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Posts Tagged ‘Champion’

HEAVYWEIGHT MEDIA WORKOUT

MONDAY AUGUST 27TH

AT JAMES SHULER GYM IN PHILADELPHIA

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British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion George Groves will headline the Wembley Arena on Friday 14th September.

But first the Hammersmith star is US bound when he takes on tough Mexican Francisco Sierra in San Jose, California, on Saturday 28th July in a ten round contest which can be seen live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

This will be Groves’ second appearance in the America, his first was against Alfredo Contreras in Las Vegas in July 2010 who he stopped in the sixth round.

Providing he comes through unscathed, he could then face fierce Scottish rival Kenny Anderson at Wembley Arena which is subject to purse offers for Groves’ British title.

September will be a bumper month on BoxNation that will also feature the mouthwatering clash between WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns and Kevin Mitchell.

Unbeaten Groves put on a sensational performance at the famous London boxing landmark last November when he halted former British champion Paul Smith in the second round.

He was scheduled to face Anderson in March but had to withdraw because of a back injury and then his WBO World title fight against Robert Stieglitz in May had to be cancelled after he suffered a broken nose in sparring.

Groves is now raring to make up for lost time with two great performances in the coming months.

“It’s been a frustrating time with injuries, but I’m through that now and I’m really looking forward to getting back into action,”

“I’m excited to return to America next week which is a great opportunity to expand my American fan base with a hot performance against Sierra who will give me a tough fight,”

“Then on my return, if it’s going to be Anderson, then I don’t need motivating to destroy him,”

“He’s been mouthing off ever since the fight was cancelled in March, I’ll have great pleasure in giving him another beating.”

The Wembley card will feature two further big title fights: Billy Joe Saunders’ first defence of his Commonwealth Middleweight Championship that he won in quick time at the Royal Albert Hall, and unbeaten prospect Bradley Skeete goes for the first title in his career when he takes on Chas Symonds for the Southern Area Welterweight title.

An action packed undercard featuring the best in London talent with super-middleweight Frank Buglioni continuing his meteoric rise in a four round contest as he looks to take his record to 6-0, plus light-welterweight Gary Corcoran and featherweight Mitchell Smith.

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £75 and £100, are available from the Wembley Arena Box Office on 0844 815 0815 or online at www.wembleyarena.co.uk

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British heavyweight boxer Michael Sprott is interviewed by By Michael J Jones

A long-time contender on the British heavyweight scene, Michael Sprott seems to have been around forever. Turning pro way back in November 1996, Sprott has now had 54 pro fights and still has title aspirations at 37 years of age. Currently 36-18 (17), Sprott has been fighting at title level both in the UK and around Europe for ten years and has fought a virtual who’s-who of big names in that time from; Corrie Sanders in South Africa, Danny Williams three times, Audley Harrison twice an Ruslan Chagaev.

Not the tallest heavyweight at 6ft 1in, Sprott is usually a cagey operator with good boxing skills and a respectful dig. A long-time sparring-partner for both Klitschko brothers, Sprott was a British and Commonwealth champion in 04’ and as recently as 2010 was winning the latest Prizefighter.

Despite a patchy-looking record, when in the mood Michael can be a formidable fighter as seen in victories over Timo Hoffman, Mark Potter, Cengiz Koc and Audley Harrison.

The victory over Harrison was particularly impressive giving that the former Olympic champion was coming off a destruction of Danny Williams. Dropped to the canvas in the first, Sprott was well on top in the third round when a spectacular left hook knocked Audley out cold.

Although Michael has lost his last three fights, all came in very good company and one feels there still could be some memorable nights still left for the Reading contender. Here’s what Michael had to say-

MJ) How old were you when you first started boxing?

MS) I was thirteen when I first started. I had about 60 fights before turning pro.

MJ) Probably the first time I saw you was against Harry Senior in a Southern Area title fight on Sky. He stopped you in six with body-shots, what do you recall about that fight ?

MS) I remember that fight very well. I was going to pull out with a rib injury beforehand. I’d been sparring Danny Watts and Julius Francis and things weren’t going right in camp. My trainer talked me into going through with it saying it’d be all ok. I remember Harry going for a big haymaker and missing but he came back with a big shot to my solar plexus. It winded me and then seconds later another punch got me in the same place. I went down and the ref’ stopped it.

MJ) You lost to the much-bigger Wayne Llewellyn soon after, getting stopped in three before being matched with the hulking Timo Hoffman at York Hall. Nobody expected much from that fight but you boxed brilliantly to beat him on points over eight rounds. Were you as surprised at how well you handled him ?

