ContDecemberen 7, 2017 ts

NOT IN THE SCRIPT 24 Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto bows out with a shock defeat Photos: TOM HOGAN/ & ACTION IMAGES/PETER CZIBORRA DON’T MISS HIGHLIGHTS

>> 10 BROOK OPENS UP 14 >> 4 EDITOR’S LETTER Ex-world champ Kell talks to us about The mismatches need to stop returning from back-to-back defeats >> 5 GUEST COLUMN >> 14 SUPERFIGHT PREVIEW Stephen Smith on his must-win fight Analysing this weekend’s brilliant Lomachenko-Rigondeaux matchup >> 20 THE UNLIKELY LAD Gary Corcoran prepares for his surprise >> 18 DOUBLE DELIGHT world title shot against Jeff Horn Looking ahead to two world title defences for Brits on the same show >> 22 OFF TO WAR This week’s guest columnist faces >> 34 CLASH OF UNBEATENS a stern assessment in A decade on, we remember when fought Floyd Mayweather >> 23 DEFENDING THE THRONE puts her world crown on the line for the very first time DOWNLOAD OUR APP TODAY >> 42 AMATEURS For more details visit The British Lionhearts are off on tour WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET/SUBSCRIPTIONS >> 46 60-SECOND INTERVIEW ‘I JUST LOVED HATTON’S STYLE OF , AND I LOVED SEEING THE SUPPORT HE HAD AT HIS FIGHTS.’ George Hennon

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 3 EDITOR’S LETTER

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/PAUL CHILDS

WRONG JOB: Coming Slovakia’s Elemir Rafael next time [left, during a one-round loss to DP Carr] is 0-40 in l BILLY JOE British and Irish rings SAUNDERS is preparing for the toughest assignment of his career - an away day WBO middleweight Cover photography NOAH K MURRAY/ title defence USA TODAY SPORTS against David Lemieux in Canada. We preview the bout and pick a winner.

l WE head to New York to watch over what promises to be a fascinating TIME TO GET SERIOUS showdown, as the mesmerising Why British boxing must take steps to cut out the number of mismatches taking place every week talents of and Guillermo HAT do you get if the import win. That’s two per cent. Fifty the ticket-sellers. Yes, there would be Rigondeaux do you 10 ticket- per cent were stoppage losers, and 73 less fights and less unbeaten records, but battle. selling fighters with failed to make it out of the first round. at least the fights and unbeaten records 10 opponents who And I’d venture – having read the vast would actually mean something. The l GIFTED scribe W have zero chance majority of reports we’ve published this importance of the ‘0’ in the current era Ian Probert of winning? The year – the stats for 2017 would be even is a disease. While defeat-free stats may meets former average British more depressing. This is now a sport sound impressive when read out by the referee Richie boxing show. that could be accused of legal fixing announcer, the only thing capable of Davies to deliver Not funny, right? given the standard of some ‘opponents’. seducing and retaining an audience – a an unmissable Unfortunately, while This is not supposed to offend the real audience – is well-matched fights. glimpse into there’s definitely an aforementioned ticket-sellers who go Punters don’t walk away from a show the life of an analogy to be made above and beyond just to make sure being wowed that someone is now 12-0 official. from the myriad they get paid, nor the imports and after flattening a 3-65-2 opponent, or fights taking place journeyman who always do, whatever salivate at a ‘prospect’ clocking up their l AND last but Matt in British rings in their standard. While some promoters seventh straight 40-36 victory. The only not least, we Christie December and the are often left scraping the barrel in thing that will keep them coming back welcome Elliot @MattCBoxingNews helpless turkeys busy weekends because all the reliable for more are good, honest scraps. Worsell, one of Editor being served up all ‘opponents’ have been snapped up In sport, being unbeaten for a long the best boxing over the country by the bigger events, each and every period of time should be a mark of writers on the on the 25th, this is not a bad joke in promoter has to take responsibility for greatness – think Novak Djokovic’s planet, into a Christmas cracker. This, ladies and what they’re serving up. But the buck 41-match in 2011 or the BN team gentlemen, is what’s becoming of a has to stop with the British Boxing Board Arsenal going 49 matches without loss as a full-time sport which was originally designed to of Control. from 2003-2004 – yet in boxing it is member of staff. entertain and, above all, be competitive. There has to come a point, surely, too often the product of protective Competiveness, surely, should be when the Board – who do a great job matchmaking. Problem is, of course, l AVAILABLE the lifeblood of an endeavour that is in so many other ways – say enough is when the sheltered boxer is suddenly to download inherently brutal. It should have no enough and don’t allow Gyorgy from launched at someone who can actually via iTunes and business being so flagrantly one-sided, Hungary to enter the ring just so he fight back (see 21-0 Gary Cornish taking Google Play whatever the level. This past weekend, can be marmalised. There has to come on Anthony Joshua in 2015). from December 115 fights took place in Britain and a point when the Board stand up and I accept that boxers need to learn and 12, 2017, and the Ireland with only around 20 which could say, ‘If we’re sanctioning 100 fights a shouldn’t be thrown in at the deep end print edition is be considered competitive. This is a weekend, then 80 of them can’t be haphazardly, yet there comes a point in stores on trend, by the way, not an anomaly. complete mismatches.’ It’s all well and when delivering thrashings cease to December 14, Boxing News contributor Andy good hosting that many contests, but provide any kind of education. 2 017. Whittle, without question the most if there’s so little semblance of quality Boxing, still a seriously good spectacle prolific ringside reporter in the country, among them, the quantity is, at best, when it’s staged well, cannot allow itself conducted a 2015 study which makes completely irrelevant. become a tasteless joke. for grim reading. Out of 451 bouts Things have to improve and if that involving Eastern Europeans on British means less shows being staged, so be it. Follow us and keep up to date soil that year, on only 10 occasions did Better still, match the ticket-sellers with @BoxingNewsED BoxingNewsOnline

4 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net GUEST COLUMN

‘I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT’ Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE

DRIVEN: Smith is desparate to prove he belongs at elite level

Taking on Francisco Vargas in America is the kind of fight I’ve dreamed of since I was a little boy

T’S another amongst the big names again, but whatever he brings and I think the I wish I could have that fight hard fight but once I was set to agree the terms, experience I’ve picked up in my last all over again but at least I’ve got I’m at the point it went a little quiet. That offer was few fights will benefit me greatly. another chance to redeem myself in now where I then changed and they came with If you look at Pedraza and Sosa some sense, because beating Vargas I have to take Vargas, and although the money before their fights with me, then puts me high up there. these types wasn’t as good as what they offered I think you’ll see that neither of He’s ranked highly by most of the of contest for Salido, it was a still a fight that them ever showed the type of bodies and they’ll recognise me as because it’s motivated straight away. So it’s off to performance that they carried a worthy contender if I do what I where I want Vegas on December 9 to take part out against me. Me and my team know I’m capable of doing. to be. A few in the type of fight I’ve dreamed of looked at both fighters and saw This is a fight that opens more weeks ago, since I was a little boy starting out several ways I could win, but doors for me and the dream of Francisco in the sport. I honestly think that Pedraza gave being world champion is a step Vargas wasn’t I’m under no illusions that I’m a career-best performance against closer. The super- even someone division I’m in is full of great Stephen who was in champions and contenders so Smith my immediate ‘I WISH I COULD HAVE THE SOSA FIGHT victory really is a platform for huge Super-feather focus because AGAIN. IT STILL FRUSTRATES ME’ fights. contender I thought I was I’ve had a brief taste of what the going to be heading there as the underdog. me and so did Sosa. Both are highest level is like and I don’t think fighting Juli Giner for the European They’ve picked me for a reason outstanding fighters so to get the I’ve done myself enough justice. You belt. Then the offer from America as they’ll know about my recent two of them on the top of their look at the champions in my weight came that left me with a very [points] losses to Jason Sosa and game when it’s my time to face class like Vasyl Lomachenko and important decision to make. Once Jose Pedraza, but I know I’ve learned them is something of a blow. Gervonta Davis and you see just me and Joe [Gallagher] had a talk, so much from each performance The Sosa fight is the one that how hard it is trying to get a good it became obvious that a fight in and it’s made me a much better frustrates me the most, as I let a opportunity. America against a leading contender fighter, and also somebody who is bad start ruin what could’ve been a I wouldn’t be able to sleep at would be the best option. much better prepared to deal with much different fight for me. I fought night if I didn’t fully grab at least The first offer I actually received the type of fight that Vargas will his fight early on and I knew exactly one of the chances that has been was to face Orlando Salido, and attempt to drag me into. what to expect, but I was down in given to me in boxing so hopefully I accepted that invitation in a He’s very good at what he does. one round, then cut in another, so this night against Vargas is the one heartbeat. The offer was a good He’s a hard man who puts it all all of a sudden we hit round four where everything falls into place one and it was a chance to be on the line so I’ll have to match and I’m so far behind. and goes right for me.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 5 Fans, fighters ON TWITTER ON FACEBOOK @BoxingNewsED www.facebook.com/boxingnewsonline OPINION and pundits all have their say

LETTER OF THE WEEK

TWEETS @ GREAT COMPANY REALWORLDKIDALI Photo: ACTION IMAGES/SPORTING PICTURES Thank you to all the love and support I’ve I WAS thrilled to meet my hero been receiving. Last John H. Stracey at my local night I accomplished ex-boxers’ association in the one of the biggest summer. Unfortunately, it coincided with goals of my life. My the untimely passing of Robbie Davies time is now. Snr, who had been expected to come to SADAM ALI is grateful the event. for all the praise his upset of Miguel Cotto John was a perfect gent. It was an has earned him. absolute honour to meet him. I would have been quite contented to simply @ shake his hand and receive an autograph, BUDCRAWFORD402 but he sent me posters and a CD of him He showed his age in singing too. Apparently he does this for this fight. all of his fans. In just seven words John was so humble. He spent time two-weight world chatting to me and my friends, telling us champ explains about his world title triumph against Jose why Miguel Cotto lost Napoles in 1975. I still regard this win as to Sadam Ali. one of the best victories of all time for a British boxer. @ Thanks for the great day that you gave TRUE GENT: VASYLLOMACHENKO Stracey [pictured me, John. here after his famous Hello NY! You ready Christopher Byrne, 1975 win over for Saturday? Napoles] is delighted Ukrainian great THE CASE FOR MICHALCZEWSKI to look back on his VASYL LOMACHENKO career with fans is in town for his DARIUSZ MICHALCZEWSKI should be world title showdown in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, with fellow but probably won’t get in now. This is double Olympic despite him being a former WBA, IBF and Vitali Klitschko will be inducted into bring to the table, apart from their world champ Guillermo WBO light- champion, and the Hall, even though he won 15 world title belts? Rigondeaux at an ex-WBO champ too. He heavyweight title fights during his In my opinion, Parker got a lucky Madison Square won 25 world title fights in total during career. Perhaps Europe should create its decision over Hughie Fury in his last Garden. his career. own Hall of Fame as a counter to the fight, while Wilder just went over old I have always had a problem with the Canastota, New York version. ground against in what @CHRISEUBANKJR The war of words has Hall of Fame’s selection process. There John Ross was a non-fight. begun, I won that are too many people in it, and some of Joshua has fought in front of around battle. Now all that’s the inductees have no long-lasting world PULLING POWER 90,000 and 80,000 people respectively left to do is train & title reigns to speak of, and that includes IT makes me laugh the way in his last two fights. Parker and Wilder deliver on the KO the likes of , Sonny and call out Anthony need to be realistic. performance I have Liston and . Joshua and insist on making the running John Kelly promised. I have my doubts as to whether in negotiations. What do they actually CHRIS EUBANK JR is in a confident mood Photo: CHRIS FARINA/TOP RANK before his February WE ASKED... super-middleweight showdown with WHO IS BRITAIN’S UNLIKELIEST George Groves. WORLD CHAMPION OF ALL TIME? @ANT_CROLLA Took Jesse to school BRIAN WREN STEVEN CONNOLLY in the car with us Lloyd Honeyghan – Don Curry was Randy Turpin, as he beat the GOAT, running late…Walked unstoppable at the time. This was . home, got in the front the biggest upset ever. door then realised SAM HAWORTH I’ve left my car at the TOMMY SCOTT ’s journey to a school. #adayinthelife . I’m a fan and it took world title is like something out #coolstorybro me years to realise he’s not world of Hollywood, all things considered. Even former world level. champions like DANNY JOHNSON ANTHONY CROLLA GRAHAM LEWIS I’d have to say , who make mistakes now Nathan Cleverly, Stuart Hall, Lee was brutalised by Prescott. I was and again. CINDERELLA MAN: Haskins, Enzo Mac… to name a few. convinced he’d never recover Robinson came from mentally from that... but he nowhere to win WBO ROSS GALLACHER showed idomitable spirit and an featherweight title Steve Robinson. iron will to do so.

6 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net ON INSTAGRAM EMAIL POST boxingnewsonline [email protected] Boxing News Letters, 120 Leman St, , E1 8EU

10 COUNT HEAD-2-HEAD THE PANEL SADAM ALI GOLDEN CLASHES vs LIAM SMITH Loma v Rigo follows some other pro LOMACHENKO V RIGONDEAUX: bouts between Olympic champions, Who wins writes Daniel Herbert this super- WHO WINS AND WHY? 1. W RSF 6 clash and why? In 1957 the previous year’s IAN NICOL heavyweight champ was crushed by Ali, easily. His the 1952 middleweight winner - and movement around it was Rademacher’s pro debut! the ring and technique are far 2. W PTS 15 superior to Smith. I think Ali went easy The 1964 heavy gold medallist beat on Cotto because he his 1960 light-heavy counterpart in knew he had it in Gareth A. Carl Declan Mickey this 1971 Fight of the Century. the bag. Davies Greaves Taylor Helliet Daily Telegraph Busy promoter/ Hayters boxing Prolific 3. W RSF 2 CHRISTOPHER correspondent manager corresponent promoter JOE FRAZIER BURBS BARRY Loma defeats Rigo Lomachenko. He’s Lomachenko. They Lomachenko, The 1968 heavy gold winner ripped Ali wins, he moves on points or by late got everything are very evenly because he’s too the pro heavyweight title from Frazier and flows too well stoppage. Both and more, he can matched in pure big. Rigondeaux in 1973, and again in 1976. for Smith’s plodding have extraordinarily match everything ability but Loma only agreed to the style. Smith is a good high boxing IQs but Rigondeaux can do. is the bigger man weight to make this 4. MUHAMMAD ALI W KO 8 professional and a Loma hunts for the He has the skills and and has greater fight happen. Rigo GEORGE FOREMAN trier, but is fringe kill after unlocking the size advantage, momentum as a is one of the great In October 1974 the Rumble in the word level at best. opponents. Rio will he’s the naturally result of three super- defensive fighters, Jungle saw an ageing Ali shock a either run or be bigger man. I see feather defences but it’s too much seemingly invincible Foreman on an JASE THOMPSON forced to fight. a late stoppage or in 12 months. weight to give away. unforgettable night in Kinshasa. Smith beats him like wide points win. Meanwhile, Rigo, a He can move at his a dog in the street. small super-bantam, own weight, but not 5. W PTS 15 has boxed once in against a beast like MUHAMMAD ALI ROLAND HERRERA the same period, and Lomachenko. Less than two years after winning Ali was hesitant that was a strange light-heavy gold, Neon Leon shocked against Cotto even one against Moises Ali in February 1978 - only to lose the when Cotto was hurt. Flores. return seven months later. I’ll take Smith. 6. HOWARD DAVIS JNR DREW 10 DAN AHMAD Sadam Ali has better ARE THERE ENOUGH EVENLY The 1976 king shared the movement and more spoils with the 1984 light-welter gold accurate punches. I medallist in Atlantic City, 1986. bet he wins easily. MATCHED CONTESTS IN THE UK? 7. W PTS 10 RUSSELL MADDEN Gareth A. Carl Declan Mickey This will be a very Davies Greaves Taylor Helliet The 1988 super-heavy king won a good fight for Beefy Daily Telegraph Busy promoter/ Hayters boxing Prolific 1996 majority decision over the man to get himself back correspondent manager corresponent promoter who won heavyweight gold. up where he belongs Tough question. The game’s changing Generally, yes, but No. To develop guys at world level. Needs 2000 words, a lot now. But once there’s no escaping to 12-round title 8. TORSTEN MAY W KO 10 here’s 20 instead. a fighter gets to six that the quest to level, they need to STUART HOLMES Yes. But match- or seven unbeaten correctly “build” a be built up carefully. In April 1996 no title was at stake in Cotto was getting making is an inexact against the usual hot prospect results But if every fight this meeting of Olympic light-heavy on top in a close science. Some are on suspects, then it’s in mismatches, was 50-50, many gold medallists (’s May fight and had rocked the way up, some on time to push on and particularly on the prospects would lose 1992, the USA’s Maynard 1988). him before he got the way down, some put them in 50-50 bigger cards staged early on – and what injured. But I still being built, and we fights. I think fans by more established sort of business 9. W PTS 12 think Ali would do get upsets. would rather see that promoters. Seems model would that PERNELL WHITAKER easily beat Smith, than see their guy fans, however, are be? If we were The (1992) Golden Boy won the WBC his confidence must winning 60-54 every demanding more of staging too many welterweight belt from the 1984 be flying. time. main events perhaps mismatches the lightweight winner in April 1997. as the result of so crowds would lose much boxing on interest quickly. 10. ANTHONY JOSHUA W RSF 11 television. WLADIMIR KLITSCHO The 1996 champ beat two fellow gold medallists in Ray Mercer and but earlier this ‘FANS WOULD RATHER SEE 50-50 FIGHTS year Joshua prevented the hat trick. THAN SEE THEM WIN 60-54 EVERY TIME’

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 7 Highlighting the best of the week’s stories NEWS WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET

Photos: CHRIS BEVAN/ENGLAND BOXING

GIFTED: Fawaz [right] in action against Lewis Richardson

UNJUST Former OXER Kelvin Fawaz So he cleaned Stonebridge amateur going to throw a crazy tantrum and go is being held in a boxing club and trained there. That was crazy. But they never knew I’m not that national detention centre. where immigration officials snatched type of person. I fight in the ring. I don’t champion Having been sent him. Officers in plain clothes began to fight outside the ring. When you can Kelvin Fawaz B to the UK as a child appear at the gym. fight in the ring you don’t have to prove Fawaz has lived in “They came down to the gym, yourself out of the ring, because that’s has been this country for 14 some time last week,” for kids. So I surrendered. snatched from years. Undocumented, unable to work, said coach Aamir Ali. I didn’t even speak to he boxed. He was a familiar face on the “Everyone in the gym said ‘THEY them. I gave them my his gym and is amateur circuit, competing with flair there were two shady hand. They handcuffed being held in a (leaping in the air to land superman guys around, so lo and HANDCUFFED me. I didn’t do anything detention punches was one of his signature moves). behold it happened to wrong. I was at the gym He won the ABA championships in 2012, be those guys… You can ME. THEY and they came and they centre. John regularly won the London region, Fawaz imagine how shady they CAME AND just took me.” Dennen reached the semi-finals of the national must have been. They’d Fawaz is now without Elite championships in 2015. Only this only come in for 20 THEY JUST liberty and in limbo. “The reports year he made it to the quarter-finals minutes of a session and position he is in right of Boxing Elite championships then leave. They basically TOOK ME’ now, the Home Office and he has won the Haringey Box Cup came in, 10 of them, two are saying they can’t multiple times. There were significant undercover and eight uniformed ones get papers to send him back to Nigeria offers on the table for him to turn picked him up.” because he himself, his mum was never professional, but without papers he could Fawaz, 28, told Boxing News, “They saw Nigerian. She was actually from the Benin not take them up. that I’m a fighter. They thought that I was Republic, his dad was actually Lebanese.

