17.02.09 – Universum Boxing Promotion announced that Felix Sturm (31-2) will return to the ring on April 25 to defend his WBA belt against Koji Sato (14-0-0 13 KOs), from Japan in Krefeld, Germany. Sturm retained his WBA middleweight title last November via unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110 and 119-109) over Sebastian Sylvester..
Can Haywood Be Super Against Olusegun?
Light welterweight Scott Haywood has been one of the best kept secrets on the British boxing scene recently but the 27 year old is ready to change that on Friday, February 27 when he gets the opportunity to face world class operator Ajose Olusegun at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England.
Haywood won the vacant English title last summer after a furious firefight with previously undefeated Dean Harrison and with victory came an even bigger opportunity, a crack at the Commonwealth crown.
The lanky stylist from Derby came up the hard way, slugging it out far away from the limelight on the lower end of the domestic scene, gaining experience but little recognition until he was put in with Britain’s number one light welter prospect at the time, John “Fireball” Fewkes, in late 2006.
Haywood may have come into the bout under the radar but he came out a changed man after eight riveting, back and forth rounds with Fewkes, losing by a single point in a thriller that saw him live up to his nickname of “Super Scott”.
Haywood continued to build his career and rabid fan base as 2007 saw him turn back highly touted Manchester prospect Gary O’Connor before kicking into overdrive in 2008 with the nullification of dangerous Stoke spoiler Gary Reid and knocking out highly durable Frenchman Frederic Gosset before going on to simply outfight Harrison.
Boasting a seven bout win streak and an awkward, switch-hitting style that produces a high volume of punches from seemingly impossible angles, Haywood, 19-2 (4), is a difficult opponent for anyone to face but must be on the form of his life if he is to overcome Ajose Olusegun, 25-0 (12), in Barnsley on February 27.
The WBC fifth ranked light welter, Olusegun has been hoping to translate the Commonwealth title he won almost two years ago into a chance at genuine world honors but neither current WBC champion Timothy Bradley or former title holder Junior Witter want anything to do with the lightning fisted Nigerian southpaw.
The situation has led to a golden opportunity for Haywood to try and put the first loss on Olusegun’s record and “Super Scott” has vowed to grab the chance with both hands, riding victory right to the top of the 140 pound weight class in the UK.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents Rendall Munroe vs. Kiko Martinez for the Super Bantamweight Championship of Europe with full supporting undercard at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England on Friday, February 27, 2009.
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.
Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 10PM.
GOLDEN GLOVES COMING TO KITCHENER
Boxing by Syd Vanderpool to host premier boxing competition
KITCHENER, Ontario, February 17, 2009 – From April 3 to 5, Boxing by Syd Vanderpool will bring the Ontario Golden Gloves and Primetime Prospects Invitational to Kitchener’s Delta Hotel.
Hosted over three days, the Ontario Golden Gloves and Primetime Prospects Invitational (OGGPPI) is a premier series of boxing matches that will give fans the opportunity to see the future of boxing’s rising stars. In action will be Kitchener’s own two-time defending light- heavyweight champion Julius “Caesar” Bunda.
In the history of the Golden Gloves series, many of the competing fighters have gone on to become some of boxing’s greatest and most-recognized names: Muhammad Ali, Oscar de la Hoya and Evander Holyfield are a few examples.
“We’re aiming to have this competition launch high calibre boxing champions,” says Syd Vanderpool, organizer of the OGGPPI, CEO of Boxing by Syd Vanderpool, and a former world-class middleweight champion himself. “We want boxing fans to be able to say ‘I remember watching that kid when they were just an amateur and now they’re a world champion!’.”
The Golden Gloves matches will feature 100 boxers from Ontario-based clubs, while the Primetime Prospects Invitational invites U.S. and Canadian boxers aspiring to turn professional to take to the ring in front of trainers, managers and promoters. The invitational is also dedicated to Oakville, Ontario’s Michael Desmond “Prime Time” Post, a well-respected champion fighter who passed away in November 2008.
“Mike’s passing was a shock and a big blow to the boxing world,” adds Vanderpool. “It’s a tragic circumstance, but we hope that this event held in his honour has the opportunity to launch the career of another young fighter, someone who can live up to the type of boxer Mike was.”
Tickets for the Ontario Golden Gloves and Primetime Prospects Invitational can be purchased by calling Boxing by Syd Vanderpool (519.576.3813), the Delta Hotel (519.744.4141), or Gameday Fitness (519.576.3813).