TKO Box Office Boxing News

Irish Champ Lee Murtagh Ready For Capital Debut On July 5th

Irish Light Middleweight Champion Lee Murtagh is the latest addition to the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ extravaganza at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday 5th July.

On his most recent defense, Murtagh, who won the Irish title back in July 2012, after Joe Hillerby retired with a dislocated shoulder, was involved in a classic toe-to-toe Battle Royale with Ballyclare’s Willie Thompson.

Right from the off, both protagonists battled for control of centre ring, which was just fine for the raucous Ulster Hall crowd, who always enjoy a good old fashioned war.

Besides some questionable use of the head by Thompson, the bout was a small hall classic, after ten all action rounds the man that matters, referee Paul McCullagh, scored the bout a very close 96-95, in favour of Murtagh.

On the 5th July, London’s fight fans get their first chance to watch fifty fight veteran Murtagh in action, as surprisingly it’s only now that he makes his very first appearance at York Hall.

On the night Murtagh will be campaigning in a six round bout, loosely described as a warm up, as part of his preparations for a shot at the IBO Light Middleweight Inter-Continental title in October.

Leeds based Murtagh joins fellow countrymen, WBU Lightweight World Champion Stephen Ormond and Steve Collins, no not the legendary ‘Celtic Warrior’ but his son Steve Jr.

Keeping the Irish theme Manchester based Maxine McCarthy makes her most welcome return to the ring, against Julija Cvetkova.

Speaking from his Leeds home Murtagh spoke briefly on his joy of fighting at the York Hall for the first time.

“I didn’t expect to be fighting in the UK again, so am really overjoyed to be fighting at York Hall on July 5th.

The show might be in London but there’s a heavy Irish presence. Besides myself Stephen Ormond and Steve Collins Jr. are also fighting and I’ve just heard that Maxine McCarthy has been added to the card, so there’ll be four of us there.

This will be my first outing this year, but from what I’ve been told by promoter Dave Murphy it definitely isn’t my last. He’s told me he already has a title fight lined up for me in October.

I don’t know who I’m fighting yet, but that doesn’t matter as I’m ready for anyone.

My training camp has been first class so I know I’m going to be a hundred percent ready.

I’m gonna go out there and put in a really good performance on the 5th July, I want an impressive win to show the fans what to expect when I fight for the title in October.”

Lee Murtagh versus a yet to be named opponent is set to feature on the support card of the historic Female Light Middleweight World Championship battle between Jennifer Retzke and Angel McKenzie headlines the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 5th July 2013.

Tickets, priced £30 (Gallery), £35 (Ground floor standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com – www.mariannemarston.com – www.acourtier.com – or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town – www.tkoboxinggym.com – and Ringtone Gym in Euston – www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com – or from any of the boxers taking part in the event, or call – 07960 850645, 07809 499896 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.acourtier.com

CHISORA FACES UNBEATEN AMERICAN MALIK SCOTT

Britain’s Dereck Chisora will clash with unbeaten American Malik Scott in an exciting heavyweight showdown at Wembley Arena on Saturday 20th July.

The fight tops an action-packed show that also features the IBF Intercontinental Super-Bantamweight Champion Carl Frampton; a potential thriller between Gary O’Sullivan and Billy Joe Saunders with O’Sullivan’s WBO International Middleweight title on the line, plus super-flyweight ace Paul Butler, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Former world title challenger Chisora is on the road back to a second title shot and a win against the dangerous Philadelphian will put the Finchley puncher back in a strong position to land a world title opportunity.

Unbeaten American, Deontay Wilder, was announced as the original opponent, but his subsequent arrest for domestic battery and his inability to travel outside of the US meant that promoter Frank Warren had to scrap that fight and reschedule the show.

Offers had been made to some of the world’s leading heavyweights including Manuel Charr and Fres Oquendo who both turned the fight down, as did Tyson Fury – who was offered a career best payday for a rematch – and Tomasz Adamek.