MS) What happened was, we were both on the same bill and our respective opponents both pulled out so we were matched against each other. I think I was meant to fight Michael Holden. I knew I could do ok against Timo as I’d sparred him over in Germany. His team were impressed with me when we sparred, I out-boxed him most of the time. His trainer wasn’t very happy though, at the weigh-in he asked me “who was I fighting ?” I said “I’m fighting Timo”, he wasn’t happy, he didn’t have a clue !

We fought a rematch in Germany, I thought I won but they gave him the decision. Even the German crowd booed the announcement that he’d won.

MJ) The year after, you came in at late notice to take on Danny Williams for the British and Commonwealth titles. You fought bravely but he wore you down in seven rounds. You seemed to grow in confidence after that loss and reeled off the form of your career ?

MS) I don’t really count that fight as a loss as I only came in on four days notice. I was in Barbados on holiday when I got the call.

It was after that fight I started working with Johnny Greenfield and he completely changed my style of boxing. He taught me to punch more correctly and other things and I ended up winning eight fights in a row with six by knock-out. I stopped Pele Reid (KO 7), Mike Holden (KO 4) and Mark Potter (KO 3) among others.

When Johnny died it was a very hard year (2004). Denny Mancini (Sprott’s cut-man) died a short while after him so I lost two of my corner-men close together. Around the same time we also lost my sister’s boyfriend’s dad, it was a terrible time and a tough moment to get through.

MJ) Let’s talk about your second and third fights with Danny Williams. There was high anticipation for the rematch as your form was incredible at the time, but both that and the rubber match were controversial with Williams being awarded a stoppage win in the second bout and you won a close decision in the last encounter ?

MS) Yeah they were controversial. The second fight I was out-boxing him but he kept hitting me below the belt. The referee wasn’t even warning him when he should have penalised him. In the fifth I turned to tell the ref’ I’d been hit low again and (Danny) knocked me out. It was hard to take at the time but they say “protect yourself at all times” and, in that fight, I learned that.

The third fight, I know everybody said he won but I thought I boxed well and I was just really proud to be British and Commonwealth champion. That was a very proud moment for me.

MJ) You lost both titles a short time later to Matt Skelton. It seemed surprising at the time that only three months after winning the titles you were taking on an undefeated challenger in your very first defence ?

MS) It was a little bit frustrating because I only got told about the fight a month after winning the titles. I wanted it a bit later but the BBB of C pushed for it as he was my mandatory. Skelton is a hard worker in there. People don’t like his style but it works for him.

MJ) You fought mostly in Germany for the next couple of years but eventually came back to the UK to score probably your most famous victory. You fought Audley Harrison straight after he’d just wiped out Danny Williams and came off the canvas to knock him out cold with a left hook. Tell me about that fight ?

MS) When he fought the second fight with Danny Williams I was actually there ringside. I’d been offered the fight but turned it down (Matt Skelton pulled out at late notice). I watched the fight and, while Audley looked impressive, I knew for a fact Danny wasn’t fully prepared for that fight.

Big things were meant to happen for Audley but I had great training for the fight, six or seven weeks and got down to a good weight at 16st 8lbs; that’s a good fighting weight for me. I was told by my trainer to come out strong in the first but I knew that would be a mistake as Audley is a very good counter-puncher. I got dropped in the first but got through the round and took over a round later. It was a great left hook I caught him with, it was a similar shot that stopped Colin Kenna. I went to the body and came back with the hook. I was actually pretty surprised because I was aiming to wear him down and stop him later on in the fight in eight or nine rounds.

MJ) You came a cropper again against Matt Skelton in your next fight losing a close decision. Afterwards you went on your travels again boxing Lamon Brewster amongst others. You were due to return to take part in Prizefighter in October 2009 but tragedy struck and you were forced to pull out. Can you talk a little about that difficult period in your life and career ?

MS) My sister died tragically and I was devastated. It was a very tough time in my life, I thought about going through with Prizefighter but my mother told me not to. My head wasn’t in a good place, so I pulled out to support, and be there for, my family.

Audley Harrison won the tournament and immediately afterwards put his trophy up for auction. The money he raised he gave for my sister’s children. I never had the opportunity to thank him properly but it meant a lot what he did. I was hoping, win-lose-or-draw, I could speak to him at the end of our second fight but I never got the chance.

MJ) A lot of people will be surprised reading that. Why do you think he gets such a bad wrap in this country ?

MS) I don’t know, maybe he just doesn’t come across very well to certain people. I’ve known Audley a long time and know him well. When we were amateurs we used to spar and train together. He’s a good guy, I like him.

