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Posts Tagged ‘Mitchell Balker’

Balker-Clarke Added To Spencer Fearon’s ‘Shamrock Showdown II’ On 23rd March

After six months without a fight, London based Dutch Cruiserweight Mitchell Balker finally gets the chance to return to the fray at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Promotions first event of the year, Shamrock Showdown II, at The Troxy in Limehouse, London on the 23rd March.

Ever since Balker relocated to the UK, to train at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, his manager Johnny Eames has found it hard to secure his talented charge any bouts, especially after word got out that prior to turning pro that Balker had traveled to America to take part in, and win, the prestigious New York Golden Gloves tournament at the famous Madison Square Gardens.

However finding fights for the Dutch #1 here in the UK was made virtually impossible following a sensation against the odds victory over World ranked Blackpool based Slovakian knockout maestro Richard Turba back in August last year, which unsurprisingly rocketed Balker to the top of the domestic Cruiserweights ‘Fighters to Avoid’ list.

Things now look set to change for Balker though, as the aforementioned Spencer Fearon was so impressed by the Dutchman’s never say die attitude, as well as the victory over Turba, that he decided to add him to upcoming Premier Sports (Sky platform Ch 433) televised show, and true to form matched him in a genuine 50/50 fight against unbeaten Leeds hardman China Clarke.

Following yet another sparring war, with former British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams and Caine Brodie, a jubilant Balker said, “I feel very good and very excited about it, you know I’m always ready, so let’s do it.

I know nothing about my opponent, Spencer (Promoter Spencer Fearon) told me there is an opponent, China Clarke, so there is an opponent so we are going to have a fight and we’re going to make a special fight for the fans, and the TV, as they haven’t seen me fight for so long.

Even when there was no fight coming up I still stay in the gym, training and sparring, so I am always ready, my manager Johnny (Eames) and trainer Barry (Smith) make sure of that.

I have been sparring Leon (Williams) Caine (Brodie) and Paul (David) a lot, it’s the best preparation I could hope for, Leon was British Champion, Paul is the English Champion and Caine is a tough competitor at any time, so it’s good hard sparring with three of the best fighters in the UK.

Knowing Spencer it will be a hard fight, a 50-50 fight, but to me It’s a very special fight, my first with Hard Knocks and Premier Sports, so I will be really up for it and looking to win big.”

Mitchell Balker versus China Clarke will feature on the support card of Choi Tseveenpurev’s challenge for the vacant WBC Silver International Featherweight title at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions ‘Shamrock Showdown II’ event at the Troxy in Limehouse, London on Friday 23rd March and broadcast live on Premier Sports (Sky platform Ch 433)

Tickets, priced £35 are available on-line now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA

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Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions
Presents
MITCHELL BALKER Vs. CHINA CLARKE
Friday, 23rd March 2012 @ The Troxy, London

By Rio

London - Thursday, 1st March 20121

Balker-Clarke Added To Spencer Fearon’s ‘Shamrock Showdown II’ On 23rd March

After six months without a fight, London based Dutch Cruiserweight Mitchell Balker finally gets the chance to return to the fray at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Promotions first event of the year, Shamrock Showdown II, at The Troxy in Limehouse, London on the 23rd March.

Ever since Balker relocated to the UK, to train at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, his manager Johnny Eames has found it hard to secure his talented charge any bouts, especially after word got out that prior to turning pro that Balker had traveled to America to take part in, and win, the prestigious New York Golden Gloves tournament at the famous Madison Square Gardens.

However finding fights for the Dutch #1 here in the UK was made virtually impossible following a sensation against the odds victory over World ranked Blackpool based Slovakian knockout maestro Richard Turba back in August last year, which unsurprisingly rocketed Balker to the top of the domestic Cruiserweights ‘Fighters to Avoid’ list.

Things now look set to change for Balker though, as the aforementioned Spencer Fearon was so impressed by the Dutchman’s never say die attitude, as well as the victory over Turba, that he decided to add him to upcoming Premier Sports (Sky platform Ch 433) televised show, and true to form matched him in a genuine 50/50 fight against unbeaten Leeds hardman China Clarke.

Following yet another sparring war, with former British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams and Caine Brodie, a jubilant Balker said, “I feel very good and very excited about it, you know I’m always ready, so let’s do it.

I know nothing about my opponent, Spencer (Promoter Spencer Fearon) told me there is an opponent, China Clarke, so there is an opponent so we are going to have a fight and we’re going to make a special fight for the fans, and the TV, as they haven’t seen me fight for so long.

Even when there was no fight coming up I still stay in the gym, training and sparring, so I am always ready, my manager Johnny (Eames) and trainer Barry (Smith) make sure of that.

I have been sparring Leon (Williams) Caine (Brodie) and Paul (David) a lot, it’s the best preparation I could hope for, Leon was British Champion, Paul is the English Champion and Caine is a tough competitor at any time, so it’s good hard sparring with three of the best fighters in the UK.

Knowing Spencer it will be a hard fight, a 50-50 fight, but to me It’s a very special fight, my first with Hard Knocks and Premier Sports, so I will be really up for it and looking to win big.”

