fight Night to the Playboy Mansion, as a part of the Battle at the Boat professional boxing series on August 28.

By David Boyle: On the 18th September Frank Warren promotes a massive fight bill of home grown talent at the LG in Birmingham.

Audley Harrison has told David Haye to "man up and sign" to fight for the World Heavyweight title in November.

After months of inactivity as far as verbal dialogue in concerned, WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has finally come out of hiding and broken his silence regarding his next title defence

Cuban KO specialist Alexei Acosta will bid to take another step up in class when he takes on former World title challenger Cristian Faccio on September 11th.

Jason Booth is so hell bent on shocking world super-bantamweight champion Steve Molitor that he can’t get him out of his mind.

European light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly hopes victory over Karo Murat in a title defence on September 18 will pave the way for a crack at WBC heavyweight king Jean Pascal.

When junior middleweight Pat McAleese last faced Lee Noble on the 26th March, things didn’t go quite to plan.

Steve Molitor finds boxing easy – a tougher job is living every day without his jailed brother.

By Tom Gray: John Simpson is the reigning Commonwealth featherweight champion and a former British title holder. He has amassed a 21-6 record, taking on a who’s who of domestic talent throughout a successful eight year career. Extremely talented and always a crowd pleaser, he is in the form of his life.

Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale is a man in a hurry. The 24 year-old defends his WBA international super middleweight title against Carl Dilks on September 18 and by the end of the year he hopes to challenge for the British super-middleweight crown.

Steve Molitor hates resting. In fact he hates not being able to train full stop. So when the IBF super bantamweight champion was told that he would have to rest for at least four weeks following a stress fracture to his shin you can imagine how he took the news.

Glen Foot will make his professional debut next month. The Sunderland welterweight will box on the undercard of Jason Booth’s IBF super-bantamweight title challenge against Steve Molitor at Houghton-le-Spring’s Rainton Meadows Arena on September 11.

Check Out the latest Championship news form the British Boxing Board of Control.

It’s Personal - Alexander Says “Barratt Should Bring A Pillow, I’m Gonna Put Him To Sleep”

By Andrew Wake: On 20 January 2007, Dan Woodgate was amongst the 1000s of Brits crammed into the main hall at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. That night Ricky “Hitman” Hatton overcome big punching Colombian Juan Urango to take the IBF light-welterweight strap for the second time, but it was also an evening that looks set to alter the trajectory of Woodgate’s own boxing career.

Scott Quigg will challenge for a vacant WBA international super-bantamweight title when he returns to action in his home town of Bury next month.

It Seems former four time world heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield just won’t quit.

British featherweight champion Martin Lindsay has been added to promoter Frank Maloney’s world title card next month.

By Dewi Powell: The 47th WBC convention, November 2009, decided that the next Night of Champions event would be in Cardiff, Wales between July 29th-31st. Despite Wales’ small population (3 million), its input to the boxing world has been historic, arguably producing the greatest ever flyweight in the shape of Jimmy Wilde, and undefeated super-middleweight, Joe Calzaghe.

Despite it’s reputation as the home of Irish boxing the National Stadium in Dublin has yet to stage a European title fight.

IBF/WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko believes Britain’s WBA title David Haye is ‘Afraid’ to fight him.

Promoter Fran Maloney has beaten his rivals to sign four of Britain’s leading amateurs including ABA junior-welterweight champion Joe Hughes and ABA finalist Glenn Foot.

By Mike Sloan at ringside; In the opening bout of the evening at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, super middleweight prospect George Groves remained unbeaten by stopping Alfredo Contreras just 48 seconds into the sixth round.

British welterweight Ashley Theophane cooked up a determined late rally on Friday night to snatch a majority decision victory from fancied contender Delvin Rodriguez over ten rounds at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma, USA.

Tyson Fury says he’s ready for a massive domestic dust up – if either Derek Chisora or Sam Sexton pull out of their double title showdown.

Last Saturday evening the inaugural British Boxing Board of Control Southern Area Awards Dinner was held at the Grange City Hotel, Coopers Row, London.

