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Posts Tagged ‘Cruiserweight’

HEAVYWEIGHT MEDIA WORKOUT

MONDAY AUGUST 27TH

AT JAMES SHULER GYM IN PHILADELPHIA

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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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Global Boxing News Updates – 30^th May 2012 For: Tavoris Cloud vs Jean Pascal, WBC middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Ricky Hatton & Steve Bunce on Primetime, IBO cruiserweight kingpin Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, Martinez comments on Williams accident, Hatton predicts Pacquiao victory, Archie Solis Requires More Surgery

• Tavoris Cloud vs Jean Pascal - A light heavyweight world championship showdown-potentially the division’s best matchup in years between two young fighters in their prime-has been confirmed for Saturday, Aug. 11, at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, when undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., defends his title against popular hometown favorite and former World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight titleholder Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME.

• WBC middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has started his own boxing promotions company. It was announced yesterday in Junior’s hometown of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, that the first card of “Chávez Jr. Promotions” will take place June 8 in the city’s Parque Revolución Arena. Headlining will be a middleweight ten-rounder between Saul Roman and Alfredo Contreras. The event was announced by promoter Lorena Beltran representing Chavez, who is away training for his June 16 clash with Andy Lee. Beltran stated that this is a project that Junior had in mind for two and a half years.

• Ricky Hatton & Steve Bunce on Primetime - LONDON (29 May 2024) - British boxing legend Ricky Hatton will be on hand to share his thoughts during Primetime’s exclusive coverage of Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley on Saturday June 9th, live on Primetime (Channel 480 on Sky and Virgin on Demand). Hatton will be joined in the studio alongside the ever entertaining Steve Bunce and fight game expert Ronald McIntosh. All three are sure to provide a unique and in-depth analysis ahead of what is set to be a great night of boxing from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

• IBO cruiserweight kingpin Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) hosted a workout for the Southern California media at The Rock in Carson, California, on Tuesday as he winds down preparations for Saturday’s Showtime-televised grudge match against unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

• Martinez comments on Williams accident - “Upon learning of Paul’s injuries, I was deeply saddened,” said Martinez, who twice shared the ring with Williams, with their first epic battle being named Fight of the Year for 2010. “When you are in the ring with a real champion, you know it, and Paul Williams was a very great champion, in every sense of the word. Paul and his family are in my thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time.”

• Hatton predicts Pacquiao victory - “Manny Pacquiao is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he goes into this fight as the favourite but Timothy Bradley is a very slick and tidy boxer so this isn’t going to be an easy fight for him. Against Junior Witter we saw how well schooled Bradley was and how he was able to figure out his style so quickly so I think he will cause Pacquiao some problems,” said Hatton.

• Archie Solis Requires More Surgery - The return of Ulysses ‘Archie’ Solís (32-2-3, 21KOs), scheduled for June 23, is now off. The IBF junior flyweight champion has revealed that he will undergo further surgery for one of the fractures that he sustained in last October’s alleged confrontation with WBC 154-pound champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez. Solis was going to appear in the co-feature to Zanfer’s big show, which has a main event with Hernán ‘Tyson’ Márquez defending his World Boxing Association flyweight title against Arden Diale at the Cum of Hermosillo, Sonora.

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London Fight Report: Williams Topples Norton, Walsh Dominates Richards and Skeete impresses

Report and Photos Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

On Friday night, at the excellent Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, the pack house were treated to a great night of pugilistic action. The slickly produced show had it all, world class boxing, a knockout, oodles of drama and the dethroning of the Cruiserweight King, as Leon ‘Solid’ Williams achieved what many thought would be impossible, when he snatched the Lonsdale belt from long time holder Rob Norton’s iron grip.

Williams-Norton wasn’t a classic fight by a long way, Norton’s awkward southpaw counter punching style ensured that, but it was an intriguing, and at times highly exciting, bout.

Right from the off it was clear that Williams plan was to to play the long game, out of the window had gone the ‘devil may care’ I’m gonna knock him out or get knocked out mindset, instead the 27 year old from Streatham took a much calmer, slow approach.

The early rounds were edgy, to put it mildly, it was like a poker game with neither man willing to show his hand too early. There was some good action but each time it looked like a proper battle was set to erupt Norton’s ring savvy would come into play, at times he’d just paw away at fresh air to keep Williams at bay, but should the youngster get through the wily old fox from Stourbridge would just grab hold until referee Terry O’Connor pulled them apart.

Both Williams’ co-trainers, Johnny Eames and Barry Smith, were clearly getting exasperated, as were the crowd and the referee, as each time their young charge instigated an exchange he was thwarted by Norton’s persistent clinching.

Just prior to the start of the fourth Johnny Eames could be heard instructing Williams to up the pace and keep the pressure on Norton. With the instructions fresh in his mind Williams shot from the corner the instant the bell rang, closed down his target and let rip, landing a cracking right hand. The crowd jumped to their feet screaming ‘Solid, Solid, Solid, in unison.

