Tag Archives: England

boxing, UK Boxing

Khan-Quaye Title Fight Support For Roy Jones Jr-Tony Moran September 12th in Liverpool

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Khan-Quaye Title Fight Support For Roy Jones Jr-Tony Moran September 12th in Liverpool

 

Bradford’s Tasif Khan is just over a week away from the biggest fight of his career to date, when he faces two time Commonwealth title challenger, Ghana’s Isaac Quaye, for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) International Super Flyweight Championship, on the Stephen Vaughan promoted LEGEND event, at the Aintree Equestrian Centre on Saturday 12thSeptember, which is headlined by Roy Jones Jr’s first ever UK fight, against Tony Moran.

 

Khan, who only returned to the fray, following a twenty five month sabbatical from the sport, in January this year more than made up for his time out of the ring with three top class wins.

 

In the first of these bouts Khan disposed of Richard Voros in just over a minute of the first round, he then followed that with an almost identical time victory over Ladislav Miko in March, which lined him up for a shot at the International Masters title in May, against Mikheil Soloninkini, which Khan secured with an excellent unanimous points victory.

 

To describe Khan’s excitement about getting this opportunity to fight for the WBF title so soon after his return is an understatement, but when compared to his feelings about fighting for the title on the undercard of Roy Jones Jr versus Tony Moran made that pale in comparison, as he made clear when he spoke about the upcoming event.

 

“When I first got told I’ll be fighting on the Roy Jones bill, it was absolutely amazing, yeah amazing to fighting on the same show as Roy Jones.

 

I grew up watching him fight, in my eyes he’s one of the greatest fighters ever, not because of the accolade of titles that he’s won, the number of belts he’s won, from Middleweight upwards, but it’s unheard of to say to anyone these days that a middleweight is going to go all the way up to Heavyweight and win a World title and in those days the best fought the best, Roy Jones for me is one of the all time best fighters and to be on the same bill as him is all credit to the MBC (Malta Boxing Commission), Stephen Vaughan and Francis warren and I can’t thank them and everyone involved in this massive event enough and obviously for letting me fight on the event.”

 

Khan then went on talk about his opponent on September 12th – Isaac Quaye

 

“I’ve got full respect for Isaac Quaye, he’s got a good record, he’s been in with the best and he’s a tough Ghanaian as we know, so come September 12th we will be ready for him.

 

I can’t believe this, it’s been a short journey, but a sweet journey, the only difficult time I’ve had was the time away from the ring, I had a gap of about three years but obviously the MBC, all those involved with the MBC and the team around me have pulled together and gave me these opportunities.

 

My last fight gave me the opportunity to get my first belt (International Masters) of my career, so onwards and upwards.

 

I don’t look past any opponent and always train accordingly, we know Isaac Quaye is a tough opponent and in terms of World ranking he’s a lot higher than me, so it’s a win, win situation for me because I’ll prepare, like every fight, as if I’m the underdog, no doubt he’ll be coming in as the favourite and look to upset me and the crowd.

 

I have full respect for him outside the ring, but inside the ring I have no mercy for anyone, I want to go in their and cause damage as I want to win, so let’s get it on.”

 

Tickets, priced £40, £60, £100 and VIP Ringside £150 for the Stephen Vaughan Promoted Roy Jones Jr. versus Tony Moran MBC International Cruiserweight Championship headed LEGEND event at the Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool on Saturday September 12th 2015 are available now, buy on line at www.tkoboxoffice.com and www.vaughanboxing.tv or call 0333 200 0905.

 

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

Boxcino, boxing

Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight champion, John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson to fight Liam Smith for vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight title on October 10 in Manchester, England

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philadelphia, PA (August 24, 2015) – Boxcino 2015 champion John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson has signed to face undefeated Liam Smith for the vacant WBO world Jr. Middleweight title on October 10th in  Manchester, England.

