UK News: Tyson makes Price Offer; Bradley Evans; Steve O’Meara

Tyson Fury has offered David Price a chance to settle their differences in a professional ring. Undefeated heavyweight sensation Fury is set for his fifth pro fight at London’s York Hall on April 11th and he wants Price to be in the opposite corner. Fury has already racked up four stoppage wins from his first four outings having only turned professional last December. The Hennessy Sports promoted fighter will be looking to make it five next month on ITV4 on the undercard to the Craig Watson – John O’Donnell Commonwealth title fight..

Price who made a winning pro debut last weekend has already said that he wants to battle it out with Fury for the British heavyweight title. The Liverpudlian has also accused his former amateur rival of being “disrespectful” but Fury believes that if the fight is to happen it needs to happen now.

“If we are going to fight then we may as well fight now because based on his pro debut there’s no guarantee David Price will make it to British title level. I’d love for the fight to happen when there are titles at stake because I think it would be a massive fight but my worry is that with his chin Price won’t make it that far.”

Tyson is relishing his first professional appearance at the York Hall next month having won his ABA Super Heavyweight title there. “I love the atmosphere at the York Hall because the fans there really love their boxing. It’s a great venue and somewhere I’ve always wanted to fight as a pro.”

However Fury isn’t so sure that Price shares the same ambition. “He says he’ll do his talking in the ring well here’s his big chance, he can step up and fight me on April 11th. I’m still waiting on an opponent so the jobs there for him if he wants it. He says he wants to stay busy and he’s just coming off a win so here’s his chance.”

Fury says he wasn’t impressed with Price’s debut win at the weekend and remains convinced that a fragile chin will prove to be the Beijing bronze medallist’s downfall. “He got hit with one clean shot in the whole fight and it had him all over the place. Imagine if that had been me hitting him?”

Price’s debut crisis came after he dropped his hands and turned away following the referee’s call to break but his concentration lapse almost cost him dearly with opponent Dave Ingleby tagging him with a clean right hand.

“That proved to me that’s he’s still an amateur and he was waiting for the ref to step in and protect him,” said Fury. “The one piece of advice that pro referee’s give is to ‘protect yourself at all times’. I’ve heard he’s blaming it on his gum shield falling out. He said it was too small and yet he says I’m the one with the big mouth! I hope he doesn’t use his gum shield as an excuse for not fighting me next month.”

Fury’s fifth pro outing is part of an exciting undercard to the Craig Watson – John O’Donnell Commonwealth Welterweight title fight. The chief supporting contest features Lenny Daws and Peter McDonagh in a clash for the English Light Welterweight title while Bradley Evans, Steve O’Meara, George Hillyard and Stephen Haughian also feature. Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk

“Evans above” – ABA champ looks a future star

With a successful pro debut behind him 2008 ABA featherweight champ Bradley Evans believes he’s on the road to title contention in the paid ranks. The Royston man impressed when he made his pro bow in Norwich last month and he’s back in action at the York Hall on April 11th – the scene of last year’s ABA finals success.

Evans is part of the undercard to the Craig Watson – John O’Donnell Commonwealth title fight with the Hennessy Sports show live on ITV4. The 19-year-old can’t wait for his first pro fight at the traditional home of British boxing in London’s Bethnal Green.

“I always loved boxing at the York Hall as an amateur and I can’t wait to fight there as a pro,” said Evans who picked up the best boxer of the night award at last year’s ABA’s courtesy of his featherweight title triumph. “I should have a good few coming down to support me and I’ll be looking to put on a show for them.”

Evans fan club will no doubt be boosted by a recent ITV4 profile surrounding his pro debut. “All my friends saw it and when you’re a new pro starting out it’s great to get exposure like that so that the public can find out a little bit more about you.”

The teenager has been handed the ring moniker of “The Buzzsaw” by his trainer Tony Sims but the modest Evans admits that he’s still adjusting to the paid ranks.

“Even the fact of fighting without the vest and headguard takes a bit of getting used to. I’m definitely happier as a pro though because it suits my style a lot more. I’m learning so much in the gym and I’ve been sparring with Lenny Daws for this fight.

“Lenny has an English title fight with Peter McDonagh on the same card and he’s a real role model for a young pro like me. He’s a fitness fanatic and he trains so hard, he does everything at a crazy pace so I know that if I can keep up with him in training I’m doing something right.”

Evans second professional fight is part of an exciting undercard to the Craig Watson – John O’Donnell Commonwealth Welterweight title clash. The chief supporting contest features Lenny Daws and Peter McDonagh in an English Light Welterweight title showdown while Tyson Fury, Steve O’Meara, Bradley Evans, George Hillyard and Stephen Haughian also feature. Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk

O’Meara proving popular

Having brought over 300 supporters to his last outing at the York Hall, Wembley’s Steve O’Meara is expecting his fans to come out in their droves once again for his next bout at the famous London fight venue on April 11th.

O’Meara is unbeaten in 6 pro fights and he will be hoping for lucky number 7 in London’s East End next month when he features on the undercard of the eagerly anticipated Craig Watson – John O’Donnell Commonwealth title fight.

O’Meara’s last appearance at the York Hall saw him outpoint J.J. Bird in a fight that was shown live on ITV4 and he will be back in front of the ITV cameras again on April 11th on another Hennessy Sports event.

The former footballer believes his playing career is one of the primary reasons why he has become such a popular ticket seller. “I made a lot of friends though football and a lot of those people come to my fights now so it’s great to have that kind of support,” said O’Meara who turned to boxing after a promising football career ended with a bad leg break.

With almost a year’s apprenticeship served in the pro ranks the 25-year-old says he’s more than happy with his progression so far. “The main thing is to keep busy and to pick up as much experience as I can both in the gym sparring with guys and then in my fights as well. I didn’t have a lot of amateur experience behind me when I turned pro so I know I’ve an awful lot to learn.”

Part of that learning process took him to the U.S. last year where he spent time in the notoriously tough gyms of Philadelphia ahead of a bout at the legendary Blue Horizon in the city last June.

“That trip was a great experience for me. I spent time just going around the gyms in Philadelphia and sparring there. You have to gain their respect over there because when you walk into those gyms you’re a real outsider and it can be intimidating. Once they know you can fight though they respect you and it was a great to experience all the different styles over there.

“To fight in the Blue Horizon really topped it off because it’s such a legendary fight club and all the greats have fought there over the years. It’s a lot like the York Hall in Bethnal Green with the balconies and there isn’t a bad seat in the place so there always a good atmosphere there.”

O’Meara is part of an exciting undercard to the Craig Watson – John O’Donnell Commonwealth Welterweight title fight. The chief supporting contest features Lenny Daws and Peter McDonagh in a clash for the English Light Welterweight title while heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury, Bradley Evans, George Hillyard and Stephen Haughian also feature. Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk