Germany’s Jennifer Retzke and Sweden’s Mikaela Laurén are set to face each other, for the IBF Light Middleweight World title, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Friday 5th July 2013.

Retzka, who won the IBF crown on her second attempt, has had a stellar career that has seen her capture not only the IBF World title but also the German Welterweight title.

One of the truly exciting female fighters, Retzka has a fearsome right hand, as is clear by her stellar record of twelve wins, nine by way of stoppage, with just the single loss to Daniella Smith, when they fought for the vacant IBF Welterweight title back November 2010.

Laurén, who has a record of eighteen wins, six by way of stoppage, and two losses, is a stylish boxer who has proved she can hold her own with the best boxers around, with losses only to World #1 Cecelia Braekhus and Loli Munoz.

This historic World Championship battle will headline the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ event at the famous home of Boxing in the capital, as part of an international spectacular featuring some of the most exciting young prospects in Europe.

Main support sees Dublin, Ireland’s, via New York, USA, newly crowned WBU International Lightweight Champion Stephen Ormond back in UK action. Ormond has a record of thirteen wins and just the single – highly controversial – loss, to Paul Appleby, will be looking to build his fan base in the UK as he targets both Kevin Mitchell and reigning WBO King Ricky Burns as future ‘victims’.

Woolwich, London, via Philadelphia USA, Featherweight Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston returns to York Hall, the scene of her sensational debut, which see the highly praised protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World, Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time Cruiserweight King Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, stop Hungarian #1 ranked Gabriella Roman in just one minute and forty seven seconds of the first round back in April.

Another sensational South Londoner with American connections is Streatham Light Heavyweight Jovan Young, who makes his first trip to the York Hall as a pro.

The highly decorated former amateur star has a record of four wins, three by way of stoppage, and a single draw as a pro. Not a bad start considering Young has yet to fight in the UK as a pro, instead preferring to do things the hard way and fight overseas.

Another explosive big hitting young star taking part in this historic event is Denmark’s Osama Hadifi. The 27 year old Light Welterweight from Copenhagen possesses a perfect six wins – all by first round stoppage finish – and no losses.

‘Independence Day’ also sees the debut of two highly decorated young amateur stars making their professional debut.

Turkish teenager Shiya Ozgul has fought over a hundred times and has represented his country in many international amateur competitions.

Ozgul, who has been describes as a ‘natural’ by his manager and coaching team, is already being touted as a future World Champion – big talk you may think, but no this youngster has more than held his own in sparring with some of the country’s top prospects already.

Highly rated Birmingham amateur, Antonio Counihan, makes his pro debut on the 5th July. Couniham didn’t just represent his country, he was the Captain and a clear favourite to secure a Team GB berth for the Rio 2016 Olympics, before turning his attention to the professional ranks.

During his stellar amateur career Counihan was Midland area ABA, junior ABA and World Youth Champion and in his last amateur season reached the semi-finals of the National ABAs, as well a being an integral member of the Team GB development squad.

At time of going to press Dave Murphy is close to securing another major name, with exceptional credentials, to debut on the 5th July event – so watch this space for more news on this.

Jennifer Rezke versus Mikaela Laurén, for the IBF Light Middleweight World Championship honors, 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.

Paulius with manager Johnny Eames and Tom Little at the TRAD TKO gym in London – Photo Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Amateur Heavyweight Star Kasiulevicius Pro Debut, York Hall 1st June.

Two time Lithuanian Amateur Heavyweight Champion Paulius Kasiulevicius is set to debut in the professional ranks, on the Johnny Eames TKO Events promoted ‘Two Tribes’ show, headlined by Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze at York Hall on Saturday 1st June 2013.

Kasiulevicius, who throughout his amateur career amassed numerous national and international accolades, is being hailed as a seriously exciting prospect, with World Championship potential by his manager and promoter, the aforementioned Mr. Johnny Eames.

Currently training both at the VK Gym in Bognor Regis, with John Murray, as well as the TRAD TKO gym in Canning Town, Kasiulevicius will be facing fellow debutant Adel Badawy on June 1st.