Thompson joins Willie Monroe Jr. as the 2nd Boxcino champion to fight for a world title in a five month span.
Thompson (17-1, 6 KO’s) of Newark, New Jersey will participating in his first world title bout.
Thompson is co-promoted by Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions and Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions.
Thompson gained the opportunity on the strength of winning the Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight tournament with wins over Ricardo Pinell (10-1-1), Stanyslav Skorkhod (9-0) and a 2nd round stoppage over Brandon Adams (17-1).
“I am excited.  These doors keep opening, and I just walk through them and close them.  I have to do my job.  I am going into this fight making sure that I am in tip-top shape.  For me, the Boxcino tournament was a great opportunity to be established.  It is a strong platform to show my talents.  I fought very tough competition, and I knew from the beginning that’s how you get prepared for these types of fights,” said Thompson.
“I am very proud of John.  He was a last minute replacement in Boxcino.  He went on to win to the tournament in style by scoring a spectacular knockout over the heavily favored Brandon Adams.  When the opportunity came about to fight Liam Smith for the title, John jumped all over it and said make it happen.  John is a real fighter and understands when these types of opportunities come up, they are few are far between, and he jumped at the opportunity to fight for the WBO Jr. Middleweight world championship,” said Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions
Said Vito Mielnicki, President of GH3 Promotions, “John was the first fighter I signed at GH3 Promotions.  He always has taken the tough fights as you look at his history.  I feel he is by far the more dominant fighter in this fight, and he will show his talent on October 10.  It won’t matter that he his going into Smith’s Backyard, John will put on a great performance.”
The bout is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, in association with Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions.
The Smith – Thompson bout will join the WBO Middleweight title fight between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders, as well as Terry Flanagan defending his WBO Lightweight title against Diego Magdaleno, which wil make up a championship triple-header on October 10th from Manchester, England.
boxing, UK Boxing

JONES JR. Vs MORAN Open Press Conference, Liverpool, Wednesday 22nd July

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The open to the public press conference for the Stephen Vaughan LEGEND event, headlined by the Roy Jones Jr. versus Tony Moran MBC International and World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental Cruiserweight championships bout, will take place at 1:30pm this coming Wednesday, the 22nd July at the BIERKELLER, 6 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool One, L1 8LW.

 

In addition to Roy Jones Jr and Tony Moran in attendance will also be many of those that will be in action on the night, including;

 

Paul Economides, who will be defending his WBF Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title against Prosper Ankrah.

 

Tasif Khan, who will be challenging Isaac Quaye for the WBF International Super Flyweight championship.

 

Nick Quigley, who faces undefeated Nathan Decastro

 

Antonio Counihan, who faces Ghana’s Michael Ansah

 

Undefeated Liverpool based Russian hot prospect David Agadzhanyan.

 

Lee Boyce, who takes on Scunthorpe’s Matthew Pepper.

 

Unbeaten Jay Carney, who faces unbeaten Mathew Fitzsimons from Belfast.

 

Local prospect Dayle Gallagher, who faces tough opposition from Matt Scriven

 

Unbeaten Heavyweight Rob Beech, who will take on Blackpool’s Mathew Ellis

 

Plus local prospects Lee Monaghan, Lee Milner and Carl Donohue, who will all be making their pro debuts on September 12th.

 

Tickets, priced £40, £60, £100 and VIP Ringside £150 for the Stephen Vaughan Promoted Roy Jones Jr. versus Tony Moran MBC International Cruiserweight Championship headed LEGEND event at the Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool on Saturday September 12th 2015 will be available for purchase at the press conference or are available to buy on line at www.tkoboxoffice.comand www.vaughanboxing.tv

 

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

 

boxing, UK Boxing

Lyons & James-Elliott Plan Huge Season Opener At York Hall 29th Aug.

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Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott are really pulling out all the stops in preparation for their and the Capital City’s new season opener event, LORDS OF THE RING II, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th August.

 

With eighteen bouts already on the card, LORDS OF THE RINGS II is looking set to be the biggest pro boxing event in the Capital this year.

 

Heading up the massive card is reigning World Boxing Federation (WBF) Welterweight World Champion Chris Goodwin, who will be facing a yet to be announced opponent.

 

A two division World Champion, Goodwin (19-2-1) was the first British boxer to secure a World lightweight crown in almost twenty years, when he beat Istvan Kiss for the World Boxing Foundation Lightweight title back August 2012.

 

He then went on to secure the WBF Intercontinental crown in April 2014 before adding the WBF World Welterweight crown, with a split point win over Mikheil Avakyan at the Northgate Arena in Chester just four months later.

 

Main support sees Woolwich, London’s British #1 ranked and reigning MBC International Super Bantamweight Champion, Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, in a non-championship bout ahead of her upcoming World title challenge.

