Tag Archives: Liverpool

Bryan Vera- Rocky Fielding Media Day quotes and pictures

Liverpool, England (June 24, 2015)– Super Middleweight contender Bryan Vera (23-9, 14 KO’s) and Rocky Fielding (20-0, 11 KO’s) held a media workout Tuesday in advance of their bout on Friday.

The fight will take place at the Echo Arena, and he is with his team that consists of his brother Gilbert, manager David Watson and Matthew Rowland, Vice-President of Banner Promotions.

“We did a media day in front of a good crowd in Liverpool. We did a small workout for the crowd. Rocky fielding showed up after me and did his thing for the crowd,” Said Vera

“I am ready to bring back the belt. I am ready and feel great fighting at 168. I have fought many great fighters. I have been tested time and time again. Rocky Fielding knows that this is not his typical fight. He’s fighting a warrior and I’m coming to win. That I know.”

Bryan Vera in England for Friday fight with undefeated Rocky Fielding

 

Liverpool, England (June 23, 2015)–  Super Middleweight contender Bryan Vera (23-9, 14 KO’s) is in Liverpool, England and is focused for his Friday night showdown with undefeated Rocky Fielding (20-0, 11 KO’s)

The fight will take place at the Echo Arena, and he is with his team that consists of his brother Gilbert, manager David Watson and Matthew Rowland, Vice-President of Banner Promotions.

“I have not seen much of Fielding except for what I have seen on Youtube,” stated Vera.

“After I win this fight, I would love to fight one of Rocky’s stablemates in IBF Super Middleweight champion James DeGale or WBC champion Badou Jack.  I know 168 pounds is my ideal weight.  I feel stronger at this weight and I will put on a great performance on Friday. I am prepared for an emphatic win on Friday”

Said Matthew Rowland, “After Bryan wins on Friday, he will be right in the mix for a world title or a major fight 168 pounds.”

 

Dodson and Economides Head Up Vaughan’s Star Studded 23rd May Liverpool Event.

Renowned Liverpool based promoter Stephen Vaughan is clearly determined to raise the bar, for Small Hall Boxing events, to a whole new level, with his latest offering, dubbed ‘NEW ERA – An Evening Of Professional Boxing’, which takes place at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, on Saturday 23rd May 2015.

 

For those that were at Vaughan’s previous event, at the Grand Central Hall back in March, there is no need to stress just how good the event was.

 

May 23rd promises much, much more, on paper NEW ERA looks set to not only be a true small hall classic, but also looks likely to set a new standard that very few small hall promotions could possibly match.

 

Heading up the twelve bout card is Liverpool’s very own Tony Dodson, who will be back in hometown action for the first time since beating Darren Stubbs to secure the IBO Light Heavyweight International title, back in October 2011.

 

On the 23rd May, Dodson, who in his previous fight secured a solid points victory over one of the toughest opponents around – the mischievous, yet highly durable, Jody Meikle, will be facing Latvia’s big punching Andrejs Pokumeiko.

 

In March last year, Pokumeiko secured a good solid points win over Ilford’s Kevin Greenwood at York Hall in London, which is the only points win on his record, every other win has come by way of stoppage victory.

 

The main support sees Chester’s WBF Intercontinental Champion Paul ‘Spartan’ Economides, in a non-championship contest against Estonia’s Sergey Tasimov.

 

Back on Vaughan’s previous event Economides put in another top class performance, against Ghana’s two time Commonwealth title challenger Isaac Quaye, on way to securing another sensational second round stoppage victory.

 

That particular win says a lot about Economides’ power as Quaye hadn’t been stopped on any of his previous thirty six fights, some feat considering Quaye has battled it out with the likes of Commonwealth champion Don Broadhurst, British, Commonwealth and European Champion Kevin Satchell and WBO European Champion Iain Butcher amongst other notable stars.

 

What’s more, on May 2nd Economides went one better, with a clinical first round stoppage of the Czech Republic’s Petr Gyna, at the York Hall in London.

 

Globe trotting Tasimov, has fought some of the UK’s top stars previously, including interim WBA World Champion Derry Mathews, British and European Champion and upcoming IBF World title challenger Lee Askins, as well as former British and Commonwealth Champion Nicky Booth.

