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CANELO ALVAREZ 14 Billy Joe Saunders is forced into submission by the pound-for-pound No. 1

UNMISSABLE HIGHLIGHTS

>> 22 NERY vs FIGUEROA >> 4 EDITOR’S LETTER High-octane action is expected in this Sanity must always prevail over bravado appealing super- scrap >> 5 ERIC ARMIT >> 24 BUATSI vs DOS SANTOS Pure chaos reigns in the WBA’s rankings Joshua aims to impress his new coach >> 8 STEVE BUNCE >> 26 When Razor Ruddock came to Can he rule the division? >> 10 MAYWEATHER vs PAUL >> 32 SHERMAN WILLIAMS Be warned, the circus is coming to town Passing on his knowledge to his pupils >> 20 LIAM SMITH >> 36 THE WELCH FAMILY 20 A debatable win for Magomed Kurbanov Tommy has a fistic heritage to uphold >> 42 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND SAVE 37% At last, the dates are finally in the diary >> 43 CHEAVON CLARKE PAY JUST £9.99 A MONTH. SEE PAGE 48 FOR FULL DETAILS One chance at earning an Olympic spot Visit SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/BXN21 >> 44 AL BROWN The bantamweight legend’s UK tours

>> 46 IDRIS VIRGO Confidence comes naturally to this man

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 3 EDITOR’S LETTER

Photo: MICHELLE FARSI/MATCHROOM HORRIFIC: Saunders’ Time to cheek caves in subscribe l THERE are numerous ways to subscribe, including special offers.

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l FOR more information on all the QUIT THE BRAVADO subscriptions plus our special Boxers claiming they’d rather sustained against , Saunders magnitude would rightly be regarded bookazines, said: “If my two eye sockets were as horrific. The athlete would be please visit be carried out on a stretcher broken, my jaw was broken, my teeth withdrawn immediately. Yet in boxing, www.shop. do the sport no favours were out, my nose was smashed, my a sport defined by punches to the head, kelsey.co.uk brain was beaten, I was not stopping there’s a suggestion that they should or call 01959- until I was knocked out or worse.” continue to take more punches simply 543-747. IDWAY through the He was not the only one; both David because they are boxers. That, when eighth round of his Haye and – two former you really think about it, is utterly l THE next fight with Canelo champions working as analysts for BT preposterous. issue will be in Alvarez, Billy Joe Sport – immediately suggested Dubois In the boxers’ defence, they simply shops on May 20 M Saunders realised ‘quit’; something they would never do. have to believe they’re invincible. They and available that having the side But what Saunders came to understand, are conditioned to show no weakness. to download on of your face caved when faced with a potentially life- But one hopes they now think before May 18. in with a single altering injury, is that surviving is they pass judgement on others in an blow is desperately preferable to “being knocked out or effort to prove their own toughness. The uncomfortable. worse”, after all. The media, in turn, need to stop Opening When he returned The truth is that Saunders, Haye reporting this nonsense and putting Bell... to his corner the nor Frampton could words in fighters’ suspected fracture have possibly put mouths. If a fighter says l THE BN in his orbital themselves in Dubois’ IMAGINE THE they’re willing to die in podcast has Matt been described Christie bone was poked, shoes back then. Yes, SENSATION the ring it doesn’t need prodded and later they are all fighters to be a headline. When as the ‘most @MattCBoxingNews confirmed. At the so are therefore more OF A BONE a fighter quits, another impartial and Editor moment he was educated than the likes one doesn’t need to informative pulled out, he of you and I when it BREAKING be asked if they’d have podcast around.’ made no effort to object to his corner’s comes to commenting BENEATH done the same. There is at least admirable decision. And nor should he on injuries in a boxing The bottom line: one new episode have done. Retiring from the fight was match. But I’d argue YOUR FACE When a fighter or every week to the only sane thing to do at that point. that such bravado is trainer decides they enjoy. The pain he felt is impossible for what makes ‘quitting’ so unacceptable, cannot continue for a legitimate reason l IN the last someone who has never experienced not the act of quitting itself. The that decision must be respected. two weeks such an injury to describe. Imagine the barbaric narrative that essentially Billy Joe Saunders is okay, thankfully. we’ve produced sensation of a bone beneath your face expects boxers to fight to the death, Whether he’ll ever be the same fighter four podcasts breaking while more punches hurtle or leave themselves forever damaged, again is another matter. Very few who with behind towards you. I can only estimate, but does the sport no favours whatsoever. are unfortunate enough to encounter the scenes one can understand why it might feel Not only is this notion of self-sacrifice such injuries are able to ignore the interviews and altogether more unsettling than a bad over self-preservation something of physical and mental scars. But at least immediate big- cut or an injured arm or leg. Yet Billy an insult to their own families, it’s they’re still here and are not another fight analysis. Joe not so long ago presumed that if deeply disrespectful to the families casualty in a long line of boxing he was ever to get his skull broken in a of boxers who are already dealing casualties. At least their families are l Listen (& rate fight he would simply brush it off and with the worst consequences of our not mourning because the fighter’s & subscribe) via fight on. He no doubt thought like that sport. Furthermore, it gives credence wish of being carried out on a stretcher Apple, Spotify because he is a natural warrior. And to moronic observers who choose to was granted. and all major warriors, remember, don’t quit. berate a beaten boxer for doing the platforms. Follow us and keep up to date Five months ago, after Daniel Dubois right thing by saying enough is enough. surrendered due to a similar injury In any other sport, an injury of that @BoxingNewsED BoxingNewsOnline

4 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net GUEST COLUMN

THE WORST BOXING ASSOCIATION Highlighting the mind-boggling chaos in their rankings

Photo: TF-IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

GET SERIOUS: Charr and Lovejoy [inset] are set to fight

T is a truth themselves for a sanctioning fee. opponents is way over the line. universally A typical case of the line being 51-192-19. Quite why Dinu acknowledged blurred past any reasonable point Twenty-six of is rated at ninth that a was the suggestion that Manuel those wins came surely has to be I sanctioning Charr’s fight with Christian Lovejoy from two of his explained. He was body in need this weekend (May 15) would opponents so the ranked at ninth of fees must be for a version of the WBA other 17 had only before losing to work with heavyweight title. That now seems 25 wins between them. None of Jarrell Miller (November 2018) promoters and to have faded but don’t rule it Lovejoy’s opponents are anywhere and Kubrat Pulev (March 2019). promoters out completely. near world class – Since then he has beaten two of a certain Through Don King’s quite the opposite unrated and unspectacular boxers status will influence Lovejoy DUBOIS WAS in fact – and I in Osborn Machimana (December want to stage keeps popping in NOT RANKED BY defy the WBA to 2019) and Frank Bluemle (October title fights. It and out of the WBA justify his rating as 2020). Eric happens. It is ratings, which in THE WBA UNTIL a consequence of In November last year Dinu Armit a fact of life in itself is disgraceful. any of his victories. returned to the ratings at a lofty Journalist & boxing and if Lovejoy has a 19-0 FOUR MONTHS Charr, the WBA’s ninth. Yet, in the latest WBA historian it doesn’t lead (19) record and on AFTER HE LOST ‘heavyweight ratings (April 2021) he has now to someone the basis of that champion in inexplicably climbed to second getting seriously screwed then it record some fans TO JOE JOYCE recess’, is alongside without having another fight. keeps the wheels oiled. might feel that his Then consider Dubois. Though he However, it seems to me that rating is not unacceptable. But it (super), Trevor Bryan (world), was highly-regarded he was not there needs to be some line that really is. Robert Helenius (gold) as other rated by the WBA until March this should not be crossed. A promoter When you examine the records belt-holders. If that’s not enough, year, when he came in at 11, four should not ask a sanctioning body of the fighters Lovejoy has beaten on June 5 Daniel Dubois fights months after being knocked out by to do something that will seriously a horror story unfolds. Four Bogdan Dinu for the WBA interim Joe Joyce. tarnish the sanctioning body’s of Lovejoy’s victims had never bauble. Sorry guys the line was drawn standing and the sanctioning body previously had a fight and four had The fight between Dinu and in the sand and the WBA have should not bend so far that they never won a fight. Dubois is another example (and just kicked sand in your collective are seen to be willing to prostitute The cumulative record of his there are many) of the WBA going faces… again.

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 5 ON TWITTER ON FACEBOOK LETTERS @BoxingNewsED www.facebook.com/boxingnewsonline

LETTER OF THE WEEK NEGATIVE DIRECTION

I HAVE zero interest in watching when I went to Earls Court for the Lennox ever been a more dominant world YouTuber mismatches, but I am Lewis-Razor Ruddock fight when I was champion who has beaten so many interested in watching Regis young. I was in the lift and, unbeknown British fighters? I can’t think of one. Prograis, which is why I tuned in to the to me, Harry and a young assistant were I hope that John Ryder is next in line to Triller show last month. Prograis showed also in there. Harry asked me out the blue take on this Mexican master. One thing is off his slick southpaw skills against for my thoughts on Lewis and how he’d for sure, Ryder is built similarly to Canelo Ivan Redkach. In my opinion, only Josh fare against Evander Holyfield if they ever and would certainly bring his A game. Taylor is a better super- than met. I replied that Lewis always rose to I think it’d be a war. Now that the world Prograis. There should be some big fights the occasion and was the future, so he’d is opening up again, maybe Matchroom in Prograis’ future, though hopefully not beat Holyfield. Harry disagreed with me could bring Canelo to the UK? on Triller, who have some of the worst and I was left thinking, ‘What does he Mike Hills commentators going. They shout over know?!’ Well, more than me obviously! the action, which only serves to detract I’d love to know what his thoughts were GUTTED FOR SMITH from the fight itself, and they offer a mix on the first fight between Lewis and I THOUGHT Liam Smith boxed really well of ignorance, buzz words, film quotes and Holyfield. And it’s such a shame that he out in Russia against Magomed Kurbanov. foul language. The direction Triller are passed away before the second fight. He kept to a disciplined game plan. taking is not a positive one for boxing. Meeting Harry is a treasured memory. I can’t understand why (well I can, but…) Paul Thorpe Mark Davies the knockdown from Smith in round one was called a no knockdown. The WBO MEETING MULLAN CANELO vs RYDER need to take a look at that, as well as the I REALLY enjoyed the piece on Harry SO, Canelo Alvarez takes his seventh scoring. I had Liam winning a competitive Mullan in the April 22 issue. It was nice to British scalp. He predicted an eighth or fight. I’m gutted for him and the Smith MORE BRITISH MEAT: be reminded of such a great editor and ninth-round stoppage against Billy Joe family that he didn’t get the decision. Ryder could be the next Briton to face journalist. It brought back a memory of Saunders, and he delivered. Has there Ben Coleman Canelo

Photo: ALEX DAVIDSON/GETTY IMAGES

6 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net ON INSTAGRAM EMAIL POST boxingnewsonline [email protected] Boxing News Letters, Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL

10 COUNT

THE PANEL PUNCHING PANTHERS

‘Panther’ has been a popular nickname for fighters DID YOU HAVE BILLY JOE SAUNDERS AHEAD AT throughout the years

THE TIME OF THE STOPPAGE AGAINST ALVAREZ? 1. HARRY WILLS (BLACK PANTHER) One of the very best of his era and a bona fide all-time great, Wills was a high-profile victim of boxing’s shameful colour bar, which prevented him from deservedly challenging for the world championship.

2. AMADO URSUA (LITTLE PANTHER) His 34-21 record may not look particularly gleaming on paper, but Ursua boasts a stunning victory over Hall of Famer Hilario Zapata on his ledger, which saw him claim the WBC light- title. Matthew Joe Natasha Chris Hatton Gallagher Jonas McKenna 3. JUAN CARLOS GOMEZ (BLACK PANTHER) Fought Leading World title Sports A skilled southpaw, Gomez racked up 10 successful Canelo trainer challenger journalist defences during a four-year reign as the WBC No I didn’t have I think I had it I had them level at No, I had it 6-2 to cruiserweight titlist. He then moved up to heavyweight and unsuccessfully challenged Vitali Klitschko. Billy Joe up as the level or Canelo 4-4 at the time of Canelo. I believe fight got stopped, by one, in and the stoppage. But you could have 4. LUIS NERY (PANTHER) personally I had around the time I wouldn’t have had it 5-3 for An aggressive power-punching portsider, Nery is Canelo one round of the stoppage. argued with it Canelo too but currently one of the world’s top super-. up, I thought Billy I thought it was being scored 5-3 I can’t see any A previous WBC bantamweight belt-holder, he is Joe was boxing a close fight and to Canelo Alvarez. more rounds than presently in possession of the WBC super-bantam strap. really well, it was Billy had success that for Saunders. a great fight, in some rounds. Maybe people 5. LOVEMORE NDOU (BLACK PANTHER) the quality was Canelo won his were overlooking Beaten 13 times but never inside the distance, the tremendous. But rounds and won the body shots of teak-tough Ndou can name Miguel Cotto and Canelo no I had Alvarez them well. Billy Canelo. It was all Alvarez among his list of opponents. He is a former one point up at Joe squeaked by irrelevant anyway, owner of the IBF super-lightweight title. the time of the in a few of them as the fight was stoppage. but still won them. only going to go 6. ERICA FARIAS (PANTHER) one way from Farias, an ex-WBC female lightweight and super- round eight. lightweight title-holder, has only ever lost when up against quality opposition in the shape of , Cecilia Braekhus and Jessica McCaskill (twice) – all on points.

