| GEORGE FOX believes an “life-changing” education from Tyson Fury will put him top of the class in Britain next year. The WBC World Heavyweight champion was impressed by Queensberry’s latest big hope when they spent two camps together. Fox (3-0), who is trained by his Father, Don Charles has his first fight for Frank Warren at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT Sport. The Mill Hill Heavyweight hope has mixed with plenty of world class fighters besides Fury. He has also sparred Dereck Chisora, Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua, Joe Joyce and Dillian Whyte. Because of the pandemic, 6ft 7in Fox hasn’t boxed since November 2019, but says: “It’s actually been the most useful time I have had to knuckle down. I have never trained so hard this consistently. “I have had top sparring and did two camps with Tyson Fury – one in Las Vegas and one in Morecambe. “It was life-changing with Tyson. I became very close with him, very friendly with him. “Because of my style, I am not a traditional banger. I am more of a technical Heavyweight trying to pick people apart. “Having said that the last year or so we have done strength work and put on power, no doubt. “Tyson has been instrumental in teaching me certain fundamentals that suit me because I am 6ft 7in and a bit — tall and rangy. “He has just helped me push on with my craft and given me some inside secrets. “All of the guys I sparred have helped in their own way. When you’re sparring with guys at that level there are always tricks to be taken, lessons to be learned. “We have used the time away to develop, to build, to grow and I’m looking forward to all that hard work coming to fruition on fight night.” Fox, 29, believes his gym experiences can be a fast pass to the British title next year, and he has big targets. He added: “This time next year it is realistic to hope I will be 10-0 and in British title contention. “We are going to move as quickly as possible. I feel I have the experience without having too many fights. “I have been in boxing a long time. I am always watching boxing, always observing and had top level sparring . It’s now about making sure I’m active. “It all depends how things progress, but you have a handful of guys like Fabio Wardley, Nick Webb, Nathan Gorman, my good friend David Adeleye and Dave Allen is back. “Things can change, but they are all relevant in the division and others will emerge. Whoever it is, we just have to make sure I am prepared when the chance comes. “I’ve known Frank and Francis Warren since I was a young kid so this is close to home. There is a long standing relationship, a lot of trust and belief where we’re heading together. “I am looking forward to the partnership and what we can manifest in the next few years together.” Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor |
Month: July 2021
Joyce visits Wembley ahead of Takam Showdown on July 24th
| JOE JOYCE VISITED the scene of Sunday’s Italian Job on Wednesday and stated his intention to land the knockout finish the gallant England team failed to apply when he takes on Carlos Takam in a heavyweight shootout on July 24. Joyce will be performing at the adjacent SSE Arena and he spent the day sampling the Wembley surrounds ahead of his date with the formidable Frenchman, who will be seeking to put a first dent in the perfect 12-0 professional record of the 2016 Olympic silver medallist. “I’ll be going for the knockout finish and that is what I am planning to do,” insisted Joyce, who has stopped 11 of his 12 opponents via KO. Joyce knows the route to heavyweight glory that has been plotted for him. Take out Takam and he will be made mandatory challenger for the WBO world title soon to be contested between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk. So the stakes are mighty high for the 35-year-old known as ‘The Juggernaut’. “I will happily take on whoever wins, but I would love the opportunity to fight Joshua. I think he will want to fight (Tyson) Fury so we will have to see what happens there, but I am on the WBO track and looking to be made mandatory. “I think Usyk could be a tricky fight for Joshua, but he should knock him out sooner or later you would think. It is heavyweight boxing, so you never know, but Usyk is no joke. He is an Olympic gold medallist, a very skilled southpaw, so he will probably pose Joshua problems with his good footwork and ringcraft. “I do think Joshua will get to him, sooner or later,” added the Putney native who, given the delays involving the other leading heavies, will be bidding to put an early marker down in the division with an impressive and eye-catching display against Takam. “Yeah and that is why I chose Takam as a good move for me. It is all about getting the right fights and I think this is one to get people talking. It will keep me ready too for when I get my turn to fight for the world title. “He is a respected