British Boxing News

ITV to show Carl Froch WBC Eliminator Live

ITV and Hennessy Sports have today announced that the WBC super-middleweight world title final eliminator between Carl Froch and Russia�s Denis Inkin will be broadcast live on ITV1 on Saturday March 29th from the Nottingham Arena.

Alex and Scott can re-run Ken and Jim

Edinburgh�s Alex Arthur has not dismissed the possibility of a bout with Scott Harrison in the future.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Dominican Republic

In the latest part of his fascinating series, Eric Armit casts his eye over the Dominican Republic and chooses his stars of yesterday, today and (perhaps) tomorrow.

Eric Armit's World View

In a recent column I remarked on the problems of getting accurate records and results from Africa. To some extent medical standards there can also be a problem.

First Manchester Fight Nights this Weekend

This weekend Manchester-based television station Channel M and Salford boxing promoter Steve Wood, launch their new monthly boxing programme, �Manchester Fight Nights,� this weekend with two hour-long shows.

Bristol's Butler retains Masters title

Bristol�s Danny Butler retained his British Masters light-middleweight on home turf at the Marriot Hotel on Sunday night (3rd February) as Tooting�s David Wakefield was forced to retire on a cut eye after seven completed rounds.

Ulster and Ireland round up

Andy Lee made a successful home debut in front of a fervent Limerick crowd on Saturday 2nd February as he became the first man to stop Argentinean tough guy Alejandro Gustavo Falliga in the fifth round of a scheduled ten.

The World This Week

Oliver Fennell sums up the international action of interest. Results with relevance to British boxing are in bold.

Newspaper launches 'Boxing against Bullying' campaign

All of us who know boxing are already well aware of this - the sport has a huge amount of potential to be a force for social good.

The latest indicator that the general public are beginning to see the light is the launch of a campaign today by the Sheffield Star newspaper called 'Boxing against Bullying'.

Setanta snaps up Woods fight

Clinton Woods� defence of his IBF light-heavyweight title against Antonio �Magic Man� Tarver in Tampa Bay, Florida on Saturday, April 12th is to be shown live on Setanta Sports.

Boxing and the English Language

Boxing is often credited with providing an opportunity for youngsters whose chances elsewhere are limited, and is also party to more negative feedback in the form of the anti-boxing brigade. There is another significant element of our lives that has been a beneficiary of boxing, simply the language and phrases we use frequently. Almost every aspect of the sport has provided everyday metaphors that are used and reused, often without consideration of their origin.

Fry reignites career with York Hall sizzler

It�s about time Courtney Fry delivered. The Commonwealth Games he triumphed at were a decade ago, and the Olympics he competed in saw him team with Audley Harrison.

Team GB boxers build on their success

Britain�s best amateur boxers (collectively known as Team GB) are at present honing up their skills in preparation for the Beijing Olympics in both Bulgaria and Ireland.

Tony Oakey Cokeys to victory

Sometimes, the form guide isn�t worth the paper it�s printed on. More often, it is the intangible factor of momentum which better points to who might win a fight.

Lee and Falliga both under middleweight limit

At today's weigh-in, both Andy Lee and Alehandro Gustavo Falliga weighed just under the middleweight limit with each tipping the scales at 11 stone 5 lbs (159 lbs) ahead of tomorrow nights first ever pro fight night in Lee's native Limerick.

Possible European title shot for Skelton

After his failed attempt to win the WBA heavyweight title, Matt Skelton has been handed another chance to win a major title by being nominated by the European Boxing Union to fight for their vacant heavyweight title.

Arthur-Guzman on after Warren wins purse bid

Alex Arthur has got his dream super-fight against Joan Guzman for the WBO super-featherweight title.

Leeds lads all hungry for title success

Leeds light middleweight prospect Danny Reynolds goes gunning for his first title opportunity in March. The undefeated southpaw, known for his trademark combination punching, will face off against Doncaster�s experienced Jason Rushton. The two Yorkshire lads will joust for the Central area belt, on a Frank Maloney show at a date and venue to be confirmed.

Woodhall tips Thomas for the Top

Chelmsley Wood teenager Thomas �The Natural� Costello is a world champion in waiting � so says a man who would know of such things, Telford�s former WBC world super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall.

