It would be Criminally Negligent to authorise events in February, says BIBA VP
Following discussions with the Government as well as local area Safety Advisory Groups and local NHS Trusts the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) have made the decision to NOT authorise the sanctioning of any events in February 2021.
On making the announcement BIBA Vice President Gianluca Di Caro said “We discussed the situation with the promoters of the two planned February events, who both willingly agreed to reschedule the events until later in the year.
“It was a hard decision to make, but one we believe was the only one we could possibly make, without doubt it would be irresponsible to put any extra pressure on NHS services at this time.
“In reality it wouldn’t just be irresponsible but also Criminally Negligent in our view, as we could not possibly guarantee that should a boxer receive a serious head injury, such as a bleed on the brain, that they would receive the required treatment within the ‘Golden Hour’ to prevent permanent brain damage or even death.
“Whilst the Government provided ‘Positive Test’ figures do seem to be on a downward trend, the actual level of serious Infection and Hospital Admittances, as well as Deaths are still rising to record levels on a daily basis.
“Currently, according to Government figures, there is one new hospital admittance every thirty seconds and some Hospital Trusts are reporting full or close to full capacity of ICU beds, as well as overly long waiting times within Accident & Emergency Departments.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and will announce in Mid-February whether events in March will be authorised or not.
“In the meantime we urge everyone to observe Social Distancing rules, wear face coverings over both the mouth and nose when on public transport or in the shops etc.and please wash your hands regularly for twenty seconds or use hand sanitiser.”
Featherweight king targets Xu Can and Gary Russell for Ring belt
Josh Warrington has today vacated his IBF World Title after the IBF refused to sanction his proposed unification fight in April.
Earlier this month, the proposed mega fight with Xu Can was delayed with a new working date of April 24. Matchroom will now look to finalise that fight or make a giant match up with WBC king Gary Russell. Both the Can and Russell fights would be for the coveted Ring Magazine belt.
“It’s so important for Josh to be in a mega fight after Lara on February 13,” said Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn. “He has his heart set on the Ring belt and it’s up to us to make the Can or Russell fights for April or early May. I’ve been working hard with Robert Diaz of Golden Boy to close Xu Can and also had several conversations with Luis De Cubas regarding a Gary Russell bout – both fights are Fight of the Year contenders.”
“It’s disappointing we couldn’t have the IBF Title on the line, but I can’t let those decisions stand in the way of me going down in British boxing history by facing the very best in the division,” said Warrington. “I’ve always dreamt about winning the Ring belt, for me it leaves no doubt who the king of the division is. Right now, my mind and focus is on Lara for February 13 and then I’m looking to pick up that beautiful red and blue belt.”
Warrington will face Mauricio Lara on Saturday February 13 live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories.
Class vs Mwale and Pulev vs Meroro co-headline historic ‘Rumble-in-Dar’ Global TV event on Jan 29th
Over the years African Boxing has been seen as the poor relative when it comes to Global audiences for professional boxing from the Continent. America and Europe have dominated the scene it seems forever, but that had already began to change, as more recently it is the Middle East that has come to the fore hosting the big events that attract the Global interest.
In just over a weeks time Boxing from Africa, will roar back onto the scene determined to make such an impact that the fans of sport’s focus will begin to shift towards that Continent too.
Historically Boxing in Africa has attracted Global audiences, who could forget that one of the biggest fights of all time took place in Africa. Back in October 1974 the world’s eyes were on Zaire as Muhammad Ali challenged George Foreman for his World Crown in Kinshasa.
Whilst Rumble in the Jungle, arguably the greatest sporting event of the 20th century, was the most watched boxing event ever, drawing an estimated one billion viewers Globally, the expected Legacy for Boxing in Africa failed to materialise. Yes, since then there have been a few fights on the Continent that were shown on Major Networks in America and Europe, these were one offs, there have been no regular international events to maintain the momentum, but that is all about to change…
On the 29th January 2021, Botswana based Global Boxing Stars and Tanzania based Jackson Group present the first of six planned Fight Night events in the Tanzania, evocatively named “Rumble-In-Dar“, they hope will redress the balance and attract fans of the pugilistic arts around the World.
The ground breaking event is co-headlined by Tanzania’s Ibrahim Class (24-6-0) versus South Africa based Malawian Dennis Mwale (8-0-0), who will be competing for the World Boxing Federation (WBFed) Intercontinental Lightweight Championship.
Bulgaria’s Tervel Pulev (15-0-0), the brother of Heavyweight Kubrat Pulev, who was KO’d by Anthony Joshua back in December, versus Namibia’s Vikapita Meroro (29-9-0) co-headlines in a non-championship ten rounder.
The packed undercard features a further Championship contest, between Tanzania’s Shaban Hamadi Jongo (7-1-2) and New York, USA’s Shawn Miller (18-5-1) for the WBFed International Heavyweight belt.
