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Posts Tagged ‘PRIZEFIGHTER’

By Rio

London - Thursday, 8th December 2011

British Title Shot Is A Golden Opportunity For Me Says Murphy

Just thirteen days ago Ben Murphy successfully defended his BBBofC Southern Area Lightweight Title, with a magnificent fourth round stoppage of Tony Owen at the Coronet Theatre in Southwark, London.

This coming Saturday the tough, pit bull like, thirty one year old from Hove will move up a weight division to challenge Ashley Theophane for his British Light Welterweight title at the Frank Maloney Promotions event at the Peterlee Leisure Centre.

Murphy got what he describes as a ‘Golden Opportunity’ following the proposed opponent, Nigel Wright, being forced to step aside on medical grounds.

Following a training session, under the watchful eyes of his coach Johnny Eames at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, an elated Murphy spoke briefly on his unexpected shot at the British title, “I keep pinching myself and asking myself is it real, you know.

Yeah I know it’s not even two weeks ago I fought Tony Owen, so this may seem too soon to some, but it didn’t go the distance, it was a fourth round stoppage.

Tony’s pretty decent, a good boxer, but I bullied him really, I bullied my way in and stretched him.

I knew that was going to happen. I may have been able to out box him as well, but I just knew I was going to take him out and finish the job. I just didn’t want to wait around, so got it done quick and kept my Southern Area title.

It’s good I done the job so quickly because now I’ve got a shot at a British title against Ashley (Theophane) on Saturday.

I still can’t believe it’s happening. Johnny (Eames) called me up on Tuesday and said do you want to take the fight.

Yeah, I jumped at the chance, it’s a golden opportunity for me to come out and prove to people what I can do.

I don’t know Ashley personally, I know he used to train here at the TKO, I’ve seen him fight and seen him spar so I’ve seen a little of him.

He’s a decent fighter, you can’t take that away from him, that’s why I’m so excited for this opportunity.

If I go in there and do this job - I’m so positive, I can see visions of me winning this fight you know. There’s no negatives in my mind about this fight, it’s all positive visions coming to me - I see the British title coming back with me.

When I do that I’m rolling from there and I’m looking forward to it.”

Ashley Theophane versus Ben Murphy, for the British Light Welterweight title, headlines the Frank Maloney Promotions event at Peterlee Leisure Centre, Peterlee, Tyne and Wear on Saturday 10th December 2011, and broadcast live and exclusive on Sky Sports HD1.

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Big Fight Preview - The Edge Of Glory For Ali Adams

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Back in March this year 20 year old Olivia Goodwin became the youngest ever person to be licensed as a promoter by the British Boxing Board of Control, a couple of months later, on the 4th June, she made history again by promoting her first event, the massively successful ‘Search and Destroy’ headlined by Ryan Barrett versus Geoffrey Munika for the International Masters Lightweight title.

For her second event of the year ‘Edge of Glory’ - which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday 3rd December - Olivia has another championship fight headlining, this time featuring Ali ‘The Tiger’ Adams, against a yet to be named opponent, for the International Masters Heavyweight title.

Baghdad born Adams is probably best known by British fans for his gutsy performance against former British, Commonwealth and European Heavyweight Champ Matt Skelton in Prizefighter - The Heavyweights lV back in September 2010.

It was a tough first round draw for Adams, who had fought just eleven times, compared to Skelton’s thirty one, but the relative novice showed the heart of a Tiger as he battled it out gamely over the three rounds. Adams may not have beat the highly decorated war lord, but he sure won the hearts and minds of a lot of fans that night.

Since that loss Adams has gone on to comfortably win three times, the first in November 2010 see him knockout Nick ‘The Ox’ Okoth after just thirty three seconds of the second round.

Adams followed this up with a solid points victory over tough Lithuanian Igoris Borucha, back in June this year, and in his final bout to date Adams comprehensively out boxed Hungary’s Gabor Farkas to earn a 60-53 points victory.

Adams is intent on stepping up to make a serious assault on the international Championship circuit, this bout being the first step on the path to a World title challenge in the next year or so.

Adams’ coach, Don Charles, knows the score better than most - former British and Commonwealth Champion Dereck Chisora is the flag bearer of the Don Charles squad - and is used to his charges fighting for titles, so am pretty sure the game plan will reflect that. I think we’ll see Adams come out fast, either looking for an early finish or to get some big rounds under his belt early on.

To support the battle of the big boys Olivia has put together a top class card, featuring some of the best young talent from London and the home counties.