 

Whilst most cards have a top-flight domestic bout or two heading up the show, the support card is usually made up of local ‘house’ fighters tentatively building their records. Not this card; only three of the undercard fights feature developing talent, the rest are already well and truly established prospects and stars.

 

One of the most interesting match ups on the card pits Liverpool’s Nick Quigley against … you’ve guessed it, the aforementioned Jody Meikle.

 

Quigley made short work of his last opponent, Ludvik Gina, sensationally stopping the Czech in just fifty five seconds of the first round.

 

Don’t think the same will happen against Meikle, but do expect six rounds of truly entertaining boxing, with some mischievousness sprinkled in for maximum effect, based on Meikle’s last outing against Onder Ozgul at York Hall on May 2nd.

 

Next up is the exciting prospect of watching one of the World’s most successful Kick Boxing stars ever, thirteen time World Champion Marlon Hunt, making his highly anticipated transition to the pro boxing ranks, against Latvia’s Uldis Pucens.

 

Hunt recently said “After winning 13 Professional World titles in Full Contact Kickboxing, K – 1Rules and Muay Thai and Unifying the Big 5 WBC, ISKA, WAKO PRO, IKF & WKA and winning other mid and low Tier World Titles and various Semi Pro Boxing Titles it’s time to take on the Professional Boxing world. “

 

Hunt has made clear that he isn’t taking up pro boxing to just make up the numbers, he’s a hundred percent determined to be the first ever four discipline World Champion.

 

Whilst on the subject of World Champions, Chester’s World Boxing Federation Welterweight World Champ Chris Goodwin is back in action once more, in a non-championship bout, against Finsbury Park, London’s Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander.

 

Goodwin, a two division World Champion, will be making his first appearance since beating Georgia’s Mikheil Avakyan to win the coveted WBF World crown back in August.

 

Alexander, who had been training and fighting in America until recently, scored a third round stoppage victory over Tadas Stulginskas on his return to UK action at York Hall in London last October.

 

Birmingham’s undefeated Lightweight sensation Antonio Counihan is back in the ‘Pool, this time to face Janis Puksins.

 

Counihan, the former England Amateur Captain, has been nothing but sensational in each of his six previous bouts, stopping five inside the distance, however it was his last performance that proved that the Brummie youngster is destined to rise to the very top.

 

Back in March, Counihan took on previously unbeaten Czech Lukas Radic, Counihan didn’t just beat Radic, he plain destroyed him in just two minutes and twenty eight seconds of the first round.

 

Puksins is another globe trotter that should be quite well known to British fans, having fought the likes of former Prizefighter winner Ricky Owen, former WBU, WBF, WBC and Prizefighter Champion Choi Tseveenpurev, British Champ James Dickens and upcoming Commonwealth title challenger Jason Cunningham amongst others.

 

Another youngster who is fast heading towards World stardom is Liverpool based, Russian Featherweight prospect David Agadzhanyan, who will face former Ghanaian Champion Isaac Osuwu on May 23rd.

 

Like Counihan, Agadzhanyan has stopped all but one of his previous opponents and coincidently the bout against the one that went the distance, another previously unbeaten prospect Daniel Bazo, featured on Vaughan’s last event.

 

What a fight, it was something truly special and a fight that many of those in attendance would love to see re-matched sometime in the near future, although have to say the result would probably be the same as Agadzhanyan is a tremendous talent, one that is likely to follow in the footsteps of Gennady Golovkin and Sergey Kovalev – yep, he’s that special.

 

Since that win, Agadzhanyan totally destroyed Czech Republic’s Josef Redlich, putting the Czech lad down three times before finally stopping him on the two minute and twenty five second mark of the first round, at the York Hall in London on May 2nd.

 

Liverpool’s former British, Commonwealth and WBF World title challenger Tony Moran is set for his first hometown fight since beating Czaba Andras at the Olympia back in 2005.

 

On May 23rd Moran will be facing Blackpool’s former WBC United States title challenger Mathew ‘The Rock’ Ellis.

 

Welsh Middleweight Champion Lee Churcher makes his first Liverpool appearance on May 23rd, against Latvian Zaurs Sadihovs.