8 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net a key sparring partner for as ‘AT TIMES I BURST OUT CRYING he prepared for Ohara Davies. “You saw what he did to Ohara Davies,” Ali said. BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN DO MUCH MORE’ The trainer remembered dropping Kelvin back at the club after one of his “His mum had migrated to Nigeria Fawaz was selected to box for England. sparring sessions with Taylor. but never taken up residency in the But he couldn’t pursue his amateur “I looked at him,” he said, “and I career further because undocumented LOST SOUL: country. His dad and mum got married thought, ‘You know what, this is a guy Fawaz admits his and they had Fawaz and he was sent to he couldn’t compete internationally. He that should be a millionaire today. He’s situation has this country. He was basically used as a has sparred professional fighters and was having to go upstairs and clean the gym’.” triggered depression slave. He was sent to this country on the premise that his dad was here [he wasn’t and Fawaz was forced to do] cooking and cleaning. So he escaped and went to social services from the age of 14, 15,” Ali said. “He ran to social services and from social services they looked after him up to 18, 19, 20 years old.” Fawaz was someone who had used boxing to turn his life around. “He didn’t have any type of people to look up to, all of his friends were you could say gangsters, whatever they were, he lived that life. Then he found boxing.” But that has all been taken from him. “I am stateless. Stateless is a person who has no home. I’ve been here for 14 years. That should be enough to sanction this to be my home,” Kelvin said. His coach said, “Now he’s grown up, that past life, whatever he said has now affected him and destroyed his whole life. A guy that had changed his life through boxing. He hasn’t been able to work, he hasn’t been able to have a marriage, he hasn’t been able to buy a house, he’s not able to do nothing. So he comes here and cleans my gym for me.” It could have been very different. “He beat Ted Cheeseman in the London finals, Cheeseman he is where he is now, Anthony Joshua and are where they are now, he’s seen his lottery ticket handed to him and then taken away from him. He’s used boxing as a tool,” Ali said. “Got to the quarter-finals in April this year with anti-depressants. So boxing has literally kept him as safe as he can be.” Kelvin said, “I have depression right now. At times I sit down and I burst out crying. I don’t break down and start crying because I’m weak. I break down and start crying because I know I can do much more, but I can’t. “In the boxing ring I can handle myself because I know I can protect myself. I can do something. In this problem I couldn’t do anything. When something has been haunting you for 14 years. All of a sudden all that 14 years, the weight just gets bombarded on to you. It takes a hold on you. “I’m drowning.” His situation remains unresolved. “His life is disappearing. In the end they will give him his papers most probably but what’s he going to do as a trade? What’s he going to do as trade?” Ali said.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 9

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE

KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED, I DO THINK ‘WHY DID I TAKE THAT FIGHT WITH GOLOVKIN’?”

➤ It had been a gamble, but even Brook – with for pound he’s up there. He’s one of the best. I’d hindsight – was left questioning the wisdom of his jumped from one extreme to the other but it is what attempts to dethrone a man two divisions heavier. it is. It was a great experience. I took a lot from that “If I wouldn’t have fought him I always would have fight and we moved on.” kicked myself,” he considers. “I was just thinking That was in September 2016. In May this year, BRUTAL GAME: there were no fights at my weight and when the Spence – like Golovkin before him – travelled to the Brook retreats opportunity came I had to take it with both hands, UK to face Brook. Like Golovkin, he also broke a to the ropes as there was just nothing coming my way and the Brook eye socket, this time the left one. But Brook, Golovkin politics in fighting Jesse Vargas didn’t make sense. who had been fired up for the big fight at attacks [below]; There was nothing available and nothing out there United’s Bramall Lane, was left licking wounds that Spence Jnr that would get me up for a fight the way a Gennady ran far deeper than the eye and the predictable loss starts to find Golovkin fight would. in the Golovkin drama show. his range “But knowing what happened, you think, ‘Why did He had been beaten in his , stopped by [below, right] I take the fight?’ You always think what if. What if one of his main rivals, finishing the fight on one-knee Photos: LAWRENCE LUSTIG/MATCHROOM my eye didn’t go? It was different to anything I had in front of thousands of his supporters. & AMANDA experienced at welterweight but he wasn’t a normal “I think Spence is a good fighter but I don’t think WESTCOTT/ SHOWTIME middleweight. He’s a very, very big puncher. Pound he’s as good as people are putting him out there

12 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net as,” the Sheffield man reckons. “There were things are really good with the stable and we’ve got a group happening in camp, getting ill and that… I found it of guys who will train alongside and push each other, really hard making the weight. I felt all right halfway race each other on the runs, watch each other spar, through the fight but then felt tired halfway through so it’s good we’re all in the gym together.” and when the eye went I could see my surgeon at Up at super-welter, the excellent Jermell Charlo is ringside shaking his head. There were many emotions among the men to beat. But Brook wants the best running through my mind in that fight that I had to and he wants people to know that will not change. deal with, the eye, being retired and everything else… “They’ve only got two arms and two legs and with There was plenty of that [people who thought Brook me turning up right, at the new weight, with what would duck Spence]. There were plenty of people who we do in training… Sometimes coming down to thought I’d give the title up and move up in weight welterweight can take it out of you. I always perform and but it took me too long to get that title just to best in training and sparring when I’m a bit heavier give it up. I’m a warrior. And I fight. I fight what’s put than the welterweight limit. My goals are to be in in front of me.” huge fights. I’ve got a lot to give the sport still, and Yet he had been humbled and in the months that world titles. I want to be seen as one of the best in followed he could not shake the feeling, no matter the game. I want to excite myself, and the fans and be where he travelled or who with. involved in great fights.” It is the familiar confines of the gym, however, Not everything Brook has done has turned to where Brook feels he will find what he has been gold but he is convinced he can come again.From a scouring for. From there, it will be the ring where he padded record and fighting knock-overs to damaged finally manages to get back what he wants. goods in a couple of fights. It’s a rough old game. “It’s been hard but I’m finally at the end of it,” he “Yes, that’s how it goes, but what do you do?” Brook says, just a few days before he was back on asks. the pads with trainer Dominic Ingle. “I’ve just got to lick my wounds, come back “I think the best place for me is in the gym fit… This is the boxing game. I’m taking it fight and getting back to what I do best. That’s by fight, getting the buzz back. I will get a when I feel I’m at my good win and take it from best. When I’m in the gym there.” By the time the I have a healthy mind, MANY THINGS RUN REALITY BITES: eating clean, drinking interview is over there Depression plenty of water, training THROUGH YOUR MIND is a feeling that part of triggered by hard and you feel a lot Brook is still missing but the fists of Spence Jnr better for doing that and AFTER A LOSS BECAUSE also a feeling that, after starts to you feel more positive months of contemplation, swarm all about everything around YOU’RE NOT USED he finally knows what over Brook you. There’s much more he needs to do to get it Photo: AMANDA TO LOSING” WESTCOTT/ from me to give to the back. bn SHOWTIME fans and to myself so it’s back to the gym. I’ve still got that burning desire to prove people wrong. I do. I’m excited about 2018. We don’t know the weight, it’s not nailed on, but I think it might be at 154. It might be a new chapter in my career making a healthy weight where I’ve got lots in the tank and I will be feeling fit and feeling fresh.” The words make sense although they are not delivered with the enthusiasm Brook might only find in a gym, when he is surrounded Billy Joe Saunders, Kid Galahad and the others. But during the quiet times of reflection, when he considered the wounds inflicted by Golovkin and Spence, he thought it might have been time to change things. For years he was the most recent in the sequence that went from Herol Graham to to Naseem Hamed and Ryan Rhodes to Brook as the world-level custodian of the Ingle Gym. “There are many things that run through your mind when you’ve had a loss,” Kell said of his contemplation to make drastic changes. “Many things. But I’ve come along way with my trainers over the years. You know, in the gym with them at nine-years- old and to leave at this, at the back end of my career, I don’t think it would feel good. There are many things that run through your mind after a loss because you’re not used to losing, but you’ve got to go back to the drawing board and start again.” It is only when Brook talks about having something to prove that he particularly grits his teeth. The sound bites are replaced by a meaningful tone, loaded with spite and determination implying that Kell Brook is not done yet. “I just need to prove to myself, try something new, a new weight, that I’ve got plenty in the tank, come back with a bang and win world titles again. Things

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 13 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

Photos: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK & ACTION IMAGES/HENRY BROWNE MUSEUM PIECE Will we stop and stare, or will we stand and cheer? Either way, for however long it lasts, and whatever fight it becomes, Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux – the two most gifted boxers of the current era – will have our attention, writes Oliver Goldstein

★★★★★ MAIN EVENT 27 times in a professional ring is not so rounds on HBO. That was followed by much beside the point as it is the point a deleteriously bad defence of his twin ★★ UNDERCARD EYES ON THE PRIZE: itself: Lomachenko and Rigondeaux are super- titles against Joseph Lomachenko goes bona fide virtuosos in the classical sense, Agbeko in December, which mostly into this contest as ATURDAY night equipped with a degree of mastery over led HBO to conclude that Rigondeaux the favourite in New York pits the tools of their trade that is as dazzling was better served as an amuse bouche almost a thousand as it is uncommon. Whether that is elsewhere rather than a fully paid up amateur fights’ sufficient to give satisfaction, though, is main course. Since then, the Cuban has S worth of experience the larger question at stake. fought five times, in Macao, Osaka, Las in the ring when Rigondeaux, , Florida, by way Vegas twice, as well as . This was Vasyl Lomachenko of Cuba, has largely languished on PPV not how Rigondeaux’s career was meant defends his WBO super-featherweight undercards and low budget shows to pan out. title against Guillermo Rigondeaux at since April 2013, when he tickled both By contrast, Vasyl Lomachenko, . That they’ve and his wider audience Oxnard, California, via Bilhorod- fought between them no more than into submission over 12 desultory Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine, is big news

14 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net already, perhaps reflecting recent as ballet, given hold themselves adjustments in American palettes to the feet should TALE OF THE TAPE earnestly in handle Eastern European flavours. be intimately defence, in such Entering on the back of six straight caught up in more V LOMACHENKO G RIGONDEAUX a way that he loses @VasylLomachenko @RigoElChacal305 stoppages, even if the past three have important tasks: Feb 17, 1988/29 DOB/AGE Sep 30, 1980/37 leverage on his all been corner-led, Lomachenko has like hitting, for Oxnard, CA HOMETOWN Miami, FL punches but flaunts learned from Rigondeaux not to mistake example. Ukrainian NATIONALITY Cuban his superiority disinterestedness as a virtue: if you’re Lomachenko 5ft 6ins HEIGHT 5ft 4ins in the apparent not going to let your opponent hit you, has a background 65 1/2ins REACH 68ins unnecessariness Lomachenko reasons, at least make the in ballet, which 9-1 (7) RECORD 17-0 (11) to him of such not-hitting look dramatic. Lomachenko perhaps explains Southpaw conventionalities beat Nicholas Walters into quitting in why he knows Oct 12, 2013/25 DEBUT/AGE May 22, 2009/28 as leverage 70 61 a fight almost certainly as bad as some the difference KO PERCENTAGE and distance. 9 WORLD TITLE FIGHTS 9 of Rigondeaux’s lesser fare, but he still so much better 1/6 ODDS 7/2 Lomachenko fights managed to give it the atmosphere of than Rigondeaux. taut with disdain high drama. Walters quit with despair in The Ukrainian for his opponents. his soul. does not use his Still, there’ve Perhaps if people went to fights as they feet only to beguile and hypnotise his been scant pickings to delight in from go to view art in museums, Rigondeaux opponents, but rather makes of them more recent outings: Walters, as noted, would be better appreciated. That is an especially dramatic torture weapon: found himself drowning in melancholy often the implicit suggestion made opponents cannot be lulled into (even if he was never hit with the by those who take Rigondeaux for an watching Lomachenko’s feet precisely regularity that might have been its TIME TO SHINE: important fighter, given the way excuses because he moves with such speed common cause), while both Jason Sosa A loss for and explanations are trailed by the and because he so insistently moves and Miguel Marriaga never had a dog in Rigondeaux will language of aestheticism, transcendence, himself that they’re there one moment, the fight. Whether that’s enough to take have serious and other other-worldly pursuits. But here the next, and all in the flash of an pleasure in depends on your taste, as ramifications on a career that has boxing is an art form in the same way instant. One of Lomachenko’s favoured well as the stiffness of drink: Lomachenko struggled for respect that chiseling is: no one wants their wood recent maneouvres, again with a taste has fought his recent fights with the to be transcendent. It takes a mind of for the dramatic, is to steal in upright on virtuosity of a man who knows he needs pure abstraction to appreciate boxing top of opponents as they rear back or to introduce to them the aspect of the ➤

IF RIGONDEAUX WAS AMERICAN, AND HAD THE PHYSIQUE TO STAND THE HEAVIER WEIGHTS, HE MIGHT BE MORE OF A NAME

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 15 PREVIEWS

➤ exhibition if they’re going to pass as play striptease with lesser challengers then fought so gamely when far safer digestible. But there’s a reason exhibitions because they know he’s beatable. And routes were possible. Lomachenko is belong in the circus, not the ring. not just theoretically beatable—in probably better now than then. But Bad for Lomachenko, viewers know this. practice. Top Rank has done its best to perhaps not? Hands down hip swaying may serve bury Lomachenko’s second fight loss It seems fairly easy to predict that once or twice, but it’s a scant substitute with Orlando Salido at the foot of his Rigondeaux won’t ask the same questions for competitiveness. Clowning makes record, and Lomachenko himself is of Lomachenko as Salido did. The Cuban for far better highlight reels than it does pronouncedly uninterested in talking is jumping eight pounds in weight, from 12-round fights. Accordingly, about at any great length about it: when I bantam to super-feather, in a move that 100,000 people that had tuned in to see interviewed him for this publication in reflects his total lack of currency at the the Ukrainian treat Jason Sosa like he was June 2016 and asked about the mugging negotiating table. Lomachenko, at 5ft a barely animate piece Salido had pulled off, his 6ins and a little bit, has grown into a of gym equipment then manager, Egis Klimas, full size 130lb fighter with pretensions chose to pass on his next THE CUBAN translating between us, to moving to lightweight soon, who offering against Marriaga. scoffed quickly: “Are flaunted substantial physical advantages Even if a midway channel IS SPECIAL you guys gonna forget over Marriaga other than just the obvious shift by ESPN caused any day about that speed differential. Rigondeaux, at 5ft 4ins, a few problems – the ENOUGH Salido fight or what?” was barely a standard size super-bantam. network’s broadcast of TO MAKE But aficionados have The upper hand that Salido grabbed for a Hall of Fame football long memories and himself by coming in overweight and ceremony ran over, which VASYL FIGHT simple tastes: the bout dwarfing Lomachenko simply will not be saw the Lomachenko with Salido remains available to Rigondeaux. telecast shunted to ESPN2 SERIOUSLY Lomachenko’s most Still, the Cuban is special enough to and then re-incorporated interesting to date. make Lomachenko fight seriously, which on the headline channel in time for the Which isn’t to say it’s likely to be should already lift this bout from the main event – the decision by the network reprised any time soon. Salido is a fighter category of exhibition into far more to work around a poxy ceremony implies in decline (even if he’s been a fighter in rarefied territory. “El Chacal” is now 37, just how unnecessary and how bad a decline seemingly forever, with a with a chin that hasn’t exactly borne ALL TOO EASY: sell this fight was. Marriaga had lost his that vacillates between concrete and abuse phlegmatically, but he is also Rigondeaux relaxes most recent fight to Oscar Valdez at limestone depending on the day). And blessed with quick, powerful hands, in a corner, content featherweight, and yet here he was a Lomachenko was a fighter on the rise fantastic timing, exceptional balance, the mere mortal weight class higher against one of the then, taking an extraordinary risk in just and defensive instincts that, if we are opposite him has no chance whatsoever lead fighters in the world. his second bout. It remains absolutely completely honest, might not belong in Photos: TOM HOGAN/ROC Even worse, folks aren’t lastingly one of the most creditable things about the professional ranks, such is their hold NATION SPORTS interested in watching Lomachenko him that he pursued such a clash and on him. If Rigondeaux was American,

16 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photo: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK

THE UNDERCARD

Not much to get excited about

UNBEATEN Puerto Rican starlet Christopher Diaz gets a step-up of sorts when he takes on Austin, Texas’ Casey Ramos in a super- featherweight co-feature. Despite losing his unbeaten record last year via a technical decision loss to Andy Vences, Ramos, 28, bounced back with a hard- fought victory over gatekeeper, Miguel Beltran Jnr in April. For 23-year-old Diaz, this isthe first time he enters a bout scheduled for 10 and he can win on points. Heavyweight UNTOUCHABLE: contender Lomachenko Bryant congratulates his Jennings - now incredible left hand trained by John David Jackson - takes on the limited Don named Mayweather, and had the the ring in the ways he likes. Where talents. Malevich, whose obsession with Haynesworth physique to stand the heavier weights, Lomachenko has become accustomed non-representational geometric canvases in a scheduled he might be more of a name, but he’s to imposing his own unique sense of saw him removed by the Communist eight-rounder. destined to remain a fringe attraction rhythm upon essentially stand-up, face- Party from his position as director of ’s with a propensity for conducting low forward, static fighters, it’ll be harder to Artistic Culture in Petrograd in 1926, Jennings, who level keyboard spats between 140 and dictate the direction of the bout against a was still able to turn his considerable took a break 280 characters online. fighter as distinctive as Rigondeaux. abilities to the more concrete concerns of from the game This doesn’t make him any Nonito Donaire, who made socialist realism and representational art after losing easier for Lomachenko. his career invading other toward the end of his life. Lomachenko back-to-back TALKING fights with It’s hard to imagine fighters’ sense of time may be the spur Rigondeaux, himself POINT Wladimir Rigondeaux winning, and terminating them, an escapee from another revolutionary Klitschko and ROY JONES JNR, one of the few despite the mostly still found himself regime, needs to realise his capacities in in fighters in recent memory to have a box warranted hype this locked out of step ways more bodily than heaven. 2015 - can of tricks comparable to Lomachenko’s and fight has bought against the Cuban. It’s hard to predict what sort of take his record Rigondeaux’s, is excited. “You can’t find 21-2 (12) via for itself, in part two fighters better on paper to put against There’s still, fight this will look like. It’s harder still a stoppage because while it’s each other,” he said about this collision. too, the potential to pick against Lomachenko. But if success. hard to distinguish “That’s the best fight I ever seen for this to be fun. there’s any guarantee, it might be this: Also on the bill, between these made on paper, and I can’t wait.” Lomachenko has given each other, Lomachenko and leading world He’s not the only one... fighters for technique such a deep, versatile Rigondeaux should have the capacities featherweight and talent it is yet fairly punching arsenal that to concretise the art form of boxing as prospects, easy to separate them it’s impossible to imagine art work. Whether it’s a museum piece or Michael Conlan on bases intangible (desire, him not getting his fair share of something juicier to savour remains to of , perhaps) and easier still when it comes licks in. And while Rigondeaux tends to be seen. and Newark’s to the tangible (weight, size). But it’s also take fights to a level of abstraction even Prediction: Lomachenko in eight. bn Shakur hard to imagine Lomachenko doing so Kazimir Malevich would have backed Stevenson, while looking like himself: Rigondeaux away from, he has also long needed THE VERDICT Exquisite talents don’t look certain to has too much talent, and feet too quick, the right dance partner if he’s to make always good fights make – even so, triumph. to let Lomachenko take ownership of manifest any of those vast, virtuosic this is hard to resist.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 17 PREVIEWS DEGALE REBOOTS

