Posts Tagged ‘Leon ‘Solid’ Williams’
‘SOLID’ WILLIAMS Vs. McPHILBIN
January 6th, 2012 | 
Author: LEON ‘SOLID’ WILLIAMS Vs. SHANE McPHILBIN
British Cruiserweight Championship
13th January 2012 @ York Hall, London
London - Tuesday, 3rd January 2012
Williams Unfazed By Late Change, Says He’ll Crush McPhilbin On Jan 13th
Just before Christmas William’s original opponent, Tony Conquest, was forced to withdraw due to illness, which opened the door for Midlands Area Champ McPhilbin to step up to the plate for a crack at the big one.
Speaking earlier today Williams clearly had long time friend Conquest ‘s plight in mind, as he said “First and foremost I hope Tony gets better soon, I was really looking forward to us fighting each other again, as I’m sure he was.” Before adding, “I’m sure he’ll get his chance again.”
The Streatham based Champion then changed tack and spoke briefly about his preparations, “I’m a hundred and ten percent ready for the 13th, it doesn’t matter to me who they put in front of me, Johnny (Eames) and Barry (Smith) have been pushing me, working me hard and honing my skills for any eventuality.
Had some great sparring over Christmas with Mitchell (Balker), Menay (Edwards) and my new gym mate Paul David (English Super Middleweight Champion).
As I said here at the TRAD TKO I have a great team around me, got plenty of great sparring partners and it’s all good, it’s almost perfect and the guy that’s fighting me now is gonna get crushed.
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Shane McPhilbin, for the British Cruiserweight title, headlines Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions first event of the New Year, which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 13th January 2012 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546)
Tickets, Standard Seated - £40 and Ringside SOLD OUT for Williams vs. McPhilbin are available now on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com. Tickets are also available direct from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
PHOTOS
Leon Williams ready for McPhilbin on Jan 13th
PHOTO CREDIT
Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion
London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA
Williams-Conquest January 13th: British Title Clash
TKO BOX OFFICE
LEON ‘SOLID’ WILLIAMS Vs. TONY ‘CONQUEROR’ CONQUEST
British Cruiserweight Championship
13th January 2012 @ York Hall, London
By Rio
London - Friday, 2nd December 2011
Williams-Conquest January 13th British Title Clash - Tickets On Sale Today
Tickets for the highly anticipated British Cruiserweight title clash between Leon ‘Solid’ Williams and Tony ‘Conqueror’ Conquest, which takes place at York Hall in London on Friday 13th January 2012, and broadcast live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 456 & Virgin 546), go on sale today on the TKO Box Office website www.tkoboxoffice.com
Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions organisation really have pulled out all the stops to ensure their first event of 2012 is an explosive, all action, extravaganza.
The headlining Williams-Conquest perfectly sets the scene, these two are without doubt the two best, most exciting and all action Cruiserweights in the country today an the contrast in their styles guarantees a true Battle Royale on the 13th.
Streatham’s Williams, who will be making the first defense of the title he wrestled off long time British and Commonwealth Champion Rob Norton back in October, is a no nonsense come forward power puncher right out of the ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson mould, something Tony Conquest can readily attest to - Williams knocked him out in just 45 seconds when they fought previously as amateurs.
Williams bought that power and knockout reputation with him upon turning pro. His debut bout didn’t even go one round, as Williams dropped Bobby Scott with the very first punch he threw, a violent left hook!
Prior to the Norton title showdown Williams stopped both his previous opponents, on his defense of the Southern Area title, in May this year, Williams knocked Danny Couzens out cold after just thirty seconds of the fourth round. Williams followed that with a sensational fifth round stoppage of Battersea’s fighting fireman Nick ‘The Ox’ Okoth in September.
Conquest on the other hand is a fast handed stylish boxer whose fights normally go the distance. His only stoppage to date came in March this year, when he stopped Ghana’s Prince George Akrong in the first minute of the sixth round.
