Category Archives: UK Boxing

ITV ANNOUNCES LANDMARK BOXING DEAL

  • ITV INKS BLOCKBUSTER 3-YEAR DEAL WITH HAYMON SPORTS & PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS (PBC)
  • NEW DEAL WILL BRING UK FIGHT FANS THE BEST BOXING IN THE WORLD

LONDON (December 11, 2018) – ITV is delighted to announce today a ground-breaking new deal with Haymon Sports and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) to bring exclusive coverage of exciting PBC world-class boxing events to ITV viewers and fight fans in the UK. The unique collaboration is the first time that Haymon Sports and PBC has partnered with a UK broadcaster to stage boxing events regularly in the UK. The exclusive three-year deal will guarantee a minimum of 15 televised events each year, drawing from PBC’s unrivalled group of over 160 of the best boxers in the world, which includes more than 60 current and former world champions in matches staged both in the UK and the US. PBC, the sports’ pre-eminent boxing brand, is broadcast over cable and network television in the United States.


“This unprecedented deal between PBC and ITV is great news for boxing fans in the UK. We look forward to bringing viewers big events and superb action from some of the world’s best fighters in the coming years,” said Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport. 

The world-class action from events for the next three years will include free-to-air broadcasts on ITV’s channels, including ITV main channel and ITV4 and ITV Hub, and will also include pay per views on ITV’s PPV channel, ITV Box Office. “Bringing big events to our platforms under this deal allows ITV to build on its aim of developing our direct relationship with viewers as part of our More Than TV strategy,”said Julian Ashworth, Director ITV Strategy and Direct to Consumer.

“We’re thrilled about this new exclusive three-year deal with ITV, UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster, and the opportunity to bring the best boxers in the world to the UK,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “The unique collaboration means ITV’s viewers are in for a special treat with PBC’s world class boxing events.”

Further announcements on the first PBC shows that will be available to viewers on the ITV platforms will follow in the days to come. This new deal for boxing adds to ITV Sport’s portfolio of first class events, which includes exclusive free to air coverage of the England football team’s qualifiers for both the European Championship and World Cup, the 6 Nations and exclusive coverage of the Rugby World Cup, UK horse racing, the Tour de France and the French Open.

Hosea Burton calls out Anthony Yarde for British Light Heavyweight clash


(L-R) – Head trainer Joe Gallagher & Hosea Burton

TORONTO (December 7, 2018) — Former British light heavyweight champion Hosea Burton has never been one to duck a fight. In fact, he’s looking for a fight. 

Burton has made his intentions known, calling out undefeated Anthony Yarde, man to man, to his face. The two recently encountered one another during Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder fight week in Los Angeles, California, where Burton was on-hand to support his cousin, Fury. 

“Let’s make the fight happen,” Burton told Yarde. “We’re both excited about it. They say I’m not up to you, but let’s get it going man.” Burton has gone undefeated for two years, since suffering his lone career defeat at the hands of Frank Buglioni, a fight in which he was winning prior to a final round stoppage. Buglioni has recently retired from the sport, leaving Burton to set his sights on Yarde, rather than avenging his defeat first. 

Yarde recently scored a knockout victory over Walter Sequeira, October 20 in Brentwood, improving his record to 17-0 with 16 knockouts. Burton, however, hasn’t been impressed. 

“If he’s six foot, I must be six foot nine, because he’s a lot shorter than that,” Burton said of Yarde’s stature. “I would be his first live opponent. Let’s get it on.” 

Yarde’s world ranking would play well into Burton’s plans in 2019, which include fighting for a world title after recapturing his domestic gold. 

“This would be one of the biggest domestic light heavyweight fights in UK history. Everyone is already placing Yarde amongst the world’s best, but the fact is, he has to get past Hosea,” noted Adam Harris of Athlete Development and Management. “We believe Hosea is the one who’s ready to go after a world title. Let’s have it out and find out who’s right.” 