Unbeaten Zambian World Prospect Lolita Muzeya (16-0-0) makes her return to the ring on the event and South Africa’s rising Heavyweight sensation Ardi “The Iron Fist” Ndembo (1-0-0) makes his second pro outing.
‘Rumble-in-Dar’ will take place in front of an audience at the Next Door Arena in Dar-Es-Salaam, as Tanzania, unlike much of the World today, has been little affected by the COVID 19 pandemic and will be broadcast Globally, providing free to view access to in excess of three quarter of a Billion Homes and Billions more Devices.
So just who are the people so intent on changing not only the perception of African Boxing but also on showcasing African talent on a Global platform.
Scott Patrick Farrell, the founder of Global Boxing Stars, is the former CEO of Ringstar Boxing and former Managing director of Commvault inc, a corporation that that went ipo for over 500 million dollars whilst Scott was part of the senior Management team.
“In business and in life timing is everything, I believe this is the right time, Tanzania is the right place and between GBS and the Jackson Group we have the right partnership to take this platform to the next level, plans are afoot to deploy world titles, world title eliminators as well as international non-title bouts on the future bills, so as to raise the profile and quality of the bills show by show. We have a strategy to position Dar es Salaam as a new sports tourism hub.”
Scott lives the dream and works regularly with the only Boxing hall of fame eight division World champion Senator Manny Pacquiao as co-promoter and producer/event director for the Manny Pacquiao Championship Boxing Series.
Over the years Scott has built and been a very integral part of numerous contenders becoming World Champions, such as; IBF Bantamweight number one contender Michael Dasmarinas. Scott took the unknown boxer from the Philippines to become the IBO world champion, and then to a victory in the IBF world title eliminator. Making Dasmarinas the mandatory challenger for the much-sorted crown of the IBF world title. Other success comes with four division World Champion and current WBO World Champion John Riel Casimero as part of the Sean Gibbons & Manny Pacquiao Championship Boxing team, and Paulus ‘The Rock” Ambunda former WBO and IBO world champion, Scott secured his third world title victory with Ringstar Asia.
Scott has now taken all his life lessons and experience and partnered with Jeremy Bean, who has Pan African connectivity and experience in staging live broadcast events from all major economic hubs of the continent to create Global Boxing Stars, a professional management company to represent and build a fighter’s career. His focus is developing fighters based in Africa and other parts of the world, to build new World Champion prospects to sign with the top promoters in the USA, UK and other parts of the world. Scott has a great working relationship and proven track record with the giants of the boxing industry such as Top Rank, PBC, Golden Boy, DAZN and Matchroom, and many more…
“We are extremely energised by this collaboration partnership, we have alignment, a common vision and the energy is good. Together Global Boxing Stars and the Jackson Group seek to develop a new commercial model for Pan African boxing and unlock value through pooling of our networks, resources and operational capacity. Myself and Kelvin are marketing guys that the boxing bug has bitten, we see Pan African boxing as a sleeping giant and believe our partnership will pioneer a new approach that will bring corporate partners with a Pan African footprint to the table.” Said fellow Director of Global Boxing Stars Jeremy Bean.
Jeremy comes from an advertising background, along with practical sports marketing and event staging experience along with a proven track record of producing international, live broadcast boxing events across the African continent.
While producing the Pan African boxing content for the Kwesé ESPN partnership, Jeremy staged fights in all the major economic hubs of Southern, East and West Africa.
Joining the dynamic duo on this major project is Kelvin Twissa, CEO of The Jackson Group.
“Jeremy and I first connected when I was doing shows with Sport Pesa in Kenya and he was producing the Pan African boxing content for the ESPN Kwesé partnership, now under different banners and with what appears opportune timing we are teaming up to position Tanzania as a new fight mecca and sport tourism hub. The Jackson Group and Global Boxing Stars have formed a powerful, cross functional team – we can talk marketing and commercials to brands and sponsors, we can talk television and production specs to broadcasters and now we can talk boxing, all as a single powerful partnership unit.”
Kelvin, a high-level marketing strategist with experience managing campaigns and brands across Africa, is the former Global Chief Marketing Officer of SportPesa, brings to the team vast experience via various marketing roles at Exco level with some of the largest corporates and Telcos on the African continent.
Now in the role of CEO under the banner of the Jackson Group, Kelvin is able to unlock value through commercial partnerships and connectivity across the East African hub and the continent at large. Kelvin’s experience in sports ranges from football working with Clubs and Leagues in Africa and Europe including the Everton, Arsenal, Laliga and Cape Town City FC.
During his time at SportPesa Kelvin created the SportPesa Fight Night, as well as brought Tony Bellew to Kenya as part of the Everton SportPesa Boxing Road Show. The Nairobi Figth Night Series commanded over 7.4 million audience in Kenya alone being shown in over 7 channels across Africa.
