TKO Box Office Boxing News

Johnny Eames Announces Line-up For 1st June Event At York Hall

Earlier this year TRAD TKO Boxing Gym head honcho Johnny Eames announced that he will be promoting events in 2013, keeping to his word Johnny last night announced that his first UK event, tagged ‘Two Tribes Go To War’, will take place at York Hall, in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 1st June 2013.

Headlining Johnny’s first show is former IBO Light Welterweight World and British Welterweight Champion Colin Lynes in an International contest against Georgia’s Beka Sutidze.

Supporting Lynes-Beka Johnny has put together a solid card featuring many of the rising stars from his TRAD TKO stable, as well as a couple from Alan Smith’s squad.

On making the announcement a clearly pleased Johnny said.

“June the 1st sees the launch of TKO Events, something that should have been launched in April and then May but eventually ended up being in June.

As it’s our first show we’re really excited here at the gym, it was supposed to be a co-promotion with Spencer Fearon but Spencer has other commitments and he can’t do it, so no hard feelings there but I promised the boys fights so obviously we’ve had to go ahead with it.

I’m really looking forward to it, although I have promoted events with other promoters this will be the first time I’m promoting my own show.

It’s been a challenge, but with the help of Rio (Gianluca Di Caro), Dave Murphy and Tony Vincent we’ve slowly got it together.

We’ve had promises of sponsors, but they didn’t materialize for whatever reason but now we’ve got another sponsor in place, who put his money where his mouth is and come up with the money straight away, which has helped make the show possible.

We’ve got five or six of our own fighters on the show, plus a couple from Alan Smith in Adam Dingsdale and Lewis Pettitt.

I’m looking forward to working with Alan again, it’s been a long time since we’ve worked together.

Headlining our first show is Colin Lynes, I’ve know Colin since he was a kid so it’s a real pleasure to be promoting him.

I believe Colin’s still got a couple of titles left in him and if we get the opportunity we will progress him onto the title trail once again.

On the 1st June we have Colin fighting Beka Sutidze in a non-championship International bout.

This should be a really great fight, both boys like to go to war, so it is an appropriate headline fight for our first show, which we named ‘Two Tribes Go To War”.

Our Freddie Turner gets his second outing since signing with us in March, he’s another one we want to move onto the title trail as soon as possible.

I don’t need to say too much about Freddie as I have said it all before, Freddie is one of the most exciting young prospects around and it’s an honour to have him on board.

On the 1st June Freddie will have his work cut out, as he’s facing Jay Morris, who as I’m sure you know is as tough as old boots.

Another of the TRAD TKO boys on the show is Festim Lama, with Festim it’s a matter of what you see is what you get. He’s a tough kid, who comes to fight. He’s very, very entertaining and will be a crowd pleaser I’m sure.

Also on the show I’ve got the debut of my big heavyweight Paulius Kasiulevicius from Lithuania. Paulius is only twenty three years of age but has had plenty of amateur experience.

He’s been training with John Murray down at our sister gym, The VK Gym in Bognor, so I know he’s going to be in excellent condition for the fight.

Another new signing I have on the show is Tom Little. Tom’s improved so much under the guidance of our Barry Smith, not only in ability wise but also fitness.

In Tom’s previous five fights he’s never been totally fit, but now he’s certainly never been fitter and he’s never had as much sparring as he has had since joining us at the TRAD TKO.

It’s great to have two young heavyweight involved on our first show.

From Spencer’s camp we have Kreshnik Qato, who again I’m sure I don’t need to say too much about. Everyone knows what a warrior Nik is, he’s record says it all.

Finally we have a late addition, Eddie (Ediz) Hussein, so late we don’t even have him on the poster. I’m really pleased to have Eddie on the show, he’s another one that you know will always put on a fantastic performance.

So as you can see our first event may have been a little late coming but it’s here now and it’s going to be a great show.”

Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze headlines the Johnny Eames promoter ‘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 any of the fighters named.

www.tkoboxinggym.com

CHISORA FACES KO KING WILDER AT WEMBLEY ARENA ON 15 JUNE

Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren has assembled an all-star line up for his blockbuster event at Wembley Arena on Saturday 15th June, live and exclusive on The Channel of Champions BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Top of the bill sees an explosive Trans-Atlantic heavyweight showdown between Britain’s enigmatic Dereck Chisora and unbeaten American star Deontay Wilder in a ten-round international contest.

Londoner Chisora is relishing the fight and is promising to pull off a huge upset as he targets a second world title shot. Chisora beat Argentine Hector Alfredo Avila last month at Wembley, stopping him in the ninth round – his first fight since his loss to David Haye in July last year – and sees the dynamite punching US heavyweight hope as his route back to the top.

Wilder from Tuscaloosa in Alabama and known as the “Bronze Bomber” has blasted out all 28 of his opponents with a staggering 26 of them coming inside three rounds. The Beijing Bronze medallist ended the career of Britain’s Audley Harrison last month, blitzing the Olympic Champion inside 70 seconds in his UK debut.

Chief support on the card sees an exciting all-British showdown between two unbeaten young champions in Frankie Gavin and Denton Vassell to decide who’s the best at 147lbs.

Birmingham ace Gavin, the British Welterweight Champion, makes the second defence of his title against Vassell who puts his Commonwealth title on the line.

Gavin won the title by outpointing Junior Witter last November and defended against Jason Welborn in January with seventh round stoppage. Unbeaten in 15 fights with 11 KO’s, Gavin – still Britain’s only ever World Amateur Champion – faces the toughest test of his career against his undefeated Manchester rival. Vassell has already claimed the scalp of a hot unbeaten prospect in Ronnie Heffron last November, stopping him in six rounds and will have no fear facing Gavin.

Ellesmere Port’s Paul Butler returns to London, bringing his all-action style to thrill fans’ once again. The exciting new young star of British boxing aims to add a third title in back-to-back fights when he challenges for the Vacant WBO Intercontinental Super-Flyweight title as he storms his way to world title shot. Butler, who holds the British title, won the Commonwealth belt last month at Wembley Arena with a devastating performance against Yaqub Kareem, stopping the champion inside five rounds.

Liverpool warriors Paul Smith and Tony Dodson meet again in a brutal rematch with the British Super-Middleweight title up for grabs. The pair clashed over three years ago in a bloody and brutal battle that saw Smith, then British champion, suffer two cuts above his eye in the opening round from head clashes and take some heavy shots from Dodson, but he battled back with a powerful performance to win on the judges’ scorecards.

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; 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 on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com – call 07960 for further information

Thunder & Lightning At York Hall

On Saturday April 27 at the legendary York Hall in London, England, Chris Goodwin will face Oisin Fagan for the vacant World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Lightweight title on a show billed as “Thunder & Lightning” by promoters Mark McCormick / Fight Options & Dave Murphy.

The younger man by fifteen years, Goodwin (24) will enter the ring as a former two-time International Masters champion and with a fine professional record of 16-2-1 (0). Remarkably he has yet to score his first stoppage in the paid ranks, and it seems a long-shot that he will do so against the tough Fagan.

Goodwin turned pro in 2006 with a loss on points to another debutant, Chris Mullen, but since then only former British champion Carl Johanneson has managed to get the better of him, and only by split decision, when they fought last year.

In Oisin Fagan, 26-8 (15), the Chester-technician will be in with an opponent who has “been-there-done-that”! In 2003 the Irishman made his pro debut in what was then his adopted hometown, Oklahoma City, USA, and won five of his first six bouts before squaring off with another up-and-coming lightweight, the 4-0 Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

While Chavez won that fight on points, Fagan was more successful the following year when he captured the Oklahoma State title, an accomplishment which started an eleven fight winning-streak that only ended when undefeated former world champion Paul Spadafora (39-0-1 at the time) edged him by split decision in 2007.

