Author: admin

I LIKE HAVING A TARGET ON MY BACK SAYS CAMERON

by adminChampionship News / Female Boxing
WBC ruler believes World title status will bring the spotlight fights she wants
Chantelle Cameron is itching to make the first defense of her WBC World Light-Welterweight title against Michelle Hernandez – and wants to show she will relish being a World ruler on Saturday May 29 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, live worldwide on DAZN.

  TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT AXS.COM 

Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) landed the vacant WBC strap with a shut-out win over Ariana dos Santos Araujo in Milton Keynes, England in October, but her first defense against Hernandez (23-7-3 7 KOs) proposed for March had to be postponed through an injury to the Briton.
 
The pair now get it on in front of fans in Las Vegas, and that’s exactly the type of stage that the 30 year old wants to be spotlighted on, and for Cameron, holding the green and gold belt means other fighters are calling her out – and that’s a position she’s delighted to be in.
 
“I feel good being the target,” said Cameron. “It’s better than doing the chasing, that’s frustrating, you are just trying to get the fights and a title shot, so now I know I am going to get fights because people want my belt.
 
“Being World champion has not really sunk in yet, and nothing has changed because it’s been so long since I won the fight, and I haven’t been able to defend it yet. So, I don’t think it’ll really feel it will sink in until I win more belts, but I still feel the same, still have the same drive, the same hunger, and now I am a target. I used to have to chase people for fights but now I have the green and gold belt, I am the target.
 
“The best of me is yet to come, the fight hasn’t come where I get to show that. I boxed to my game plan to win the belt and did what I had to do and what my coaches told me. She is a big puncher so I knew I didn’t want to be taking risks and getting involved with someone that could put me on my backside. When I do get the fight that shows what I can really do, I think people will acknowledge me more.
 
“Everyone is so desperate to stay undefeated, but this is a sport, we all have to climb the ladder and if you are that good, then boxing anyone – that’s my mentality. If I become undisputed and someone is calling me out and they’ve proved themselves, let’s take the fight.”
 
Cameron’s clash with Hernandez is part of a huge night of action in Sin City, topped by unbeaten WBC World Lightweight champion Devin Haney (25-0 15 KOs) defending his title against former World ruler Jorge Linares (47-5 29 KOs).
 
There’s a fascinating battle between two Golden Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title and it’s a huge night for Martin J. Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) as he faces Azinga Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title.
 
There’s a professional debut on the card for Eddie Hearn’s latest American signing, Khalil Coe, Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the night, Ramla Ali (2-0) has been impressive in her two fights since turning pro in October and the first pro female fighter from Somalia gets an introduction to American fight fans on the bill, a card that is rounded off by Devin Haney Promotions’ Darren Cunningham (13-0 7 KOs) continuing his pro rise.
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HANEY: THIS IS THE BIGGEST FIGHT OF MY CAREER

by adminChampionship News
WBC king returns to Las Vegas for Linares title defense
Devin Haney says his fight against Jorge Linares is the biggest of his career to date as prepares to defend his WBC World Lightweight title at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday May 29, live worldwide on DAZN.

  TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT AXS.COM 

Haney (25-0, 18 KOs) puts his title on the line for the third time against the former multiple division world champion, Linares (47-5, 29 KOs), and ‘The Dream’, who is entering the last week of training camp, talks about his matchup with Linares, what a win will do for his career, fighting at home, and more.

“It’s been a great eight-week camp. I started in Las Vegas, got some light sparring, then traveled to the Bay Area. I spent three weeks training with Victor Conte and Remi Korchemny at SNAC. The remaining weeks, I’ve been in Las Vegas, getting great sparring work with local pros that have been pushing me hard. I’m ready! The world will see, I’m the best fighter on the planet.
  
“Linares is a great fighter that has a lot left in the tank. He has held multiple world championships in three weight classes and he’s by far the biggest step up in my career. I give my dad Bill Haney, who is my trainer, a lot of credit, we know exactly what it takes to get this done on May 29th. My skills are on another level and I will make the necessary adjustments, wear him down and completely dominate this fight.
 
“This is the biggest fight of my career. A victory against Linares should gain me a lot of respect. Everyone knows that Linares is a dangerous fighter and winning this fight gives more reasons to all of the writers, fans, and boxing insiders, to campaign the unification fight with Teófimo López, or at the very least, a world title defense against Ryan Garcia. I’m putting the pressure on them.
 