MJ) After a warm-up you fought Audley for the vacant European title. He was injured early and you seemed well ahead going into the last but he paid you back for that left hook ?

MS) Yeah he sure did (laughs). It’s funny how things work out but it just goes to show; it’s not over until it’s over. That’s why heavyweight boxing is so exciting; anything can change at any given moment. One minute I’m in control and waiting to be crowned European champion and the next it’s all over !

MJ) You came back to win the next Prizefighter tournament six months later, beating old foe Matt Skelton in the final. What was more satisfying; winning the tournament or finally beating Skelton ?

MS) I was very happy to do both. Obviously winning the tournament was great but also beating Matt after he’d beaten me twice was a good achievement too.

MJ) You had less success the following year in International Prizefighter losing to Tye Fields in the opening bout. It was very close did you think you’d won ?

MS) Yeah I did. I thought I landed the cleaner shots and combination punches while he hit gloves a lot. I thought I nicked it but also, with it being over here, I’d have a better chance again but they gave it him. It’s like that over in Germany; you’re never guaranteed the decision but I thought it’d be different over here.

MJ) You’ve lost your last three bouts to Fields, Alexander Dimitrenko and Kubrat Pulev. That’s great company but what do you hope to achieve in the last few years of your boxing career ?

MS) I’d really like to go for a world title…and win it. I was very close to getting a world title shot with the second Audley Harrison bout (Harrison getting destroyed by David Haye next time out), so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t get a chance with a couple of good wins. I’m 37 now but I feel good for my age, there’s no reason why I can’t carry on for a few more years.

Those last two fights I didn’t feel completely recovered from a bout of pneumonia I had last year. I sparred Alexander Povetkin for a month before falling ill with it. I didn’t feel great in either of those fights but I am much better now and can’t wait for my next fight. I wanted to continue against Pulev but my trainer Jim Evans said “you’re behind on points and taking unnecessary punches. You could go the distance but what’s the point ?” He was right I guess.

MJ) Who are you fighting next Mike ?

MS) I’m fighting (20-0 German) Edmund Gerber in Germany on August 26th. It was meant to be on the Povetkin-Rahman card on July 14th, so now it’s on the re-scheduled bill on the later date. It’s been a bit frustrating this year, I’ve not fought since January as I’ve had a few dates cancelled so I just hope this one doesn’t get scrapped like the others.

MJ) You’ve fought Matt Skelton three times, Danny Williams three times and Audley Harrison twice. If you could fight any of those former rivals again who would you pick and why?

MS) Hmmm…I don’t think I want to fight any of them again ! No seriously, I think I’ve kind of had revenge on all of them as I’ve beaten each one. Maybe I’d say Audley as it’s one win a piece.

MJ) What do you make of the younger heavyweight contenders coming through like Tyson Fury and Dave Price?

MS) We’ve got a good young generation of heavyweights coming through I think. David Price is the best for me, he’s tall, athletic and can bang. Tyson Fury is coming along well, I was impressed with his last fight. Fighting Martin Rogan as a southpaw was amazing. Richard Towers too looks a good fighter. They all look good but it’s time to see what they bring (in a higher class).

MJ) Is there any fight over the years that you wanted but never got ?

MS) Maybe Mike Tyson. I beat Danny Williams but he got the fight against Tyson. I have to give credit though; Danny beating him was a great achievement. Tyson wasn’t what he was but he still had the speed and power and was a dangerous man.

MJ) Many thanks for your time Mike and best of luck for your next fight.

MS) Thank you !

Published by kind permission of: Worldwide Weekly Boxing Predictions League

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The youngest son of heavyweight legend Joe Louis has been officially named Vice President of Operations of the World Boxing Union. Joe Louis Barrow II has stated that he looks forward to making the World Boxing Union a thriving championship organization again. “Since I have accepted this position I plan on making some important changes that I believe will not only revitalize this organization but the sport of boxing as well,” Barrow stated.

Joe Louis Barrow II, not to be confused with Joe Louis’s oldest son, Joe Louis Barrow Jr., is taking his position very seriously. “When my father was champion, he was the only champion. In the 70′s and 80′s when the sanctioning bodies started taking over, it was a bit difficult to figure out who was the real champion. Some fighters unified the titles and were recognized as the ‘Undisputed Champion.’