SEVEN HAVE TRIED, WHICH BRITISH 7. OMAR FIGUEROA JNR (LITTLE PANTHER) Prior to losing his two most recent bouts, Figueroa FIGHTER COULD BEAT CANELO? had been unbeaten in almost 30 fights. A former WBC lightweight titlist, he holds wins over Ricky Burns, Antonio DeMarco and . Matthew Joe Natasha Chris Hatton Gallagher Jonas McKenna 8. HERMANN NGOUDJO (BLACK PANTHER) I don’t think ! I don’t think that I don’t think A career super-lightweight who was in the mix at the there’s any Joking aside, he’s in Britain we have anyone is beating upper end of the division, Ngoudjo got the better of fighter out a phenomenal anyone who can him at super- Randall Bailey and Souleymane M’baye. His four losses there, British or fighter. I’d like beat him. He is any all came via decision and he always gave a good account otherwise. I never to see my own the greatest today time soon. Canelo of himself. say anybody’s fighter Callum for a reason. only loses for me unbeatable but Johnson in with in the next couple 9. (PANTHER) he almost is. You him. If Callum of years if he goes An exciting banger who enjoyed his most fruitful don’t see him hit Smith had had to light heavy and spell of form as a middleweight, Miranda engaged in that much these a proper 10, 12 faces a monster memorable battles at 160lbs with Howard Eastman, days, you don’t week training puncher. Eubank , Allan Green and Kelly Pavlik. see him cut, you camp, we would Jnr may get a 10. MARIBEL RAMIREZ (PANTHER) don’t see him have seen a closer shot at 168 in 12 Following a demoralising run of just three victories in rocked, you don’t fight. Callum months but he is 13 outings, Ramirez rebounded to record four straight see him in trouble. Johnson, would he highly unlikely to wins, two of which came in WBA female super-flyweight So he’s almost beat him? I don’t be able to break title contests – both on away turf. untouchable now. know, but it would the run of Canelo be a fun fight. bashing Brits.

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 7 THE BUNCE DIARIES ENTOURAGE

ILLY JOE SAUNDERS When Razor and he was the gentlest of the gang, diversion. He had started working and gathered his closest a lovely host at the fighter’s makeshift touring with Ali when he was just 16. friends and family Ruddock came to home at the St. Pancras “Everybody here is essential,” Murad B in a circle of prayer London to take club in Kentish Town. It is hard for me told me. “I know all about camps from in the minutes to recognise now that at the time it had my days with the Champ.” before he walked on only been 29 years since his second loss The Bey Twins had their wives flying to the ring last he was far from to Sonny Liston. That fight was a black in for the fight. “We all want to see a big weekend. They and white massacre, jerky film, hard London show,” Elihu told me. He meant could probably alone ending, tiny gloves, pristine boots, harsh the theatre, by the way. It was another hear and feel the ring lights and glistening shorts; it felt sign that the focus was not on Lennox. crowd above their ancient even then, a fight that belonged Murad also had Keith Ali with him, heads. before Ali delivered the colour and the another veteran of the days touring the There was not an volume to the heavyweight division. world with Ali. Now, Keith Ali’s role is Steve exotic dwarf or golf I remember sitting with Patterson, going harder to define. This is what he told Bunce pro or tap-dancing over that fight and other fights, so many me at the time: “During the build-up @BigDaddyBunce coach in sight as great names and magical nights. His to the fight there are a lot of potential Voice of boxing they closed their recall was still good, his soft words took distractions – I monitor the situation.” It eyes and prayed. me back to the nights. That was quite means he reports back to Murad, he’s In entourage terms they lacked the amazing for me to talk to a man with the insider. I should say that being part carnage and excess of the travelling such extensive and important history. of Muhammad Ali’s “entourage” is a circus that Sugar Ray Robinson put Now – this I find even more amazing – I fairly loose term, open to interpretation together during his European fighting realise that my conversations with Floyd and abuse. Ali had a tiny and intimate tours. He had a hundred trunks, a over those days were 29 years ago. Yep, inner circle, that never shifted. six-ton car and a man to apply the the same amount of time that separated Howie Albert was the noise and the pomade. And we all know the stories him back then from Liston’s fists. fun in the Ruddock team. A New York of Muhammad Ali trying to curb the There was the lawyer, David Slutskey, veteran of the fight world, part trainer, spending habits of his loyal and vast part of what I called the “Florida Gang”. manager and camp fixer. He knew what travelling entourage. Slutskey had been Ruddock’s tennis people needed. In Texas, Saunders had Tyson Fury, partner, in Kentish Town he was in Matt Howard was a former NFL Mark Tibbs, Ben Davison, Amer Khan, charge of legal details. player with the New York Jets and Greg Marriott and his father, Tommy, in A former Newark, New Jersey cop Larry McGhee was a Canadian sprinter that intimate little circle of joined arms. called Nate Brown was in charge of from the Seventies. They were the An old friend, trainer, former trainer, a security. He was joined by the big Bey conditioning team. McGhee and good friend and the nutritionist formed boys, two very large and distinctive Howard lived in Florida, where Ruddock the last protective barrier for Billy on looking lumps; Salome and Elihu both was living at that time. “Donny is my that night. They do that, an entourage, went about 300 pounds and had best friend,” Howard told me. they offer a wall, a safety, a place of walrus-like moustaches. They could shut Ruddock also had his brothers, Tobits retreat in a hostile environment. The out the light in a small room. They were and Delroy, with him. Delroy was his best wait for you when you return, the not big on dialogue, but never missed a manager of record. I never got one worst have fled with your Rolex. meal time. There was always somebody sense of urgency or fear from my visits In October of 1992, Donovan eating in the gym – a sign that their to the gym. Ruddock appeared to train “Razor” Ruddock arrived in London fighter is not fully concentrated on the hard and looked magnificent putting his to beat Lennox Lewis, who was the job. punches together, fluid and powerful. kid in their fight. Ruddock had been The Bey Twins were part of promoter He was the complete heavyweight paid nine-million dollars for his fights Murad Muhammad’s long-established with the complete entourage. It was with Mike Tyson. The last of the fights business. His bookmarks, his sentinels. like being in the middle of history with Tyson had been a year earlier Murad was a salesman, baby. Make no during that 10-day period. Ruddock POWER SURGE: and since then Ruddock had blasted Lewis storms mistake and he had a tale of marvel converted the British press and Lennox former WBA champion, Greg Page, past Ruddock for every occasion and conversational was not given much of a chance. I and unbeaten prospect, Phil Jackson. believe one senior writer even spoke to Tyson was incarcerated, Ruddock was Frank Maloney and shared his fears for the champion-in-waiting and, make no Lennox’s health. mistake, he was in London for an easy All of Ruddock’s people were there night’s work. on the night, slick, confident and Ruddock had a full, old-school then sickened. Lennox won, no sweat. heavyweight entourage. Men that Lennox Lewis, he had no mercy. Late, looked like they could drink and fight late that night the final word fell to and fight and drink with the very best in sweet Floyd: “That boy can fight.” Floyd any arm-pit bar in the world. Many had, was on his own, no entourage needed, trust me. just a low-key and painful exit from an Ruddock was trained by former world arena. It had been the same 29 years heavyweight champion, Floyd Patterson, earlier when Liston beat him in Vegas.

8 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photos: ED MULHOLLAND & MICHELLE FARSI/MATCHROOM

INNER CIRCLE: Unlike Ruddock, Saunders operates with a small, close-knit team

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 9 BOXING MEDIA REVIEW Examining the best and worst of the sport’s weekly coverage

PANTOMIME STUFF: Mayweather [left] and Paul face off PLAYING WITH KIDS to publicise their exhibition bout Photo: AMANDA WESTCOTT/SHOWTIME

10 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Mayweather go so far as to call it “quitting” but said that the entire team went into the YOUTUBE it’s “more a case of [Saunders] not having broadcast expecting the quintessential looks out of another gear to go to.” brawler vs boxer matchup, and wouldn’t ALTHOUGH the bar was already place as hype Thankfully, DAZN had drafted in Carl be swayed from this viewpoint regardless extremely low, somehow the press ramps up for Froch for commentary on the fight and of what happened in the ring. conference for Floyd Mayweather’s he was the only one there who expressed Canelo wasn’t piling forward with exhibition contest with YouTuber Logan his latest concern over Saunders’ injury and how punches so, in the commentary team’s Paul was even more embarrassing than circus act, that would have been the deciding factor, eyes, he was not performing well. Rather expected. Logan’s petulant brother, Jake, rather than any perceived lack of courage than acknowledging the traps he was snatched the hat off Mayweather’s head while DAZN let or ambition. setting and the defensive brilliance he and a brawl ensued. themselves The debate over fighters “quitting” displayed at times, they surmised that While the Logan brothers, despite down by or not will rage on ad nauseum, but it’s he was badly struggling with Saunders’ being in their mid-20s, acted like a real problem when the commentary style. While it was encouraging to see 14-year-olds, Mayweather looked criticising teams on major broadcasts are so quick them cognisant of the Brit’s efforts and alarmingly old. It might just be the Saunders for to stick the boot in, especially when skill – the ‘B-side’ of big fights like this thicker beard and hair he’s now sporting, there appears to be evidence of a pretty often get overlooked by commentary – but he looked like a man who should be ‘not going out significant injury. Mannix said he was Mannix had Saunders up at the time of enjoying retirement, not scuffling with on his shield’, “speechless” that Saunders - who he had the stoppage, which seemed like a real internet trolls. writes up on his unofficial scorecard - chose to stretch. Regardless, the whole fiasco further stay on his stool “because his eye started Interestingly, though they appeared proved the point that you don’t need to George Gigney swelling.” to miss the mark with Saunders, the know how to box to succeed in boxing If the reports of Saunders being commentators were right to question the now, you just need to know how to wind diagnosed with a broken orbital bone motives of Nagy Aguilera, who writhed people up. Videos of the brawl were are true, then he wasn’t just dealing with around in apparent pain, claiming he instantly all over the internet and social some swelling, he would have been had been hit by an illegal punch from his media was abuzz with people talking experiencing excruciating pain and opponent, Frank Sanchez. Replays clearly about Floyd’s upcoming ‘fight’ with Paul. legitimate fear over the long-term health showed the shot barely grazed Aguilera’s The sky’s the limit for this pay-per-view of his eye. shoulder, let alone hit the back of his now. Saunders himself will know the futility head, and Mannix, Mora and company of criticising a fighter for leaving a fight understandably expressed confusion and because of an injury. After Daniel Dubois skepticism over Aguilera’s reaction. BROADCASTS elected to not continue due to a severe Overall, though, the broadcast was eye injury in his fight with Joe Joyce, admittedly thrilling. To see such a large ONCE again, the Q-word has reared Saunders said afterwards that he would crowd at a fight was undeniably exciting, its ugly head, but this time the narrative have to be “carried out” of the ring and and DAZN and the event’s organisers is being driven by the broadcast team would never stop fighting with such an clearly spared no expense to put on a covering the fight in question. Billy Joe injury. Comments like that – whether show. Saunders, after putting in a competitive they’re from a world titlist, a fan online or effort against pound-for-pound king GOLDEN BOYS: a commentator – help no one. Canelo Alvarez, did not come out of his Could De La Hoya Aside from those woeful WEBSITES corner for the ninth round after suffering [left] and Garcia be miscalculations from Mora and Mannix, heading to Triller? a nasty facial injury. Photo: TOM HOGAN/HOGAN the commentary of the fight as a whole The Athletic report that Oscar De La While the extent of the damage PHOTOS/GOLDEN BOY also left a lot to be desired. It seemed Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions could wasn’t immediately clear, the effects move from DAZN to Triller at the end of on Saunders were. After Canelo the year. Golden Boy’s current contract landed a crunching uppercut, Billy Joe with DAZN is up at the end of 2021 and immediately backed off and looked Oscar confirmed that talks are ongoing vulnerable. More concerning was the fact for a nine-figure, multi-year deal with his right eye swelled up almost instantly; Triller, a platform best known for allowing a clear sign that something is broken. Jake Paul to fight non-boxers for obscene Alas, DAZN’s commentary team didn’t amounts of money. pick up on this, instead focusing on While the move would help legitimise Canelo’s subsequent surge in aggression. Triller’s involvement in boxing, it’s hard While it’s understandable for them to not to think that promising Golden Boy get caught up in that drama, it was flat- fighters like Vergil Ortiz Jnr and Ryan out disgusting to hear Chris Mannix Garcia would not benefit much from this. and Sergio Mora immediately criticise Though it’s still a new platform, DAZN Saunders for “not going out on his has established itself as a major player shield.” That is a direct quote from their within boxing. commentary, they literally said that. Triller, on the other hand, has so far Mora, a former fighter, should know only provided a stage for freak shows and better and when given the opportunity to circus acts. Fighters like Ortiz and Garcia clarify his statement, he said he wouldn’t deserve better than that.

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 11 Highlighting the best NEWS AND OPINION of the week’s stories WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET A fair chance