“Las Vegas is where I currently reside. I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to fight in front of my family and friends. I’ve only fought in Vegas a couple of times, way back in 2016, before I became a world champion. I’m 100% ready to show up and show out. Las Vegas is the mecca of boxing’s biggest shows and for me this is just the beginning. Now that COVID restrictions are loosening, I’m encouraging all the fans from around the world to come out and enjoy a great night of boxing. It’s going to be fireworks.”

Haney’s clash with Linares tops a stacked card of action in Sin City, as Chantelle Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) will defend her WBC World Super-Lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez  (23-7-3 7 KOs) in more World title action.
 
There’s a fascinating battle between two Golden Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title and it’s a huge night for Martin J. Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) as he faces Azinga Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title.
 
At the other end of the spectrum, there’s a professional debut on the card for Eddie Hearn’s latest American signing, Khalil Coe, Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the card, Ramla Ali (2-0) has been impressive in her two fights since turning pro in October and the first pro female fighter from Somalia gets an introduction to American fight fans on the bill, a card that is rounded off by Devin Haney Promotions’ Darren Cunningham (13-0 7 KOs) continuing his pro rise.
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Former IMG India Boss Balu Nayar Appointed Head of Global Corporate Strategy and Planning by London Based Go Sports & Entertainment

by adminNews

Balu Nayar, former Managing Director of IMG India has joined the board of London based Go Sports & Entertainment Limited as Head of Global Corporate Strategy and Planning, and also assumes the role of Managing Director (Asia). 

Speaking from his home in Mumbai, Balu said of the appointment  “I’m delighted to join a dream team with incredible experience across sports and entertainment. 

“We will look to build a valuable business that gives great value to today’s audiences, sportspersons and sports entities around the world, taking advantage of the varied opportunities that exist in the ecosystem globally.”

About Balu Nayar

During his distinguished career Balu Nayar has created two multi-billion dollar businesses from scratch, in the mobile Internet and sport sectors.

The first was the mobile Internet and VAS business at Hutchison Telecom, that was valued at $3.2 billion when sold to Vodafone.

The second was the IPL, where he and his team designed, developed, marketed and monetised the IPL, cricket’s most valuable league, valued at $6.4 billion. 

As part of Yahoo’s Connected Life business, he was Regional Director APAC, driving mobile and broadband initiatives in the region, and working actively in Silicon Valley too.

On leaving IMG India he co-founded a venture capital firm in partnership with an investment bank, focussed on investments in the consumer sector. He is also an investment banker in the sports, consumer and technology sectors. 

Balu has also held leadership roles at NewsCorp’s STAR TV and Ogilvy advertising.

It’s not just businesses that Balu is highly successful in developing, he has also founded the world’s largest online blood donation network, which was mentioned in the Mary Meeker Internet Trends Report 2019 – there are more than 15,000 donations made and around 3000 lives saved every year.

Balu is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and did his MBA from IIM Bangalore.

About Go Sports & Entertainment Limited 

Go Sports & Entertainment Limited (GSE) is a multi disciplined broadcast media services company based in London, UK that focuses on investing in and building valuable new sports properties, as well as providing them with a data driven global footprint across a range of digital media.

GSE also assist clients to monetise their properties not only with conventional broadcasters but also within the brave new digital world of OTT and CTV connectivity.

Clients include Global Boxing Stars (Botswana), Lionheart Productions (USA & UAE), The Jackson Group (Tanzania), Assassin Management and Promotion (UK), British & Irish Boxing Authority (UK), UK Wrestling and Boxing TV (UK).

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I Want To Prove To The World I Can Beat McAllister Says Djarbeng Ahead of 29th May Rematch – Live on FITE & VIVA LIVE

by adminNews

Back in October 2019 Aberdeen’s Lee McAllister and Accra, Ghana’s Richmond Djarbeng locked horns for the World Boxing Union (WBU) Super Welterweight World Crown, and it was the Aberdeen Assassin that held the WBU Championship belt aloft afterwards.

Earlier this year McAllister travelled to Ghana, where he fought and beat Collison Corley, much to the chagrin of Djarbeng, who clearly felt it should have been him, as the Ghanaian had been calling for a rematch ever since the 2019 defeat.

Djarbeng, who had been highly vocal about his performance back in 2019, said in a recent interview with GNA Sports;

“I am grateful for this opportunity to come and redeem myself and get the win I deserve.

“Since we fought I have won both my fights inside the distance.

“I broke my finger in the run-up to the last fight, I should not have fought, but did.

“He isn’t big enough or strong enough at the weight to beat me when I’m fully prepared to fight, and I am this time.

“He knows I’m too big and strong for him and I want to prove to the world I can beat him.”

