Undefeated heavyweight prospect Derek “Del Boy” Chisora is preparing for his hardest task yet – sparring with world title contender Enzo Maccarinelli in Wales. Maccarinelli tops the December 6 card at the ExCeL London, challenging Johnathon Banks for the Vacant WBO World Cruiserweight title. And rising star Chisora appears on the undercard in an eight rounder. The pair will spar together this week at Maccarinelli’s Newbridge gym – and have promised not to hold back..
“Banks will come out throwing bombs when we meet in London, so I drafted in Chisora, the hardest hitting young heavyweight in the country,” said Maccarinelli.
“I’ve heard great things about him, and I know if I can take his shots then Banks won’t trouble me either.
“I’ve told Derek to come at me as hard as he can in the gym, because I need to be in the shape of my life for Banks.”
Chisora, unbeaten in seven fights and eyeing a showdown between the winner of Audley Harrison’s clash with Martin Rogan, added: “It will be great to get out of London and into a bit of a mini-camp with Enzo Maccarinelli.
“I need to be sparring with the best because it won’t be long before I’m fighting the best.
“The heavyweight division in the UK is so boring at the moment, and I’m the one to liven things up.
“I’m gutted that I could not have got to Danny Williams sooner because I’d have knocked him out just like that Polish kid did to him in his last fight.
“I don’t care who wins out of Harrison and Rogan; I just want to fight the winner.”
Tickets priced at £30, £50, £100 and £150 and are available from:
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FINAL FORUM UNVEILS ITS “FIGHTING FOR A CAUSE” CAMPAIGN!!
On Tuesday, November 25, Sal Musumeci’s Final Forum Boxing is ringing in the holiday season with the unveiling of its “Fighting For A Cause” Campaign, a series of professional boxing events that will be dedicated to supporting a cause and helping those in need. This inaugural event will take place at the Huntington Hilton (located on Rt.110) in Melville and will feature the return of Medford, Long Island’s Heavyweight sensation Derric Rossy (19-2, 11KO) taking on former Tough Man Champion, Bill Shahan (7-0, 6KO) in the main event. The co-feature will include Norwalk, CT’s prize fighter Tarvis Simms (23-0-1, 11KO) in an 8-round battle with “The Fighting Policeman” Sam Hill (17-9-2, 11KO). The undercard will feature up-and-coming Welterweight sensation Chris Algieri (4-0, 3KO) vs. Jason Jordan, NY State Heavyweight Champion Darrel Madison (11-1, 3KO) vs Jermell Barnes, undefeated Middleweight Patrick Majewski (8-0, 6KO) vs Danny Rivera, Eddie Irizarry (4-0, 2KO) vs Vinesh Rungea, and two Pro Debut Lightweight Issof Kindu vs. Andrea Galbiani.
A portion of the proceeds generated will be donated to a memorial Foundation for Amanda Jean Malloy, a 29-year-old elementary-school teacher and karate instructor who was killed on Thursday, November 6 while jogging by what police say was an intoxicated driver behind the wheel of a sport-utility vehicle. This program will fund scholarships for underprivileged children. Amanda was a very good friend of Chris Algieri, who is fighting in her memory and will be donating a portion of his purse to the cause.
“We really weren’t planning on launching this campaign until 2009, but when Chris told me what had happened to his friend, we felt that this tragedy symbolizes what “Fighting For A Cause” should truly represent,” said Sal Musumeci, President/CEO of Final Forum. “To some people, boxing emits a negative vibe because of some of the bad seeds in the business, but Final Forum wants to show everyone that there are a lot of good, selfless people in the sport. It is terrible what happened to Amanda, and my heart goes out to her family and loved ones that have lost her.”
Final Forum plans on promoting several of these charitable events in 2009 and hopes that their success will lead to many more in the future. Limited tickets and VIP Tables are still available for this event ($50, $100, $200) and can be purchased at the U.S. Karate Academy on New York Avenue in Huntington Station, or on the night of the fight through the Huntington Hilton located on 598 Broadhollow Rd. in Melville, NY (631)845-1000.
Lyell Faces Archer for Belt!
On Friday, professional boxing returns to New Castle, Pennsylvania for the first time in over ten years. Presented at the newly renovated Caravan II entertainment facility, the six bout card promoted by Marc Mariacher features mostly local boxers from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Headlining the event, Billy Lyell (17-6 3kos) of Youngstown battles Chris Archer (10-4 6kos) of Pittsburgh for the vacant NABC Inter-Coninental Middleweight Title. Beginning at 8pm, the undercard is also loaded with local talent and highlighted by hot, light heavyweight prospect Tommy Karpency. Coming off his first round knockout win over Lee Fortune (29-24) November 15th, Karpency (14-1-1 10kos) collides with Willis “The Prophet” Lockett (10-6-5 4kos) in the six round co-feature. The remainder of the six bouts will be made up of four rounders. Welterweight Tom Joseph (4-1-1) meets Gabe Morris (1-1), while welterweight Khristian Geraci (3-4-1) faces Cliff Gregory (0-4-3). In addition, middleweight prospect Jimmy Lubash (11-1 5kos) tangles with Greg Beerman (4-4), while a special female attraction is on tap between featherweight Valerie DeFreitas (1-1) and Lucia Larcinese (0-2). Tickets for the November 28th event are $25 and $50 (Ringside) and may be obtained by calling the Caravan II (located at 1465 Sampson St.) at (724) 856-4842.