 

Back in March Churcher took on Nottingham’s Matt Scriven, after both their original opponents failed to make their flights to the UK.

 

Have to say I doubt the original match-ups would have been anywhere near the Battle Royale these two fought out on that night. It was a sensational close fought bout, with both protagonists giving their all in front of a highly appreciative crowd.

 

Churcher won on points, but have to say the real winners were the fans in attendance on the night, as that was one seriously exciting, all action fight.

 

Sadihovs, who has a won four, lost two record, however each of the wins came way of first round stoppage victories, including a full blown KO of Olegs Asejevs in January.

 

Making his third pro outing on May 23rd will be big punching Liverpudlian Featherweight Jay Carney.

 

Young Carney is proving to be one of the finds of the year, two outings, two fantastic stoppage wins.

 

Back in December Carney utterly outclassed Patrik Gadzo before stopping him on the one minute and thirty two second mark of the first round.

 

Then in March followed that great win up with a third round stoppage victory over the highly experienced Petr Gyna. Have to say that was a great fight, young Carney was far more relaxed and just performed perfectly, dominating Gyna for virtually every second the bout lasted.

 

Carney’s opponent on May 23rd is Dmitrijs Gutsman, is another big puncher, whilst his record is two wins and four losses, it should be noted that the wins both came way of first round stoppage.

 

Also making his third pro outing on May 23rd is Liverpool’s Lee Boyce, who will be taking on Scunthorpe’s Matthew Pepper.

 

Back in March Boyce literally destroyed Matus Olah with the very first power shot he threw, a cracking bodyshot that sent Olah down and out after just twenty seconds of the first round.

 

It should be noted that the power shot from Boyce actually cracked Olah’s rib, so whilst we didn’t get to see much action we now know just how powerful Boyce’s punches are.

 

Finally making his professional debut on the 23rd May is Liverpool Welterweight Dayle Gallagher, who goes up against Nottingham’s experienced Matt Scriven.

 

Gallagher is a classy young boxer and Scriven is as tough as they come, so expect fireworks when they go toe to toe.

 

So there you have it, one seriously great card for what is clearly going to be one seriously great fight night, so now you know it’s time to go and get those tickets because if you miss it, you’ll regret it.

 

The Stephen Vaughan promoted NEW ERA event takes place at the Grand Central Hall, 35 Renshaw Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 2SF, on Saturday 23rd May 2015.

Sanctioning for this event will be provided courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) –www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Tickets priced £30 & £40 are available direct from any of the boxers taking part or call Stephen Vaughan on 07789 037802.

 

 Canada’s Tony Luis Disappointed in Scoring of Controversial Loss, but Vows to Keep Fighting for his Goals!

Canadian lightweight Tony “Lightning” Luis (19-3, 7 KOs) says he’s disappointed with the scoring of his controversial unanimous-decision loss last weekend to Derry Mathews (38-9-2, 20 KOs) for the interim WBA Lightweight title in Matthews’ hometown of Liverpool, England, but won’t let it deter him from his goals.

Despite taking the fight on three days’ notice, Luis seemed to outwork Matthews in most rounds and would probably be wearing a championship belt today, had the fight been contested on neutral ground. Unfortunately, the European judges saw it another way, scoring it 114-112 (Jean Legland, FRA), 115-112 (Dave Parris, UK) and 114-112 (Stefano Carozza, ITA), all for Matthews.

“I can’t say I feel good,” said Luis, home safely in Cornwall, Ontario. “This was my shot and I didn’t get the decision, but I know with my performance, I’ll get another one. Most of the press and the fans, especially in North America, know what’s up and saw the fight for what it really was. Derry did what he had to do to survive but not enough to win. He was cagey and made the fight look more competitive than it was, and that’s what a veteran is supposed to do.”

Despite his disappointment in the scoring, Luis says taking the fight was still a good career choice. “It was absolutely the right decision. You don’t turn down a title shot. But taking it on three days’ notice, we knew we’d have to shake off the jetlag quickly. My game plan was good, but on such short notice, it wasn’t muscle memory. I had to keep thinking about it in the ring. That’s why I think it took me three rounds to get going. Despite all this, I still won the fight. Now I know I belong among the champions in this division and that’s a good feeling.”