Since coming up short against Spadafora, Fagan has gone 9-4 against mostly good opposition, and only lost title fights to Verquan Kimkrough (by split decision), Amir Khan, Eddie Hyland and Andy Murray. Since 2008 he has been back in Dublin, and he is reportedly focused on teaching the young Goodwin a lesson in London.

Thunder & Lightning, the Chris Goodwin vs. Osin Fagan World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Lightweight title fight, is a true clash between promising prospect and seasoned campaigner. Goodwin has youth, speed and technique on his side, while Fagan has a clear edge in power and experience.

It remains to be seen what, and who, will prevail at York Hall, a venue that has more boxing history than most arenas in the world.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA – www.tkoboxinggym.com – or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB – www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com – Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.worldboxingfederation.net

WBF Enters New Territory: Bois vs. Demchenko in Morocco

The World Boxing Federation continues to enter new territory, and will sanction its first championship fight in Morocco, when Patrick Bois and Serhiy Demchenko fight for the vacant International Light Heavyweight title on Saturday February 23 at the Mazagan Beach Resort in the Atlantic coast city of El Jadida.

22-year-old Bois, from Sedan in France, brings a record of 8-1-1 (2), and is coming off his careers best victory, a unanimous decision over former WBF title-challenger Jindrich Velecky in January. However, he will be in for an even tougher task in Demchenko in what will be his first title bout.

Serhiy Demchenko, 14-4 (10), was born in Ukraine but fought most of his professional bouts in Italy where he resides. In 2008 he travelled to Serbia to win the IBF Intercontinental title, and has experience from fighting established names such as Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye and Karo Murat, and undefeated German rising star Robert Woge.

Promoted by Group Khellafi headed by Mr. Driss Khellafi, on a show dubbed “Les Gants d’Or Afrique” (The Golden Gloves Of Africa), the Bois vs. Demchenko fight will be a big event in Morocco, and WBF President Howard Goldberg is delighted that his organization will be part of it, saying:

“It is with great pride that we sanction our first title fight in Morocco, and we are very proud to be associated with probably the most famous Moroccan holiday resort, the Mazagan Beach Resort. We congratulate the promoters of this event on putting everything together, and hopefully many more WBF title fights in Morocco will follow.”

The winner on February 23 must defend his title against former champion Mounir Toumi, who vacated the championship on this condition after having to pull out of fighting Bois.

www.worldboxingfederation.net

CLEVERLY: THIS WON’T BE LIKE MURRAY-DJOKOVIC, I’LL WIN MY SHOOTOUT AGAINST KRASNIQI

WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly says his clash against big-hitting Serbian Robin Krasniqi will be like Andy Murray facing Novak Djokovic – only he will come out the winner.

Unbeaten Cleverly, 25, puts his title and record on the line at Wembley Arena on Saturday 16th March on a huge night of boxing joint-headlined with Ricky Burns’ WBO/IBF World Lightweight Unification fight against Miguel Vazquez, plus George Groves challenging for the Vacant European Super-Middleweight title, heavyweight Dereck Chisora* and Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Champion Liam Walsh, all live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Cleverly, who stopped Shaw Hawk in eight rounds last November in his US debut, is looking forward to a shootout with the heavy-handed Serb who won his last four fights by KO to get himself into the mandatory position for a shot at the Welsh hero’s title.

And with British tennis star Murray being blasted out by Krasniqi’s countryman and world number one Djokovic in the Australian Open final last month to crush Murray’s hope of a second major win, Cleverly says he won’t let Krasniqi end his dream of going on to unify the titles.

“I watched Murray in the Australian open against Djokovic and that was a great battle over nearly four hours. He held his own, taking some big shots from the Serbian and giving it back, but despite a brave fight and battling back a couple of times, he was out-gunned by Djokovic and also the blisters on his feet couldn’t have helped. Murray a great British talent, though, and he’s my call to win Wimbledon this year,” Said Cleverly.