The World This Week

Oliver Fennell sums up the international action of interest. Results with relevance to British boxing are in bold.

Woods says he's no Rocky Balboa

IBF light-heavyweight champion Clinton Woods says he is going to be a tougher proposition for Antonio Tarver than one of the American's recent opponents - Rocky Balboa.

British ref gets no change from Noel Edmonds

As previewed on BBN - the undisputed number one website for tracking the television appearances of the least famous British fight figures - referee Shaun Messer made an appearance on Noel Edmonds' tragically successful quiz show 'Deal or No Deal' last Thursday.

Woods v Tarver shares limelight with Dawson v Johnson

IBF light-heavyweight champion Clinton Woods will defend his title against IBO titleholder Antonio Tarver at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on April 12th.

Woods' local paper the Sheffield Star broke the story last week and today it was confirmed by US television company Showtime that the bout will be broadcast on the same bill as WBC light-heavyweight champion Chad Dawson's defence against Woods' former three-times foe Glen Johnson.

Who is the Dartford Destroyer?

Dartford. Pizzas and pound shops. No cultural hotbed this, I should know, it is my hometown, born and raised. Of course, to offset the mediocrity we have a certain Jagger and Richards to crow about, though maddeningly, crow we do not, not like Liverpudlians crow about The Beatles (or even Gerry and the sodding Pacemakers).

The odd better than average cricketer has flown our ever dwindling green bits into an all too fleeting limelight. And now� I�m struggling.

But all is far, far from lost. I give you my personal favourite son, The Dartford Destroyer, Dave Charnley.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Mexico

In the latest part of his fascinating series, Eric Armit casts his eye over Mexico and chooses his stars of yesterday, today and (perhaps) tomorrow.

Martinez v Munroe undercard news

The undercard to the Frank Maloney-promoted, Sky-televised European super-bantamweight title fight between Leicester�s Rendall Munroe, 13-1 (6), and Spain�s Kiko Martinez, 17-0 (14), at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham on March 7 could have as many as 12 fights.

Ulster and Ireland news round up

American-based Billy Walsh was crowned the new Irish welterweight champion on Saturday night in Cork with a tight 95-94 verdict over James Gorman. Gorman appeared to drop Walsh in the final session but the fact it was not counted as a knockdown cost the East Belfast fighter as a 10-8 round would have handed him victory. However, the contest was heralded as fight of the night which was no surprise as Gorman always gives value for money and a rematch with Andy Murray will be the next target back at Gorman�s natural light-welterweight limit.

Footy stars back Hough's title tilt

Walsall FC stars today lent their support to local boxer Matty Hough as he steps up preparations ahead of the first title fight of his professional career.

The Walsall-born fighter, who supports his hometown football club, faces Birmingham-based Max Maxwell for the Midland Area Middleweight title at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Thursday, 28th February.

Lynes topples Tolppola; Sosnowski outpoints Kenna

Colin Lynes made the first successful defence of his European light-welterweight title by widely outpointing Finnish challenger Juho Tolppola at the Goresbrook Leisure centre in Dagenham on Friday (January 25).

Maxwell sets up title fight with two round win

Birmingham�s Max Maxwell warmed up for his crack at the vacant Midland Area middleweight title in Wolverhampton next month with an impressive two-round dismissal of Bolton�s Johnny Enigma at a packed out Holiday Inn, Birmingham, on Friday (January 25).

Hatton's next opponent - if not Witter, then who?

Let�s face it, Ricky Hatton versus Junior Witter is not going to happen.

For every reason Hatton has given for not wanting the fight, there is a compelling counter-argument.

Bami shakes off cobwebs

Brixton based light welterweight, Ted Bami, made a winning return last night, (Friday 25th), defeating Frenchman, Nicolas Guisset over a steady, solid eight rounds.

Congo-born Bami stepped through the ropes for the first time in almost a year, on the undercard of the Lynes v Tolppola bill at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham.

Shut up writers! Today is the heavyweight golden age!

Look, don't blame me for the following article, writes Editor Ian McNeilly. BBN tries to be equitable and democratic. Different opinions are what makes debate interesting. I don't agree with everything John Carter says. If you want to respond, use the comment facility at the bottom...

Ladies and gentlemen, in this year of 2008, a very strange and perplexing situation has unfolded!