Williams responded, in kind, but the action was short lived as Norton just tied him up again to slow the fight back to his pace.

Throughout the middle rounds each time Williams tried to lift the pace the same would happen, Norton would either use his superior reach advantage, pawing, to keep Williams at bay or just grab hold and walk Williams back onto the ropes.

Williams again kicked up the pace in the sixth and seventh, receiving intermittent success letting off some neat combinations before Norton would resort to spoiling tactics again.

My thoughts at the time was that this was the real turning point, it seemed Norton’s age was coming into play and Williams, some twelve years younger, was seemingly in the ascension.

More of the same in rounds eight and nine and Norton was beginning to look uncomfortable as each ‘Solid’ attack started to take it’s toll. I couldn’t help but think that this was the beginning of the end of Norton’s title reign.

Then again maybe not, as in round ten Norton changed tactics, allowing Williams to back him on the ropes and let rip with powerful flurries of shots, most of which Norton would just dip and dive to avoid. Each time Williams would step back Norton showboated by either calling him back in or leaning back in the corner with his arms spread across the ropes.

Now into the Championship rounds. Round eleven was quite a lively affair at times, but yet again anytime Williams tried to instigate any meaningful attacks Norton would stifle him. This lead to Williams trying to pick his shots before moving out of range, but each time he came forward their was a big glove waving in front of him.

Williams’ corner, and promoter Francis Warren, told Leon to throw caution to the wind for the final round, it was close and a good final round was likely to clinch the bout in his favour. Not needing to be told a second time Williams went for it, but so did Norton. The final three minutes were probably the best of the whole fight, it definitely had the most action.

When the final bell rang both protagonists threw their arms in the air before turning to hug each other. The wait for the judges scorecards to be read seemed endless but eventually MC Mike Goodall spoke, declaring the match a split decision in favour of Williams by 116-114 (Richie Davies), 114-115 (John Keane) and 116-113 (Ian John-Lewis).

Prior to Williams-Norton the vacant English Super Bantamweight title was contested by Cromer’s Ryan Walsh and Melksham’s Liam Richards.

In total contrast to the headliner Walsh-Richards was nonstop scintillating back and forth action for the full 30 minutes. I’m not joking every single round was a cracker as these two warriors came prepared for war.

At the end of the ten hard fought rounds Walsh was declared the new English Champion, by a huge margin 100-90 (Richie Davies) 99-91 (Ian John-Lewis) and 100-90 (Terry O’Connor) but that doesn’t give a one hundred percent accurate picture of the fight by a long shot, I’m not arguing the judges score, as yes Walsh won every round, as he boxed superbly, in my book too, but it was far from one way traffic.

They say it takes two to Tango well it also takes two to make a great fight and as such Richards deserves to be praised for his part in this sensational battle. On Friday night we see there’s the heart of a Lion beating inside that tiny frame.

Preceding the excellent Walsh-Richardson see Ireland’s Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne, in his first outing on British soil, against Edmonton’s Michael Frontin.

Byrne has an excellent pedigree, unbeaten in fourteen and became the New South Wales State Light Welterweight Champion on only his fourth fight. So when I see this match up I have to admit I thought the fight wouldn’t go past three rounds - well I was wrong.

It was a bit of an edgy start but it didn’t take Byrne long to show his class and easily took the early rounds, although he didn’t have it all his way. Frontin showed heart and often took the fight to Byrne.

Byrne boxed beautifully throughout but never really seemed to get a handle on the tough London based Mauritian. Frontin grew in stature as the bout progressed and was holding his own whenever the battle intensified, in fact not just holding his own, as at times he rattled the Irishman with big looping rights at least once each round.

No surprise that at the end of the eight hard fought rounds referee Ian John-Lewis declared Byrne the winner, or that it was by a 78-74 points margin.

On the off-TV section Penge’s ‘Super’ Bradley Skeete got to strut his stuff against Scunthorpe’s Steve Spence in a four rounder.

What a cracking fight, right from the off Spence went for centre ground but novice Skeete, in only his fourth pro bout, wasn’t willing to concede a single millimeter to the more experienced man.

Skeete boxed beautifully throughout and just plain outclassed Spence to earn a much deserved 40-36 points decision.

A rematch, between Liam Shinkwin and ‘Rockin’ Robin Deakin preceded the cracking Skeete-Spence battle.

Last time out Shinkwin won by a shutout 40-36 margin, so really no one was surprised that again Shinkwin dominated proceedings a second time. Saying that Deakin was seeking redemption, by whatever means possible, but no matter how wily the Crawley man is he was still no match for the youngster from Bushey Heath. After four highly entertaining rounds referee Ian John-Lewis raised Shinkwin’s hand and declared him victor by a 40-36 points margin yet again.

The opening bout of the night featured Croydon novice Danny Davis against Tottenham’s Mark McKray.