opponent who has been in with the best, like Joshua and also Chisora, who has been mentioned to fight me but I don’t think he wants it. It is going to be a great fight,” he added, pointing out that both versions of The Juggernaut could be required – the one who ploughs forward and the more nimble and skilful one we witness against Daniel Dubois. “Maybe you will see a bit of both, depending on which Takam turns up, although I think I know what kind of style he will have. Whatever works to get me the win is what you will see. It is going to be a tough test and a real hard fight, also good stylistically to watch. So tune in!” Pt. 2 of Joe’s trip to Wembley, featuring a visit to BOXPARK and Meetspace VR, to follow tomorrow… Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor |
LARA AND WARRINGTON COLLIDE IN HUGE REMATCH, TAYLOR FACES HAN AT EMERALD HEADINGLEY STADIUM ON SEPTEMBER 4
| ‘The Leeds Warrior’ set for must-win showdown with ‘Bronco’ in his hometown Katie Taylor puts her Undisputed crown on the line in co-main event All action broadcast live worldwide on DAZN for a special introductory price of just £1.99 in the UK and €1.99 in Ireland |
| Mauricio Lara and Josh Warrington will rematchin an epic showdownat Emerald Headingley Stadium on Saturday September 4, live worldwide on DAZN. The co-main event will also feature undisputed Lightweight World Champion Katie Taylor, who puts all her belts on the line against IBF Mandatory Challenger Jennifer Han. ‘The Leeds Warrior’ (30-1, 7 KOs) was floored and ruthlessly finished by Mexico’s Lara (22-2, 15 KOs) in a sensational knockout loss at The SSE Arena, Wembley in February that put a massive dent in the former IBF Featherweight World Champion’s unification plans. Warrington endured a stunning upset defeat as he was dropped and nearly stopped in the fourth round before ‘Bronco’ sent him crashing to the canvas again in the ninth to end the 30-year-old’s unbeaten record. The upset-of-the-year contender sent shockwaves through the 126lbs division and now Warrington will look to exact revenge in front of a capacity crowd at the home of the Leeds Rhinos in the biggest fight of his career. Undisputed Lightweight rulerTaylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine crowns against her latest Mandatory ChallengerHan (18-3-1, 1 KOs) in the co-main event, another huge stage for the best in women’s boxing.The Irish star was forced to dig deep as she retained her World Titles via a unanimous decision victory after another memorable meeting with Natasha Jonas last time out at Manchester Arena in May – nine years on from their London 2012 Olympic Games bout.Han, a six-time national amateur champion fighting out of El Paso, Texas, won the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title against Helen Joseph in September 2015 and went on to make four defences of her Title – most recently against Lizbeth Crespo in February 2018. “I’ve never been much of a talker, I’d rather do my talking in the ring,” said Lara. “I’m going for a repeat performance on September 4. Hit once, hit twice. Warrington should know that I am coming for him. This is all about pride. This is for Mexico!” “It’s been an up and down period, time for reflection and to reassess myself, said Warrington. “I’ve watched the first fight a dozen times, I’m mentally and physically prepared for Mauricio. It won’t be the same result, I want revenge. It’s going to be a huge event in Leeds, I can’t wait to get back in there and rewrite the script. It’s nothing personal, just business. September 4th we get back on track to the top.” “I’m really excited to defend my Titles in front of a live crowd again and especially in Leeds,” said Taylor. “I grew up as a Leeds United fan so it’s fantastic to see them back in the Premier League and doing so well again. “My last few fights have effectively been behind closed door and it’s definitely a strange experience so I think to have crowds back again and outdoors in Leeds will make for a very special atmosphere. I’m back in the US in training camp, working hard and focused on putting in another big performance against a tough and experienced opponent on September 4.” “I want to thank Katie for this opportunity,” said Han. “Enjoy your belts while you still have them. I will see you in September.” Fresh from his devastating first round demolition job on James Tennyson, Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (24-3-1, 17 KOs) will make the first defence of his IBO Lightweight World Title against the in-form Maxi Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs). ‘Impacto’ dropped and stopped Belfast’s Tennyson in a powerful performance at Manchester Arena in May to become the latest Mexican to spring an upset against British opposition in the UK. ‘Maximus’ is relishing his new lease of life after picking up incredible wins over former World Title challenger Jono Carroll, previously