 Burton also plans on showcasing his skills in Canada in the new year, following in the footsteps of his cousin Tyson, the lineal heavyweight champion of the world.

Both Tyson and his cousin, Hughie Fury, fought in Canada early in their pro careers, and have held training camps in the Great White North as well. “Some of the best in the world have been coming to Canada to accelerate their careers,” Harris noted, “including Billy Joe Saunders before his most recent fights and, of course, Tyson in the past. We have a special relationship with the country, and the fight scene in Toronto is booming in a way we’ve never seen before. We have no doubt Hosea will be appreciated and find plenty of competition north of the border.” 

Decastro: It’s My Destiny To Be World Champion.

 

 

 

Bardney, Lincolnshire’s Nathan Decastro (14-0-0) wholeheartedly believes it is his destiny to become World Champion. In just over a weeks time he finally gets the opportunity to make his childhood dream come true, when challenges Accra, Ghana’s Daniel Adjei Sowah (20-6-2) for the World Boxing Union (WBU), Super Middleweight Championship of the World at the Glasgow Club in Bellahouston, Glasgow on Saturday the 8th December 2018.

 

Decastro, who is currently ranked #6 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental rankings, earned the shot for the WBU World Crown with a solid points victory over West African Boxing Union (WABU) Champion Agoe Ashong (11-2-0) to secure the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Commonwealth title at Pride Park in Derby back in September.

 

Speaking from his home earlier Decastro could barely hide his joy at the opportunity to fight for his first World Championship.

 

“I’m buzzing, I just can’t wait. I mean not only am I fighting for the World title, but will be fighting for it on the undercard of Scott Harrison’s return to the ring, exciting times.

 

“My camps gone really well, I’m feeling fitter and stronger than ever. We’re not leaving anything to chance; we’ve covered every conceivable angle.

 

“My father Frank has made sure of that, he’s a great coach, I really am blessed that he trains me.

 

“We know he’s a banger, but so am I and what’s more I have a better KO ration of 11 in 14 against his 13 in 28 and more importantly I believe I am more hungry for this than him.

 

“It’s been my dream since I started boxing as a youngster to win a World title and now I’m just over a week away from making my dreams come true.

 

“Especially as I am fighting for the WBU Title, we have history with this Championship at the Bracebridge Boxing Club, as Kelly Oliver whose father owns the club also fought for the WBU crown, at Cruiserweight, so have to win it and bring the belt back to the gym I’ve trained at all my career.”

 

Decastro then went on to vent his frustrations over the way bureaucracy had thwarted his previous Championship efforts.

 

“I’ve had a really frustrating year or so, yes I won the Commonwealth title last time out but twice this year I was supposed to challenge for the World title.

 

“Unfortunately bureaucratic red tape caused the fights to be cancelled, either Visa issues came into play, as with the original planned fight against Agoe (Ashong) in July or worse still unnecessary political interference by the EBU, which scuppered the IBF European fight against Ronnie (Landaeta).

 

“This time though it’s different, Daniel has his Visa and the EBU can’t possibly interfere, so no excuses.

 

“It’s my destiny to be World Champion, come 8th December, my dreams will come true, I will be crowned World Champion as I owe it to my legion of fans that have been awesome and so supportive.”

 

Nathan ‘Nightmare’ Decastro versus Daniel Adjei Sowah for the World Boxing Union (WBU) Super Middleweight Championship of the World, is the main support for the highly anticipated return to the ring of two time WBO World Champion Scott Harrison (27-3-2) against Tackie Annan (11-6-0) at the Glasgow Club in Bellahouston, Glasgow on Saturday the 8th December 2018.

 

Tickets: Priced £60 (Ringside), £50 (Outer Ringside) and £40 (Standard Seating) are available from the Assassin Boxing Promotions Ticket Line: 07594 144433 and on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com.

 

McGivern Secures Light Heavy Title the Hard Way at Historic Clacton-on-Sea Event.

