Archive for the ‘Boxing’ Category

Shinsuke Yamanaka: Successful first defence

Shinsuke Yamanaka successfully defended his WBC bantamweight title with a unanimous points victory over Vic Darchinyan.

Making his first defence, Yamanka of Japan weathered an early storm from the veteran, a former two-weight world champion.

Yamanaka opened up a cut over the right eye of his opponent in the fifth round and dominated thereafter, rocking Darchinyan in the 11th with a big left hand.

The judges had the fight 117-111 and 116-112 twice.

“It pretty much went according to plan,” said Yamanaka, who moves to 16-0-2. “I was able to land some punches and take the momentum from his as the bout went on.”

Also on the Tokyo bill, Japan’s Takahiro Aoh defended his WBC super-featherweight title with a unanimous decision over Thailand’s Terdsak Jandaeng.

“This was a great way to celebrate my birthday,” said Aoh, who turned 28. “I was very motivated and determined to make it a great day.”

Nathan Cleverly: Would relish fighting Bernard Hopkins this summer

Nathan Cleverly has his sights set on a “special” unification showdown with legendary veteran Bernard Hopkins this summer.

The unbeaten Welshman will defend his WBO light-heavyweight title against Kosovan challenger Robin Krasniqi at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall on April 28, barely two months after soundly thrashing American Tommy Karpency in Cardiff.

The Krasniqi fight will be Cleverly’s fourth defence of the belt he inherited last year and the Cefn Forest fighter, whose record reads 24-0 with 11 knockouts, believes he is ready to make the step up from ‘alphabet’ title holder to unified champion.

He added: “It’s definitely a case of getting the successful defence done on April 28 and then we can look for a big showdown in the summer in a big unification fight, in Wales, hopefully, against one of the American guys.

“The promoters have got together and most notably, myself and Hopkins has been highly talked of. That would be special, to bring an event like that to Wales.”Nathan Cleverly Quotes of the week

“That is the ambition, the goal.”

A fight between Cleverly and veteran superstar Hopkins has gradually moved closer to becoming a reality, with the fighters’ promoters recently strengthening their working relationship.

It is a match-up Cleverly is desperate to secure, with his fight against Krasniqi (37-2, 13KOs) on the same night as WBC champion Hopkins’ rematch with Chad Dawson.

Best event

“I think Hopkins is the fight that would make the best event,” he said.

“I think more of the boxing fans know Bernard Hopkins. He’s in the history after becoming the sport’s oldest world champion and he’s still a great fighter. And I know that would be a great event and a great fight.

“The promoters have got together and most notably, myself and Hopkins has been highly talked of. That would be special, to bring an event like that to Wales.

“So now that the promotional companies are talking, it’s basically up and running now and just a matter of putting things together. So it’s a great start.”

Looking ahead to the fight with Krasniqi, Cleverly admits he would normally prefer to take a bit more time out between scraps but wants to rack up another defence before moving onto bigger and better things.

Much earlier

“This next defence has come much earlier than expected,” he said.

“I was expecting a nice holiday but obviously, given this opportunity to defend my world title in London, I grabbed it with both hands.

“It’s a short training camp – short and sweet – but I’m fit from my last fight anyway so we’ll just tick over now until the fight.

“Ideally I’d like much more time off. After a fight I like to leisure around and go on holiday and at least have a couple of months off.

“But this opportunity came up and it was my decision whether I wanted to fight or not so I went for it because it’s in London, in the Royal Albert Hall, which is a traditional old venue, and it’s a chance to make another defence of my world title.”

British light-middleweight champion Brian Rose hopes to land a world title shot in 18 months’ time after banishing memories of his only defeat.

Rose suffered a shock knockout loss against Max Maxwell back in 2010, but he avenged this defeat with a classy points win last weekend in his hometown of Blackpool.

Promoter Frank Maloney has big plans for Rose and intends to target the European title before building him up to world level.

Speaking to Maloney’s official website, Rose said: “Frank Maloney came into the changing room and said he wants to step me up to European level and in 18 months we want to be fighting for a world title.