Last week Goossen Tutor Promotions, Scott’s promoters, said that Malik was ready and willing to leave the US and face Chisora in England.

The 6ft 4in, athletically built, Scott comes into the fight with a top record of 35 wins from 36 and in his last fight he was awarded a controversial draw against unbeaten Ukrainian prospect Vyacheslav Glazkov in a fight that many at ringside felt he had won.

Warren, who has worked hard to secure Scott after the disappointment with Wilder said, “This is an exciting heavyweight fight. We have made offers to many of the top heavyweights, but it was Scott who called Chisora out and wants the fight so now he’s got his wish.”

Chisora added, “I can’t wait for the fight. Scott is a great name to have on my record, he’s big, unbeaten and dangerous I’m just looking forward to going out there and doing a real good job on him. I’m disappointed that the other guys turned the opportunity down, but I will make a real statement against Scott and show that I’m back on track for the world title.”

Chief support on the card sees the highly anticipated and potentially explosive showdown between O’Sullivan from Dublin and Hatfield’s Saunders with O’Sullivan’s WBO International Middleweight title and both their unbeaten records on the line.

One of Britain’s hottest and most exciting young prospects, unbeaten Ellesmere Port’s Paul Butler, will get to show off his incredible talent twice in a month when he features first at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday 28th June in a challenge for the Vacant WBO Intercontinental Super-Flyweight title. Providing Butler, who also holds the British and Commonwealth titles, comes through unscathed he will then feature on the Wembley Arena card as originally announced.

Unbeaten London super-middleweight star Frank Buglioni continues his meteoric rise and features in an eight-round contest on the undercard as he targets a first title shot. The hard-hitting 24-year-old made it six KO’s out of eight fights with his third round KO of Darren McKenna last time out at Wembley Arena.

An action-packed undercard features unbeaten light-heavyweight and 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion Calum Johnson from Boston; undefeated welterweight and 2008 Olympian/2007 World Amateur Championship Bronze Medalist Bradley Saunders; Southern Area Welterweight Champion Bradley Skeete; Former Southern Area Light-Middleweight Champion Steve O’Meara; Wembley Light-Welterweight Gary Corcoran; Harrow Weald Super-Featherweight Mitchell Smith; Canning Town lightweight Billy Morgan; Chingford’s unbeaten Tom Baker and Bowers Gifford John Dignum clash over four rounds at middleweight; plus Islington super-featherweight Joey Taylor.

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £70, £100 and £150 are available now from www.tkoboxoffice.com

IRISH ACE FRAMPTON ON BIG WEMBLEY SHOW

Promoter Frank Warren is delighted to announce that top Irish talent Carl Frampton will feature on his big show at Wembley Arena on Saturday 20th July, making his debut on the Channel Of Champions BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

All-action Frampton from Tigers Bay, Belfast, is the reigning European, Commonwealth and IBF Intercontinental Super-Bantamweight Champion with an undefeated record of 16 fights and 11 knockouts and is top-ten ranked in three of the major world governing bodies.

The 26-year-old has excited the media and fans’ with his hard-hitting performance and has marked himself out as one of the premier talents in British and Irish boxing as he continues his march towards a world title shot.

After a sparkling amateur career that saw him win 150 fights, two Irish Senior titles, the Ahmert Comert Tournament Gold Medal and the EU Silver Medal, he turned professional in 2009 with Irish great Barry McGuigan – the former WBA World Featherweight Champion.

Frampton raced to 8-0 before winning his first title – the Celtic Super-Bantamweight Championship – in his only ninth fight, stopping Gavin Reid in two rounds. Two fights later he stopped Mark Quon in the fourth round with a powerful performance to win the Commonwealth title. He captured the IBF Intercontinental belt in his 14th fight against the tough unbeaten Mexican Raul Hirales, winning every round in his first 12 round contest. His last fight against Kiko Martinez in February this year is his biggest career win to date when he became the first man to stop the Spaniard with a devastating ninth round stoppage to take the European title.