“Krasniqi is on a roll at the moment, he’s stopped his last four opponents, three of them inside four rounds and one in the last round. He’s never been stopped in 41 fights with only two early points losses in his career. I’ve got twelve rounds or 36 minutes to stop Krasniqi in, this won’t be going the distance, it’s going to be a real fire-fight between us,”

“Facing a big puncher doesn’t bother me, it excites me. People were making Tony Bellew out to be some big puncher but when we got in the ring and I took one of his shots it surprised me by how soft he hits, so reputations don’t always count,”

He added, “While a tennis player can come back and win in his next match, for a boxer a loss is a massive set back. I’m so close to a big unification fight and a slip-up against Krasniqi will be a massive blow to me facing one of the world champions next so it’s crucial that I win this fight.”

Tickets for Rule Britannia, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, (£150 and £200 SOLD OUT) are available from www.tkoboxoffice.com – Tel: 07960 850645

Rule Britannia is live and exclusive on The Home of Champions BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Join at www.boxnation.com

*Dereck Chisora’s appearance on the show is strictly subject to him being successful with his license application to the British Boxing Board of Control.

BUTLER TARGETS SECOND TITLE

Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler aims to become a double champion on Friday 8th March at the Liverpool Olympia when he challenges for the Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Butler, who won the British title last November defeating John Donnelly in the opening round with a crushing body shot, must now face the tough Nigerian Yaqub Karim who holds the belt.

The 24-year-old has marked himself as one of the best young fighters to watch out for in Britain with eye-catching performances that have thrilled fans.

Unbeaten in nine fights with four KO’s, Butler is eager to put on another devastating show, but has promised not to be careless against the teak tough Karim.

Big-hitting Karim has stopped seven out of his 10 wins, with only two losses and a draw. He won the title in August in 2011 with an eighth round stoppage of Cobbina Johnson.

“After winning my last fight against Donnelly in the first round the temptation is to go out all guns blazing and try to take Karim out,” Said Butler.

“But he’s the champion and he deserves respect, I’m expecting a hard fight against him, he’s a tough African and he won’t be coming over here to just give up his title without a fight,”

“The opportunity to become a double champion by winning the British and Commonwealth belts in successive fights is a big motivator for me and I’ll be looking to do Ellesmere Port proud on the night,”

“The title fights are coming in fast now and it’s tempting to look too far ahead, but I’m focused on Karim and beating him before talking about the next step.”

Butler’s trainer Anthony Farnell, the former WBU World Middleweight Champion, is excited by his protege’s development but has urged caution against Karim.

He said, “This is a hard fight for Paul. African fighters are tough warriors, just like the Mexicans, so this will be a great learning fight for him as he heads towards world level in the next 12-18 months. Paul’s skills are improving everyday and his power week-by-week, I’m pleased how he’s coming along and I’m confident in the next few fights he’ll be the best in Europe.”

Butler v Karim headlines a quality packed that features Liverpool ace Stephen Smith in a six round contest; undefeated Liverpool light-middleweight Joe Selkirk; 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion Callum Johnson from Lincoln, plus Ellesmere Port talent Matthew Fagan in his second professional fight. Two of Wales’ best unbeaten prospects, super-featherweight Craig Evans from Blackwood and light-welterweight Lewis Rees from Tonypandy both feature on the undercard.

Tickets priced at £30, £40 and £60 are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or eventim.co.uk

Butler v Karim is live and exclusive on The Home of Champions BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Join at www.boxnation.com

BURNS, CLEVERLY, GROVES, CHISORA, WALSH ON ONE BIG NIGHT OF ACTION AT WEMBLEY ARENA!

Promoter Frank has put together a blockbuster event ‘Rule Britannia’ on Saturday 16th March at Wembley Arena featuring some of the biggest stars in British boxing including Ricky Burns, Nathan Cleverly, George Groves, Dereck Chisora and Liam Walsh, all live and exclusive on the Home of Champions BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

WBO World Lightweight Champion Burns headlines the show in a sizzling unification showdown against tough Mexican IBF World Champion Miguel Vazquez.