Luis’ promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions, says he’s pleased with his fighter’s strong performance and will immediately go to work for the 27-year-old.

“Tony looked sensational on Saturday,” said Cohen. “Taking the fight on such short notice, you’d think fatigue would play a role, but he was a machine in there. That shows you how hard he works in the gym. Of course we’re disappointed in the scoring, but looking at the big picture, we now know we have a championship-caliber fighter in Tony. He responded perfectly to the pressure of a world championship fight. I will be petitioning the sanctioning bodies to keep Tony high up in the ratings and give him another title shot very soon. This time on neutral ground.”

Luis will be returning to action quickly, he is set to fight for a regional title against an opponent TBA on June 26 at the Seneca Niagara Event Center in Niagara Falls, New York, and live on CBS Sports Network.

“I’m a bit discouraged from the politics,” continued Luis, “but am I deterred from my goals? Absolutely not. The people have spoken, the fans know who won and that is consolation for me. I will keep moving forward!”

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino and Greg Cohen Promotions Proudly Announce ‘Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network’

 

Tony “Lightning” Luis to fight for regional championship in June 26 main event of the Sully Huff Invitational at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

 

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – The thrill of championship professional boxing is returning to Niagara Falls, NY. Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino and Greg Cohen Promotions (produced by David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions), in compliance with the Seneca Nation of Indians Athletic Commission, announced today that an installment of the popular “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” series will be presented in the Seneca Niagara Event Center on Friday, June 26.

The night’s card is being dubbed the Sully Huff Invitational, in memory of Stanley “Sully” Huff, a successful boxer from the Seneca Nation of Indians, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 84. Huff was a Courier-Express Golden Gloves champion in 1950 and later founded the Iroquois Boxing Club. He also served in the United States Army during the Korean War, earning the rank of Sergeant, and later was elected to serve on the Seneca Nation of Indians Tribal Council.

In the night’s televised 10-round main event, Canada’s popular, world-rated and fast-rising lightweight star Tony “Lightning” Luis (19-3, 7 KOs) will fight for a regional championship against an opponent TBA. This past weekend, Luis dropped a controversial decision to Derry Mathews in Liverpool, England (38-9-2, 20KOs), where the two battled for the interim WBA Lightweight title.

In the televised co-feature, brand-new NABA-US Super Welterweight Champion and WBA #12- and IBF #11-rated “Hurricane” Dennis Hogan (21-0-1, 7 KOs), of Australia, via Kildare, Ireland, will take on comebacking Kenny Abril (14-7-1, 7 KOs) of Rochester, New York.

The televised opener will feature up-and-coming American heavyweight KO artist Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (12-0-1, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn taking on an opponent that will be announced at a future date.

Tickets for “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” start at $35 and go on sale on Wednesday, April 22 at Noon. Tickets are available at select Seneca Resorts & Casinos retail outlets, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at800-745-3000.

“Speed, energy, action, excitement, and entertainment are the hallmarks of any visit to Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino and exactly what our guests will enjoy with this world-class professional boxing card,” said Audrey Oswell, chief operating officer, Seneca Gaming Corporation. “We are happy to once again bring an incredible display of athletic competition to Western New York.”

Before the highly debatable decision loss for the world championship in mid-April, the 27-year-old Tony Luis, from Cornwall, Ontario, pulled off a dominant 10-round unanimous-decision upset victory over then IBF #15 rated Karl “Dynamite” Dargan in January. Then on February 20, he and fiancé Manon Latulippe welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Miguel. Luis is rated #11 in the world by the WBA and #14 by the IBF.

30-year-old Dennis Hogan was a four-time national amateur champion with over 150 fights in his native Kildare, Ireland. He now lives and trains in Queensland, Australia. Hogan is the current NABA-US Super Welterweight Champion. In his four-year pro career, Hogan has also won the WBA Oceania Light Middleweight, Queensland State Super Middleweight, Queensland State Middleweight and Australian Middleweight Championships.