(14), goes again in the UK after a North a 2015 bout with Daniel Jacobs. Up at Truax test ★★ DEGALE-TRUAX American stint under Al Haymon’s PBC super-middle he has won three but been for James banner that saw him become world halted in the first by Anthony Dirrell in JAMES DEGALE returns after injury champion and retain three 2016. after injury when he defends his IBF super- times. All of which suggests break, writes middleweight title against Caleb Truax Truax is unlikely that while the American Daniel on a Queensberry Promotions show at to derail DeGale’s TALKING POINT may be able to hang CopperBox Arena in Hackney Wick on comeback. The THIS is 2008 Olympic gold with DeGale during Herbert Saturday (December 9). Minnesota 34-year- medallist DeGale’s first fight in the early sessions BT Sport televise DeGale’s first old has compiled a London since beating Brandon while the Londoner fight since January, when he shared a 28-3-2 (18) record in Gonzales on the Froch-Groves II is finding his rhythm thrilling, up-and-down draw with WBC his decade as a pro, undercard at Wembley Stadium and range, once James counterpart Badou Jack at the Barclays but every time he has in May 2014. starts putting his hurtful Center in New York. stepped up he’s been combinations together he That night the Harlesden southpaw found wanting. can win in nine rounds. suffered the indignity of having two front At middle he was teeth knocked out, but it was a shoulder outpointed over 10 by former THE VERDICT DeGale can shed injury (which required surgery) that has champ Jermain Taylor in 2012 and the rust before heading into a big kept him out since. Now DeGale, 23-1-1 stopped in the 12th and last round of 2018 under promoter Warren. Photo: CHRIS FARINA/K2

FRUSTRATING TIMES: DeGale is ready to for re-lift off after a difficult year

18 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net SELBY MUST IMPRESS The Welshman could be in line for a huge 2018 if he turns back the challenge of Ramirez

rotten luck - a January Las Vegas showcase seven early wins from 20 suggests he’s ★★★ SELBY-RAMIREZ defence against Jonathan Victor Barros not much of a puncher. was cancelled at the weigh-in because the Eduardo’s most significant fight was SMART-Boxing Welshman Argentinian was deemed medically unfit. his most recent, when he travelled to Las shares top billing in East London It went ahead at Wembley in July, with Vegas in September and drew over 10 with DeGale as he defends his IBF Selby winning on points, and now the with Leduan Barthelemy. The Cuban, a featherweight crown against Mexico’s Welsh Mayweather must clear this hurdle 5ft 11ins portsider, was a 13-0 prospect Eduardo Ramirez. before 2018 can bring megafights with so there was no shame in the draw. Like DeGale, Selby won his belt in top challenger and then Even though Selby hasn’t boxed a 2015 and hooked up with influential (both also promoted by southpaw since beating Rendall Munroe adviser Al Haymon. But despite making Frank Warren). in 2014, Ramirez’s left-handed stance is three defences (one in the USA), the Ramirez, a 24-year-old southpaw from unlikely to bother him. Expect Lee to take lucrative unification bouts have so far Los Mochis, is unbeaten in 24, including a look early on before stepping up the eluded the Barry man, although he’s had three draws and a No Contest. Only pace en route to a clear . THE EXTRA YARDE Light-heavyweight prospect gets his first proper test to close an impressive year

the distance – and floored Stanislavs And while Nikola may be 39, last time ★★★★ YARDE-SJEKLOCA Makarenko before having to settle for a out in March he was still good enough four-round verdict. to draw with former WBO 168lbs champ HYPED light-heavyweight Anthony Sjekloca will test that, as he has never Robert Stieglitz in a European light- Yarde gets his toughest test so far been stopped in a 32-4-1 (11) ledger. His heavyweight title challenge. when he fights Montenegro’s Nikola losses all came in 12-rounders against So he figures to provide a severe Sjekloca over 12 rounds on the quality super-middles: Sakio Bika (WBC test for Yarde [inset], who has been past CopperBox bill. final eliminator), Arthur Abraham (WBO round two only three times and is yet Yarde, 26, defends his ratings-boosting title), Callum Smith and Tyron Zeuge. The to be involved in a long, hard fight. WBO European and Inter-Continental Smith defeat, in Liverpool three years Assuming his stamina holds out, Yarde baubles but also his reputation as a ago, saw Sjekloca lose clearly on points can gain invaluable experience as he wins devastating banger. The Ilford man has but survive the punches of a man who clearly on points with the tough Sjekloca won all but one of his 13 fights inside has notched several notable early wins. surviving a knockdown or two. DUBOIS’ HALF-DOZEN Daniel expected to starch Darch and cruise to 6-0

1) for the vacant Southern Area crown. Dubois may need longer than Joshua ★★★ BEST OF THE REST The aim for 2018 is the English, then to dispatch Darch, but not much longer - British, titles but first the 6ft 5ins, 17st expect his heavy hitting with either hand EXCITING Greenwich heavyweight Dubois needs an opponent who can give to secure victory by about round three. prospect Daniel Dubois continues him some rounds. Brentwood middleweight Joe his fistic education when he tackles Darch, a 33-year-old from Aberdare, Mullender, 10-2 (4) and Peckham experienced Welsh battler Dorian Darch would appear to fit the bill: he has welter Johnny Garton, 20-1-1 (7), are in over 10 rounds. accumulated good experience in his 12-round action for vacant IBF East/West Dubois [inset], who turned 20 only 12-5-1 (1) record with bouts against Europe titles. in September, has won all five pro Anthony Joshua, Eddie Chambers and Former top amateur Harvey Horn, fights inside the distance, impressing Hughie Fury. a 22-year-old southpaw from Chigwell, observeres with three in the opening He went the six-round distance with turns pro in a four-rounder. session and two in the second. recent world title challenger Fury, but was Horn won silver at the 2015 European In his last two outings he has walloped stopped in two by Joshua (now world Championships and also boxed for the Mexico’s Mauricio Barragan (ko 2) for the champion, of course) and in three by British Lionhearts in the pro-style World vacant WBC Youth title and AJ Carter (rsf Chambers (then still a fringe contender). Series of Boxing.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 19 PREVIEWS THE CINDERELLA MEN Photo: ACTION IMAGES/REUTERS/AAP/DARREN ENGLAN

UNLIKELY KING: Horn is mobbed while celebrating his astonishing world title triumph

111 victor. But, so controversial was talks regarding a unification with IBF Just when ★★★ MAIN EVENT the decision deemed, the WBO even champion Errol Spence Jnr never really ★★ you thought UNDERCARD agreed to rescore the bout using five got off the ground. the world of independent judges who watched the The next name mentioned was 27-1 T IS one of boxing’s fight back with the sound off. Bradley Skeete, described by Brisbane boxing strange idiosyncrasies Although one gave Pacquiao the nod tabloid the Courier Mail as a “formidable couldn’t get that, sometimes, and a second saw it a draw, the but little-known pom”. world title fights can remaining three judges scored However, the 30-year-old any odder, I appear totally and the fight in favour of Horn, TALKING former WBO European utterly out of left who expected to face the POINT champion was Horn and field. eight-division champion disrespectfully ruled out WHILE the benefits of being Corocoran One only has to look back to July in an immediate Inter-Continental champ are by Horn’s promoter when a former school teacher from rematch regardless. explained here, the flipside - when Dean Lonergan due to are set for Australia with a modest 16-0-1 record However, Senator one considers that EIGHT fighters in being, in his opinion, world title was handed the chance to fight all-time- Pacquiao is a busy the WBO welter rankings hold some “the most boring great for the Filipino man these days form of WBO title - is the amount fighter on the planet”. warfare, icon’s WBO welterweight title. and it was decided they cost in sanctioning But they stuck with writes And on that sun-drenched Brisbane in September that his fees. Frank Warren’s stable to afternoon, the unheralded Jeff Horn government commitments finally select the opponent Declan claimed a debatable points decision would preclude him from for December 13, and if they Taylor to score, on paper at least, one of the boxing again in 2017. That decision left were intent on finding someone who biggest boxing upsets of the generation. Horn without a dance partner. would bring entertainment, they have All three judges gave Horn the nod Fantasy fights against the likes of come up trumps with Gary Corcoran. on the day, with Waleska Roldan even Floyd Mayweather Jnr and 0-1 Conor The 27-year-old made his debut back scoring the home fighter a wide 117- McGregor were briefly mooted while in November 2011 but has only boxed

20 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net said ‘that’s a good Commonwealth title looking to beat him up and then see what TALE OF THE TAPE fight’,” Warren said. “And Corcoran would happens after. have probably been a big favourite. “He beat Pacquiao when he was at the JEFF HORN GARY CORCORAN @jeffhornboxer @GaryCorcoran “He’s a lovely guy who has never end of his career. He’s there to be beat. Feb 4, 1988/29 DOB/AGE Nov 12, 1990/27 turned down anybody. He has got a true I was looking at him a few weeks ago and Brisbane HOMETOWN Wembley fighting heart and he’s got a real chance he’s very beatable for a world title.” EXPERT VIEW Australian NATIONALITY British out there.” The danger, of course, is that one 5ft 9ins HEIGHT 5ft 9ins Warren also likened the situation to would assume that anything remotely LARRY 1/6 ODDS 4/1 that of another Brit who was handed a close will go the way of the home fighter, EKUNDAYO 17-0-1 (11) RECORD 17-1 (7) shock chance to win the world title 24 as it did at the Suncorp Stadium in the BEATEN BY Orthodox years ago. summer. CORCORAN Mar 1, 2013/25 Nov 5, 2011/20 DEBUT/AGE Back in 1993, when a failed HIV test However, Corcoran will not have to 61 KO PERCENTAGE 39 meant that Ruben Palacious was stripped go looking for Horn when they meet at JEFF HORN of his WBO featherweight Brisbane’s Convention & is probably crown, Steve Robinson Exhibition centre given thinking he has a further 17 times in the six years since. was selected to face John ‘I’M JUST the Australian’s face- picked an easy fight – I think The sole defeat on his record came at the Davison for the belt on forward style. LOOKING it’s a big hands of Liam Williams, who stopped him just two days’ notice. Indeed, the pair offer mistake. They in the 11th round of their British light- Robinson, 13-9-1 at the TO BEAT all the ingredients needed see Gary as an middleweight title fight in July of last year. time, secured the title for a truly memorable easy target, they But he is a highly capable pressure with a split decision HIM UP AND tear-up in which both probably don’t fighter, more at home at 147lbs, who beat victory. men are likely to mark-up know too much slick Larry Ekundayo on points in his last “It reminds me a bit of SEE WHAT and bleed. about him and it outing to claim the vacant WBO Inter- Steve Robinson,” Warren HAPPENS’ Corcoran, however, will could come back Continental belt at the . said. “That was a real have to make it a very to haunt them. I knew Gary Such trinkets are often denigrated but it is Cinderella story too. clear victory if he leaves it to the judges before we without question that it helped Corcoran’s “This is Corcoran’s chance. He wins this or produce only the eighth stoppage fought, we have ranking and therefore his chances of and he’s right up there with a belt and of his career to date. The smart money sparred and are landing a shot at Horn in Brisbane. can make some serious money.” would be on Horn to secure a decision good pals. Even so, news that Corcoran would be However, Horn too knows that victory on the cards after coming through some I know fighting for a genuine world title in only here will set up money-spinning bouts testing moments. that unless you his 19th fight was still a surprise, but he in 2018. A Las Vegas showdown with Undercard highlights include former knock him out, and his team will not see this as a holiday. Terence Crawford, the brilliant 147lb new victim Alex Leapai he will not go Promoter Frank Warren put it best when boy, is already being touted for April. 31-7-3 (25) and 24-0 (16) rising star Paul away, he’s a hard kid who asked about his fighter’s chances Down “I’m not looking ahead of this, but Fleming. will not give you Under. Horn is,” Corcoran told Box Nation, who a second off. “If I had made Gary against Jeff Horn are showing the fight in the UK. THE VERDICT Corcoran is a live I don’t think this time last year everyone would have “He’s talking about more fights. I’m just underdog in shock world title shot. Horn can push him back Gary will go all out with that BLOOD AND GUTS: relentless style Corcoran is known for that we all know giving his all in the ring about. He will be on his chest all night, using his head and elbows, spoiling everything that Horn tries. It doesn’t matter how good you are, Corcoran will always mess up your style. But the big problem for Gary is the judges. There will always be home advantage so if the fight looks close I don’t think Gary will be getting any favours.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 21 PREVIEWS SUPER-FEATHER SATURDAY Francisco suffered severe facial bronze medal at the 2006 European The 130- ★★★★ VARGAS-SMITH lacerations against Miura and Salido, and Championships. Each 32-year-old trains ★★★★ pounders REST OF BILL that trend continued against the heavy- under a top-class coach – Smith is guided handed Miguel Berchelt in January, who by Joe Gallagher, while Vargas has recently are the ON the same night (Saturday December KO’d Vargas in 11 rounds to take his WBC linked up with Joel Diaz. talk of the 9) that Vasyl Lomachenko defends his strap in another brutal barnburner. Vargas – who tested positive for WBO super-featherweight title against Smith has never held a world title, the banned substance clenbuterol in town this Guillermo Rigondeaux in New York, four although he did challenge for one in April last year, blaming it on ingesting weekend, fine super-feather fights adorn a show April 2016, when he was unanimously contaminated meat – is a career super- in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Hotel & outpointed by then-unbeaten IBF super- featherweight who possesses advantages writes Casino. Promotional duties are shared by featherweight boss Jose Pedraza. The same in height and reach over Smith. Although Zanfer, Golden Boy, K2 and Matchroom, fate befell “Swifty” seven months later he occasionally demonstrates his capacity Paul while the event will be televised live on against the brawling Jason Sosa. Since this to and employ lateral movement, Wheeler Action/Main Event (UK) and defeat, he has had one outing – a first- his standout attribute is his in-fighting HBO (US). frame blowout of the unknown Karoly ability. Brave and tenacious, the powerful In an intriguing 12-rounder, Liverpool’s Gallovich in June. Smith’s best win came pressure-fighter sets a torrid pace, and former two-weight British champion just prior to the Pedraza clash, when he unleashes fierce combinations from Stephen Smith, 25-3 (15), collides with halted the usually durable Devis Boschiero his furious fists, including crunching ex-WBC 130lb king Francisco Vargas, – a former European super-feather titlist – and vicious hooks. 23-1-2 (17). The man won his in six in September 2015. Vargas’ all-out attacking approach world crown two years ago with a ninth- Both Smith and Vargas were high- allows him to land frequently, but also session stoppage of Takashi Miura, before quality amateurs, with the highlight for means he swallows his fair share of shots. retaining seven months later on a majority the latter being Smith can be tagged draw against another bruising warmonger his involvement TALE OF THE TAPE too – as evidenced in Orlando Salido, who also features in the 2008 by his eighth- on the bill. The Miura and Salido battles Olympics, while FRANCISCO VARGAS STEPHEN SMITH round stoppage earned Vargas successive Boxing News Stephen nabbed @elbandido130 @SwiftySmith reverse to current International Fight of the Year awards. an impressive Dec 25, 1984/32 DOB/AGE Jul 22, 1985/32 IBF featherweight Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS Mexico City HOMETOWN Liverpool boss Lee Selby in Mexican NATIONALITY English September 2011. LEAGUE OF 5ft 8ins HEIGHTt 6 1/2ins5f However, he is NATIONS 70ins REACH 66ins predominantly 23-1-2 (17) RECORD 25-3 (15) a smart and THE two Orthodox STANCE Orthodox composed boxer- remaining Mar 12, 2010/25 DEBUT/AGE Jun 21, 2008/22 super-feather 65 KO PERCENTAGE 54 puncher who scraps on the displays intelligent show feature an footwork and American (TEVIN impressive versatility. FARMER), Despite boasting a high work rate, a Japanese Smith has admitted that he started too (KENICHI slowly versus Pedraza and Sosa. Against OGAWA), a Vargas, he will aim to rectify this by Russian (DENIS rattling off accurate and well-timed SHAFIKOV) and a Nicaraguan combos to both head and body from (RENE the outset. and straight strikes are ALVARADO). favourites of the Englishman, as are With the vacant searing left hooks to the midsection. IBF crown up During the Sosa fight, Smith had for grabs, the difficulties with his opponent’s warring 22-1 (17) style on the inside, which is one of Ogawa can upset Vargas’ top traits. Stephen will have his Philadelphian moments in an entertaining and action- southpaw Farmer, 25-4-1 packed tussle, but Francisco’s strength (5), on the and relentlessness can swing things his scorecards. way. A late stoppage triumph for Vargas is Meanwhile, possible, but the likelihood is that he will portsider claim a points victory. Shafikov, 38-3-1 Also on the card, the previously (20) – who is mentioned Salido, 44-13-4 (31) 1NC – moving down an ex-two-division world champ – can from lightweight outscore fellow seasoned Mexican – can beat Alvarado, 27-8 GRUESOME GASH: Miguel Roman, 57-12 (44), over 12. (19), on points Vargas is prone over 10 rounds. to suffering cuts THE VERDICT A super super- featherweight spectacle.

22 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net PREVIEWS

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE 10 rounds. The native appears MAIDEN DEFENCE: to have secured her shot at Taylor after Taylor puts her months of calling her out, most recently WBA female in the ring following her second-round lightweight title on the line for stoppage of Natalie Brown in July – her the first time latest outing. “She hasn’t left me alone for the last year,” Bray’s Taylor said of McCaskill. “But I haven’t really heard much of Jessica since she has called me out over the last few months. We had other things on our mind, preparing for a world title shot. “I’m not going to be avoiding anyone as a world champion. If anyone calls me out, I’ll be willing to take them up on that. I’m not one for trash-talking – I prepare to do my work in the gym, and my talking in the ring.” Taylor can do her talking by securing a late stoppage win against McCaskill. Down the bill, Taylor’s fellow Olympian Kelly is joined by his Rio 2016 GB squad-mates and . Hackney cruiser Okolie, 6-0 (5), will box over six rounds, while Cardiff’s Cordina, 5-0 (4), will make the step up to eight at super-feather. Welter Kelly, 4-0 (3), meanwhile, is set for a 10-rounder against the 25-8-3 Frenchman Jean Michel Hamilcaro, who has mixed with the likes of Jack Culcay and Michel Soro. Ahead of a 2018 which Matchroom hope will yield titles for the Sunderland stylist, this will be a very worthwhile test. December 13 will also be a significant night in the career of Martin J. Ward, 18-0-2 (8), who faces Juli Giner, 21-2-1 MIDWEEK TREAT (8), for the vacant European super- featherweight strap. After successful Matchroom ★★★ MAIN EVENT good opponent in Jessica [McCaskill]. British title defences against Maxi Hughes I’ve only been a pro for a year, and I’m and Anthony Cacace this year, victory ★★★★ UNDERCARD host a defending a world title already. It’s a great over Spanish hardman Giner – a former cracking THE unfortunate postponement of Tony way to end a fantastic year. holder of the EBU 130lb crown – would Bellew’s December 17 rematch with “I’ve never fought at York Hall before, provide the perfect ending to 2017 for card thanks bitter rival David Haye – rescheduled but my brother Peter boxed there in a the Brentwood-based fighter. Ward can for May 5 – has resulted in the best university match years ago. I was there triumph on a wide points decision. to Haye’s Wednesday night of and the atmosphere was fantastic. It There is also an intriguing light- withdrawal, York Hall has seen for decades. always comes across as electric on the heavyweight 10 between Lightwater’s Although the main event – Katie television as well. It’s such a Jake Ball, 10-1 (8), and Bushey’s writes Taylor’s first world title defence – was historic venue and you just Miles Shinkwin, 14-2 Declan already in the books, the likes of Conor have to look at the list of (7). Both boxers suffered Benn and Josh Kelly [inset] have been fighters who have boxed defeats in late 2016, Taylor added to the bill since Bellew-Haye got there. but got back on the pulled. Indeed, the inclusion of Kelly “I’ve always wanted horse with victories this means there are now four Olympians to fight at York Hall, so year. Shinkwin won a in action on the card, which will be to say I’m excited is an September six-rounder, witnessed by a sell-out 1,500 crowd understatement. while Ball has rebuilt inside the iconic venue. “It was an OK with three wins this year. Taylor, 7-0 (4), defends the WBA performance in Cardiff, Both men know that this female lightweight belt she won by but there was room for unusual festive Wednesday, unanimously outpointing Anahi Sanchez improvement as well. Overall, I was live on Sky Sports Action/Mix, could over 10-twos in Cardiff in October. There happy. It was my first world title fight either make or break their 2018 – not to were rumours her first defence might and it was a clear win. I feel like I’ve even mention their Christmas dinner. take place back in Ireland, but it has improved since then, so I can’t wait to get Elsewhere, rising trio Felix Cash, Ted instead landed in London, just five miles back in there and show what we’ve been Cheeseman and Gamal Yafai are also down the road from the arena where she working on.” in action. won 2012 Olympic gold. Her opponent is the 5-1 (3) American She said: “It’s a dream come true to McCaskill, who is yet to box outside of THE VERDICT Lots to look forward to headline my own show. It’s against a the US in her career, or compete over on this stacked show.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 23 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

Photos: NOAH K MURRAY/USA TODAY SPORTS

TIME TO GO: The legendary De La Hoya [on the left, comforting Cotto] knows what it feels like to say goodbye to a great career THE FINAL CURTAIN After a NEW YORK, NY wobbling the veteran from Caguas, Puerto he accepted that with grace, he also, he Rico several times and showing himself acknowledged, used it as motivation. career where DECEMBER 2 to be faster of hand and foot as he Cotto entered the ring with nothing he always ensured the final fight of Cotto’s excellent at stake, with one-and-three-quarters stood out ★★★★ MAIN EVENT career was a losing one. feet already out the door. ★★★ UNDERCARD Ali prevailed by a close Ali, however, was clearly from the but unanimous points inspired and determined ★★★★★ ATMOSPHERE ‘IT IS MY crowd, Cotto decision, with judges to seize the opportunity Julie Lederman and Steve LAST FIGHT. to relaunch his career leaves like HE celebrations Weisfeld scoring it 115- and indeed send it to a all the rest had been planned, 113 and Mark Marlinski I AM GOOD level far higher than he the invitations long seeing it as 116-112 in the had reached beforehand. ago issued, and New Yorker’s favor. AND I WANT He and trainer Andre T 12,371 showed up Ali had previously TO BE HAPPY Rozier had figured out at Madison Square shown great promise, a smart gameplan: to Garden to bid a but was – in retrospect, IN MY HOME’ move around the ring, victorious farewell to Miguel Cotto. harshly – demoted in the deploying his more And then Sadam Ali crashed the party. estimation of many observers following youthful feet to his advantage, never Rare is the boxer who has the chance a stoppage loss to Jessie Vargas in March allowing Cotto to cut him off, to pick his Kieran to exit the sport on his own terms; the 2016. He was largely overlooked in the spots and to use his fast hands and Cotto’s Mulvaney expectation was that Cotto would be that build-up to what Cotto had announced long-suspect chin to launch fierce attacks RINGSIDE rarity, but Brooklyn’s Ali had other ideas, would be his farewell fight; and although when the opportunities arose.

