Familiar to British fight fans, most notably for a 3 round victory over Jamie Moore – who was forced to retire with a hip injury – Ossie Duran seeks to establish himself as a ‘face’ on the American circuit this evening when he tackles unbeaten prospect James Kirkland on ShoBOX: The Next Generation.

Continue reading “Good Luck to Ossie Duran” →

If this fight actually occurs, and part of me still maintains this could be a tactical move by Frank Warren in his quest to secure a renewed contract with ITV, then today’s news of Calzaghe’s willingness to travel to Denmark to face Mikkel Kessler in a bout that will unify the Super-Middleweight division is arguably the most stunning and welcome since Tyson v Lewis was finally made. Frank Warren told Radio Five Live; “Mogens Palle (Kessler’s promoter) made an offer for Joe to fight Kessler in Denmark in September. We’ve accepted and are awaiting a contract“. Continue reading “Calzaghe Accepts Kessler Fight” →

Salford’s irrepressible Light-Middleweight contender Jamie Moore has been frustrated in his attempts to secure a progressive contest for the European (EBU) belt vacated by Michele Piccirillo. Speaking to the Salford Advertiser, Moore lamented the missed opportunity; “I’m disappointed to have missed out on a European title fight. But it’s not the first time that a fight I wanted has not come off and I’m sure it won’t be the last.” Continue reading “EBU Want Moore From Jamie” →

Little more than a snippet really, but the Guardian yesterday reported that Frank Warren has rejected ITV’s latest contract offer for the rights to broadcasting the on-going fortunes of Amir Khan, Joe Calzaghe and the rest of Warren’s Sports Network stable. Following two years of mixed results from the partnership I would assume ITV are driving a tougher bargain this time round, as a more informed customer they will surely be stipulating an improvement in quality is paramount. Continue reading “Warren and ITV Contract Negotiations” →

Former world-title challenger Henry Akinwande, one of the merry band of 40 somethings still plying their trade in the heavyweight division, has the opportunity to gain revenge for his defeat to Oleg Platov on June 30th when the two provide chief support to Alexander Povetkin’s debut in international class against Monte Barrett. Most observers believed the 6-7 Akinwande deserved the decision the first time they clashed, whether Akinwande can be more decisive this time remains to be seen. Continue reading “Akinwande Refuses to Go Away” →

Debating the health of boxing in light of UFC’s present popularity has become something of a parlour game for boxing columnists, revelling in the opportunity to trot out every melancholic cliche and metaphor they can muster. Despite my own willingness to join the discussion I refuse to accept boxing will be extinguished by a ‘sport’ in which men roll around on the floor in their pants. Boxing’s problems are within. Cancerous and aggressive but beatable. Bryan Burwell at the St Louis Post makes an engaging case for the defence in the meantime. Continue reading ““UFC is like a bad Patrick Swayze movie.”” →

Always on the spot, BritishBoxing.net’s Kevin Taylor is today exclusively reporting that Martin Power has withdrawn from his intriguing clash with Jason Booth next month, however fight fans needn’t despair as the hard to match Ajose Olusegun, arguably one of the most polished fighters in the UK today, will tackle the always game Gary Reid as the new main event. Click Here for Kevin’s full story. Continue reading “Power Out of Booth Clash” →

Throughout the past decade, the World Boxing Organisation has become increasingly omnipresent in British rings. Usually the preserve of Frank Warren’s Sports Network promotions, the WBO has become synonymous with Warren’s elite champions. No surprise then, that over-ripe Scottish contender Alex Arthur appears close to a shot at their Super-Featherweight title. Less surprising is the news world-class Joan Guzman’s forthcoming abdication of the ‘crown’ precedes the challenge. Continue reading “Arthur Close To WBO Shot” →

Light-Welterweight champion Ricky Hatton has been a pay per view attraction for almost two years. I’m not sure many of the fights, Kostya Tszyu aside, have warranted the implicit kudos associated with attaining PPV status either on paper or in retrospect but despite, mediocre performances and moderate entertainment value the blue collar hero’s fans will once again need to dig deep to see him in action. Continue reading “Dangerous Liasons: Hatton and PPV” →

I cannot claim to have devoured every second of the pre-fight promotion for the Mayweather v Oscar fight, 24/7, nor could I claim to have consumed every line of copy that has been generated to further build the fight but of the coverage I have digested I don’t recall the words Ricky or Hatton being mentioned, and certainly not as a potential next opponent for either of the protagonists. Perhaps Hatton’s millions fund access to Satellite stations simply unavailable to mortals like myself because he believes he has the pick of the two next? Continue reading “Did I Miss Something? Hatton thinks he’s next?” →

It was sad to note today that one of my regular watering holes, UKBoxingpress.co.uk appears to have succumbed to the bad feeling caused by a public spat with Frank Maloney’s Promotions company. Or at least that is the assumption. The forum there provided host to most of the regular visitors to message boards on British boxing and one can only hope it is a temporary hiatus.

Continue reading “UKBoxingpress Hits the Buffers” →

PRESS RELEASE: 02/05/07

The enclosed Press Release from Hennessy Sports focuses on Froch’s knee surgery but of more interest to British fight fans presents a clear indication he intends to defend his British and Commonwealth titles one more time before departing for international fixtures. It seems Robin Reid’s suggestion he would demolish Froch has made him the opponent of choice following the veteran clash between Reid and Glenn Catley in a final eliminator. Continue reading “PR: Froch Has Knee Surgery” →

PRESS RELEASE 30/04/07 

Hennessy Sports promoted John Murray is not surprised that his British lightweight rival Amir Khan rejected an offer to fight him this Saturday on potentially the biggest event in boxing history, despite the Olympic Silver medalist’s false claim that he ‘played’ with him in sparring. Continue reading “PR: Murray unsurprised at ‘joker’ Khan’s knock-back” →

Nobody could question the legitimacy of the venerable Jose Luis Castillo as an opponent for the Mancunian terrier Ricky Hatton in June; the 37 year old warrior is a revered fighter, capable of an outstanding punch output, an unflinching desire for combat and a rounded technical game. The clash promises high-octane, high quality toe to toe action and whatever the relative merits of the two in pound for pound terms it is a proper fight and the type Hatton urgently needs. After Castillo however, the way forward is far less clear.

Continue reading “Beyond Castillo; Is Hatton’s Cupboard Bare?” →

Secondsout.com, a site with a vested interested in furthering the case for Roman Greenberg, claim the 24 year old is on a short-list of three to be Vitali Klitschko’s opponent when the big former title holder returns. Perhaps only in a fight with an elite, if rusty, professional like Klitschko will Greenberg realise just how slowly he’s been moving both in the ring and up the heavyweight ladder. His record is aesthetic, he will doubtless gleefully take the payday and those are presumably the two criteria facilitating his consideration as the sacrifical lamb. Continue reading “Set to Drown: Roman on Klitschko Short-List” →

A brief sabbatical broke my winning run on the long shot series. Encouraged by Oliver Fennell following the outrageous suggestion Ray Austin could derail Wladimir Klitschko a few weeks back I enjoyed greater success with Steve Forbes who should’ve been awarded the upset versus Demetrius Hopkins, then Henry Maske who returned from a 11 year hiatus to outwork WBA Cruiserweight champion Virgil Hill and Clottey pummelled Diego Corrales at Welter. So this week…

Continue reading “The Weekend Long Shot V” →