undefeated Kazakh talent Viktor Kotochigov and Paul Hyland Jr to earn the British Lightweight Title in March. The full supporting undercard will be announced shortly. “What better way to celebrate the return to normality for boxing than 20,000 passionate Leeds fans at Headingley Stadium. This is the biggest fight of Josh Warrington’s career and this time he has his city behind him in a must win fight that can only be a thriller,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “The greatest female fighter of all time Katie Taylor faces Mandatory Challenger Jennifer Han in another great fight. Katie is a lifelong Leeds United fan and I know how excited she is to fight in the city. Another Mexican upsetter Jovanni Straffon tries to derail the fairy tale story of Yorkshire’s Maxi Hughes who looks to take a giant leap in the World Lightweight landscape. There’s plenty more additions to be announced shortly in what will be a huge night of boxing live on DAZN.” “Our game-changing global partnership with Matchroom has kicked off with an epic line-up, starting with Fight Camp – an unmissable summer of boxing based at the stunning Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, and leading into this huge double-header event. With many surprises still to come for the months ahead, this cements DAZN as the global home of boxing,” said Joseph Markowski, EVP at DAZN Group. Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 VIP and are available via StubHub to Fight Pass members on Thursday July 15 and on General Sale on Friday July 16 (both at Midday) |
JAMES BEECH JR: THE TEN WEEKS THAT COULD CHANGE HIS LIFE
| JIMMY BEECH JR has been going without wages for ten weeks to make sure he is ready for big punching Chris Bourke. Walsall’s Beech (12-1, 2 KOs) gets a big opportunity when he challenge’s for the Londoner’s WBC International Super-Bantamweight title at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT. The former British title challenger works as a painter and decorator, but knows upsetting Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) will bring him a step closer to packing away his brushes for good. “I have taken unpaid leave for this fight,” explained Beech who had his first amateur fight at the age of 11. “If I win, it will open big doors. I will be in a good place with Frank Warren and Queensberry to get a deal, earn decent money and have bigger fights. “I have been off work for eight weeks already because we thought the fight might have been taking place in late June, so I stopped working in May. “When the date was moved, I decided to stay in full-time training until after the fight. “It is a big sacrifice. Had I stayed at work and not had the fight I might have made more money, but this is about progression. “I beat Chris then bigger chances will come and you never know what might happen. “One of the our local fighters Jason Welborn won a British title and suddenly got a World title fight against Jarrett Hurd out of nowhere. Anything like that could happen.” Beech Jr, 24, hasn’t boxed for 12 months when he pushed Brad Foster all the way in a British and Commonwealth title challenge before losing on points. Since Jimmy suffered his Foster setback, Bourke has outpointed Rahmez Mahmood and in December won his title with a stunning two round demolition of fancied Michael Ramabeletsa. Beech Jr added: “I don’t think Chris punches as hard as his record suggests and I am confident I can take his power. “I don’t want to put down his win against Ramabeletsa, but I believe it was right fight, right time. “I would have beaten Ramabeletsa. I might not have knocked him out, but would have won comfortably. “I took a lot of confidence out of the Brad Foster fight. I took the fight at pretty short notice, and I didn’t have any fitness at all. “There is no vendetta against Brad because he beat me, but I want to fight for the British title again so while he has that I want him. “That is a dream for me, and beating Bourke means I am not too far away at all. “It is good to be on a big stage. It is what you work for and this is a big opportunity that I have to take. I have to enjoy these nights while they’re there. “It promises to be a top, top fight. We’re both there to be hit. Chris hasn’t exactly got the best head movement and he won’t have to go looking for me.” Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam will headline for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets.£50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor £300 VIP Hospitality |
TAKAM SAYS HE’LL KO JOYCE AND SETTLE SCORE WITH JOSHUA