He will defend his IBF Intercontinental title on a stacked Wembley Arena card alongside Dereck Chisora who takes on unbeaten American Malik Scott in an exciting heavyweight showdown; Gary O’Sullivan and Billy Joe Saunders who clash in a battle of the undefeated fighters with O’Sullivan’s WBO International Middleweight title on the line, plus boxing’s newest sensation Paul Butler in a WBO International Super-Flyweight title fight.

Frampton is excited to be boxing in London on the Hall of Fame promoter’s big show. He said, “I’m really excited to be on the show at Wembley and for the opportunity to be showcased on great channel like BoxNation. I want to be a world champion and BoxNation will give me the platform to do it. I’ve got to keep winning and doing the business, but this is great time for me.”

Warren is equally thrilled to have the world class talent on his show. He said, “I’m really pleased that Carl will be on the Wembley Arena show on a great night of action with some of Britain’s best boxers. Carl has impressed me with his thrilling performances and is a world class fighter on the verge of fighting for the world title and I’m delighted that it will all be on BoxNation. Barry McGuigan had some fantastic fight nights in Belfast and BoxNation viewers can look forward to the same with Carl.”

McGuigan added, “This is an exciting time for Carl and I’m absolutely delighted for him. Carl is a superb fighter, he thrills the fans with his performances, and he has knockout power with both hands. He really has the X-Factor and it’s going to be an exciting ride to the world title.”

Tickets for the Wembley Arena show, priced at £40, £50, £70, £100 and £150 are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call 07960 850645

KO Kid Lama Ready For Studzinski Test On June 1st.

TRAD TKO’s London based prospect Festim Lama gets his second pro outing, on Johnny Eames’ TKO Events promoted ‘Two Tribes’ show at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London this coming Saturday, the 1st June.

On his pro debut, back in February, Lama impressed the York Hall crowd with his no nonsense approach to the noble art. The 23 year old comfortably controlled Didier Blanch, from a centre ring position, before sensationally stopping the Newcastle man, with a vicious body shot, early in the third round.

Anyone that had followed Lama as an amateur wouldn’t have been surprised at the way he clinically disposed of Blanch, as it seems to be par of the course for the youngster.

As an amateur Lama only fought about 20 times, only losing once, the win ratio is first class but the statistic that is most impressive is that around fifteen of those wins was by way of stoppage.

Following a training session earlier today Lama took a little time to talk about his upcoming fight, against Robert Studzinski, as well as his previous win over Blanch.

“It’s going to be a strong fight and if he goes for a knockout I will fight him back to the death, you know, so we see how it goes.

My first fight, I knock him out in the third round with a body shot, stoppage, so I win that.

Training’s been going very well, have good trainer, Mo Hussein, I feel comfortable with him, I feel good working with him, I have been learning a lot from him.

Well, I’ve been sparring the Turkish lads, brothers Onder and Shiya Ozgul, and Erick Ochieng, he’s English Champion I think, I sparred him last week.

Tell my fans I am going to give them a good fight, so I hope they are going to come out a support me again.”

Festim Lama feature on the undercard of Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze, which headlines the Johnny Eames promoted ‘Two Tribes Go To War’ event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 1st June 2013.

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available on line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town or from direct from Freddie or any of the fighters taking part.

www.tkoboxinggym.com

Mathis Returns In Super Welterweight WBF World Title Fight

For years she was considered one of the best, if not the best, pound-for-pound female boxers in the world, but after losing decisions to Holly Holm and Cecilia Braekhus in back-to-back welterweight world title fights, Anne Sophie Mathis, 26-3 (22), is now on a mission to get back to the top.

On June 1 at the Salle Roger Boileau in her hometown of Dombasle, France, Mathis will move up in weight to fight Dominican Yahaira Hernandez, 14-4 (8), for the vacant World Boxing Federation World Super Welterweight title, attempting to become a three-weight world champion.