Following a full on sparring session with fellow TRAD TKO Heavyweight prospect Tom Little, Kasiulevicius spoke briefly on his amateur career and his impending debut.

“I started boxing when I was nine years old, my father put me in a boxing gym, so I’ve been training and boxing for fifteen years.

I had one hundred and eighty five amateur fights, won over a hundred and thirty fights. I won many titles in my career in juniors and seniors and was two time Lithuanian Champion.

I’ve been training with John Murray, at the VK Gym in Bognor Regis, and Johnny Eames at the TRAD TKO in London.You get best sparring here at the TRAD TKO.

I think the fans will like me, I’m exciting fighter and I will beat that guy, he’s not lucky.”

Paulius’ head coach at both the TRAD TKO and VK Gym’s John Murray then added.

“I’ve been training Paulius about three months down at the VK Gym in Bognor Regis, obviously I’ve been helping Johnny out also with Joel McIntyre and Andy Gattenby.

When I see Paulius up here the first time sparring I could see he needed some help with his fitness, so Johnny took me aside and asked me to work on that and his technique.

We’ve been working on his stamina and endurance as well as developing his power really.

Paulius has aspirations to be a World beater, but he’s still a baby as a Heavyweight at twenty four, so we need to be patient.

Saying that though we’re expecting an explosive debut on the 1st June.”

Paulius Kasiulevicius against Adel Badawy features 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 Paulius or any of the fighters taking part.

www.tkoboxinggym.com

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

Canning Town’s Freddie Turner is set to make his second outing under the TRAD TKO banner on Saturday 1st June, when he takes on Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Johnny Eames’ TKO Events promoted ‘Two Tribes’ event, headlined by TRAD TKO gym mate Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze.

Turner, who signed management papers with Johnny Eames back in January, was clearly overjoyed at the resurgence in his career, as the 24 year old said.

“This is a massive shock, two fights within a couple of months it’s an absolute shock, that’s a hundred percent improvement from before I was with Johnny (Eames), I mean I fought just once in a year.

Yet here am I in the same gym I train in, my manager’s here and he’s already telling me I’m fighting again after June 1st.

It’s been a blessing signing with Johnny, I’ve been waiting a long time for a breakthrough and it really looks like this is it.

I’m really ready for this, Jimmy and Mark (Tibbs) train me the same every time, we train hard and I mix it up with all the big names here, so I know I will be ready for Jay Morris on the 1st June.

We always work hard here at the TRAD TKO, never cut corners, so yeah we’ll be looking to put on a great display for the fans.

I boxed well last time out, I feel I boxed well in the first two rounds and feel I could have stopped him in the last two rounds, he was getting well marked up and I was catching him with some good shots.

Hopefully now I can let the boxing flow and the punches go.

I’m not looking past Jay, he’s a tough, experienced fighter, but I’m looking forward to the new season. Johnny says he has big plans for me, including lining me up for a title fight late on this year.

I’ve known Johnny since I was a kid, I trust him and he’s clearly looking for my best interests so I know he wouldn’t move into title contention if he didn’t believe I am ready for it.

I’m quite mature, even though I’m only twenty four, I’ve had a hundred plus amateur fights, yeah I know I’ve had a slow start in the pros but under Johnny’s guidance I’m moving on at pace now so feel comfortable to be put in.

I love the support I get from the fans, even though I hadn’t been in action as much as I and them would have liked previously, I know it’s difficult to get to all the shows but it’s great that they get out in force to support.

That’s what keeps us going, I mean I enjoy entertaining, that’s why I do it, so I’m really pleased with having such a good following, so I’m going to put on an entertaining display on June 1st to give my fans something to really enjoy.”

Freddie Turner against Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris is the main support to headlining Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze 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 Freddie or any of the fighters taking part.

www.tkoboxinggym.com

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

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

Interview and photos by Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

I’m sure that anyone that watched Prizefighter – International Heavyweights – back in June 2012, will remember 25 year old Tom Little from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, not because he won or anything like that, but for the surprising way he exited the competition in the quarter-final against Tom Dallas.