| CARLOS TAKAM is gunning for Anthony Joshua once he has sorted out Joe Joyce at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT Sport.The French powerhouse stepped in at just over one week’s notice to challenge AJ for his WBA and IBF World Heavyweight titles in October 2017. He went down fighting in Cardiff, losing in ten rounds to the defending champion with many fans insisting that the stoppage was premature. And there wont just be Joyce’s WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth titles on the line at Wembley. KO King Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is ranked number two by the WBO and will be elevated into the mandatory position after Joshua has defended that title against current top contender Oleksandr Usyk. “The story between Joshua and me is not finished,” roared Las Vegas based Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs) who is confident of snatching Joyce’s ranking and booking a Joshua rematch. Speaking on a digital Press Conference hosted by Dev Sahni, Takam added: “There is unfinished business with Joshua. That fight still hurts me. “I took that fight at ten days’ notice. The referee stopped the fight and I don’t know why. Nobody ever told me. “I was also meant to fight Usyk twice, but it never happened and he didn’t want me.” Putney’s Joyce could have looked at easier options especially as he’s assured of a WBO World title challenge next year providing he remains unbeaten. But the man who is also rated in the top ten by the WBC and IBF says: “I have had tough tests throughout my career so why stop? “This is a great fight. Takam brings an all-action fight and it is going to be a good one. I want to give the fans what they want to see. “This will lead on to some better fights, but I am not overlooking him.” Three further title clashes will take place on the undercard of Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor To watch Dev Sahni’s full interview click here |
TAKAM FIRES WARNING SHOTS ACROSS JOYCE’S BOW
| THE HUGELY POPULAR heavyweight Carlos Takam has sounded a warning to Joe Joyce ahead of their collision at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. The Las Vegas-based Frenchman, 39-5-1, landed on Friday ahead of his fourth assignment on British soil against the unbeaten 12-0, 2016 Olympic silver medallist who is on the cusp of being put forward as mandatory challenger by the WBO for the world title held by Anthony Joshua – and soon likely to be defended against Oleksandr Usyk. The upbeat Joyce, 35, known as the Juggernaut, has promised to ‘run over’ the two-time world title challenger in the sequel to his memorable derailing of Daniel Dubois at the end of November. Takam responded by questioning if Joyce possesses the experience to be making such bold predictions. Takam was greeted at Heathrow Airport by interviewer Dev Sahni, who got the experienced Takam’s thoughts about his upcoming bout. “He said he is going to run me over?” said the 40-year-old with a hearty chuckle. “I say good luck and I will see you on 24th July! I don’t think he is experienced enough to take out someone like me and this is going to be a big fight for him. “I don’t want to say it is a small fight or an easy fight because every fight I treat the same. I am here because I am prepared and ready for this fight and I am coming to win. Everybody says he is a tough guy so I am here and ready for that.” Takam was also bemused, rather than concerned, over claims from Joyce’s manager Sam Jones that he has been keeping tabs on his sparring sessions in Las Vegas. “Really! He said that? So he’s been seeing my sparring – what the hell! That is good but, for me, I am not going to speak about what they say. I don’t care what a manager says about me because I am just focused for the fight. “The only thing I want to say is ‘let’s do the job on 24th July. I am ready for then. Joe Joyce, I am coming’. “I don’t want to say they have made a mistake picking me. This is a good opportunity for Joe Joyce and a good opportunity for me to fight in the UK, where they have made a good thing out of boxing. “Joe Joyce, I am ready for you and I am a problem.” Three further title clashes will take place on the undercard of Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor £300 VIP Hospitality To watch the full interview with Carlos Takam, click here |
ARTHUR VS FARACI WEIGH-IN RESULTS
| Official results can be found below: 10 Rnds WBO Intercontinental Light-heavyweight Title LYNDON ARTHUR – 12st 6lbs 10oz v DAVIDE FARACI – 12st 6lbs 12oz 10 Rnds WBO International Super-middleweight Title ZACHARY PARKER – 11st 13lbs 7oz v SHERZOD KHUSANOV – 11st 13lbs 12oz 10 Rnds Vacant WBO Global Super-featherweight Title ARCHIE SHARP – 9st 3lbs 4oz v DIEGO ANDRADE – 9st 3lbs 11oz 8 Rnds Bantamweights DENNIS McCANN – 8st 8lbs 4oz v JOHN CHUWA – 8st 8lbs 9oz 6 Rnds Lightweights SAM NOAKES – 9st 12lbs 9oz v LEE CONNELLY – 9st 12lbs 1oz 6 Rnds Featherweights MUHAMMAD ALI – 9st 6lbs 1oz v LEE GLOVER – 9st 5lbs 7oz 4 Rnds Light-heavyweights KAROL ITAUMA – 12st 6lbs 10oz v TIM VENTRELLA – 12st 7lbs 6oz |
R.I.P. Sebastian Eubank
Professional Boxer Sebastian Eubank, the son of Chris Eubank Snr has passed away just days before his 30th birthday.
