Category Archives: UK Boxing

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BILLY JOE SAUNDERS V WILLIE MONROE JR, SEPTEMBER 16TH IN LONDON

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THE WBO MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONDON (JULY 17, 2017)–WBO Middleweight World Champion Billy Joe Saunders will make the second defense of his crown against New York’s Willie Monroe Jr. on Saturday, September 16th at London’s Copper Box Arena, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Hatfield’s Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs) defeated Irish hero Andy Lee to take the WBO strap in a close and absorbing fight back in December 2015 that saw the undefeated star floor the former Champion twice in the third round and go on to claim a majority decision from the judges.

A series of injuries led to a frustrating 2016 for Saunders, but he eventually defended his belt last December against Artur Akavov in Glasgow. Saunders was not at his best, but outpointed the game Russian. He was due to take on Avtandil Khurtsidze before the Georgian’s arrest in June.

Monroe Jr (21-2, 6 KOs) has a second chance at winning a World Title after a sixth round stoppage loss against IBF, WBA and WBC Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin back in 2015. Since then the 30-year-old has won two decisions over John Thompson and Gabriel Rosado and holds a number five World ranking with the WBO.

“I am happy for this World Title opportunity,” said Monroe Jr. “I’m always in the gym and I’m ready to go now; I live the life. I can’t wait to show up and show out in London. Saunders is a good fighter and a worthy World Champion but I’m coming for that belt.”

“I gave a good account of myself against Golovkin, but I will admit that I got caught up in the moment. Billy Joe has had a lot of luxuries throughout his career that I haven’t had. All of his fights have been here in his own backyard, he hasn’t had to go into the Lion’s Den to prove himself. He calls me mentally weak but we’ll see on September 16th.”

“Willie is a good fighter and a good boxer,” said Saunders. “This is his big chance and he isn’t coming over here just to make up the numbers. He has been in with some of the best fighters in the World including Golovkin where he came up short.”

“I think it is going to be a very close fight but I already have the mental edge over him. He said he was done against Golovkin and that’s not what a warrior would do. I’d rather get knocked out cold than quit. I haven’t had the chance to show my true skill and talent as of yet as a pro. I can’t afford to overlook him and I’ll be in the best shape of my life on September 16th. I’m 100% going to get the win.”

Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions said: “I am very happy for Willie; this is a great opportunity. A lot of things had to fall into place for Willie to get this fight. Saunders is a great fighter, and this should be a terrific event. I want to thank tthe WBO as well as Frank Warren and Billy Joe Saunders for this opportunity.”
Press Conference Video Highlights courtesy of BT Sports

Saunders’ promoter Frank Warren said: “Bill will have to be at the very top of his game to get the win on September 16th. The winner of this fight will have the missing piece on the Middleweight jigsaw, Canelo and Golovkin both want that WBO belt.”

“If Bill comes through this fight we are pushing hard for the winner of Canelo vs. Golovkin. If Golovkin wins I hope we can do that fight in December, if Canelo wins it could be in the New Year. Bill has to go out there and prove a point, there is a lot on the line.”

Ilford Light-Heavyweight knockout king Anthony Yarde and teenage Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois will feature on an action-packed undercard. Yarde picked up the WBO European strap with a first round KO win over Richard Baranyi last time out at the Copper Box Arena while 19 year-old Dubois claimed the WBC World Youth Heavyweight belt in only his fourth contest.

Full undercard details will be announced shortly.

Tickets for Saunders v Monroe Jr priced at £40, £50, £70, £100, £150, £200 and £300 (VIP/Hospitality) are available from:
boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC, UK Boxing

Psychic Tom Predicts Win For Mark Hunt; Rabble Rousin’ Rich Opens the Show with Demetrious Johnson vs. Dana White Rant; Tony the Tornado rips Stevenson/Fonfara on this week’s FNU Combat Sports Show

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Rich Bergeron opens this week’s FNU Combat Sports show by giving his unique take on the Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson feud with the UFC brass, namely Dana White. Upon refusing to take a fight with T.J. Dillashaw without getting certain assurances and conditions met, many fans on social media insisted DJ was running scared. Even Dillashaw took the opportunity to blast the move by the flyweight champ as “chickenshit.” Dana White even reportedly threatened to shut down the entire flyweight division if Johnson refused to fight TJ. “Mighty Mouse” didn’t blink and didn’t cave to the organization’s demands, and Rich explains in his opening dialogue why DJ should be respected and given the benefit of the doubt for his decision rather than being criticized and dragged through the mud for standing up for himself.

