Tag: Frank Maloney

BoxingWriter Archive: “Hit ‘im wiv the uppercut John!”, Danny Williams prevails

It is now more than 10 years since I began writing here and capturing articles and columns I’d written for the great, good and mediocre platforms that have come, gone and succeeded across print and digital during that time. The words were a little more tangled back then, but they do serve as a wonderful aide memoire for nights I’ve spent at the fights. This piece was a meander through the fight between two of British Heavyweight Boxing’s most recognisable characters; Danny Williams and John McDermott. A controversial affair, fought long before football stadia were the norm and when Leisure Centres were very much the home of British boxing.

First published on 23rd July 2008

Being at the fight is a special experience. True, television coverage offers you multiple camera angles, proximity and the benefit of replays for those crucial moments but no matter how effective your Dolby surround sound is, or crystal clear your high definition LCD presents the pictures, it cannot beat being there.

Danny Williams’ absorbing victory over Big John McDermott last Friday was a classic case in point. The Sky team of Adam Smith and Jim Watt had McDermott clearly winning the bout in their commentary and in doing so illustrated just how subjective scoring a fight can be. Continue reading “BoxingWriter Archive: “Hit ‘im wiv the uppercut John!”, Danny Williams prevails” →

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Boxing: Dickinson wins the English Cruiserweight title

John-Lewis Dickinson fulfilled the suspicions of those cute judges who felt he may have the qualities required to upset Matty Askin for the English Cruiserweight title tonight, defeating the champion by unanimous decision. The bout provided chief support to Anthony Crolla’s British Lightweight clash with Derry Mathews. Continue reading “Boxing: Dickinson wins the English Cruiserweight title” →

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Boxing: A sport of humans, not robots; chin up Tony Jeffries

I met British Super-Middleweight champion Paul Smith at the weekend, Paul and I have exchanged opinions, messages via various internet methods for a year or two but there is no facsimile for meeting someone in person. True, Paul proved as generous and humble with his time as the virtual discourse had suggested he would but putting the flesh to the on-screen skeleton of that connection reminded me of two things. Continue reading “Boxing: A sport of humans, not robots; chin up Tony Jeffries” →

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Boxing: Tyson Fury 270 pounds for McDermott rematch

Big Tyson Fury was bigger than ever ahead of the much-anticipated rematch with John McDermott. Weighing in at 19 stone 4, eclipsing his debut weight 18 months ago and 23 pounds heavier than in the first contest. McDermott looked more trim despite a characteristic weight of 18 stone 2, or 254 pounds. Surprisingly Fury, who attended in typically jovial mood seemed in reasonable shape but the weight doesn’t suggest his preparation for this fight has been as intense as it should have been. McDermott certainly appears fixated on victory this time and with McDonnell in his ear, may yet find the resolve and self-belief to make the final step. Continue reading “Boxing: Tyson Fury 270 pounds for McDermott rematch” →

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Maloney: “As far as we know, Tyson Fury is OK for the fight”

Throughout Tyson Fury’s embryonic boxing career he has embraced and wrestled with more media attention than his exploits in the ring have thus far merited. In part due to his eye-catching name, part due his back-story as a 6 foot 7 inch giant from travelling stock and in no small part to the potential he showed. On the surface, Fury has revelled in the attention and seemed naturally quotable whenever a camera was pushed in his face. Youthful charisma or an arrogance waiting to bite him on his not inconsiderable posterior? Depends how you like your fighters, respectful and humble or brash and loquacious? In the run up to his much required rematch with John McDermott the normally omnipresent Fury has been uncharacteristically quiet. A cause of some concern to Frank Maloney, who has to sell tickets for the clash and for fans, who want to buy them. Continue reading “Maloney: “As far as we know, Tyson Fury is OK for the fight”” →

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Flying over the cuckoo’s nest for the last time? Oliver McCall defeated

Anyone with a passing interest in heavyweight boxing over the past twenty years will hold a mental image of one sort or another of heavy punching former WBC champion Oliver McCall.

Whether it be the crunching right-hand which felled Lennox Lewis, his emotional implosion in the rematch or the various drug fuelled episodes which have blighted his attempts to construct another run at the championship he lost to a grateful Frank Bruno in 1995. One of them will be reside with you.

Last night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel he dropped a clear decision to peripheral contender Timur Ibragimov, a loss that spells the end of any championship hopes the now 45-year-old may have held.

