Boxing superstar Amir Khan has hit out at claims by Michael Jackson that he has postponed his opening dates at the O2 due to a “lack of time to rehearse due to other shows taking place there”. Khan who is also preparing in LA for his own O2 extravaganza, promoted by Frank Warren, said that Jackson cannot hide behind his fight as an excuse for letting his fans down, as he has been rehearsing far harder before returning to the O2 Arena for the biggest night of his life. “My business is all about preparation too and I’m over here working much, much harder than Michael is and I’m certainly not postponing my fight. Tell my fans that I am prepared and am ready to put on a show far more spectacular than his anyway!
I’ve always been a big fan of Michael Jackson but I was annoyed to read his comments on the internet. I’m annoyed that he has used my fight as the reason for letting his fans down and now it’s up to me to light up the O2 myself on 27th June with my own version of ‘Thriller!’ In common with Michael Jackson my night will also end with my glove raised up high too but that’s where the similarity will end, I’ll be crowned Champion of the World..
“Tell Michael if he wants to come to Freddie Roach’s gym, I’ll show him what it takes to prepare and to rehearse properly. Then he’ll really have something to have a song and dance about.”
“No one has to be fitter than a fighter does for a night such as this and I’m raring to go. I just hope that Andreas Kotelnik is ready to ‘Rock With Me’ at the O2. My fans can be assured that they will not be disappointed when I hit centre stage at he O2 because I will ‘Wanna Be Starting Something!”
Ticket for Khan V Kotelnik are selling fast and can be purchased from the ticket hotline on 0844 856 0202.
Sexton vs. Robinson May 29
One of Britain’s brightest prospects returns to the ring on Friday, May 29 as flyweight Ashley Sexton laces up the gloves at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Undefeated Sexton will square off against rugged rival Mike Robinson on the undercard of British flyweight champion Chris Edward’s homecoming title defense against Usman Ahmed.
“Flash Ash” Sexton, 5-0 (3), has torn through the competition in his last three appearances, stopping each opponent behind a hailstorm of leather to climb into serious contention for the British title.
Just 21 years of age, the Cheshunt based stylist has turned a superb amateur career in an impressive start as a professional since joining the paid ranks last August.
Standing in the way of Sexton’s ambitions is steadfast Liverpool based super bantam Mike Robinson, 4-1-1 (0), who is coming off two terrifically competitive clashes with English super fly titlist Ross Burkinshaw and has promised to introduce the flashy youngster to the bitter taste of defeat.
The durable 24 year old Robinson will be a real test for Sexton, who will have to dig deep and show the resolve necessary to defeat a bigger, stronger and more experienced opponent who has a lot to prove coming off a hard fought loss.
Frank Maloney Presents the Flyweight Championship of Britain between reigning champion Chris Edwards and challenger Usman Ahmed with full undercard at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent, England on Friday, May 29, 2009
Tickets are on sale at £35 and £75 and available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.
Sky Sports will broadcast live on SS1 starting at 10PM.
CHRIS IS THE DADDY OF THEM ALL
CHRIS EDWARDS will spend the rest of this year showing Britain’s young flyweights who is the daddy of the division.
British and Commonwealth flyweight champion Edwards, 33, has young guns Usman Ahmed, Ashley Sexton and Paul Edwards bidding to shoot him down.
Derby’s Ahmed(5-1-1) gets the first crack when he invades Edwards territory at Stoke-on-Trent’s, Fenton Manor Sports Complex on May 29.
Ahmed, 27, dropped a points decision to Edwards on his debut in September 2006, but has remained unbeaten since and is confident of snatching the belts.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “The domestic flyweight division is wide open, but Chris is determined to stay on top.
“He has only lost once in over three years and seems invincible in his hometown where he is hugely popular.
“I was mightily impressed with his stoppage of Wayne Bloy earlier this year and I think the local fans lift him like they did Stoke City in the Premier League.
“I can compare him with James Beattie and Matthew Etherington. Their careers were stagnant until Tony Pulis signed them in January and they played a major role for Stoke on the run-in.
“Chris and my co-promoters at Impact Boxing wanted the light to shine on Chris and he has delivered the goods once he got exposure
“There are some good flyweights around and if he can beat Ussie, Sexton and Edwards he will deserve a European title fight.”
Cheshunt extrovert Sexton, 21, bids to stretch his unbeaten run to six when he tackles Wolverhampton’s veteran Delroy Spencer who will be having his 99th fight.
Scouser Edwards, 22, (4-0-0) hopes to continue his impressive form on the bill when he faces Middlesbrough’s Francis Croes.
Top of the talent crammed card is local hero Chris Edwards (12-13-3) who defends his British and Commonwealth flyweight title against Derby’s Usman Ahmed (5-1-1)
In the chief support Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes (11-0) meets Manchester’s Anthony Crolla (13-1) in an eliminator for the British super-featherweight title held by Kevin Mitchell.
Also on the top class bill, Ireland’s Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland (2-0) bids to stop Georgian Tchilaia (9-8) who took Beijing golden boy DeGale the distance on his professional debut in February.
Tickets (£35 and £75) for the show which also features other top fighters from Stoke including Scott Miller and Alex Ibbs are on sale and available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508