Whenever or Wherever

20.05 - Over the weekend Birmingham light middleweight/middleweight Matthew Macklin declared that he would fight 'Real Class of 2002' members David Walker and Matthew Thirlwall "whenever or wherever."

Before making the comments in an article on Frank Warren's web site that incorrectly claimed that Richard Williams was the British light middleweight champion, he would have done well to remember that sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

Walker and Thirlwall's promoter Mick Hennessy has ensured that Macklin has nowhere to hide, by responding with a time and place for him to fight either of them.

"Macklin says that neither Dave or Matthew would give him a hard fight, well I am happy to give him the chance to prove that," began Hennessy.

"He has said that he will meet them whenever or wherever, so what about on our BBC covered show at the Norwich Sports Village on Friday 25th July?

"I am sure that he will appreciate having plenty of time to prepare. He is bound to want to look as good as possible for the cameras as he has not yet received much TV coverage.

"He can either box Dave at 11 stone or Matthew at 11 stone 6lb, it is entirely up to him. All he has to do is get his promotional team to call me and we will make the fight."

Both Walker and Thirlwall are equally as keen to get in the ring with Macklin, a former England teammate during their amateur days. It is a time that Thirlwall remembers well.

"I find it quite surprising that Macklin says he would not consider a fight against me difficult as when we used to spar together on the England team I had to hold back," Thirlwall said. "What's more, he is yet to feature in a tough fight as a professional."

He added: "I also find it surprising that he claims we are friends and that it would be just business if we fought. Well he is wrong; he has made it personal now by suggesting I would be an easy fight for him. I would love for this contest to happen.

"He has no excuses for not stepping up to the plate now. He said whenever or wherever and Mick has given him both a date and a venue."

Meanwhile both David Walker and Matthew Thirlwall will appear on the Hennessy Sports 'Lords of the Ring' show at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham on Tuesday May 27th.

Walker meets John 'Boy' Humphrey in what promises to be a sensational showdown for the Southern Area Light Middleweight Title. The show also features former two times WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide in a rematch against Joseph Chingangu, Francis Barrett, the 'Real Class of 2002' and the rest of the Hennessy Sports team.

Hennessy Sports proudly presents 'Lords of the Ring'
Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham
Tuesday 27th May 2003

10x3 Southern Area Light-Middleweight Championship
John Humphrey v David Walker
(Newmarket) (Sidcup/Bermondsey)

10x3 Southern Area Light-Welterweight Championship
Francis Barrett v TBA
(Wembley)

8x3 Heavyweight
Herbie Hide v Joseph Chingangu
(Norwich) (Zambia/Italy)

8x3 Super-Middleweight
Carl Froch v TBA
(Nottingham)

8x3 Light-Welterweight
Stephen Smith v TBA
(Kentish Town/Hull)

6x3 Light-Middleweight
Gilbert Eastman v Spencer Fearon
(Battersea/Balham) (Forest Hill)

6x3 Super-Featherweight
Billy Corcoran v Jimmy Beech
(Wembley) (Walsall)

6x3 Middleweight
Matthew Thirlwall v TBA
(Bermondsey)

6x3 Light-Welterweight
Lenny Daws v TBA
(Morden)

6x3 Lightweight
Dave Stewart v TBA
(London/Irvine)

6x3 Light Heavyweight
Steve Spartacus v TBA
(Ipswich)

4x3 Light-Welterweight
Silence Saheed Ben 'Catweazle' Hudson
(London) (Cambridge)

Weigh-in

Monday 26th May 2003 (Bank Holiday) @ 1pm
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18 Theydon Road
Clapton
London E5 9NZ