Andy Lee/Billy Joe Saunders Postponed Until October 10th / Moved to Manchester

08/13/201508/13/2015 Olly Campbell

WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee’s defence of his title against Hatfield’s Billy Joe Saunders, that was scheduled for Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland has been postponed until October 10th and moved to the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, England.

In a joint statement last night from co-promoters Frank Warren and Adam Booth, it was claimed the Irishman is suffering from a virus that means the September date was potentially in jeopardy;

“Andy’s had a virus and he’s recovering from it, or he’s about recovered from it, according to Adam Booth, who’s contacted me.,” Warren said.

Martin Murray Added to Matchroom Leeds Show

08/12/201508/12/2015 Olly Campbell

St Helen’s Martin Murray has been pretty active since moving to 168 lbs and signing for Matchroom Sport earlier this year, with two outings against low-tier opposition in the last seven weeks already, yet the 3x world title challenger has now also been added to the September 5th show in Leeds, UK to fill the void left by Gavin McDonnell.

McDonnell will instead head out to the US to be with twin brother Jamie ahead of his WBA (reg) bantamweight world title defence against Japan’s Tomoki Kameda, and promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed he will have Murray included in a title fight on the bill.

Dereck Chisora: “I Have a Choice of 3 Opponents – Teper, Jennings or Browne”

08/12/201508/11/2015 Olly Campbell

An interesting tweet appeared on former world title challenger Dereck Chisora’s (21-5, 14ko) twitter account this afternoon, embedded with a short video discussing his immediate future options, that according to the Finchley fighter are European heavyweight champion Erkan Teper, American world title challenger Bryant Jennings, or Australian heavyweight contender Lucas Browne.

Chisora, who blasted out Beka Lobjanidze with the first serious punch of their fight last month in London, said in the clip;

Anthony Joshua Sizes Up the Competition: Klitschko, Wilder & Fury

08/11/2015 Olly Campbell

Matchroom Sport have a lot invested in Britain’s London 2012 Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua (13-0, 13ko). The Watford born fighter has been embarking on the familiar career arc taken by nearly all young prospects, steadily increasing his level of opposition as the world waits to find out if he is indeed the real deal.

Joshua boxes Scotland’s Gary Cornish on September 12th in a fight many are viewing already as a foregone conclusion, including it would seem, Sky Sports, who have an exclusive broadcasting deal with Joshua’s promoters at Matchroom and have today published AJ’s assessment of the rival heavyweight big guns, including Wladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and, ahead of their fight, Cornish himself.

Saunders Training Well in Marbella Ahead of Andy Lee Title Challenge

08/10/201508/10/2015 Olly Campbell

After his recent stoppage (tune up) victory over Yoann Bloyer, Billy Joe Saunders landed in Marbella last Tuesday to the Macklin’s Gym facility in the Spanish city ahead of his September 19th challenge to WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee, that will take place at Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland.

Saunders and Lee’s fight will be the first time that two men of traveller origins have contested a version of a world title and the Hatfield based former Olympian is determined to be in the best shape possible.

Wishing Chris L. Eubank Sr. a Happy 49th Birthday

08/09/201508/09/2015 Paul Spence

As former European WBO legend Chris ‘Simply the Best’ Eubank celebrated his 49th birthday on Saturday, I look back on the glittering career of the self-styled monocle man.

Eubank turned professional in New York City as a teenager, making his debut in Atlantic City in 1985 following a 26-fight amateur career that included a local win over standout US international star Dennis Milton. Born and bred in London, he had relocated to NYC’s Bronx to start boxing at 16 and really came into his own.

After four quick-fire four-round points wins, Eubank built his reputation in Gleasons Gym and Bronxchester BC, with the late Johnny Bos watching many a sparring session of the young upstart and attempting to sign him.

Frankie Gavin says Brook Will Beat Khan If and When the Fight Happens

08/09/201508/08/2015 Olly Campbell

Britain’s former world amateur champion Frankie Gavin, who was soundly beaten by Kell Brook in his challenge to the IBF welterweight champion back in May, has tipped the Sheffield man to beat Amir Khan should the all-British mega-fight finally come off next year.

Khan has recently been snubbed once again by Floyd Mayweather, who fights Andre Berto in September, and is still stubbornly refusing to fight Brook until he fights what he deems “a big enough name.”

George Groves: “I’ve Seen Nothing in Badou Jack to Trouble Me” / Looking for Statement Win

08/08/201508/07/2015 Olly Campbell

Britain’s former 2x super middleweight world title challenger George Groves says that he sees nothing to trouble him when he faces Vegas-based Swede & WBC champion Badou Jack on the Mayweather/Berto undercard, hoping to make it 3rd time lucky with regard his world title dreams.

Groves sadly came up short in back to back world title challenges to Nottingham’s recently retired Carl Froch, despite dumping the notoriously granite-chinned “Cobra” on his backside in their first encounter, yet is convinced that this time the world title is there for the taking.

Speaking at yesterday’s presser, a dapperly dressed Groves, said;

Badou Jack – George Groves Press Conference Quotes

08/07/201508/07/2015 Showtime Boxing

GEORGE GROVES, Top 168-Pound Contender – “Everything in training camp has been perfect. We’re adjusting to the time difference and the altitude, which takes a couple of days, but everything is going really well. We’re ahead of schedule. We’ve been training all year for this fight so I’m feeling really good. I can’t wait to get in there and start punching.

“I think I know more than enough about Jack. I’ve seen him box live against Anthony Dirrell and I’ve studied him on tape. There’s a lot to like about him. I like the fact that he’s come to the U.S. and has made a home out here, there’s bravery in that. He’s latched on to a successful camp but ultimately you have to stand on your own two feet in the ring.

Jamie McDonnell vs Tomoki Kameda II on for 6th September in Texas

08/06/201508/06/2015 Olly Campbell

It was confirmed last night that British WBA (reg) bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell will return to Texas to battle Japan’s Tomoki Kameda for a second time, following his hard fought victory back in May in which he earned the unanimous decision after hitting the deck in the 3rd from a huge Kameda right hand.

Showing some real grit, McDonnell battled back, got back to his boxing and eventually took the fight by scores of 114-113 (x3) in the face of some quality work from the Japanese fighter. It was a score that accurately reflected how close the fight was first time round, and manager Dave Coldwell – who cornered McDonnell for the fight due to regular trainer Dave Hulley’s fear of flying – tweeted the confirmation last night.