Boxing News

Archive for March, 2012

RED HAWK PROMOTIONS will run their first professional boxing event on Saturday, May 19 at The Hub venue in Castlerea, Roscommon. Promoter Maria Ni Shiuilleabhain has an action-packed bill lined up for all fans of the noble art

TEAM REDHAWK

THE CONNACHT ARMY

SportsNewsIRELAND

Former Irish light-heavyweight champion John Waldron and exciting female boxing talent Christina McMahon will both compete in title fights, while ex-amateur achiever Stephen Reynolds makes his first step on the road to professional honours. The Ballinacarrow cruiserweight will be joined by fellow debutants Finton Glynn, Michael Waldron and Brandon Peake.

Unbeaten Galway prospect Alan Donnellan also features, alongside Roscommon’s own Darren Cruise who will be hoping to thrill his hometown fans off the back of a successful Prizefighter campaign on May 5. Middleweight Willie Mitchell’s inclusion caps what promises to be an exciting evening’s action for all fight fans.

“It’s going to be a very different show from the norm with top class boxing, performers and musicians,” said Maria Ni Shiuilleabhain. “Red Hawk is delighted to be coming to Roscommon for a pro show. The local fans love their boxing and we have a quality show lined up for them. We are expecting a strong and enthusiastic crowd to come along to Castlerea and support the cream of Irish boxing talent.

“I want people to start celebrating boxing in Ireland again and for fans to enjoy the experience of getting out and going to shows to see that it is fun to be at a real live boxing show, rather just watching on TV. By bringing their friends and family, and even those who would not normally attend boxing, they can also enjoy an entertaining experience.

“That’s where the challenge lies with Irish boxing at the moment. I am very proud to have such a great team in Red Hawk, we have hugely talented and experienced boxers and I hope to showcase their skills on this show.”

Maria intends to take the experience beyond boxing and is planning a show filled with surprises. Galway Samba Drummers, Red Hawk Golden Girl Cheerleaders, Fierce Studio Firebreathers and Pole Fitness Performers will join an Irish Speaking MC for what is shaping up to be unforgettable evening’s entertainment.

Tickets for the May 19 event priced at €30, €45 and €55 will be available from www.irish-boxing.com, directly from the boxers or by emailing [email protected]

Source: SportsNewsIRELAND

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Mar. 29, 2012 – Earlier this week Hall-of-Fame boxing historian Bert Sugar passed away at the age of 75. For many years, this remarkable and unforgettable boxing personality was part of the HBO Sports family, working at major boxing events and writing articles for hbo.com. As a celebration of Bert Sugar’s prolific career as a journalist, historian and broadcast personality, hbo.com has established a remembrance page at hbo.com/boxing that will allow boxing fans to review some of his signature contributions to HBO Sports.

http://www.hbo.com/#/boxing/features/article/remembering-bert-sugar.html

Launching March 28, videos capsules and editorial features recorded and written by Bert will be posted. In addition, personal remembrances from a number of HBO colleagues, who had the unique experience of working with Bert, will be spotlighted.

The accomplishments he achieved over the years go well beyond the ring. In addition to being an author, editor and television personality of the sweet science, throughout his career he wrote books on horse racing, baseball and talked all sports with thousands of radio shows. His words of wisdom touched so many lives which, for those who had encounters with him, will never be forgotten.

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Boxing News & Updates – March 30^th 2012 - For: Ponce De Leon to fight on Mayweather-Cotto Undercard, Mitchell replaces Camacho Jr, Krasniqi approved as Cheverly’s challenger, Jaco Set to take on kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, Chisora has appealed, Periban vs Diaz, Golden Boy signs Lo Greco, Audley Harrison: I’ll Shock People in The Ali Adams Fight, Abraham one fight away from world title shot, Fury seeks Irish title

 

· Ponce De Leon to fight on Mayweather-Cotto Undercard - Former 2000 Sydney Olympian and former champion, Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon, will fight on the Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr.-Miguel “Junito” Cotto undercard on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. ”We do not know who but I’m positive that I’ll fight on May 5 in Las Vegas on the undercard of Cotto and Mayweather,” said the former super bantamweight champion of the World Boxing Organization Boxing (WBO). Ponce De Leon (42-4, 35 KOs) is training in Los Angeles, California.