Kenny Abril, a 30-year-old southpaw, started boxing at age seven and had 120 amateur bouts before turning professional in 2003. He has faced several undefeated and top contenders, scoring a late-2012 victory over heavily decorated veteran Dennis Laurente, which is still Laurente’s only loss in the last nine years.

Prior to boxing professionally, 26-year-old Jarrell Miller had a three-year, undefeated (18-0) kickboxing and MMA career. As a boxer, he was a New York Golden Gloves finalist and has worked as chief sparring partner for both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.

“I’m excited to be helping bring nationally televised championship boxing to a world-class venue such as the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino,” said promoter Greg Cohen. “Tony Luis has a huge fan following in his nearby native Canada. His supporters will be out in force to watch. Kenny Abril is from nearby Rochester, New York and he’ll have a giant following in attendance as well. On the undercard will be several local favorites in exciting match-ups. I’m proud to be part of this great event and the resurgence of televised professional boxing.”

Several other exciting match-ups will be announced soon.

The event is being conducted under the rules and regulations of the Seneca Nation of Indians Athletic Commission, whose members are Scott Snyder, Sean Crane, and Justin Schapp.

“We look forward to welcoming the boxers and their teams to Seneca territory,” Commissioner Snyder said. “As a Commission, our primary focus is to ensure the safety and well-being of the fighters who will be competing at Seneca Niagara. We will be working with the fighters, promoters and everyone involved to ensure that we have a safe and enjoyable evening of sports entertainment.”

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About Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is located just minutes from the world-famous Niagara Falls in Western New York, near the Canadian border. The property is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Guests can enjoy 147,000 square feet of gaming space with more than 3,600 slot machines and 90 table games, 10 restaurants, live entertainment and a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning, 26-story hotel with 604 deluxe rooms and suites, a spa and salon, fitness center, indoor pool and STIR – the new high-energy feature bar with a 43-foot high-definition video wall.

 

More information is available by calling 1-877-8-SENECA (1-877-873-6322) or visiting
SenecaCasinos.comConnect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter andInstagram, download our mobile app and view us on YouTube.

 

About Greg Cohen Promotions 

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

 

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

 

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen made headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

 

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs); and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (74-7-3, 45 KOs).

 

Current world-rated contenders in the GCP roster include Arash Usmanee, universally recognized as a top-10 super featherweight; former WBA International Middleweight Champion and world-rated middleweight contender Jarrod Fletcher; top-rated featherweight Joel Brunker; cruiserweight Lateef Kayode; Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis, and WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Rising Welterweight sensation Cecil McCalla.

 

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GCPBoxing.

GCP Switches it Up in a Big Way!

Tony Luis to Face Derry Matthews for World Championship this Saturday in England; Ismael Barroso now Fighting Ira Terry on CBS in Hinckley, MN This Friday

 

Lack of time to obtain proper visas has forced the necessity for two of Greg Cohen Promotions’ (GCP) fighters to switch places on short notice for this weekend.

On Saturday, April 18, Cornwall, Ontario’s Tony “Lightning” Luis (19-2, 7 KOs) will now face UK veteran Derry Matthews (37-9-2, 20 KOs) for the Interim WBA Lightweight Championship at the Echo Arena in Matthews’ hometown of Liverpool, England, as the main event of a night of boxing presented by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.

Luis was originally scheduled to face Memphis, Tennessee, veteran Ira Terry (26-13, 16 KOs) in the televised co-feature of the “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” event, presented by Greg Cohen Promotions in association with Adam Wilcock’s Fight Card Promotions and produced by David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions onFriday, April 17, from the Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minnesota.

 

Unbeaten Venezuelan slugger Ismael Barroso (17-0-2, 16 KOs), who was originally scheduled to face Matthews, was unable to obtain the proper visas in time to fight on such short notice in England. He will now take Luis’ place in Hinckley and will take on Terry in an eight-round attraction this Friday.

“It worked out well for everyone,” said Greg Cohen. “Tony Luis was high enough in the ratings and ready to fight, so he’s one of the few fighters in the world who could have stepped into this important fight on such short notice. And fortunately, he is a GCP fighter as well, so we made it happen quickly and he is on his way to the UK as we speak. Tony gets his dream shot at a world championship and the fans in Hinckley, and on CBS Sports Network, will get their first look at one of the most fearsome punchers in boxing, Ismael Barroso. So it seems that everyone wins in this unique situation.”