“To come from a crushing defeat against Max Maxwell – to my promoter saying in 18 months we are going to be fighting for a world title, it’s amazing.

“I want a couple of defences of my title against Sam Webb or Matthew Hall next, but I’m not going to be calling anyone out.

“I haven’t got to where I am by calling anyone out, so I’ll fight whoever is in line.”

George Groves: Will travel to Germany for world title shot

George Groves must travel to Germany for his world title challenge against WBO super-middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz on May 5.

The British and Commonwealth king was recently made mandatory challenger for the WBO title and Groves has now confirmed he will face Stieglitz at the Messehalle in Erfurt.

Speaking on Twitter, Groves said: “Is fighting for the WBO Super Middleweight Championship of the World!!!!!!! … And your (sic) all invited!”

The 24-year-old has been absent from the ring since November as he was forced to pull out of a fight against Kenny Anderson due to a back injury.

But Groves has already fought in Germany and America during his unbeaten 14 fight career and is unlikely to be concerned about facing Stieglitz on his own patch.

Stieglitz had made five successful defences of the title, but he has been stopped twice in 43 fights.

Tony Bellew: Kicks off a big weekend on Merseyside

Tony Bellew is looking forward to kicking off a big weekend on Merseyside when he takes on Danny McIntosh on April 27.

The British light-heavyweight champion will defend his title on the Friday night before watching his beloved Everton take on Liverpool in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, while the Grand National takes place later on Saturday.

LIVE ON SKY SPORTSTONY BELLEW v DANNY McINTOSHFriday, April 27

And Bellew said Everton’s replay victory against Sunderland gave him an extra boost in training for his comeback fight following defeat to Nathan Cleverly last year.

“I wouldn’t miss Wembley for the world,” said Bellew. “I’ll get McIntosh out of the way whatever way it has to go then I’ll be in the first car down there on Saturday.

“I’ve never been happier to be running at the crack of dawn as I was after the Sunderland win, it’s given me a huge boost ahead of a very big night in my career.

“It’s great to be fighting on Sky Sports again and my performance will be seen by a lot of people. It’s a big opportunity in the spotlight and an honour to kick-off a huge sporting weekend for Merseyside with the football and the Grand National.”

Respected

McIntosh is hoping to get his own shot at Cleverly by beating Bellew but the Liverpudlian says the challenger is not in the same league.

“It’s great to be fighting on Sky Sports again and my performance will be seen by a lot of people.”Tony Bellew Quotes of the week

“Danny’s got good credentials – he’s a former European champion and jokers don’t win that belt,” said Bellew. “He’s got to be respected and I’m certainly not taking him lightly, I know he can punch.

“But for him to talk about facing Cleverly again is just hype because he went in there and got bounced off the canvas like a yo-yo. He was down a few times and he didn’t want to know – anyone who goes down and backflips off the floor in my eyes shouldn’t be going down in the first place.

“He needs to take the game and himself more seriously. But I am definitely taking him seriously, no danger there and I am fully prepared for 12 hard rounds and I cannot wait to be back in the ring, in front of a big crowd and live on Sky Sports.”

Brian Rose made a successful first defence of his British light-middleweight title and avenged the only defeat on his record with a points win over Max Maxwell in his home town of Blackpool.

Rose dominated behind his pinpoint jab throughout the 12 rounds to earn a unanimous verdict from the judges by margins of 119-110 twice and 119-111.

Maxwell knocked out Rose in their previous meeting back in May 2010 and he tried to script a repeat, coming forward in an effort to unload uppercuts.

Aside from shutting Rose on the ropes a few times, Maxwell’s approach brought limited success but he kept going right to the end, testament to his fitness.

“(Trainer) Bobby (Rimmer) wanted me to move a little bit more, I think his heart was in his mouth at times,” Rose, who claimed the title with a split decision over Prince Arron in his previous fight, told Sky Sports.

“He kept telling me to move, but I think I was being a little bit macho.

“It was hard not to after what he did to me last time. I wanted to prove to him that I can stand there. I shouldn’t have but I came through and will learn from it.”