· Mitchell replaces Camacho Jr.- Middleweight Eric Mitchell (23-8-1, 11 KOs) and former middleweight title challenger Elvin “The Lycan” Ayala (24-5-1, 11 KOs) will meet in the 8-round co-feature on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Mitchell replaces Hector Camacho Jr. who pulled out with a hand injury. Lightweights “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy (21-1-1, 11 KOs) and “Dangerous” Dannie Williams (21-1, 17 KOs) will meet in the 10-round main event from MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

· Krasniqi approved as Cheverly’s challenger - The World Boxing Organisation have now officially approved Robin Krasniqi as the challenger for Nathan’s Cleverly’s World Light-Heavyweight title on Saturday 28th April at the Royal Albert Hall in London. After some uncertainty about Krasniqi last week when he was announced as Cleverly’s opponent, promoter Frank Warren and the WBO Championship Committee have resolved the situation and the Welshman will now proceed with the fourth defence of his title with the winner to face the mandatory challenger in 120 days. It’s set to be a landmark occasion with world championship boxing returning to the iconic venue for the first time in over a decade.

· Jaco Set to take on kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik - Sarasota’s Aaron “Jedi” Jaco (15-2-0, 5 KOs) will be in the co-main event of the Top Rank Live! Telecast, this Saturday, March 31st, as he takes on former world middleweight champion, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (37-2-0, 32 KOs) in a 10-round, Super-Middleweight, bout. - “This is hands-down the biggest fight of my career” said Jaco, who is coming off an impressive first-round knockout of Brian Bernard on November 4, 2011. “Kelly Pavlik is obviously a very accomplished fighter, but I plan to give him a fight from the opening bell. Opportunities like this don’t come by every day, and I’m going to make the most of it.” - The Top Rank Live! telecast on the Azteca America network will also feature featherweight Alejandro Lopez, 23-3, 7 KOs, of Tijuana against Russian-born Evegeny Gradovich, 12-0, 6 KOs. In the opening televised bout, super featherweight Casey Ramos, 15-0, 4 KOs, of Austin, Texas, will take on Gerardo Robles, 17-10, 9 KOs, of Kansas City.

· Chisora has appealed - Frank Warren has confirmed that Dereck Chisora has appealed against the withdrawal of his licence and claims a grudge match against David Haye is inevitable. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) indefinitely removed Chisora’s licence as punishment for his conduct before and after last month’s WBC world heavyweight clash with Vitali Klitschko. - Warren believes the simmering feud between the two must be settled in the ring. “It’s a natural fight, it doesn’t matter what anyone says,” he told Press Association Sport. “It’s a bigger fight than either of them fighting Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko. “I do see the fight happening. It’s the proper forum for them to settle their differences.” Haye who is still wanted for questioning by German police over his role in the brawl, must reapply for his license with the BBBofC, since he is retired.

· Periban vs Diaz - A 10 round super middleweight battle between unbeaten Marco Antonio Periban (15-0, 10 KOs) and Gerardo Diaz (12-1-1, 10 KOs) has been added as the co-featured fight on Saturday at the Grand Oasis Cancun in Cancun, Mexico, before the WBC lightweight eliminator between former two-division champion Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares and Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson. Fox Deportes broadcast airs live at 10PM ET/7PM PT in the United States.

· Golden Boy signs Lo Greco - Unbeaten welterweight Phil “The Italian Sensation” Lo Greco (22-0, 12 KOs) has signed a promotional agreement with Golden Boy Promotions who will co-promote him along with his Italian co-promoter OPI 2000. “This is the greatest moment of my career so far and I promise Golden Boy Promotions that I will give them many more great moments before I’m done,” said Lo Greco. “I am looking forward to fighting the best the division has to offer both here at home and around the world and my goal, just like any boxer’s, is to win a world championship.” A date and opponent for Lo Greco’s Golden Boy Promotions debut will be announced shortly.

· Audley Harrison: I’ll Shock People in The Ali Adams Fight - British heavyweight and Olympic gold medal winner Audley Harrison (27-5, 20KOs) has promised to wash away the bad stain of his last ring appearance, a three round knockout loss to David Haye. Harrison faces Ali Adams (13-3-1, 5KOs) in Brentwood on May 26th. The fight was going to happen sooner, but Harrison suffered an elbow injury and the fight was pushed back by a month. The career of Audley is on the line. He doesn’t deny the likely possibility of retirement if Adams gets his hand raised. - Harrison told the Brentwood Gazette: “My only prediction is I’m going to win, and I’m going to shock a few people by turning back the clock and looking good. Don’t judge from the David Haye fight. I took the fight with a major injury to my right pec, and I thought I could be superman and knock David out with one arm. I know a lot of people felt let down by what happened, but I won’t give up, because I didn’t turn up that night. Life is crazy and you never know what’s around the corner. I’ve gone from the weakest to the strongest, to the weakest, and now I’m regaining my boxing identity and know I will shock a few people in how far this comeback can possible go. This is for me…win, lose, or draw, I’m leaving it in the ring.” (Edward Chaykovsky – Boxingscene).

· Abraham one fight away from world title shot - Piotr Wilczewksi (30-2, 10 KOs) is the last obstacle between Arthur Abraham (33-3, 27 KOs) and another world title shot. “If Arthur wins on Saturday night, he will be the highest-ranked challenger in the WBO ratings and face the winner of Stieglitz-Groves,” promoter Kalle Sauerland said at today´s press conference. “It´s all or nothing for Arthur. He needs to win against Wilczewski.” - In the co-featured main event, European Light Heavyweight Champion Eduard Gutknecht (23-1, 9 KOs) takes on Tony Averlant (17-5-2, 4 KOs). “I have to defend my belt because my kids want to keep playing with it,” Gutknecht said with a smile. Also in action will be unbeaten cruiserweight sensation Mateusz Masternak (25-0, 19 KOs), who comes face-to-face with Felipe Romero (15-4-1, 9 KOs). “European champion Alexander Alekseev better watches this clash closely,” Kalle Sauerland stated. “We plan to challenge him very soon with Mateusz. He has great potential.”

· Fury seeks Irish title - 23-year-old, Undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury (17-0, 12 KO’s) who vacated his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles rather than to face David Price is now seeking the vacant Irish heavyweight title against 40-year-old Martin Rogan (14-2, 7 KO’s) next month on April 14th.

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TRAD TKO Boxing Gym

Nina C’s Touch Glove Promotions

AN AUDIENCE WITH MICKY WARD & DICKIE EKLUND

By Rio

London - Tuesday, 27th March 2012

Micky Ward - Dickie Eklund UK Tour Promo Video Released

Nina C’s Touch Glove Promotions today released the promotional video for the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend mini UK tour by the real life subjects of the box office hit movie ‘The Fighter’, ‘Irish’ Micky Ward and his half brother Dickie Eklund.

Micky, who was played by Mark Wahlberg in the movie, has stated that he is relishing returning to the UK, the first time being when he challenged, and beat, Liverpool’s Shea ‘The Shamrock Express’ Neary, at Olympia in Kensington in March 2000, to capture the World Boxing Union Light Welterweight title.

Whilst without doubt a magnificent victory, especially so when you consider Neary had successfully defended his title five times since beating Darryl Tyson to lift the title in October 1996, Micky is better known as one of the protagonists, the other the late Arturo Gatti, in the greatest trilogy of fights of all time.

Incidentally Mark Wahlberg, accompanied by Micky and Dickie, stated at the Spike TV Guys Choice Awards last year “We left out the Arturo Gatti fights for a reason… because that’s for ‘Fighter 2.” Hopefully this means the sequel should be hitting the silver screen in the very near future.

 

That aside, back to Micky and Dickie’s upcoming visit, whilst here in the UK the boys will be undertaking three ‘Audience With’ appearances, the first takes place at the Hilton Metropole in London, on Saturday the 5th May, then the pair will make the short trip to the Crown Plaza in Maldon, Essex for their second appearance on Sunday 6th May and then finally the boys will be at the Priestfield Suite in Gillingham, Kent on Monday 7th May.

In addition Micky and Dickie will also be visiting the famous TRAD TKO Boxing Gym deep in the heart of London’s East End, Brentwood ABC in Essex and O’Neill’s Gym in Margate Kent, where they will meet local underprivileged kids, who will have the opportunity to work out with the legends and, hopefully, generate some fundraising for the OneLife UK charitable organisation.

Tickets priced, VIP - £120 (includes photograph with Micky Ward and Dickie Eklund and as well as front row seats and a meal) and Gold - £100 (which also includes a meal) are available on line at www.tkoboxoffice.com and www.touchglovepromotions.co.uk or call Touch Glove Promotions Office 01277-410167 10-6pm

 

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA

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Photos and Report by Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

2012 seems to becoming quite a defining year for Women’s Boxing in the UK, not only will it be an Olympic sport for the first time at the London 2012 Olympics and the female pro boxing is beginning to take off here at long last, but there’s also a thriving female White Collar scene.

A fair amount has been already been written on the Amateur and Pros, but not that much on the real grass roots scene, so with that in mind I spent a little time with a group of girls training at the legendary TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, in London’s East End, for a White Collar event that takes place at the Troxy in Limehouse this coming Friday.

Before we get to the Women, let’s backtrack to the beginning of the White Collar Boxing phenomenon , which first saw the light of day in 1988.

The whole sport came about after New York attorney Dr. Richard Novak challenged Dr. David Lawrence to a competitive boxing contest, not for money, but purely to test their newly developed boxing skills.

The contest took place at the World famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York, whilst there is no record of who had won, both gentlemen seemed content with the result and promptly went out to dinner to celebrate the birth of a new sport.

Word quickly spread and soon there were regular events taking place in the World financial districts, from London to New York and Sydney to Singapore it seems that every week there was at least one White Collar show taking place somewhere.

Ok, now let’s get back to date. This Friday’s event, titled ‘This Is It’, is promoted by the Bad Boy Promotions organisation, which coincidentally is run by female promoter Chrissy Morton.

As if to prove the popularity of White Collar boxing ‘This is It’ is crammed to the gills with fights, twenty three bouts in all, three of which are all female bouts. That’s quite impressive when you consider that the biggest of the pro boxing shows feature around fourteen bouts on the card.

Chrissy, who has been spearheading White Collar Boxing in the Capital makes no apologies for her desire to encourage more women to take up the sport.

“Myself being a Woman and my promoting a White Collar show I like to have the girls there as well.

It makes me feel good when the girls can go out and get stuck in as good as the men, that’s why I’m so pleased that Marianne (Marston) is now helping us, by training our girls as well as having two of her girls on the show.

Marianne’s a pro boxer and trains girls at the TRAD TKO, since she’s been helping the girls they have come along in leaps and bounds, I expect the girls fights to be some of the best of the night.

Hopefully one day in the future there will be enough girls boxing so that we can have a show on equal terms, with half the bouts being girls ones.”

Chrissy’s star female boxer is Tiffany Simons, a postal team leader who has had four fights to date and will be also fighting on the Troxy event..

“I used to do kick boxing when I was younger” explained Tiffany, “Then I stopped all kind of exercise and I got a bit fat and lazy.

I then decided I wanted to get into something and I saw the advertisement in the Metro for Bad Boy Promotions and that’s how it all started.”

Tiffany then spoke on what it was like to be one of those pioneering females taking part in a White Collar event, “The first fight was a little bit awkward actually, because there was only myself and another girl that were at the club.

Unfortunately she was a lot lighter than me so it was more of an exhibition than a proper fight.

It was good because you got to move around and experience being in a ring in front of a crowd, which was a good starting point.”

Being fully aware that both Amateur and Professional female boxers struggle to find opponents here, I wondered if it was the same for White Collar.

“As I said for the first fight it was just the two of us,” Tiffany said before continuing, “The second time there were a lot more girls.

I think because we took part in the first one it kind off promoted girls in boxing and then when we went back to the gym to continue training there was like twelve girls that joined, which was really good and meant that everybody got a fight and there was a lot more girls on the night.

Then it fluctuated, it sort of dropped off, but then we moved here and again we’ve got more girls as there was already a thriving girls class, and now we have more girls training than at any time previously, it’s really good.”

Tiffany then explained what it was like when she started training for her first fight.

“I know it’s hard for girls to get involved, but for myself it was quite easy because I’m quite determined. I must admit that the first time I went to the gym it was just all boys there, blokes should we say there, which did feel a bit awkward.

I kind of used to put myself in a corner out of the way and do my own thing and kind of keep my head down really, but everybody starts talking and because everybody was doing White Collar you get to realise that for a lot of the blokes it was their first time as well, so they like wanted someone to talk to.

I suppose for them it is unusual to see a girl doing boxing, so it interests them. It was a kind of transition for myself that was easy, everybody was in the same position so you’ve got a bond there already and I think once they’ve actually seen you sparring and they’ve seen you training they realise you not there for fun and you are taking it as seriously as they are.

Chrissy really kind of puts us at the forefront, she really encourages us, which is really good and I think for her she would always love to have more girls. Obviously it’s an unusual thing. On my first fight she did a couple of press releases because girl fighting is quite unusual, girls in boxing is quite unusual. As I said each time I’ve done a show there have been more and more girls doing it and it’s kind of generating interest and showing that girls can do it just as well as boys, maybe not as strong but we still take it seriously and we want to do just as well.”

Turning her attention to the amateur and pro disciplines Tiffany continued enthusiastically, “I think it’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant, that Women’s boxing is at the Olympics this year, it can only do the sport good especially for us girls involved in the sport as it goes to show that when we put our mind to it we can achieve it.

I think it’s excellent, and the fact that more women are accepted into the sport is a good thing. Anything that encourages people to get fit, healthy and motivated is worthwhile.

I mean boxing for me is good for the mind and it’s a brilliant way of keeping fit and I don’t think it should just be for blokes, it’s a sport for everybody.

Whilst I haven’t yet been to a female pro fight, I think it’s brilliant that there has already been a female fight in London this year. I think that women’s boxing isn’t as well promoted as male boxing, I think that’s the only thing is if people got behind it but I suppose the problem is getting the media interested but men dominate the sport so they take more of an interest, I think that’s where things need to change, it should be about boxing not whether it’s girls or blokes fighting.

I know there’s a lot of women that campaign for women’s boxing but again it’s still really hard to be accepted, you can tell that just by the fights that they televise, you never see a women’s fight and it’s never promoted in the same way, you’ll never see the equivalent of a big David Haye fight if it was a women’s fight.

They say that behind every great man, is a great woman and we’ll just bring ourselves to the forefront and show everyone what we can do now.

It’s good and if more and more women get involved in boxing it’s going to keep it alive, which is good.”

The TRAD TKO is a proper old school East End Boxing gym, not exactly the kind of place you would expect to be pioneering Women’s boxing. This is the gym that has some of the oldest of old school coaches, Johnny Eames and Jimmy Tibbs, and is where World Champions are bred, Graham Earl, Tony Oakey and Kevin Lear are just a few of their old boys and the class of 2012 includes such stars as Colin Lynes, Kevin Mitchell, Billy Joe Saunders and Leon Williams.

However initial impressions are very, very deceptive as the TRAD TKO is also home to not one but two female pro boxers, Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston and Areti ‘The Master’ Mastrodovka.

Marianne, who was the first female boxer to be be signed to the TRAD TKO team by Johnny Eames, is not just a fighter, she also trains female boxers at the gym and created the first Women’s Boxing Classes series in the UK.

Marianne spent three years being trained in America by some of the biggest names in sport, initially with legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier and his son Marvis.

After the Frazier’s landmark North Philadelphia gym closed it’s doors in 2008 Marianne moved to Percy ‘Buster’ Custus’ James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia, where she was invited to join two time IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham’s newly formed professional squad and was coached by Steve, Shar’ron Baker and occasionally Steve’s fight coach the esteemed Naazim Richardson.

With that kind of pedigree, it seems out of place that Marianne would put so much time in to help complete novices learn to box. Marianne’s answer came as a complete surprise.

“I had already started boxing training before I went to America, but it was virtually impossible to get taken seriously here” Marianne said before continuing, “When I returned to London in 2009 nothing had changed, in fact it may have got worse. I approached a few London boxing gyms but none accepted women, the one that did, All Stars, said I they only offer Boxercise to Women.

I was so angry, I mean I had a fight contract in America yet here in the UK I couldn’t even find somewhere to train, let alone a proper training team.”

Things did change for the Norwich born blonde, as she explained, “Eventually I found a gym near London Bridge, the owner signed me but after all his promises I was mainly left to train on my own and the only fight he could get me was on his own show, which I comfortably won.

One good thing came from my time there though, I got to set up the first Boxing Classes specifically for Women, which became very successful and I still run them today at three London gyms, three sessions here at the TRAD TKO, two a the Tokei gym in Southwark and a single class at the Ringtone Gym in Euston.

The biggest boost, to both my career and classes, came after I moved to the TKO, Johnny (Eames) not only took me seriously but also encouraged me to develop a Female Boxing squad, both recruiting boxers as well as developing them through my classes.

I now have a core of around ten girls, with six competition ready, two of them, Kim and Elli, will be fighting on Friday on Chrissy’s White Collar show.

They’re both very dedicated, and already showing the signs that they are ready for a higher level of competition, but I’m happy for them to start out with a White Collar fight as this will get them used to fighting in front of an audience without the pressures that come from competing in the amateurs.

Saying that both KIm and Elli, as well as Jo, are ready for the amateurs. In fact after this show I will encourage them all to join the newly affiliated TRAD TKO Amateur Boxing Club.

Whilst the amateur head coach will become their official trainer I will be very much involved in their development as well as assist in their training.

Hopefully once other gyms see that we have a female squad they will follow suit, as the only way Women’s boxing will progress is if more gyms take TRAD TKO’s lead and actively provide Boxing training for Women.”

One of Marianne’s boxers that will be fighting at the Bad Boy Promotions event is Eloise ‘Elli’ Shepherd, who like Marianne found that it was virtually impossible to be taken seriously when she first decided to take up boxing.

“Yeah this will be my first fight and I can’t wait.

The thing about boxing is that when you first start out it’s quite hard as a woman to find someone that will take you seriously and train you to a good standard.

That’s the nice thing about Marianne, she’s been through it herself so knows what it’s like. She doesn’t have any expectations and actually takes the time to teach you to box, which is really good.

I was at an amateur gym before going to Marianne’s classes at the TRAD TKO Gym, but I was just left to get on with it, you know they would just leave me on my own to get on with it.

A couple of the guys there did spend some time with me but there was such a turnover with trainers than there was no consistency. They didn’t take me seriously as I wasn’t at a competitive level, none of them took me seriously, that’s why I am so pleased to have found Marianne’s class.

After my previous experience I was very surprised at the level of attention Marianne gives us. She teaches us all aspects, defensive boxing as well as offensive boxing, which is quite important if you don’t want to get your face smashed in. “

Elli then turned her attention to her opponent oand the fight, “It’s quite funny that the girl I will be fighting also trains here. We get on and everything but I don’t know how much of that is ‘oh I wonder what she’s doing’

There’s a big height difference, she’s a lot taller, which is good for me as it gives me access to the sternum, as well as perfect for me for uppercuts and that.

I’ve got a few family and friends coming to watch. My dad’s coming, he’ll probably get rowdy when I fight.

I’m getting a lot of support, my boyfriend’s been doing pads with me, and helps out and stuff. It’s just my mum that’s a bit cautious about it, she’s not coming as she’s a bit nervous for me, she says “I don’t want to see you get hit’.

Now just got my final preparations and then I’m ready to fight. I can’t wait, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Elli Shepherd’s opponent on Friday will be Legal assistant Elli Tatton-Brown, who decided to give boxing a try after watching a friend box on Chrissy’s previous event.

“This will be my first fight and I am really looking forward to it.

There’s a great atmosphere here at the gym, we all get on really well and help each other, us girls stick together even though some of us are fighting each other. I’ll be fighting the other Elli here, so it’s me, big Ell, against little Ell.

Training’s been great, exhausting, some long hours, it’s good and pays off though.

I’ll have a lot of friends, family and people from work coming to cheer me on so I want to put on a good fight for them.”

Veterinarian Kimberley Anley, Marianne’s other boxer taking part in the Bad Boy show on Friday, also didn’t face the problem of being taken seriously on her desire to box, as her introduction to the sport was through Marianne’s classes at the TRAD TKO gym.

As such Kim, who Marianne has described as a natural, and someone that will progress easily through the amateurs, kept fully focused on her upcoming bout against former Team GB High Jump star Ayamba Akim when she spoke.

“I’m really looking forward to my fight against Ayamba, I can’t wait.

There a bit of gym rivalry going on, Marianne trains me and Ayamba is being trained by one of the guy coaches here, which adds to things.

I’m definitely going to make Marianne proud. I know I’ve got the best trainer, Marianne spends far more time with us and training has been brilliant.

The more I do the fitter and faster I am, yeah I’m loving it, I’m spending more time here at the gym than I do at home at the moment.

I can’t wait for Friday, I’m going to win, definitely.”

With such an upsurge in those taking part, thanks mainly to the efforts of people like Chrissy Morton and Marianne Marston, Women’s Boxing looks like it’s here to stay, which can only be good for the sport.

If you are interested in watching first hand how the two Elli’s, Kim and Tiffany get on, the Bad Boy Promotions ‘This Is It’ event takes place at the Troxy in Limehouse, London this Friday, the 30th March 2012.

Tickets for Bad Boy Promotions ‘This Is It’ have been selling well, as such limited tickets priced, VIP Ringside (SOLD OUT), VIP Silver (SOLD OUT), VIP Bronze (SOLD OUT), Downstairs Seating £30, Upper Circle Table £25 and Upper Circle £20, will be available on the door at the Troxy on the night.

PHOTOS:

Chrissy Morton with her weekend warriors at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym

L-R. Elli Tatton-Brown, Kimberly Anley, Tiffany Simon and Eloise Shepherd

Marianne Marston in her fightwear.

PHOTO CREDIT

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

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