I say surprising as Tom seemed to be cruising to victory, but after two sensation rounds dominated by the Hatfield man he ran out of steam mid-third round.

Doghouse Boxing’s Iain Dolan, who was ringside on the night, wrote in his report:

“Fight of the night was the 4th quarter final between Hatfield’s Tom Little (18st 3lbs) and Tom Dallas. The flabby Little, in only his 4th paid bout showed surprising hand speed and a big heart as he threw the kitchen sink at Dallas from the off.

Finding success with jabs and hooks both upstairs and down, Little looked to be on course for an unlikely victory as Dallas neglected defense in order to meet fire with fire.

Little started the 2nd round with similar ambition but, from quite early on, was looking up at the big screen to see how long was left in the round. Little continued to throw leather and give Dallas problems although he was clearly gassed by the end of the round.

In the 3rd it all fell apart for Little as he had just completely run out of steam. Dallas landed some good shots but it was 90% exhaustion that caused Little to crash to the canvas.

He managed to get to his feet but could barely stand so the fight was waved off.

If Little can find the discipline to spend more time in the gym and less time in KFC, he has plenty offer on the domestic heavyweight scene.”

That final comment may just have been the catalyst for the ‘rebuilding’ of Tom Little that has been taking place at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town over the past couple of months.

That may sound a little dramatic, but believe me I have seen the transformation, both physical and mental, that has taken place.

I first met Tom when he was preparing for his pro debut, against Rolandas Cesna in July 2011. I was invited by Graham Earl to come to Luton to interview his fighters that were to take part in an event promoted by him at the Liquid Night Club in Luton.

To describe the difference between the Tom I met then and the one I spoke with earlier today is unreal. Back then Tom was yet another flabby heavyweight.

He’s biggest selling point was his hand speed, ridiculously fast for a Light Heavy, let alone a Heavyweight, but his stamina was very, very poor, he was running out of steam after just a couple of rounds on the heavy bag.

Today Tom is almost a lean, mean fighting machine. Whilst yes he is still carrying a bit of excess weight, he really is beginning to look much more ‘fighty’

I watched as Barry Smith put him through the paces, six rounds on the heavy bag, followed by another six on the pads – oh and I don’t mean pitter-pattering I mean full on ‘fight level’ stuff.

The change is so extreme that I for one am looking forward to watching him in action, at Johnny Eames’ TKO Events promoted ‘Two Tribes’ event at York Hall in London on Saturday June 1st.

If he performs at the level he did in the training sessions Tom Little may just be the breath of fresh air the Heavyweight division needs to ignite the fans interest once more.

As I said before I was amazed at his extraordinary hand speed, as well as the ease he is able to open up his opposition with both hands, so am sure he will become a serious crowd pleaser.

OK, enough of my praising the youngster, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Following the grueling regime Barry Smith, young Tom took some time out to talk about his career to date, his disappointing loss to Tom Dallas and of course the transformation since his move to the TRAD TKO.

Rio: So you’re fighting Luke Martin at York Hall on the 1st June, what do you know about Luke and how do you see the fight going?

Tom: Luke Martin, well I don’t know a thing about him, don’t care all I know is I’m going to flatten him.

Training’s been really good, the sharpness is there and everything is coming together just right.

I’ve got a week of sparring to go, I’m really looking forward to that, then I’m ready to go, so Luke Martin watch out.

Rio: This will be your fifth professional outing, how has your pro career been to date?

Tom: I’ve had four fights, this will be my fifth, won three of them and my only loss was against Tom Dallas in Prizefighter.

I’m not going to make excuses, anyone that see it see that knows I didn’t get beat by the better man.

I was in a very bad place in my life at that time, I shouldn’t have been in a boxing ring, to be quite honest with you I shouldn’t have been around people full stop, I should have been locked away, because of the things going on in my head at the time.

That’s all behind me now though, I’m moving forward and I’ve got a good team behind me at last, in manager Johnny Eames and trainer Barry Smith as well as having a great camp at the TRAD TKO gym in Canning Town.

Rio: So you were lucky to get the three wins you have then?

