British Boxing

British Boxing News

Eddie Hearn confirms talks have begun for a Manny Pacquiao-Kell Brook fight

Eddie Hearn confirms talks have begun for a Manny Pacquiao-Kell Brook fight

With superstar Manny Pacquiao set to see out the remainder of his great career overseas, on a “world tour” according to Bob Arum, fighters from countries such as Australia – Jeff Horn, next in line to challenge Pac-Man – and the UK are anxious for a shot at the southpaw.

And, according to Eddie Hearn who spoke with Sky Sports, talks have begun for a fight between Pacquiao and Kell Brook. Brook, who has not yet fought since his brave but ultimately painful loss to middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, says an all-British super-fight with Amir Khan remains his priority, but that a fight against either Errol Spence or Pac-Man could happen this year.

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“Don’t blink!” says Haye ahead of Bellew fight – “Bellew is getting destroyed”

“Don't blink!” says Haye ahead of Bellew fight - “Bellew is getting destroyed”

A fighter’s fitness cannot be gauged accurately by looking at photos, but it must be said, David Haye looks in absolutely superb physical condition today as he trains for his grudge-match with fellow Brit Tony Bellew – and there are still a full eight weeks to go until fight night.

Haye, who is training out at Dino Spencer’s legendary 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach, released a Twitter photo today, along with a short video message also on social media. Haye looks to be about as fit and strong as he ever has, certainly more ripped and muscular than for his last fight, the May blowout of Arnold “The Cobra.”

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Ricky Burns to fight unification bout vs. Julius Indongo in April; also in the frame for possible Pacquiao super-fight

Ricky Burns to fight unification bout vs. Julius Indongo in April; also in the frame for possible Pacquiao super-fight

Scottish hero and reigning WBA 140-pound champ Ricky Burns has had his name mentioned as a possible Manny Pacquiao foe, what with the superstar Filipino set to embark on a “world tour” (with Australia’s Jeff Horn Pac-Man’s probable next challenger).

Obviously, such a fight would be massive, a real dream come true for Burns, 41-5-1(14), even more so if it took place in the UK. But first, according to STV News, 33-year-old Burns will face recently crowned IBF 140-pound champ Julius Indongo, probably on April 8, in a big unification clash.

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James DeGale: Me and Groves at Wembley would sell 80,000

James DeGale: Me and Groves at Wembley would sell 80,000

IBF super-middleweight champ James DeGale has made a habit of fighting away from home over the last few months, and if he can win in New York this Saturday when he will face WBC ruler Badou Jack, the southpaw will be fully deserving of a homecoming.

DeGale has his eye on taking such a homecoming at Wembley, and George Groves, the only man to have beaten him, is very much a target for “Chunky.” Groves of course fought Carl Froch at Wembley a couple of years ago, before a monstrous 80,000 crown – this number breaking all previous records. Now DeGale feels he and Groves in a return could equal those big numbers – but first he must beat Jack.

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David Price – Christian Hammer on Eubank Jnr-Quinlan PPV show

David Price - Christian Hammer on Eubank Jnr-Quinlan PPV show

Tickets for the much maligned ITV pay-per-view card headlined by Chris Eubank Junior-Renold Quinlan went on sale yesterday, and the card just became a little better in terms of value for money. British heavyweight David Price will support the main event in a fight with Christian Hammer, as annonced by promoter Erol Ceylan .

Price, still attempting to regain the status and respect he held before losing to Tony Thompson (twice) and Erkan Teper (both fighters subsequently failing drugs tests) will be taking a reasonably big step in the right direction against Hammer.

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Carl Frampton: Fighter-of-the-Year

Carl Frampton: Fighter-of-the-Year

The undefeated Carl “The Jackal” Frampton (23-0, 14 KOs) had an extremely successful year in which he elevated himself from a great world champion to one of the best fighters in the world. Frampton went on the road twice to defeat two previously unbeaten elite title holders, Scott Quigg and Leo Santa Cruz, to become a two-division world title holder, making him my 2016 Fighter-of-the-Year.

The IBF featherweight champion went to Manchester, England in February to take on Quigg, the unbeaten WBA champion, in a long awaited featherweight unification bout. Frampton displayed an outstanding jab and great counter punching that helped him outwork and out land Quigg, especially in the first half of the bout. Frampton’s aggressive fighting style and punching power helped him survive a late rally by Quigg and contributed to him breaking Quigg’s jaw. Frampton defeated Quigg by split decision, although the fight was not as close as the decision indicated.

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Clinton Woods’ autobiography due out this summer

Clinton Woods' autobiography due out this summer

Sheffield Man of Steel Clinton Woods had some storied career and the self-confessed former street tearaway who only got into boxing to get fit, his aspirations limited to winning the British title, is in the process of telling it in an autobiography due out this summer.

Co-writing the book with writer Mark Turley (author of “Journeymen: The Other Side of the Boxing Business”) Woods, who retired in August of 2009 with a fine 42-5-1(25) pro record, achieved far more than he was expected to achieve and far more than he himself ever believed he would achieve. Woods, possessing a granite chin, a good engine and attention-gaining punching power, not only won the British title at light-heavyweight, but also the Commonwealth, the European and, finally, the IBF world title at the weight.

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Hearn predicts “A very painful night” for Klitschko when he fights Joshua

Hearn predicts “A very painful night” for Klitschko when he fights Joshua

Barry Hearn, father of course of Eddie Hearn, is convinced IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua is not only the real deal but also just about unbeatable. Hearn, speaking with Sky Sports News HQ, says he sees only one winner on April 29, when Joshua, 18-0(18) will face former champ Wladimir Klitschko, 64-4(53) in a bout that will also contest the vacant WBA heavyweight title.

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Chris Eubank Junior: “I don’t need a trainer to push me or tell me what to do”

Chris Eubank Junior: “I don't need a trainer to push me or tell me what to do”

Chris Eubank Junior seems to be about the most stubborn and hard-headed fighter you could care to mention today. He may also be the most arrogant. Ahead of his February fight with little known Renold Quinlan for the equally little known (and little regarded) IBO super-middleweight belt, the former British middleweight champ who will be moving up eight pounds, claims he doesn’t even need a trainer.

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Anthony Crolla – Jorge Linares II at the Manchester Arena on March 25

Anthony Crolla - Jorge Linares II at the Manchester Arena on March 25

Anthony Crolla will meet Jorge Linares in a rematch for the WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring magazine World Lightweight titles at the Manchester Arena on March 25, live on Sky Sports and sponsored by Betfred.

Crolla and Linares met in the same venue for the belts in September with the Venezuelan coming out on top in an enthralling contest, ending the brilliant winning run of ‘Million Dollar’ who claimed the title with a stoppage win over Darleys Perez in November 2015 before destroying dangerous Ismael Barroso in May.

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