Lee McAllister versus Richmond Djarbeng – The Rematch, will co-headline the globally broadcast LET BATTLE COMMENCE IV, in association with ACREO, Bounty Competitions, Empire Pro Tape and Go Sports & Entertainment, along with World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Welterweight Champion Neeraj Goyat who will face Tackie Annan on the 29th May.

LET BATTLE COMMENCE IV, is the fourth instalment of the all action series that was developed to provide professional boxing competition created for TV during the global pandemic in 2020. 

Joining the much lauded duo McAllister and Goyat on the 29th May 2021 LET BATTLE COMMENCE IV are;

PBC/WBU International Super Lightweight Champion Nathan Beattie, who will go toe to toe with Dundalk, Ireland’s Michael Kelly,  rising unbeaten Featherweight prospect Kevin Traynor will face debuting Levi Lee, stylish unbeaten Heavyweight prospect Craig Dick takes on Tomas Vaicickas, local Heavyweight Liam Allan makes his second professional outing against Belfast’s Darren Burns and former amateur star Angelica Finch, whowill making her second pro outing, is pitted against Carly Mackenzie.

LET BATTLE COMMENCE IV, in association with ACREO, Bounty Competitions, Empire Pro Tape and Go Sports & Entertainment, is co-headlined by Lee McAllister versus Richmond Djabeng and Neeraj Goyat versus Tackie Annan will take place behind closed doors at the Northern Hotel, Aberdeen on the 29th May 2021 and will be broadcast live on FITE and VIVA LIVE TV as well as further linear and digital channels globally (please check local listings)

#LetBattleCommence

www.letbattlecommence.com

Twitter: @commencebattle

Facebook: @letbattlecommence2020

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‘THE EAGLE’ CHARLIE EDWARDS FEELS REVITALISED AFTER MIGRATION TO PORTUGAL

by adminPress Releases
‘THE EAGLE’ Charlie Edwards has migrated to Portugal and believes his new nest in the Algarve is the ideal base as he plots his flight to the top of the super-flyweight division.

The former WBC World Flyweight champion Edwards, 28, moved to Vilamoura with his wife Kristin and their baby daughter Sofia last month.Charlie jumped two weights to Bantamweight for his Queensberry debut last September when he outpointed Kyle Williams but is planning an attack on the 115lb Super-flyweight division when he returns to action.

Charlie said: “This is the first time in 17 years that I have taken two months off completely. It has given me a new drive, new hunger and new ambition.

“I am training now and going to start more boxing training so I can get my flow back.

“This journey is going to excite me even more. Right now, I am in a very good place and I’m looking forward to getting back in.

“My plan is to have a tough ten or twelve rounder for an International title when I return and then kick on.

“I have been back punching, doing little bits, strength work and feel revitalised. I have lost nothing.

“It has been nice to reset myself and move to a country where I feel happy and confident in myself again.

“The plan is to stay here in Portugal. My Missus and I have decided to move the family here. We want our daughter to grow up in a nice environment.

“Becoming a Dad has been challenging. Being locked down in England wasn’t the best thing for us so coming out here has me happy and thriving.

“Once our house has been sorted, which will be sooner rather than later, I can push on with my career.”

Edwards revealed he has left the Steel City gym in Sheffield where he was trained by Grant Smith and will do most of his training in Portugal.

He will either base himself in England or the United States for the final eight weeks of camp.

He explained: “I have a number of ideas and thoughts in my head and I am not going to rush. I have a friend who trains coming out here to get me fight fit.

“I have achieved all that I have set out to achieve on my career bucket list in the UK so I would like to train here, set up my own gym and eight weeks before a fight I may go to America.

“I also have another British coach in mind who I do want to try out in the UK but I don’t want to go into details yet.”

Edwards (16-1, 6KOs) admits he suffered mentally with the stresses of getting down to Flyweight and the Croydon man relinquished his World title shortly after a no-contest against Julio Cesar Martinez in August 2019.

He said: “I have left the dark days behind me. I suffered a little bit especially around the Martinez fight – making Flyweight and putting my health on the line.

“I wasn’t enjoying it and fell into a bit of depression with the boxing side of things through having to make that light weight.

“I came out of the other side and it was still a challenge getting through to my next fight which was my Frank Warren debut.

“I got through that, won every round, jumping two weights to Bantamweight and now I’m in Portugal I feel happy, revitalised and like the old Charlie Edwards where I can dedicate myself.

“When I do get back I will go away, focus and reach the top levels again.”
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A Class Act – Tanzania’s Sensational Ibrahim Class In Action Live on PLUS TV/FITE/VIVA LIVE May 28th.

by adminNews

On Friday 28th May 2021 Global Boxing Stars, The Jackson Group and Epic Sports & Entertainment, in association with the Tanzania Tourist Board #VisitTanzania, KCB Bank, Onomo Hotels, Urban Soul Apparel (Botswana) and M Bet, will be presenting the second event of the ground breaking Rumble In Dar Series of Professional Boxing Events that will take place at the Next Door Arena in Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

Back in January the opening stanza of the Rumble in Dar series enthralled boxing fans around the world with an incredible evening of boxing featuring world stars such as Bulgaria’s Tervel Pulev and American Shawn Miller amongst others, that concluded with Tanzania’s very own Ibrahim Class securing the World Boxing Federation (WBF) intercontinental championship after a 12 round Battle Royale with seriously tough South Africa based Malawian Denis ‘The Menace’ Mwale.

This sensational victory not only earned Class many new supporters around the world but also the opportunity to thrill the fans once more on the 28th May as the promoters of the event were so impressed with his performance back in January that they felt they just couldn’t not have him on the card.

“In my opinion Class showed his class In the main event at the rumble in Dar January edition . 

“I was very impressed by his composure and how he confidently figured out a very tough and skilfully gifted opponent in Mwale, and took the Unanimous decision victory.  

“Again we are expecting another great performance from Class on the 28th of May. 

“If he is successful I would like to see him step up and fight In the USA or Europe and take his skills to the next level” said Scott Patrick Farrell CEO of Global Boxing Stars

Rumble in Dar 2 will be headlined by Tanzania’s Hassan Mwakinyo (18-2-0) versus Zimbabwe’s Brendon Denes (8-0-0) for the World Boxing Council (WBC) African Boxing Union Super Welterweight Championship.

The co-main event features Nigeria’s Olanrewaju Durodola (34-8-0) versus Tanzania’s Shaban Jongo (8-1-2) for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Africa Boxing Union Cruiserweight Championship.

The stellar undercard features closely matched international fights:

8 Round Super Featherweight Contest: Tanzania’s Ibrahim Class (25-6-0) versus South Africa’s Sibusiso Zingange (14-4-2)

6 Round Heavyweight Contest: South Africa’s Chris Thompson (4-0-0) versus Malawi’s Limbani Lano (14-4-2)

4 Round Heavyweight Contest: South Africa’s Ardi Ndembo (2-0-0) versus Zimbabwe’s Simon Madhanire (1-2-1)

4 Round Super Lightweight Contest: Bulgaria’s Joana Nwamerue (3-0-0) versus Zimbabwe’s Monalisa Madhanire (5-9-0)

4 Round Heavyweight Contest: Bulgaria’s Pencho Tsevtkov (4-0-0) versus Zimbabwe’s Nowel Mpofu (0-2-0)

The second edition of the Rumble in Dar series, in association with the Tanzania Tourist Board #VisitTanzania, KCB Bank, Onomo Hotels, Urban Soul Apparel (Botswana) and M Bet, takes place at the Next Door Arena on Friday 28th May 2021 and will be broadcast live across Sub-Saharan Africa exclusively by Plus TV, which is available exclusively on DSTV channel number 294 in more than 30 African countries, throughout USA and Central America on VIVA LIVE as well as syndicated globally to linear and digital channels (check local channel listings) and on-line at FITE TV.

#VisitTanzania

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BUATSI VICIOUSLY KNOCKS OUT DOS SANTOS

by adminChampionship News
10 x 3 mins WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title
JOSHUA BUATSI WKO4 (2:44) v DANIEL BLENDA DOS SANTOS
(Croydon, England)                       (Pont-Sainte-Maxence, France)

Joshua Buatsi viciously knocked out Daniel Blenda Dos Santos in four rounds to retain his WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title at the AO Arena, Manchester, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.The former Olympian won the battle of undefeated 175lbs contenders with a brutal overhand right which slumped his rival to the canvas two minutes and 44 seconds into the fourth session. Buatsi had veteran trainer Virgil Hunter in his corner for the first time and the resounding result puts him on a collision course with the division’s best.“I hope he’s okay,” Buatsi told Matchroom. “We’ve seen this happen to many fighters. You box someone they say you’re levels above and it’s a banana skin situation. I’m glad I handled it. The most important thing is I hope he’s okay. We’ve seen these type of fighters come and cause upsets recently and I was adamant it wasn’t going to happen to me. I’m glad it went well.