Lisa UST five weeks after “You’ve got to wait for your time,” something I really get into. having a baby, Lisa she reflected, but added, “My personal “Let me talk in the ring like I have done Whiteside Whiteside started opinion in that the Shannon Courtenay- in my amateur career.” wants the J training again. Ebanie Bridges title fight, I don’t believe “On Twitter, they say I’m nothing, boxing to be “Nothing at all that should have been a world [WBA] title nobody. Who are you? That’s what Ebanie strenuous and just fight. It wasn’t the correct level. It was a Bridges puts on,” Lisa noted. “I was like doing the built it up gradually very good fight for people to watch, non- what, you’ve not done anything.” talking. That’s and gradually. You know what, it’s a boxing knowledge. People watching that Of course it’s the random, often strange thing, I feel a lot stronger, a lot fight are seeing a good scrap, aren’t they?” anonymous accounts on social media not too much fitter,” she said. “I just hope I’ve got that Whiteside is confident of handily that post the most corrosive comments. to ask. She mum-strength now!” beating either of them. “No disrespect “Social media can cause me utter anxiety. speaks to Whiteside has had three professional to the girls because if they’re given I hate it. Because I’ve always, always cared bouts but in a glittering 140-bout that opportunity you’re going to take it what people think of me. I’ve always John Dennen amateur career represented GB for years, with both hands aren’t you? Shannon worked my arse off. I’ve always cared won the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Courtenay is now a world [WBA] for people and done loads for anyone a World championships silver medal, champion. It’s just who will Eddie [Hearn, and anything and then when you get a European silver and other accolades. the promoter] get for her these people saying She can box at bantam or super- to defend against. Rachel ‘SOCIAL horrible things or making bantamweight and is ready now to go Ball’s the next one, rightly derogatory comments, into serious pro fights. so because she was really MEDIA I’m not going to lie, it “You see the levels of who we come poorly with Covid,” Lisa does get to me. People up against in the amateurs. At the Worlds said. “Will I ever get given CAN CAUSE say you shouldn’t let it you’re boxing the Russian, then the the opportunity? I don’t ME UTTER get to you, they’re just American, Kazakhstan, you’re not going know.” trolls. It’s my personality. to get better experience, a better range of “Why did that occur, ANXIETY. To the point where I’m boxers but to a high level. As an amateur that fight and why are I HATE IT’ not going to get in deep international or even domestically, you people giving them with it because why don’t box journeymen or journey-women. opportunities?” she should I then get worked You just increase your ability and your continued. “The thing I have found up and feel anxious because of stupid experience,” she said. “My first fight back which I can’t say that I really agree with social media. It’s just gone a bit silly, could be a 10-rounder and I’m happy is that some females are being given hasn’t it?” Lisa said. “If that ends up being with that. I don’t want to fight a four or opportunities purely because of their detrimental to my pro boxing career then six-rounder against a journeywoman. social media following rather than their so be it.” “I’m happy to jump in at the deep end boxing ability. You don’t get that in the Whiteside, who has been setting up her and box some decent girls and just go men, bar the YouTube fights, whatever’s own community club over the course the for it.” going on there.” pandemic shutdowns, should have the But the uncertainty of opportunity Social media is a platform that style for professional competition. She available in women’s Whiteside is increasingly uncomfortable was a heavy puncher even as an amateur worries her. That side of the sport is with being on. Her comments on that flyweight. “I was depleting myself down to developing, there are some chances to Courtenay-Bridges title fight got her “pure 51kgs but I still punched hard,” she said. “I get on televised shows. But it’s frustrating abuse” on Twitter. “I don’t particularly remember in the amateur game stopping for Whiteside to see less accomplished enjoy that side of it. I enjoy boxing, I a lot of people when I was boxing at boxers get to fight for world titles. enjoy competing,” Whiteside said. “It’s not 57kgs, many stoppages. “I’m happy to share a ring with anyone, ON TARGET: I’m not going to pick and choose. What’s Whiteside shows the point in that? If you want to be the off her skills best, you’ve got to box the best. I just want to be given that opportunity to show my skills.” She takes inspiration from other mums in boxing. Charley Davison for instance returned to boxing after having three kids and now occupies Lisa’s flyweight spot on the GB team. “To have three children, come back, make the weight at 51kgs and hopefully, fingers crossed, toes crossed, everything, let’s hope she qualifies for an Olympics,” Whiteside said. “Look at Tasha Jonas [who’s completed thrilling world title fights against Terri Harper and ]. Now look at the position she’s in. “It just shows that you can still have a family and still follow your dreams.”

12 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photo: NATHAN STIRK/GETTY IMAGES

DESERVING: But Whiteside is being overlooked

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 13 ACTION

★★★★★ OUTSTANDING ★★★★ GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ DISAPPOINTING ★ RUBBISH

Reporters’ star ratings for main events and undercards are based on in-ring entertainment, competitiveness and whether overall expectation was met CANELO: THE JOURNEY CONTINUES Billy Joe Saunders was a stop along the way for the best fighter and biggest star in boxing, writes Thomas Hauser

14 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net BODY LANGUAGE: Canelo throws his arms aloft as Saunders instintively covers his injured face Photo: MICHELLE FARSI/MATCHROOM

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 15

ACTION

ARLINGTON, TX after he posted a video online in which Boxing Social that Hearn was siding with he demonstrated ways a man could beat Canelo in the promotion and that there MAY 8 his domestic partner while locked down was “no loyalty” and “no trust” between during the pandemic. the Saunders camp and the promoter. But ★★★★★ MAIN EVENT Then, in February of this year, promoters usually side with the fighter ★★★★★ UNDERCARD Panorama (the BBC version of 60 Minutes) who’s generating the big money for ran a long feature on the ties between them. And let’s not forget; Saunders left OXING is going MTK Global (which advises Saunders) promoter in his rear-view through a difficult and (alleged to be the mirror when the siren call of Matchroom time. Fights between leader of a $1 billion drug trafficking and DAZN sounded. B elite fighters are few empire). Former world champion and Tom Saunders also complained about and far between. Irish icon Barry McGuigan was one of the the size of the ring (he wanted 24 feet Bogus “world few people willing to go on camera and squared inside the ropes rather than the championship” talk openly about Kinahan. Thereafter, standard 20). He even suggested that his belts have devalued the sport. Contests Saunders attacked McGuigan on son might pull out of the fight if he didn’t involving social media influencers and social media, likening him to a rat and get the ring he wanted. No one took that exhibitions by long-past-their-prime appearing to taunt McGuigan about the threat seriously. But Canelo agreed to a former champions often get more media 2019 death of his daughter from cancer. 22-feet-squared enclosure. According to attention and fan support than legitimate “Billy should just delete social media,” Hearn, that was the largest ring Saunders fights. The negotiations to make Tyson his current promoter Eddie Hearn says. had ever boxed in as a pro. Fury vs. Anthony Joshua (or fail to make “Something happens and he tries to “I don’t care, really,” Canelo said. “I’m it) have been an exercise in frustration. explain it and it gets worse and you’re pretty sure he’s never fought in a 24-foot In the midst of all this, Canelo Alvarez like, ‘Ah, Billy, just leave it.’ I can’t babysit ring. But if he wants all of the Cowboys gives boxing fans something to hold onto. him. The stage of me holding his hand Stadium, okay, I’ll give it to him. Don’t Canelo’s credentials are a matter and trying to guide him through how to worry.” of record. His red hair was a much- behave on social media and how not to The final pre-fight press conference publicised marketing tool early in his behave has gone. It’s too far for that now. began with a video of Dallas Cowboys career. And because of that, some people He is what he is.” owner Jerry Jones reading a were slow to give him his due as a fighter. Canelo had won sanctioning statement off a teleprompter in But with victories over , body world titles at weights ‘I’LL BE which he assured listeners Sergey Kovalev, Danny Jacobs, Miguel ranging from 154 to BACK’ that “fans who cannot Cotto, Shane Mosley, Erislandy Lara 175 pounds. Most be there can enjoy and, now, Billy Joe Saunders en route recently, he’d seized ON Monday, Saunders said: the fight live on D-A- to compiling a 56-1-2 (38) ring record, the World Boxing ‘Broken eye socket and broken Zone.” The rest of the the 30-year-old Alvarez has established Council and World cheekbone in three places, operation press conference was himself as boxing’s brightest star. Yes, Boxing Association went well. You win some and lose largely pro forma. he was outboxed by Floyd Mayweather super-middleweight some, I didn’t feel out of my league Saunders was seven years ago. But he was a young man belts. Now he’s on a but got caught with a good shot and undefeated in the then, still learning his trade. mission to unify the couldn’t see. Thank you all who professional ranks. But Alvarez’s quest for greatness continued four major 168-pound watched. I’ll be back, God the odds were 6/1 in PREDATOR: bless you all’ Fury attacks unimpeded on May 8 against Saunders at titles. Saunders was in the favour of the proposition and Wilder can’t AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. right place at the right time that Canelo would change keep him off Saunders, age 31, hails from to get a big payday. that. The six Brits that Alvarez Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom Canelo is a private person. But prior had faced in the past - like most of his and, prior to facing Canelo, had compiled to fighting Saunders, he opened up to opponents - fared poorly against him. a 30-0 record with 14 . He Graham Bensinger in a wide-ranging Matthew Hatton (L12), Ryan Rhodes (KO won the WBO 160-pound belt in 2015 interview for Bensinger’s YouTube by 12), (KO by 6), Liam Smith by over Andy Lee and channel. In addition to giving Bensinger KO by 9), (KO by 3), and vacated the title after testing positive a tour of his elaborately appointed Callum Smith (L12) were all convincingly for oxilofrine (a banned perfiormance mansion and collection of luxury cars in defeated. enhancing drug) prior to a scheduled Guadalajara, Canelo talked about a wide Against that backdrop, Saunders (a 2018 title defense against Demetrius range of personal issues including the southpaw who prides himself on being Andrade. One year later, he claimed difficult decision to separate from the elusive in the ring) was expected to try to WBO 168-pound honours by decisioning mother of his oldest daughter, the 2018 frustrate Canelo into making mistakes and unheralded Shefat Isufi and followed with kidnapping of one of his brothers, and avoid confrontations as much as possible. victories over the equally unheralded the apparently unfounded accusation that Billy Joe put a bold face on things, Marcelo Esteban Coceres and 38-year-old another of his brothers had committed saying, “You have to dare to be great. . murder. I believe I am the only one with the There are times when Saunders gets On a more positive note, Canelo footwork, knowhow, skillset, mindset more attention for his conduct outside acknowledged, “I always dreamed about and brain to unlock that door in Canelo. the ring than for fighting in it. In 2018, [being] the best. Aways. But I never Brain over brawn here. Brain wins this. the Daily Mail posted a video that imagined the magnitude of what was Technical thinking wins this. I don’t give a showed him promising a woman 150 coming, to be so famous. I’ve never liked s**t about Canelo Alvarez. Not two s**ts. I pounds (currency, not weight) worth of cameras. I’ve never liked giving interviews. don’t think Alvarez has faced a man with crack if she performed a sex act on one None of that. I have always been kind of as much heart and determination to win of his friends and punched an innocent shy.” as me. I’ve come here to take all of these passerby. The punch was captured on There was the usual pre-fight sniping titles and take them by storm. This will video. The sex act was not. In 2020, his during the build-up to Canelo-Saunders, be the biggest upset in boxing history in boxing license was temporarily suspended most of it from the Saunders camp. Tom certainly the last twenty years. I believe by the British Boxing Board of Control Saunders (Billy Joe’s father) complained to this is meant to be.”

16 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net CANELO ALVAREZ HAS DONE THE HEAVY LIFTING TO MAKE HIMSELF A MAJOR STAR

TOLD YOU SO: Canelo fulfils his promise to beat Saunders inside the distance but the Briton can hold his head high after a fine effort Photos: AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES & MICHELLE FARSI/MATCHROOM

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 17 ACTION

l Thomas Hauser’s Mark Tibbs (who trains Saunders) cast email address is a more measured light on Billy Joe’s fight thomashauser plan, saying, “We’ve got to slide and glide writer@gmail. and not get drawn in to what Canelo does com. His most and that’s what it’s all about with Billy Joe. recent book It’s about him being disciplined in what – Staredown: he’s got to do and not locking horns and Another Year planting his feet because it won’t work in Inside Boxing – our favor if we do that.” was published by Meanwhile, Canelo spoke to the battle the University of ahead, saying, “His style is very difficult. Arkansas Press. In He is a lefty so that makes it even more 2004, the Boxing difficult. But I am a fighter who has fought Writers Association against all kinds of styles. I am ready for of America honored any style. I just have to work. It is a matter ACCURATE: Canelo fires his Hauser with the left to Saunders’ head and of having patience.” body in the early rounds Nat Fleischer Demetrius Andrade was less Photos: ED MULHOLLAND/MATCHROOM Award for career diplomatic, telling writer Keith Idec, excellence in “Saunders looked like s**t when he boxing journalism. fought Martin Murray. He couldn’t do In 2019, he was anything. He really didn’t dominate him selected for in the way that he should have, the way induction into somebody supposedly that good, that the International talented, should have done against Martin Boxing Hall of Murray. I just don’t think Billy Joe has the Fame. steam to keep Canelo off him.” Still, Canelo-Saunders was a prizefight; Saunders has skills; and nothing is certain in boxing. Canelo-Saunders was the sixth fight card contested at AT&T Stadium. Previous events had been headlined by (twice), Errol Spence (twice), and Canelo. Ticket prices started at $40 and worked their way up from there. The turnout on fight night was a tribute to Canelo’s star power. The announced attendance was 73,126. That made it the largest crowd to attend a sporting event THE COMEBACK: in the United States since the pandemic Saunders finds his began in March 2020. More significantly, groove in rounds it was the largest indoor crowd ever for five and six a boxing match in the United States, surpassing the 63,352 fans who attended the rematch between Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks in the New Orleans Superdome on September 15, 1978. The great majority of fans in attendance were unmasked, giving rise to concern that Canelo-Saunders might become a super-spreader event. The crowd was loud and overwhelmingly pro- Canelo. In recent years, Eddy Reynoso has been Alvarez’s lead trainer. Chepo Reynoso (Eddy’s father and patriarch of the Reynoso clan) has been absent from Canelo’s corner in recent fights. Chepo was hospitalized twice for COVID-19 last year. And discretion is the better part of from time to time and landing to the body. ROUND FIVE: Saunders starts the round well, valour. ROUND THREE: Saunders keeping Canelo fades late. But he won the round. Once the bell rang, it was a champion at bay with his footwork and jab. Canelo ROUND SIX: Saunders attacking a bit more. versus a beltholder. My round by round comes on strong in the last thirty seconds of ROUND SEVEN: Saunders fighting as well as notes follow: the round. he can, but it’s not good enough. ROUND ONE: Canelo likes to counterpunch. ROUND FOUR: Saunders looking for a ROUND EIGHT: Canelo landing hard body And Saunders isn’t throwing anything for formula that might win the fight, and he shots. Well-placed uppercut closes Saunders’ Canelo to counter, only stay-away-from-me can’t find it. Canelo fighting patiently, right eye. The crowd is roaring. Canelo urges jabs. Canelo working the body when he can. landing to the body when he closes the gap. them on with a wave of his arm. Twice. ROUND TWO: Saunders using his jab a bit Good left uppercut by Canelo. He’s been Saunders in survival mode. He’s getting more aggressively. Canelo getting inside looking for that punch. beaten up.

