British hot shot Liam Walsh destroyed Brazilian puncher Isisas Santos Sampaio in six rounds to claim the Vacant WBO Intercontinental title at the Manchester Velodrome tonight with a devastating body shot.
British Boxing
British Boxing News
Paul Smith Undecided Over Future After Ward Defeat
Three weeks ago fans witnessed Britain’s Paul Smith getting bloodied and soundly beaten by the returning Andre Ward in California, turning in a valiant effort despite being thoroughly outclassed by one of the world’s best fighters from the opening bell in their catch-weight contest.
It was Smith’s 3rd loss in as many fights, and 6th overall, following back-to-back world title challenges to Germany’s Arthur Abraham, fights that saw Smith come up short on points both times.
In the Land of the Heavyweights, the Brits Hold the Keys to the Kingdom
Once, more top heavy than Alice Eve, the heavyweight division is starting to develop some depth of talent that has also awakened an interest in the glamour division long bereft of such. Seemingly forever dominated by the name Klitschko, whether it be Vitali or Wladimir, there are new names and personalities appearing amongst the giants that don’t remind us of a robot manufacturer. One island nation known for their infatuation with the division, is leading the way developing excitement and talent north of 14 stone. By now you know I’m talking about the braggadocios Brits.
With the news of verbal sparring partners Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte agreeing to fight later this year, coupled with Tyson Fury battling the aforementioned Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight crown; it gives credence to the sentiment that the future and the present state of the division could fly under the Union Jack.
Prospect Watch: Jack Catterall
The talented young fighter was recently selected to join Floyd Mayweather’s camp to provide some southpaw sparring ahead of Floyd’s fight with Manny Pacquiao, and away from the bright lights of Vegas, with his feet back on British soil, Catterall is determined to keep the momentum going with a strong showing on Saturday.
Ricky Burns Still Has More To Offer / Eyeing Championship Fights
Scotland’s Ricky Burns still thinks he has plenty more to give the fight game, and is moving back down to lightweight, where he is a former WBO champion, to achieve it.
Burns, 32, who also held the WBO strap at 130 lbs, was considered by many to be finished going in as the ‘away fighter’ against tough Texan Omar Figueroa back in May on Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, yet gave a heroic account of himself in the wake of some questionable officiating. It was his second fight at 140 and 3rd loss in four fights.
Jose Zepeda: ‘If The KO Comes, It Comes’ / Flanagan vs Zepeda
Big punching American knock-out artist Jose Zepeda comes to Manchester on Saturday night in an attempt to win the vacant WBO lightweight strap when he fights hometown hero Terry Flanagan – who will be seeking to emulate fellow Mancunian Ricky Hatton’s historic world title win against Kostya Tzsyu in the City, almost exactly 10 years to the day.
It’s sure to be a bear-pit atmosphere for the undefeated American, who boasts 20 KO wins in 23 contests, yet ahead of the fight, he spoke to iFLtv to insist he is more than ready to step up to the plate, and believes it will be he, and not Flanagan, who walks out with the title.
Scott Quigg Ready For Kiko Martinez / Focused On His Own Path
On July 18th in Manchester, WBA (reg) super bantamweight champion Scott Quigg tops the bill when he defends his title against Spain’s Kiko Martinez, in what is sure to be a fight that will draw comparisons to that of IBF 122 lb champ Carl Frampton – and his own performances against the Spanish fighter.
The Northern Irishman took Martinez’s world title last September, having previously stopped him in the 9th to win the EBU belt the year before – and with negotiations between Quigg and Frampton for a UK super fight breaking down recently – all eyes will be on how the Bury man performs in anticipation of a possible future showdown with his Tiger’s Bay rival.
Tyson Fury: Excitement Palpable Ahead Of Klitschko Challenge
After the two camps came to a last minute agreement ahead of the scheduled purse bid, we now know that Tyson Fury is to get his opportunity to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, when he fights dominant Ukrainian champion Wladimir Klitschko on October 24th in Germany.
Following the confirmation, both Tyson and his trainer and Uncle, Peter, took to twitter to express their excitement ahead of getting down to the rigours of a long, hard training camp, for which they will base themselves in Ireland.
Wladimir Klitschko-Tyson Fury is on, and it could prove to be to Klitschko’s toughest test in a while!
As fight fans ave surely read by now, it has been announced by a number of sources how heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko will defend his belts against unbeaten Tyson Fury, the WBO heavyweight mandatory challenger, on October 24th in Germany. The two sides today came together and, at the last minute avoiding the need for purse bids, the fight was made.
Dusseldorf will host the big fight and both giants are confident of victory. Britain’s Fury, who has been calling for a shot at Klitschko for some time, took to his oft-used Twitter account just minutes ago:
“Viva Deutschland, I’m coming to rock your country in October be there or miss the best fight in heavyweight history, #letsgetthispartystarted,” Fury wrote.
Froch Under Fire / Fast Food Jibe For Rafael
If you happen to follow the twitter of ESPN writer Dan Rafael, then you may have seen the rather humorous exchange that took place yesterday regarding Carl Froch and his Golovkin assertions, that began when he posted a selfie on social media alongside the caption, ‘Too big & too strong for GGG’ – this in the same week that respected publication Boxing News ran a Q & A feature on Froch, carrying the headline quote; “I’ll likely retire.”
It’s pretty well known that when Golovkin’s manager Tom Loeffler seemingly went looking for Froch, he was met with a wall of silence after having opened initial talks with Carl’s promoter Eddie Hearn.