At 35 years of age, and almost eighteen years as a professional, Mathis knows that she is in the twilight of her career, and besides winning the WBF World title at Super Welterweight, she has a clear goal for the near future: Revenge!

“I have fought all the best opponents at Welterweight, so we decided to make a change and move up in weight. But my goal is still to get a rematch with Breakhus”, said Mathis.

“If I win this title, I am back and can negotiate a rematch with Breakhus. Sweet revenge!”

Mathis turned pro in 2005, and won her first world title, at Light Welterweight, the following year. In 2011 she captured the WBF World Welterweight title, which she lost to Holly Holm last year in Albuquerque, USA. Prior to that she had brutally knocked Holm out in their first encounter, but a rubber match is likely never going happen as the American recently announced her retirement.

But Breakhus is still out there, and Mathis is still one of the best in the world. Going on the road to fight the Norwegian girl the first time didn’t scare here, and she is ready to do it again if she gets the chance. And with that in mind, Mathis feels that the Hernandez fight is a very special occasion, saying:

“We chose Dombasle for this fight because it will probably be my last opportunity to fight here, in front of my fans, my friends, my family. Even if it means making financial sacrifices, this is where I want to fight this time!”

In Yahaira Hernandez, Mathis will be in with a tough cookie. Hernandez has the experience, power and skills to give Mathis a tough night! The 25-year-old from Santo Domingo is coming off three knockout victories, and she has only come up short in world title-challenges against some of the best:

In 2007 against Natascha Ragosina at Super Middleweight and Karolina Lukasik at Super Welterweight, in 2008 against Jisselle Salandy at Super Welterweight, and in 2011 against WBF World Champion Christina Hammer at Middleweight.

Having struggled with injuries since the Breakhus loss, Mathis is not underestimating Hernandez:

“This will be a tough fight, and I expect a strong challenge from Hernandez. It was hard dealing with the injuries, but I have been injury-free now for two months and have trained twice a day, so I will be in top shape and ready to take care of her!”

www.worldboxingfederation.net

Zecirevic vs. Khutsisvili WBF Title Fight In Switzerland

Undefeated Enes Zecirevic, from Bosnia and Herzegovina but now based in Switzerland, is set to face Georgian Mikheil Khutsisvili for the vacant World Boxing Federation International Super Middleweight title on Saturday May 25 at the Sporthalle Badbetrieb in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland.

Zecirevic spots an unblemished professional record of 8-0 (6), but must be considered a late bloomer in the sport at 30 years of age. He turned pro in May 2011, and this will be his first championship fight, against what will undoubtedly be his biggest test, in the paid ranks.

24-year-old Khutsisvili, 26-18-5 (10), on the other hand was only seventeen when he dropped the west in 2006, and the fight in Switzerland will amazingly be his 50th professional bout in less than seven years. However, while he has challenged for a few minor titles, this will surely be his most important fight to date.

“I have fought world class boxers, including Martin Murray, Matthew Hatton, Sergey Rabchenko and Jack Culcay, and I know for sure that this guy I am fighting in Switzerland is not as good as those guys”, said Khutsisvili before his departure from Tbilisi airport.

“I have had bad nights and good nights in the ring, but I feel better than ever and has not lost in my last five bouts, so I am confident that I will win this one too!”

The Enes Zecirevic vs. Mikheil Khutsisvili WBF International Super Middleweight title fight will be promoted by Team CALE Boxing Promotion and Leonardo Caputo.

www.worldboxingfederation.net

Grant, Takam Ready to Clash In Noisy-le-Grand

World Boxing Federation World Heavyweight Champion Michael Grant is ready to make his first title-defence in the hometown of tough challenger Carlos Takam on Friday May 24.

The pair will clash at the Gymnase du Clos de l’Arche in Noisy-le-Grand, France, on a show promoted by accomplished and respected promoter Joseph Germain.