“I remain optimistic all of the time in the moves that I make and this is one of them. We will have a week or so off and then we’re back in the gym to keep building. Going in we had little footage of him. Usually you can watch who you’re going to fight to get a feel. He looked very good in the one bit of footage we had of him. I had to learn round by round what he was like.

“Virgil gave me the perfect instructions and I followed them. I haven’t got here by being given it. The little that I’ve earnt, I had to work hard for it. I thank god for everything that we’ve got but I work hard for it. When I step in that ring it’s a dog mentality. This is a fight. I’m here to take everything. We’re here to win but we’re not here to hurt anyone. The time that we’re in the ring, yes, we want to win, and we want to entertain. We’re not here to hurt anyone in the long-term.”

12 x 3 mins vacant European Super-Middleweight Title
LERRONE RICHARDS WUD12 (120-108, 120-108, 119-109) v GIOVANNI DE CAROLIS
(New Malden, England)                                                               (Viterbo, Italy)The skilful Lerrone Richards comprehensively out-boxed Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis to claim the vacant European Super-Middleweight Title.Richards, who had previously won British and Commonwealth honours, ran rings around De Carolis to secure a unanimous decision.De Carolis, a former WBA World Champion, could not lay a glove on Richards who is now unbeaten in 15.”I said I was going to conquer Europe, and I’ve done it,” Richards told Matchroom. “I’m very pleased and I’m very happy. I wanted this so bad to complete the collection. British, Commonwealth and now the European Super-Middleweight Champion. I’m very happy.

“It’s all of the drilling and all of the work in the gym. I’d like to thank my team – Dave Coldwell, Danny Wilson and my nutritionist Lee for getting me in the best shape possible for this fight. I’m going to be very difficult to beat. I said this from the start. It’s all about the skills, and I have them in abundance. I showcased a little bit of that tonight.

“There were points in the fight where I decided to sit in the pocket and work with him. I could have gone up the gears a little bit more tonight. I felt like what I was doing was enough. My team are very happy with my performance.

“I started from the bottom and worked my way up – I backed myself. There’s something to learn at every level. We’ll see what the team says the best options are for me. The next step now is fringe world level.”

12 x 3 mins European Super-Bantamweight Title 
GAMAL YAFAI v JASON CUNNINGHAM WUD12 (115-110, 114-111, 114-111)
(Birmingham, England)    (Doncaster, England)Jason Cunningham upset Gamal Yafai by knocking him down three times to surprisingly claim his European Super-Bantamweight Title via unanimous decision.

Yafai was down in the second, fourth and sixth rounds and spent the rest of the fight desperately trying to salvage his belt, but to no avail.“We’re buzzing,” said Cunningham. “We’re from a little town called Doncaster. We’ve got a British, European and World Champion – that’s some doing that. In at three weeks’ notice – I won my second Commonwealth Title at three weeks’ notice. They tried catching me out tonight, I don’t care what anyone says – that’s what they’ve done. 

“I’ve stayed prepared, stayed disciplined and dedicated. This is what happens when you stick to it. I was in this venue last time I had a big fight against Michael Conlan. I pushed Michael Conlan hard. I had to grit in late on tonight – he hurt me a few times to the body. I’ll never quit. It’s my boxing ability that sets me above the rest. I’m an awkward tall southpaw.

“I said I knew I had the tools to do it. I said I’d have done a better job if I had more notice but to be fair, I dropped him three times and it was quite comfortable really. I knew to keep calm and carry on what I was doing. I stuck to it and this is my reward. I made a lot of people in Doncaster a lot of money tonight.

“I showed my class, I was levels above him in terms of boxing ability. Usually you get a good ten weeks’ notice for a European Title fight – it was the biggest fight of my life. I’ve been out of the ring since February last year. Tonight was just my night, I knew I was all wrong for him.”

12 x 3 mins European Cruiserweight Title
TOMMY MCCARTHY WKO6 (2:09) v ALEXANDRU JUR
(Belfast, Northern Ireland)                  (Oradea, Romania)

Tommy McCarthy successfully defended his European Cruiserweight Title for the first time by stopping Alexandru Jur in the sixth round, twice flooring him with body shots.

‘Mac Attack’ is now set to face Bournemouth’s Commonwealth Champion Chris Billam-Smith at Matchroom’s next Fight Camp instalment this summer. 

“I’m delighted,” McCarthy told Matchroom. “I got a few rounds in and a stoppage. I got everything that I wanted. We prepared for Jur to give me a good test. I don’t think he expected me to come out the way that I did. It threw him off a bit. I can’t complain.

“I thought it was all over after the first knockdown. Feinted to the head, left hook to the body and he went over. He went into survival mode after that. It was the same again with the next one. I’ve been working hard with my team all through camp. We’ve been doing all sorts of drills. We’ve been working on being explosive. The S and C training was all focused on me being explosive. I’m a hard puncher.

“Everything was perfect this camp – no injuries. I was driving them shots through him, it was great. The pandemic has been great for me, I’ve kept my head down, stayed in the gym and worked on my whole game. I hope everybody is buzzing back home in Belfast.

“I’ve got no problem fighting Chris Billam-Smith, it’s easy work. If this is the hurdle that I have to jump over for a World Title fight, then so be it. Chris Billam-Smith, stop Tweeting about me, stop talking about me – we’ll see you at Fight Camp.”

10 x 3 mins vacant English Super-Lightweight Title
DALTON SMITH WTKO6 (2:44) v LEE APPLEYARD
(Sheffield, England)                      (Rotherham, England)Dalton Smith claimed the vacant English Super-Lightweight Title by dominating Lee Appleyard and forcing a sixth-round stoppage.The referee stepped in with Appleyard still on his feet when Smith’s onslaught became too much, progressing the 24-year-old’s record to 8-0 (7 KO’s).“I’ve got my first professional Title,” said Smith. “I’ve dreamt about this since I was a little boy. I’m English Champion! It’s the starting block for me. When the fight first got announced, I thought, ‘it’s just an English Title’, but now I’ve got it it’s like, ‘wow, I’m a professional Champion now’. It feels good.

“All credit to Lee – he’s one tough kid. I was prepared for a fast-paced ten rounds tonight, but he was just taking a few too many shots in there. I’m good friends with Lee out of the ring. When you go in there it’s just business. I could see his face was getting bust up pretty bad. I kind of felt sorry for him in a way. I’ve got respect for him. I knew eventually the shots would come and I knew he wasn’t going to last long.

“I’m happy with my performance. You want to win in style. The knockouts are good. We want to win but we don’t want anyone to come out of there hurt. People forget that was my eighth pro fight there. Lee is an experienced guy and he’s been in with some top kids. He’s been those championship rounds.

“I’m taking my time, I’m 24. I’ve got one shot at boxing; I want to make sure that I do it right. I’m not in there with no mugs – they’re real contenders. That was a good step up and I proved what I’m about. I’m not a championship round fighter yet. Kay Prosper just boxed for the European Title – they’re the type of fights that I want. I want to get those championship rounds in, I’m in a tough division. Maybe I’ll get over to the States in my next fight, get a bit of experience over there. I’d love to do that.”

6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
SOLOMON DACRES WPTS6 (60-54) v MLADEN MANEV
(Birmingham, England)                          (Sofia, Bulgaria)

Birmingham Heavyweight Solomon Dacres won his first professional fight on points by battering Bulgaria’s Mladen Manev for six rounds.

The former Team GB standout, who has shared sparring with the likes of Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua and European Champion Joe Joyce, completely dominated Manev, earning a 60-54 decision from the referee. 

“It was good to get six rounds under my belt,” Dacres told Matchroom. “I know a lot of people like to get the big Heavyweights that get them out of there in one round, but you don’t learn much from that. I got to show my skills. I didn’t just go for all power. I’ve got plenty more in the tank, so it was good to get the rounds in.

“I showed my hand speed at times. I showed I can box. I didn’t rush it. I’ve varied the power up. It’s all building up. We’re training to be a twelve-round fighter, not just a one or two round knockout artist. You don’t gain much from getting someone that is going to fall over after a round. Six tough rounds, I got to go through the gears, show a bit of what I’m about and learn a little bit as well.

“I was pretty relaxed to be honest. I’ve had plenty of amateur fights. I know that I prepared very hard. It felt good to get in there. Hard work is at the route of it all. If you put that hard work and dedication in, the sky is the limit. I’ll keep putting my head down in the gym and performing in the ring.”

4 x 2 mins International Super-Welterweight contest
ELLIS HOPKINS WPTS4 (40-36) v BORISLAVA GORANOVA
(Leicestershire, England)               (Sofia, Bulgaria)
 
Leicestershire’s Ellis Hopkins made a winning to start to life in the professional ranks, comfortably outpointing Bulgaria’s seasoned veteran Borislava 40-36 in the opening bout of the night. 