24 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net SHOCKING RESULT: CRUCIAL But Ali [right] surpasses all MOMENT? expectation and deserves his It is believed victory after 12 rounds Cotto’s injury occured when an attempted left hook was blocked by an elbow

The first sign that the carefully-laid by the turn of events and appeared to flyweight title with a 10th round stoppage plans for the evening were in jeopardy be already looking forward to putting his of Juan Alejo in a terrific action fight. FULL came in the second round when a short feet up and enjoying his retirement. Acosta had been targeting Alejo, from RESULTS Ali right hand off the ropes caused Cotto’s “I’m feeling good,” he said. “Feeling Nuevo Leon, Mexico, with left hooks Sadam Ali (153lbs), legs to dance and a bigger, booming good with the performance. It is my last all night long, but the best came just 26-1 (14), w pts follow-up right sent him staggering fight. I am good, and I want to be happy as the Mexican was looking to unleash 12 Miguel Cotto backward. Cotto withstood that in my home with my family. a left hand of his own. Acosta’s hook (151.6lbs), 41-6 (33); shock, and set about his TALKING Thank you for all the fans. landed flush first, and after a brief delay, Rey Vargas (121.4lbs), work with his customary I had the opportunity to Alejo dropped to his hands and knees. 31-0 (22), w pts doggedness, marching POINT provide the best for my Although he hauled himself to his feet, it 12 Oscar Negrete forward behind a stiff HECTOR SOTO of Team Cotto, family because of the was not in time to beat Benjy Esteves Jnr’s (121.2lbs), 17-1 jab – but that jab, discussed the veteran’s injury sport.” count. Time was 1-33 (7); Angel Acosta and Cotto’s patented afterwards. “We do not know how Rey Vargas Monteria, Colombia’s Delvis Julio (108lbs), 17-1 (17), w ko 10 Juan Alejo power punches, Miguel could continue fighting. Nor defended his super- frustrated opponent Ronny Rios and did he tell Freddie [Roach]... Miguel (107.8lbs), 25-5-1 lacked their customary has a very intense pain that starts bantamweight title the crowd by taking a full five minutes (15); Ronny Rios authority because Ali’s from his wrist to his shoulder. with a unanimous before returning to action after a low (125.2lbs), 29-2 excellent upper body All the limb is well points win over blow late in a featherweight contest, but (13), w pts 10 Delvis movement made the inflamed.” previously undefeated Los otherwise caused Rios little trouble, as Julio (125.8lbs), 19-4 veteran reluctant to commit Angeleno Oscar Negrete. the man from Santa Ana, California won (11); Zachary Ochoa to any of them. Vargas made the most of his 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93. In the opening (144.4lbs), 18-1 (7), Ali hurt Cotto again in the fourth, but height and reach, but also showed greatly bout, Brooklyn’s Zacchary Ochoa was w pts 6 Erick Martinez in the sixth and seventh, the Puerto Rican superior punch output, ring generalship made to work by game Tijuanan Erick (145lbs), 14-10-1 (8). regained the momentum, knocking back and defense, strafing Negrete with fierce Martinez, but won every round on Ali with a stiff right hand, and gaining hooks and right hands to body and every card in a welterweight six-rounder. his attention with a right hand and hook head from distance and largely Referee for both was Shada Murdaugh. – only for his hopes of victory to vanish slipping most of Negrete’s Standout amateur Aaron with a torn left biceps, which necessitated often wild haymakers. McKenna, from Monaghan, emergency surgery after the fight. But although the Ireland, was slated to make Ali swept the final four rounds on all scorecards of 120-108 his professional debut in a three judges’ scorecards, and seemingly from Alan Rubinstein four-round welterweight had Cotto ready to go at the end of the and 119-109 from contest, but must wait to 10th and beginning of the 11th, before Kevin Morgan and take his bow after his the man from Caguas drew on all his were an opponent was not able reserves to gut out a determined finish accurate reflection of to complete his blood and end his career on his feet. events, Vargas – from work in time. “I worked hard for it,” said Ali after Mexico City – suffered referee Charlie Fitch raised his hand in a fair share of damage THE VERDICT Cotto victory. “I took advantage of this fight, in the form of cuts enters a deserved and I made sure to make it count. Good above both eyes, both retirement after things happen to good people. I have of which were caused a brilliant career; been training since I was eight years old, by accidental headbutts. but Ali, a worthy and I am glad I got this win at MSG, in my Referee was Ricky Gonzalez. winner, is set hometown.” San Juan’s Angel Acosta to hit new Cotto seemed, frankly, unconcerned won an interim junior heights.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 25 ACTION

Photo: NAOMI YOUD both Stafford’s first inside the distance STILL CHAMP: loss in over 100 outings, amateur and Yigit bursts inside pro, and Watkins’ first defence of the and clumps Hughes Commonwealth title he won as recently with his left as October. Referee was Howard Foster while the redundant judges were Mr Alexander, Mr McDonnell and Mr O’Connor. The evening’s show opener, a welterweight 10-rounder between Ludlow’s Craig Morris and Swindonian Ryan Martin proved thoroughly watchable with a good deal of see-saw action. Morris, looking stronger and forcing Martin to work off the back foot for long periods, eventually prevailed with two scores of 97-93 (from judges Mr Foster and Oliver Brien, the second of which was incorrectly announced as being 97-92) while Mr Alexander had it a little closer at 97-94. Mr McDonnell was the third man. Touted puncher Lee McGregor impressed once again, needing less than half of his scheduled four to dispose of Poland’s Kamil Jaworek. Referee Shaun Messer saved the visitor, who had been down from a body shot late in the opener and had revisited the canvas midway through the TOO MUCH OF EVERYTHING second, from any further punishment with 68 seconds of the round remaining. FULL European champ Yigit turns back Having secured the IBO Inter- There was a second round victory too RESULTS Continental bauble last time out for ’s Kyle Williams. brave challenge from Hughes Northampton’s It came at 2-06 of the session when went one better when she forced the Hungarian Szilveszter Kanales failed Anthony Yigit (139lbs Andy Whittle 2oz), 21-0-1 (7), w retirement of Swiss based Brazilian to rise after being floored, for the second pts 12 Joe Hughes RINGSIDE at the conclusion of time in quick succession, by a pair of (139lbs 2oz), 15-3-1 the sixth to win the IBO lightweight title. rights to the head. Referee was Kevin (6); Chantelle Cameron Truth told, the contest never looked Parker. (133lbs 2oz), 5-0 (4), w likely to run its course and referee Bournemouth cruiser Chris Billam- DECEMBER 2 rtd 6 Viviane Obenauf Michael Alexander had looked closely on Smith proved far too much for Hungary’s (134lbs 2oz), 12-4 a couple of occasions as the disheartened Laszlo Ivanyi, hurting him to the body (6); Luke Watkins ★★★ MAIN EVENT Brazilian, never previously halted and and duly dropping him for the duration (198lbs 3oz), 13-0 (9), ★★★★ UNDERCARD who had found the target with a few early of referee Parker’s count with 43 seconds w rtd 5 Mike Stafford (196lbs 3oz), 16-4 (3); ★★★ ATMOSPHERE rights, came under increasing fire. of the first round remaining. Lennox Clarke (167lbs The meeting of Halesowen’s Lennox But the quickest winner of the evening 2oz), 16-0-1 (6), w pts DESPITE his best attempts, Malmesbury Clarke and local favourite Jahmaine was Lichfield’s Brad Foster who lived 10 Jahmaine Smyle challenger Joe Hughes found Sweden’s Smyle at super-middleweight provided up to his nickname of “The Blade” by (167lbs 3oz), 14-7-2 European super-lightweight champ spectators with an early Christmas cutting down Patrik Bartos of the Czech (6); Craig Morris Anthony Yigit had a little too much cracker. Lennox, working well on the Republic in just 101 seconds of what had (146lbs 2oz), 9-1 (3), in his armoury when the pair clashed inside and to the body, got the nod been, somewhat fancifully, scheduled for w pts 10 Ryan Martin at Leicester Arena on this Cyclone from judges Howard Foster, Marcus six rounds. (146lbs 3oz), 8-2 (3); Promotions show. McDonnell and Grzegorz Molenda, all of Bartos, downed in a neutral corner, Chris Billam-Smith (202lbs), 4-0 (4), w ko 1 Yigit, who had widely outpointed whom scored 97-92. But Smyle, nursing rose rubbing his eyebrow and showed no Laszlo Ivanyi (195lbs), Lenny Daws to claim the vacant title 10 a cut lip and counted after touching interest in carrying on as referee Messer 6-7 (4); Lee McGregor months ago, took a little time to settle down on being tagged by a left-right completed his count. (120lbs 2oz) 2-0 (2), into his stride. Having taken a fair few to in the ninth, regularly walked Lennox Melton Mowbray heavy Josh Quailey w rsf 2 Kamil Jaworek the body, he also picked up some early down and deserves plenty of credit too. had his arm raised by the same Dudley (121lbs 2oz), 4-9 (2); damage below the left eye, but once into Birmingham’s Terry O’Connor refereed official after eclipsing another Hungarian Kyle Williams (117lbs his stride he seldom looked back, and a bout which I felt was closer than the in the shape of fleshy yet game Ferenc 2oz), 7-0 (2), w ko 2 by the halfway stage - with Joe’s attacks scores suggested. Zsalek. The score, as is so often the Szilveszter Kanales having lessened in both frequency and Another who gave his all but ultimately case in four-rounders these days, was a (112lbs 2oz), 13-7 (9); Brad Foster (120lbs ferocity - was firmly in control. came up short was Southport cruiser shutout 40-36. 2oz) 7-0-1 (2), w rsf 1 Scores at the finish read 118-112 Mike Stafford who, tiring after a Patrik Bartos (117lbs (Adrio Zannoni) 118-110 (Bela Florian) promising start and cut below the THE VERDICT Yigit hints at dropping 2oz), 12-16 (10); Josh and 119-109 (Manuel Oliver Palomo) right eye from an late in the down to lightweight but doesn’t Quailey (234lbs), 1-1, reflected how one-sided it had become. sixth, was rescued by his own corner completely rule out a future meeting w pts 4 Ferenc Zsalek Italian Massimiliano Bianco was the at the conclusion of the eighth against with old amateur adversary Josh (233lbs), 21-64-6 (7). referee. Swindon’s bearded Luke Watkins. It was Taylor.

26 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net ACTION

LONG ROAD AHEAD

But Price too the second that had Price unsteady for Jones has now got 14 losses and a Simon Euan-Smith a moment. But Price quickly came back draw in his last 15, but he’s far better than good for RINGSIDE with a right of his own. that. He never stopped trying, and raised limited Sokolowski got close in the third, and a bump under Upton’s left eye in the Price held – but the Liverpudlian was second. Upton used his superior boxing, Sokolowski BRENTWOOD scoring with body shots in the fourth, frequently switching to southpaw, and as latest DECEMBER 2 and there was a large swelling below Jones was grazed below the left eye. comeback Sokolowski’s left eye. Price was frequently The styles blended well – Jones begins ★★★ MAIN EVENT forced to hold, but scored with jabs and pressing, Upton countering – and there ★★★ UNDERCARD rights to the head – one of which knocked was good action in every round. Sokolowski into the ropes in the fifth. So Out of the ring for a day short of Price – who finished with a swelling by the two years, Romford’s Tony Conquest DAVID PRICE successfully launched his right eye - got the win he needed. He’ll be outscored Remigijus Ziausys (Lithuania) latest comeback, taking a clear six-round looking to build on it. over six, referee Coakley scoring 60-54. verdict over game Kamil Sokolowski at Tey Lynn Jones (Grays) outscored Ziausys was staggered by in the second. FULL Brentwood Leisure Centre. York’s Harry Matthews in a good-value Basildon’s Davis Pagan beat Bulgarian RESULTS Boxing for the first time since his six, referee Coakley scoring 58-54 – giving Angel Emilov in an entertaining six, February loss to Christian Hammer in a Jones a 10-7 round in the third when referee Kieran McCann scoring 60-54. David Price (258lb WBO European heavyweight title bid, Matthews was floored twice by rights, All remaining bouts on this Johnney 9oz), 22-4 (18), w pts Price (Liverpool) had big advantages in first for two and then for eight. Matthews Roye promotion were scheduled for four. 6 Kamil Sokolowski height, weight and reach. Sokolowski, a finished the session with some damage Ireland’s Gary Sweeney was a first- (222lbs 1oz), 4-12-2 Pole based in Plymouth, used the only to the left eye, and picked up a swelling round winner over Lithuanian Imantas (1); Davis Pagan tactics possible – pressing forward and under the right in the fourth. Davidaitis. The visitor was wrestled (156lbs), 7-1 (1), w trying to unload in close – and certainly But Matthews came to fight, and was down, then floored in his own corner pts 6 Angel Emilov (153lbs 1oz), 7-16 (3); played his part, despite referee Chas there to meet Jones when he attacked. A by a left to the body. Referee McCann Tony Conquest (201lbs Coakley’s 60-54 scoreline. tangle in the fifth saw both go over, and completed the count at 1-30. 6oz), 17-2 (5), w pts The physical differences meant there they kept fighting to the last, Matthews Bangor’s Casey Blair reacted angrily 6 Remigijus Ziausys were frequent tangles, and Mr Coakley occasionally switching to southpaw. after being halted in the second against (194lbs 8oz), 20-84-5 spoke to both more than once. Romford’s Paul Upton had his hands Northampton’s Kieron Conway – doing (10); Tey Lynn Jones A right, and following right-left full with Doncaster’s Adam Jones. a defiant dance. But he sportingly came (169lbs 1oz), 9-1 combination, had Sokolowski backing off Referee Coakley scored Upton a 58-57 over to congratulate his conqueror. (1), w pts 6 Harry in the first, but he landed a good right in winner after another good six. Conway picked his shots well in the first Matthews (168lbs and had Blair trapped on the ropes in the 7oz), 15-25-2 (2); Photo: NATALIE MAYHEW/BUTTERFLY BOXING second – and an unanswered burst of stiff Paul Upton (162lbs head-shots prompted referee Coakley to 7oz), 15-0 (3), w pts NEW AND IMPROVED? 6 Adam Jones (164lbs Price weighs 17lbs less call it off after 2-33. 3oz), 6-28-5 (1); than his previous outing Daniel Egbunike (Kingston) halted Lewis Smith (139lbs ’s Israel Munoz after 1-07 of the 2oz), 1-0, w pts 4 fourth. A burst to the head had Munoz Dylan Draper (145lbs down by the ropes. Egbunike followed up 3oz), 0-10; Kieron quickly, jerking Munoz’ head back with a Conway (159lbs 2oz), right – and Munoz was taking stick on the 5-0 (1), w rsf 2 Casey ropes when referee McCann waved it off. Blair (164lbs 9oz), 4-36; Richie Gray London debutant Dan Azeez clearly (163lbs), 6-0 (2), outpointed Bulgarian Daniel Borisov, w pts 4 Konstantin referee McCann’s 40-33 scoreline Alexandrov (155lbs reflecting a 10-7 fourth which saw Borisov 3oz), 5-28-3; Gary down twice, from rights, and losing a Sweeney (214lbs point for holding after several warnings. 1oz), 4-0 (4), w ko 1 Local Richie Gray took a repeat win Imantas Davidaitis over Bulgaria’s Konstantin Alexandrov, (204lbs 8oz), 6-26-1 referee McCann scoring 40-36. Gray beat (4); Georgii Bacon (180lbs 2oz), 1-0, Alexandrov by 60-54 in a six-rounder w pts 4 Chris Nixon here in March. (180lbs 9oz), 8-12 Kaan Hawes (Witham) beat Bicester’s (2); Daniel Egbunike Scott James in an entertaining four, (146lbs 2oz), 2-0 (2), referee Coakley scoring 39-37. w rsf 4 Israel Munoz There were 40-36 wins for two (145lbs 1oz), 1-3; Dan debutants – Basildon’s Lewis Smith over Azeez (177lbs 1oz), Braintree’s Dylan Draper (McCann) and 1-0, w pts 4 Daniel Cheshunt’s Georgii Bacon over Stoke- Borisov (174lbs), 6-21-2; Kaan Hawes on-Trent’s Chris Nixon (Coakley). (155lbs 1oz), 2-0, w pts 4 Scott James THE VERDICT Price gets the win he (155lbs 2oz), 0-2 . needs – but what happens now?