Conquest earned the right to challenge Williams for the coveted Lonsdale belt with a superb victory over Toks Owoh in November to lift the Southern Area strap Williams had vacated just a few weeks earlier.
Throughout the fight Conquest plain out boxed the former Super Middleweight supremo. Right from the opening bell and for ten rounds Conquest worked at a high pace, peppering Owoh non stop with shot after shot for every minute of every round to earn the win by a shut out 99-91 points margin.
The Warren brothers have put together a seriously top class support card for Williams-Conquest, headed by an almighty heavyweight clash between Larry ‘The War Machine’ Olabamiwo and former Commonwealth Champion Sam Sexton, which without doubt will be yet another highly volatile affair.
Also on the card are Williams’ TRAD TKO Gym mates ‘Saint’ George Jupp and Charlie Hoy as well as the highly popular Stetson wearing John Wayne Hibbert, sensational unbeaten Welterweight prospect ‘Super’ Bradley Skeete, Daryl Williams and John Dignam, all against yet to be named opponents.
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams Versus Tony ‘Conqueror’ Conquest for the British Cruiserweight title headlines Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions first event of the New Year, which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 13th January 2012 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546)
Tickets, priced £40 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) for Williams vs. Conquest are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com. Tickets are also available direct from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion
London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA
LEON ‘SOLID’ WILLIAMS Vs. TONY ‘CONQUEROR’ CONQUEST
LEON ‘SOLID’ WILLIAMS Vs. TONY ‘CONQUEROR’ CONQUEST
British Cruiserweight Championship
13th January 2012 @ York Hall, London
By Rio
London - Friday, 25th November 2011
Williams Predicts Nightmares For Conquest On Jan 13th
Earlier today Francis and George Warren officially announced that British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams will defend his newly acquired title, against Southern Area champion Tony ‘Conqueror’ Conquest, at York Hall in London on Friday 13th January 2012, and broadcast live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 456 & Virgin 546).
Williams, who relieved Rob Norton of the coveted Lonsdale belt back in October, spoke briefly on the upcoming showdown with his long time friend Tony Conquest,
“I’m excited, I’m already back in training preparing to crush him.
It’s going to be a nightmare for him, he wont be conquering me anyway, I’ll be conquering him.
Friendships done now it’s official, we’re not friends, he’s my enemy right now and I’m gonna crush him on the 13th January.
I’ve got a big following, which is good. I thank them all, because it is because of them that I am in the position I am now.
I’m gonna put on a great show for them and crush Tony and then we’ll celebrate all day, every day…yeaaahh.”
The Warren brothers have put together a top class support card for Williams-Conquest, headed by a heavyweight clash between Larry ‘The War Machine’ Olabamiwo and former Commonwealth Champion Sam Sexton.
Also on the card are ‘Super’ Bradley Skeete, Williams’ TRAD TKO Gym mate ‘Saint’ George Jupp, John Wayne Hibbert, Daryl Williams, Charlie Hit and John Dignam, all against yet to be named opponents.
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams Versus Tony ‘Conqueror’ Conquest for the British Cruiserweight title headlines Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions first event of the New Year, which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 13th January 2012 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546)
Tickets, priced £40 (Standard Seated) and £60 (Ringside) for Williams vs. Conquest will be available shortly on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com. Tickets will also be available direct from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
PHOTOS
Leon Williams ready for showdown with Tony Conquest on January 13th.
PHOTO CREDIT
Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion
London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA
Prizefighter Dilemma For Johnny Eames
By Rio
London - Thursday, 27th October 2011
Prizefighter Dilemma For Johnny Eames.
One of Great Britain’s best known coaches, Johnny Eames, and his fighters never seem to be out of the sports pages or off the TV screens these days. Just last Friday Johnny guided Leon ‘Solid’ Williams to victory, over Rob Norton, to become the new British Cruiserweight Champion. So no surprise then that two more of his charges, ‘Saint’ George Jupp and Ian Bailey, are in action at the York Hall in Bethnal Green this Saturday.
OK, not that unusual for a coach to have a pair of fighters in action on the same show, but when that particular event happens to be the hugely popular Matchroom Sports Prizefighter tournament it’s kind of different.
In any normal event there would never be the possibility of two boxers from the same stable fighting each other in competition, but the Prizefighter tournament is another thing altogether and there is a very high chance Johnny’s boys will face each other, which has created a real dilemma for the erudite Mr. Eames, as became clear when Johnny spoke about the upcoming tournament earlier today, “Prizefighter is a great boost for anyone’s career, whether it’s that they’re career is flagging or if they are trying to get their career to take off.
I have two boys in Prizefighter on Saturday night, both capable of winning it. It’ll cause me a real dilemma if they meet early.
If it’s in the final if that they meet, then I’ll be real happy with that.
Yeah it’s a dilemma that might and could happen and hopefully will happen, that is as I just said as long as it’s not until the final.
Who do I think will win if they meet is something I’ll keep to myself. All I know is they both deserve to win it, they both work very hard and are both totally committed.
As fighters they are very different, Georgie Jupp is a Super Featherweight coming down to Featherweight and Ian Bailey is a Super Bantamweight going up to Featherweight.
Ian’s probably got the harder side of it, being the smaller guy coming up. But he always gives his all against anybody and everybody. I’m sure that whoever he fights is going to know, if he doesn’t win which I’m pretty certain he has a good chance of winning, but if he doesn’t I’m sure that whoever he fights will know they have been in a war.
Georgie’s style is a little different, he’s a boxing type. I spoke about it already but I’m sure there is nobody in the tournament he can’t out point on the night.
It’s just a matter of how the draw goes so we’ll have to wait and see.”
After Johnny had spoken it was the turn of his charges to give their opinion, 20 year old George Jupp was the first to speak, “It’s not the best situation but being in this Prizefighter is something we both want.
In an ideal world we wouldn’t meet until the final, but if we meet earlier there’s nothing we can do about it. If it happens, it happens.
We’re both gym friends and have sparred untold rounds together, so we know each other really well.
If we have to fight each other on the night we’ll just shake hands and get on with it. It’s something we have to do to further our careers”
Ian Bailey, who had sat nodding in agreement at as Johnny and George spoke, then added, “Obviously we’re mates, it wouldn’t be nice for either of us to knock the other guy out of the tournament.
But like Johnny said, hopefully we’ll meet in the final rather than early on. But if we meet early on that’s OK. We don’t hold back in sparring, we’ve beaten the sh*t out of each other in sparring before so it’ll be the same on the night and we’ll shake hands afterwards.”
Ian Bailey and ‘Saint’ George Jupp will be joining two time World Champ Choi Tseveenpurev, Irish Champ Mickey Coveney, Lee Glover, Troy James, Rhys Roberts and Lee Jennings in Prizefighter - Featherweights, which takes place at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29th October 2011 and will also be broadcast live on Skysports.
Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £60 (ringside), for Prizefighter - Featherweights are available now, either 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 call 07960 850645.
PHOTOS: George Jupp, Johnny Eames and Ian Bailey
PHOTO CREDIT: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion
London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA
Posted in Information, Latest Boxing News, Latest News, Prizefighter, Professional Boxing, Television Boxing Schedule | 
Tags: Boxer, Boxing, British Cruiserweight Champion, fighters, Ian Bailey, Johnny Eames, Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, PRIZEFIGHTER, Prizefighter tournament, ROB NORTON, TKO, Victory, ‘Saint’ George Jupp
Fight Report: Williams-Norton Plus Photos
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
Posted in Information, Latest Boxing News, Latest News, Professional Boxing |
Tags: Boxing, Cruiserweight, Cruiserweight King, Francis Warren, Frank Warren, Friday Night, George Warren, King of British Boxing, Knockout, Leon Williams, Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, London Fight Report, Lonsdale belt, pugilistic, Queensberry Promotions, Richards, ROB NORTON, Skeete, TKO, Walsh, Williams Topples Norton