“That’s all fine and dandy, but today it is a little outrageous. Some organizations don’t want to do business with other organizations for a unification match. It’s despicable. It’s a circus. Organizations now have the world champion, the diamond champion, the super champion, and world champion emeritus. No wonder fight fans are crossing over to MMA. It was one thing to know who the WBA, WBC, and IBF champions were. Now we have to know who the WBA World champ is as well as who the WBA Super champ is. It’s frightening.”

Barrow is in the process of making a Board of Directors, which will include some familiar names in the sport and in politics. “I have Rocky Marciano’s nephew Lou Marciano Jr. coming on board. I plan to reach out to U.S. Senator John McCain as well. It’s about the fighters. If I have the support of legends like Larry Holmes, Eddie Mustapha Muhammad, Irish Micky Ward, Vinny Pazienza, Tommy Hearns and a handful of other boxing greats, the WBU has to be looked at seriously again.”

Barrow is talking about the 90s and the early part of this century when the WBU was based in England. The WBU was a respected organization at the time with champions like Ricky Hatton, Kevin Kelley, Micky Ward, Tommy Hearns, George Foreman and James Toney to name a few. After the death of WBU founder John W. Robinson the company was primarily just making champions in the UK. It eventually ran itself into the ground and was defunct for several years until a business group headed by Don “Moose” Lewis out of Atlanta bought the rights to the company. Since then the WBU has been in the rebuilding process.

Lewis is acting President while Joe Louis Barrow II is running the day to day operations. “We had some problems with the BBB of C when we came back. They originally refused to recognize the WBU in the UK. It’s funny, Charles Giles is the Chairman of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBB of C) and he is also the Vice-President of the WBC and the Vice-Chairman of the EBU. He doesn’t like the fact that the U.S. has taken over a former UK organization I imagine. We are trying to work on relations with them but this is what’s wrong with the sport. Questions need to be raised. Regardless the WBU has a rich history in boxing and we plan on continuing that in the future.”

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GOODWIN MAIN EVENTS

LEON ‘SOLID’ WILLIAMS Vs. TONY ‘CONQUEROR’ CONQUEST

Southern Area Cruiserweight Championship

7th July 2012 @ York Hall, London

Former Champ  Williams Ready For July 7th Title Showdown With Conquest

By Rio

London – June 2012

After three false starts, the long awaited showdown, between former British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams and Southern Area Champ Tony ‘Conqueror’ Conquest, is finally set to take place, on the Olivia Goodwin promoted ‘One More Round’ event at York Hall on Saturday 7th July.

The last time this highly anticipated Clash of the Titans was due to take place was back in January, as Williams’ first defense of his British Crown, however Conquest was forced to withdraw due to a viral infection.

With Conquest out  Williams instead defended against Nottingham’s Shane McPhilbin.

For eleven rounds Williams totally dominated the proceedings, including sending McPhilbin to the canvas twice. However after just thirty seconds of the final round things took a dramatic turn, for the worse, after McPhilbin landed a powerful clubbing shot, to the back of the defending Champ’s head, which ultimately lead to the fight being stopped and a new British Champion crowned.

With no quick rematch with McPhilbin, or a shot at current British Champ Enzo Maccarinelli on the horizon, the only way Williams could get back into the Championship mix this year would be to challenge his good friend Conquest.

A situation that wasn’t lost on the former Champ, as he made clear when he spoke briefly, following a training session at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, earlier. “Yeah it’s a stepping stone, I know I gave up the Southern Area title before I beat Rob Norton and became British Champ, but it does lead to bigger and better things.

God willing, I’ll get the chance to get my Lonsdale belt back after beating Tony on the 7th.

No make that Johnny willing, Johnny, my manager Johnny Eames, will do the business side for me, I’ve just got to win.

Preparation has been very good, sparring has been the best. I’m Dereck Chisora’s main sparring partner, so that’s good experience and I learn from it all the time.

This is really going to help me with the fight. Dereck’s a very big, strong guy and after all this work Tony will feel like a lightweight in comparison – Thank you Dereck Chisora.

I’m not trashing Tony, he’s a good friend of mine and a very good boxer, but there’s no friendship when you step in the ring, you fight, and that’s what we’re going to do – fight.

Team Solid is back…and climbing the ladder to the top. Team Solid all day, every Day…Yeah.”

Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Tony ‘Conqueror’ Conquest  for the Southern Area Cruiserweight title co-headlines Olivia Goodwin’s ‘One More Round’ event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 7th July 2012.

Tickets, priced £60 (Ringside) and £35 (Standard Seated), for Leon Williams vs. Tony Conquest are available on-line now at www.tkoboxoffice.com – tickets are also be available direct from Leon Williams or the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.

or interviews with Leon Williams please contact:

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA

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