Continue reading “Flying over the cuckoo’s nest for the last time? Oliver McCall defeated” →
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Larry Olubamiwo to face Big Dave Ferguson on June 25th

Likeable, affable heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo announced overnight that his opponent on the big Maloney bill later this month, June 25th at Brentwood, will be the North East’s Dave Ferguson in a cracking contest that serves as a title Eliminator for the British and Commonwealth titles. Great news for both fighters and a boom for Frank Maloney who now manages or promotes a crop of the division’s most viable talents. Continue reading “Larry Olubamiwo to face Big Dave Ferguson on June 25th” →

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John McDermott: “I don’t want any favouritism, just whoever WINS, wins!”

I met John McDermott once. He was standing at the back of the press rows the night David Haye got beaten by Carl Thompson. An evening more notable for him because he saw Mark Krence flattened by an imported journeyman that looked likely to rule the boxing butcher out of their proposed Eliminator, a contest, John lamented, for which he’d already sold £10,000 of tickets. And that snatched conversation typifies the kind of circumstantial misfortune he has laboured under for his entire professional career. In his forthcoming rematch with Tyson Fury I have a growing suspicion the genial giant may yet have his moment in the sun and overcome that sense of never being in the right place at the right time once and for all. Continue reading “John McDermott: “I don’t want any favouritism, just whoever WINS, wins!”” →

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Moore and Rhodes step out of the shadows

WAROFTHEROSES-SMTwo of  British boxing’s longest serving fighters will clash tonight for the European Light-Middleweight title, a bout which doubles as an eliminator for the WBC world title belt, or at worst a qualifier to face Julio Cesar Chavez Junior in a final eliminator for a crown held by slippery Sergio Martinez. It will also offer an opportunity for both fighters to finally step out of the shadow contemporaries Ricky Hatton and Prince Naseem Hamed threw across their respective careers and prove the old boxing truism, that styles make fights. 

Continue reading “Moore and Rhodes step out of the shadows” →

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Don’t forget Celestino Caballero, a real champion at 122 pounds

Bernard Dunne is a good fighter, a good, good fighter in fact. His courage and ability ably demonstrated over the past year. I’m interested in his next fight and I would love to see Rendall Munroe get a shot at the popular Irishman. However, I must open a window on the insular world we can sometimes live in here in the UK and Ireland and remind boxing fans that Dunne’s reported status as a world-champion is roughly akin to being a leading contender in days of yore. After all, the World Boxing Association from whom the world champion tag was bestowed recognise Celestino Caballero as Super-Bantamweight Super Champion because he also holds the IBF crown. I’m all for fighters earning money. But Dunne is no more world champion than Munroe is. In my opinion. Continue reading “Don’t forget Celestino Caballero, a real champion at 122 pounds” →

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The brainwash is almost complete, I’m hooked on Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury

You have to concede it has worked. Firstly, the moment in June 1988 when former heavyweight battler John Fury decided his son would be called Tyson, okay Luke Tyson but stay with me. The name was a reflection of Fury senior’s love of the then unbeaten Heavyweight champion Iron Mike. Secondly, the day, the now 6ft 9, Tyson Fury became Hennessy Sports’ highest profile signing.

Those two events have led the 6-0 (6ko) heavyweight prospect to become one of the most talked about fighters in the modern game.

Continue reading “The brainwash is almost complete, I’m hooked on Tyson Fury” →
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Boxingwriter.co.uk Fighter of the Month; June 09

Jason Booth

This award, which has laid dormant since Shane Mosley’s richly earned January residence as the BoxingWriter.co.uk fighter of the month, is the one fighters really clamour – forget Ring championships or PPV figures, the award they’re all looking for is this one. Selected unscientifically by a panel of one, the award seeks to recognise the eye-catching result or performance of the month. There is usually a splash of non-conformity about the choice and a sprinkling of sentiment over the significance of the bout or bouts the winner has participated in. Continue reading “Boxingwriter.co.uk Fighter of the Month; June 09” →

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Maloney starts the Dunne-Munroe bidding at £150,000

frankmaloneyI’ve written some pieces for Frank Maloney’s website in the past, and hope to again in the not to distant future, so I have a small history with the wily promoter. But I defy anyone to not to appreciate his tone and attitude in conversation with Steve Bunce on Steve’s weekly show on Setanta. The exchanges between Maloney and Brian Peters, the Irish promoter of Bernard Dunne the new WBA Super-Bantamweight champion and direct rival to Maloney’s European Champion, Rendall Munroe, in the run up to Dunne’s punishing victory over Ricardo Cordoba at the weekend certainly developed some sharp edges. Despite that, Maloney proved pragmatic and gracious in his praise for Dunne’s achievement on the popular show. Continue reading “Maloney starts the Dunne-Munroe bidding at £150,000” →