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 27 ACTION

MATTHEWS WINS ENGLISH TITLE Photo: PHILIP SHARKEY Commonwealth belt now in sights FULL NEW CHAMP: RESULTS Matthews boxes smartly Simon Euan-Smith to take the English title Elliott Matthews RINGSIDE (158lbs 4oz), 20-0-1 (9), w pts 10 Grant BETHNAL GREEN Dennis (159lbs), 10-1 (1); Daniel Kennedy DECEMBER 1 (150lbs), 7-0, w pts 6 Jordan Grannum ★★★ MAIN EVENT (156lbs), 2-14; Rod Douglas Jnr (156lbs), ★★★ UNDERCARD 1-0, w pts 4 Scott Hillman (165lbs), ELLIOTT MATTHEWS boxed well on 0-24; Quaise Khademi the retreat and took a unanimous verdict (118lbs), 2-0, w pts over Chatham’s Grant Dennis to take 4 Sergey Tasimov the vacant English middleweight title at (115lbs), 12-71-5 York Hall. (2); Chavez Campbell Now Matthews, who scored his 20th (159lbs), 1-0 (1), win against one draw, is set to challenge w ko 1 Dan Ballard Commonwealth champion Liam (163lbs), 0-1; Frank Cameron – an interested spectator, along Arnold (122lbs), 1-0 (1), w ko 4 Kieran with promoter Dennis Hobson. The bout Holman (123lbs), is projected for Sheffield’s Ponds Forge on 0-2; Julian Wilson February 2. (198lbs), 1-0, w pts At the end of 10 entertaining rounds, 4 Florian Strupits both were lifted up by their corners – and (198lbs), 3-51-3 Dennis, who lost for the first time after (2); Emran Hussain 10 wins, looked disappointed when the presumably giving Grannum a share of corner. Petrovics’ corner waved the towel, (147lbs), 1-0-1, drew verdict was announced. Some ringsiders the last. but referee Chas Coakley proceeded to 4 Dmitrijs Gutmans thought Dennis unlucky – but I felt Kennedy pressed forward behind the count the visitor out after 2-28. Petrovics (130lbs), 4-24-2 (4); Connor Wright Matthews’ countering more than offset jab, while Grannum moved and threw the tried but was generally outworked, (154lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Dennis’ aggression. Judges Robert Williams occasional counter. Grannum opened up though he opened a cut over Grant’s left Sam Omidi (154lbs), and John Keane scored it 97-94, while Ian in the sixth, and came back after being eye in the second. 4-8-2; Andre Grant John-Lewis had it closer at 96-95. wobbled by a right – but the first five Latvia’s Dmitrijs Gutmans willingly (130lbs), 2-0 (1), w Matthews (Watford) suffered damage were all Kennedy. joined battle with Londoner Emran ko 4 Roland Petrovics to both eyes, and at the start of the sixth Nine four-rounders completed this Hussain and was rewarded with a 39-39 (133lbs), 2-3-1 referee Marcus McDonnell took him to Warriors Promotion card. draw from referee Coakley. There was little (1); Ryan Maycock his corner to have a large streak of grease In a battle of middleweight debutants, between them at any stage, with some (158lbs), 5-1 (1), w wiped from the side of the right optic. Chavez Campbell impressed by good exchanges – and both held after pts 4 Arvydas Trizno (158lbs), 26-73-3 (7). Watched by former champions and crushing Dan Ballard in the first. shipping big rights in the third. A right contenders Floyd Mayweather Snr, John Looking cool and compact, Campbell counter staggered Hussain in the last. Conteh and Dennis Andries, southpaw came forward behind the jab – and when At cruiser, debutant Julian Wilson Matthews quickly made his intentions he landed, his punches carried weight. dominated Latvian Florian Strupits, clear, moving and looking to land as Ballard landed a right to the head, but taking a 40-36 verdict from referee Lee Dennis (Chatham) pressed forward. Campbell came back with one that sent Every. Wilson switched stances and at Matthews scored with jabs and solid left Ballard crashing down. He took referee times hit Strupits at will. Strupits bled crosses, but could stop Dennis coming. Bates’ count on all-fours – the bell rang from the nose in the second and his face Dennis was getting through, and there during the count, and it was announced was marked up by the finish. was a swelling below Matthews’ left eye as a count-out after 3-06. There were 40-36 wins for two other by the end of the fourth. Matthews held Another first-timer, Hackney’s Frank first-timers, Rod Douglas Jnr getting in the fifth as Dennis got close, and in the Arnold, KO’d fellow-southpaw Kieran Mr Every’s vote over Eastbourne’s Scott sixth Matthews was knocked spectacularly Holman (Sheffield) after 1-15 of the Hillman, and southpaw Connor Wright back into the ropes. fourth. Arnold came forward throughout, taking referee Williams’ verdict over Matthews had a good seventh, but was caught by a left counter in the ’s Sam Omidi. deflecting Dennis’ leads and scoring second and touched down – and referee Quaise Khademi, an Afghan based in effectively with lefts. Dennis made a big Williams correctly counted. It looked like Leyton, shrugged off a cut left eyebrow effort in the last, forcing Matthews against going the distance – but in the fourth to beat ’s Sergey Tasimov, referee the ropes – and a big right had him Arnold ripped in a big right to the body Coakley scoring 40-37. holding on. that sent Holman down, to be counted Chorleywood’s Ryan Maycock beat Danny Kennedy (St Helier) made out on one knee. Lithuanian Arvydas Trizno by 40-36, it seven straight wins by outscoring Another fourth round winner was Lee Every scoring for Mark Bates. Islington’s Jordan Grannum over six. Farnborough’s Andre Grant, who landed Robert Williams (scoring for triallist a left hook to the head that floored THE VERDICT Bigger things now referee Mark Bates) had it 60-55, Hungarian Roland Petrovics in a neutral beckon for Matthews.

28 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net ACTION

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE And he’s not the only one on FULL card loaded with one-sided wins NICE AND EASY DOES IT: RESULTS Prospere is a winner in 11 of 12 bouts Brooke Streatfield Reiss Taylor (115lbs), 2-1 (1), w rsf 2 Jack RINGSIDE Smith (115lbs), 1-2; Liam Dillon (133lbs), BETHNAL GREEN 4-0, w pts 4 Jamie Quinn (133lbs), DECEMBER 2 3-50-2; Dalton Miller (165lbs), 5-8-1 (2), ★★★ WHOLE SHOW w pts 4 Lewis Van ★★★ ATMOSPHERE Poetsch (160lbs), 7-57-1 (1); Anesu Twala (140lbs), 3-0, w LUTON’S Kay Prospere made a pts 4 Fonz Alexander statement when he stopped Slovakia’s (141lbs), 5-70 (3); Kristian Patko in one round at the Sean Robinson top of the bill. Prospere controlled (156lbs), 5-0, w pts proceedings from the first bell, and a big 4 James Gorman right hand sent Patko to the canvas but (153lbs), 8-5-1 (3); he managed to beat referee Lee Every’s Brandon Thomson (140lbs), 2-0, w pts 4 count. Prospere came out looking for Ivan Goder (138lbs), him, another barrage of hooks to the 20-50-4 (6); Ramez body sent Patko down for a second time Mahmood (129lbs), and he failed to beat the count at 1-30 of 5-0 (2), w pts 4 Jamie the first round. Speight (128lbs), Birmingham’s Reiss Taylor secured 15-18 (2); Dennis a second round victory against home Wahome (138lbs), fighter Jack Smith in the first fight of the 1-0, w pts 4 Alec night. A big right sent Smith to the canvas Bazza (138lbs), 0-31-2; Chris Davies and, at 2-40, Mr Every reached ‘10’. (171lbs), 7-0, w pts Islington’s Charlie Rice returned to the 6 Robert Studzinski ring after three years out with a dominant (171lbs) 4-37 (2); victory over the awkward Daniel Bazo. Bobby Woods Rice landed slick left hooks to the body (140lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 but found it hard to pin Bazo down. Anto Nakic (142lbs), Referee Ian John Lewis scored the contest 1-14; Youssef 39-37. Khoumari (135lbs), PROSPERE PUMMELS 3-0 (1), w pts 4 Joe Sean Robinson secured victory with Beedon (135lbs), a pressured performance over Belfast’s 2-57 (1); Hamid James Gorman. Referee Mr John Lewis Sediqi (158lbs), 1-0 scored the contest 40-36. POOR PATKO IN ONE (1), w rsf 2 Maxims Lewisham’s Anesu Twala worked the Dembovskis (152lbs) body well as he secured a 40-37 points 1-3 (1); Jack Newham victory over Fonz Alexander on referee Valevski according to referee Mr John up behind. (145lbs), 2-0, w Mr Every’s scorecard. Lewis. Tunji Ogunniya was yet another who pts 4 Jack Green Hampshire fighter Brandon Thomson There were also one-sided and didn’t lose a round (60-54) against Jan (148lbs), 0-17; Mo came out with intent from the first bell predictable debut wins for: Northolt’s Korec. Gharib (139lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Andy Harris to secure a points victory over against the who controlled every Ogunniya threw everything at Korec, Dennis Wahome (138lbs), 3-54-1; Ollie difficult Ivan Godor. Thomson pressured round to notch a 40-36 (from Mr Every) including a slick left hook in the final Pattison (174lbs), throughout and whipped in digging hooks win over Belfast’s Alec Bazza; Bobby session that forced him to the canvas but 8-0, w pts 6 Georgi to the body. Referee Lee Cook scored the Woods displayed punch power and he made the final bell in this Mr Cook- Valevski (173lbs), contest 40-36. impressive switch hitting to also secure a – officiated bout. 4-15 (1); Ellis Zoro Ilford’s Ramez Mahmood secured his you guessed it – 40-36 points victory over Acton’s Dalton Miller beat well- (193lbs), 1-0, w pts fifth professional win with a comfortable Anto Nakic on Mr John Lewis’ card; Mo known journeyman, Lewis Van Poetsch, 4 Jindrich Velecky points decision over the game Jamie Gharib impressed with a dominant and 39-37 on referee Cook’s scorecard. The (197lbs), 19-49 Speight. Mahmood worked the left side powerful performance over Andy Harris. same score was handed down by Cook (18); Charlie Rice (150lbs), 10-1 (2), of the body well, and Lewis scored the Referee Mr Every scored the contest 40-37. as Chingford’s Liam Dillon produced a w pts 4 Daniel Bazo contest 40-36. ’s Hamid Sediqi forced tidy performance over Stockport’s Jamie (148lbs), 3-14-3 (2); Chris Davies secured victory via a second round stoppage over Latvia’s Quinn. Sam Giley (151lbs), a 59-55 points win against Robert Maxims Dembovskis. The stoppage Completing the action was 3-0 (1), w pts 4 Jan Studzinski. Davies landed the cleaner came at 2-07 of the session after digging Walthamstow’s Sam Giley’s victory over Balog (155lbs), shots although Studzinski roughed him up right hooks to the body sent Dembovskis Jan Balog (40-37, Every the referee) and 11-40 (6); Tunji when he came in close. Mr Every refereed. to the canvas twice, forcing Mr Cook to Wembley’s Youssef Khoumari beat Joe Ogunniya (153lbs), Hayes welterweight Jack Newham put step in. Beedon, winning each of the four rounds 4-0 (1), w pts 6 Jan on a dominant display to outpoint Jack Bromley cruiserweight Ellis Zorro on Mr Cook’s card. Korec (149lbs), 1-7-1; Kay Prospere Green 40-36 via referee Mr John Lewis. cruised to a 40-36 points victory over (141lbs), 11-1 (6), w Hertfordshire light-heavyweight Ollie Jindrich Velecky on referee Mr Cook’s THE VERDICT Not much in the way of rsf 1 Kristian Patko Pattison, attacking the body well, with scorecard. Zorro showed much promise drama but some solid workouts for (141lbs), 4-2 (4). a 60-55 points victory over Georgi with well-timed jabs that he set everything prospects.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 29 ACTION

Photo: RICARDO GUGLIELMINOTTI FULL RESULTS

Eric Donovan (126lbs), 6-0 (3), w pts 8 Juancho ERIC (127lbs 13oz), 11-7 (3); Gonzalez Jay Byrne (146lbs 3oz), 6-3 (2), w rsf 4 Gerard Whitehouse (146lbs 8oz), 7-1 (2); Stephen McAfee (133lbs 6oz), 2-0-1 (2), d pts 6 Colin O’Donovan (135lbs THE KING 13oz), 1-1-1 (1); (146lbs 2oz), 3-0 (2), John Joyce Donovan ends the year on a high w rsf 2 Imre Simon (147lbs 5oz), 8-21 (1); Graham McCormack-O’Shea (154lbs 13oz), 1-0, w pts 4 Richard Baba (153lbs 10oz), 1-2 (1); Craig O’Brien (160lbs), 7-0, w pts 6 Daniel Przewieslik (154lbs Joe O’Neill 6oz), 2-5-1 (2); Niall O’Connor (137lbs), 2-0 (1), RINGSIDE w rsf 3 Manuel Prieto (137lbs), 0-2; Bernard Roe (162lbs 10oz), 6-0 (1), w pts 6 William Warburton (157lbs), 24-127-9 (4); Martin Quinn (140lbs 8oz), 2-0 (1), w pts 4 Iago Barros (134lbs 6oz), 2-8-2 (1); Dylan McDonagh (117lbs 3oz), 2-0, w rsf DECEMBER 2 1 Robert Kanalas (110lbs 12oz), 11-12 (8); James Cahill (148lbs), 2-0, w pts 4 Mwenya Chisanga ★★★★ WHOLE SHOW (142lbs), 1-3; Darren Cruise (166lbs 13oz), 8-6 ★★★★ ATMOSPHERE (2), w rsf 2 Janos Varga (179lbs), 20-37 (24). SATURDAY saw the the final Irish show of 2017 take place at the National Stadium. DOMINANT Lucan welterweight John Joyce to win 39-37 for Mr Ó’Reachtagáin. DONOVAN: Boxing Ireland Promotions and Tony Eric attacks knocked Hungary’s Imre Simon Craig O’Brien outpointed Poland’s Davitt ran ‘Celtic Clash 4’, with 2010 Gonzalez en down five times before referee Pádraig Daniel Przewieslik 60-54, while his European bronze medallist route to a Ó’Reachtagáin ended proceedings 1-43 fellow Dublin super-welter Bernard topping the bill. The Athy southpaw clear win into the second. Roe overcame Atherton’s William featherweight scored a dominant win over Crumlin super-lightweight Martin Warburton 59-55, both scored by Spain’s Juancho Gonzalez. Referee Emile Quinn edged Iago Barros, getting a Mr Tiedt. Tiedt awarded him every round at 80-72. 39-37 win from Mr Tiedt, which was Jobstown bantamweight Dylan Road warrior Jay Byrne stopped perhaps harsh on the Spaniard. McDonagh steamrolled Hungarian undefeated prospect Gerard Ballybrack super-light Niall O’Connor portsider Robert Kanalas, with Mr Tiedt Whitehouse, with Mr Tiedt waving sent Spain’s Manuel Prieto down in intervening after 1-45 of the first. the bout off after 2-55 of the fourth as the third, and the towel came in. Mr Castlerea middleweight Darren “Crank” rose unsteadily from the Dublin Ó’Reachtagáin stopped the bout at 2-55. Cruise breezed past Hungary’s Janos welterweight derby’s sole knockdown. Limerick super-welterweight debutant Varga, Mr Ó’Reachtagáin ending the Blood-soaked super-feathers Stephen Graham McCormack-O’Shea and fight after 1-35 of the second. McAfee (Youghal) and local Colin Wicklow welter James Cahill both had O’Donovan fought to a standstill in the ropey moments against Richard Baba THE VERDICT Donovan enters 2018 other major contest, Mr Tiedt scoring the (Hungary) and Mwenya Chisanga with his ‘one to watch’ tag firmly war 58-58. (Zambia) respectively, but both recovered in place. TOP DRAW Peter Mann sees Wood and take. Humble had the edge, landing Corrie smoothed his way through The remaining matchup saw Humble do themselves proud slightly more clean shots and some the early rounds before chasing Darlington’s Neil Hepper come up great combinations. down his opponent in the latter short against visiting Spain-based Wood, meanwhile, although two, opening up in the last to take fighter Sean Pendry. DARLINGTON he found himself a little on the the win. Totally out of sorts, Hepper never DECEMBER 2 back foot, never relented and Richard O’Neill enjoyed a really got into the contest. Mr certainly never gave the slightly good win over Welshman Geraint Hawkins terminated proceedings ★★★★ WHOLE SHOW more experienced Humble room Goodridge, the Hartlepool fighter after just 130 seconds of the first ★★★★ ATMOSPHERE in coming forward. He frustrated blowing off cobwebs with an round. Humble a number of times in the impressive attacking performance THE vacant Northern Area super- early rounds. As the contest got against a fighter who gave as good THE VERDICT A terrific tie in bantamweight title remained just into the latter stages, Wood started as he received. The pair stood mid- the main event. that as Chrissy Wood (Darlington) making inroads into Humble’s ring and traded blows on several and Jamie Humble (Newcastle) defence. occasions, Mr Williams awarding the FULL RESULTS stayed undefeated following a At the final bell, Kenny Pringle contest 40-37 to O’Neill. barn-storming 10-round draw at adjudged the bout a draw at 95-95. Terry Tyres had his second Chrissy Wood (121lbs), 3-0-1, d pts 10 Jamie the Dolphin Centre (Relentless Darlington’s Ellis Corrie made pro bout and earned a narrow win Humble (121lbs), 5-0-1 (2); Richard O’Neill Promotions). It’s expected they’ll the switch from to pro against Manchester’s Mike Castell. (168lbs), 3-0-1 (1), w pts 4 Geraint Goodridge (169lbs) 2-2-1; Terry Tyres (156lbs), 2-0, go again early in 2018, this time on boxing with consummate ease, Tyres, from Trimdon, never really w pts 4 Mike Castell (156lbs), 0-6; Ellis Corrie Tyneside. referee Graeme Williams awarding found himself troubled, before Steve (147lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 David Zubrzycki (151lbs) The pair went at each other from him a 40-36 victory over Leeds Hawkins marked up a 39-37 victory 1-5; Sean Pendry (145lbs), 2-0-2 (1), w rsf 1 the off, with very little give-and- fighter David Zubrzycki. for the home fighter. Neil Hepper (147lbs), 9-5.