18 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net After the eighth round, citing damage to Billy Joe’s right eye, Saunders’ corner stopped the fight. The judges had Canelo STORY OF THE FIGHT ahead 78-74, 78-74, 77-75 at the time of the stoppage. This writer gave Saunders How Canelo Alvarez broke down Billy Joe Saunders the fifth and sixth rounds for a 78-74 margin in Canelo’s favour. CANELO ALVAREZ began well, than his opponent. In round eye was swollen and bruised. More importantly, Saunders was clearly closing the distance easier and five Saunders was the clear There was a visible dent in the tiring. Canelo’s body shots were taking a quicker than many expected. winner of a session for the first side of his face. The underdog’s toll. With or without his damaged left eye, He regularly found Billy Joe time. That jab was on target and demeanor changed instantly. the rest of the fight was going to be ugly Saunders’ midsection with Canelo, still chasing the KO, was Alvarez threw his arms into the for Billy Joe. sweeping left hands. The off-target with his. Saunders air before a right cross slammed Up until the stoppage, DAZN’s pattern continued through the boxed well again in the sixth, into the injury. Saunders reeled commentators had been calling the bout first three rounds with Alvarez the confidence was growing back in pain but hung on to hear as though they believed the pre-fight pro- stepping inside, blocking from within as he unloaded fast the bell. Saunders hype. Now DAZN analyst Sergio anything that Saunders threw combinations. Ben Davison, assisting in the Mora noted, “When the going got tough, and firing up and down. In the But the favourite never corner, urged Mark Tibbs to stop Billy Joe Saunders didn’t get off his stool.” third round, Saunders – stung looked flustered. The seventh the fight. Saunders, blinking “It was not as difficult as I expected,” more than once with blows to was a close round with Canelo and in distress, did not object. Canelo said afterward. the head – was starting to flinch now readjusting. This time, Canelo, in the opposite corner, Saunders has now been diagnosed when Canelo got close. Saunders could not go with had not taken a seat. Instead as having suffered “multiple fractures to Things got marginally better him. The eighth round was a he waited for the surrender. the orbital area.” He underwent surgery for Saunders in the fourth. painful one for the Brit. A right When it came, he celebrated the the day after the fight and will be out of He’d adjusted his feet to time hand cannoned into Saunders victory. The painful stoppage action for the foreseeable future. Alvarez’s aggression and, for the as he moved his head down. win he’d promised beforehand Meanwhile, following a 13-month first time, was throwing more Immediately, Saunders’ right was his. layoff occasioned by the pandemic, Alvarez has now fought three times in less than five months. He’s already the undisputed 168-pound champion. He just THE UNDERCARD doesn’t have all the belts yet. His current goal is to unify the four major 168-pound titles by defeating IBF beltholder Caleb Hard-fought win for Soto, a tame surrender from Aguilera and agony for Conway Plant in Las Vegas in conjunction with Mexican Independence Day Weekend ELWIN SOTO of Mexico retained 2016 – made it quite clear he favour of the Miami-based Cuban. on September 18. Should that bout take his WBO light-flyweight strap was still good to go when the Northampton’s KIERON place, Plant will come to fight. But he for the second time with a ninth intervention came. CONWAY has vowed to learn won’t win. After that, who knows? Jermall round stoppage of the lively NAGY AGUILERA went lessons from his 10-round split Charlo and David Benavidez have been veteran, KATSUNARI TAKAYAMA. down from what was ruled decision loss to 2016 Olympic mentioned as future opponents for The finish came at 2-44 in the an accidental foul blow from bronze medalist, SOULEYMANE Canelo. Like Plant, they’re in the Premier round when referee Laurence Cole heavyweight FRANK SANCHEZ CISSOKHO. Conway, the underdog, Boxing Champions orbit. stepped in with the comebacking in the sixth round then claimed was not out of his depth but Canelo rose to stardom on Showtime Japanese star under fire. he couldn’t continue. Replays failed to make a significant and HBO. The DAZN platform has Soto was throwing big shots appeared to show that the breakthrough until the ninth. minimised his exposure in the United throughout but Takayama, 37, alleged right hand to the back of A left uppercut made France’s States. Canelo versus Plant (if it happens) tirelessly brushed them off. The the head did not land. If Aguilera Cissokho take a knee before might change that. Fighting Plant in an 24-year-old was regularly tagged was hoping for a DQ win, his luck rising and seeing out the round. event supported by CBS-Showtime or during the bout but his punches was out. Sanchez had dominated The favourite recovered and had FOX would elevate Alvarez’s profile in the carried more weight, wobbling before the incident in the sixth a good 10th, stinging Conway United States beyond the audience he Takayama in the sixth and and was awarded a unanimous with an uppercut. The scores were currently reaches. Should Canelo choose seventh. Even so, the challenger technical decision win. The three 96-93, 95-94 for Cissokho and to stay with DAZN, Canelo-Golovkin III – in only his second bout since judges scored the bout 60-54 in 97-92 for Conway. would be an attractive alternative. Meanwhile, Canelo is the best, most ON TOP: marketable fighter that boxing has to But Soto is forced offer at present and the antidote to the to work hard against veteran trashboxing that recently has gained a Takayama foothold in the United States. He loves Photo: ED MULHOLLAND/ the sweet science and the lifestyle of a MATCHROOM hardworking fighter. He can box. He can punch. He’s not easy to hit. And he takes a good punch. He has done the heavy lifting to make himself a major star. Future opponents will try to cash in on that. But as Billy Joe Saunders found out, it won’t be easy. bn

THE VERDICT Canelo teaches Billy Joe some valuable lessons while proving he’s a class above.

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 19 ACTION

Travelling blues

Smith EKATERINBURG, RUSSIA location, the same score in Kurbanov’s 12-rounders. favour. Certainly the refereeing, from denied a MAY 7 But the 117-112 tally told completely Germany’s Joerg Milke, should have been the wrong story. The judge in question stronger. The Russian tied up Smith in deserved ★★★★★ KURBANOV-SMITH was Victor Fesechko who has been an clinches over and over again, from the victory in official for 13 years, with much of his first to the last round, denying the Briton IVERPOOL’S Liam experience coming in bouts in his native the opportunity to work on the inside Russia Smith left Russia Ukraine. Furthermore, it’s a rarity, if you and not receiving any penalty for the frustrated at the examine his career, that Fesechko has infractions. unanimous 12-round been called upon to judge top-level In the first round Kurbanov even hit L decision that went to Magomed Kurbanov after the two fought in Ekaterinburg. The judges, from Russia, Ukraine and Hungary, scored 117-112 and 115-113 twice to Kurbanov, who was in his actual hometown. “I’ll watch it back, but I feel I definitely did not lose that fight,” Smith stated afterwards. Smith had applied consistent pressure through their 12-rounder. Though Kurbanov had successes at times and was competitive throughout, the Liverpudlian appeared to have done enough to get a result. The BN card had Smith leading by 115-113 but could understand, given the amount of close rounds and the bout’s

20 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net CONTENTIOUS: Smith lands a right cross but Kurbanov gets the decision [below] Photos: RCC BOXING PROMOTIONS

TWO-WAY ACTION: Smith [blue shorts] and Kurbanov put on a good fight featuring some entertaining exchanges

the deck. Smith did land a left hook amateur gym. Coaches Declan O’Rourke briefly wobbled by a right hand, only to and Kurbanov lost his footing, but the and Joe McNally were in his corner on fire back himself. referee ruled it a slip. It was already clear this night, with brother Paul Smith on the Into the 12th and final round. Smith in those opening moments that Smith sidelines. Callum and Stephen were also was the aggressor, ignoring the spoiling was up against it. But the Scouser didn’t with him behind the scenes. tactics of his opponent to force the accept this fight, or the payday on offer, Liam rarely attacked the body, which action. The Russian looked exhausted. while blind to the hazards of fighting has been one of the hallmarks of his past Smith scored with a looping overarm away from home. Though 32 years old successes. But employing deft right. A right staggered and with a long career behind him, this head movement he rolled Kurbanov just before the contest can be looked upon as a blip well under Kurbanov’s final bell. In another ring, rather than a signal that the end is nigh. shots and opened up TALKING Smith’s efforts would Certainly, he did not compete like a with combinations, POINT have been enough to fighter who’s in decline though it was dashing his cross into win. He can count clear at times he’d been out of the ring the Russian’s jaw. One ONLY three of Smith’s last nine himself unfortunate for 16 months. such shot seemed fights have been staged in the UK. here. The Russian, who fought three times in to hurt Kurbanov in During this period he has fought Smith, a former 2020, boxed like the hometown fighter, the seventh as Smith in the USA, Spain, Mexico and WBO 154lb belt- backing off, flipping up jabs from his roared forward in a big Russia. holder, had hoped to waist, which did land with surprising round for the Briton. use this fight in Russia frequency, and manoeuvring away It would be unfair to as a route back to another once he had managed to land a right. ignore the good work of title shot. That path to a Kurbanov also had success with his right Kurbanov. He too played his part championship fight, at least for the hand, as both uppercuts and hooks in a fascinating encounter that really time being, has been blocked. landed as Smith pushed forward. came to life down the stretch. Rounds Smith recently parted ways with long- nine and 10, surely won by Smith, were THE VERDICT Smith is unfortunate time trainer Joe Gallagher and had been exciting as the boxers took it in turns to to lose in Russia but there’s little training under Manny Robles recently, as administer punishment. Smith ate a four- evidence to suggest he’s a fighter in well as returning to Rotunda ABC, his old punch combination in the 11th and was decline.

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 21 Previewing the best upcoming fights PREVIEWS around the world

★★★★★ OUTSTANDING ★★★★ GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ DISAPPOINTING ★ RUBBISH

The star ratings indicate how well the writer believes the fighters match up, the fight(s)’ contextual significance, and how good the fight(s) will be Action stations

Photos: AMANDA WESTCOTT/SHOWTIME

TALE OF THE TAPE

LUIS NERY @luisnerynp @BrandonLeeFig Dec 12, 1994/26 DOB/AGE Dec 29, 1996/24 Tijuana HOMETOWN Weslaco, TX Mexican NATIONALITY American 5ft 6ins HEIGHT 5ft 9ins 66 1/2ins REACH 72ins 31-0 (24) RECORD 21-0-1 (16) Switch-hitter May 5, 2012/17 DEBUT/AGE May 9, 2015/18 77 KO PERCENTAGE 73 Ismael Ramirez TRAINER Joel Diaz 9-0 AMATEUR RECORD 33-17

PARTING OF THE WAYS: Nery is no longer being trained by Reynoso [left]

Combative ★★★★★ MAIN EVENT at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, of Canelo Alvarez and other top names. California this Saturday (May 15). However, in February, Nery declared ★★★★★ UNDERCARD super- Last time out in September, the two that he had parted ways with Reynoso bantams fighters recorded victories on the same after only one fight together. Having HEN Premier bill. Nery picked up the vacant WBC now reunited with his former trainer Nery and Boxing Champions title by unanimously outscoring the Ismael Ramirez, the 26-year-old wants Figueroa and Showtime undefeated but untested Aaron Alameda, to get back to doing what he does best – announced their while Figueroa dominated and stopped fighting on the front foot and letting his prepare for W upcoming fight the overmatched Damien Vazquez in fists fly. schedule last month, 10 rounds. Although Nery was a worthy “A lot has been different in this battle, writes there were some winner against Alameda, his performance training camp,” Nery commented. “My Paul appealing matchups on the list. One of was not as dynamic as we have become knockout streak came to an end because Wheeler which was the 12-rounder between WBC accustomed to seeing from him. The I wasn’t fighting in my style. I’m being belt-holder Luis Nery and his fellow bout brought an end to a run of 11 more myself now, like I was during my unbeaten super-bantamweight Brandon consecutive inside-schedule wins for the knockout streak. My mentality is simple Figueroa. Both men like to come Mexican southpaw. – it’s either me or him. I’m going to be forward and let their hands go, so expect For the Alameda contest, Nery had myself and I’m going to be aggressive. no shortage of action when they collide Eddy Reynoso in his corner – the coach I plan to win fighting in my style.

22 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Figueroa is a threat to my future plans. Jnr, Brandon [below] is a switch-hitting I need to eliminate that threat.” pressure-fighter who employs a fan- For touted Texan Figueroa, this friendly, all-action approach. A tall bout provides a chance to secure a and strong super-bantam who can statement victory, as beating Nery would take a shot, he possesses a tireless undoubtedly be his biggest achievement engine, which he puts to fine use by so far. The Joel Diaz-trained talent is regularly unleashing hurtful hooks and confident that he has what it takes to combinations to head and body. succeed at the highest level. Like Figueroa, the 31-0 (24) Nery “My camp has been amazing and I’m is a hard-hitting volume-puncher. He in tremendous shape,” Figueroa said. attacks with fast and furious flurries, “I know that Nery is a tough putting a particular emphasis fighter, but I’m 24 now, so TALKING on the midsection. He is it’s time for me to start POINT a fearsome aggressor, fighting these world- though he has been class opponents. I want IN 2019, Nery defeated two knocked down more The undercard to show that I belong former Olympians inside the than once in the past. Roman heads up the supporting acts, distance. McJoe Arroyo was in there with the best.” Despite holding while Martinez continues his education While Figueroa is forced to retire after four significant advantages still searching for a rounds, while Juan Carlos in height and reach JUST as in the main event, the chief support true breakout win, Nery Payano was knocked out over Nery, Figueroa does pits two aggressive front-foot fighters notched his back in August in the ninth. not usually fight to his against one another at super-bantamweight, 2017, when he emphatically size by boxing from range, as [above] meets Ricardo dethroned long-reigning WBC instead opting to engage up Espinoza over 10 rounds. bantamweight titlist close on the inside. This type of match Roman, 28-3-1 (10), is the more on away turf in Japan. A fourth-round should suit the more compact Nery, who experienced of the pair, having shared a ring stoppage saw the respected Yamanaka can win a fiercely contested encounter with various noteworthy rivals. A previous suffer a defeat for the first time in his on points, setting up a September 11 career, yet Nery’s joy was to prove short- clash with WBO titlist Stephen Fulton in holder of the WBA and IBF belts, the Los lived. the process. Angeles man dropped the titles to the quality Just over a week later, it was revealed Murodjon Akhmadaliev in January last year. by VADA that in a sample provided THE VERDICT Fulton will be In a close and compelling fight, the 31-year- 19 days before the fight, the Tijuanan watching with interest from his old was edged out by Akhmadaliev on a split tested positive for the banned substance ringside seat. vote. He rebounded eight months later by zilpaterol, which is similar to the more unanimously outpointing the skilled but widely known clenbuterol. There was talk past-his-best , although of the result potentially being overturned he did not have things all his own way. and Nery being stripped of his belt, but Espinoza is best known for engaging in a he was reprieved when the WBC ruled give-and-take war with the decorated John that “all information and facts lead to Riel Casimero at bantamweight in April 2019. conclude that the adverse finding was Level on the scorecards going into the 12th due to consumption of contaminated and final frame, the 23-year-old Mexican was food products.” overwhelmed by Casimero with just over two Though the WBC judged that Nery minutes left in the bout. had not intentionally ingested zilpaterol, With 21 early victories from his 25 wins they still ordered him to take part in a (against three defeats), Tijuana’s Espinoza rematch with Yamanaka, which took can certainly dig. However, he can be place in March 2018, once more in decked, too. Both Espinoza and Roman are Japan. There was controversy again when effective body-punchers, but Daniel is the Nery came in three pounds over the more polished boxer with his varied shot bantamweight limit and had to forfeit his selection. The tough and well-conditioned title. Although he lost his belt, he did not Californian can come through on points in an lose the fight, as Yamanaka was ruthlessly entertaining scrap. Xavier dispatched in two rounds and sent into Also on the bill, the 16-0 (11) Martinez retirement. , from Sacramento, California, Juan Carlos Up to now, Figueroa’s most notable takes on seasoned Mexican Burgos wins have come against Oscar Escandon in a super- 12-rounder. and Moises Flores, who have both mixed Last time out in October, the 23-year-old in good company. The Weslaco native Martinez was given a scare by the dangerous KO’d Escandon in the 10th round in Claudio Marrero, who sent him to the canvas September 2018, before knocking out twice. Martinez demonstrated his grit and Flores in the third, four months later. The determination by bouncing back to prevail sole blemish on his 21-0-1 (16) record via unanimous verdict. came a year-and-a-half ago when he was A professional since 2004, the durable held to a by the heavy-handed Burgos, 33, has fought some accomplished Julio Ceja in a toe-to-toe thriller. The fact adversaries, but his prime was back in the that Ceja missed weight by more than early-to-mid 2010s. Expect another loss to be four pounds did not aid Figueroa’s cause. added to the Tijuanan’s 34-4-2 (21) ledger The younger brother of ex-WBC this weekend, with Martinez’s spiteful blows lightweight title-holder Omar Figueroa earning him a decision victory.