Ringside Report: Gianluca Di Caro

 

On Saturday night at the Princess Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, Professional Boxing made a most welcome return to the seaside town after almost 80 years, when Colchester’s Tommy Jacobs presented his latest boxing promotion, aptly titled ‘History’.

 

The previous pro boxing in the town, back in February 1939, see Ireland’s Mike Kavan beat London’s Charlie Mack at the then recently opened Butlin’s holiday camp.

 

Clacton is a town that’s steeped in boxing history, although since the second world war mainly of the Amateur variety, in fact Tommy Jacobs himself fought in the town on numerous occasions during his Amateur career and one of the greats of the sport is immortalized by the restaurant at the bowling alley on Clacton Pier, Armstrong’s, which is named after the American boxer John Henry Armstrong who beat British champion Ernie Roderick also in 1939.

 

It seemed rather appropriate that the very first of the pro boxing contests of this new era should feature the current World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International and European Champion, as well as promoter of the event, Tommy Jacobs, in a non-Championship six round contest against Dundalk, Ireland’s Michael Kelly.

 

Right from the opening bell Jacobs took to the fight to his highly experienced opponent, albeit with just tentative testing jabs, but as the round progressed the action became more full on, with Jacobs backing up Kelly on to the ropes before letting rip with slick combinations to body and head.

 

Kelly, a previous multi-title challenger in his own right, initially covered up and absorbed the shots but soon began to counter effectively.

 

More of the same early in the second, although must credit Kelly for his slick responses that prevented Jacobs from having quite the same level of success in the first stanza, however as the clock entered the final 20 seconds or so of the round Jacobs started letting rip with big shots to the body with increasing success, so much so that literally in the final seconds Kelly was forced to take a knee after a particularly vicious left.

 

Unfortunately Kelly struggled to catch his breath and rise to his feet in time to beat Referee Lee Murtagh’s count, official time of the stoppage being 2 Minutes and 56 Seconds of the second round.

 

Following the fight Tommy Jacobs announced that the reason he undertook a non-championship six rounder and not the originally planned WBF Intercontinental title fight against Albanian Xhuljo Vrenozi, was that he has been proposed to potentially challenge Australia’s two time World Champion Sam Soliman for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) World title in December.

 

The second bout of the night see Dean Porter making his professional debut against Liverpool’s Steven Sunners (2-0-0).

What a cracking all action affair, from start to finish both lads really went for it hammer and tongs.

 

After four scintillating closely fought rounds it came as no surprise that the result was going to be close, and close it was, Referee Lee Murtagh’s scorecard reading 39-38 in favour of Liverpool’s Steven Sunners.

 

Next up was a four round Featherweight contest between Clacton’s very own Ben ‘The Claxican’ Cook and Belfast’s Chris Wong, both of whom were making their pro debuts.

 

The first couple of rounds, as with Porter-Sunners, were so closely fought that it wasn’t easy to call the winner of each round, however in the 3rd the decision was made a little easier after Cook landed a cracking body-shot late in the round to send the Irishman to his knees.

 

After four highly entertaining all action rounds Referee Lee Murtagh’s scorecard read 40-37 in favour of local hero Ben Cook.

 

As with the previous contest this was an all action thriller of epic proportions, so much so that it was without doubt it was the Fight of the Night.

 

Have to say really enjoyed this fight and hopefully after this pair get a few fights under their belts there’ll be a rematch as I would love to see these two in action against each other again, it was that good.

 

The fourth fight of the night see Ipswich Super Middleweight Rob Elden making his pro debut against Liverpool’s Lee Cooper.

 

Elden started hard and fast, taking the fight to his more experienced foe and letting rip with big shots to body and head. Initially Cooper covered up but soon started countering with some big shots of his own, however in doing so left an opening in his defence that the Ipswich man was quick to capitalise on with a big right to the head to send Copper to the canvas.