30 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net ACTION

ONE-SIDED TALLOSI DON AND VICTORIES IS TAMED DUSTED Shutout triumphs prove the order Dave Parton sees hometowner James Harte watches Broadhurst of the day on this three-bout show Ali halt his Hungarian opponent finish his career with a victory

WIGAN BLACKBURN BIRMINGHAM DECEMBER 2 DECEMBER 2 DECEMBER 2

★★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★★ ATMOSPHERE ★★★ ATMOSPHERE A THREE-FIGHT offering from promoter Neil Marsh went ahead at the DW Stadium. LOCAL Shakeeb Ali stopped Hungary’s TOMMY OWENS PROMOTIONS closed out a One recent newcomer and two having their Gyula Tallosi at the bell to end the third of a busy 2017 by staging a five-fight card at the first outings since securing BBBofC licences scheduled six rounds at Audley Sports Centre. Holte Suite at Villa Park, where local boxing stepped in over four rounds against vastly The superior accuracy of Ali overcame Tallosi, hero Don Broadhurst stamped the last more seasoned opposition. All of the less who gave it a good go but shipped too many bout of his career with a 60-55 verdict over experienced fighters triumphed by margins of clean shots. The end came with Ali backing Sheffield’s Anwar Alfadli. 40-36 for referee-for-the-night Mark Lyson. his opponent up against the ropes, before Switch-hitter Alfadli raced out at the Having debuted as recently as October, a barrage of punches put the import down. opening bell, but straight into an array of when he took every round against Bulgaria’s Tallosi beat the count, but referee Darren jabs by Broadhurst. Alfadli proved awkward, 150-fight veteran Tayar Mehmed, Dukinfield’s Sarginson judged him as being in no position looking to land one shot at a time, whereas Damien Chambers delighted his supporters to continue. Broadhurst – exuding class – punished any and trainer Matthew Hatton by replicating Darwen’s AJ Faizy returned after a two- mistakes and took complete control for the feat against another Eastern European in year absence to overcome Amsterdam’s the duration of the contest. Broadhurst the shape of Lithuanian six-footer Dmitrij Innocent Anyanwu 59-55 on referee was awarded the victory on referee Martin Kalinovskij. Sarginson’s card. There was hardly a moment’s Williams’ scorecard. The Brummie has been a The man dubbed “Rambo”, however, seldom rest for either man as they elected to stand fantastic servant to the fight game. looked like taking first blood, and Chambers – and trade. Ultimately, Faizy’s punches were Mr Williams refereed each bout of the with victory number two duly banked – will be crisper and he showed more variation. evening, which began when Cannock’s Lee looking to kick on in 2018. Alex McCloy had a frustrating night, Gunter opened the show with a 40-37 verdict Having been beaten on his debut way despite recording a 60-53 points win over over Nuneaton’s Kristian Laight. Gunter went back in 2013, and then opting to box on Southwark-based Victor Edagha. The action straight for Laight’s body and enjoyed success. non-BBBofC shows, Liverpudlian Lee Boyce rarely flowed, in spite of ’s McCloy’s Shrewsbury’s Lenny Evans enjoyed a returned and found himself in against Latvian best efforts. Referee John Latham deducted a successful start to his pro career when he southpaw Jevgenijs Andrejevs. While point from Edagha for holding in the fourth. claimed a 40-36 decision over Blackburn’s seldom, if ever, winning a round, Andrejevs McCloy tried doubling his jab to find a way Naheem Chaudhry. In a bout between two almost always goes the distance, and as such inside, but was unable to work from there. switch-hitters, Evans’ superior quality ensured is seen as a safe bet against whom newcomers Blackburn’s Omar Dusary took a 60-54 him the victory. can find their feet. He played this role to victory over Ghana’s Michael Barnor for Tamworth’s Tommy Silcox bested perfection here, as Boyce – four days shy of his Mr Sarginson. The moment of the fight Norwich’s Duane Green by 40-37. Silcox’s 34th birthday – took every session. came at the end of the opener, when Dusary defence is not always water-tight, but he A third bout boxed over the 12-minute wobbled his opponent with a strong right was always in control here and looks to be duration saw Warrington’s Courtney hand. The action was frantic at times, but improving. Chadwick have his arm raised at the Dusary put some neat combinations together Dordon’s Kelcie Ball repeated a win over culmination of proceedings. The first name on and generally forced the pace. Stourbridge’s Kevin McCauley by way of his list of vanquished foes is that of Dewsbury- Oldham’s Mohammed Rashad claimed a 60-54 verdict. When McCauley tried to based Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi who, coming a 40-37 decision over Nicaragua’s Geiboord take over in the second, he was punished off second best for the 14th time in succession, Omier on Mr Latham’s card. Neither man sufficiently to get back behind his guard. They was having his 133rd bout. took control, and the exchanges were scrappy. both slugged it out in an entertaining final There had been talk of welter contender Omier bloodied the nose of Rashad in the round, where each had their moments, but David Avanesyan having a keep-busy outing on opening stanza. Ball was once again the victor. the show, but that failed to materialise. THE VERDICT Popular Ali scores the THE VERDICT The retiring Broadhurst THE VERDICT Three comprehensive sole stoppage of the night. can be proud of his achievements. home wins on the bounce. FULL RESULTS FULL RESULTS FULL RESULTS Shakeeb Ali (139lbs), 7-0 (4), w rsf 3 Gyula Tallosi Don Broadhurst (121lbs), 20-4-1 (4), w pts 6 Anwar Lee Boyce (181lbs 2oz), 4-1-1 (2), w pts 4 Jevgenijs (138lbs), 15-26 (9); Alex McCloy (157lbs), 10-0, w pts 6 Alfadli (122lbs), 2-73-5; Lee Gunter (143lbs), 2-0, Andrejevs (179 1/4lbs), 10-90-3 (4) 1NC; Courtney Victor Edagha (157lbs), 0-25; AJ Faizy (147lbs), 7-2-1 w pts 4 Kristian Laight (144lbs), 12-260-8; Lenny Chadwick (136lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Youssef Al Hamidi (4), w pts 6 Innocent Anyanwu (145lbs), 25-26-3 (15); Evans (145lbs), 1-0, w pts 4 Naheem Chaudhry (142lbs 3oz), 14-116-3 (1); Damian Chambers (194lbs Mohammed Rashad (150lbs), w pts 4 Geiboord Omier (148lbs), 0-7; Tommy Silcox (151lbs), 4-0, w pts 4 6oz), 2-0, w pts 4 Dmitrij Kalinovskij (190 1/2lbs), (157lbs), 4-21-1 (3); Omar Dusary (130lbs), 5-0-1 (1), Duane Green (155lbs), 4-31-5; Kelcie Ball (157lbs), 8-0 12-40-4 (5). w pts 6 Michael Barnor (124lbs), 14-18-3 (10). (2), w pts 6 Kevin McCauley (156lbs), 15-155-12.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 31 ACTION

Photo: JANE WARBURTON END IS NEAR: Hobbs takes cover on the ropes, his IT’S OVER injured left shoulder clear to see Hobbs announces his retirement after losing a scrappy encounter

Andy Whittle RINGSIDE

EDGBASTON DECEMBER 1

★★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★★ ATMOSPHERE

THOSE who were disappointed at missing the English light-heavyweight title clash between holder Liam Conroy of Barrow and challenger Chris Hobbs of FULL obviously struggling with his left shoulder triumph, third man Parker scoring 39-38. Southampton, when the proposed show RESULTS which appeared to have dislocated The two remaining four-rounders, at a week earlier was shelved, and having just been docked a point both decent, resulted in 39-37 victories can probably count their blessings as Liam Conroy (174lbs for holding, was under heavy fire in his for the home boxers: Debutant Mussab the rearranged meeting, at The Venue in 6oz), 15-3-1 (7), w own corner as Mr O’Connor stepped in. Abubaker, a dessert shop owner with Edgbaston was far from being one for the rsf 9 Chris Hobbs Redundant judges were Shaun Messer, a more than healthy following, bested connoisseur. Conroy eventually triumphed (174lbs 2oz), 6-3-1; Kevin Parker and Dave Parris. Driffield’s Danny Little who was Dilbag Singh (203lbs), over the serving soldier at 2-55 of the 5-0 (1), w pts 6 Jiri Coventry light-heavy Dilbag “Dilly” counted after touching down in the ninth round. Svacina (200lbs 7oz), Singh who secured his first inside-the- second; and Tividale’s Stewart Davies Referee Terry O’Connor certainly 12-30 (1); Stewart distance victory at this same venue last improving with each round, ensured that had his work cut out, issuing countless Davies (150lbs 2oz), time out, never had to go through the Brierley Hill’s game MJ Hall was left still warnings to the pair - Conroy for 3-0, w pts 4 MJ Hall gears in a six against reluctant to engage searching for his first paid win. his rough-house tactics and Hobbs, (150lbs 6oz), 0-7; Matt Jiri Svacina, a pacifist Czech whose best Sen (196lbs 10oz), 2-0, increasingly frustrated after suffering an w pts 4 Russ Henshaw form of defence was by leaning way back THE VERDICT Chris thought an early cut by the left eye, for pushing. (200 3/4lbs), 7-8 (2); over the top rope. Referee Mr Parker had errant elbow was the cause of his Wrestling and holding aside, things Mussab Abubaker (156 little need to check his card. cut but he was eventually ruled remained close as the end approached 1/4lbs), 1-0 w pts 4 A watchable four between tattooed out, unable to properly defend but it was Conroy, ahead on two cards, Danny Little (154lbs Birmingham novice Matt Sen and himself, due to a dislocated who was upping the pace and Hobbs, 2oz), 5-38-2. Ilkeston’s Russ Henshaw saw the former shoulder. SWEET LIKE (WHITE) CHOCOLATE Steve Wellings sees win number In the fight of the night, Dublin’s too much firepower for Spanish- nine taste good to McCullagh Phil Sutcliffe Jnr stopped German- based Nicaraguan Michael Mora. THE VERDICT McCullagh based Kazakh Andreas Maier in Mora was shaky after a knockdown marches on after battle of the third round of a six. Maier was and John Lowey halted the four- unbeaten fighters. BELFAST dropped in the first and John Lowey rounder at 2-18 of the second. DECEMBER 1 waved it off at 2-55 after Maier had Belfast’s Alfredo Meli defeated FULL RESULTS been dropped twice in round three. Cork-based South African Jade ★★★ WHOLE SHOW Anto Upton was supposed to box Karam 60-54 on Mr Russell Jnr’s Tyrone McCullagh (125lbs), 9-0 (5), w rsf 5 ★★★★ ATMOSPHERE Miguel Aguilar but the Spanish- scorecard. Tom Tran (121lbs), 6-1 (1); Philip Sutcliffe based Nicaraguan came in heavy Coalisland debutant Taylor Jnr (146lbs), 14-2 (8), w rsf 3 Andreas TYRONE McCULLAGH is hunting and Upton opted not to box. Aguilar McGoldrick opened his account Maier (140lbs), 7-1 (5); Steve Collins for title shots after taking Tom stepped in against Belfast’s Paddy with a 39-37 victory over Poland’s Jnr (191lbs), 12-1-1 (4), w pts 6 Istvan Orsos (184lbs), 16-43-2 (5); Alfredo Meli Tran’s unbeaten record by virtue of Gallagher after Paddy’s Georgian Michal Ciach. Eamonn Magill (164lbs), 14-0-1 (3), w pts 6 Jade Karam a fifth-round . Headlining opponent failed a medical on the refereed. (168lbs), 9-5-2 (4); Conrad Cummings Mark Ginley’s ‘Danger at the night. Gallagher won 60-54 victory Dublin’s Ian Tims could retire (166lbs), 12-1-1 (5), w pts 6 Norbert Devenish’ show, Derry’s self-styled on Hugh Russell Jnr’s scorecard. after losing 59-56 to Romania’s Szekeres (169lbs), 18-63-3 (9); Paddy “White Chocolate” dropped sprightly Coalisland’s Conrad Cummings Gheorghe Danut. Mr Magill Gallagher (154lbs), 13-3 (8), w pts 6 Miguel German Tran at the end of the returned after his split from Cyclone refereed while Mr Russell Jnr judged Aguilar (155lbs), 11-39-1 (5); Padraig McCrory (172lbs), 2-0 (1), w rsf 2 Michael fourth and was applying pressure in Promotions to outpoint Hungarian this and the McGoldrick fight. Mora (174lbs), 11-21 (4); Taylor McGoldrick the fifth when referee Hugh Russell Norbert Szekeres 60-54 on Mr Castleknock’s Steve Collins Jnr (170lbs), 1-0 w pts 4 Michal Ciach (174lbs), Jnr intervened at 0-35 to terminate Russell Jnr’s card. defeated Hungary’s Istvan Orsos 1-3 (1); Gheorghe Danut (197lbs), 11-26-7 the scheduled eight-rounder. Belfast’s Padraig McCrory had 60-54 on Mr Lowey’s reckoning. (2), w pts 6 Ian Tims (197lbs), 13-5 (4).

32 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net ACTION

DISTANCE POLE-AXED, JOLLY BOYS SPECIALIST AGAIN... OUTING But Wheeler does his best to bag first Moran’s fine run of form continues Early dose of festive fare on Merseyside stoppage win, writes Gareth Jones BLACKPOOL LIVERPOOL

BRISTOL DECEMBER 3 DECEMBER 3

DECEMBER 1 ★★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★★ WHOLE SHOW

★★★ WHOLE SHOW JUST 24 hours after successfully staging a WITH Manchester’s hugely popular Jolly ★★★ ATMOSPHERE three-fight dinner show in Wigan, Neil Marsh Boys show this year headed for the Victoria joined forces with Middleton’s Kieran Farrell to Warehouse still a fortnight away, the Liverpool WHEN Frome southpaw Ryan Wheeler promote a similar affair in the more familiar version, a relative newcomer by comparison, opened with a backhand left, followed surrounds of the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool. went ahead at the Devonshire House Hotel promptly by another, it looked as if the stylist Irish super-welter Dylan Moran brought where all three favourites enjoyed victories might have something more emphatic in mind. his first year as a pro to a conclusion with over the distance, two of them by way of shut- In the event, while his six-threes with a quick-fire victory over 33-year-old Pole out. Hereford trier Dean Evans involved more Sylwester Walczak who comes here and is A pair of six-rounders shared bill-topping two-fisted exchanges than usual for the duly halted on a far too regular basis. honours on the Steve Wood (VIP Promotions) unbeaten youngster, it still ended with a Dylan had joined the paid ranks as recently show, and saw Ellesmere Port’s Matty Fagan referee’s decision. Kieran McCann’s 59-55 as May and having outpointed Chris Jenkinson and popular Liverpudlian Luke Willis claim scoreline gave Evans credit for his efforts, but on his debut had needed just a round to see the spoils in their respective contests against the talented Somerset man was a clear victor. off usually durable Nicaraguan Geiboord Derbyshire’s Lee Connelly and Lithuania The other six-threes at Ashton Gate’s Omier last time out. So little surprise then based Russian Andrej Cepur. Dolman Exhibition Hall underlined the steady that he was able to replicate that first round Fagan, with one eye on a February clash improvement of local Tim Cutler, who took victory here against a fighter whose balance in Doncaster against Yorkshire’s Robbie a 60-54 tally from Lee Cook. Hungarian visitor looks off at the best of times, and who has Barrett, and looking to erase memories of a Pal Olah was resilient, if unambitious. now failed to last the distance in all but one of contentious recent points loss at the hands of Fight of the night saw Anthony Fox, from his last six visits, four times failing to make it Joe Murray, secured a 59-56 victory against Westbury, put the first loss on the record past the first round. an opponent who always gives his all. And of Gloucester’s Wayne Ingram. Fox came For Altrincham’s George Brennan southpaw Willis took every round against a through 39-38 for Mr McCann. conversely, 2017 hadn’t been all plain sailing, regular visitor to these shores, one who had An all-Polish battle saw Taunton-based there had been three wins but also a points gone the distance in all but one of his 16 UK Pawel August, a former GB Junior champion, loss at the hands of admittedly superior Louis outings this year. wear down Przemyslaw Binienda, from Norman and prior to that a drawn four- That said, Cepur hasn’t won a single round in Leszno, and rock him with a left uppercut late rounder against Scouser Ricky Starkey. His any of those earlier outings so one didn’t have in the third. When a left to the midriff added to roller-coaster year finished in a disappointing to be the smartest punter to work out the most the pain, the towel floated in and Mr McCann fashion as he was eclipsed by the narrowest likely outcome of this one. ended it just 15 seconds into the last. of margins over four rounds by Evesham tryer Ellesmere Port’s Mason Cartwright, Popular Aaron Sutton strolled to a 40-36 Brett Fidoe who referee for the night Mr having prepared for a 10-rounder at Bowlers over Aberystwyth’s Sean Gorman, while Edwards decided had done sufficient to merit in Manchester just a couple of months ago his fellow Bristolian, Tyler Davies, similarly a 39-38 victory. and then needing less than a round to see off whitewashed Torquay’s heavily tattooed Adam It was Brett’s second success of the year Hungary’s Zoltan Turai, was back punching for Bannister, who carries more ink than the and he is out again next Wednesday, taking pay again, this time against a Bulgarian in the average octopus. Mr Cook refereed both. on unbeaten local puncher Tommy Frank in shape of Sofia’s Teodor Nikolov. He was able Hometowner Reece Godfrey Sharp made Sheffield. to bank a few rounds, winning all four, to finish his pro bow with another 40-36 (Mr McCann) Heywood’s Lee “Kombat” Clayton had the year on a high note and ready himself for against Derry-born Warminster journeyman edged out the aforementioned Fidoe over new and bigger challenges in the new year. Paul Cummings. four in May and he had his arm raised by Fleetwood’s Steve Gray took charge of the referee Edwards at the conclusion of his Fagan-Connelly bout and scored the other THE VERDICT The show’s main men four rounder against Islington’s busy Jules two from ringside for Preston trialist Jamie continuing to progress. Phillips, the Preston official adjudging him a Kirkpatrick. 40-36 winner. THE VERDICT Three clear wins for the FULL RESULTS THE VERDICT Maybe the time has come favourites. Ryan Wheeler (135lbs), 11-0-1, w pts 6 Dean Evans to stop considering Walczak as a (137lbs), 6-17-2 (4); Tim Cutler (143lbs), 10-0 (1), suitable opponent. w pts 6 Pal Olah (140lbs), 7-15-2 (5); Aaron Sutton (162lbs), 5-0, w pts 4 Sean Gorman (163lbs), 2-17-1 FULL RESULTS FULL RESULTS (2); Pawel August (181lbs), 5-0 (1), w ret 4 Przemyslaw Binienda (180kbs), 2-15 (2); Anthony Fox (167lbs), Lee Clayton (124lbs), 5-2 (2), w pts 4 Jules Phillips Matty Fagan (145 1/4lbs), 12-3, w pts 6 Lee Connelly 3-10-4, w pts 4 Wayne Ingram (170lbs), 3-1; Tyler (128lbs 6oz), 1-12; Dylan Moran (151 1/2lbs), 3-0 (2), (142lbs), 7-30-3; Luke Willis (148lbs 7oz), 7-0 (1), Davies (146lbs), 3-0, w pts 4 Adam Bannister (148lbs), w rsf 1 Sylwester Walczak (152lbs 2oz), 5-34 (2); Brett w pts 6 Andrej Cepur (151lbs 7oz), 9-45-2; Mason 0-5; Reece Godfrey Sharp (153lbs), 1-0, w pts Paul Fidoe (121lbs), 8-41-3 (5), w pts 4 George Brennan Cartwright (154lbs), 12-0-1 (4), w pts 4 Teodor Nikolov Cummings (154lbs), 1-14. (125 1/4lbs), 5-2-1 (1). (150lbs 7oz), 4-27-2 (1).