By Jose Santana Jr: It was announced on Thursday that former super flyweight world titlist Jose “Carita” Lopez and Cesar “Junito” Seda will be seeing action against each other on Aug. 27 in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro: The Johnny Eames and Derek Grainger organised Boxer & Celebrity Football Tournament on Sunday proved to be a massive success last weekend. The stars turned out in force, as did the paying public to watch the 10 teams battle it out for the Ultrachem TKO Indee Rose Trophy.

By Dewi Powell: The Royal Oak pub in the Splott area of Cardiff, capital city of Wales, is home to one of the most historic gyms in the history of British boxing.

Rendal Munroe was last night given the date for his world title showdown against Japanese star Toshiaki Nishioka.

Sam Wbb will defend his British junior-middleweight title against Martin Concepcion in London on Saturday October 16.

Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton has renewed his boxing licence with the British Boxing Board of Control. The 32 year-old’s license had expired but Hatton has confirmed he has renewed his licence, leaving the way clear for him to fight again should he choose to do so.

WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan has been taken ill whilst on holiday in Pakistan. The 23 year-old is suffering from some sort of stomach problem or possible virus.

Sheffield’s Ryan Rhodes expects to be involved in one of the toughest fights of his career when he defends his European junior-middleweight title against Czech challenger Lukas Konecny at the LG Arena in Birmingham on September 18.

Not surprisingly the IBO has called for serious questions to be answered following the farcical IBO cruiserweight championship fight between champion Danny Green and Paul Briggs.

Ultrachem TKO boss Johnny Eames today announced the teams that will be taking part in the Celebrity Football Tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust, at Brockwell Stadium, Canvey Island, Essex, this coming Sunday.

By Tom Gray: Ricky Burns challenges hard punching world champion Roman Martinez at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow on September 4th for the WBO Super Featherweight title. Scottish born Burns has held the Commonwealth Title for two years and has been on top form, with two stoppages in three successful defenses.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan has announced he will promote his first professional boxing show at the Ulster Hall in Belfast on September 18.

European light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has hit back at German opponent Karo Murat. The pair clash for the Welshman’s title in Birmingham on September 18 and Cleverly had vowed to knock him out after Murat said he was ‘No Joe Calzaghe’.

Unbeaten German boxers Karo Murat, 22-0-(13), and Alexander Frenkel, 22-0, (17), face the biggest tests of their young careers on September 18 when they travel to Birmingham for a special night of boxing at the LG Arena.

Many of the Britain’s top boxers will turn out this Sunday when they take part in a charity football match to raise money for The Indee Rost Trust, a charity that helps to raise funds for children recovering from brain and spinal tumours.

British boxing fans have the chance to see an international boxing contest rarely seen outside the latter stages of the Olympics.

Martin Power has been holed up in northern Europe preparing for his make or break fight against Stuey Hall.

The Super Six super middleweight tournament between Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch will take place at the neutral venue of Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille in Monaco on October 2.

The British Boxing Board of Control today (July 14) released the latest champion news involving boxers licensed by the governing body.

Undefeated Londoner Darren Barker insists he will take 4,000 fans to Birmingham when he defends his European middleweight title against Matthew Macklin at the LG Arena on September 18.

Audley Harrison has moved a step closer to a world heavyweight title challenge after moving up to 15th in the latest WBC rankings.

By Tom Gray: Willie Limond is a former Commonwealth champion who won the vacant WBU lightweight title IN 2009. He was also the first man to ask questions of Amir Khan’s punch resistance, flooring him with a dynamite combination at the O2 arena, three years ago to the day. Khan would emerge victorious but won’t be forgetting the Glasgow born fighter in a hurry.

A squad of British boxers will be hoping to make home advantage count when they take on the rest of the world at an international tournament in Sheffield.

Former British Super Bantamweight champion Matthew Marsh, has been forced to withdraw from the Frank Maloney promoted show at the Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear on Friday 23rd July.

Matthew Hatton admits that Yuri Nuzhnenko will be the best opponent he has ever faced.

Tony Jefferies will move closer to his first professional title when he has his first eight rounder later this month.

Ricky Hatton believes younger brother Matthew Hatton is on track to landing a world title fight thanks to trainer Bob Shannon.

Promoter Frank Maloney has continued his relationship with Sky Sports by signing a new two year contract with the broadcaster.