Sebastian’s father, Chris Eubank Snr said in a statement: “Never did I ever imagine I would write these words or experience the feeling I now have at the loss of my son. My family and I are devastated to hear of the death of Sebastian just days before what would have been his 30th birthday.
“He leaves his wife Salma, his son Raheem born just a month ago, his mother Karron Meadows, brothers Nathanael, Chris Jr, Joseph, one sister Emily and countless relatives and friends.
“Sebastian grew up in Hove in England but in the last few years made his life in Dubai where he had a wide circle of friends and was a leader in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and of alternative therapies.
“As well as being a personal trainer and professional boxer, Sebastian was also a deep thinker who liked to challenge accepted wisdom. He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be forever in the thoughts of friends and family.
“As a family, we now kindly ask to be given space and privacy to celebrate his life and remember the son, the brother, the husband, the friend.”
The entire Go Sports & Entertainment team send their sincere condolences to Sebastian’s family and friends – R.I.P. Sebastian.
CHAMBERLAIN PREPARING FOR COMEBACK AFTER CAREER SAVING SHOULDER SURGERY
British cruiserweight contender Isaac Chamberlainspoke exclusively with Ali Drew for Hennessy Sports’ YouTube channel about his career saving shoulder surgery as he gears up for his long awaited return to the ring.
Chamberlain has been out of action so far this year as he underwent major surgery for his right shoulder following a severe injury suffered in sparring in early November last year ahead of a title fight on a show planned for later that month and a win would have seen Chamberlain back into the world top ten rankings and world title contention.
The problem first started when the Brixton boy dislocated his shoulder in the third round of his Southern Area Cruiserweight title fight against Wadi Camacho in September 2016 and after incredibly ‘popping’ it back in, he bravely fought on and won by four rounds on the score cards in one of the fights of the year.
IC then went into a number of fights carrying the injury, including his big showdown with rival Lawrence Okolie in February 2018, unable to punch with his right hand properly and just getting through with his talent and heart.
Following his points over Luke Watkins in October 2018, Chamberlain was sidelined as he saw out a managerial contract, but was then signed by promoter Mick Hennessy and made his return in August last year with quick stoppage wins against Antony Wollery and Matt Sen just two weeks’ apart.
After succumbing to the injury in training again earlier this year, Chamberlain saw a specialist and it was advised that he have surgery to repair the shoulder to continue his career. A successful operation conducted by a world leading surgeon has since seen Chamberlain undergo intense rehabilitation and is raring to get back in the ring.
Chamberlain said, “Whilst I was preparing for a title fight that was going to get me into the top ten in the world, I was sparring and I had a massive…I basically tore my rotator cuff [right shoulder], all the muscles in my rotator cuff and obviously that was very painful, so I had to have surgery and it’s been very, very difficult but I just have to trust the process,”
“I’ve been doing my rehab for a while now, we really tried to rush it and get back on May 22nd, I’ve been seeing all my friends fighting and obviously I couldn’t. So I was kind of thinking of doing that, but Mick was like be really, really careful. I would have had to start sparring 5 weeks before that and my shoulder was nowhere near as close to being prepared for strenuous exercise, so we had to delay and wait to fight on the next show,”
“The shoulder has been healing up very, very well, it’s getting a lot stronger. There’s a lot of promise in getting the right hand back and in all of my fights before, I kind of never really used it since 2016 with the fight with Wadi Camacho. So it feels great, like a massive breath of fresh air that I can use my right hand in full confidence in my arsenal as it wasn’t really there before so I had to sacrifice and use different types of techniques. That’s why I was always knocking guys out with a body shot or a left, never a right hand I never really felt a one-two or a double jab-right hand, so I had to really change the way I fight and it worked to a certain extent, but if you really want to fight the best in the world and really be with the elites you need to not be at a disadvantage,”
“I’ve always wanted to be among the best, I always wanted to get in there and show…forgetting how my body actually feels. As boxers you’re so so tough and you’re just thinking ‘I can get through whatever, I just need to fight, I can get through whatever,’ and you forget the things that are being detrimental in the long run and that’s a result of what happened with me,”
“But it’s okay, everything is sorted out and it’s full steam ahead and I really believe it’s not going to be anymore setbacks,”
“Everything I do and everything that happens to me I find a way to use it as motivation, I always try to find a way to use it as motivation, this has happened how can I deal with the situation that happened to me.”
