Boxing news, opinion and insight
Unlike America, where press conference squabbles between fighters and their entourages is common-place, here in the UK press conferences are typically tacit, mild-mannered and respectful affairs.
True, Herbie Hide has had an altercation or two down the years but with the Norwich fighter absent presently the heated words Scott Harrison and Nicky Cook shared caused something of a stir. Continue reading “Harrison and Cook in Rare Heated Exchange”
Pessimism or its younger sibling, apathy, often irks leading figures in the sport of boxing. It’s easy to suggest boxing is in crisis, close to self-destruction and disappearance as a sport of note amongst an increasingly disinterested new generation of sporting fans. Continue reading “Hatton and Calzaghe Short-Listed for Personality Award”
Frustrating former world-title challenger Danny Williams accepted the late notice invitation to face Audley Harrison in a re-run of arguably the worst heavyweight bout in recent memory. Continue reading “Danny Boy, the pipes the pipes are calling…”
The more time passes, the less likely it appears the paths of Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton will ever cross. Last weekend, following his belated move to the Welterweight division – a move simultaneous to Hatton’s own return to the Light-Welterweight class – Cotto provided ample evidence of his own ability in the stoppage defeat of previously unbeaten Puerto Rican, Carlos Quintana. Continue reading “Cotto Impresses Securing Hatton’s Vacated Title”
The BBC report that New Zealand international Rugby League star and Wakefield captain Monty Betham will follow in the footsteps of fellow Antipodean Anthony Mundine and fore sake his stature as a leading Rugby player for the squared circle. Continue reading “Boxing Welcomes Latest Rugby Player to Pro Ranks”
As suggested on various Internet message boards over the past few weeks, and particularly in the past 24 hours, Bedford heavyweight Matt Skelton has been forced to withdraw from next week’s clash with Audley Harrison.
A hand injury, compounded by Matt’s attempts to continue training, forces the postponement – whether Harrison still fights is unknown but unlikely and equally the future prospect of the two fighter’s paths crossing in the New Year is unsure.
Cynics may suggest the troubled promotion needed to drop some of it’s significant costs, given the presumed damage Scott Harrison Mediterranean detention caused to ticket sales.
Visit www.mattskelton.uk.com for the fuller news release
Yesterday’s suggestion that the much troubled December 9th Sports Network card could lose the Matt Skelton v Audley Harrison heavyweight clash received added substance today when American based British middleweight Patrick Maxwell confirmed that Thel Torrence, his and Harrison’s trainer, had cancelled his planned flight to England.
This is unconfirmed by Sports Network, but reliable evidence that the show – headlined by Scott Harrison’s WBO featherweight defence versus Nicky Cook – will suffer yet another withdrawal.
In a brave move, entertaining Scottish Super-Featherweight Alex Arthur has opted to vacate the European belt he secured beating gallant veteran Boris Sinitsen last year. On the cusp of a world-title shot in the talent rich 130 pound division Arthur will need to be a the pinnacle of his capabilities simply to be competitive with the likes of Joan Guzman, Marco Antonio Barrera and the other leading lights at the weight.
Presumably, Arthur’s promoter Frank Warren has spied an easier route to world-title level through the WBO. Their champion the infinitely more beatable Malcolm Klassen who deposed Gary St. Clair recently.
It will be interesting to see whether the decision to vacate the much trumpeted EBU belt proves an astute choice or indeed, whether Arthur can be manoeuvred to a title shot and not toward a meaningless lesser sanctioning body’s belt.
BOXINGWRITER.CO.UK 