 

Copper made it to his feet and action resumed in very much the same vein, with Elden backing Copper up before letting rip with big shots, Cooper once again responded with big shots of his own. As the round approached the second minute, once again Elden found a chink in Cooper’s armour and this time landed a big right to the body to send the Liverpudlian to the canvas for a second and final time. Official time of the stoppage was one minute and fifty-nine seconds of the first round.

 

The headline fight of the night see Hove’s Navid Iran and Scotland’s Ben McGivern battling it out for the vacant Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver International Light Heavyweight title.

 

Battling it out is the correct term; this was a Battle Royale of epic proportions.

 

Right from the off Iran took the fight to McGivern, backing the Scot onto the ropes and letting rip with a flurry of big left and rights. McGivern sensibly covered up and waited an opportunity to counter, which he did with good effect once the opportunity arose.

 

However it wasn’t enough to prevent Iran coming back with a similar forceful attack almost immediately. McGivern once again managed to counter and initially take control.

 

As the round progressed Iran landed a couple of cracking shots that again forced McGivern to cover up. Irann kept up the pressure with big shots, whilst McGivern caught most with his gloves a big right got through the Scots guard, shaking him to the core.

 

How McGivern made it to the end of the round, I just don’t know, his legs were well and truly gone, but somehow he did.

 

Round two see Iran come out hard and fast, however McGivern was ready for the assault, again initially covering up but this time instead of just countering and covering, he spun his opponent and went hard on the attack himself.

 

Round three see McGivern taking the fight to Iran, which led to some great technical boxing ensuing from both protagonists.

 

The next few rounds were fought in similar vein. The final round though was an out and out war; both boxers throwing caution to the wind and an all out slugfest ensued for the entire final three minutes – what an exhilarating round.

 

After eight fantastic rounds of boxing it was Ben McGivern declared victor by scoring referee Lee Murtagh, by a 79-74 points margin.

 

Have to say whilst definitely the right result, the result just doesn’t convey just how close each and every round, but the first, was. These two really put on a magnificent show and was a serious contender for the Fight of the Night award.

 

What a great event to welcome pro boxing back to Clacton-on-Sea after a close to eighty-year hiatus, a return clearly appreciated by fans of the pugilistic arts who had packed the historic venue to the hilt almost an hour before the event was scheduled to begin.

TYSON FURY DISCUSSES CRUSHING DOWNWARD SPIRAL AND CAREER COMEBACK IN EMOTIONAL SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH MAURO RANALLO

 

Lineal Heavyweight Champion opens up ahead of his fight against Deontay Wilder December 1 on SHOWTIME PPV®.

“If mental illness can bring someone as big as me, as strong as me… to my knees, then it can bring anybody to their knees” – Fury

Photo Credit: SHOWTIME

Catch the full interview: https://s.sho.com/2OmqAAq

WHAT: Lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury opened up to SHOWTIME Sports® announcer Mauro Ranallo about his years-long struggle with mental health in what Ranallo deemed the most important interview of his career. The two sat down in Big Bear, California where Fury has been training for his December 1 showdown against WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

 

 

Fury, who shocked the world in 2015 with a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, details his swift rise to the upper echelon of the heavyweight division, all while battling crippling depression and anxiety that diminished his love of the sport. He recounts his apathy toward boxing leading up to the Klitschko fight and the downward spiral he endured following his historic win.

 

 

Following his win over Klitschko, Fury would fail to face his mandatory challengers and attempted to combat his mental struggles with alcohol and drugs, eventually ballooning to 400 pounds. The self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” hit a turning point in October of 2017, when he began to seek help for depression and anxiety and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which Ranallo also suffers from.

 

 

Ranallo’s battle with mental illness was recently chronicled in the SHOWTIME documentary BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N’ ROLLER, where the combat sports announcer showcases his struggles and advocates for the shattering of stigmas surrounding mental illness. Like Ranallo, Fury aims to raise awareness of his own struggles and encourage others to seek help.