Heading up the list is former English Super Featherweight Champion Ryan ‘Mr. Attitude’ Barrett, who will be facing Latvian Jevgenijs Kirillovs in a six round Welterweight contest.

Barrett, who switched to the Welterweight division following the surprise loss of his International Masters Lightweight title to Geoffrey Munika back in June, seems comfortable at the new weight as was clear by his excellent performance to out point Latvian Sergejs Volodins in October.

Without doubt Barrett will be looking at quickly establishing himself in the Welterweight division in order to get back into championship contention again as soon as possible. As such you can be sure he will be looking to impress, by getting Volodins out of there as quickly as possible.

British Masters Super Bantamweight Champion Paul ‘Spartan’ Economides makes his first ever appearance at York Hall when he takes part in a six round international contest against a yet to be named opponent.

Comeback kid, Luton’s Michael ‘Chunky’ Devine, will be looking to extend his three fight winning streak, since his surprise loss to Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander back in April last year, when he takes on tough Dewsbury, Yorkshire, based Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi.

Devine will surely be looking for a repeat of his last fight, where he stopped Vladimiras Balaklijec in just one minute and fifty seven seconds of the second round - but not just that he had put the tough Lithuanian down three times in the round as well.

Another knockout artist on the show, the big hitting ‘Eltham Assassin’ Billy Cayzer, who has a perfect two fight, two wins - by knockout - will certainly be looking to make it three out of three when he comes up against Lithuanian based Ukranian Oleksiy Chukov.

Former World Kick Boxing Champion Ilir Canolli has had a great start since switching to boxing in April this year, like Billy Cayzer the Hamstead based Albanian has a perfect two fight - two wins record and will be bidding to take his record to three out of three when he faces tough Lithuanian Aleksejus Stanvekius.

Ipswich’s Henry Bacon demolished Bobby Wood in under a minute back in September and will surely be aiming for more of the same against Peckham’s Diego Burton.

One of the new boys in the Cruiserweight division, Colin ‘Butch’ Goldhawk will be making his second pro outing - his opponent Rolandas Cesna is well known to the York Hall faithful, having already fought both Scott Whyley and Ilir Canolli at the famous venue.

Burnt Oak Middleweight Mark ‘Pee Wee’ Adams gets a tough second pro outing, when he comes up against the highly experienced Billy Smith, who will be looking to have a good win to celebrate his one hundred and twenty first pro bout.

Leytonstone’s Philip ‘Quicksilver’ Bowes also gets a tough veteran campaigner, the one and only Johnny Greaves, for his second pro outing.

Brighton’s Nicky Jenman makes his first trip to the York Hall to take on Martyn King from Cumbria.

Crawley’s unbeaten Light Welterweight prospect Ross Payne will be looking to extend his perfect 3-0 record when he faces the highly experienced Kristian Laight from Nuneaton.

Also on the card are Peckham’s unbeaten Heavyweight Dillian ‘The Villain’ Whyte, Mitcham’s Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor and Prizefighter Light Middleweight semifinalist Kris Agyei-Dua, all against yet to be named opponents.

Olivia Goodwin’s ‘Edge of Glory’ event, headlined by Ali ‘The Tiger’ Adams, against a yet to be named opponent, for the International Masters Heavyweight title, takes place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday 3rd December 2011.

Tickets, priced £60 (Ringside) and £35 (Standard Seated), are available now on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA. For further information call 07960 850645

Photo Credit: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Photo: Ali Adams in action against Matt Skelton in Prizefighter

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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

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IAN BAILEY

Prizefighter - Featherweights

29th October @ York Hall, London

By Rio

London - Tuesday, 25th October 2011

Ian Bailey - Quietly Confident Of Prizefighter Success This Saturday

One of the most underrated boxers in the lower weight divisions, Ian Bailey, believes that this coming weekend he’ll finally get the opportunity to show boxing fans ‘what he’s made of’, when he takes part in the hugely popular Matchroom Sport promoted Prizefighter series, which showcases the Featherweight division for the first time, at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday, 29th October.

Since turning pro three years ago 27 year old Bailey has earned a reputation of willingness to fight anyone, no matter how short the notice, and as such has fought some of the divisions biggest names, such as British and Commonwealth Champ Lee Selby, Scottish Area Champ Kris Matthew Hughes, English Champ Ryan Walsh, Commonwealth Champ Carl Frampton, Kid Galahad and Michael Walsh.

It’s this experience, aswell as his total willingness to face ‘all comers’, that is likely to stand Bailey in good stead in this edition of Prizefighter, as mixing it up with the likes of two time World Champ Choi Tseveenpurev, Irish Champ Mickey Coveney, the undefeated pairing of Lee Glover and Troy James, or come to that experienced fighters like Rhys Roberts and Lee Jennings, is unlikely to faze him one iota.

Following a tough sparring session with Ben Murphy, at the TRAD TKO gym in Canning Town, Bailey spoke briefly on his upcoming appearance, “I was delighted when Johnny (Eames) told me. It’s a really good opportunity for me , it’s a fair crack at a leading competition so hopefully I can prove how good I am.

I’m not worried about it being televised at all, I’ve had a couple of my bouts shown on telly before. I think I’ve had one win on telly and two losses, but they’ve normally been short notice jobs.

The Boxing public have not got to see me at my best, I mean the Prizefighter is something I have had time to prepare for, unlike those fights, so they’re going to see me at my best, that’s important to me.

I need to get the first fight out of the way and then I’ll win it, it’s a mental thing I need to stay cool and calm, it doesn’t matter who I get in the first fight as long as I can stay relaxed, which I’m gonna do, win the first fight then I can win the whole thing. ”

Bailey then turned his attention to his TRAD TKO team mate ‘Saint’ George Jupp, who will also be taking part in the tournament, “I have mixed feelings about George also being on the show, I mean I’ve sparred god knows how many rounds with George, right since I turned professional three, three and half years ago, so obviously I know him inside and out, but he can say the same about me.

It would be a shame if we met each other early on in the competition, ideally it would be great to fight each other in the final, doubt that’s gonna happen though. We’ll probably end up getting drawn first.

He knows me as well as I know him so if we fought each other it would be a good fight for the crowd, but wouldn’t be great for us, or the TRAD TKO gym, but we’ll get the job done and then shake hands afterwards.”

Prizefighter - Featherweights 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.

PHOTO: Ian Bailey in action against Pavels Senkovs in May

PHOTO CREDIT: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

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TKO BOX OFFICE

‘SAINT’ GEORGE JUPP

Prizefighter - Featherweights

29th October @ York Hall, London

By Rio

London - Monday, 17th October 2011

‘Saint’ George Jupp Gets Prizefighter Shot On 29th Oct.

Matchroom Sport’s hugely popular Prizefighter series returns to the Capital’s home of boxing, the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, on Saturday 29th October. This time it’s the Featherweights that will get to compete for the coveted Prizefighter trophy and the £32,000 top prize.

Throughout it’s history Prizefighter has given novice pros the chance to establish themselves, on national TV, against some of the divisions biggest names.

Prizefighter - Featherweights is no exception and on the 29th October Belvedere’s exciting youngster ‘Saint’ George Jupp gets the chance to mix it up with such stalwarts as two time World Champ Choi Tseveenpurev and Irish Super Featherweight Champion Mickey Coveney, as well as unbeaten prospects Lee Glover and Troy James.

Whilst the aforementioned are the biggest names 20 year old George may have to face in this, the 22nd edition of the popular tournament, he is likely to also receive stiff competition from Liverpool’s Lee Jennings, who’s coming off a first round stoppage win over Chris Truman, and his TRAD TKO gym mate Ian Bailey should he draw either of them on the night.

George has just four bouts under his belt since he turned pro in May last year. The first, against fellow debutant Peter Barney, see the youngster secure a tidy points victory, as he did in his second outing, against Pavels Senkovs in September.

In December ‘Saint’ George again faced Senkovs, this time stopping the tough Mansfield based Latvian after one minute and fifty seconds of the fourth round. His final bout to date see him suffer a controversial narrow points loss to Harrow’s Raffi Khan back in March.

Following a training session, under the watchful eyes of his manager/co-trainer Johnny Eames at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, a beaming George said of the opportunity to participate in Prizefighter. “It’s a great, great competition, it’s a good chance to show everyone what you are made of.

I think the format suits me right down to the ground and I’m looking forward to it.

Whilst obviously I’m gonna be an underdog, as I’m a novice pro, but there’s no one there that bothers me. I’ll just take every fight as it comes and do what I do best, box.

I know I’m gonna be up against it but I’ll stick to my boxing and hopefully go all the way.”

Prizefighter - Featherweights 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 send Raffi Khan to the canvas back in March

PHOTO CREDIT

Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

JustListen2This Publicity & Promotion

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