 

Marston, who was discovered and coached by legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, also became the #1 pound-for-pound ranked British female, following her sensational shut out points victory over then Hungarian #1, European #3 and World #31 ranked Marianna Gulyas to secure the MBC International crown in October 2014.

 

This win sent Marston soring up the rankings, from #58 in the World to #24 and in contention to muster a challenge for a World accolade.

 

Heading up the support card sees London’s Jimmy Campbell (11-8-0) making his UK debut, as throughout his career Campbell had competed exclusively in America until now.

 

During his career Campbell has been in with some of the sports biggest names, such as WBC World Champion Anthony Dirrell and WBA World Champion Virgil Hill.

 

On August 29th Campbell faces Scunthorpe’s Jody ‘The Entertainer’ Meikle, whilst Meikle is not quite on the same level as Dirrell and Hill you can be sure that Campbell will get one of the toughest tests when he goes toe-to-toe with ‘The Entertainer’.

 

Welsh and British Masters Champion Lee ‘Lights Out’ Churcher will also be in action, unfortunately not in the planned MBC International title fight with George Hillyard, but in a non-championship six rounder against a yet to be named opponent.

 

Whilst on the subject of Champions – 13 time, unified World KI Rules, Full Contact Kick Boxing and Muay Thai Champion Marlon Hunt will be making his much anticipated professional Boxing debut, against Scunthorpe’s Matthew Pepper.

 

The Lords of the Ring event also features another Globe trotting British fighter, the sensational Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver (5-1-0), who will be making a rare appearance on a British event.

 

Last time out. In Parsippany, New Jersey, was the victim of a little bit of ‘home cooking’ to the score cards – after dominating his opponent, Newark, New Jersey’s Wanzell Ellison, from start to finish, Weaver was shocked to end up on the losing side of a highly contentious split decision – so you can be sure that former Team GB star Weaver will be wanting to make a big statement and get another big win on his record.

 

Bardsley, Lincolnshire’s unbeaten Middleweight prospect Nathan ‘Nightmare’ Decastro (4-0-0) will also be in action, as will Kensington’s unbeaten Super Middleweight prospect Daley Ojuederie (3-0-1), both against yet to be announced opponents.

 

This event also features the long awaited return to the fray of ‘Rockin’ Robin Deakin, following a fifteen-month sabbatical from the sport.

 

Finally, making their professional debuts on August 29th are a number of top amateurs, including Doncaster’s sensational Tom Bell (Bantamweight), Sheffield’s Luke Junior (Welterweight), Newcastle’s Jak Johnson (Super Featherweight), Hertfordshire’s Daniel Mendes (Cruiserweight), Junior Walker (Super Welterweight), Johannes Umelo (Heavyweight), Mo Holloway, Malta’s Kerstin Brown (Bantamweight) and Billy Elliott (Welterweight).

 

The Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott Wise Guys promotions LORDS OF THE RING II event will take place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th August 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com and www.wiseguypromotions.com or call 07960 850645 or 07807 282559.

boxing

The boxing Americanization of 21-year-old Brit middleweight prospect Steed Woodall is off to promising start

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Returning to ring July 8 in NYC

 

MIAMI (June 30, 2015) – Unlike most British boxers who first establish themselves at home in the United Kingdom before fighting in the United States, Steed “The Stallion” Woodall packed up and moved 1-½ years ago from Birmingham, England to Miami in order to pursue his boxing dream.

 

As an amateur, Woodall was a five-time England National Champion, two-time British Champion, and quarterfinalist in the World Youth Championships. His aggressive style, has proven to be much better suited for pro boxing, evident by his impressive 7-0-1 (5 KOs) professional record.

“I spend most of my time in the gym,” Woodall talked about his new life in America. “I don’t have any family here and my friends are from the gym. It’s been tough but I’ve been welcomed in America and I’ve really enjoyed living here. Last year, I arrived in Miami around the end of the summer and didn’t realize how hot it really gets until now. Every morning I walk outside and it’s still a shock when the heat hits me. It does prepare me for fighting under TV lights, I guess.