Mitchell Balker versus China Clarke will feature on the support card of Choi Tseveenpurev’s challenge for the vacant WBC Silver International Featherweight title at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions ‘Shamrock Showdown II’ event at the Troxy in Limehouse, London on Friday 23rd March and broadcast live on Premier Sports (Sky platform Ch 433)

Tickets, priced £35 are available on-line now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA

PHOTOS
Mitchell Balker on his way to victory over Nick Okoth in 2011

PHOTO CREDIT
Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

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TKO BOX OFFICE
LEON ‘SOLID’ WILLIAMS Vs. ROB NORTON
British Cruiserweight Championship
21st October 2011 @ York Hall, Bethnal Green, London

By Rio

London - Thursday, 13th October 2011

Camp’s Over, Williams Ready To Take Norton’s Title On The 21st Oct.

On Wednesday evening, at Johnny Eames’ TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, British Cruiserweight title challenger Leon Williams completed the final sparring session of his training camp, for next Friday’s highly anticipated showdown with current Champ Rob Norton at the York Hall in Bethnal Green.

Whilst it’s not unusual for other fighters to catch as much of a sparring session as possible, it is rare for a whole gym of top class fighters, that includes the likes of Frankie Gavin, Erick Ochieng, Billy Joe Saunders, Mitchell Balker etc, and trainers such as Jimmy Tibbs, Mark Tibbs and Bryan Lawrence to halt their training regimes in order to watch the ensuing battles, which in itself speaks volumes of the intensity and quality of the session.

As the bell rang to bring the final round to a finish, the suffocating air of tension that encompassed the gym was shattered by the sound of thirty or so pairs of hands erupting into enthusiastic applause for the sensational performance.

At the very same moment Williams’, as well as co-trainers Johnny Eames and Barry Smith’s, serious expressions broke into beaming smiles, as the knowledge that the job was done and they were well and truly ready dawned on them.

Once the round of congratulations came to an end Johnny Eames just couldn’t hide his contented smile as he said, “We’ve just finished the last twelve rounds of Leon Williams sparring.

He’s sparred with three different big southpaws, who all fought in the style of Rob Norton. To be honest he dusted everyone of them up.

He’s ready, now I can’t wait ‘til fight night, Leon can’t wait ‘til fight night.

I’m really confident and looking forward to the TKO having another British Champion in the house.”

Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Rob Norton for the British Cruiserweight Championship headlines the Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456), on Friday the 21st October 2011.

Heading up the support card for this battle of the big boys will pitch Cromer, Norfolk’s Ryan Walsh against Melsham, Wiltshire’s Liam Richards for the vacant English Super Bantamweight title.

The stacked undercard also features the UK debut of unbeaten Irishman Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne, Penge’s unbeaten Welterweight Bradley Skeet,
Croydon Light Welter Danny Davis and the debut of Peckham Welterweight John Garton, all against yet to be named opponents.

Tickets, priced £40 (standard seated) and £60 (ringside) for Williams vs. Norton are available now, either direct from Leon Williams - tickets are also be available at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA and on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com

PHOTOS: Barry Smith, Leon Williams and Johnny Eames relax after final sparring at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in London

PHOTO CREDIT: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA

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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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TRAD TKO BOXING GYM
MITCHELL BALKER

By Rio

London - Wednesday, 24th August 2011

Balker Gate Crashes World Top 100 After Big Win Over Turba

Following his sensational defeat of World #45 ranked Richard Turba last Friday, London based Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker has rocketed into the top one hundred in the World Cruiserweight rankings, moving up from his previous #220 spot to #86.

Mitchell, who one year ago relocated to London to be managed and co-trained by Johnny Eames at his famed TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, controlled the bout virtually from start to finish, saying that he did have to survive a second round visit to the canvas after Turba landed a sharp left uppercut followed by a left hook. After the knockdown Mitchell stayed calm and closed up shop until the end of the round.

Throughout rounds three to six Mitchell was barely troubled by Turba, even though the tough Blackpool based Slovakian was constantly letting rip with wild right hands, and controlled the proceedings with his superb jab and crisp clean combinations to pick up his fifth win, in six outings, by a 57-56 points margin.

On returning to the TRAD TKO Gym earlier today a relaxed Mitchell said, “It was a good fight, I just came in and I was really relaxed. focused, when I walked to the ring.

We had a perfect game plan, me, Johnny (Eames), Leon Williams worked on it. We had a perfect game plan to do it, I just had to keep focused and that’s just what I did and it worked perfect.

The second round, he caught me with a shot, I’ll have to watch the tape to see what went wrong and how he caught me with the shot.

After that everything went OK, he caught me with the shot and after that I was very focused and had my hands up and thought to myself stay calm and stick to the game plan.

After that I didn’t get caught with shots, I was moving around using the ring. He wasn’t using his jab that’s why I got mine in first.

I feel very good, very good, to be in top one hundred. I’m very excited as that means if I keep winning fights bigger fights will come up. I’m very excited.

At the end of this month I will have been at the TRAD TKO gym for one year and I feel perfect, I have a good team and a good manager, good people around me in the gym. I’m very blessed with all the people around me. It seems like family, you know, in the gym. You work hard and you can trust everybody and that’s why things go well.”

Mitchell’s next outing will be against Welsh banger Hari Miles on Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions event at York Hall in London on the 7th October 2011.

Tickets for Mitchell Balker versus Hari Miles will be available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing gym, Gillian House, Canning Town, London E16 4SA early in September.

PHOTOS

Johnny Eames jokingly lectures ‘eager beaver’ Mitchell Balker for returning to the gym too soon.

PHOTO CREDIT

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

London, UK, Gzira, Malta & Philadelphia, USA

E.Mail: [email protected]

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