 

During the rest of the broadcast, Tony “The Tornado” Penecale details his night out at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia for a fight card headlined by Hank Lundy. He also recaps Fonfara vs. Stevenson II and calls the fight “a disgrace.”

 

“Psychic” Tom Padgett chips in with some post-fight analysis of Aldo vs. Holloway. He also predicts Mark Hunt will benefit from home cage advantage in his battle with Derrick Lewis this weekend at UFC Fight Night 110 in New Zealand.

 

There’s also an update on Hunt’s lawsuit against the UFC and Brock Lesnar and lots of other fight previews and recaps. Listen to the whole broadcast to catch up on what’s new in combat sports this week.

boxing, UK Boxing

BURNETT: I WANT TO EMULATE FRAMPTON IN BELFAST

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Unbeaten talent can become Northern Ireland’s latest World champion on Saturday
SAN DIEGO (JUNE 8, 2017) – Ryan Burnett says he can follow in Carl Frampton’s footsteps and become a huge star in Belfast as he challenges Lee Haskins for the IBF World Bantamweight title at the SSE Arena Belfast on Saturday, LIVE on AWE- A Wealth of Entertainment at 3 PM ET / 12 PM Noon PT.

Burnett tackles his first World title fights in his first fight on home-turf in nearly three years, while the Bristolian puts his crown on the line for the third time.
If Burnett can rip the IBF crown from Haskins, he’ll become the latest World champion from Belfast, following in the footsteps of Carl Frampton. ‘The Jackal’ also made the red belt his first World title in the Titanic Quarter back in September 2014, and Burnett hopes that Saturday is the first step on emulating the former two-weight World champion.
“People keep saying that I am the second coming of Carl Frampton – that’s a big statement,” said Burnett. “I do believe that I can emulate his success and be a big hit in Belfast. I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from Carl and seeing a Belfast lad become a World champion.
“He’s taken the steps that I am taking now and seeing the level that he’s got to and what he’s achieved – and what he can still achieve – is massive. He’s done so much for boxing in Belfast, and I want to have the same impact.”
Burnett’s clash with Haskins is part of a huge night of action in Belfast where Paul Hyland Jr faces Adam Dingsdale for his first pro title with the IBF European Lightweight strap on the line.
James Tennyson tackles Ryan Doyle for the WBA International Super-Featherweight belt, Ian Tims and Luke Watkins meet for the Irish Cruiserweight title, there’s the Cruiserweight debut of Mike Perez, and local favorites Paddy Gallagher, Matthew Wilton, Feargal McCrory and Tyrone McCullagh.
Photos By : Lawrence Lustig
 
About AWE LIVE BOXING 

AWE LIVE Boxing features live world title championship and elimination bouts showcasing today’s most exciting fighters. Since the inception of AWE’s live boxing events in 2011, AWE has featured over 50 world title fights.

AWE has brought boxing fans some of the most exciting and controversial bouts, including the matchup of Ricky Burns against Ray Beltran for the world title. AWE featured live and exclusively the crowning of American Terence Crawford over Ricky Burns. AWE fans have witnessed the explosive power of undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury multiple times on the network, including Fury’s victory over Kevin Johnson.  In 2017, AWE was the exclusive United States television provider of the historic matchup between legendary British heavyweight David Haye and Tony Bellew.

About AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment

A Wealth of Entertainment (“AWE”) features a wide range of lifestyles and entertainment programming from exotic travel and outrageous homes to live world championship boxing. AWE is available on over a hundred cable systems, including AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD, Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD. and DirecTV, ch 387.
boxing, UK Boxing

HASKINS SAILING INTO STORMY WATERS IN BELFAST

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IBF champ heading to Belfast on the ferry today
SAN DIEGO (JUNE 7, 2017) –Lee Haskins gets over his first major hurdle in defending his IBF Bantamweight title against Ryan Burnett in Belfast on Saturday – by taking the ferry today due to his fear of flying.
Haskins puts his crown on the line for the third time at the SSE Arena Belfast, live on AWE–A A Wealth of Entertainment at 3 PM ET / 12 PM Noon PT and the Bristolian knows he’s in for a hostile reception as he tries to hand Burnett his first pro defeat in front of the passionate Belfast fans.
‘Playboy’ says that the hometown support won’t be a problem as it’s nothing he hasn’t experienced before – but knows the fight will be far from plain sailing against the unbeaten hometown star.
“I’m not the greatest on planes so we chose to get the ferry over,” said Haskins. “My family and I decided to go a bit earlier and make more of a trip about it.
“It’s not too far so it gives me and the kids a bit of time to catch-up and it’s something different, rather than just jumping off a plane straight into the hotel. Now we get to have a little detour and have a little adventure.
“It’s going to be a hostile crowd but truthfully it doesn’t bother me. I’ve boxed away time and time again so I know what’s coming. I’ve boxed in Monaco, Belgium and Morocco and in plenty of backyards in the UK. It doesn’t bother me, a ring is a ring.
“I hope the Belfast fans don’t give me too much of a hard time! I’m really looking forward to fighting in front of such a knowledgeable crowd and of course to my own fans, I’m always grateful for your continued backing.
“I am very excited – I’m more excited for this one than I have been for a long, long time. I’m happy and content going into this fight and I’m looking forward to visiting Belfast.”
Haskins’ clash with Burnett is part of a huge day of action in Belfast where Paul Hyland Jr faces Adam Dingsdale for his first pro title with the IBF European Lightweight strap on the line.
James Tennyson tackles Ryan Doyle for the WBA International Super-Featherweight belt, Ian Tims and Luke Watkins meet for the Irish Cruiserweight title, there’s the Cruiserweight debut of Mike Perez, and local favorites Paddy Gallagher, Matthew Wilton, Feargal McCrory and Tyrone McCullagh.
Photos By : Jamie McPhilimey
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

SHOWTIME SPORTS® TO OFFER FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE LIVE STREAM OF GROVES vs. CHUDINOV WORLD TITLE FIGHT THIS SATURDAY AS PRELUDE TO BROOK vs. SPENCE

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Kick off a great day of action-packed championship boxing on Saturday (tomorrow) by streaming the action of George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov Super Middleweight World Championship live via Showtime Sports’ YouTube and Facebook platforms. Groves vs. Chudinov will serve as a prelude to the long-awaited SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®main event—the welterweight championship bout between British World Champion Kell Brook and undefeated American challenger Errol Spence Jr., which will air live on SHOWTIME at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.

FACEBOOK LINK: https://www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing

YOUTUBE EVENT PAGE: https://youtu.be/DgnLttF8gzE

 

 

George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov

Vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Championship

To Stream Live Exclusively in the U.S. Via Facebook Live and YouTube

At Approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT

 

Kell Brook Defends IBF Welterweight World Championship Against Errol Spence Jr. Live on SHOWTIME® At 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT

 

NEW YORK (May 25, 2017) – SHOWTIME Sports will offer a fully-produced Facebook and YouTube live stream of George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov Super Middleweight World Championship bout this Saturday, May 27 from Sheffield, England.  Groves vs. Chudinov will serve as a prelude to the long-awaited SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® main event—the welterweight championship bout between British World Champion Kell Brook and undefeated American challenger Errol Spence Jr., which will air live on SHOWTIME at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT. 

 

Live coverage of Groves vs. Chudinov will be provided by Sky Sports Box Office with sportscasters Adam Smith and Carl Froch and will begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT exclusively in the U.S. on the SHOWTIME Sports Facebookpage and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel.  Fans can follow all SHOWTIME Sports social accounts (@SHOsports) on Saturday afternoon for the precise start time to Groves vs. Chudinov following undercard action from Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, England.  These platforms will be geo-blocked for U.S. only. 