“I’ve gained a lot of valuable experience sparring top guys in our gym (5th St. Gym). I was only 19 when I came here and I’ve learned how to be a professional boxer. I always felt my style and size would be better as a professional than as an amateur. I’ve worked on my jab a lot to be a better all-around fighter. I’ve had great sparring for my next fight with guys like Dyer Davis and Ed Paredes. I travel around to get sparring, too, with experienced pros and some top amateurs to get a chance to work against a lot of different styles.”

Woodall’s been preparing for his next fight, July 8 in a six-round bout against Devaun Lee (4-1, 2 KOs), of nearby Jamaica, Queens, at BB King Blues Club in New York City, where he’s fought two other times for his promoter, Lou DiBella. Woodall is Irish on his mother’s side and he has a growing fan-base in the Big Apple.

“It’s a great experience fighting in New York City, especially for somebody from such a small place like Birmingham,” Woodall noted. “It’s a dream come true, fighting in America, right in Times Square. I’m living the dream.

“I don’t really pay too much attention to my opponent. I fought world champions as an amateur, so I’m not overly concerned with my opponents. I just want to go and get the job done.”

Woodall has also fought professionally in the Dominican Republic, Virginia and Florida.

Information:

 

Twitter & Instagram – @SteedWoodall

Facebook – www.Facebook.com/SteedWoodallProfessionalBoxer

 
boxing, UK Boxing

Roy Jones Jr. Set To Head Up Vaughan’s September Liverpool Event

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Stephen Vaughan Jr. announced earlier today that 5 Division World Champion Roy Jones Jr. will be coming to Liverpool, England to headline his upcoming event at the Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool on Saturday 12th September 2015.

 

Jones Jr, claimed his first World title with a unanimous points victory over Bernard Hopkins at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC back in May 1993 for the IBF version, which he successfully defended against Thomas Tate before challenging and beating James Toney for his IBF Super Middleweight crown in 1994.

 

Jones Jr. successfully defended the Super Middleweight title five times, against Antoine Bird, Vinnie Pazienza, Tony Thornton, Eric Lucas and Bryant Brannan, before moving up to Light Heavyweight to successfully challenge Mike McCallum for the WBC interim World Light Heavyweight title in November 1996.

 

Four months later Jones Jr. was back in the ring again, to challenge Montel Griffin for the WBC World Light Heavyweight Crown, however instead of securing the win Jones jr. was disqualified striking Griffin after he went down on one knee in the ninth round.

 

In the rematch in August ’97, Jones Jr. finally secured the WBC Light Heavyweight crown with a first round knockout to add his third World crown in a third division.

 

In July 2008 Jones Jr. added the WBA Light Heavyweight title to his collection after unifying the WBC and WBA Light Heavyweight championships with a unanimous points victory over reigning WBA champ Lou Del Valle.

 

Jones successfully defended both the WBC and WBA titles against Otis Grant and Richard Frazier, before unifying the division with the IBF Light Heavyweight belt with a points victory over Reggie Johnson in 1999.

 

In January 2000 Jones Jr. started off the new Millenium with a unified defense victory over David Telesco, which he followed up with a successful defense of the three titles with a eleventh round stoppage victory over Richard Hall in May.

 

In September 2000 Jones Jr. added the IBO version to his collection after defending Champ Eric Harding retired in the tenth round of their bout at the New Orleans Arena.

 

Jones Jr. successfully defended the four titles against Derek Harmon in February 2001 before successfully challenging World Boxing Federation Champion Julio Cesar Gonzalez for his crown as well as adding the vacant IBA version to his collection.

 

Jones Jr. successfully defended his six Light Heavyweight titles against Glen Kelly and Clinton Woods, before surprising most observers when he moved to the Heavyweight division to successfully challenge John Ruiz for the WBA World Heavyweight crown in March 2003.

 

In November of the same year Jones Jr. went back to the Light Heavy ranks and successfully defended his WBC, WBA and IBO titles against Antonio Tarver, six months later the pair would face off against one and other again, this time it was Tarver that emerged victorious and claiming the WBC, WBA, IBO, IBA and vacant World Boxing Foundation titles.

 

In September of that year Jones Jr. lost the IBF version to Glen Johnson following the Floridian being knocked out in the ninth. In October 2005 Jones Jr then unsuccessfully challenged Antonio Tarver for the IBO Light Heavyweight title.

 

With no World titles in his possession Jones Jr successfully challenged Prince Badi Ajamu in July 2006 for the WBO NABO Light Heavyweight Crown and almost one year to day later beat Anthony Hanshaw for the vacant IBC Light Heavyweight World title.