No Arron rematch

Looking ahead, Rose played down the prospect of rematch with Arron.

“I heard he’s moved up to middleweight. It’s not a fight I’m looking at, I know he gave me a chance but I’ve got to fight the next in line and that’s up to (promoter) Frank Maloney,” he added.

“There is a Sam Webb-Matthew Hall eliminator. I’m not going to start shouting out opponents, that’s not how I got where I am today.”

Maloney confirmed plans for Rose to be back in action “before the summer”.

Scott Quigg & Rendall Munroe: On collision course (Quigg pic – leighdawneyphotography.com )

Scott Quigg will put his unbeaten record on the line against veteran Rendall Munroe at Manchester Velodrome on June 16.

The duo, who are both promoted by Ricky Hatton, will fight for the interim WBA super-bantamweight title.

LIVE ON SKY SPORTSScott Quigg v Rendall MunroeSaturday June 16

Quigg, the current British champion after beating stalwarts Jason Booth and Jamie Arthur last year, is one of the nation’s most promising prospects.

But he will need to be every bit as good as they say he is when he comes up against Munroe, the former Commonwealth and European champion who was brave in defeat against WBC champion Toshiaki Nishioka in Tokyo in 2010.

The pair have been on collision course since Munroe joined Hatton Promotions and the time is now right for the stablemates to clash in what promises to be the biggest domestic fight of the year.

“The fight has been brewing since Rendall signed with us and we have got there,” said Hatton.

“It is about giving fans what they want and this is a match-up of the highest quality between two of the world’s best 8st 10lb boxers.

“The winner will go on to mix with the world’s elite fighters and it won’t be the end for the loser.

“It is possible he can fight Commonwealth champion Carl Frampton who is learning his trade and is a big prospect for the future.

“It is certainly the biggest fight Hatton Promotions have staged in the UK and I am sure the public will support it.”

Rob McCracken: Forced to make some tough decisions ahead of Olympics

Great Britain head coach Rob McCracken admitted selecting his squad for the final Olympic qualifier in Trabzon was “one of the toughest decisions of my career.”

McCracken sprung a number of surprises in his final squad for the April tournaments, the last chance for British boxers to supplement the five who have already qualified for their home Olympics.

It means the likes of lightweight pair Martin Ward and Iain Weaver, and Commonwealth Games heavyweight gold medallist Simon Vallily, have seen their London 2012 dreams dashed.

McCracken said: “The decision was extremely difficult and not something me or any of the other coaches enjoyed. But you just have to do your job and pick those you feel have the best chance of qualifying.”

Experience

Liverpool’s Sam Maxwell built on a recent gold medal performance in Finland to pip Ward and Weaver for the England 60kg berth. Scotland’s Josh Taylor, and Joe Cordine of Wales, are also competing for the single GB qualifying place.

McCracken said: “Sam has performed superbly in recent months including winning the GB Championships, and he deserves his chance. He is big and strong at the weight and is growing into an excellent boxer.”

Meanwhile another Liverpudlian, Callum Smith, is moving up to try his luck at light-heavyweight after failing to find a way past middleweight hopeful Anthony Ogogo, who will also go to Turkey.

McCracken added: “Callum does not have much experience at the weight but he is a very big lad and he is still growing. He has been around the weight for months and he is clearly the best at 81kg at the moment.”

Londoner Charlie Edwards gets a chance to try to qualify at light-flyweight while Sunderland’s Warren Baister is preferred at heavyweight. But with qualifying places scarce, all must reach at least the semi-finals to stand a chance.

Reigning European champions Andrew Selby and Fred Evans of Wales, plus Luke Campbell, Tom Stalker and Anthony Joshua, have already qualified for the Games. The women’s qualifier is later this summer.

GB squad: 49kg Charlie Edwards; 60kg Sam Maxwell (Eng); Josh Taylor (Sco); Joe Cordina (Wal); 75kg Anthony Ogogo; 81kg Callum Smith; 91kg Warren Baister.