I’ve been lucky, I fought the very capable Hastings Rasani in my second fight, funnily enough I was up here two days before my fight, Graham got Barry to give me some pads and he blew me out in two rounds, so you can tell what sort of fitness I was at.

It’s all changed now though, I’ve been at the TRAD TKO about fifteen weeks now, come down from about twenty stone and now weigh seventeen stone five. I’ve never boxed below eighteen stone before, ever.

For Prizefighter I only ever done roadwork and bag work and no other training for two weeks, so I’m confident now that I’m getting into good condition.

Rio: So you’re now in a ‘Good Place’ mentally and physically, so what can the fans expect to see of Tom Little in the future.

Tom: I know that people spout their mouth and say whatever, but I know there’s not a heavyweight in Britain that I can’t beat when I’m fit and believe me I am going to be in the condition of my life thanks to Barry.

This is literally a new start for me and I’m real pleased that Johnny and Barry have given me the opportunity to have this new start.

That loss to Dallas, a lot of people wouldn’t have given me a second chance, thankfully Johnny see something he liked and was happy to work with me.

Barry’s always liked the way that fight and he’d seen the things that needed changing. Everyone’s been working together and I’m confident that we really are going to shock everyone when they see me in action on June 1st.

Rio: Changing tack slightly, could you tell the readers a little about your early amateur career please?

Tom: I was amateur from the age of twelve, up to seventeen. I had twenty two fights won eighteen of them, done real well as an amateur.

The last time I boxed as an amateur was as a Middleweight, then I went away and done my own thing.

Rio: So you walked away from boxing whilst an amateur, what changed for you to come back straight in and campaign in the pro ranks?

Tom: Funnily enough I went back into the gym to help me give up smoking and met Graham Earl.

Graham then offered me the chance to turnover, it all happened really fast, I got my head down, had three fights, which I won, under Graham Earl whilst I was training out of Luton.

Never did feel myself that I was fit, always felt there was something missing, someone was missing something out of the camp.

It really did open my eyes up when I went in Prizefighter under short notice and was literally left to train myself.

My current trainer Barry was there on the night, he noticed but obviously couldn’t say anything because I wasn’t his fighter at the time.

It really showed, I went in against someone I wasn’t expected to get anywhere with and gave him the hiding of his life for two rounds, but in doing this literally collapsed with exhaustion.

This really opened my eyes, so I went away to think things over. I then left my manager, left everything and come up to the TRAD TKO, where I was welcomed with open arms.

Rio: Has this change of management and coaching made that much of a difference then?

Tom: Barry Smith has really turned things around for me, before I couldn’t do two rounds in sparring for any of my other fights because I just didn’t have it in the tank, now I can spar up to ten rounds.

It makes so much difference being here, I’ve always got a coach, everyone puts in the best work to help, but the biggest thing is there is always sparring here, not just sparring but quality sparring against great opposition.

There’s a couple of good heavyweights up here, plus fighter friends of the gym. I had some sparring with Dereck Chisora and that, so the TRAD TKO has done a lot for me, in the short time since I’ve been up here, I’m very grateful to them.

Rio: I know you are focused on the fight with Luke Martin right now, but after that is there any fight you really want Johnny to make happen for you?

Tom: I’m really eager to get the rematch against Tom Dallas, I want to prove to everyone that the better man didn’t win on the night.

If he wants to hide behind his manager so be it, they say he doesn’t want it yet, but he can’t hide for ever and I’ll be there in his way wherever he wants to get to.

This will be my first fight under the TRAD TKO banner and I know that it’s the start of bigger things for me, including hopefully the rematch with Tom Dallas, I’ll go to Kent and drag him out if I have to.

Rio: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today, finally is there anything you would like to say to the fans out there?

Tom: To all the fans out there, come to York Hall on the 1st June and see the real me, see what they were missing out on before because I didn’t have proper training before, they’ll see what I can do now that I have a serious people behind me and I’m in a good place.

Tom Little, against Luke Martin, is a supporting bout on the Colin Lynes versus Beka Sutidze headlines the BBBofC sanctioned 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 direct from Tom Little or any of the fighters taking part.

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

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

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