Burns, 27, returns to action following his tremendous 2012 when he become Scotland’s first two-weight world champion in twenty years and ended the year stopping long-time rival Kevin Mitchell inside four rounds.

With thrilling wins against top fighters Roman Martinez and Michael Katsidis in his career, Burns faces yet another hard test against Vazquez, 26, who has made five defences of his world title in a 36-fight career.

Hailing from Guadalajara, Vazquez was last in action in December on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez card when he defeated Mercito Gesta on points to retain his belt.

Vazquez became the first man to beat Breidis Prescott after the dynamite-punching Colombian destroyed Amir Khan inside a round and has only lost on points to current world champions Saul Alvarez (twice) and Timothy Bradley.

It’s been Burns’ dream to unify the title and he’s excited to finally get the opportunity.

Burns said, “This is a dream come true for me. Any boxer would be happy winning two world titles at two weights and retire, but for me I want to continue winning more world titles, unifying them and stepping up the weight divisions. Vazquez is a top fighter and one that I’ve been after a long time so I’m over the moon that it’s happening.”

All-action Welshman Cleverly, the WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion, joint headlines the card with Burns when he puts his title on the line against mandatory challenger Robin Krasniqi.

Cleverly made a big impression in America with his KO win over Shawn Hawk last November and now he has to remove Krasniqi before he can secure fights against top US fighters Bernard Hopkins, Tavoris Cloud and Chad Dawson.

But it won’t be an easy night against the dangerous German based Serbian Krasniqi who holds the WBO International title. He has won his last four fights by KO and has never been stopped in 41 fights with only two points losses very early in his career.

“Krasniqi will be a hard defence and he’s a fighter not to be underestimated. I’ve got to beat him and in style to keep the heat on for a unification fight against Cloud, Dawson or Shumenov. Every fight is crucial for me, but there is extra pressure on this one to perform which I love because I fight best when the pressure’s on,” Cleverly said.

London star Groves aims to add the vacant European super-middleweight title to the British and Commonwealth belts that he’s already won when he faces the tough Italian based Senegalese fighter Mohammed Ali Ndiaye.

Groves, 24, put on a masterclass performance in December to outpoint the tough Road Warrior Glen Johnson over twelve rounds in London, but now has to remove Ndiaye who’s only lost once on points in 22 fights.

He said, “I’ve won the British and Commonwealth titles and the European is the next step for me towards the world title. The guys is tough and awkward, James DeGale didn’t want to fight him, but I’ve got the tools to beat him. It’s a great show to be on alongside Cleverly, Burns and Chisora and it will be a fantastic night in London.”

Exciting heavyweight Dereck Chisora has his first fight of the year on the show, strictly subject to him being successful in reapplying for his British Boxing Board of Control license.

The big-hitting Finchley star, a former British and Commonwealth Champion, will feature in a ten-round International contest with his opponent to be announced.

In February last year Chisora pushed long-reigning WBC World Champion Vitali Klitschko the hardest since Lennox Lewis and he’ll be looking to work his way back into challenging for a world title.

Liam Walsh nearly challenged Burns for his world title in December, but had to withdraw from the fight after he suffered a back injury in a car accident in the build up.

The Cromer star has now recovered and is fit and ready to fight again and he’ll defend his Commonwealth Super-Featherweight title and unbeaten record against his undefeated Canadian challenger Logan McGuinness.

Finally, Romford Cruiserweight Tony Conquest aims to exact revenge over Rotherham’s Neil Dawson to reclaim his WBO International title.

Dawson beat Conquest with a shock first round stoppage in December and he’ll be out to prove that

Promoter Frank Warren is thrilled to be put together such a big show in London.