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 23 PREVIEWS

ON THE RISE: Buatsi is a fighter with serious potential Photo: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM

A restart

the excellent Terri Harper vs Hyun Mi Buatsi is expected to end this inside the Buatsi ★★★★★ MAIN EVENT Choi super-featherweight WBC/WBA title distance, probably early on as well. returns in ★★★★★ UNDERCARD unification fight had to be cancelled after “I think if someone’s undefeated and Harper broke her hand again, in just her their record’s on the line, they’re going to BUATSI vs DOS SANTOS last sparring session. come and give it everything to defend it with a new The quiet man of Britain’s thriving light- Buatsi can be expected to showcase and that’s enough for me to know,” Joshua trainer, heavyweight scene, Joshua Buatsi returns some of what he’s been working on in said. to action behind closed doors at the Oakland with Hunter against Dos Santos. “That someone’s undefeated, they’re writes Manchester Arena with a new trainer in But he should be much too strong for the going to have ambition and want to keep John Dennen his corner. Since a tougher-than-expected Frenchman. an undefeated record. There’s a title on bout last time out against Marko Calic, Dos Santos has amassed a 15-0 (8) the line as well [a WBA International light- the talented Olympic bronze medallist has record but that was against modest heavyweight strap], so that’s going to make linked up with Virgil Hunter as his coach. opposition. He has only met two him more hungry. So things like that are This contest on Saturday (May 15) opponents before Buatsi who had winning what I like to concentrate on, not reasons against France’s Daniel Blenda Dos records (and those only just, 7-2-4 and why the guy might not be up for it. He’s Santos, more of a tune-up bout for 2-1). Dos Santos will be fighting outside of going to be up for it so that’s enough Buatsi, is thrown into the spotlight after France for the first time in his career and for me.”

24 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net The Londoner has long admired Andre McDonnell three years ago. He’s shown Langford and Lennox Clarke to win the Ward, whom Hunter is most famous for he has heart and the stamina to fight Commonwealth then British super- training. But don’t expect Buatsi to be through 12 rounds. middleweight titles. His win over the latter boxing like Ward in his first outing with his “The Beast’s” explosive power should looks even better after Clarke’s stunning new trainer. tell at times but he might have to go the stoppage of Willy Hutchinson in March. “No, I’ve got my own style, the way I do distance to claim a points win. Now New Malden’s Richards is going things is very different, the way I think is for the vacant European 168lb title against very different. Even on the 15th my aim McCARTHY vs JUR . is just to win. Get the win move on to the Another of three European championship The Italian’s 38-bout professional career next one. If I do just one thing of what I’ve fights on this bill. ’s Tommy is dotted with nine defeats but he has been learning I’ve ticked the box,” he said. McCarthy has moved on from his 2019 mixed in good company. He went the full “[Training with Hunter] is something if stoppage loss to Richard Riakporhe. 12 rounds with Arthur Abraham in 2013 I add it to what I do know or what I’m Racking up three wins after that, including and managed to hand Vincent Feigenbutz good at, I can benefit from it a lot. two in Italy, he then beat Bilal a defeat, as well as drawing with “Very out of my comfort zone but I’ve Laggoune to win the vacant and losing to Tyron Zeuge in a got one chance at this so wherever I need European cruiserweight DEBUTING busy 2016. to be to learn, I’m prepared to do it.” crown in his only fight DUO Richards should A knockout victory will help Buatsi of last year. Now show the range of his restart his momentum but after this he he defends against FURTHER down the card, two ability and outclass De will need rounds and more activity if he is Alexandru Jur. fighters are set to make their Carolis but may well to reach world level. The Romanian is professional debuts in separate be taken the distance “May 15 is something I need to get 19-4 (7). In 2019 he bouts. Six-foot five-inch heavyweight again. SOLOMON DACRES, of Warley, will be out the way first but then we look to box did manage to go 10 looking to make his mark, as will again,” Joshua said. rounds with Krzysztof SMITH vs APPLEYARD Coalville super- Dalton Smith “Literally activity is key.” Wlodarczyk, a former ELLIS HOPKINS. is one of WBC titlist, though one Britain’s best prospects. who is now 39 years old. Jur The 7-0 Sheffield man gets YAFAI vs CUNNINGHAM though is not the most resilient. his first title fight when he boxes Gamal Yafai makes his first defence of Dmitry Kudryashov knocked him out in Lee Appleyard for the vacant English the European super-bantamweight title. their first round. McCarthy might not do it super-lightweight belt. The man won the that quickly, but if he injects spite into his Atif Shafiq dropped Appleyard three championship with a sterling effort against work he should be able to finish this one times when he halted him in 2018. Luca Rigoldi in Italy in December. He goes inside the distance. Smith is a harder puncher and puts his up against Jason Cunningham, a familiar combinations together well. He could face who fought Gamal’s older brother Kal RICHARDS vs DE CAROLIS impress and bag another stoppage win in 2015 and went 10 rounds with Irish star Lerrone Richards had a low-key here. in 2018. outing last year, in subdued form as he and DAZN televise. As a southpaw and a seasoned outpointed an unambitious Timo Laine campaigner Cunningham won’t be easy over eight rounds. THE VERDICT The loss of Harper- for Yafai to break down. But Gamal has But Richards is a talented, dangerous Choi hurts the show but there’s still rebuilt well since a heavy loss to Gavin southpaw. In 2019 he outscored Tommy a treble bill of European title fights.

FIRST DEFENCES: For European champs Yafai and McCarthy [right]

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 25 A team of experts join Elliot Worsell to examine Oleksandr Usyk’s chances of ruling the world at heavyweight

Photo: DAVE THOMPSON/MATCHROOM

SMALL STEP OR GIANT

26 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net GIANT LEAP?

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 27 THE BIG DEBATE: Usyk’s skillset is not in question, but will his lack of size at heavyweight ultimately hold him back? Photo: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM

28 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net OT long after cruiserweight king you think if Derek at this late stage in his career can Oleksandr Usyk decided to head unsettle him, how would Usyk do against a fighter with to a division only the biggest more sharpness and freshness and the ability to throw and bravest cruiserweights dare straight punches and shots they are disguising? Usyk N visit, the WBC decided to create saw everything Derek was doing that night but Derek another division to highlight just was still able to get to him.” how difficult it is jumping from Ultimately, Chisora, despite his hyperactive start, cruiserweight to heavyweight succumbed to Usyk’s greater nous and movement and and leaving a mark. was outclassed in the fight’s second half. Some saw In creating bridgerweight (200lbs to 224lbs), the the night as a struggle for Usyk due to its uncertain WBC not only offer boxers another in beginning, whereas others viewed the decision win as which to win a (for now) meaningless title but also something just short of a masterclass. remind us all it will probably take something special for “I don’t see anybody getting in the ring with him Usyk to become as dominant at heavyweight as he was and producing more, in terms of pressure, than what as the world cruiserweight champion. Chisora put on him,” Fury said. “So, I don’t see what the This, of course, Usyk already knew. Now at home problem is for Usyk going forward. there, his first pro heavyweight fight culminated “My opinion is that he has ticked the boxes. You’ve in a seventh-round retirement stoppage of so-so got an 18-stone man of solid muscle, a rough fighter, contender Chazz Witherspoon, while his second, coming in and throwing everything at Usyk, including a 12-round decision win over Derek Chisora in October, the kitchen sink, but not once was Usyk hurt. He just saw Usyk weather an early storm to eventually take went about his boxing game.” control and dominate. In both these fights he showed “That fight set off alarm bells for me,” said Coldwell. flashes of the old Usyk – that is, the cruiserweight “I don’t think he’s the same fighter at heavyweight. Usyk – but also showed enough, in terms of flaws, to “I see Usyk at cruiserweight and see him at give the rest of the heavyweight pack reason to feel heavyweight and I don’t think the added weight suits encouraged ahead of any future fight with the him. If you look at his fights, his non-punching gifted Ukrainian. activity at cruiserweight was unbelievable. He “I think it’s been a fantastic was active, he was light on his start,” said Peter Fury, uncle and feet, and he was quick. But then former trainer of current WBC you look at him as a heavyweight heavyweight titlist Tyson Fury. CHISORA’S and I just think he looks a little “Chisora had been given months bit more mechanical.” and months to prepare for Usyk , the recently retired and arrived in phenomenal PHYSICAL heavyweight from Doncaster, shape. That was probably the was in camp with Usyk before best version of Chisora we have PRESENCE ALONE the Chisora fight and was able to seen. He used to slap a lot with sample the skills of the 34-year- the inside of the glove but that SEEMED TO old southpaw during a number seems to have gone and he of sparring sessions. He took was in the kind of shape that from this experience both insight meant going 12 rounds was no RATTLE USYK” and, if only briefly, confidence. problem. Even then, getting on “The Usyk sparring was going top of Usyk early was the best he well for me but in the last 30 could do. He could fight Usyk 10 times and will never seconds I got clipped and badly hurt,” Allen, 18-5 (15), do any better than that.” said. “Before that, though, I was in the form of my life. Dave Coldwell, someone who also has experience I was giving him a lot to think about and did very well. training heavyweights (one of which was Chisora), has “However, in saying that, he is unbelievably talented. a slightly different take on Usyk’s early heavyweight I’m not saying because I did well in sparring I would form. beat him because I wouldn’t. He’s one of the very elite. “I watched Usyk’s fight against Chazz Witherspoon I’m not sure he beats [Tyson] Fury or [Anthony] Joshua and, though I give him a pass because he had a last- but I’m pretty confident he beats everyone else.” minute change of opponent, he got clipped in one Coldwell, in addition to training Derek Chisora, was of the rounds and you knew it registered,” Coldwell also the man partly responsible for winning said. “It didn’t hurt or wobble him but it made him the WBC cruiserweight title and then hotfooting it uncomfortable. to heavyweight and twice defeating David Haye, “Then he fought Derek and, style-wise, if both were a former cruiserweight and heavyweight titlist in his cruiserweights, Derek would be absolutely perfect for own right. He has, in being around both Bellew and Usyk. He would look a million dollars and wouldn’t lose Haye, seen what it takes for a fighter to switch from a second of the fight. cruiserweight to heavyweight and knows, having seen “At heavyweight, Derek still, even though he’s got the the subtle differences, there is more to it than simply size and strength, didn’t do anything technically great putting on weight and looking up. in that fight. He was just walking forward, swinging “The way that we looked at the move with Tony was punches. He wasn’t even throwing straight shots. He on a case-by-case basis,” said Coldwell. “We knew he was just winging in whatever he could. But his physical [Bellew] wasn’t going to be the biggest and that going presence alone seemed to rattle Usyk early. It had him in against the giants of the heavyweight division would uncomfortable and working hard. be way too much. But David [Haye], although he was “I don’t think defensively his movement was as fluid boxing at heavyweight and was a little bit heavier than as what it was when Usyk was a cruiserweight. It makes Tony, physically, and in terms of their dimensions,

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 29 ON TARGET: Usyk shudders Chisora with a left hook

there wasn’t much in it. It was definitely worth the risk. weren’t skilful but the cruiserweights are a higher “The modern-day heavyweights, though, are skilled group than people think. In fact, it was harder massive. A lot of them are getting back to where for me to fight cruiserweights than it was for me to they’re also explosive and can move well, which fight heavyweights because of the skillset and makes them even more difficult to fight. It’s now because of what cruiserweights are able to do. such a massive jump for the Cruiserweights have everything: cruiserweights.” speed, movement, agility, power. Another cruiserweight They put punches together. titlist who made the leap They set you up. It’s like you’re to heavyweight in search PEOPLE THINK fighting a middleweight with of the rainbow’s end is Steve heavyweight power. Cunningham, the former two- BIGGER IS “At heavyweight the major time IBF title-holder at 200 thing we were concerned about pounds who faced the likes BETTER IN was heavyweight power. That’s of Tyson Fury, Antonio Tarver, it. It wasn’t the skillset at all. , Amir Mansour That’s why I was able to do what and Vyacheslav Glazkov as a BOXING BUT I did to Fury. That’s why he had heavyweight. He won the USBA to use the tactics he used to heavyweight title during this IT’S NOT” neutralise me. Outside of that, four-year fling but failed to hands down I had that fight in replicate the success he had as the bag.” a cruiserweight, eventually returning to his old division Cunningham, 29-9-1 (13), added: “Their size in 2016. advantage was a disadvantage in my eyes. People “The major difference I experienced and took think bigger is better but it’s not. Bigger meant I was advantage of was the boxing skillset,” Cunningham able to see their punches coming and I was able to explained. “I’m not saying the heavyweights I fought defend their punches and prepare for impact.