Someone’s ‘O’ Had To Go – Sensational Counihan Stops Radic In One

On Friday night, on the Stephen Vaughan promoted RED MIST event, that took place at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, Birmingham’s Antonio Counihan scored another big win, when he stopped previously undefeated Lukas Radic from the Czech Republic.

 

With both protagonists keen to keep hold of the precious ‘O’ on their record, there were bound to be some nerves jangling, not just the fighters but also from their family and fans seated ringside, especially when the bout got underway.

 

It was Radic that took the early advantage, coming out hard and fast looking for another early finish, however the Counihan was unfazed, instead electing to box off the back of his excellent jab, which effectively kept the dangerous Czech at a distance and thwarted his early attempts.

 

Around the two minute mark, just as Radic forced his way forward once again, Counihan stepped in with a big right to send Radic down to the canvas.

 

Just as referee Mickey Vann was about to reach the end of the count, Radic managed to just make it to his feet, albeit a little unsteadily. Mickey Vann checked to ensure that Radic was able to continue, before restarting the bout.

 

The instant he did the former England amateur captain went straight on the attack, with a double handed assault to both head and body, Radic covered up but the power of the shots raining down on him was too much and within seconds the inevitable happened and Radic made his second visit to the canvas.

 

Once again Radic just made it to his feet, but was clearly disoriented, leaving referee Mickey Vann no option call a halt to proceedings on the two minute and twenty eight second mark of the first round.

 

To describe the victory as emphatic is an understatement, Counihan’s class shone through, without doubt the 23 year old proved himself to be one of the leading young prospects in the ultra competitive lightweight division.

 

Speaking from his home earlier Counihan spoke briefly about the fight and the possibility of his first challenge for a Championship in the near future.

 

“Yeah well as everyone had said before it’s a very important fight, both Lukas and myself were unbeaten, so someone’s ‘O’ had to go, which in itself adding extra pressure on the night.

 

Unfortunately he was a late replacement, we didn’t know anything about him, other than he was unbeaten with two big stoppage wins, so didn’t really get time to prepare for him specifically, but as the original opponent was a tough big hitter we knew our preparations should be enough to see us through.

 

I felt good, really good, best shape of my life, which is a credit to my team, best I’ve ever felt going into a fight, I was nice and relaxed and just boxed the way we planned.

 

He’s a good boxer, which made it easier for me, I like boxing people that are happy to box rather than hold on all the time.

 

I didn’t expect to stop him let alone so early, just everything opened up for me and the shot was spot on and he went down, after that I knew I could get him out of there, so went in for the finish.

 

Going to have a little rest now and then get back in the gym and start preparing for my next fight, which will be in Leeds on June 7th.

 

After that hopefully get my first title fight, I’ve been told it will be in Birmingham or Coventry, which will be nice and local for my fans for a change.

 

Talking about my fans, I have to say a big thank you to them, they’re incredible they travel all over the country to support me, you can always hear them, they are great, they spend their hard earned money coming to support me, I just can’t thank them enough.”

 

www.tkoboxinggym.com

 

Khan Marches On – TKO Win Over Miko Leads To May 2nd Title Shot In London

On Friday evening Bradford’s Tasif Khan scored another sensational first round stoppage win, this time over Czech Republic’s Ladislav Miko, on the Stephen Vaughan promoted RED MIST event at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool.

 

From the opening bell it was Miko that was the more aggressive, taking the fight to Khan, however in doing so the Czech fighter played straight into the Bradford man’s hands.

 

Khan had expected Miko to start fast and as such when the Czech fighter advanced rapidly, Khan simply danced to the side and let rip with a shot to the body.

 

Miko’s body language made it quite clear that he had been hurt, so no surprise that when he came in hard and fast again that the savvy Khan utilized a similar tactic, this time slipping to the right and letting rip with another body shot, followed up by a scintillatingly fast double handed salvo to both body and head.

