James DeGale Won’t Fail Punters

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Pro-Boxer Frankie Monkhouse Previews this Weekend’s Boxing Action: Big time boxing returns to terrestrial TV this weekend as channel five bring us all of the action from Bluewater’s Glow in Kent, starting at 10pm. Heavyweight sensation Hughie Fury gets his latest run out but all eyes will be on James DeGale as the 27-year-old Londoner aims to defend his WBC Silver strap and move a step closer to a clash with Australian Sakio Bika who owns the WBC proper.

Old rival George Groves may be the talk of the town at the minute but James “Chunky” DeGale will go some way to confirming his reputation as a genuine title challenger if he can deal with opponent Dyah Davis in an impressive fashion. The American challenger has lost only three of 26 fights to date, one against Bika, a 10th round stoppage in June, but if the Englishman can do things a tad more convincingly, it would shoot him up the rankings and into the picture for major honours. The 6ft southpaw boxer brings a CV of 16 wins against that one famous reverse to city rival Groves back in 2011 and has halted each of his last two before the end of the fourth round.

Latest Prizefighter tournament line-up complete: James Toney enjoys star status

IMG_47921Fight fans can expect an interesting, hopefully exciting, latest instalment of the popular “Prizefighter” tournament on November 14th. Set to go out, as usual, live on Sky Sports, the latest tournament is another international heavyweights edition, with a Team USA Vs. Team UK element added for further intrigue.

The full eight-man line-up has been confirmed by Matchroom Sports as follows:

James Toney (USA)
Jason Gavern (USA)
Brian Minto (USA)
Damian “Bolo” Wills (USA) – (stepping in for Sherman “Tank” Williams, who pulled out for some reason)

Larry Olubamiwo (UK)
Michael Sprott (UK) – (stepping in for an injured Sam Sexton)
Matt Legg (UK)
Tom Little (UK)

Nathan Cleverly Beefs Up

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Nathan Cleverly is beefing up for his cruiserweight debut by stuffing on steak as he aims to become a two-time world champion.

The former WBO World Light-Heavyweight champion takes on the tough Australian Daniel Ammann for the Vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight title on Saturday 30th November at London’s Copper Box Arena, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Cleverly, 26, who started his pro career as an 18-year-old welterweight in 2005, is now adding an extra 25lb of muscle as he starts his campaign to win a second world title after his shock loss to Sergey Kovalev in August.

And the Welsh star knows that he will need as much beef as possible in his new weight class as he’ll be facing small heavyweights, but is confident he’ll also have the speed to deal with them.

DeGale wants Froch to KO Groves

froch678James DeGale thinks George Groves (19-0, 15 KO’s) is wasting his time with his efforts to try and unnerve IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (31-2, 22 KO’s) before their fight this month on November 23rd in Manchester, UK. Groves has Froch pretty flustered looking in their meeting on Sky Ringside last Thursday to the point where Groves felt that Froch was on verge of tears. DeGale thinks Froch is too good to lose to Groves .

DeGale said to the Daily Mail “George really believes he is going to win this fight but I have no idea where he gets his confidence. He comes across on TV like a cocky schoolboy but he’s kidding himself that he’s getting to Carl psychologically…I want him to knock him out. And I believe he will do that.”

Ricky “Hitman” Hatton hits York!

Boxing legend and former light-welterweight king Ricky Hatton was in my hometown of York, England yesterday, the Manchester warrior a guest of honour at a dinner. Joined by York hero and former European, British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champ Henry Wharton, Hatton mingled with fans, posed for photos, signed autographs and then took to the microphone to speak about his fantastic career.

Ricky Hatton: Richard Towers and Lucas Browne will steal the show

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Ricky Hatton says Richard Towers and Lucas Browne’s Heavyweight battle will be a showstopper at the Hull Ice Arena on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Towers and Browne clash in an eliminator for the Commonwealth title, and as promoter of both men, ‘The Hitman’ knows exactly what to expect with the stakes so high – and that’s fireworks.

“It’s a great fight, a great clash of styles,” said Hatton. “Being the promoter of both, it’s a little bit upsetting to see them fighting each other. They’re two of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, but there’s nothing nice about the way they fight.

“This is great opportunity for them both. Lucas has a WBC ranking of 15th, which is a scalp Richard will be after. If you get to 15th in the world, things open up so it’s a big, big fight and it’s going to be very interesting.

Nathan Cleverly Makes Cruiserweight Debut at London’s Copper Box Arena

cleverly66Welsh star Nathan Cleverly will begin his campaign to become a two-time world champion when he makes his big ring return as a cruiserweight on Saturday 30th November at London’s Copper Box Arena. Cleverly goes straight back into title action when he takes on Australian Daniel Ammann for the Vacant Commonwealth title, featuring alongside Dereck Chisora who makes the first defence of his European Heavyweight title against Matteo Modugno, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

The 25-year-old lost his unbeaten record and WBO World Light-Heavyweight crown to big-hitting Russian Sergey Kovalev in August, but after a break and refocussing himself on his career, Cleverly is desperate to get back in the ring and win a second world title in 2014.