30 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net “At cruiserweight, you blink and you’re getting hit – learn from and Usyk, for me, is one of them. boom-boom. Cruiserweights are fast; cruiserweights “But I do think this move to heavyweight might not are sharp. I’m not saying heavyweights are slow. work out for him. There have been fighters throughout Some are fast. But they’re not sharp. A quick blink history who dominate at a certain weight and then go at cruiserweight and boom, you’re down. The that one division up and all of a sudden look razor-sharp precision of a cruiserweight is on human. They give up certain advantages and it a completely different level levels the playing field a bit. This than a thudding blow from a could be the case with Usyk. heavyweight.” “I’ve always fancied him to It remains to be seen what COMING beat AJ [Anthony Joshua] but kind of heavyweight Oleksandr now I’ve watched him fight at Usyk, 18-0 (13), will become. He heavyweight a couple of times could, like Cunningham, find the THROUGH THAT I’m seeing that differently. Now size difference too significant to I don’t see Usyk beating him.” land a world title or he could, CHISORA FIGHT, Whatever happens, the mark like Haye, be able to grab a of Oleksandr Usyk’s legacy belt from somewhere but not will likely be a marriage of his be big or good enough to defeat USYK WILL cruiserweight achievements and the very best heavyweights in his willingness to move up and the division. Or maybe, just GROW FROM IT” provide definitive answers for all maybe, he will replicate Evander who currently speculate about Holyfield and become number his prospects at heavyweight. one. Already great on account of his cruiserweight form, he In the end, a lot will depend on how Usyk deals with stands only to get greater from here on out, though AIMING HIGH: Usyk is daring opponents bigger and better than Chazz Witherspoon may, if Coldwell’s suspicion is correct, one day rue not to be great at and Derek Chisora and also how his own skills carry being that little bit bigger. bn heavyweight into fights in which he can no longer control the distance the way he did against men his own size. “He could fight the biggest and the best and have a walk in the park,” said Fury. “Or he could realise once he’s in there he just cannot get the distance. “I don’t think the size is going to matter, though. I think Usyk, coming through that [Chisora] fight, will grow from it. He’s that clever he can make serious adjustments and I think, when the time arrives, he will do.” Just as confident in Usyk’s chances against the big men is Cunningham, who said: “The only chance any of those big guys – Joshua, [Deontay] Wilder, Fury – have against Usyk is to knock him out. If they don’t, they have to hit him hard enough to hurt him and mean that his skillset is now shot. Outside of that, I don’t see any of them outboxing him or winning rounds against him. “Fury is the best boxer among those heavyweights, no doubt, but Usyk is like the southpaw version of me to an extent, at least in terms of a Fury fight. He’s going to cause so many problems using the blueprint I established. I can see Fury tying him up and trying to drain him with his strength. Who knows how it goes from there? “As for Wilder, he only has a puncher’s chance with Usyk. Usyk picks him apart until he gets caught by that right hand. If he avoids it, he gets a decision and maybe even stops Wilder. “Usyk and Joshua is a better technical fight. Joshua has that speed and that movement and that power but he does have issues with smaller fighters.” Coldwell, someone who has attempted to crack the Usyk code as coach of Tony Bellew and observed him from the unenviable position of an opponent’s corner, is not quite so giddy about Usyk’s hopes as a heavyweight. In all, too, he has arguably watched more of Usyk than most. “Usyk as a cruiserweight was a fighter I loved,” Coldwell said. “I must have watched hours and hours of him before we even knew he would be an opponent for Tony. There are just certain fighters you watch to

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 31 32 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net GAS IN THE TANK

Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams is the archetypal heavyweight nearly man. There’s excuses. There’s pride. There’s genuine hard luck. Best of all there’s lessons aplenty for the fighters he now guides through the hardest game. By Oliver Fennell

Photo: HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 33 IKE many former fringe contenders, Sherman Williams Athletic League in Florida,” he says. “I started has a lot of “what ifs”. What if the scores had been to coach troubled teens in juvenile detention and found I was a natural. It was fun. I was different in certain fights? What if he’d been given fighting too, so I was training together with more notice for others? What if Evander Holyfield had the kids and I fell in love with it.” L answered the bell for the fourth round? Since starting to train pros in 2014, The Bahamian heavyweight reckons he was robbed Williams has divided his time between Miami, where he has lived since 1998 (he has dual several times in his career, but never more a few seconds he took millions of dollars out US-Bahamian citizenship) and Copenhagen, so than the night he locked horns with a of my pocket.” where he has most notably worked with WBC legend and learned sometimes you just can’t Still, while it may not make up for lost Youth cruiserweight champion Ditlev Rossing, win – even when your opponent verbally millions, there was an upside to what Williams undefeated heavyweight Pierre Madsen, and surrenders. calls “the biggest robbery of my life”. Four Sarah Mahfoud, the interim IBF women’s Williams had rocked Holyfield several months later, Holyfield would have his final featherweight champion. times in the third round of their January fight, a 10-round drubbing of the limited but “We [Williams and Mahfoud] were in 2011 encounter, but a savvy application of massively popular Dane Brian Nielsen, and training for Amanda Serrano, to unify, but it’s the rules turned a potential upset into an this would provide the catalyst for Williams to been postponed twice for Covid, so now we’re anticlimax. enter a new line of work. just waiting,” says Williams of his current The record states a no-contest. The “They [Holyfield’s handlers] wanted him situation. video shows a groggy Holyfield sporting a to fight Vitali Klitschko, but I showed he had And while they wait, Williams keeps himself seemingly insignificant cut. The audio catches nothing left,” says Williams. “So he fought busy by staying in shape in case the phone him telling the referee “I can’t take too many Nielsen instead and beat the s**t out him. rings for him to step back in the ring too. chances with this wild guy… I can’t see”. “[Nielsen’s promoter] Mogens Palle, we go He last boxed as recently as 2019 and says: Of course, no referee can allow a contest way back to when I worked with Nielsen when “I continuously get fight offers. Just last week to continue after hearing something like that, he was going to fight Dickie Ryan [in 1999]. I had an offer from Germany. I’m 48 but I feel but cynics will have noted the timing. One After the Holyfield fight, Mogens said ‘you got like 28; my physical shape is perfectly fine, my more completed round and the bout would robbed blind, but if you can kick Holyfield’s emotional shape is fine and most importantly have gone to the scorecards, the cut having ass and then Holyfield kicks Nielsen’s ass, my spiritual shape is one thousand percent. I been deemed the result of a head clash. then you can train my boxers in Denmark’.” just have to decide if the situation is right for With Williams seemingly in the ascendancy, That set Williams on the path to the career me. If so, I take the fight; if not, I don’t.” that might have been too much of a risk as he enjoys now – coaching full-time. That 2019 bout – a first-round knockout of Holyfield, 48, precariously navigated the last “Tank” was already training youths, so journeyman Stacy Frazier to take his record days of his 27-year pro career. when the opportunity came to to 42-15-2 (24) – topped the “The referee was starstruck,” claims take on some pros, it was a bill on a card he promoted in Williams. “He was taking pictures with natural progression. NO PUSHOVER: Ruslan his native Bahamas. His own Chagaev has a hard Holyfield before the fight, kissing his ass. In “I volunteered with the Police night with ‘The Tank’ fighting days may be winding Photos: GETTY IMAGES

34 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net down but Williams very much has an eye STALWART: on the future, as he aims to stage a boxing Williams stands alongside Joseph renaissance in the Caribbean. Parker before His Bahamian Sons promotion was taking him the founded back in 2004 but had been gaining distance in 2014 momentum in recent years. “We did two shows back to back in 2018 and 2019 and we were ready to do more, but Covid came,” he says. “We’d created a lot of interest and brought awareness. We partnered with the Ministry of Sports and Bahamian Brewery and showed our vision.” That vision is not only to boost Bahamian boxing but to increase the standard and popularity of the sport across the Caribbean. “A lot of [Caribbean] countries don’t do shows at all,” Williams says. “We showed it is possible to put on local shows, to give entertainment and generate tourism. My vision is to create a platform for island fighters to develop fully and properly before going as many what-ifs. Williams could be counted It was the worst decision of my career to go abroad, to become contenders and future on to provide competitive, crowd-pleasing ahead with that fight”); a UD setback to Ruslan champions while creating an atmosphere and rounds. What he couldn’t always count on in Chagaev in 2005 (“I beat him from pillar to a hub for boxing.” return was a level playing field. post but he got the decision”); one to Manuel Williams says the Bahamas offers “If you’re a 6’4” all-American and look good, Charr in 2009 (“in Germany, you’ve got to win the perfect combination of location and you get to fight a load of taxi drivers,” he by KO”); and one to Robert Helenius in 2012 affordability to make it a viable Caribbean says. “For me, my whole career was real fights (“at a minimum, that was a draw”). boxing hub, and not just for himself but for against big guys – and that’s how I liked it – Still, Williams earned a solid reputation, other promoters, too. but why would they back a 5’10” boxer from travelled the world and won several belts – “It’s so close to America, just 40 miles east the Bahamas?” not that the latter mattered all that much. of south Florida, and it’s much cheaper to Williams turned pro in 1997 after an “Tank” understands the true worth of some do it in the Bahamas than in the States,” he amateur career that comprised “roughly titles, especially the “WBO China National” says. “Other promoters are welcome. We can 18 wins and four losses” – including two championship he won in 2012 as a Bahamian co-promote. I have good rapport with local appearances in the Olympic trials. beating Welliver, a New Zealand-based networks and I’m in constant contact with Though one of his country’s most American. fighters, and they’re all looking for action.” decorated amateurs, the lack at the time of “I got three belts from that fight,” he says, And Williams’ ambitions extend a pro boxing scene in the Bahamas “including the IPBO, whatever that is. I don’t beyond the Bahamas. “The key is to build necessitated a move from his home in even know what means, but the belt is sitting fighters from other Freeport to the US – on my bookshelf. islands, too,” he says. and it was clear from “At the end of the day, they all want “Trinidad, the Cayman the start that Williams sanctioning fees. Make a donation, get a Islands, Turks and would not be afforded ranking. Titles don’t mean nothing to me.” Caicos. They’re English- THEY ALL WANT any breaks, as he lost What does mean something to him is speaking, as opposed his paid debut. that boxers are treated fairly. “Still today, to the Dominican SANCTIONING “I was rushed by fighters are being exploited, abused and Republic or Puerto an idiot matchmaker manipulated,” he says. “I tell kids coming up, Rico. Their dollars are FEES. MAKE A to fight a guy [Renard boxing is business first – you’ve got to get on par with the US. Jones] who’d won paid fairly and protect yourself. These are beautiful the Golden Gloves “Boxing is the only place where you can get places with great DONATION, GET A in ,” says robbed but nobody goes to jail.” potential and boxing Williams of the four- Boxing robberies are, of course, subjective. can bring in a mix of RANKING. TITLES round majority Williams may feel aggrieved by what locals and tourists.” decision setback. happened against Holyfield, Sullivan, McCline As a boxer himself, “They gave him the and co, but they’ll have their own takes on Williams may not MEAN NOTHING” decision because he those fights. But Williams can at least say he always have got was Golden Gloves came close on several occasions to making a the breaks he felt he deserved, but the champ. Then it happened again [Jones won a breakthrough, so the what-ifs are inevitable. frustrations provided an education that he rematch five months later]. It was a baptism “If I’d got some of those wins, my career says he can apply as a coach and a promoter. by fire. A lot of people would have quit, but would have taken a new turn,” he says. “I was “I always tell my fighters, this isn’t about I pressed forward.” good enough, I knew that from sparring the athletic competition, it’s about politics and That he did, with a perseverance matched top guys. I sparred with David Tua and beat business,” he says. by an exciting, aggressive style. He earned him up. had to be forced to Which is why Williams envisages building some good wins – most notably against Cisse spar with me. I held my own against Lennox Caribbean boxers from the bottom up, so Salif, Al Cole, Samson Po’uha and Chauncy Lewis and bruised up . I could they have a reputation and a fan base before Welliver – but it was in the what-ifs that have been in that mix.” progressing to the more lucrative markets of Williams earned his name. Instead, he hopes to create a mix of his the United States and Europe. We know what happened against Holyfield. own – a Caribbean blend of boxing that will “I won’t say I have any regrets [about There was also a 2000 draw with Jameel put his beloved Bahamas back on the map. my pro boxing career],” he says, “but what McCline (“being a Bahamian fighting in New “Boxing was a big deal there,” he says. I would have done differently would be to York, if they call it a draw, you know who “Muhammad Ali had his last fight in the have been more involved in management won”); a 2001 defeat to Obed Sullivan (“I won Bahamas. A lot of people forget that. decisions from the beginning and had more every round but still lost a ); a “There’s a lot of potential, it just needs to time to prepare for the big fights.” 2003 unanimous points reverse to Tye Fields be grown. It’s not easy, but we’re restarting There were plenty of big fights, and almost (“he couldn’t lift my gym bag, but I had the flu. something that used to big.” bn

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 35 36 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net By MATT CHRISTIE

Tommy Welch was two years old the first time he told his father he wanted to be a boxer. It’s taken a long time for Scott Welch to take his son seriously