 

 

“It was like having a fight in my own mind,” Fury said. “[Mental illness] is a silent killer. It is almost like carbon monoxide poisoning because you can’t see it. My calling card is to spread the word on mental health.”

 

 

Fury’s journey back to stardom began with back-to-back wins in his first two fights this past summer. He knocked out Sefer Seferi in June of 2018, and followed suit with a unanimous decision win over Francesco Pianeta in August. His August victory culminated with an in-ring confrontation with Wilder, where the two announced their upcoming heavyweight blockbuster fight.

 

 

The heavyweight showdown headlines the December 1 SHOWTIME PPV live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). Wilder, who has knocked out all seven challengers of his title, will attempt to make his eighth WBC Heavyweight defense. In the third fight of his comeback, Fury has the opportunity to become a two-time heavyweight world champion.

CONFIDENT HUGHIE FURY WRAPPING UP ‘TORTUROUS’ TRAINING CAMP; ARRIVES IN BULGARIA SATURDAY TO FACE KUBRAT PULEV IN ‘FIRE & FURY’ IBF ELIMINATOR ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, IN SOFIA, BULGARIA

(October 18, 2018) Britain’s IBF #5-rated heavyweight contender Hughie Fury is putting the final touches on a “torturous” training camp and, with his team, will arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria, this Saturday.

 

 

 

On Saturday, October 27, Fury (21-1, 11 KOs) will face Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round elimination bout at the Arena Armeec in Pulev’s hometown of Sofia. The winner that night will become the first in line to face champion Anthony Joshua.

 

 

 

The event, entitled “Fire & Fury” will be presented by Ivaylo Gotzev and John Wirt’s Epic Sports and Entertainment, together with Fury’s promoter, Hennessey Sports, and will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5.

 

 

 

“I made a promise to beat Pulev in his own backyard and that’s what I’m going to do,” said a confident Fury. “Nobody else wanted this tough fight. That’s because they’re not future champions. I know what it takes and what you have to do to become the man. I don’t care if I fight Pulev in his own house. He’s in my way of what I want, and he’s got to go.”

 

 

 

Fury and father/trainer Peter Fury have been pushing it to the limit in their Manchester Gym, training twice a day, six days a week for up to three hours per session. But Fury, the current BBBofC British Heavyweight Champion, says all the work will soon be worth it.

 

 

 

“It will all be worth it when my hand is raised,” he continued. “There are no holes in my game right now. I’m at the top of my craft and once Pulev is eliminated, I’ll be coming for Anthony Joshua. He looked vulnerable in his last fight. I’m the one who will capitalize on those vulnerabilities!”

 

 

 

Despite his supreme confidence, defeating Pulev will be no easy feat for 24-year-old Fury. 37-year-old Pulev is one of the most popular athletes in all of Bulgaria, and a former two-time European and IBF International Heavyweight Champion. Pulev’s only career loss came in a challenge for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Britain’s Dillian Whyte and Americans Jarell Miller and Dominic Breazeale all declined to face Pulev before Fury accepted.

 

 

 

“After I walk right into Pulev’s hometown and take him out, something no other heavyweight would even dare to try, everyone is going to be talking about me and Anthony Joshua. I can’t wait to get this job done and move on to the world championship.”

 

Rising Star Pugh Back In Action This Saturday, Faces Sirajeva at Pride Park, Derby

 

EMILY PUGH VS VERONIKA SIRAJEVA

Saturday 29th September 2018 – Pride Park, Derby

 

Back in April this year Emily Pugh made her professional debut, and boy oh boy did she do it in style. Emily and her opponent Jelizaveta Cerkasova, who was also making her pro debut, put on a master-class.

 

 

 

The contest was a true master-class, but not in the normal sense of the word as used within boxing circles, whereby one boxer ‘gave a master-class to their opponent’, oh no it was a true closely fought master-class of boxing full stop, one of the most enthralling boxing matches in a long, long time, one that is only matched by the even more recent ‘Fight of the Year’ nominated World Boxing Council (WBC) Atomweight World Championship contest between Emily’s fellow British & Irish Boxing Authority licensed boxer, the former WBC Muay Thai World Champion Denise Castle and WBC World Youth & International Champion Fabiana Bytyqi.

 

 

 

This coming Saturday, at Pride Park, in Derby, Pugh is set to step into the ring for her second pro bout, this time the Wolverhampton Girl is set to face Latvia’s Veronika Sirajeva on the undercard of the WBL & EBL European Championship contest between Ross Doherty and Gvido Seilis and co headliner Nathan Decastro versus Agoe Ashong PBC Commonwealth title showdown.

 

 

 

Speaking from her home earlier, Pugh said;

 

 

 

“I am very excited to get back into the ring, and more than ready.

 

 

 

“I am looking forward to boxing six rounds. I intend to win them every one of these rounds with a strong performance, in style.

 

 

 

“My professional debut seems so long ago, and I know that I can top that performance and put on a strong fight.

 

 

 

“I hope my opponent has worked as hard as me and is ready to give it everything she’s got.

 

“Thank you to everyone that has supported me, by travelling to come and watch, to Aspire Fitness who have helped prep me for this fight and my sponsor E-liquid Paradise, who this would not be happening without… thank you! I will not let any of you down.”

 

 

 

Emily Pugh versus Veronika Sirajeva is a support bout for the Ross Doherty versus Gvido Seilis for the World Boxing League (WBL) and European Boxing League (EBL) European Welterweight Championships, that co-headlines with the Nathan Decastro versus Agoe Ashong, for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Commonwealth Super Middleweight Championship contest on the Daniel Gray promoted event at Pride Park in Derby on Saturday 29th September 2018.

 

 

 

Also featured on the event is another mouth-watering all Merseyside title clash, between Craig Kennerdale and Paul Peers for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver English Welterweight title and Leed’s Super lightweight Jack Jones makes his professional debut against Dundalk, Ireland’s Michael Kelly.

 

 

 

The event is virtually sold out but there are a few tickets still available, for details please call Dan Gray on 07522 401454.

Kennerdale: It’s Going to be a War on Saturday Night!

 

KENNERDALE Vs PEERS

PBC Silver English Welterweight Championship

29th September 2018 – Pride Park, Derby

 

 

Over the past year or so there’s been a lot of speculation, or should that be desire, about the possibility of an all Merseyside showdown between local heroes Craig Kennerdale and Paul Peers.

 

Until very recently it had been just pure wishful thinking, it had been proposed on numerous occasions and failed to be made, however come Saturday night this much anticipated showdown finally becomes a reality, as promoter Dan Gray decided enough of the talking, if the fans want the fight, they should have their wishes come true and added it to the card for his upcoming event at the home of Derby County FC, Pride Park in Derby.

 

When Dan Gray first proposed the fight to Paul Peers, Peers had told him “Good luck mate, others had tried to make the match-up in the past and failed.” Not to be deterred Gray not only convinced Kennerdale’s manager Kyle Gallagher that the time was right, but also the unbeaten prospect himself.

 

Speaking from his Liverpool home Craig Kennerdale explained why he decided to take the fight now.

 

“I always knew that Paul and I would face each other one day, but always expected it to be much later on in our careers, but when Dan (Gray) dangled the carrot of making it for a title, my first title shot, I just couldn’t refuse.

 

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long, I’ve been around the sport since I was ten years of age and in that time every single training session, every spar and every fight I’ve ever had has been leading to this fight, I can’t wait for Saturday night, it’s my dream to win a title.

“I can’t help but think that this fight has all the hallmarks of being a seriously good all action fight the fans will love to watch.

 

“I believe styles make fights, the difference in our styles, as well as the way we approach fights make this a very interesting match-up. It’s going to be a war on Saturday night.

 

“Like most boxers on the Liverpool circuit, I know Paul’s ability and believe me I’m not taking anything lightly, he’s a good technical boxer with a strong amateur pedigree.