Jason Booth’s challenge for Steve Molitor’s IBF world super-bantamweight title has been rescheduled for Saturday September 11.

Peter Mitrevski Jr is confident of shocking Martin Murray on 16 July 2010 after being whipped into shape by Anthony Mundine.

By Clive Bernath: About three weeks ago I got a call from a very reliable source informing me that IBF/WBO and IBO heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko had offered WBA champ David Haye a 50%/%50 split and no options to face him in a heavyweight unification fight in September.

WBA junior welterweight champ Amir Khan has been given the all clear and released from hospital following fears he may of caught Malaria.

Stuey Hall is promising to make Martin Power suffer again when they clash later this month.

Ukrainian challenger Yuri Nuzhnenko has promised to shatter Matthew Hatton’s world title hopes.

According to German promoter Kalle Sauerland WBA heavyweight champion David Haye turned down a clash with IBF/WBO king Wladimir Klitschko because of the financial demands made by Team Klitschko.

WBA junior-welterweight champion Amir Khan has been rushed to hospital after complaining of feeling unwell.

Patrick Mendy, the latest Prizefighter winner in a man in demand. The 19 year-old was the surprise winner of Barry Hearn’s latest eight man tournament and trainer/manager Jim Evans says his phone has not stopped ringing with offers for his services.

Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales is set to defend his WBC international welterweight title against little known Scottish fighter Willie Limond in either Mexico City or Tijuana on September 11.

Promoter Frank Maloney believes Jamie McDonnell could be world title bound after springing two major upsets this year.

British welterwight champion Kell Brook has been found guilty of common assault following a following a night out with friends in Barnsley.

Although contracts have yet to be signed it looks like Wladimir Klitschko will defend his IBF heavyweight crown against mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin on September 18.

Irish European super-middleweight champion Brian Magee has offered the ultimate incentive to tomorrow night’s Prizefighter Super Middleweight fighters – lift the trophy and get a shot at my title.

Craig Docherty won his second fight in the month of march when he out-pointed Waddington journeyman Ryan Clark over six rounds at the Cleland Miner Club in Lanarkshire, Scotland on Sunday.

Scottish boxer Ricky Burns believes he has the style to beat WBO super-featherweight Roman Martinez when the pair clash for the Puerto Rican’s title on September 4.

By Michael Norby: Undefeated middleweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr may be only 24-years-old but for much of his career he has heard the voices and read the words of commentators and fans, urging the legend’s son to step up his competition level. On Saturday night, in San Antonio’s Alamodome, Chavez met John Duddy a tough, battle-hardened Irish fighter brimming with ambition and licking his chops at the prospect of a world title shot awaiting tonight’s winner.

Paul David got the draw he wanted for Prizefighter Super Middleweights on June 30 at York Hall, Bethnal Green live on Sky Sports, taking on Tony Salam and earning the chance to avenge a defeat inflicted over three years ago.

By Tom Gray: Negotiations for David Haye and any heavyweight titlist named Klitschko have seemingly hit another road block. Now, somewhat bizarrely, the Haye camp is exploring the option of a WBA Heavyweight Title defence against Audley Harrison in November.

Liverpool super featherweight Derry Mathews has decided to fight again. The 26 year-old former WBU champion announced his retirement after being stopped in the sixth round by Scott Lawton in November 2009 but has now decided to have one last crack at reviving his career.

On Sunday the 25th July some of the biggest names in British Boxing, along with stars from TV, Film and Music, will be gathering at the Brockwell Stadium in Canvey Island to participate in a charity football tournament to raise funds for The Indee Rose Trust.

Ireland’s John Duddy is expecting an exciting fight when he faces the equally untested Julio Cesar Chavez Jr for the vacant WBC Silver Middleweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday night.

Due to injury sustained by IBF super bantamweight champion Steve Molitor the scheduled world title defence against Jason Booth has been postponed and re-scheduled for September 10th.

By David Boyle: Belfast’s unbeaten Super Flyweight Jamie Conlon is enjoying the professional game having steamrolled his way to a 3-0-0 (1) record, having successfully dispatched Delroy Spencer last Saturday night at the Kings Hall, Belfast.