British featherweight champion Paul Appleby believes his April 25 challenger Martin Lindsay represents the toughest test of his 14-bout pro career – but is eager to test the Irishman’s resolve with some well-placed body shots. The 21-year-old Appleby, 14-0 (9 KO), will venture to Belfast for HAYEMAKER 8 and is confident of retaining his belt, despite the threat of home hero Lindsay. “Lindsay’s a very good opponent,” admits Appleby, the 2008 Boxing Writers’ ‘Young Boxer of the Year’..
“I’m not saying he’s the best opponent I’ve faced – because I haven’t actually boxed him yet – but he’s probably going to be right up there.
“He’s got a really good record, has excellent technique and good skills. I’m not sure whether he’ll be as tough as (John) Simpson, but I think he’s definitely got more technique and skill. I think on paper he may be a bit better than Simpson. We’ll find out once I start landing a few punches on him.”
Appleby beat Simpson over 12 rounds to lift the prestigious Lonsdale crown in June 2008. Disciplined rather than dazzling that night, Appleby completed the 12-round distance for the first time and signalled the beginning of, what he hopes, will be a long reign as British champion.
“It’s brilliant being able to call myself British champion,” enthuses Edinburgh-born Appleby. “I don’t want to lose my belt. You get so much respect from everyone when you’re British champion. I just never want to lose this feeling.
“The first time I did the 12 rounds with Simpson, I wasn’t actually sure I’d be able to handle it beforehand. Sparring and punching bags are very different from actually going 12 hard rounds with an opponent. I was a little bit wary going into that fight. I was pretty tired in the ninth round, but after that I was fine. I got my second wind and got through to the end.”
Appleby expects a similarly gruelling and exhausting battle with the undefeated Lindsay on April 25.
“I’ve seen Lindsay box a few times as a pro and I’ve seen him lots in the amateurs,” adds Appleby. “He doesn’t waste a lot of punches and does everything for a reason.
“I think he’ll cope with the 12 rounds fine, but I just wonder what he’ll be like when I start landing my shots. He got knocked down against Derry Mathews and I think I can do the same to him.”
Lindsay earned his crack at Appleby’s title with a stunning come-from-behind knockout of Mathews last September. It’s a win that impressed Appleby, but also one that may be somewhat deceiving.
“Derry Mathews wasn’t the same fighter he once was,” says Appleby. “I don’t want to take anything away from Lindsay, but if he hits me with the same left-hook I won’t be going down. I’m pretty confident of that.
“Beating Lindsay in his own backyard will be my best win to date. Lindsay is rated really highly by a lot of people. I also rate him really highly. If I were to beat him it would be a brilliant achievement. I need to hurt him early and hopefully put him down or stun him. I’ll then get his respect and take over from that point.”
*** Paul Appleby’s British featherweight title defence against Belfast’s Martin Lindsay takes place at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on April 25. Tickets priced at £35, £50 and £70 can be purchased directly by calling 02890 334 455.
*** Setanta Sports televise HAYEMAKER 8: ‘Appleby vs. Lindsay’ live from the Ulster Hall on April 25. Also featuring at HAYEMAKER 8 will be appearances from two-time British light-middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes and hot super-middleweight prospect George Groves, as well as Curtis Woodhouse, Michael Maguire and Luke Wilton.
Booth vs Moran Undercard
An exciting middleweight match-up has been added to the Jason Booth vs. Mark Moran British super bantam title card this Friday, April 17 at the Indoor Sports Centre in Leigh, England. Hot prospects Martin Murray, 13-0 (4), and Kevin Concepcion, 14-1 (3), will clash in a scheduled six round bout between two of the most promising 160 pound fighters in Britain. St. Helens based Murray shot to prominence in November of last year when reeled off three gritty performances to claim first place in the middleweight Prizefighter competition.
The 26 year old Liverpool area stylist overcame unbeaten opponents Danny Butler and Joe Rea before outpointing Welsh veteran Cello Renda to capture the winner take all tournament.