A rather edgy start, but it didn’t take that long to liven up as McKray tried to rough up the youngster from Surrey. Davis used his jab to good effect to keep the ever forward coming McKray at bay.

More of the same in the second, but in the third McKray was starting to get some real success and around midway of the round clearly hurt Davis with a wicked body shot.

It was close going into the fourth so there was no surprise that Davis stepped things up a bit and around the one minute mark let rip with a massive right cross to send McKray crashing to the canvas.

The celebrating Davis support quickly fell silent as Initial concerns see the paramedics enter the ring to administer oxygen to the prone McKray. After a few tense minutes McKray sat up and after a round of applause Davis and his fans restarted their celebrations.

Following the main event were two floater bouts, which I have to admit I didn’t get to see. - the first see Cranham’s Lee Markham beat Westury’s Aaron Fox by a 40-36 margin. The second see Peckham’s Johnny Garton get his maiden victory over Tooting’s Danny Dontchev also by a 40-36 points margin.

Francis and George Warren did it again it was a truly superb, slick event, OK their dad is the King of British Boxing Frank Warren so they have had a great teacher, but you can’t take it away from these two it was their show and they did it their way and it was brilliant, and I for one can’t wait for the next Queensberry Promotions show.

PHOTOS CREDIT: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Danny Davis lands to the body of Frontin

Referee Richie Davies aids the prone Michael Frontin

Liam Shinkwin and Robin Deakin in action

Bradley Skeete dominate Steve Spence

Dean Byrne lets rip

Ryan Walsh and Liam Richards in action

Rob Norton lands a big left

Leon Williams lands a left to the body

Team Solid Celebrate: L-R Jimmy Tibbs, Johnny Eames, Leon Williams, Francis Warren and Barry Smith

Leon ‘Solid’ Williams shows off the Lonsdale Belt

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London - Wednesday, 21st September 2011

By Rio
Proud ‘Hammer’ Mitchell Balker Ready For Proper East End Tear Up On Oct 7th

London boxing fans will get the chance to see their newest all conquering hero, Plaistow Cruiserweight sensation Mitchell Balker, in action right on their doorstep, as Spencer Fearon has signed him up to face Welsh hardman Hari Miles at his upcoming Hard knocks Boxing Promotions ‘This Is Hard Knocks’ event at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday, 7th October.

West Ham fanatic Balker shot up the rankings, to #4 in Britain and #83 in the World, after hammering then World #45 ranked Richard Turba in Blackpool last month.

It was this sensational win that prompted Spencer Fearon to pick up the phone and call Balker’s manager, Johnny Eames, to get him on the Premier Sports (Sky channel 433) televised show.

Earlier today Spencer explained his reasons for asking Balker to fight on his flagship TV show, “Why because Mitchell epitomizes what Hard Knocks is all about.

I mean look at that guy, Mitchell, he took up the challenge and got a fantastic win over Richard Turba. Nobody, but nobody, wanted to fight Richard Turba, but he fights him and gets a great win.

Now hear what I’m saying, no padded records, he wins fights, lost a fight by stoppage, comes back and beats a guy who’s a fearful puncher, who’s a demon kind of guy that nobody wants to fight, but he does and beats him.

That’s why Mitchell has to be on the next Hard Knocks show on October 7th.”

Balker, who last year relocated from Amsterdam to Plaistow so that he could be as close as possible to his beloved Upton Park and Johnny Eames’ TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, then added, “I’m really proud that Spencer Fearon wants me to fight on his big show.

I always said I will fight anyone, I came to England to fight, so when they ask me to fight Richard Turba I said yes, I did and I won.

Now Spencer wants me to fight Hari Miles, I said yes, please I want the fight. I’m really looking forward to fighting Hari Miles on October 7th, I’m ready for it.

Training is going really well, I get such good sparring at the TRAD TKO and perfect training from Barry (Smith) and Johnny (Eames), perfect preparations.

I’m really looking forward to the fight, I’m looking forward to fighting Hari Miles especially as it will be right in my own back garden as such. York Hall is so close to here.

When I moved to London I wanted to live near to Upton Park and the TRAD TKO Gym. It’s good for me here as Johnny (Eames), Kevin (Mitchell) and lots of the fighters at the gym are West Ham fans.

When I was in Holland I always watched West Ham matches when I could, I always enjoyed watching them. I’m very proud to live close to the ground, now I get to watch them at Upton Park

I’m very proud to live here and fight in the East End of London, it’s now my home, I’m very proud have the chance to fight in front of East End fans.”

Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions ‘This Is Hard Knocks’ event, which will be headlined by Choi Tseveenpürev, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Friday 7th October 2011 and broadcast live on Premier Sports (Sky channel 433).

Tickets for ‘This Is Hard Knocks’ - priced £35 (Unreserved) and £60 (Ringside), are available now on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA. For further information please call 07960 850645.

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