17.06.05 – By Curtis McCormick: Watch “Lightweight Bragging Rights” live along with a replay of Kevin McBride’s historic dismantling of Mike Tyson on Setanta Sports this Sunday, starting at 7:45pm in the UK and Ireland. Commonwealth Lightweight king Kevin “Bulldog” Bennett has embarked on a mission to tear the British Championship from Graham Earl’s grip and won’t be satisfied until accomplishes his goal when the two meet this Sunday at London’s hallowed York Hall.
The clash of these bitter rivals is the centerpiece of Maloney Promotion’s “Lightweight Bragging Rights” card that also includes an English Light Heavyweight title duel, two British Masters championship bouts along with conflicts featuring two of the hottest prospects in the UK to round out one of the top domestic bills of the year to date.
Kevin Bennett has battled some of the best lightweights and light welters in Britain, brutally ending the career of longtime WBU kingpin Colin Dunne, outclassing “Dynamite” Dean Phillips while losing a heartbreaking decision to Jason Cook for the IBO crown. The 29 year old has even tried his hand at welterweight and light middle, scaling a full 150lbs in his most recent outing and becoming the only man to record a KO against 160lb journeyman Danny Moir just three months ago.
Now the Hartlepool man has turned his focus on British Lightweight champion Graham Earl and the Neil Fannon trained Bennett is resolute that his adversary will not leave York Hall with the Lonsdale Belt.
On the night it will largely be Earl’s crowd that occupies the seats in the historic East End venue, as the British champion hails from Luton, just to the north of the capital city. Despite ceding the home advantage, Bennett plans on finishing the job that Scottish prospect Ricky Burns started this past February when he handed Earl his only defeat in twenty-three appearances.
The talented novice had an answer for everything Earl could think of and beat the veteran to the punch repeatedly throughout the eight round non-title affair. Bennett was ringside at Wembley to witness the shocking outcome but expects to face nothing less than the tough, committed “Earl of Luton” that handled the dangerous left hooking Steve Murray on two occasions.
“The Bulldog”, an ex-British soldier, wouldn’t have it any other way and has vowed to knock out Earl and end his troubled title reign to stake a claim to being the best lightweight in Britain.
Joining Graham Earl and Kevin Bennett, Peter Haymer defends his English Light Heavyweight crown against Tony Oakey, undefeated Gary Woolcombe faces the rugged Welshman Taz Jones for the British Masters Light Middle belt and Nathan Ward and James Paisley argue for the British Masters Welter crown. Added attractions are bouts featuring Amir Khan’s nemesis, the Manchester lightweight Craig Watson and red-hot cruiserweight prospect Junior MacDonald.
The entire three-hour “Lightweight Bragging Rights” fight card, sponsored by HIFX and BBE, and will be broadcast on Setanta Sports along with a replay of the riveting Tyson – McBride fight for just £8.99, while anyone across the world with a 1 megabyte broadband connection can watch “Lightweight Bragging Rights” on Maloney Promotion’s website, www.frankmaloney.com, on a three hour delay for only £3 ($5.50 US).