Grant, 48-4 (36), has been on the sidelines waiting for a chance to defend his title since winning it against Francois Botha in South Africa in November 2011, and the massive American is reportedly in great shape and eager to return to action.

Carlos Takam, 27-1 (21), is the reigning WBF International champion, a title he captured in March 2012 by stopping the aforementioned Botha in eleven rounds, one round quicker than Grant. The Cameroon-born 2004 Olympian has since tuned up for what will be his careers biggest fight by scoring two non-title victories.

The Michael Grant vs. Carlos Takam World Boxing Federation World Heavyweight title fight is a classic confrontation of big-name champion fighting to stay on top, against a hungry challenger looking to make a name for himself by dethroning the champion.

Both are big punchers, so the spectators in Noisy-le-Grand can look forward to an explosive evening of World Championship boxing!

www.worldboxingfederation.net

Lynes Wants Another Title Shot, But First Faces Sutidze At York Hall On 1st June

Back in May 2012 Colin Lynes lost his British Welterweight crown to Junior Witter, in an extremely close fought battle at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre in Sheffield. At the time many expected Colin to call time on his illustrious career, that see him win many accolades, including both the IBO Intercontinental and World Light Welterweight titles as well as both the British and European Light Welter crowns and more recently the British Welterweight title.

Not so, Lynes clearly has no intention of hanging up his gloves, not for now anyway, as just over a year after losing the coveted Lonsdale belt Lynes returns to York Hall, where he faces Georgia’s Beka Sutidze in an international non-championship battle that headlines Johnny Eames’ TKO Events promoted ‘Two Tribes Go To War’ event on Saturday 1st June.

What’s more the forty six fight veteran firmly has his eyes set on returning to championship action as soon as possible, which he made clear when he spoke earlier.

“I’m really excited about being on this TKO Events show on the 1st June.

It’ll be my first fight with them as well as the first show for Johnny (Eames) and the TRAD TKO Gym so I’m really looking forward to it and I can see us all going big places from here.

I’m looking to get back into title action again and carry on with my career. I’m in the shape of my life, I live well so there’s no reason I haven’t got another three or four years left.

He’s young and obviously a dangerous opponent, but having had 46 fights myself I can’t be choosy and to be honest I wouldn’t want to be choosy. My job is to get in there and do the business and it’s down to the trainers to make sure that whoever the matchmakers bring that I’m ready for them.

The TRAD TKO is my home now, I’ve been here for the last two years and am now really looking forward to going places under the gym’s banner.

I’m here with Jimmy and Mark Tibbs, who both coach me, as well as a lot of good young fighters on the show that train with us, we’re fighting just round the corner at York Hall and it just doesn’t get better than that.”

Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze headlines a stellar card, crammed full of local young stars, at the Johnny Eames promoted ‘Two Tribes Go To War’ event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 1st June 2013.

Tickets, priced £35 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) are available on line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town or from direct from Colin or any of the fighters taking part.

www.tkoboxinggym.com

WBF President Howard Goldberg Speaks

WBF Presidents Column May 2013: The next few months in the World Boxing Federation’s calendar are chaotic in a good way. Just watch the Schedule section on our website: There are fights scheduled in Mexico, Morocco, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and a few more countries to be finalized rather soon and of course we are extremely excited to be holding our convention in Saarbruecken, Germany in September where we hope to meet up with old friends and naturally make many new friends.

Having lived my whole life in South Africa, I witnessed the ugliness and horror of apartheid, where the masses were ruled by a small minority and where democracy simply did not exist. The minority ruled with great force and often intimidated the masses with torture and victimization. It was a sad time in South Africa’s history, but the release of Nelson Mandela, arguably the greatest man in the world, coupled with free and democratic elections enabled South Africa to become a free and great country. The bottom line is that inevitably democracy and freedom will always triumph over bullying and intimidation. Nowhere in the world should such a horror similar to apartheid be allowed to resurface.