 

“I’m unbeaten in the pros and believe me I don’t intend on losing my ‘0’ anytime soon.

 

“Although I have respect for Paul, I’m here to win. I’m in the best shape of my life, I’m hitting harder and faster than ever before and because of that I have every confidence that it will be me that lifts the belt come fight night.

 

“Respect to Paul Peers and may the best man win!”

 

Craig Kennerdale versus Paul Peers for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver English Welterweight title supports co-headliners Ross Doherty versus Gvido Seilis World Boxing League and European Boxing League European Welterweight Championships contest and Nathan Decastro versus Agoe Ashong, Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Commonwealth Super Middleweight Championship contest on the Daniel Gray promoted event at Pride Park in Derby on Saturday 29th September 2018.

 

There are also two non-championship contests featured on the event, exciting Super Bantamweight Emily Pugh makes her second pro outing against Latvia’s Veronika Sirajeva and Leed’s Super lightweight Jack Jones makes his professional debut against Dundalk, Ireland’s Michael Kelly.

 

The event is virtually sold out but there are a few tickets still available, for details please call Dan Gray on 07522 401454.

Peers Prepares to Face Kennerdale In All Merseyside English Title Clash

There’s nothing quite like a local Derby, whether Football or any sport but especially Boxing, to get the fans salivating and when it’s an all Merseyside clash it is without doubt the most mouth-watering of them all.

 

 

 

 

On Saturday 29th September, on neutral ground at Pride Park in Derby, the home of Derby County Football Club, life-long Everton fan Paul Peers will step into the ring against fellow Merseysider and staunch Reds fan Craig Kennerdale.

 

 

 

 

Adding extra spice to the contest, if being a Merseyside Derby wasn’t enough; there will be a Title Belt at stake, the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver English Welterweight Championship.

 

 

 

 

Speaking from his new home in the Orkneys, Peers made it clear he wasn’t just coming to make up the numbers.

 

 

 

 

“I’m really looking forward to this fight, it’s one that could and should have happened last year.

 

 

 

 

“We’re both from Liverpool, there’s no two ways about it the depth of talent in the city is growing all the time. Liverpool has produced so many Champions over the years, everything from English to World Champions, hopefully after the 29th my name will be added to the long, long list.

 

 

 

 

“I have every intention of boxing at my very best as I try to win this English title, as will Craig.

 

 

 

 

“I’ve seen that Craig is right up for this, he looks even faster now than when I see his training videos. That shows he’s fit and he’s ready, which makes for a good fight, as so am I.

 

 

 

 

“It will be storming fight, expect fireworks on the night, there’s so much a stake, not just bragging rights, I want that belt around my waist.”

 

 

 

 

Craig Kennerdale versus Paul Peers for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver English Welterweight title supports co-headliners Nathan Decastro versus Agoe Ashong, Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Commonwealth Super Middleweight Championship contest and Ross Doherty versus Gvido Seilis World Boxing League and European Boxing League European Welterweight Championships bout on the Daniel Gray promoted event at Pride Park in Derby on Saturday 29th September 2018.

 

 

 

 

There are also two non-championship contests featured on the event, exciting Super Bantamweight Emily Pugh makes her second pro outing against Latvia’s Veronika Sirajeva and Leed’s Super lightweight Jack Jones makes his professional debut against Dundalk, Ireland’s Michael Kelly.

 

 

 

 

The event is virtually sold out but there are a few tickets still available, for details please call Dan Gray on 07522 401454.

KUBRAT PULEV PROMISING ‘FIRE & FURY’ IN IBF ELIMINATOR AGAINST HUGHIE FURY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, IN SOFIA, BULGARIA

WORLD-CLASS HEAVYWEIGHTS VYING FOR THE RIGHT TO FACE ANTHONY JOSHUA VS. ALEXANDER POVETKIN WINNER FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

On Saturday, October 27, “Fire & Fury” will collide, as IBF #2-rated heavyweight contender Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev will face Britain’s IBF #5-rated Hughie Fury in a 12-round elimination bout at the Arena Armeec in Pulev’s hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria.