Further details will be released shortly about Chamberlain’s return fight date.
ARTHUR VS FARACI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
| HALL OF FAME promoter Frank Warren today hosted a press conference ahead of Queensberry’s show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Saturday (July 10) live on BT Sport. It’s England v Italy part one ahead of Sunday’s European Championship football final in the main event. Manchester’s number one WBO ranked Light-Heavyweight ‘King’ Lyndon Arthur (18-0, 12 KOs) headlines and makes the first defence of his WBO Inter-Continental title against Italian star Davide Faraci (15-0, 7 KOs). Also on the card WBO ranked number one Super-Middleweight Zach Parker (20-0, 14 KO’s) defends his WBO International belt against Uzbek Sherzod Khusanov (22-2-1, 10 KOs). Here are a selection of quotes from the press conference. FRANK WARREN: We want a England v Italy double in football and boxing. There is a lot riding on Lyndon’s fight because he is number one contender with the WBO. He wants to cement his position so can’t afford to slip up. Joe Smith is WBO champion, but his mandatory is not due until next year. I will talk to his promoter Bob Arum about the Lyndon fight, but let’s get this out of the way. I am expecting Lyndon to win, England to win the next day and I will be barred from Bar Italia. I hadn’t seen a lot of Zach when we signed him, but he really impressed me against Vaughn Alexander. How he has gone under the radar I do not know, but he isn’t now. Sherzod is a good opponent, but Zach is going to be something special. We need to keep him busy so the public can see him. Once Canelo comes through against Plant in September there will be pressure for his mandatories and Zach will be one of them if he comes through on Saturday. LYNDON ARTHUR I will put England 1-0 up on Saturday don’t worry about that. As soon as we beat Denmark it was down to me to score the first goal. I am not nervous because I’ve been out for a bit, just excited and confident. I’m itching to get in and get the job done. I don’t want to talk about anyone else. I have this fight on Saturday and will move on. I don’t need to focus on anyone else but David Faraci. He is an undefeated fighter and brings a lot of dangers. He is tall, a good boxer and possesses a good jab, but I will test it all. I will knock him out. DAVIDE FARACI This is a great opportunity for me. I am very confident and I will do my best to win the fight. I feel absolutely confident that I will win on Saturday. He has a lot of experience, but I am not far from him in terms of that. I went to spar with Artur Beterbiev and that was an amazing experience. I learned so much. I believe I am going to win and Italy in the football on Sunday. ZACH PARKER Now I am with Frank we’re pushing on and I can’t thank him enough because he’s getting my name out there. Sherzod is obviously a very good fighter, a two-time Olympian and I am expecting a really hard fight. The plan is to go out there and win. If the knockout comes it comes. That is what I’ve trained for and what fans want to see. I am with the right promoter to get Canelo. If Canelo wants to come to Britain, Pride Park is the place to box. There is no point in talking Canelo unless I can get through this fight. Any fight I lose I go to the bottom of the pile. SHERZOD KHUSANOV: Zach is a very good boxer and I am expecting a very good fight. He is quick, young, agile and very good on his feet. That is why it will be a very exciting fight, but I have boxed fighters like him before and won. I am always ready to fight and I always bring my best to every fight. I give everything in the ring and I am here to win. Also on the bill, WBO ranked number four Super-Featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) faces Mexico’s David Andrade Chavez with the vacant WBO Global championship on the line. Prodigious bantamweight talent Dennis McCann (9-0, 5 KOs) faces Tanzanian John Chuwa (20-4, 10 KOs). 2016 Olympian Muhammad Ali (2-0) will have his third professional assignment against Lee Glover (11-4, 3 KOs), with Lightweight KO-artist Sam Noakes (5-0, 5 KOs) and Light-Heavyweight former Olympic Youth champion Karol Itauma (2-0, 1 KO) also featuring. |