 

“When we saw the opportunity to deliver this great super middleweight championship fight to the U.S. audience, we jumped at it,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports, Stephen Espinoza.  “We thank Matchroom Sport for making it possible for us to carry this bonus coverage to the U.S.  Doing so compliments our robust digital and social media content plan serving boxing fans online and attracting new ones.  This further demonstrates our unrivaled commitment to the sport.  No one is making a more significant and impactful contribution to boxing’s momentum than SHOWTIME.”

 

Former three-time title challenger Groves and former champ Chudinov (14-1, 10 KOs) will meet for the vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Championship in a matchup of the WBA’s No. 1 and No. 2 challengers in a co-featured bout at Bramall Lane. 

 

Groves (25-3, 18 KOs) has won four straight since teaming up with 2016 Trainer of the Year Shane McGuigan following a close split-decision loss to then-WBC Champion Badou Jack in 2015.  The only other blemishes on his record came in title challenges to long-time 168-pound champ Carl Froch.

 

“I believe this is the best opportunity for me to achieve my dream and become world champion,” Groves said earlier this week.  “Time is on my side. I had a good year last year, and I’m in a good place.  I’ve put in the work, and now, I need to make this count.

“Everything that’s happened in the past has just made me more determined.  I know the pressure is on, and I can’t afford to make any more mistakes. This might be my best chance to win a world title, but it could also be my last.” 

 

Chudinov (14-1, 10 KOs) originally won the WBA Super Middleweight Title with a split-decision victory over Felix Sturm in 2015 and made one successful defense before losing via controversial majority decision in a rematch with Sturm in 2016.  Sturm later vacated the belt due to injury, opening up the opportunity for Chudinov to win back his title this Saturday against Groves.  Chudinov is ranked No. 1 by the WBA while Groves is ranked No. 2.

 

FACEBOOK LINK: https://www.facebook.com/ShoBoxing

YOUTUBE EVENT PAGE: https://youtu.be/DgnLttF8gzE

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

KELL BROOK vs. ERROL SPENCE JR. FINAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS FOR WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON SHOWTIME® AT BRAMALL LANE IN SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND

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Tomorrow/Saturday, May 27 At 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT

Click HERE To Download Photos by Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Live At 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT

Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr. – IBF Welterweight World Championship

Kell Brook – 146 ½ pounds

Errol Spence Jr. – 146 ¼ pounds

 

Live at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT exclusively in the U.S. on theSHOWTIME Sports Facebook page and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel.

George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov – vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Championship

George Groves – 167 ¼

Fedor Chudinov – 167

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence, Jr. Press Conference Pictures

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(L-R) – Kell Brook, promoter Eddie Hearn and Errol Spence, Jr.
(Courtesy of Larry Ludwig / Matchroom Boxing – more pictures below)
EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada (May 25, 2017) – The final press conference was held today in Sheffield, United Kingdom, in advance of this Saturday’s mega-fight fight between International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight World Champion Kell “The Special One” Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) and undefeated No. 1 mandatory contender Errol “The Truth” Spence, Jr. (21-0, 18 KOs).
Canadian boxing fans will be able to watch the exciting four-fight Brook vs. Spence, Jr. card, presented by Matchroom Boxing, exclusively on Super Channel, starting at 3 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. PT, live from the outdoor Bramall Football Ground in Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.


BROOK VS. GOLOVKIN & BIZIER REPLAYS ON SC1
Preceding the 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. LIVE fights, Super Channel will air the following replays on SC1, starting at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT:

Kell Brook vs Kevin Bizier-March 26, 2016 (IBF World welterweight title fight)

Kell Brook vs Gennady Golovkin– September 10, 2016 (WBC, IBF & IBO World Middleweight titles fight)
These fights will also be featured on Super Channel On Demand.
The other televised fights on 3-hour Super Channel broadcast this Saturday are three-time World title challenger “Saint” George Groves (25-3-0, 18 KOs) against former WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Fedor Chudinov (14-1, 10 KOs) the 12-round co-feature for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight World Championship; David “White Rhino” Allen (11-2-1, 8 KOs) takes Lenroy “TNT” Thomas (20-4, 10 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth Championship, followed by the professional debut of 2012 British Olympian Anthony Fowler versus Arturs Geikins (3-7-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round middleweight match.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 
 