 

In March 2009 Jones Jr beat Omar Sheika for the vacant WBO NABO title, which he successfully defended against Jeff Lacy before unsuccessfully challenging Danny Green in December 2009 for his IBO Cruiserweight crown.

 

It would not be until December 2013 that Jones Jr. was to be in World Championship action once more, when he travelled to Moscow to successfully challenge Zineddine Benmakhlouf for the vacant WBUv World Cruiserweight title.

 

Jones Jr Successfully defended the title against Courtney Fry, Hany Atlyo and most recently Paul Vasquez.

 

Next up for the legendary five division World Champion, when he fights in Liverpool on September 12th, well at this point there are a number of opponents in the hat, so we will have to wait a short while until terms are agreed with some of those names.

Tickets for the Stephen Vaughan Promoted Roy Jones Jr. headed event at the Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool on Saturday September 12th 2015 will go on sale shortly, call 0333 200 0905 and the tickets will also be available on line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com and www.vaughanboxing.tv from next Monday.

 

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

boxing, UK Boxing

Bryan Vera- Rocky Fielding Media Day quotes and pictures

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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.”

boxing, UK Boxing

Bryan Vera in England for Friday fight with undefeated Rocky Fielding

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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.”

 

boxing, UK Boxing

MBC & PBA Ink Deal – British Masters Title Fights For MBC UK Events

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It was announced earlier today that Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) and the Professional Boxing Association (PBA) have inked a deal, that will not only mean that the hugely popular British Masters Championship, but also the  as well as the all new European Masters Championship, that is being created specifically for the MBC, can now be campaigned for on MBC sanctioned events in the United Kingdom for the first time.

 

For the past sixteen years or so, both the British and International Masters Championships have only been available on British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) sanctioned events in the UK, however with the MBC’s rapid growth in the United Kingdom, projected to be sanctioning in excess of forty events in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2015, it became clear to PBA Chairman Mr Bruce Baker that there was potential for further growth for the Championships if they were also available on MBC sanctioned events.

 

Over the past sixteen years or so there have been close to six hundred Masters title fights that have taken place in the UK, many of the Masters Champions have then gone on to campaign for major accolades on the domestic, international and even the World stage.

 

The most famous of these Masters Champions is no less than former two division WBO World Champion Ricky Burns, who after winning the International Masters Super Featherweight title against Romania’s Gheorghe Ghiompirica in May 2008, was catapulted onto the International stage, where in his very next bout the Scotsman successfully challenged American based Ghanaian Osumanu Akaba for the vacant Commonwealth title.

 

Burn’s successfully defended the Commonwealth crown three times before moving onto the World scene, where he then successfully challenged then WBO World Super Featherweight Champion Roman Martinez from Puerto Rico.

 

Once more Burn’s successfully defended his WBO World Super Featherweight crown three times before moving up a division and beating Australia’s Michael Katsidis for the interim WBO World Lightweight title in November 2011.

 

On his very next fight Burn’s secured the full WBO World Lightweight title, beating Namibia’s Paulus Moses at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow in March 2012.

 

Burn’s successfully defended his second World title four times before succumbing to the skills of Omaha, USA’s Terence Crawford in March 2014.

 

With such an illustrious Championship career blossoming from Burns’ first tilt at a title, there can be no doubt of the importance of the Masters titles on the domestic scene, something that now can also benefit the boxers, both British and those from overseas that box on the UK events sanctioned by the MBC.

 

The inaugural Masters Championship, that will take place on an MBC sanctioned event in the UK, sees Czech Republic’s Nikolas Botos challenge Bradford’s Tasif Khan for the International Masters Bantamweight title on the Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott promoted event which takes place at York Hall in London on Saturday May 2nd.

 

Tickets priced £35 (Standard seating) and £65 (Ringside) are available direct from any of the boxers taking part, on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call the TKO ticket line on 07960 850645

Sanctioning for this event will be provided courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) – For further information on the Malta Boxing Commission please go to:

Web: www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Twitter @MaltaBoxingComm

Facebook www.facebook.com/MaltaBoxingCommission

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/malta-boxing-commission

E.mail: admin@maltaboxingcommission.com

boxing, UK Boxing

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

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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!”