Murray kept busy with a third round stoppage of Georgian journeyman Mikheil Khucishvili just over a month ago and is ready to step up in what should be his toughest test to date on April 17.
Facing Murray in Leigh will be 29 year old Concepcion, who won the British masters title and rarely lost a round over the course of his first 13 professional bouts before falling to difficult southpaw spoiler Yassine El Maachi last November.
But Concepcion got right back on the horse a month later to soundly outpoint seasoned south coast man Paul Dyer and will be bringing a rabid contingent of dedicated fans from Leicester to the Indoor Sports Centre, hoping to offset Murray’s local advantage.
As the winner of this contest will be on the short list for domestic title contention, a dramatic test of wills is certain to break out on this hotly anticipated middleweight thriller that could rival the main event of the bill in terms of intensity.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents the Super Bantamweight Championship of Britain between Mark Moran and Jason Booth along with full undercard support at the Indoor Sports Centre in Leigh, England on Friday, April 17, 2009.
Tickets, priced at £70 for Ringside and £35 General Admission, 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 at 10PM.
Froch V Taylor Super Fight Live on Pay Per View at frochvtaylor.com
British and Irish fight fans can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that Carl Froch’s World title super fight with Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor will be available to watch online via pay per view at frochvtaylor.com.
The “Continents Collide” clash between Britain’s only reigning World Champion and former undisputed Middleweight kingpin, Taylor takes place at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in the U.S. on Saturday, April 25th with fight fans on this side of the Atlantic able to watch the broadcast live online from 2am on Sunday morning.
The pay per view costs just £9.95 (or €11.00 for Irish viewers) and will give fight fans to opportunity to see one of the most eagerly awaited World title fights of the year. Further details regarding order information will be available next week on frochvtaylor.com.
Froch says he’s thrilled that his fans won’t miss out on any of the action on what promises to be the biggest night of his career. “I’m delighted that my fans in the U.K and Ireland are going to get the opportunity to see my beating Taylor in style,” said Froch. “He says he’s going to teach me how to lose but I have a few lessons of my own in mind for him. It’s a huge fight for me and a chance to prove beyond doubt that I’m the best super middleweight on the planet.”
For further information visit frochvtaylor.com.
Froch vs. Taylor on Super Channel Fights
LIVE FROM THE MGM GRAND FOXWOODS
Froch, Taylor Battle for WBC Super Middle Crown See the action first – Only on Super Channel Fights!
EDMONTON April 10, 2009 – Super Channel, Hennessy Sports, and Showtime Championship Boxing are proud to bring Canadian fight fans one of the most compelling match-ups of the year, as undefeated WBC Super Middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch makes the first defence of his title taking on former undisputed Middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor, LIVE from the MGM Grand Foxwods, on Saturday April 25.
It all gets underway at 9 p.m. ET, exclusively in Canada on Super Channel, in vibrant HD.
Froch (24-0, 19 KO’s) captured the crown this past December in his hometown of Nottingham, England, with a stirring 12 round decision over the previously undefeated Jean Pascal.
Taylor (27-2-1, 18 KO’s) rocketed to international stardom by dethroning legendary Middleweight champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins in July of 2005 via split decision, and downed the Philadelphia icon over twelve rounds again five months later.
Taylor defended the middleweight crown three more times before getting knocked out by reigning WBC Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in September of 2007.
After dropping a rematch to Pavlik at 166 lbs. the following February, Taylor got back on the winning track against former IBF Super Middleweight champion Jeff Lacey, setting up his showdown with Froch.
About Super Channel
Super Channel is Canada’s national pay television network, consisting of two new HD channels, four new SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.
Super Channel’s vision is to expand the Canadian premium TV experience by offering a broad range of fresh, entertaining movies, series and live events. Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company.
Super Channel is currently available on Bell TV, Star Choice, Rogers PersonalTV, Shaw Cable, Cogeco Cable, Access Communications, Mountain Cablevision, Source Cable, SaskTel, MTS, Novus, EastLink, Delta Cable/Coast Cable, TELUS and other regional providers.