He said, “It’s the best of British all in one night of big fights. Fans have got two of our very best world champions, Burns and Cleverly, in action with Burns in a huge unification clash against Vazquez, while Cleverly faces a hard defence against Krasniqi. Groves has the chance to add the European title to his collection and has a tough fight against Ndiaye, while Chisora is reapplying for his license and providing he gets it he’ll feature in a ten-rounder. The show will be backed up with an action packed undercard with some of the best in young British talent.

Tickets for Rule Britannia, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200 are available at TKO Box Office www.tkoboxoffice.com – Tel: 07960 850645

Boxing Stars Lace Up Boots For 3rd Annual TRAD TKO Charity Football Tournament On August 12th

For the past couple of years around this time TRAD TKO Boxing Gym supremo Johnny Eames has taken a break, from the business of Boxing, to head up the team that organises the annual Boxers and Celebrities Charity Football Tournament, to raise much needed funding for the Indee Rose Trust, which provides support and care packages for youngsters suffering from brain and spinal tumours.

This year is no different, as earlier today Johnny announced the date and location for this year’s extravaganza – Sunday, 12th August at the Concord Rangers Football Club on Canvey Island, Essex.

For those of you that have yet to attend one of these excellent tournaments, boy have you missed out on a great day out, as well as the chance to watch some of the sport’s biggest stars in action.

The list of those that have taken part in previous events, many of whom will again be at Canvey Island on the 12th August, is a veritable who’s who of British Boxing, Music and Television.

Boxing luminaries, such as David Haye, Ricky Hatton, Nathan Cleverly Matthew Macklin, Kevin Mitchell, Ricky Burns, Barry McGuigan, Paul and Stephen Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, Willie Limond, Rendall Munroe, Anthony Crolla, Graham Earl, Tony Oakey, Wayne Elcock, Ross Minter, Martin Power etc. have previously taken part, of which many will again be in action on the 12th August and joined by celebrities such as Alex Reid, Johnny Borrell (Razorlight), Iron Maiden, Mark Wingett (Jim Carver – The Bill), Stephen Bell (Coronation Street), various of the Eastenders and Shameless cast etc.

These special events have proved a huge hit with the fans, with both the previous events raising in excess of £20,000 for this exceptionally worthwhile cause. A figure that Johnny, as well as the Boxers and Celebrities already signed up for this year’s event, will be determined to better.

On making the announcement Johnny, who last year himself underwent treatment for Cancer, said, “Yeah, this year sees the third annual TRAD TKO Charity football tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust. Which, for those that don’t know, has boxers and celebrities taking part and raising money for children with brain and spinal tumors.

It’s a great cause, we’ve had a great response from the boxing community, as well as from celebrities from music and TV, for the first two years and this years been no different.

In fact this year’s been crazy, even though we haven’t press released it yet because we’ve been busy with other things, yet the phone hasn’t stopped, everyone, celebrities and boxers, want to take part.

The past couple of years we’ve had a proper who’s who of boxing turn out, the likes of David Haye, Ricky Hatton, Nathan Cleverly, Ricky Burns, Rendall Munroe, Kevin Mitchell, Billy Joe Saunders, Paul Smith, just to name a few, but the list is endless and if I’ve not mentioned you, I don’t mean nothing by it, there are so many of you that come and turn out for it and we really appreciate that you do.

Last year’s was fantastic, we raised over twenty grand again, which far exceeded anything we expected as we put it together over a three week period due to my treatment. But that’s made me more determined to raise even more this year really.

This year we’ve got Joe Gallagher bring his team down again, which I’m sure will have more players than it did last year. Billy Nelson’s bringing a Scottish team down, Nathan Cleverly’s bringing his own team down from Wales, full of Welsh fighters and celebrities. It’s a real four nations as we’ve also got Alio bringing the Irish boys over again.

Paul Smith and the scousers, who won the first year, will be back. Paul who like me is a patron of the Indee Rose Trust and does great work up in Liverpool for the kids – he likes to keep it low profile but we’re watching and know what great work you’re doing, it’s fantastic what you do kid.