Something inexplicable which demands an explanation! Confused? Let me spell it out.

Johanneson v Mitchell on Haye undercard

Carl Johanneson will defend his British super-featherweight title against Kevin Mitchell on the undercard of David Haye v Enzo Maccarinelli at London's O2 Arena on Saturday March 8th.

Birmingham v The North on Friday night

Question time: Fighters are always brought back slowly after an extended absence away from the ring and given a nice easy fight to get them back in the groove.

Right or wrong?

Wrong � in this particular case at least.

Hamed Jamali, out of professional action for almost a year and a half, goes straight into a 50-50 contest with powerfully-built Sale puncher Mark Nielsen in Birmingham on Friday night (January 25).

The World This Week

Oliver Fennell sums up the international action of interest. Results with relevance to British boxing are in bold.

January 10, Osaka, Japan

Impressive WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa retained his belt for a fifth time, unanimously outscoring European king Simon Maludrotto of Italy. The scores for Hasegawa were wide, showing his class against a man whose quality is known to British fans for wins over Damaen Kelly and Ian Napa. There was less success for Japan in the co-feature, as Nobuto Ikehara was pegged back by WBA bantamweight ruler Wladimir Sidorenko. This fight also ended in a unanimous decision. How about Hasegawa vs Sidorenko in a unification match?

Veteran Jamali giving it one final go on Friday

Birmingham�s Hamed Jamali goes into his latest comeback at the Holiday Inn on Friday night (January 25) with the knowledge that defeat will spell the end of his big-time aspirations and probably bring the curtain down on his stop-start six-year career.

Will British ref KO Noel Edmonds' banker?

'Deal or no deal?' is a question some boxing men have to 'deal' with every week.

Those paragons of pugilistic virtue the promoters are the most likely to pose the question - to their peers as well as managers, boxers, trainers, TV companies...you name it.

Getting to know...Denton Vassell

When not opening accounts at the world's 'local bank', Denton Vassell trades punches, works on his balance, and calculates his next move from Bob Shannon's busy Fighting Fit Gym. The muscle-bound Manchunian found a few moments to speak with James Howard to explain his short but successful amateur career and his plans for the future in the sport.

Eric Armit's World View

Well, Roy Jones Jr beat Felix Trinidad but I didn't feel the earth move. What I really enjoyed was Roy and Don King saying that they intended to get on a private jet and fly to Wales to get a fight with Joe Calzaghe and also offer to fill in if Bernard Hopkins pulls out.

Who is next for Clinton Woods?

With Joe Calzaghe set to officially announce that he'll be taking on Bernard Hopkins at light-heavyweight, Sheffield's IBF champion Clinton Woods appears once more to have been sidelined on the really big stage.

James DeGale beats Olympic champion

England amateur international middleweight James DeGale confirmed his potential at world level when he beat current Olympic welterweight champion Bakhtiyar Artayev in Sheffield last night.

British boxing's 'Who needs 'em?' club

With so many routes to the top available in boxing today, it�s no wonder that sometimes quality affairs between our best home-grown talent sometimes go begging at domestic level.

Interview with Scott 'Ding Ding' Belshaw

Northern Ireland heavyweight prospect Scott �Ding Ding� Belshaw made quite a stir entering the pro game with a ten-second knockout win followed by five further stoppages in six fights thus far. A promising career hit the buffers in the summer of 2007 when a bad car crash left Scott wondering it he would still be able to walk let alone fight again. After months of rehabilitation to get back into shape and contention, the unbeaten Aghalee man is ready to return to the ring on Saturday 26th January at the Neptune Sports Complex, Cork when he meets Latvian veteran Alexandre Borhovs.

Enzo Maccarinelli KO'd by ginger harridan

Stood amongst some of the finest reality TV personalities on last night�s BBC show 'The Weakest Link' was 6' 4� Welshman Enzo Maccarinellli.

Terry Marsh gets 5k compo after attack

Former IBF light-welterweight champion Terry Marsh has won �5,000 compensation after two rail ticket inspectors attacked him.

Skelton's big heart not enough

Matt Skelton came up short last night in his challenge for the WBA heavyweight title in Dusseldorf, Germany, losing a unanimous points decision to champion Ruslan Chagaev.