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 33

GOING, GOING, GONE: Cortez [far left] did Hatton few favours but it’s unlikely the outcome - Hatton beaten and exhausted [above] - would have been different with another referee Photos: OFFSIDE SPORTS/USA TODAY SPORTS

career with that following. “To this day, I talk about how brilliant it was. It was something I’ll never forget. It’s said ‘You probably pushed him as close as anyone – that’s one of my proudest things’.” Hatton had returned to his feet but as he sought to cling on, he struggled to defend himself amid Mayweather’s latest assault and again hit the canvas as Graham threw in the towel at the same time Cortez waved the action over. “I had Matthew Macklin – him and Paul Smith were the two best at spying on the scorecards – say ‘Billy, they’ve got him a fucking mile behind’,” says Graham. “I told Ricky ‘They’re fucking robbing you; you need to knock him out’, and he ended up getting done himself. “Cortez was disgusting. Afterwards, the arena was emptying out; I’ve seen Sugar Ray and Thomas at ringside chatting to each other. I walked up to them both and said ‘Sorry, guys’. They said ‘Sorry? The referee was diabolical. He wouldn’t let you fight inside at all’, and swearing. Both of them, right away.” Despite requiring one of his finest performances to secure victory and Ellerbe describing it as one of his “top three wins”, the 40-year-old Mayweather – even more appreciated a decade on – responded, when BEATEN BY THE right off my shoulders,” Hatton explained. “Instead of asked by BN where Hatton ranked among his toughest BETTER MAN: kicking on in that last six rounds, Floyd was able to opponents, with: “Toughest? What the fuck is you Hatton takes his defeat well find the gaps and take me to pieces.” talking about, toughest? in the The tiring challenger was hurt in the eighth by “Do you mean one of my easiest? It wasn’t tough immediate a right hand as powerful as any Mayweather has at all, but one thing about Ricky Hatton, he has the aftermath thrown, and in his aggressive pursuit of his own heart of a lion, is a tough competitor, is going to go [above], but it soon becomes fight-changing punch, in the 10th was knocked down out there and compete hard every time he’s got to a bitter pill to for only the second time in his career, having gone compete. But facing me, you’re facing nothing but the swallow headfirst into the corner-post when the American truth.” Photo: ACTION landed that hurtful check left hook. “There was definitely a lull [after the stoppage],” IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE “When Floyd knocked me out, it wasn’t the power: Costello recalls. “There was an element of the bubble it was his accuracy, his timing, and fatigue,” Hatton being burst; ‘There are many great fighters out there says. “You’re working to try and get in and then when and Hatton might not be on that top echelon’. That you do, someone a weight above you is holding you, was the first stark realisation. smothering you: going into the eighth I felt f****d. By “It just felt like – not the end of the story, because the last few rounds I barely had anything left, because he was too young and had hardly taken a battering of the way the fight was being refereed. But even in – but the end of that first part of the story. The defeat, it was still one of the proudest moments of me unbeaten record had gone.” bn

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 39 RANKINGS

HEAVYWEIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT LIGHTWEIGHT SUPER-FLYWEIGHT over 200lbs/14st 4lbs 160lbs/11st 6lbs 135lbs/9st 9lbs 115lbs/8st 3lbs 1. ANTHONY JOSHUA 20-0 (ENG) 1. GENNADY GOLOVKIN 37-0-1 (KAZ) 1. JORGE LINARES 43-3 (VEN) 1. 44-4-1 (THA) 2. DEONTAY WILDER 39-0 (USA) 2. CANELO ALVAREZ 49-1-2 (MEX) 2. TERRY FLANAGAN 33-0 (ENG) 2. NAOYA INOUE 14-0 (JPN) 3. KUBRAT PULEV 25-1 (BGR) 3. DANIEL JACOBS 33-2 (USA) 3. ROBERT EASTER JNR 20-0 (USA) 3. ROMAN GONZALEZ 46-2 (NIC) 4. JOSEPH PARKER 23-0 (NZL) 4. BILLY JOE SAUNDERS 25-0 (ENG) 4. LUKE CAMPBELL 17-2 (ENG) 4. 36-2 (MEX) 5. ANDY RUIZ JNR 29-1 (USA) 5. DAVID LEMIEUX 38-3 (CAN) 5. ANTHONY CROLLA 32-6-3 (ENG) 5. CARLOS CUADRAS 36-2-1 (MEX) 6. HUGHIE FURY 20-1 (ENG) [above] 6. ANDY LEE 35-3-1 (IRL) 6. DEJAN ZLATICANIN 22-1 (MNE) 6. KAL YAFAI 23-0 (ENG) 7. CARLOS TAKAM 35-4-1 (CMR) 7. JERMALL CHARLO 26-0 (USA) 7. YVAN MENDY 39-4-1 (FRA) 7. REX TSO 22-0 (CHN) 8. TONY BELLEW 29-2-1 (ENG) 8. RYOTA MURATA 13-1 (JPN) 8. RAYMUNDO BELTRAN 34-7-1 (MEX) 8. JERWIN ANCAJAS 28-1-1 (PHL) 9. 22-1 (ENG) 9. WILLIE MONROE JNR 21-3 (USA) 9. DENIS SHAFIKOV 38-3-1 (RUS) 9. KOHEI KONO 33-11-1 (JPN) 10. 19-1 (USA) 10. SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO 11-0 (UKR) 10. RICHARD COMMEY 25-2 (GHA) 10. RAU’SHEE WARREN 15-2 (USA)

CRUISERWEIGHT SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT FLYWEIGHT 200lbs/14st 4lbs 154lbs/11st 130lbs/9st 4lbs 112lbs/8st 1. 13-0 (UKR) 1. 25-2-2 (CUB) 1. VASYL LOMACHENKO 9-1 (UKR) 1. 22-1 (JPN) 2. KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI 28-1 (POL) 2. JERMELL CHARLO 30-0 (USA) 2. ALBERTO MACHADO 19-0 (PRI) 2. 39-3 (ARG) 3. MAIRIS BRIEDIS 23-0 (LVA) 3. SADAM ALI 26-1 (USA) [above] 3. JEZREEL CORRALES 22-2 (PAN) 3. DAIGO HIGA 14-0 (JPN) 4. MURAT GASSIEV 25-0 (RUS) 4. JARRETT HURD 21-0 (USA) 4. MIGUEL BERCHELT 32-1 (MEX) 4. 40-1-4 (PHL) 5. DENIS LEBEDEV 30-3 (RUS) 5. LIAM SMITH 26-1-1 (ENG) 5. FRANCISCO VARGAS 23-1-2 (MEX) 5. JUAN HERNANDEZ NAVARRETE 34-3 (MEX) 6. KRZYSZTOF WLODARCZYK 53-4-1 (POL) 6. LIAM WILLIAMS 16-2-1 (WAL) 6. GERVONTA DAVIS 19-0 (USA) 6. MORUTI MTHALANE 35-2 (RSA) 7. FIRAT ARSLAN 41-8-2 (GER) 7. BRIAN CARLOS CASTANO 14-0 (ARG) 7. ROBINSON CASTELLANOS 24-13 (MEX) 7. SHO KIMURA 15-1-2 (JPN) 8. ILUNGA MAKABU 21-2 (COD) 8. MACIEJ SULECKI 26-0 (POL) 8. YURIORKIS GAMBOA 28-2 (CUB) 8. YODMONGKOL VOR SAENGTHEP 48-3 (THA) 9. MAKSIM VLASOV 39-2 (RUS) 9. JULIAN WILLIAMS 24-1-1 (USA) 9. JASON SOSA 20-3-4 (USA) 9. VINCENT LEGRAND 25-0 (FRA) 10. YUNIER DORTICOS 22-0 (CUB) 10. 20-1 (USA) 10. TEVIN FARMER 25-4-1 (USA) 10. 10-0 (WAL)

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT WELTERWEIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT 175lbs/12st 7lbs 147lbs/10st 7lbs 126lbs/9st 108lbs/7st 10lbs 1. 31-2-1 (RUS) 1. KEITH THURMAN 28-0 (USA) 1. GARY RUSSELL JNR 28-1 (USA) 1. KEN SHIRO 11-0 (JPN) 2. 29-1 (CAN) 2. ERROL SPENCE JNR 22-0 (USA) 2. LEO SANTA CRUZ 34-1-1 (MEX) 2. GANIGAN LOPEZ 28-7 (MEX) 3. ELEIDER ALVAREZ 23-0 (COL) 3. KELL BROOK 36-2 (ENG) 3. CARL FRAMPTON 24-1 (NIR) 3. PEDRO GUEVARA 30-3-1 (MEX) 4. BADOU JACK 22-1-2 (SWE) 4. JEFF HORN 17-0-1 (AUS) 4. LEE SELBY 25-1 (WAL) 4. 37-2 (PHL) 5. 12-0 (RUS) 5. MANNY PACQUIAO 59-7-2 (PHL) 5. ABNER MARES 31-2-1 (MEX) 5. 26-2-2 (JPN) 6. SULLIVAN BARRERA 21-1 (CUB) 6. SHAWN PORTER 28-2-1 (USA) 6. JESUS CUELLAR 28-2 (ARG) 6. KOSEI TANAKA 10-0 (JPN) 7. JOE SMITH JNR 23-2 (USA) 7. DANNY GARCIA 33-1 (USA) 7. OSCAR VALDEZ 23-0 (MEX) 7. JESSE ESPINAS 16-2 (PHL) 8. OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK 14-0 (UKR) 8. KONSTANTIN PONOMAREV 32-0 (RUS) 8. 25-0 (USA) 8. RANDY PETALCORIN 28-2-1 (PHL) 9. IGOR MIKHALKIN 21-1 (RUS) 9. LAMONT PETERSON 35-3-1 (USA) 9. JESUS M ROJAS 26-1-2 (PRI) 9. FELIX ALVARADO 30-2 (NIC) 10. DMITRY BIVOL 12-0 (RUS) 10. KUDRATILLO ABDUKAKHOROV 12-0 (UZB) 10. LERATO DLAMINI 10-1 (RSA) 10. 31-3 (RSA)

SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT STRAWWEIGHT 168lbs/12st 140lbs/10st 122lbs/8st 10lbs 105lbs/7st 7lbs 1. JAMES DeGALE 23-1-1 (ENG) 1. TERENCE CRAWFORD 32-0 (USA) 1. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX 17-0 (CUB) 1. KNOCKOUT CP FRESHMART 16-0 (THA) 2. GILBERTO RAMIREZ 36-0 (MEX) 2. MIKEY GARCIA 37-0 (USA) 2. JESSIE MAGDALENO 25-0 (USA) 2. BYRON ROJAS 20-3-3 (NIC) 3. GEORGE GROVES 27-3 (ENG) 3. VIKTOR POSTOL 29-1 (UKR) 3. CESAR JUAREZ 20-5 (MEX) 3. WANHENG MENAYOTHIN 49-0 (THA) 4. CHRIS EUBANK JNR 26-1 (ENG) 4. JULIUS INDONGO 22-1 (NAM) 4. REY VARGAS 31-0 (MEX) [above] 4. HIROTO KYOGUCHI 8-0 (JPN) 5. ANTHONY DIRRELL 31-1-1 (USA) 5. ANTONIO OROZCO 26-0 (MEX) 5. MOISES FLORES 25-0 (MEX) 5. 20-4-1 (MEX) 6. ANDRE DIRRELL 26-2 (USA) 6. RANCES BARTHELEMY 26-0 (CUB) 6. RYOSUKE IWASA 24-2 (JPN) 6. SIMPHIWE KHONCO 18-5 (RSA) 7. CALLUM SMITH 23-0 (ENG) 7. SERGEY LIPINETS 13-0 (RUS) 7. DANIEL ROMAN 23-2-1 (USA) 7. LEROY ESTRADA 16-2 (PAN) 8. TYRON ZEUGE 21-0-1 (GER) 8. JOHN MOLINA JNR 29-7 (USA) 8. DIEGO DE LA HOYA 20-0 (MEX) 8. 15-2 (JPN) 9. DAVID BENAVIDEZ 19-0 (USA) 9. 20-0 (USA) 9. JULIO CEJA 32-2 (MEX) 9. JOEY CANOY 13-3-1 (PHL) 10. JUERGEN BRAEHMER 49-3 (GER) 10. ADRIEN BRONER 33-3 (USA) 10. PAULUS AMBUNDA 25-2 (NAM) 10. CHAOZHONG XIONG 27-7-1 (CHN)

BANTAMWEIGHT POUND-FOR-POUND 118lbs/8st 6lbs The best of the best l If a fighter has been inactive for over a year, he will be removed from 1. LUIS NERY 25-0 (MEX) 1. GENNADY GOLOVKIN 37-0-1 (KAZ) the rankings, unless he has a fight officially scheduled. Once removed 2. 27-1-2 (JPN) 2. CANELO ALVAREZ 49-1-2 (MEX) due to inactivity, a fighter cannot be reinstated until he has fought again. 3. RYAN BURNETT 18-0 (NIR) 3. TERENCE CRAWFORD 32-0 (USA) 4. ZHANAT ZHAKIYANOV 27-2 (KAZ) 4. VASYL LOMACHENKO 9-1 (UKR) l Each fighter is ranked on the results they have achieved in their own 5. JUAN CARLOS PAYANO 19-1 (DOM) 5. SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI 44-4-1 (THA) specific weight division (excluding the pound-for-pound list). 6. JAMIE McDONNELL 29-2-1 (ENG) 6. MIKEY GARCIA 37-0 (USA) 7. 30-2 (PHL) 7. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX 18-0 (CUB) l Each fighter is ranked in the weight division in which their most recent 8. 26-3 (RSA) 8. LEO SANTA CRUZ 34-1-1 (MEX) significant fight took place. With regards to catchweight fights, common 9. 34-4 (ENG) 9. KEITH THURMAN 28-0 (USA) sense will (hopefully) prevail. 10. PAUL BUTLER 25-1 (ENG) 10. JORGE LINARES 43-3 (VEN) [above]

40 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net DIARY

DECEMBER Connor Parker v s/o. (Promoter: Black SUNDAY 10 FRIDAY 15 THURSDAY 7 Country Boxing Promotion). Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Merthyr Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil The Hangar, Costa Mesa, California v s/o; Stewart Burt v s/o; Ashley Brace v Melania Sorroche (vacant Serhii Bohachuk v Kevin Ottley. (Promoter: Madison Square Garden Theater, Ally Black v s/o; Charlie Flynn v Fonz European female bantamweight title); Roy Englebrecht Events). New York (BoxNation & ESPN) Alexander. (Promoter: Alex Morrison). Nathan Thorley v Jermaine Asare (vacant Vasyl Lomachenko (holder) v Guillermo Welsh Area light-heavyweight title); Gavin Montreal Casino, Canada Rigondeaux (WBO super-featherweight Asia Game Stadium, Guangzhou, China Gwynne v Henry Janes (vacant Welsh Area Mikael Zewski v Martin Enrique Escobar. title); Christopher Diaz v Casey Ramos; Zhilei Zhang v Herve Hubeaux; Zhimin lightweight title); Lee Haskins v s/o; Craig (Promoter: GYM Promotions). Bryant Jennings v Don Haynesworth; Wang v Anthony Sabalde. (Promoter: Kennedy v s/o; Fred Evans v s/o; Kristian Michael Conlan v Luis Fernando Molina; China International Boxing Indus). Touze v Jamie Quinn; Jacob Robinson v FRIDAY 8 Shakur Stevenson v Oscar Mendoza; s/o; Daniel Barton v Geraint Goodridge. Hialeah Park Racing & Casino, Florida Mikaela Mayer v Nydia Feliciano. MONDAY 11 (Promoter: Sanigar Events). (FOX Sports 1) (Promoter: Top Rank). Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Ahmed Elbiali v Jean Pascal; Luis Ortiz Ryuichi Funai (holder) v Shota Kawaguchi North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax v Daniel Martz; Bryant Perrella v Alex Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, (Japanese super-flyweight title). Reece Mould v s/o; CJ Challenger v Sam Martin; Ivan Dychko v s/o. (Promoter: Las Vegas, Nevada (Sky Sports Action/ Omidi; Josh Kennedy v s/o; Jack Rafferty Warriors Boxing). Main Event & HBO) TUESDAY 12 v Casey Blair; Saif Cheema v Paul Lovell; Francisco Vargas v Stephen Smith; Tevin Kisahalli, , Finland Vinny Atkins v Myles Vale; James First v Round Rock Sports Center, Texas Farmer v Kenichi Ogawa (vacant IBF Francesco Patera (holder) v Edis Tatli Jack Green; Dan Garber v s/o; Rhys Kaney (beIN Sports) super-featherweight title); Orlando Salido (European lightweight title). v s/o. (Promoter: Jason McClory). Aston Palicte v Jose Alfredo Rodriguez; v Miguel Roman; Denis Shafikov v Rene Ali Akhmedov v DeShon Webster; Brian Alvarado. (Promoter: Matchroom & K2 WEDNESDAY 13 , Vera v Jas Phipps. (Promoter: Roy Jones Promotions & Golden Boy Promotions & York Hall, Bethnal Green (Sky Sports Knockout CP Freshmart (holder) v Toto Jr Boxing Promotions & Underwood Promociones Zanfer). Action/Mix) Landero (WBA strawweight title). Promotions). Katie Taylor (holder) v Jessica McCaskill Masonic Temple, Norfolk, Virginia (WBA female lightweight title); Martin Pioneer Event Center, Lancaster, Romeo Iamandi, Buzau, Romania Ievgen Khytrov v Jonathan Batista; Dorin J. Ward v Juli Giner (vacant European California (FOX Sports 1) Bogdan Dinu v Marcelo Luiz Nascimento; Spivey v Matt Murphy. (Promoter: PonyTail super-featherweight title); Jake Ball v Jessie Vargas v Aaron Herrera; John Flavius Biea v Valentyn Golovko. Promotions). Miles Shinkwin; Josh Kelly v Jean Michel Molina Jnr v Ivan Redkach; Diego Gabriel (Promoter: S.C. King Promotions). Hamilcaro; Ted Cheeseman v Tony Dixon; Chaves v Jamal James. (Promoter: TGB Arena, , Russia Felix Cash v Greg O’Neill; Lawrence Promotions). PalaGeorge, Montichiari, Italy v Ryan Ford; Mikhail Okolie v s/o; Joe Cordina v s/o; Gamal Dario Morello (holder) v Gaetano Gutta Aloyan v Hermogenes Elizabeth Castillo. Yafai v Jamie Speight; Conor Benn v s/o. DIVS, Ekaterinburg, Russia (Italian welterweight title); Davide Dieli v (Promoter: Patriot Boxing Promotions). (Promoter: Matchroom). Alexander Povetkin v Christian Hammer; Shoaib Zaman. (Promoter: Boxe Loreni & Magomed Kurbanov v Akinori Watanabe; Brixia Boxe). Melbourne Pavilion, Flemington, Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Sheffield Evgeny Chuprakov v Pablo Manuel Ojeda; Australia Joss Paul v Carl Wild (vacant Central Area Pavel Malikov v Deiner Berrio; Yury SATURDAY 9 Zac Dunn v Cedric Spera. (Promoter: cruiserweight title); Nina Bradley v s/o; Kashinsky v Al Sands; Gasan Gimbatov v Copper Box Arena, Stratford Big Time Boxing). Tommy Frank v Brett Fidoe; Wayne Reed Roberto Secola. (Promoter: RCC Boxing (BT Sport 1 & BoxNation & Showtime) v Emmanuel Moussinga; Jimmy Cooper v Promotions). James DeGale (holder) v Caleb Truax Palenque de la Feria del Caballo, David Zubrzycki. (Promoter: Carl Greaves (IBF super-middleweight title); Lee Texcoco, Mexico Promotions). Frontón Bizkaia, Bilbao, Spain Selby (holder) v Eduardo Ramirez (IBF Rodrigo Guerrero v Salvador Juarez; Andoni Gago v Victor Terrazas. (Promoter: featherweight title); v Eduardo Hernandez v Rafael Hernandez; Convention & Exhibition Centre, Mgz Promotions). Nikola Sjekloca; Daniel Dubois v Dorian Juan Hernandez Navarrete v s/o. Brisbane, Australia (BoxNation & Darch; Joe Mullender v Lee Churcher; (Promoter: Promociones del Pueblo). ESPN) SATURDAY 16 Johnny Garton v s/o; Archie Sharp v Jeff Horn (holder) v Gary Corcoran (WBO Brentwood Centre Rafael Castillo; Craig Evans v s/o; Sanjeev Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, Ghana welterweight title); Rohan Murdock v Boy Jones v Michael Isaac Carrero; Ryan Sahota v George Hennon; Ben Smith v s/o; Kpakpo Allotey (holder) v Robert Quaye Apti Ustarkhanov; Nathaniel May v Aelio Garner v Israel Tejera; Sammy McNess Hamzah Sheeraz v s/o; Umar Sadiq v s/o; (Ghanaian super-lightweight title); Mesquita; Alex Leapai v Roger Izonritei; v s/o; Lewis Pettitt v s/o; Jake Pettitt Harvey Horn v Denis Bartos. (Promoter: Abraham Osei Bonsu v Felix Ajom (vacant Leonardo Zappavigna v Nestor Faccio; v s/o; DP Carr v s/o; Raza Hamza v s/o; Queensberry Promotions). Ghanaian super-featherweight title); Paul Fleming v Virgil Puton. (Promoter: Charlie Duffield v s/o; Lucien Reid v s/o. Emmanuel Martey (holder) v Emmanuel Duco Events). (Promoter: Queensberry Promotions). Imperial Banqueting Suite, Bilston Anim (Ghanaian super-middleweight Sam Evans v s/o; Tommy Ghent v s/o; title); Bright Ayala v Oluwaseun Joshua THURSDAY 14 Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley Danny Ball v s/o; Steven Power v s/o; Wahab. (Promoter: HeMann Promotions). Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, Stephen Tiffney v Lewis Paulin (vacant California (ESPN) Scottish Area featherweight title); Iain Diego De La Hoya v Jose Salgado; Joet Butcher v s/o; Willie Limond v s/o. BOXING ON THE BOX Gonzalez v Isao Gonzalo Carranza; Carlos (Promoter: Sam Kynoch). Morales v Dardan Zenunaj; Marlen Esparza v Karla Valenzuela; Raul Curiel v Israel Place Bell, Laval, Canada (BT Sport 1 & SATURDAY 9 SUNDAY 10 WEDNESDAY 13 Villela; Jonathan Navarro v Nelson Lara; BoxNation & HBO) 7.45pm BT Sport 1 2am BoxNation 11.30am BoxNation v Carlos Maldonado. Billy Joe Saunders (holder) v David & BoxNation LIVE Vasyl LIVE Jeff Horn v LIVE James DeGale v Lomachenko v Gary Corcoran (Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions). Lemieux (WBO middleweight title); Caleb Truax Guillermo Rigondeaux Antoine Douglas v Gary O’Sullivan; Cletus 6pm Sky Sports Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan, Seldin v Yves Ulysse Jnr; Custio Clayton 3.20am Sky Sports Action/Mix Levallois-Perret, v Cristian Rafael Coria; Nicola Adams v Action/Main Event LIVE Katie Taylor v Yvan Mendy v Jesus Arevalo; Oscar Rivas v s/o; Ryan Garcia v Noe Martinez Raygoza. LIVE Francisco Vargas Jessica McCaskill Gabriel Enguema; Christian Mbilli v Walid (Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions & v Stephen Smith Talbi; Johann Duhaupas v s/o. (Promoter: Queensberry Promotions & Eye of the Tiger Asloum Event). Management).