It’s just a great cause and if you haven’t been before, you really should get yourself along there on the 12th August, it’ll be at Concord Rangers Football Club on Canvey Island.

Keep a check on the TKO website, my facebook page and for press releases to learn more about who’ll be there as well as tickets and stuff.

Look forward to seeing you all there.”

This year’s TRAD TKO Boxing Gym organised Boxers and Celebrities Football Tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust, kicks off at 12:00pm at the Concord Rangers FC, Thames Road, Canvey Island, Essex on Sunday 12th August 2012.

Tickets for this very special event, priced: Standard: £10.00 and V.I.P. £20.00, are available on-line from www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA

Children’s tickets, priced £5.00, will be available on the day.

For further information either call the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym on 020 7474 3199 or see www.indeerosetrust.org – www.tkoboxinggym.com or facebook.com/theindeerosetrust

David Haye Vs. Dereck Chisora: Licensed to Thrill

No matter if you love them or hate them, David Haye versus Dereck Chisora is the most anticipated domestic boxing match this century – bar none.

Media coverage of their infamous press conference brawl in February has been nonstop, so much so it was inevitable that David Haye and Dereck Chisora would settle their differences in the ring sometime – well the time is now and it will be right here in London, at Upton Park, the home of West Ham United, on July 14th.

It was recently confirmed that the two Londoners would fight for the WBO International and WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championships in a fight being billed “Licensed to Thrill”.

Supporting the UK fight of the century is a smorgersbord of International stars, headed up by WBA World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin in his third defence of the title he won from Ruslan Chagaev in August 2011. Challenging Povetkin for his coveted WBA crown will be American Hasim Rahman

Full underard to be announced in the near future.

Tickets, priced from £50 for this must see event are available on-line now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA. For further information call 07960 850645

Mathis vs. Holm II, Revenge Or Repeat?

One of the most anticipated rematches in women’s boxing is less than a month away, as WBF World Welterweight Champion Anne Sophie Mathis and challenger Holly Holm prepares for their second clash on June 15 in the latter’s home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

While Frenchwoman Mathis (26-1, 22 KOs) won their original meeting in December of last year by devastating seventh round knockout, Holm (30-2-3, 9 KOs) is still considered one of the best pound-for-pound female campaigners in the sport, and without a doubt the second best in the welterweight division.

In their first fight Holm got off to a good start and in many observers opinion nicked the first four rounds as Mathis seemed to be assessing her opponent before taking over from the fifth. Holm claims to have strayed from the fight plan laid out by trainer Mike Winkeljohn, and that this won’t happen again in the rematch:

“I simply didn’t execute it (the fight plan). This time I want to do the good things I did in the first four rounds (of the last fight) and do them even better. A lot of people are asking if I changed the game plan. It’s really not a game plan change, it just let’s do the game plan”, said Holm at a recent press conference announcing the second go-around.

Mathis, however, feels that whatever happens, the result will be the same, even if it unfolds differently, confidently saying:

“One way or another, the fight will be different. Either she will fight differently or I will. We know each other’s style. If she backs up, I’ll come forward. If she comes forward, I’ll meet her. At the end of the day I will be the winner again.”

34-year-old Mathis has not lost a fight since her second pro outing in 1995 when she got beat by the more experienced and undefeated future world champion Marischa Sjauw in Holland. Since then she has captured several world titles at light welter and welterweight, and established herself as the best 147 pounder on the planet.

Besides the loss to Mathis, Holly Holm hasn’t been defeated since 2004, and like her rival on June 15 she has won several world championships. She has actually done one better than Mathis by winning titles in three weight classes, from light welter to light middleweight, and has a very impressive overall record in world title bouts of 18-1-1 (6).

Both women have incredible credentials, but who will be able to adjust with most success when they face each other again. Will Mathis again prove too tough and skilled for Holm, or will Holm fulfill her promise of righting the wrongs from the original encounter. And will it be enough?

This is without a doubt the most appealing female fight of the year so far!

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