Without doubt the stage appears set for a new energy and approach to Pan African boxing, with Tanzania providing the backdrop and this exciting partnership between Global Boxing Stars and The Jackson Group pioneering a new commercial and collaborative model.
Rumble in Dar, co-headlined by Ibrahim Class versus Dennis Mwale for the World Boxing Federation (WBFed) Intercontinental Lightweight Championship and Tervel Pulev versus Vikapita Meroro takes place at the Next Door Arena, Masaki, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania on Friday the 29th January 2021.
Joining host broadcaster Azam TV are numerous broadcast platforms worldwide such as NBC Namibia, Astro Arens (Malaysia) plus more (check local Channel/Cable Network schedule) and will also be streamed live and free to view on FITE.TV, Gineko Network, Boxing TV, PPV Live, 360 PR App etc (further Streaming Channels to be announced soon) as well as on the Go Boxing YouTube and Daily Motion Channels, Rumble in Dar will also be available as Video on Demand seven days after the event on Sports channel Network (SCN) and other VOD platforms.
With the distinct lack of televised boxing events for fans of the pugilistic arts to watch in January 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Botswana based Global Boxing Stars and the Jackson Group have entered into an agreement with United Kingdom based Go Sports & Entertainment, for the world-wide broadcast distribution for a series of International Championship Boxing Events in Tanzania throughout 2021.
“It’s an exciting joint venture in a beautiful part of the world. The broadcast partners Azam TV are providing a world class production, and it’s refreshing to be working with great like minded people from Jackson Group Sports who have been instrumental in bringing this deal together” stated Global Boxing Stars CEO Scott Patrick Farrell, before adding “Get ready for the first of the Rumble In Dar boxing series on January 29th, non-stop action is guaranteed “
The first event takes place at the Next Door Arena, Masaki, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania on the 29th January 2021.
Bulgaria’s Terval Pulev (15-0-0), the brother of Heavyweight Kubrat Pulev, who was KO’d by Anthony Joshua back in December, versus Namibia’s Vikapita Meroro (29-9-0) co-headlines the event along with Tanzania’s Ibrahim Class (24-6-0) versus South Africa based Malawian Dennis Mwale (8-0-0), who will be competing for the World Boxing Federation (WBFed) Intercontinental Lightweight Championship
The sensational undercard features a further Championship contest, between Tanzania’s Shaban Hamadi Jongo (7-1-2) and New York, USA’s Shawn Miller (18-5-1) for the WBFed International Heavyweight belt.
Unbeaten Zambian World Prospect Lolita Muzeya (16-0-0) makes her return to the ring on the event and South Africa’s rising Heavyweight sensation Ardi “The Iron Fist” Ndembo (1-0-0) makes his second pro outing.
The full line up for this exciting International show is:
Lightweight: Ibrahim Class versus Dennis Mwale
World Boxing Federation (WBFed) Intercontinental Championship
Heavyweight: Shaban Hamadi Jongo versus Shawn Miller
World Boxing Federation (WBFed) International Championship
Cruiserweight: Vikariat Meroro versus Tervel Pulev
Super Welterweight: Nicolaus Michael Mdoe versus Gomotsang Gaasite
Featherweight: Nasibu Ramadhani versus Nkosinathi Biyana
Super Lightweight: Happy Daudi Mwagike versus Lolita Muzeya
Super Flyweight: Stumai Muki versus Recai Madondo
Lightweight: Hashim Japhari Kiranga versus Said Mlosi Mussa
Cruiserweight: Hafidh David versus Kaminja Ramadhan
Heavyweight: Pascal Lezile Enock versus Ardi Ndembo
In addition to the above event on the 21st January the dates for the full series of Global Boxing Stars and Jackson Group events in 2021 is:
26th March 2021 – Full line up to be announced
28th May 2021 – Full line up to be announced
30th July 2021 – Full line up to be announced
24th September 2021 – Full line up to be announced
26th November 2021 – Full line up to be announced
Various broadcasters world-wide (National Broadcasters, Digital, Cable, Satellite as well as On-Line) have already been secured, however the full list of channels will be announced in the coming week or so once all syndication agreements are finalised.
The GSE developed Broadcast Distribution Network for the 29th January 2021 event is anticipated to provide Free to View access to around Three Quarter of a Billion Homes and Devices Globally.
Further details, as well as press releases, interviews and videos will be distributed over the coming days and weeks.
Following a ruling from the British Boxing Board of Control, the David Avanesyan vs. Josh Kelly event scheduled to take place on Saturday January 30 has been postponed.
In a statement, the BBBofC said: “Following the increase in COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom and the effects such increases has on the NHS and the work of the Board Medical Officers, it has been decided that no tournaments under the jurisdiction of the British Boxing Board of Control will take place in January 2021.
“A further review by the Board’s Medical Panel and Stewards will take place later in January in relation to tournaments from February onwards.”
Matchroom Boxing will announce the rescheduled date for Avanesyan vs. Kelly as soon as possible.