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Some other mountain; Oscar continues his PPV voyage

Amidst a global credit crunch it could prove harder than ever to defend the choices of a multi-millionaire like Oscar DeLaHoya and harder still if he is to assume the role of the big guy in his David and Goliath showdown with Manny Pacquiao. However, for all the criticism his selection of the Filipino piranha, instead of the entirely more imposing challenges of Paul Williams and Antonio Margarito, drew, I for one believe it is a sensible match-up for a fighter who operates outside boxing’s accepted parameters. Continue reading “Some other mountain; Oscar continues his PPV voyage” →

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Jamie Moore now set for shot at vacated title

Few announcements could be met with more glee. Salford’s likable Light-Middleweight contender Jamie Moore has today learned European Champion Zaurbek Baysangurov has relinquished the crown rather than fulfil his obligation to Moore. In a brief release from the Frank Maloney camp, it would appear more likely that the new bout will land on English shores. Continue reading “Jamie Moore now set for shot at vacated title” →

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Boxing: Frank Maloney’s cold-shower for Belshaw’s prospects

SCOTT BELSHAW

Every press release I’ve read about big Scott Belshaw has been heavily doused in salt. Frank Maloney is a wise old hand at generating attention for his fighters and he’s used every reference possible to project Belshaw as a raw puncher with a big future. Last week Belshaw was calling out Audley Harrison, who for all his vulnerability and idiosyncrasies, would walk through Belshaw in less than a minute.

Yes, that Audley. Okay maybe two.

Continue reading “Boxing: Frank Maloney’s cold-shower for Belshaw’s prospects” →
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Dunne’s promoter lashes out at Maloney

Once inter-promoter arguments begin it is hard to keep track, apportion blame or see the wood for the trees. However, Brian Peters, the promoter of popular Irishman Bernard Dunne, was obviously irked by Frank Maloney’s press release this week, which claimed Dunne’s camp were ducking his improving European champion Rendall Munroe. Of course the pair could be in cahoots and sniggering backstage at the attention they’re generating for a fight which could prove beneficial to both fighters.

Continue reading “Dunne’s promoter lashes out at Maloney” →

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Jamie Moore’s big fight was an urban myth after all

Poor old Jamie Moore, one of the most likable characters and down to earth punchers on the circuit has once more been robbed of the opportunity to win the European belt following the withdrawal of champion Zaurbek Baysangurov. It is another frustrating chapter in a career blighted by injuries and one which finally appeared to be progressing when the fight was confirmed. Moore’s hope, according to today’s press release by Frank Maloney, is the EBU will act to strip the champion and nominate a new foe for the Salford favourite. Continue reading “Jamie Moore’s big fight was an urban myth after all” →

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Is this the bottom for Scott Harrison, or can he fall further?

The story of Scott Harrison the fighter, and he was a competent world-level operator at his best, is close to becoming a footnote in the life of the former two-time WBO Featherweight belt holder. Today, having pleaded guilty to assaulting girlfriend Stacy Gardner and an attendant police officer, the gruff former fighter was sentenced to two months imprisonment. Continue reading “Is this the bottom for Scott Harrison, or can he fall further?” →

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Fewkes, Khan, Maloney and that old favourite “the anorak”

Useful garment in certain circumstances is the anorak. In the current climate of record rain-fall it is arguably a must-have in any sensible wardrobe. Okay it isn’t likely to enthuse Trinny and Susannah, but for those of us not worried about such frivolous opinion the anorak is a much maligned but much required item. Promoter Frank Maloney loves to use the negative connotations associated with the anorak – that its inhabitant is a solitary, narrow-minded, unsociable and unworldly individual – to mock, antagonise and tease those who contribute to boxing forums and message boards.  Reading the latest release from his stable, I can only assume its raining where Frank is.

Continue reading “Fewkes, Khan, Maloney and that old favourite “the anorak”” →

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Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption

flagAn article plucked from back in the summer of 2004, in the days preceding Danny Williams’ challenge to Mike Tyson. With a perspective on the significance of the bout for British boxing as a whole and specifically its hope of sustaining significance and resonance with the next generation of sports fans. Continue reading “Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption” →

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