British Boxing News: Tyson Fury; Thaxton-Mezzache; Paul David

Tyson Fury and Sam Sexton finally came face to face in Norwich yesterday but a heavyweight showdown between the two still doesn’t seem to be any closer to reality. Fury was in Sexton’s hometown for a press conference ahead of his fight with Daniel Peret at the Norfolk Showground on Saturday night. Fury’s third pro fight is part of the undercard to Jon Thaxton’s first defence of his European Lightweight title on a Hennessy Sports show, which is being broadcast live on ITV4. While it will be Peret in the opposite corner on Saturday night Fury was hoping that Sexton would have accepted his challenge to step in the ring with him..

“At least he turned up to the press conference,” said Fury. “I thought I was going to have to go knocking on doors in Norwich to find him. Although now that he’s met me in the flesh I suppose it’s even more unlikely he’ll want to get in the ring with me. I looked him straight in the eye yesterday and I could see that he didn’t want to know but I’m ready, willing and able whenever he wants to get it on.

“Probably the whole of Norwich is asking him when is he going to shut this Tyson Fury lad up but Sexton’s just like the rest of the British heavyweights out there, they don’t want anything to do with me.

“If I’ve got such a big mouth you’d imagine that there would be a queue of people outside my door looking to shut me up but no ones stepped forward. In the meantime I’ll just look to keep knocking over whoever Mick Hennessy puts in front of me and look to build towards a British title fight.”

Fury’s clash with Peret on Saturday night is a special attraction on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s European Lightweight title defence against French Champion Anthony Mezzache.

The exciting undercard also features Norwich’s Danny McIntosh defending his English Light Heavyweight title against Matthew Barney with Matthew Thirlwall, Steve O’Meara, Lee Purdy and Earl Ling all on the card. The show also sees the pro debut of 2008 ABA Champion Bradley Evans. The Royston featherweight came away from last years ABA’s with the best boxer of the night trophy and is tipped to be a big star in the pro game.

Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.

Murray on Thaxton scouting mission in Norwich

British Lightweight champion John Murray will be at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich tomorrow night to keep a close eye on European champ, Jon Thaxton as he makes the first defence of his title against Anthony Mezzache.

Murray will be providing expert analysis for ITV4 who are broadcasting the Hennessy Sports show live from 7:45pm and he will have a keen interest in the main event as local hero Thaxton looks to see off the challenge of French champ, Mezzache.

Thaxton was behind the microphone himself last month as Murray made an impressive first defence of his British title against Lee McAllister. Now Murray will return the favour tomorrow night with the European number two clearly fancying a shot at Thaxton.

“That would be a great fight if it happens,” said Thaxton. “I’ve lot of respect for John, he’s a great young fighter and he was very impressive last month. I’ve no problem with that fight, I’ll carry on defending my European title against whoever is put in front of me be it John Murray or anyone else. At the end of my career nobody will be able to say Jon Thaxton ducked anyone so if Mick Hennessy can line that fight up then we’ll get it on.

First though Thaxton has to get past Mezzache and while he’s confident he admits that it will be no easy task. “I’ve done my homework on him and he’s a very tough, durable guy. He’s a former world kick boxing champ as well and he has quite an awkward, elusive style so it might take me a little while to get to him so I’ll have to be patient.”

The undercard to Thaxton – Mezzache features heavyweight sensation, Tyson Fury and Norwich’s Danny McIntosh defending his English Light Heavyweight title against Matthew Barney. Also in action are Matthew Thirlwall, Steve O’Meara, Lee Purdy and Earl Ling with 2008 ABA champion Bradley Evans making his pro debut.

Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.

David promises to send Quigley packing to the UFC

English super-middleweight champion Paul David has delivered the verbal equivalent of a ground-and-pound on March 28 opponent Tony Quigley, assuring the Liverpool challenger that he’ll be free to fulfil his UFC dream after their 10-rounder at the Echo Arena.

“I heard Quigley’s looking to become a UFC fighter at some point – well I’m going to make sure this is his last boxing match on March 28,” states David. “I’ll put his lights out and then he can run along to the UFC and live his dream. Boxing ain’t his thing.”

Despite boasting impressive amateur credentials and a good-looking 12-1 pro record, Quigley holds no fear in the eyes of the teak-tough David. He’s seen it all before.

“He had a decent amateur record, but professional boxing is a different ball game,” explains David, 10-4 in his own career, with standout wins over Tyrone Wright, Andrew Lowe and Peter Haymer.

“I’m looking to get Quigley out of there before the sixth round. He won’t see the second half of this fight. It all depends on how he wants to get knocked out. If he wants to come hard at me, he’ll get banged out sharpish. If he decides to run and string it out, he might last a few rounds. Whatever happens, he’s done before the sixth.”

Labelled ‘cocky’ earlier this week by Quigley, Northampton’s David has rubbished the idea that he’s underestimating his March 28 challenger.

“I’m not underestimating him, I just know my ability and realise what’s in line for me after I knock Quigley out,” explains David. “I’ve trained the same for this fight as I would any other and I’m not looking to take any short cuts just because I know I’ll bang Quigley out. I’m not looking past him; I just know how good I am.

“I’ve got more charisma in the ring, more style and more toughness than him. I don’t see him being a problem.”

Even the daunting prospect of facing Quigley in his home city of Liverpool doesn’t shake David’s air of unbreakable confidence.

“It doesn’t really matter where the fight is,” says the 24-year-old. “I’ve fought all over the country as the away fighter. It means nothing to me. If anything, the home crowd will just spur Quigley on to get knocked out even quicker.”

One gets the impression tougher tests lie ahead – at least in the mind of David. In fact, he’s already got his sights set on a date with the winner of the March 28 main event between British champion Brian Magee and home favourite Tony Dodson.

“That’s the main fight I want now,” admits David. “Saying things and getting them are a different story though.

“Dodson’s a bottle job – he’s been ducking and diving me for ages. He was English champion before me and gave up the title rather than fight me. He sat on his title and strung it out for about a year before the Board finally stripped him. Dodson then fights two journeymen, one in Italy and one in Sheffield, and ends up with a British title shot.

“Magee’s a veteran. I fought him early on in my career in a six-rounder. Some people said I won, others said he won. If we boxed again, it wouldn’t even be close. I’d dominate him. I’ve improved so much since those days.”

Not fussed who he faces for the prestigious Lonsdale title, David expects Magee to hang on to his belt come March 28.

“I think Magee will just know a little too much for Dodson,” he says. “When the going gets tough, Magee will remain standing. Dodson will give it a go in front of his home fans, but after the third round he’ll be looking for a way out. That’s the way I see it.”

*** Paul David’s English title contest with Tony Quigley forms part of the undercard to HAYEMAKER 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, on March 28. Headlining the show will be local lad Tony Dodson’s attempt to win back his old British title from Brian Magee, as well as Ryan Rhodes’ British title defence against Anthony Small.

*** To purchase tickets to HAYEMAKER 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ visit www.accliverpool.com or call 0844 8000 400.