Hopkins, 20, is the first female professional boxer from the traveller community and hopes to inspire a new generation of girls to follow in her footsteps. 

“It was a good performance, I got going in the last two rounds,” Hopkins told Matchroom. “I’m just glad to get the first one out of the way, and on such a big platform. I couldn’t be more thankful to Matchroom and MTK for giving me the opportunity.

“She was tough, you can tell she’s experienced by the way she knew how to hold on every time I caught her. Becoming the first ever female from the travelling community to turn professional is a very big achievement and I hope I can inspire more young girls to do the same.

“It’s the perfect time to turn over, women’s boxing is going from strength to strength at the moment. I just want to get as many fights under my belt as I can this year and next year we’ll push for Titles.”
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MCCARTHY: I CAN’T AFFORD ANY SLIP UPS

by adminChampionship News
‘Mac Attack’ makes first defence of EBU Cruiserweight crown
Tommy McCarthy knows he can’t afford any slip ups when he puts his European Cruiserweight Title on the line for the first time against Romania’s Alexandru Jur tomorrow nightat the AO Arena, Manchester, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.

Belfast’s McCarthy landed the EBU strap after a hard-fought majority decision victory over Bilal Laggoune on the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora undercard at The SSE Arena, Wembley back in October. 
 
McCarthy’s stablemate James Tennyson, who also found himself on the verge of World Title action after a run of explosive knockouts, suffered a shock stoppage defeat last time out at the hands of Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon.
 
‘Mac Attack’ says watching his countryman fall short earlier this month has made him “switch on even more” as he looks to continue his push towards World Title action. 
 
“I’ve been saying all week I’m expecting a tough test,” said McCarthy. “He’s got all the experience and boxed at the championship level for some time. He looks in good shape, it seems like he’s had a good camp and he seems like he wants to do his talking in the ring so I’m even more nervous.
 
“I was prepared for a tough fight but when I saw him [Bilal Laggoune] at the weigh-in he looked like he hadn’t trained properly so I kind of switched off a little bit. When it came to fight night, he was ready to go so he pushed me. There are no easy fights when you’re fighting for the European Title, at the time he was number seven in the world. It was a big win for me, a big confidence boost and I’m delighted I came out the winner.
 
“There’s so much potential for a massive future ahead of me, I need to put all of that in the back of my mind. James Tennyson, we’re from the same place, everything was set up for him to go onto bigger and better things but it didn’t go his way. That’s made me switch on even more, put anything past this out of my mind because this is going to be a tough fight on Saturday, and I can’t afford any slip ups.”

McCarthy vs. Jur is part of a big night of action in Manchester, Joshua Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) fights under Virgil Hunter for the first time against unbeaten Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos (15-0, 8 KOs),three European Title fights feature on the bill with Gamal Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) defending his Super-Bantamweight Title for the first time against Jason Cunningham (28-6, 6 KOs) and Lerrone Richards (14-0, 3 KOs) taking on Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis (28-9-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant Super-Middleweight strap, Dalton Smith (7-0, 6 KOs) takes on Lee Appleyard (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant English Super-Lightweight Title, Birmingham Heavyweight Solomon Dacres makes his professional debut and Ellis Hopkins makes history when she becomes the first female from the traveller community to turn professional.
 
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BUATSI VS. DOS SANTOS WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER

by adminChampionship News

17:15 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK

4 x 2 mins International Super-Welterweight contest
ELLIS HOPKINS 11st 0lbs 8ozv BORISLAVA GORANOVA 11st 2lbs 10oz
(Leicestershire, England)            (Sofia, Bulgaria)

Followed by

18:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS/DAZN

6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
SOLOMON DACRES 15st 12lbs 11ozv MLADEN MANEV 16st 9lbs 0oz
(Birmingham, England)                          (Sofia, Bulgaria)

Followed by

10 x 3 mins vacant English Super-Lightweight Title
DALTON SMITH 9st 13lbs 9oz v LEE APPLEYARD 9st 13lbs 11oz
(Sheffield, England)                     (Rotherham, England)

Followed by

12 x 3 mins European Cruiserweight Title
TOMMY MCCARTHY 14st 3lbs 4oz v ALEXANDRU JUR 14st 2lbs 7oz
(Belfast, Northern Ireland)                 (Oradea, Romania)

Followed by

12 x 3 mins European Super-Bantamweight Title 
GAMAL YAFAI 8st 9lbs 10oz v JASON CUNNINGHAM 8st 9lbs 8oz
(Birmingham, England)             (Doncaster, England)

Followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant European Super-Middleweight Title
LERRONE RICHARDS 11st 12lbs 10oz v GIOVANNI DE CAROLIS 11st 13lbs 4oz
(New Malden, England)                             (Viterbo, Italy)

Followed by

10 x 3 mins WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title
JOSHUA BUATSI 12st 6lbs 0ozv DANIEL BLENDA DOS SANTOS 12st 4lbs 12oz
(Croydon, England)                       (Pont-Sainte-Maxence, France)

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EGGINGTON GUNNING TO KO MOLINA AND DELIVER A STATEMENT TO 160 POUND DIVISION

by adminPress Releases
Sam Eggington believes a knockout or stoppage of former World Champion ‘King’ Carlos Molina will send a big statement to the middleweight division that he is ready to challenge for a World title next.

The Birmingham puncher is fired up like never before as he heads into battle with the Mexican hardman, who has never been stopped in 50 fights, on Saturday 22nd May at the Coventry Skydome Arena, exclusively live and free on Channel 5.

With the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship on the line, Eggington aims to grab the title with both hands to ensure a high ranking in the WBC that will place him in prime position to challenge for a World title.

Iron-fisted Eggington knows that a devastating performance – similar to his six round brutal destruction of Ashley Theophane last December – will send a red warning to the elite 160 pound operators that he is hammering on the door.It’s been a long-time coming for the British, Commonwealth, European and International Champion in his near decade in the sport, but Eggington can sense that his moment at ultimate glory is near.

The 27-year-old aims to do what former hard-hitting World Champions Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Mike Alvarado and Cornelius Bundrage couldn’t do and be the first man to stop the granite-chinned warrior from Patzcuaro, Michoacán de Ocampo.

Eggington said, “The plan is to stop him.  That’s plan A, I want the stoppage without a doubt.  Plan B, I’m trained and ready to go twelve with him if I need to.  They are the two eventualities I’m prepared for.  With the way I fight I can’t see this going the distance.  He comes to fight also and he’ll come straight to me so that will be perfect,”

“I haven’t watched too much of Molina, I leave that to my trainer Jon Pegg and my team, I’ve watched maybe 20 or 30 seconds of him here or there during the camp.  I’m not a fan of studying fights intently, I just like to go in and do the business on the night.  All I know is that he’s a Mexican, he’s a former World Champion, he’s fought some very good names and he’s got a solid chin, that’s all I need to know to get me fired up and I’ve got to be at my very best,”

“It will be real statement to the other middleweight champions, without a doubt. You don’t get to 50 fights against the level Molina’s been in with and not get stopped for no reason.  So I definitely hope to change that.  I believe it sends a message to rest of division, but one things for sure it will definitely make me feel better knowing that I was the first.  The World title is in my thoughts but the most important thought right now is that I have to beat Molina otherwise it won’t happen. Simple.”
Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan, Everlast and King Carlos Promotions, Eggington v Molina will headline the exciting nine-fight card exclusively live and free-to-air across the UK and Ireland on Channel 5.

Main event features Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington (29-7-0, 17 KO’s) against Mexico’s hard-as-nails Carlos Molina (37-11-2, 12 KO’s) for the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship. 

Chief support features a cracking showdown between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin (11-1-1, 2 KO’s) and Dumbarton’s Martin Harkin (13-1-0, 5 KO’s) in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship (Subject to BBBofC approval).

Also on the card, Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) makes the first defence of his Midlands Area Middleweight title against Derby’s George Farrell (5-0-0, 1 KO). 

Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters  (14-1-0, 4 KO’s) has his first back against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-2-0, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder since losing his title to Craig Richards last December. 

County Monaghan super-lightweight dynamo Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna (7-0-0, 7 KO’s) features in a six-rounder, but the undefeated red-hot 24-year-old prospect has not needed to go the distance yet with all his fights ending inside. 

Birmingham middleweight bombshell Idris ‘The Bodybreaker’ Virgo (9-0-1, 1 KO) goes in over six-rounds. 

Sevenoaks all-action super-welterweight  Michael Hennessy Jr. (5-1-1) is in a six-rounder against Warminster’s Paul Cummings. 

Irish super-welterweight ace Brett McGinty (1-0) follows up his thrilling pro debut last December when he features in a four-rounder against Islington’s Jordan Grannum. 

Brighton heavyweight talent Tommy Welch (1-0-0, 1 KO), son of the former British, Commonwealth and World Heavyweight title challenger Scott, follow’s up his explosive debut last December when he stopped Matt Gordon in the second round and features in a four-round contest.

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports
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