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 37 YOUR son is out of control, Mr years old,” Tommy tells Boxing News. “He used to come Welch,” Tommy Welch’s father home with different haircuts and I used to say, ‘Mum, was told by Tommy Welch’s who is this man?’ teacher. “He is unruly. He is Scott smiles awkwardly at his son’s memories before unresponsive. He is disobedient. nodding to confirm them. He is keeping bad company. He “He [Tommy] used to call me Scott,” he explains. “He is – if this carries on – going to fail would point at my picture and say, not ‘Dad’, it would every single one of his GCSEs.” be ‘Scott’. I was always in camp. I couldn’t concentrate Scott Welch listened. After digesting the news that on being a father or a husband because I was a boxer. the substantial wedge of cash he was paying to put And when you’re a boxer, especially if you want to be his son through private school might just as well have successful, that’s the way it is. been chucked into the nearby English Channel, he “For me, I said to myself I’ll give boxing one year stormed out of the classroom and spotted the father [when I turned professional in 1992]. I had a car of the boy he had just been told was a bad influence business at the time that I was doing okay with. So I put on Tommy Welch. that off and tried professional boxing and decided that “Your son,” Scott growled, “does not come near my if after a year I was earning money and was successful, son again, do you understand?” I’d stay with it. That lasted seven years. Each year I was Back at the family home in Shoreham an unsuspecting giving it more, more, more. Tommy Welch, as cocksure and carefree as “I was up with Jimmy Mac [trainer, Jim 15-year-olds can be, sat in his bedroom plotting McDonnell] most of the time in London. I’d his evening’s mischief. He was leave home on a Sunday, come not a bit concerned about the back on a Friday. So I’d have parent-teacher meeting because Friday night and Saturday [at his father hadn’t taken much I LOOK AT HIS home], then I’d be gone again on interest in his performance at Sunday morning.” school for as long as he could FACE AND THINK Did Tommy hold that remember. dedication to boxing against his So when Scott kicked his HE’S BEEN BADLY father? bedroom door off its hinges, “No, I didn’t really know what dread and fear replaced the was going on,” Tommy says. “I smugness in Tommy Welch. HURT. THE TOWEL mean, it was hard, to be honest. ★ ★ ★ I had my mum there all the time, When he was two years old, WAS IN MY HAND. he was going off doing this and Tommy Welch said to his father: doing that, going down the gym, “I want to be a boxer like you, I CHUCKED IT IN” so I was getting comfortable Daddy”. One day the former doing other things.” British and Commonwealth By the time he was seven, and heavyweight champion returned home with his father now retired, Tommy from a fight he’d had with Peter Oboh really didn’t want to be a boxer. brandishing a huge gash above his Scott was no longer a fighter but right eye. more involved in the sport than Not wanting his beloved son ever before. He would take his to follow him into this brutal son to the seafront gym in Hove THE WELCH BOYS: Tommy and Scott stand sport, he picked up Tommy and – the one we now sit outside – on the Hove seafront showed him the wound caused where he would train amateurs by Oboh’s head. and professionals. It was the last “So you really want to be a place that Tommy wanted to be. boxer, Tommy?” Scott asked while The smell that greeted him every stroking the 14 stitches that snaked time he walked in was disgusting: through his swollen eyebrow. sweat, both fresh and old, smeared Little Tommy shook his head. Maybe itself all over every wall, bag, glove and boxing wasn’t for him, after all. rope. But for Scott, the sport was the key to everything he’d “I wanted to play football not be in that stinking always wanted. All he thought about was providing for gym,” Tommy says. “I wanted to do this and that. As his family. When he wasn’t fighting, he was training. He normal kids do! Boxing is not a normal sport that ensured those closest to him had the good things in you want to get involved in; someone shows you it life even if he was rarely around to enjoy those things or you get bullied at school or you’re fighting on the himself. In short, he was fighting so they would never street, it’s not an everyday thing. It’s more glamorised have to. now but not when I was growing up. The kids my dad Today, father and son sit alongside each other on was training were different kids to me. They lived a bench outside Hove Boxing Club where they train a different life to me. Those who start boxing don’t together every day. The sun makes the sea twinkle and usually have what I had as a kid.” Scott adjust his cap to escape its glare. Tommy, full of “I gave him everything I ever had,” Scott interjects. “I chutzpah, seems happier in the limelight. He sports didn’t think he’d ever box.” dark glasses, a designer watch, broad shoulders and But Tommy was growing fast. Every year he was tightly cropped hair. Like his father, he’s an imposing putting on a stone. By the time he was 10 he was physical specimen. On May 22 in , Scott will be already 10 stone. At the age of 14 he was 14 stone. in Tommy’s corner when the 26-year-old heavyweight He made the most of his physical gifts while playing aims to take his professional record to 2-0. rugby. Tommy liked rugby, the tackles, the skirmishes, The Welches are good company and Tommy is at the fat lips and the black eyes. Rugby, he soon realised, ease with his father. They laugh at the same things. became an excuse to fight. He would fight on the pitch. They make fun of each other. It hasn’t always been He would fight off the pitch. that way. “I was fighting at school, I was fighting everywhere” “He was never around until I was seven or eight Tommy continues. “I said to Dad, ‘This is it. I want to box.”

38 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Remembering how boxing turned his own life around, ring. Shocked, his first instinct was to look back at his OFF TO A FLYER: Tommy Welch starts Scott taught Tommy how to box. Within a few months own corner: “I looked for my old man.” professional life with he’d narrowly lost his first fight on points. A second Scott, meanwhile, had not been paying attention. win over Matt Gordon outing was hastily arranged at the Hilton Metropole, “I’m in the corner,” he explains. “I’ve patted him on approximately a mile east along the seafront from the the back and said good luck. The bell goes ‘ding-ding’ gym. and they’re off. I’ve gone down the steps, I’ve sat down, Tommy was confident of impressing his friends and looked up and the first thing I see is my son hitting the family who packed in to watch his hometown debut. deck then sitting on his arse. He’s got this look of shock But his father felt uneasy as the fight drew close. on his face, he’s staring right at me, I’d never seen him “I’m 14 years old and I’m 95 kilos,” Welch Junior like that before. So this fatherly instinct takes over. explains. “There’s not too many kids that are 14 and I’ve got the towel in my hand. I think he’s been hit and 95 kilos so I had to fight a 15-year-old. My dad didn’t f**king hurt. I chucked the towel in.” want me to take that fight but I was desperate to. My Tommy wasn’t hurt. He got to the feet he’d just opponent was huge, way bigger than me. But I knew tripped over and ran to his father. “What have you who he was.” done?” he bellowed. Scott remembers it well: “The other kid turned up, “I was a bad tempered kid, I still am,” Tommy says he’s got sideburns, a moustache and he’s six-foot- today. “I’m screaming in the ring, I’m punching the ring f**king-four and he looked like a 30-year-old. In the post. I just jumped out. I was crying, my emotions were corner I’m thinking, ‘Holy s**t, my boy is big but this so intense, I ran away from the ring.” kid has just swamped him.” Scott chased after his boy. Tommy could see the apprehension in his father’s “From now on,” he said, “I’m your coach and not your face. “No it’s alright,” he told him. “I’ve played rugby dad in that corner.” against him, I think I can do him.” But at home, particularly after finding out that It was Tommy that would be done. Moments after Tommy had been messing around at school, Scott had the opening bell, Tommy threw a jab, a left hook, to be dad again. stepped to the side only to be caught with a left hook ★ ★ ★ himself. The blow didn’t land flush but Tommy’s feet THE bedroom door crashed to the floor. “A hundred- were not set at the time of impact and he tumbled grand I’ve paid for you to go through school,” Scott to the canvas. This was an unfamiliar position for the roared. Tommy tried to hide his fear. “I didn’t think I teenager. He had never been floored by a punch; not was doing too bad,” he said with all the wit a terrified on the rugby pitch, not on the street, not in school and 15-year-old could muster. not in any of the many rounds he’d sparred in a boxing ★ ★ ★

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 39 NEARING THE END: Scott Welch beats Martin Murray in 1999

40 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Scott stopped Tommy from boxing until he had four days,” Scott remembers with a smile. “But Ben passed his GCSEs and got into college. Tommy fulfilled always knew that Tommy had something.” his end of the bargain and soon they were boxer and Scott knew it too. When Tommy came to him just as trainer again. But injuries threatened his progress and lockdown began last year and said he wanted to turn they were not being picked up in a boxing ring. Tommy professional, Welch was full of pride. Outwardly, he broke his cheekbone, his shoulder and more than one would continue to express doubt, only too aware that finger while playing rugby. any complacency could be the end. “Choose what you want to do,” Scott said to Tommy. It’s different now. Scott is completely invested in his “You can’t do both.” son. He dismisses any concerns that now the social “I dropped out of college, I stopped playing rugby,” restrictions caused by the pandemic are easing Tommy Tommy says. “That’s when I really knuckled down at might be tempted back to his old habits. the boxing and took it seriously. I had about five or six “He’s all in now, he’s crossed that line,” Scott says. “I fights on the bounce, stopping people. I entered the can’t stop him from training now. He’s training every Junior ABAs, my dad said I wasn’t ready for it, I went day. Every morning he’s on the track, he wants this. against him and we took every fight as it came. I won I am shocked to be honest with you because, at the that, we were flying.” beginning, I thought he was playing at it again.” Tommy was winning titles and getting recognition as In December 2020, Tommy became the latest son one of the leading young British super-heavyweights of a famous boxing father to turn professional. Welch in amateur boxing. But his hopes of fighting in the halted Matt Gordon in the second round to move to Junior Europeans in 2013 were dashed due to an 1-0 (1). It must be a strange feeling to send your boy administration change regarding the English into battle, particularly when you know as well as team. Scott exactly what’s at stake. His interest in the sport “If we get wounded or we started to drift. There would get hurt, and I always hope to be the occasional success, the God nobody gets hurt badly, it’s odd promise of dedication, but I WAS GETTING something we have to accept in too often he was turning up for this game,” Scott says. “When competitions in poor condition. INTO TROUBLE, he’s training, when he’s in the As Tommy lost interest, Scott lost ring, I have to look at him as a patience. fighter and not as a son. I’ve been “I started going a little bit wild,” DAD SAID I’D in this game for long enough to Tommy admits. “I was out, I was know the worst can happen. I’ve partying. Not drinking but not NEVER FIGHT experienced it, I’ve seen what looking after myself. Again, I this sport can do – both good started fighting more outside the AGAIN. I KNEW and bad – but we’re fighters, we ring than in it. When you have do what we do. a dad who’s been heavyweight I NEEDED HELP” “We prepare ourselves to be champion, as the son you always the best we can be with the tools get people who want to fight you. that we’ve got.” “Look at Jnr, for Scott watched closely as Eubank instance. His dad was a world Jnr and Snr made their way in the champion so Junior always had boxing world as a father and son problems growing up, looking to team born of the same Hove gym, fight and stuff like that. For me, initially to plenty of scepticism. I’m very polite and respectful Senior may or may not admit but I will always look after myself that mistakes were made on that when people are pushing me. journey. “I was getting into trouble. I “Eubank, the old man, knew I needed some help and was a great champion and had get my arse in gear. Dad said his knowledge of the game I’d never fight again. He was doing is incredible. When he talks, it to try and talk some sense into me I listen. He’s full of wisdom. Some of and in a way it was working. Him saying the words he uses I can’t even pronounce. that was burning me up inside. I knew that But the difference is he hasn’t done what I’ve time was slipping away. I was 23 years old and I knew done. I’ve been in this gym for the last 20 years, every if I didn’t pull my finger out of my arse I was going to single day, honing my skills as a trainer. I know the miss the boat.” game, I read a fight better than almost anyone. Ben Pringle had been friends with Tommy Welch “I will be with my son every step of the way. Whether for a long time and knew he was wasting his talent. I’m always in his corner, I can’t say. But I believe in him. Ben was training marines and when Tommy called I’m here for him and I always will be.” him asking for help at the end of 2018, he was quick Tommy looks at his father. The respect is clear. to answer. Beneath it all, the bravado at school, the fights in the Ben would work in Portsmouth in the day and then street, the wish to be just like his daddy when he was drive to Hove every evening to train Tommy. A little a toddler, is a desire to get his father’s attention and under 20 stone, Tommy found it hard going but Ben make him proud. It works both ways, of course. The was patient and said the right things. reason Scott burst through his door 13 years after “Ben made me believe in myself again. I started to showing him the wound on his face was because of get that sharpness back. I dropped five kilos and then love and a want for his son to be the very best he can I was going down to the Navy base two days a week. be. I offered to stay in a hotel down there [Portsmouth] “I will not allow what we’ve got to go to waste,” Tommy because I needed to get away from this area and start says. “Whatever was meant for me will not pass me by. afresh.” Do you know why? Because no other heavyweight in But the new regime was taking its toll. this country can say they’ve got someone as special as “He’d do two days training then he’d be in bed for my old man in their corner.” bn

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 41 AMATEURS

The very best action, previews and news from Olympic-style boxing AMATEURSCENE With JOHN DENNEN | @BoxingNewsJD SEND us your club's news, results or upcoming events to [email protected] or 020 7618 3478 THE DATES ARE IN

Photo: GETTY IMAGES to box for a national title. We have TARGET ACQUIRED: done everything we can to get Dates have been competitions on again and feel it scheduled for is better to have some of what is championships possible in a ‘normal’ year, rather than nothing at all. “We wish everyone the best of luck in their training for competitions and, Coronavirus- permitting, look forward to seeing lots of familiar boxers and coaches back where they belong – in the ring competing – come the autumn.” The venues for the competitions will be announced in due course. The intention is to return the traditional schedule in 2022, meaning that all age groups will see two national championships in the same season 2021-22 season. Boxing Scotland have also announced an eventual return to competition. August 21 we will see Scotland’s grassroots Schools and Junior boxers compete again for the first time in more than 14 months. This will be in a prestigious, one-off, The championships, Development Championships 2021 about dates for competitions to open class pilot event for School (quarter-finals, semi-finals and be up and running again is really and Junior boxers. The event, a full eventually, are coming back finals) – October 15, 16 and 17. exciting – and I’m sure there will be day of competitive boxing, will be England Boxing National some fantastic boxing, providing held at Boxing Scotland’s National IT’S a moment so many people Junior Championships and Junior the government give us the green High-Performance Centre. in amateur boxing have spent Development Championships 2021 light for everything to go ahead. The details all depend on the so many months waiting for; the (semi-finals and finals) – November “Because we are having to Scottish government’s roadmap and dates for championships in 2021 20-21. squeeze what would normally be current Covid direction staying on have come in. After a punishing England Boxing National held over the course of the best track. lockdown, amateur boxing Amateur Championships 2021 (pre part of a year into just four months Boxing Scotland have also training indoors has restarted with quarter-finals) – November 27 or – so that boxers, rightly, have the confirmed dates for their limited padwork coming back. 28 (to be confirmed). necessary time to prepare correctly 2021/2022 championships. These The next step is to bring back England Boxing National after the enforced, extended are: competition, providing the UK Amateur Championships break from competition – we have Boxing Scotland National government’s current roadmap out and Senior Development had to make sacrifices in certain School and Junior championships: of the pandemic does not change. Championships 2021 (quarter-finals circumstances in order to be able Preliminary rounds – September A national championships and semi-finals) – December 4-5. to make it happen. 18-19; Semi-finals and finals - schedule for England has been England Boxing National “Due to time scales, we have September 25-26. drawn up following consultation Amateur Championships merged the Development Boxing Scotland National with England Boxing’s regional and Senior Development competitions with their respective Intermediate Championships 2021: representatives and a selection of Championships 2021 (finals days) – National Championships (Senior, October 16-17. coaches and officials, as well as December 11-12. Youth and Junior) and regrettably Boxing Scotland National Novice lengthy discussions between the “We’re delighted to be able to will not be able to host the England Championships: Preliminary rounds England Boxing’s championship rearrange each of the national Boxing Women’s Winter Box Cup – February 5-6 2022; Semi-finals sub-committee and board. championships, which will this year. and finals February 12-13 2022. The schedule is as follows: hopefully end the year on a high “But in an exceptional year Boxing Scotland National England Boxing National Schools after a difficult previous 18 months because of Covid-19, this was Elite and Youth Championships: Championships 2021 (semi-finals or so,” said competitions and events the most viable solution in the Preliminary rounds – March 19-20 and finals) - September 25-26. manager Lynsey Lockey. “After the time slot available to get all five 2022; Semi-finals - March 26-27 to England Boxing National frustrating lack of activity we have national championships in and give include Youth finals; Elite Finals – Youth Championships and Youth all had to deal with, to be talking everyone at all levels the chance April 9 2022.