 

On around the forty five second mark, Miko, who clearly hadn’t learned to be a little cautious, made yet another forceful attack, this time though Khan threw out a solid jab, followed by an uppercut and then just planted his feet and put full power into a lightning fast left hook, to send the Czech lad to the canvas.

 

Miko managed to make the count, but seconds later walked straight into another big left to the body. This time Miko really struggled to make the count, just managing to do so but was very unsteady on his feet, leaving referee Jimmy Byrne no option but to wave the bout off on the one minute and fifteen second mark of the first round.

 

Immediately after receiving the victor’s laurels Khan was informed by his team that he would get to challenge for his first Championship accolade, the International Masters Bantamweight title, on his next planned outing, which will be on the Billy James-Elliott and Mark Lyons promoted LORD OF THE RINGS event at York Hall in London on May 2nd.

 

Following receiving this news Khan spoke briefly about the fight as well as his upcoming title fight.

 

“Yeah brilliant, it was just brilliant.

 

I can’t complain that he didn’t last a round, I would have preferred it had gone on a bit longer, I mean it was a six rounder and I really would have liked to get some rounds under my belt, but as I’ve said before you don’t get paid overtime in this game.

 

We knew that he would start fast and rush in and the plan was to work off my jab to slow him down, basically to try and get the six rounds under my belt.

 

It didn’t quite happen that way as he really came at me much quicker than expected, instead I adapted and caught him with a good shot, I see his legs buckle a bit but he stayed on his feet.

 

He’s a game fighter, most people would have backed off to give themselves time to recover, not him he came back at me hard again, which gave me the opportunity to box him a little bit more and catch him as he came back in.

 

I caught him good with the uppercut and then the body shot, which he went down with.

 

Then I did more or less the same after the restart, although didn’t think I had caught him quite as well as the first time, but when he got up I don’t think he wanted to know anymore, even if the ref had let it carry on.

 

Hopefully onwards and upwards now, I’ve been talking with my team and been told we’ve got a title fight organized for May 2nd in York Hall, same night as Mayweather-Pacquaio fight, so hopefully I’ll pick up my first title, the International Masters, and bring it back to Bradford.

 

As you can see my fans turned out in force and make a lot of noise, they’re all ringside, they love their boxing, it’s a boxing city Bradford, they just need to get more shows there.

 

My fans are great, they travel to watch me, last time it was London, this time Liverpool and obviously it’s back to London again on May 2nd.

 

At the moment I haven’t got the opportunity to pick where I fight, hopefully if I win the title maybe we can get a promoter to put on a show in Bradford so even more of my fans will get a chance to watch me again.

 

I’m grateful for my team, the training went really well, I feel strong, I feel good and the fans coming out in force to support me is adding to that.

 

My sponsors, Kingsland Business Recovery in Bradford, Broadway Solicitors in Oldham, Kesser Jewelers in Bradford and Vyomax Supplements from Manchester, have been absolutely great.

 

These guys have been backing me up, which takes away a lot of the pressure so I can concentrate on my boxing.

 

Again I’ve got to thank my fans, they really are the best, they’ve followed me down to London and of course here in Liverpool, even though traffic was bad they all made it here tonight and really got behind me, making loads of noise, which is a bit like football fans being the twelfth man on the football pitch, it really inspires you, it lifts you hearing all the fans cheering you on, brilliant, just brilliant.”

 

Khan-Miko in Liverpool Showdown this Friday

This coming Friday evening Bradford’s sensational Super Flyweight Tasif Khan is set to lock horns with Czech Republic’s Ladislav Miko, in a six rounder on the Stephen Vaughan promoted RED MIST event at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool.

 

Back in January Khan’s long awaited return to the fray, following a two year sabbatical from the sport, was a rather short lived affair, after he stopped the highly experienced Hungarian Richard Voros in just one minute and five seconds of the first round.

 

The fight may not have lasted very long but it was enough for Khan to impress a number of influential ringside observers, including a number of promoters such as Stephen Vaughan, Lee Murtagh, Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott, so much so that they all made offers for him to fight on their upcoming show.

 

Speaking from his Bradford home earlier Khan was clearly elated at the prospect of fighting again this Friday.

