Less than two months after winning the European title, English light middleweight Jamie Moore will be back in action this Saturday, May 2, headlining the biggest show this year in Britain. The 30 year old southpaw, 31-3 (22), makes the first defense of his crown against challenger Roman Dzuman, 23-6-1 (10), at Crowtree Leisure Centre in Sunderland, England. The bill also includes a British heavyweight title clash between Danny Willams and John McDermott, a Commonwealth bantam title bout between Rendall Munroe and Isaac Nettey as well as the second pro bout of sensational Olympic Bronze Medallist Tony Jeffries..
The Sunderland show will serve as the UK lead in to Sky Box Office’s massive Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao broadcast, which could break British pay-per-view records.
For Northern boxing hero Moore, the spotlight of this historic event could not have come at a better time.
After years of waiting for an opportunity to compete for the European light middleweight title, Moore crashed through the defenses of former champ Michele Piccirillo last month, battering the world class Italian as had never been done before.
The third round knockout of Piccirillo stands as Moore’s best performance to date in a ten year career that also includes British and Commonwealth title reigns
But the Salford icon will have to show that he still has the hunger when he meets Ukrainian stylist Roman Dzuman this Saturday.
33 year old veteran Dzuman has faced some of the Continent’s top talent over the last two years and has vowed to reverse his failed European bid a year ago against previous champion Zaurbek Baysangurov.
Defeating Dzuman not only means that Moore retains his European belt but it should also keep alive his WBC #6 ranking and the long held hopes of a world title shot.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents Jamie Moore vs. Roman Dzuman for Light Middleweight Championship of Europe with full undercard at Crowtree Leisure Centre in Sunderland, England on Saturday, May 2, 2009.
Tickets for this event are sold out.
Sky Sports will broadcast as part of their Sky Box Office presentation of Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao starting at 10PM.
TONY JEFFRIES is out to show that absence has made the punches get harder when he returns home to Sunderland on Saturday
Britain’s Beijing bronze medallist has his second professional fight when he faces German Roy Meissner in a super-middleweight four rounder on Frank Maloney’s the triple title bill at Crowtree Leisure Centre.
Jeffries, 24, bases himself in Manchester during the week before returning home at weekends to spend time with his family and fiancée, Sarah Kneeshaw.
He said: “It is a bit of a wrench travelling to Manchester every week, but they are the sacrifices you have to make. When training is enjoyable that sort of thing doesn’t matter.
“I just want to make it so badly that I would do anything to give myself any advantage and fortunately I have got a great family around me to help out. The rest is up to me.”
Tony who is managed by dad Phil and promoted b Maloney is tipped to become as popular as Ricky Hatton and already proving to be a prolific ticket seller.
Maloney added: “It is a long term project, but I see Tony developing into an arena fighter with the ultimate ambition a world title fight at the Stadium of Light.
“If he progresses like I believe Tony can match Ricky for popularity around the world.
“The man in the street identifies with him and Tony always has the time of day for people. It will be about the right fights at the right time, and that is the job Phil and I have.
“Tony has the hardest job of all winning, and I’m sure a German fighter like Meissner won’t want to get beaten up by an English fighter so Tony will have to be on top form.”
Top of the bill is European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore (31-3) who makes the first defence of his title when he faces Ukraine’s former amateur star Roman Dzuman (23-6-1).
Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams (40-7) risks his British heavyweight title in a rematch against John McDermott (25-4).
European super-bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe (18-1) boxes Ghanaian Issac Nettey for the vacant Commonwealth title
There are a few tickets left at £40 you can get these by loging on to frankmaloney.com or watch
is on Sky Box Office who will be screening the championship fights and Jeffries bout live as part of their blockbuster night of action which includes Hatton’s big fight with Manny Pacquiao.
GAVIN VOWS TO MATCH THE MISSUS
Red-hot prospect Frankie Gavin has vowed to match the achievements of girlfriend Ria – by winning a British title.
Ria landed the All-Britain Club Championship in 2006 with her Birmingham based Gaelic football team, John Mitchels.
And Gavin says he wants to do the same in a boxing ring by the end of next year.
“It’s every boxer’s dream to win a Lonsdale belt,” said the 23-year-old, who will make his second professional appearance at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, on May 15.
“Ria has got her own British title, I want one even more as well.
“She keeps asking me when I’m going to bring home a British title to match hers, and it’s really spurring me on.
“Within 18 months or so I’m going to be ready to fight for the British title.”
Gavin, who got his pro career off to the perfect start in February when he stopped George Kadaria in Birmingham, has Irish heritage, with both his parents hailing from the Emerald Isle.
And even though he speaks with a broad Birmingham accent, he still feels a strong link to Ireland – including a passion for Gaelic football.
“I’ve been looking at all the fixtures seeing if I can sneak in a match when I’m over in Belfast,” said Gavin, who became Britain’s first amateur world champion in 2007 when he took lightweight gold in Chicago.
“Obviously boxing comes first, but if there’s a game on after my fight on May 15 then I’ll be there with the best seats in the house.
“I’ve played a few games over in England and it’s a tough, tough sport – but I love it.
“We’re always watching it on television at home, and if I hadn’t been a boxer then it’s definitely a sport I’d have played regularly.”
Gavin’s appearance on May 15 will see him joined by his fellow 2008 Olympians, James DeGale and Billy Joe Saunders.
Martin Rogan’s Commonwealth heavyweight title defence against Sam Sexton will top the bill at the Odyssey Arena, while there is also an exciting Irish title fight between Neil Sinclair and Henry Coyle.
Also on the card, Michael Jennings returns to action in an eight rounder following his brave WBO world title challenge against Miguel Cotto, while local stars Scott Belshaw, Kevin O’Hara, Ciaran Healy and Luke Wilton also feature.
Tickets are priced at £150 (Ringside), £100 (Floor), £60 (Floor), £40 (Tier) and £30 (Tier) are available from: Odyssey Arena Box Office 02890 739 074 www.odysseyarena.com