42 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net AMATEURS

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

THE HOPES: Clarke is learning and developing

LEVEL UP Cheavon Clarke has one wants to be left behind, everybody haven’t done something for so way, if you do it this way you’ll chance to shoot for the wants to be that top athlete. So we long,” he explains. “What happened, be getting legal money and you always push each other, obviously happened. We’re ready to go again.” won’t have to be looking over your Olympic Games, writes we train with each other so you’re Clarke took advantage of the shoulder.” John Dennen always looking and picking up from time out of boxing to educate He is keeping himself focused each other and supporting each himself and support wider causes. on Tokyo, just as he did when the other as well. I think it’s really good “Educating myself on financial Games were postponed last year, FOR Cheavon Clarke there will just and I think that’s why we are so literacy. I thought to myself if being consistent in his training and be one opportunity to qualify for good. We’re all so different but we young kids or kids that are leaving his approach. “I have a goal. So the Olympics Games. In the previous work so hard. We work so hard as school knew about this. Imagine if along the way you expect ups and cycle there were several qualification a group and as individuals, whether you were aware of certain things downs. But the main thing is the events. But now with the World it be at home or here. The work is leaving school, I’m sure you would goal,” Cheavon said. “It’s not the qualifier cancelled, to be replaced by still going in and at least be aware down that you worry about, you a ranking system, Clarke in effect will everybody expects of positions you expect to be down at some point. have one chance at the European to do well. There’s ‘YOU THINK, can put yourself It’s keeping that goal in mind that qualification event in Paris in June to nobody here that in. Learning about once you deal with the down you’ll win a place at the Tokyo Olympics. doesn’t expect to THIS WAS using credit cards, bounce back and be alright. For “Previously they had four chances do well. That’s the the fact that you me it was just a thing of nobody to qualify, last year it was two, now mentality that we MEANT TO BE can invest into the has told me that the Olympics is it’s one. Surely anybody that gets a have in camp,” MY TIME, WHY stock market or if not happening, they’ve just said medal - normally you’re an Olympic Cheavon said. you saved up the it’s postponed. So the goal is still legend - surely you’ve got to be a After a more IS IT TAKING money that you there and it’s just consistently work legend legend. It’s not for the weak. than a year out worked for from 16 towards it. Don’t get me wrong, I just think you will see that the best of action, due to SO LONG?’ to 25 you’d possibly there are days when you think, this of the best come through. It comes the pandemic, have the deposit was meant to be my time, why is it back to the basics of life. Survival of Clarke has been able to box at two for a house. Just awareness of taking so long?” the fittest really. Go out there and tournaments in recent months. He financial literacy for kids going into “I’m an amateur, I’m focused on manoeuvre the best you can and didn’t win them but these contests adulthood,” Cheavon said. “There’s the Olympics,” he adds. “Anybody do what you have to do to qualify,” have been important to shake off so much potential out there… You can be a professional. How many Clarke reflected. “I’m confident in his rustiness. “Just the process of have kids that go off and do their can say they’ve been to the my ability and everybody’s beatable, competition. The flying out there, business adventures, let’s say, it may Olympics, much less to then medal I’ll just go out there and show what being in the same hotel as your not be the correct adventure but if at the Olympics? Or get a gold medal Cheavon Clarke can do for those opponent and the process of fight you look at it from a pure business at the Olympics? Very few people. who don’t know.” day. Just the preparation process, perspective there’s an entrepreneur Just focus on your craft and it’ll all Clarke is part of a strong, it was so important because it in there. It’s giving them that come right for you. In my head I’ve determined GB squad. “Nobody becomes alien, in a weird way, you information so rather than go that always been going to the Olympics.”

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 43 YESTERDAY’S HEROES Bantamweight legend

Remembering NE of the all- Central America, to this day, for that contest, I cannot remember now what time greats of the achievement. he said about it, other than that Brown the times bantamweight He toured the UK on three occasions, was outstanding. I wish I had taken when Panama division is Panama with six contests in 1931, three in 1932 a tape recorder! He then boxed at O Al Brown, active and another six in 1933. He only lost the New St James’ Hall, Newcastle – Al Brown between 1922 one of these, when he was disqualified a famous boxing venue that was located toured the UK and 1942 and the in the eighth of a 15-round bout directly across the road from the winner of 129 of his 160 contests. He against the then-British featherweight Gallowgate End of Newcastle United is consistently ranked by experts and champion, Johnny Cuthbert, in 1931. FC’s ground – where he knocked out historians in the all-time bantamweight The following year, Nel Tarleton, who Parker. top 10, and in a 2016 article on the had recently beaten Cuthbert for his Brown boxed twice at The Ring, Boxing News website, Mike Lockley title, held Brown to a draw, again over Blackfriars. This venue is the most iconic placed him at number four. 15 rounds, in front of 30,000 at Anfield small hall in the history of the game, as He was a complex character out of football ground, Liverpool. far as I am concerned, and the crowd the ring, and he led a colourful and One of the more interesting aspects there really knew their boxing. They interesting life before tragically dying of Brown’s contests in the UK was the watched the Panamanian, unusually tall in 1951 at the early age of 48. He was fact that he was prepared to box in for a bantam, defeat Johnny Peters of a gay black man and so he had to the most unlikely of places. As well as Battersea and then Tommy Hyams of contend with a lot of prejudice, and boxing at some of the most important Kings Cross, in early 1933. His following I suspect that this might account for his halls and stadiums in the country, fight was against a substitute, Arthur choosing to spend a large part of his including the Olympia, Kensington and Boddington of Wellingborough, in life in Paris, a city notable then, as it still Belle Vue, Manchester, he also boxed Royton, and Brown toyed with him is today, for its tolerance. Brown fitted at Blundell Park, the home of Grimsby before opening up and stopping him in easily into French society where, as Town FC, at the Pavilion in Mountain the fourth. well as being an extremely well-known Ash, and in Royton, then a busy little The Grimsby contest was his next boxer, he was also an accomplished tap- fight centre on the outskirts of Oldham. and, at a time when there was so much dancer, part-time actor and flamboyant He would certainly have been well boxing taking place up and down the socialite. paid for these fights and he packed the land that it could not all be reported by Born in Colon, Panama, in 1902, places out every time. BN, the old bible managed to miss this Brown made his name in , When he first arrived in Britain, one. Imagine that happening today! where he picked up the vacant world he defeated two top-flight Geordie A world champion, and an all-time Miles title in 1929 by beating Vidal Gregorio bantams in Billy Farrell and Douglas great, boxing in Grimsby and it not Templeton over 15 rounds. This made him the Parker. He beat Farrell easily in three being covered by BN. Boxing first Latin-American world champion rounds. I met Billy about 45 years ago Brown richly deserves his place as historian and he is revered all over South and and, although I did ask him about this one of the greatest-ever bantams. TOGETHER AGAIN

Home Counties SUNDAY April 25 saw what was Membership Secretary Terry Clarke. Also welcome at the pub. Another meeting stage a fantastic described as “a groundbreaking and there, among many others, were EBA is planned for late May, followed by a socially distanced fantastic gathering” of the Home stalwarts Harry Scott and Jimmy Butler, June meeting at our home – Bricketwood Counties Ex-Boxers’ Association. who travelled a long distance from the Social Club – and a long-awaited gathering “Forty-two members attended,” South Coast, ex-contender Vic Moore, Christmas party/BBQ in mid-July. Watch Chairman Bob Williams said, “all social Ray Mumford and Derek McCann (top this space for dates.” distancing in groups of six around seven amateurs from the famous All Stars Bob ends by saying, “Well done, strategically socially distanced-placed and Callowland clubs), BBBofC referee everyone,” and I fully endorse that – not tables around the rear of the Black Lee Every, promoter Mo Prior, HCEBA just the people who made the effort to Boy pub. Ex-Boxers nobility attended Welfare Officer Dave Evans, house attend, but all EBA members who have in the form of former Southern Area second Sean Timmins, BBBofC inspector sensibly obeyed the rules during this champions Rocky Kelly and Gary Mark Shannon, former HCEBA Secretary pandemic, hard though it’s been. Hobbs, British Boxing Hall of Famer Michael Lordan, top amateur coach Talking of Tony Rabbetts, there’s a and HCEBA Treasurer Chas Taylor and Sandy Matthewson, BBBofC timekeeper photo of him in the current London his wife Kymberly, Southern Area title John Smith, Tony Rabbetts, amateur EBA newsletter, Seconds Out, in the new Simon challengers Carlos Chase and Garry judge Lacey Westlake, Ralph Young, Steve ‘LEBA Members in Action’ section. Tony Euan-Smith Barron, multi-talented Steve Holdsworth, Franklin and trainers Andy Smith and is shown in his February 1983 bout with simonoldtimers HCEBA President and former undefeated Paul Rees. Dave Harrison at the Strand Lyceum, @googlemail.com Welsh champion Terry Rees, BBBofC “We kept distancing and no formal which Tony won on points. There are EBA referee and HCEBA Secretary Kieran meeting was held, but what a fantastic two photos of LEBA member (and former correspondent McCann and HCEBA Assistant and day. The sun was great and so was our British and European super-middleweight

44 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net VIP GUEST: Brown [left] trains while in the UK, where he beat Peters [inset] and many more

LOCAL HERO: Cook provides an invaluable service to his community

champion) James Cook MBE. The first, is a selection of significant past fights in from 1983, shows him in action against the current month (in this case, May). It Vince Gajny at the Midlands Sporting begins with LEBA Vice-President Charlie Club, Cook winning on a sixth-round cuts Magri’s Wembley bout with Mexican Jose retirement. Torres on May 4, 1982. Magri was on Coming up to date, Cook is shown track for a world title shot, and after eight receiving a generous donation of £6,500 rounds he was well ahead. But Torres for the Pedro Youth Club from LEBA pulled out a wicked left hook to drop member Scott Ewing and his wife, Maja. Magri in the ninth, and the bout was The club does so much for the youth of stopped after Charlie had been down Hackney and has made a huge difference again and was taking stick on the ropes. – the police readily acknowledge the “END OF A DREAM” was the Boxing part it plays in helping keep crime off News front-page headline, and the actual the streets. Like so many voluntary report was headed, “THIS MUST BE THE organisations, the Pedro has been feeling END FOR MAGRI.” But 10 months later, the pinch in these difficult times, so well Magri became WBC flyweight champion, done, Scott and Maja. James is quoted stopping Eleoncio Mercedes on a cut in as being “knocked out” by the gesture, as seven rounds. the bills have been mounting up and a lot of rewiring needs to be done soon. EMAIL [email protected] Another new feature in Seconds Out with your ex-boxer association news.

www.boxingnewsonline.net MAY 13, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 45 SIXTY SECONDS IDRIS VIRGO

Paul Wheeler talks to a man who is certainly not lacking in confidence

Photo: HENNESSY SPORTS When and why you started boxing: ’I’D LOVE TO I started boxing when I was 15 CREED III years old. I was hit over the head BE IN with a wooden stick, so I needed to WITH MICHAEL learn self-defence. I did kickboxing at first and then progressed to B. JORDAN’ boxing. Favourite all-time fighter: Best friends in boxing: Aside from myself, it’d have to be The fans are my best friends in the Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard sport. and Mike Tyson. Other sportsperson you would Best fight you’ve seen: like to be: The first fight between Canelo I’d be Lewis Hamilton because he’s Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin absolutely fearless. stands out for me. It was the best Last film/TV show you saw: meeting the best. The last show that I watched was Personal career highlight: Suits. My highlight so far is my first fight Who would play you in a film of with Hennessy Sports [in August last your life: year]. I won with a sick body-shot I’d pick Michael B. Jordan to play KO [in the opening round against me. I’d love to be in Creed III with Josh Hodgins]. him. Toughest opponent: Have you ever been starstruck: I learnt plenty by sparring with I’ve never been starstruck. Billy Joe Saunders. He’s the toughest Last time you cried: opponent that I’ve shared a ring I can’t remember the last time that with. I cried to be honest. Best and worst attributes as a Best advice received: boxer: Always be yourself. My best attributes are that I’m Worst rumour about yourself: confident, cocky, arrogant and There are no rumours – only facts. good looking. I haven’t got any bad Something not many people attributes! know about you: Training tip: I love comedy and I’d love to be Hard work will always win. an actor. Favourite meal/restaurant: My favourite meals? I’ve got three actually – macaroni and cheese, steak, and fish and chips.

Age: 27 Twitter: @Idrisvirgo Nickname: ‘The Bodybreaker’ ’I LEARNT PLENTY Nationality: English From: Birmingham Stance: Orthodox Record: 9-0-1 (1) Division: Middleweight Titles: n/a BY SPARRING Next fight: Virgo goes in search of victory number 10 WITH BILLY JOE FACTS FAST when he competes in Coventry next Saturday (May 22). SAUNDERS’

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46 l BOXING NEWS l MAY 13, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net

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