 

“It’s great to be back in action again so soon after my comeback fight, this’ll shake the ring rust off for sure.

 

I had a good comeback fight, I’m grateful for that. It only lasted sixty five seconds, it would have been good for it to have gone a bit longer but can’t complain, we don’t get paid overtime you know.

 

I’m really happy with the way everything is going now, I’m feeling good and the preparations for this fight have been spot on.

 

I’m learning a lot, I’m learning something new every single training session, right now I’m feeling fitter, sharper and stronger for this fight than I have before, it’s gone that well.

 

I can’t thank everyone enough for their support, especially as I’ve been out for so long, the support was fantastic last time out and will be even better this time around, it means so much having the fans cheering you on, it really does.

 

Not just the fans, the sponsors too, as a fighter you need to be able to focus and having sponsors supporting your career takes a little pressure off.

 

I’m really grateful to Kingsland Business Recovery in Bradford, Broadway Solicitors in Oldham, Kesser Jewelers in Bradford and Vyomax Supplements from Manchester, without whose support it would be much harder for me to be able to concentrate on my preparations as I have.

 

I’m really pleased that people like Stephen Vaughan, Lee Murtagh, Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott are all getting behind me and having me fight on their shows.

 

I’m really pleased to be working with people like those I just mentioned, they’re professional, genuine and get the work done and that helps me to go forward on their big shows and I know it’s just a matter of time before I can start bringing titles back to Bradford.”

 

Tasif Khan versus Ladislav Miko features on the Stephen Vaughan promoted RED MIST event at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on Friday, 20th March 2015.

Sanctioning for this event will be provided courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) –www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Tickets priced £30 and £40 are available direct from Tasif on 07756 311857 and will also be available at Grand Central Hall on the night.

 

Doors open 6:30pm first bell 7pm

Counihan Ready For Liverpool Showdown With Walter This Friday

 

Birmingham Lightweight sensation Antonio Counihan is back in action this week, against Richard Walter, on the Stephen Vaughan promoted RED MIST event at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on Friday, 20th March 2015.

Since turning pro in October 2013 Counihan, the former England Amateur team Captain, has proved to be one of the UK’s top prospects of the Lightweight division, scoring five top class wins, four of these by stoppage finish, with Poland’s Marcin Ficner being the only opponent to go the distance with the young Brummie star.

On Friday Counihan will face Richard Walter, who stepped in at late notice after his original opponent was forced to withdraw with a hand injury.

Walter comes into the fight off the back of an excellent first round stoppage win over Rene Oravek in February, however that doesn’t seem to bother Counihan one iota, as he made clear when he spoke earlier today.

“Really looking forward to Friday, should be a very good night.

I have only just heard that I’ve got a new opponent, Richard Walter, don’t know much about him yet as this has just been announced.

I know he stopped his last opponent, so should be a good close fight, which suits me.

Have to admit I’m a bit disappointed with such a late change, but what can you do, fighters get injured in the gym all the time, I’ll just go out there and box the way I always do and if all goes well I’ll get another good win under my belt.

Had five fights now, won all of them, four of them by TKO, so am looking forward to moving up the rankings because I want a shot at a title soon.

Last time out had a real good fight with David Kis, I was really happy with the way that fight went.

It was a real good performance, I was happy with it, listened to my corner and did as they said and got him out of there in the third.

Hopefully I’ll put in a similar kind of performance on Friday, I’m not saying it will be another TKO win, but if it happens I’ll be well pleased, I just want to put on a good performance for the fans.

Talking about my fans, they really are fantastic, they travel to watch me fight every time, I can’t thank them enough for their support, I mean they’ve had to travel to London for four of my fights and now here we are on the road again, this time Liverpool and they’ll be there cheering me on once more, they really are brilliant.

I can only thank them properly for their support by keep performing well and of course keep winning.”

Antonio Counihan versus Richard Walter features on the Stephen Vaughan promoted RED MIST event at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on Friday, 20th March 2015.

Sanctioning for this event will be provided courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) – www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Tickets priced £30 and £40 are available direct from Antonio on 07535 806545 and will also be available at Grand Central Hall on the night.

Doors open 6:30pm first bell 7pm