After a dismal performance by Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov in last weekend’s unification match at Madison Square Garden, the boxing world is desperately searching for a new torchbearer among the heavyweights. Here in England, promoter Barry Hearn hoping to inject some excitement into the weight class with a knockout tournament at London’s York Hall but it will take time to see if the concept can renew public interest in the big men..
Despite the low point that the division finds itself in at the moment, the conditions are just right for a young heavyweight to make a name for himself.
Boxing fans are always ready to embrace true talent and all a heavyweight really needs is a solid jab, good power and the ability to excite the crowd with explosive punches. Every promoter and manager across the globe are searching for the new Mike Tyson, or the new Lennox Lewis, and every now and then, a young heavyweight comes on the scene and is touted as the next savior.
Scott Belshaw, the 6 foot 7 inch hard punching Belfast slugger, is one of the top heavyweight prospects in the UK and has just returned to the ring after a serious accident. Belshaw is looking to stay busy and will be appearing on the undercard of the Rendall Munroe vs. Kiko Martinez European super bantam title bill on Friday, March 7 at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham.
But if Belshaw has the ability, you can be sure he will taken down the right road by experienced promoter Frank Maloney, who knows a thing or two about guiding heavyweights.
Maloney is quite excited about his hammer-fisted prospect but at the moment, is not getting too carried away. “Scott Belshaw has the one thing that the public and TV companies like to see,” said Maloney, who managed Lennox Lewis to the undisputed heavyweight title. “He has the punch and can take an opponent out with either hand. How far he can take that talent, only time will tell.”
A manager and promoter can only do so much; the fighter has to deliver in the square ring and Maloney aims to keep Belshaw busy over the coming year and if the Ulster heavyweight does have what it takes, Belshaw will be given the opportunity to show the public.
One of the last big Irish heavyweights to capture the imagination of boxing fans was Gerry Cooney, who challenged for the world title and got paid more than the champion, Larry Holmes. With Americans once again head over heels for Irish boxers, it might not be long until Belshaw takes a trip across the Atlantic.
Providing all goes well on March 7, Belshaw will be out again on April 18 in London, on a York Hall bill headlined by young Gary Woolcombe, another standout from the Maloney stable, who makes his first defense of the British light middle title against dangerous southpaw and former champion Ryan “Spiceboy” Rhodes.
Some people say that Woolcombe was fortunate to get the British title, and this will be a test to see if he can really cut it in the big leagues, but Frank Maloney has the utmost confidence that Woolcombe will deliver on the big stage and go on to better opportunities.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents “The Bull vs. The Matador”, Rendall Munroe vs. European super bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez, at Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre on Friday, March 7, 2008. Tickets are priced at £75 and £35 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508. For any further press information please call 0208 467 7647.
Sky Sports will televise live on SS2 starting at 9:30PM.
Frank Maloney Promotions also announces “Northern Rock”, the first title defense by British super flyweight champion Chris Edwards, who faces Doncaster’s English champion Andy Bell at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England on Friday, March 28, 2008.
On Friday, April 18, 2008, Frank Maloney Promotions return to London when British light middle champion Gary Woolcombe faces the challenge of former titleholder Ryan Rhodes at historic York Hall on “Divine Retribution”. Also featured will be John McDermott and Pele Reid, who will argue the vacant English heavyweight title.