The WBF’s growth in Mexico last year draws an interesting comparison to apartheid. It is sad that certain of our champions have been threatened and forced to relinquish their hard earned WBF titles, simply to accommodate the wishes of certain people who control certain television networks and other people, and like apartheid, control them through fear and intimidation. The WBF has never had a problem with our champions moving to other organizations, in fact in certain cases we have supported them – but all we ask is for these champions to make their choices out of their own free will, and not to be threatened to do so.

We at the WBF believe entirely on fighters having the right to fight for different sanctioning bodies, we believe in fighters’ rights to earn an income to live. They are, after all, professionals who sacrifice much in their striving to be successful. We at the WBF have never, and will never, threaten fighters or managers – we will never stand in the way of fighters who have other opportunities.

We will always strive for honesty, integrity and professionalism and rather than look at the other sanctioning bodies and how they operate, we prefer to look at ourselves and to do things as professionally as possible, always looking at how we can improve and how we can bring legitimacy to boxing.

Mexico is one of the greatest boxing countries in the world and has always been. The passion among boxing people in Mexico is virtually unrivalled. Mexico deserves the best. Mexico deserves having their champions being proud of their titles irrespective of the organization they represent. A champion is a champion! What Mexico doesn’t deserve are bullies who believe they are bigger than this great sport of ours. Boxing would surely be better off without such arrogant crooks who believe in intimidation and bullying, but are in fact the embodiment of corruption themselves.

Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation

www.worldboxingfederation.net

BUTLER HEADING TO THE TOP SAY WARREN

Paul Butler’s promoter Frank Warren says the Ellesmere Port sensation will become the next big star of British boxing following in the footsteps of Ricky Hatton and Naseem Hamed.

Butler, the British and Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Champion, returns to action on Saturday 15th June at Wembley Arena where he aims to win his third title when he challenges for the Vacant WBO International title, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

The 24-year-old won the Commonwealth title last month against Yaqub Kareem with a punch-perfect performance to stop the tough Nigerian who hadn’t been stopped in nearly seven years.

Hall of Fame promoter Warren took flamboyant showman Hamed to become the biggest name in world boxing in the 1990s and then all-action Hatton from an amateur to global sensation in the 2000s.

He sees the same characteristics in the unbeaten 24-year-old who has excited fans and media with his thrilling, big-hitting, style and believes he can become Britain’s first ever world champion in the 115lb super-flyweight division.

“I’ve been really impressed with Paul and especially in his last few fights where he’s stopped his last three opponents winning the British and Commonwealth titles by knockout,” Said Warren.

“Paul has got the choir-boy look about him, but when he gets in the ring it’s like a switch has been flicked and he becomes a vicious puncher and wants to hurt his opponents, just like Hamed and Hatton in their day,”

“He’s only had ten fights and by far the best in Britain right now. I’m confident in his skill and talent that he could win a world title now, but he’s still learning and there’s plenty more to come from him.”

“I took Hamed and Hatton to the top and there is no reason why Butler can hit the same heights. I believe that he can become a big, big, star in the sport.”

Butler, who’s opponent will be confirmed shortly, features on an action-packed card alongside Dereck Chisora plus two further cracking all-British showdowns: Frankie Gavin and Denton Vassell for the British and Commonwealth Welterweights titles and the rematch between Paul Smith and Tony Dodson for the Vacant British Super-Middleweight title.

Heading up the undercard is fast-rising unbeaten super-middleweight Frank Buglioni from Enfield who’s KO’d six out of eight opponents; plus unbeaten light-heavyweight and 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion Calum Johnson from Boston; Southern Area Welterweight Champion Bradley Skeete; Former Southern Area Light-Middleweight Champion Steve O’Meara; Wembley Light-Welterweight Gary Corcoran; Harrow Weald Super-Featherweight Mitchell Smith; Canning Town lightweight Billy Morgan; Chingford’s unbeaten Tom Baker and Bowers Gifford John Dignum clash over four rounds at middleweight; plus Islington super-featherweight Joey Taylor.

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £70, £100 and £150 are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com