 

 

 

Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) and Fury (21-1, 11 KOs) will be competing for the right to face the winner of the September 22 showdown between champion Anthony Joshua and challenger Alexander Povetkin.

 

 

 

The event, entitled “Fire & Fury” will be presented by Ivaylo Gotzev and John Wirt’s Epic Sports and Entertainment, together with Fury’s promoter, Hennessey Sports, and will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5.

 

 

 

One of the most popular athletes in all of Bulgaria, 37-year-old Pulev is on a five-fight winning streak, including a TKO 3 over former heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. Among his many distinctions, Pulev is a former two-time European and IBF International Heavyweight Champion. He stands 6’ 4 ½” and weighs in around 240 lbs. Pulev’s only career loss came in a challenge for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Fury is the fourth opponent scheduled to face Pulev, as Britain’s Dillian Whyte and Americans Jarell Miller and Dominic Breazeale all declined the fight.

 

 

 

Pulev, who will be having his first bout since partnering with Epic Sports and Entertainment, says Fury better not be looking past him while preparing for this fight.

 

 

 

“The fact that Hughie Fury is coming to Bulgaria when many others ran away speaks volumes,” said Pulev. “I understand that he is very motivated because this is an eliminator fight for a chance at the world title. I suggest he stops thinking about the world title for a moment and come prepared for a real battle. I am already in beast mode and I’m hungry for my return in the ring!”

 

 

 

Fury hails from Manchester and is the current BBBofC British Heavyweight Champion and is trained by his father, Peter Fury. The 23-year-old stands 6’ 6” tall and also weighs in around 240 lbs. In September of 2017, Fury suffered his only career loss, a controversial majority decision to Joseph Parker for Parker’s WBO Heavyweight Championship.

 

 

 

“It’s taken a lot of time to make this fight happen and I want to thank all of those involved,” said Hughie Fury. “I want to fight for world titles and to do that I need to beat the guys at the top of the division. Kubrat Pulev is a serious fight for the mandatory position and I know I’ve got to be the real deal to beat him. I believe I’m going to do that in his back yard where others trembled at the thought of it.”

 

 

 

“We want to be involved in these big fight nights and to go up against the big names that lead the division,” added father and trainer Peter Fury. “To become a world heavyweight champion, you’ve got to overcome every challenge that’s put in front of you. And for Hughie that starts in Bulgaria in October.”

 

 

 

“In this day and age, when some promoters and their fighters opt for the safest bets, Hughie Fury has done the opposite,” said Ivaylo Gotzev of Fury, who has faced his own share of delays and disappointments on his way to this eliminator bout. “Fury has decided to step into the Lion’s Den, and fight Kubrat in his home town of Sofia. This matchup is intriguing, as two of the best in the division step up and face one another. We expect a great heavyweight battle – one that will decide one man’s destiny to fight for the most coveted title in the world – the Heavyweight Championship. To all of Team Fury – you are welcome in Bulgaria!”

 

 

 

Hennessy Sports CEO Mick Hennessy, promoter of Fury, said: “First and foremost I’d like to heap praise on my young fighter Hughie Fury. There’s no pantomime and no theatrics. He’s just a young man, full of respect for everyone he faces, and who believes in giving the fans proper fights and value for money. At just 23 years of age Hughie is a massive talent. He’s not perhaps got the plaudits he deserves, so this is his moment to make the boxing world really sit up and take notice of what he’s capable of.”

 

 

 

“I’d also like to thank my counterparts at Epic Sports & Entertainment for making this fight happen. It’s taken a lot to get to this point, but we were determined to give the fans a fight that they deserve. Both teams are excited about this one.”

 

 

 

The stacked International undercard, along with ticket details, will be revealed shortly.