(L-R) – George Groves & Fedor Chudinov
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @SuperChannel
Instagram: @SuperChannelTV
LIVE IN CANADA THIS SATURDAYEXCLUSIVELY ON SUPER CHANNEL
Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC, UK Boxing

FNU Combat Sports Show: McGregor Agrees to Mayweather fight contract, big weekend ahead for boxing

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This week’s show features Rich and Tom bragging about their UFC 211 main event predictions from last week. Tony also gets ample opportunities to talk about boxing this week with a ton of pugilism scheduled to go down all over the world this weekend. We also preview Bellator’s busy weekend with a huge card Friday night in the UK headlined by a battle between Rory MacDonald and Paul Daley.

boxing, HBO Boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA KNOCKS OUT WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO TO BECOME UNIFIED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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Joshua Overcomes First Professional Knockdown To Score 11th Round TKO In Front Of Record Crowd At London’s Wembley Stadium

007_Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko.jpg

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

LONDON (April 29, 2017) – Anthony Joshua was crowed the king of the heavyweight division Saturday live on SHOWTIME as he unified the division with an 11th round TKO of long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko before a record 90,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium.

 

Joshua, who remains a perfect 19-0 with 19 knockouts, overcame the first knockdown of his career to successfully defend his IBF belt and pick up the vacant WBA title.

 

Joshua knocked Klitschko down once in the fifth and twice in the 11th before referee David Fields stepped in to protect the defenseless former champion at 2:25 of the penultimate round.

 

“I’m not perfect but I’m trying,” Joshua said.  “I got a bit emotional because I know I have doubters.  I’m only going to improve.  Sometimes you can be a phenomenal boxer, but boxing is about character.  When you go into the trenches that’s when you find out who you really are.

 

“I came out and I won – that’s how far I had to dig.  I came back and I fought my heart out.”

 

“As boxing states you leave your ego at the door and you respect your opponent.  A massive shout out to Wladimir Klitschko for taking the fight.  I don’t want to say too much because I don’t know if he wants to come back and fight me.  He’s a role model in and out of the ring.”

 

After the fight, Joshua called out former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who dethroned Klitschko in 2015 but was subsequently forced to vacate his belts due to a number of issues outside the ring.

 

“Tyson Fury where you at, baby,” Joshua said.  “Come on – that’s what they want to see.  I just want to fight everyone.  I’m really enjoying this right now.”

 

Klitschko floored Joshua in the sixth and was up on Steve Weisfeld’s scorecard at the time of the stoppage 95-93. The other two judges – Don Trella and Nelson Vazquez – had Joshua up 96-93 and 95-93, respectively.

 

“The best man won tonight and it’s an amazing moment for boxing.  Anthony was better today than I.  It’s really sad that I didn’t make it tonight.  I was planning to do it.  It didn’t work, but all the respect to Anthony.

 

“Of course we have a rematch in the contract.  I need to analyze and see what the heck happened.  I wish I could have raised my hands, but congrats to him.  He got up, he fought back and he won the titles.”

 

boxing, UK Boxing

Petr Petrov to host Q and A, TOMORROW at 12 PMnoon Eastern time live on Twitter

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WBO World Lightweight Championship Bout streamed LIVE exclusively in the United States on Twitter this Saturday

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WBO number-two ranked lightweight in the world, Petr Petrov will be taking questions from boxing fans live on @BannerBoxing at 12 PM Eastern time on Friday.  Petrov will take on undefeated WBO world Lightweight champion Terry Flanagan on Saturday in a fight that can be streamed exclusively in the United States on Twitter.
Fans can ask Petrov questions on @BannerBoxing by using any of the following hashtags:
#Petrov
#Boxing
#AndNew
#FlanaganPetrov
#BannerPromotions

The live stream of Saturday’s Championship fight will be available for free to logged-in and logged-out users exclusively on Twitter and connected devices in the United States. Access to the live stream will be available Saturday night at boxing.twitter.com and on @BannerBoxing. Follow at @BannerBoxing to find out the exact timing of the live stream in the coming days.