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 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 FIRST CLASS

Army meets Finland in return lost a split decision to 2016 match, writes Jamie Ingleby Tammer champion Muhammad Abdilrasoon. 2016 Olympic lightweight ON November 30 the Army Boxing bronze medallist and Katie Taylor Team welcomed the Finnish club conqueror, Mira Potkonen TVS Tampere to the UK for a return showed why she’s remained match of nine bouts. unbeaten since the Rio semi-finals. The return fixture was boxed England’s Paige Murney was in front of a crowd of several unable to maintain her strong start hundred soldiers at ITC Catterick; in her first bout at 60kgs and lost a the atmosphere and support . was first class. Several of the TVS Welterweight Elina Gustafsson Boxers remarked how they’d never had to use all of her experience experienced such a great crowd. to take the victory over England’s The Finnish team began with a Hannah Shields. Shields, relentless win as Army lightweight Nat Coles from opening to final bell, never lost to TVS boxer Riikka Niemi, gave Gustafsson a moment to who proved to be too experienced compose herself. for the Army Boxer. Royal Navy boxer and newly The Army’s Tori Willets lost to crowned 75kgs English Title belt Natalia Rok (Evolve) in the first of holder, Jack Stringer took the Best two supporting bouts. Willets won Boxer Award and victory over TVS’ the first round, boxing beautifully Santeri Laine, who collected the on the outside; before getting Most Gallant Trophy for his efforts. dragged into a fight, which favoured In the final bout of the night, the Evolve Boxer. Army super-heavyweight Chez Veteran Shamin Khan got the Nihell successfully defended Army its first win taking a clear his 91&kgs English Title belt for unanimous decision victory over the third time. His movement Finnish national champion, Wael and speed proved too much for Khaghani at 56kgs. England’s Hosea Stewart. Welshman Ben Rees Davis The fixture both home and away, TITLIST: continued the Army winning streak, featured numerous international Chez Nihell [left] beats beating Niazz Ahmadi at 60kg. bouts, the boxing was of the highest Hosea Stewart to retain Returning from a long lay-off standard and will no doubt become his title belt Army 75kgs boxer, Josh Plummer a regular on the Army calendar. FORCING THE PACE LIONS ON TOUR IN 2018 the British Lionhearts Boyer beats Acker on Golden and body, giving Acker a standing tight verdict in a cracking contest. franchise Gloves show, writes Tommy Dix count in the second round. Warrior Breed’s ABC’s Asim will compete across the country in Boyer matched him as every Nazam outpointd Louis Gateshead, Liverpool and Newport. inch of canvas was contested. At Stevenson, Astley ABC. Liam Pat McCormack and 2017 Calum LIVERPOOL’S Golden Gloves an the end of the bout a sustained Tough, Anfield ABC, took the French will lead the team against the open show at the Fusion nightclub ovation was awarded to both. verdict over Golden Gloves’ Dawit Croatian Knights at the Gateshead in November. Golden Gloves’ Hussam Salem Ybrah in a fine contest. Sadiq Leisure Centre on February 16. Peter In a bout of attrition and clever defeated Phoenix Fire ABC’s Nyle Makki, Golden Gloves ABC, beat McGrail will be in the team against boxing Venture ABC’s Ray Boyer Gallagher. Salem, a good mover, Sahil Kabeer, Warrior Breed Italia Thunder at The Auditorium at gained the verdict over Golden threw combinations but Nyle ABC, in a barnstormer. Makki’s Echo Arena in Liverpool on March 2. Gloves’ Gavin Acker. Acker was made his mark on the contest variety of punches was amazing On April 14 the Lionhearts take on fast out of the traps and worked and forced Salem to fight for his for his age. the French Fighting Roosters at the off his jab with intent. The pace victory. Ryan Smallwood, Anfield Newport Leisure Centre. of the bout was hectic and Ray Gabriel McHugh, North ABC, made it two out of two for Early bird discount tickets are started to make a real impression Mersey ABC, defeated Golden the club as he outscored Golden on sale now, priced £15, at www. with his counter-punching to head Gloves’ Kirk Smith, picking up a Gloves’ Faris Elsoriemy. gbboxing.org.uk/tickets.

42 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net AMATEURS

RICHARDSON ADVANCES Photo: NABGC Essex University middleweight takes regional PRIDE: Essex middleweight win in the NABCs Richardson picks up another accolade REGIONAL finals in the NABGC championships, Anglia vs Kent, Surrey and Sussex took place November 19 at the Roundhouse in . Essex university middleweight Lewis Richardson continued his good season, beating Moulescombe’s Liam Forest in Class D. RESULTS CLASS A: 48: Devon Lockwood (Attleborough) bt Ryan Brown (Golden Ring). 57: Bradley Wilkinson (Norwich City) bt Aaron Hickley (Downside). 60: Dion Eede (St Mary’s) bt Jack Wiffen (Sudbury). 66: Charlie Hopkins (Monyfields) bt Kacper Kozak (Peterborough Police). 75: Danny Crawt (Guidlford) w/o. CLASS B: 52: Kane Wilson (Golden Ring) bt Taylor Jackson Smith (Chelmsford). 57: Harry Blackhall (Chalvedon) bt Bradley Huggis (Farnham). 60 (London final): Bill Oliphant (Bodyshots) bt Bobby Frankham (Repton). 63: Bailey Donald (Team Wiseman) w/o. 66: Ben Brook (Hockley) bt Jimmy Fuller (Brighton and Hove). 75: Jim Head (Billericay & Wickford) w/o. CLASS C: 56: Kieran Desmond (Chadwell St. Mary) bt Lewis Southgate (St Mary’s). 64: Jimmy Croxson (Chadwell St. Mary) bt Sam Dawson (St. Mary’s). 69: Mark Parrot (Sporting Ring) bt Reece Wade (Essex University). CLASS D: 69: Paul Gordon (Harwich) bt Chad Thompson (HOP). 75: Lewis Richardson (Essex University) beat Liam Forest (Moulescombe).

GLOVER TO NABGCS UPDATE MAKE HISTORY Championship quarter-finals Baileigh Hibbs (Ferndown) outpd by Nelson & Wickford) outpd by Bill Oliphant (Bodyshots) take place in Dagenham Smith (Repton) split. 46: Ronnie Murray (St. unan. 63: Bailey Donald (Team Wiseman) outpd have named Mary’s) outpd by Charlie Hickford (Repton) Martin McDonagh (Fairbairn) unan. 66: Ben Brook their team for the 2018 unan. 48: Devon Lockwood (Attleborough) (Hockley) outpd by Michael Burke (Bodyshots) Commonwealth Games. THE quarter-finals of the National outpd by Billy Adams (Dagenham) unan. 54: unan. CLASS C: 52: Louis Small (Fareham) outpd Vicky Glover is the first Association of Boys and Girls Joe Cheesman (Downside) outpd Danny Pearce Ismael Islam (Repton) unan. 54: Lucy Withers Scottish woman selected to box Clubs championships took place (Bodyshots) split. 57: Bradley Wilkinson (Guildford) stpd by Maisey Rose Courtney at a Commonwealth Games. at the Dagenham Roundhouse on (Norwich City) outpd by Patris Mughalzai (Bodyshots) 3rd. 56: Kieran Desmond (Chadwell Glasgow 2014 bronze medallist November 26. (Hooks) unan. 60: Dion Eede (St. Mary’s) outpd St. Mary) outpd Ruhel Miah (Islington) unan. Reece McFadden returns, joined At light-heavyweight Harwich’s Oscar Gray (Repton) unan. 66: Charlie Hopkins 64: Jimmy Croxson (Chadwell St. Mary) outpd by by fellow 2014 representatives Patrick Allen-Cripps came (Moneyfields) outpd by Joshua Sholoye (White Ewan Jenkins (Islington) split. 69: Mark Parrott Aqeel Ahmed and Scott Forrest. though with a unanimous decision Hart Lane) unan. 70: Oliver Dragisic (Holland (Sporting Ring) outpd by Michael Hennessy John Docherty is selected for the over Lansbury’s Terry Conroy. Shore) outpd Jay Singh Basi (Fairbairn) unan. (Bodyshots) split. 81: Karol Itauma (St. Mary’s) senior team, having taken the Another Harwich boxer was 75: Danny Crawt (Guidlford) outpd Shaun outpd Tommy Hyde (Bodyshots) split. CLASS D: Scottish title in April. Mitchell victorious. Welterweight Paul Gailbraith (West Ham) split. CLASS B: 52: Kane 56: Kealan McFadden (Brighton and Hove) outpd Barton, Stephen Newns, Robbie Gordon took a split decision over Wilson (Golden Ring) outpd by Thomas Rolfe by James McDonagh (Northolt) split. 64: Sam McKechnie and Nathaniel Repton’s Tom Bennett. (Repton) unan. 54: Lennox Gill (Golden Ring) Nokes (Westree) stpd Harkmal Singh (Fairbairn) Collins, all Scottish champions, RESULTS outpd Marley Watts (Earlsfield) unan. 57: Harry 1st. 69: Paul Gordon (Harwich) outpd Tom complete the line-up. CLASS A: 40: Arnie Dawson (Holland Shore) Blackhall (Chalvedon) outpd by Adan Mohammad Bennett (Repton) split. 81: Patrick Allen-Cripps A box-off for the 81kg place outpd by Jon O’Donnell (Hooks) unan. 42: (Repton) unan. 60: Jerry Buckland (Billericay (Harwich) outpd Terry Conroy (Lansbury) unan. is scheduled for December.

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 43 YESTERDAY’S HEROES

Photo: LARRY BRAYSHER

TOUGH OPPOSITION: Gill [right] shakes hands with Tanner ahead of one of their contests in 1940

SUPPORT SYSTEM As Croydon AT Croydon EBA’s AGM last month, the from other Associations during the year, says something good about the state of demonstrate, Committee were re-elected en bloc. notably Brighton and Bournemouth. the EBA movement. It has been decided it is important Chairman Barry Penny thanked the These visits mean higher numbers that Croydon try to book a date early in Committee for their help over the past in attendance, some different faces – 2018, for a lunch-time buffet – this would for EBAs to give year, and thanked the membership for more money on the raffle, and a great alleviate travel problems. backing to each their loyal support – attending meetings, atmosphere. This last, interestingly, is something that other providing raffle prizes, and supporting the During the year, the imminent closure came up at a recent Committee meeting EBA movement generally by visiting other of The Ivy Club House meant Croydon of the London EBA. Talking about the Associations. had to change their Headquarters. need to get numbers at functions, LEBA Barry is particularly good at flying Member Pat Doherty (ex-Commonwealth Secretary/Treasurer made the point that the Croydon flag in this way, frequently lightweight champ) drew the Committee’s people find it hard to make a return trip attending other EBAs’ meetings and attention to The Orchard, in Cherry in a single day – which is why London functions – often accompanied by Orchard Road – and everyone seems to have an Annual Awards Lunch, as President Bill Caswell. Barry urged agree that it’s a great alternative. opposed to an evening meal. Something members to do this, saying he himself Croydon were not able to hold either other EBAs could bear in mind, perhaps. was planning to attend Brighton’s a Dinner or a Buffet this year. There Back to Croydon, and during the Christmas Party this Sunday (December were several reasons for this – one meeting a call came through from Simon 10), and next year’s Hall of Fame at The being that so many other EBAs had Brighton EBA Chairman Ernie Price. Ernie Euan-Smith Premier Suite, High Green, Cannock, on booked dates for similar functions, and recently had a serious operation, but is EBA Sunday, September 16. Similarly, Croydon it was simply impossible to attend all making a good recovery and sounded correspondent have been delighted to welcome guests of them. Which, in an odd sort of way, very bright. Get well soon, Ernie.

44 l BOXING NEWS l DECEMBER 7, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net THE FIGHTING JOCKEY Looking back ITH former a licensed trainer, matchmaker, promoter Throughout the entire period of his professional and manager. He spoke very fondly of his boxing career Jimmy was also a very on the dual footballer Rio father and I can confirm that his father successful jockey. He rode his first winner sporting Ferdinand currently was very good indeed. in 1934 and continued this success with W in a spell of intensive The son of 1930s boxing manager regular winners throughout that decade. careers of training so that he Harry Gill, Jimmy turned professional In 1938, he travelled to India to take Jimmy Gill can make his debut in 1931. In a 1987 Boxing News article, up a position as stable jockey for the as a pro boxer in 2018, I have been Ron Olver stated that Jimmy recalled Maharajah of Kutch, a keen racing man. pondering on other famous sportsmen turning pro at 16, but I have traced many Jimmy rode regular winners at Calcutta who enter the ring. bouts for him before this. According to and at Bombay throughout 1938/39, We all remember cricketer Andrew my records, he had his first pro contest before returning to the UK to resume his Flintoff’s contest in 2012, but few will be aged 13 in Bulwell. By the time he was dual sporting careers. aware of a much more successful boxing 22, Jimmy was nearing his boxing peak Young Jimmy told me how he career, undertaken a century previously, with a win over Tiny Bostock, for which remembered his dad telling him about by another cricketer – an Ashes-winning he was awarded the coveted Boxing News the day that he rode a 10/1 shot to England Test captain. JWHT “Johnny” Certificate of Merit. This bout coincided victory at Nottingham Racecourse in the Douglas won the middleweight gold with Reg King taking over as his manager. afternoon, before climbing into the ring medal at the 1908 , and Under Reg, Jimmy progressed to win a hard eight-rounder. then captained England in a 4-1 drubbing rapidly and beat future world flyweight During a boxing career that lasted from of the Australians in 1910/11. champion Rinty Monaghan in a tough 1931 until 1950, Jimmy won 75 of the 121 W Meanwhile, footballer Curtis 10-rounder in Newcastle. He followed contests that I have traced for him. He Woodhouse played in the Premier League this up with victories against men of always stated that his toughest opponent and also represented England Under- the calibre of Joe Curran, Frank Bonser was Kid Tanner, from British Guiana, who 21s, before winning the British super- and Tommy Farricker. Unfortunately for twice defeated Jimmy in 1940 - both lightweight title in 2014. There have also Jimmy, World War II had broken out and reportedly excellent contests. He retired been pro boxers from speedway, rugby his best years were therefore denied to from both racing and boxing in 1950, and league and, most notably, horse racing. him as the game stagnated and title bouts died in 1991, aged 73. In the 1930s, there were three jockeys were even harder to come by than they Young Jimmy, who is shortly to become who campaigned successfully as boxers: had been in peace time. 75, can regularly be seen at tournaments Glasgow’s Willie Leggatt and Charlie Jimmy served in the RAF during the up and down the country, and he has Miles Smirke, and the best of them, Jimmy Gill war, and between 1942 and 1945 he plenty to say about his illustrious father, Templeton of Nottingham. I had the great pleasure served in India, a place with which he was of whom he is rightly very proud. I would Historian of talking to Jimmy’s son, also called well familiar. By 1946, Jimmy was firmly recommend spending five minutes in his & author Jimmy, at a recent show in Newcastle. established, and in the August 1947 BN excellent company. He has some great Many readers will know young Jimmy as British rankings, he was fifth at flyweight. stories about the old days.

Trevor Cattouse had a story to tell. “I passed away recently) and Johnny was crossing the road in Hackbridge, and Pritchett, who reigned as British and a car hooted me. I looked – and it was Commonwealth middleweight champion Alan Ash! He’s living in Australia now, in the 60s. These books are a delight to where he runs a successful business – but the fighters featured, and a source of he came over to see his mother, who’s great interest to enthusiasts. very ill.” They cost £10 each, plus £2.50 postage, I remember Alan as a pro light- and can be obtained from Ray Lee on heavyweight from Carshalton. Between 01708 509 459. All monies from sales go 1982 and 1985 he had 13 bouts, winning to worthy causes. seven. Alan was a regular on the London Essex meet at 11am on the third small-hall circuit, frequently appearing Sunday of the month at the Naval and on manager Charlie Shorey’s promotions Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend- at Merton Civic Hall. Good to hear that on-Sea, SS1 1DU. he’s done well since hanging up his gloves – and if, on a trip to the UK, you’re able EMAIL [email protected] to make a CEBA meeting, Alan, you’ll be with your ex-boxer association news. made most welcome. Stuck for a Christmas present for a DON’T MISS boxing fan? Over the past few months THU DEC 7: Bournemouth EBA Christmas Essex EBA members Tom Burling and Dinner, Parley Country Club, Ferndown. Raymond Lee have produced books SUN DEC 10: Brighton EBA Christmas Party, (scrapbook style) detailing the career of, The Nevill, Hove (12pm). respectively, former world middleweight SUN DEC 17: Home Counties EBA Christmas UNSUNG HERO: Brighton EBA’s Ernie Price [left] stands alongside champion Terry Downes (who of course Party, Bricket Wood Social Club (12pm). former world middleweight champion, Alan Minter

www.boxingnewsonline.net DECEMBER 7, 2017 l BOXING NEWS l 45 SIXTY SECONDS

GEORGE HENNON Paul Wheeler talks to a man who swapped one for another

When and why you started boxing: ‘ANTHONY YARDE I started boxing when I was TOLD ME JUST 18 years old. I changed from – which I started aged TO WORK HARD. six – because I always wanted to go down the boxing route. THAT ADVICE HAS Favourite all-time fighter: STUCK WITH ME’ I’ve got to say Ricky Hatton. I just loved his style of boxing. He was an Who would play you in a film of icon, and I loved seeing the support your life: he had at his fights. Kevin Hart! Best fight you’ve seen: Have you ever been starstruck: I liked Jamie Conlan’s fight against I haven’t actually met Floyd Anthony Nelson [an eighth-round Mayweather, but I saw him when KO win for Conlan in April last he got in the ring at the Gervonta year]. That was unreal! Davis-Liam Walsh fight in London Personal career highlight: earlier this year. I was a bit It’s early days still in my career, starstruck at seeing him in the so at the moment I’d say it’s the flesh. fantastic support I receive from Last time you cried: my friends and family. Probably when I last dropped my Toughest opponent: sushi! Sam Ball [l rsf 3 – May 2016]. He is Best advice received: as tough as they come – very good Anthony Yarde told me just to work and strong. hard. That advice has stuck with Best and worst attributes as a me. boxer: Worst rumour about yourself: I’m still finding out! I have a strong Hearing that I haven’t gone back hand, but I’m still finding my anywhere since leaving kickboxing way in the pros. behind. Training tip: Something not many people Just work hard and don’t cut know about you: corners. I was an English kickboxing Favourite meal/restaurant: champion. Sushi or Indian. The best restaurant I’ve ever been to has to be Novikov in . It’s unreal! Best friends in boxing: My dad, Frank. He’s always there with me for every single session in the gym. He even takes days off Age: 23 Twitter: @georgehennon12 Nickname: ‘Georgey Boy’ Height: work to watch me train. 5ft 6ins Nationality: English From: Snodland Stance: Orthodox Record: Other sportsman you would 4-1 Division: Welterweight Titles: n/a Next fight: Hennon takes on like to be: Sanjeev Sahota over six rounds in Stratford this Saturday (December 9). A footballer for Chelsea. FACTS FAST Last film/TV show you saw: [TV series] Power.

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