‘Rule Britannia’ : Best UK Card In Years Being Mis-Sold / Preview & Predictions

'Rule Britannia' : Best UK Card In Years Being Mis-Sold / Preview & Predictions

As boxing fans – be it writers, ticket buyers or the fighters themselves, we are all interested in good, solid, competitive and meaningful fights – as often as is humanly possible – preferably as part of our normal Sky package, terrestrial TV or even on a specific subscription fight channel like Boxnation – who provide the very best international content from America and beyond, week in, week out.

After a barrage of criticism over the quality of their ‘regular’ domestic cards and the decision to make ANY card of championship quality a PPV – I’m beginning to wonder just how well the buy rate is doing for this Saturday’s ‘Rule Brittannia’ show from London’s O2 – that in my eyes, is one of the very best British fight cards in a good long while.

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Anthony Joshua : “I’m Happy My Hype Train Is On The Road”

Anthony Joshua : "I'm Happy My Hype Train Is On The Road"

Big punching British heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua (12-0, 12ko) has spoken out ahead of Saturday’s fight with American veteran Kevin Johnson to respond to the “Kingpin’s” assertion that the gold medal winning Olympian is nothing more than a ‘media hype-job.’

35 year old Johnson, who in promoting the fight has laughably stated he is the future of the heavyweight division – is likely going to get stopped for the first time in his career by AJ, who, in a sure sign of what’s expected – has already got his next fight penciled in – for July 18th in Manchester against a TBA opponent.

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Anthony Joshua Is A ‘Media Hype-Job’ Says Johnson

Anthony Joshua Is A 'Media Hype-Job' Says Johnson

Eddie Hearn is indeed building up Anthony Joshua (12-0, 12ko) as the next British heavyweight boxing hero and it’s true that his hopes for the London 2012 Olympic medalist are extremely high.

The unbeaten knock out artist is arguably the future “face” of the Matchroom Boxing brand and Hearn is praying Joshua will capture the public imagination in much the same way fellow Brit Frank Bruno once did in terms of his enormous popularity – and he believes the Watford man can emulate what Hall Of Famer Lennox Lewis did in terms of his extraordinary 3x world title winning career.

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Johnson Says He Will Knock Joshua Out/AJ Unfazed

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Anybody who tuned in to see British future heavyweight star Anthony Joshua’s (12-0,12ko) routine, one sided knockout of South American Raphael Zumbano Love on Saturday night will have witnessed durable American veteran Kevin Johnson (29-6-1, 14ko) step into the ring post-fight to hype and sell their upcoming May 30th bout from London’s O2.

The veteran American, who has never been stopped in his 36 professional fight career – looked calm and composed as he met Joshua’s stare and said;

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Resurrection – Birmingham – Ringside Review

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Anthony Joshua KO2 Raphael Zumbano Love

Ever since Anthony Joshua demolished Denis Bakhtov in two disturbing rounds back in October 2014, there have been calls for the so obviously blessed heavyweight to be matched tougher.

Unfortunately for South America’s heavyweight champion Raphael Zumbano Love (donning velour shorts on the night) these calls have been ignored. In two equally alarming rounds he, just like his 11 peers before him, found out just what the fuss is all about.

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Big three prospects step in for Gavin

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Never has a boxing show been handed a more fitting name.

‘RESURRECTION’ Matchroom’s foray into the British heartlands – set to take place this Saturday in Birmingham – has been impacted by schedule changes and drop outs that have seen the UK’s premier promotional outfit call in the cavalry.

Premier prospects Anthony Joshua, Luke Campbell and Callum Smith will step in to fill the void left by home favourite Frankie Gavin – who will now challenge IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook on 30th May in London’s O2 Arena.

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Anthony Joshua Looking To Impress Before Kingpin Showdown

Anthony Joshua Looking To Impress Before Kingpin Showdown

Big punching British heavyweight prospect Anthony Joshua (11-0, 11ko) – tipped as a future star by many – takes another step toward his “acid-test” fight with solid American veteran Kevin Johnson on May 30th with a scheduled 8 rounder against South American journeyman Raphael Zumbano Love on Saturday as part of Matchroom Sports Sky Sports broadcast from Birmingham.

Whilst nothing but a win is expected, the Olympic gold medalist is making all the right noises ahead of the contest, promising an “explosive” performance.

He said to Sky Sports;

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British Heavyweight Hope Anthony Joshua – Frank Warren Shares His Thoughts

British Heavyweight Hope Anthony Joshua - Frank Warren Shares His Thoughts

Stop and ask any British boxing fan in the street who they believe our next great hope for winning the world heavyweight title is and you will more than likely hear a variety of answers, but one name that will crop up time and time again is Olympic Gold medalist and undefeated powerhouse Anthony Joshua (11-0, 11ko).

If that is a name that is unfamiliar to you then I suggest you read on, because in his column for the Independent newspaper this week, veteran British promoter Frank Warren offered his thoughts on the fighter he tried to sign after London 2012 and leveled some criticism at the way he believes Joshua’s career is being handled under the guidance of Warren’s promotional rivals Matchroom Sport.

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Anthony Joshua defeats Jason Gavern in 3rd round TKO

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Anthony Joshua returned with a bang as he KO’d Jason Gavern in the third round in Newcastle to make it 11 KO’s from 11 pro fights.

Joshua was back in action after five months out of the ring with a stress fracture of the back, and opposing him was the ebullient Gavern, fighting for the 50th time in the paid ranks.

Gavern started well as Joshua eased his way back into the swing of things, but the American was floored twice in the second round as Joshua found his groove – but Gavern raised his hand in defiance as he heard the bell and headed back to his corner.

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Anthony Joshua vs Jason Gavern: Weigh-In Video

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Anthony Joshua MBE says his injury layoff has made him even hungrier for success as he returns to action against Jason Gavern at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

A stress fracture of the back forced Joshua out of his January bout with Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson, and the Olympic gold medal hero said it was tough not to capitalise on his rapid progress following another brutal KO win over Michael Sprott in Liverpool in November, but the 25 year old says he will be back and better than ever in the north east.

“I was on a roll and there was great momentum, but I think I can pick that up again,” said Joshua.

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