The winner of Sam Sexton’s Commonwealth heavyweight title fight with Martin Rogan will be in line for a crack at the British title. The pair meet in Belfast on November 6 at the Odyssey Arena in a highly-anticipated rematch. And the British Boxing Board of Control has announced that whoever emerges victorious will be mandatory challenger for the British title. It was widely expected that the title would become vacant following champion Danny Williams’ loss in the recent Prizefighter tournament. But there is no indication that Williams will retire despite the set back, and the Board have decided not to strip him.
However, given his recent form, both Sexton and Rogan will be confident of beating him.
Belfast hero Rogan said, “I’d love to get a shot at Danny and take that British title off him. I saw him on Prizefighter and after that performance I know I could knock him out,.”
Norwich puncher Sexton said, “I’m focused on Rogan, but a fight against Williams is a golden carrot for me. I want the British title to add to my Commonwealth crown and I’m going to finish off Rogan to get to Williams.”
Despite being a former world title challenger and a long-term British champion, Williams appears to be well and truly on the slide.
Sexton and Rogan go at it again on November 6 following their controversial first fight.
Norfolk’s Sexton won it in the eighth round when he forced Rogan to retire with a badly swollen eye, but had been out on his feet earlier in the session.
Tickets, priced at £25 (tier), £30 (tier), £40 (central tier), £60 (floor), £100 (floor) and £150 (ringside) are available from:
Odyssey Arena Box Office
02890 739 074
www.odysseyarena.com
PRIZEFIGHTER is back – and returns with the first ever light-welterweights event
Some of the biggest names in the division will be competing in Prizefighter Light-Welterweights, including former World, European and British Champions.
Ex WBA World Champion Gavin Rees is among the eight, as are Ted Bami, Jason Cook and Colin Lynes, who have all held European belts.
Former British title holders David Barnes, Barry Morrison and Young Mutley will also be vying for the £32,000 winner’s prize, while Southern Area Champion Lee Purdy completes a strong line-up.
The event, which is sponsored by PartyPoker.com, will be staged at the National Hall, Olympia in London on Friday, December 4.
October’s Prizefighter Heavyweights III, which was won by Audley Harrison, recorded the highest rating for any Sky Sports boxing show in recent times and this competition will again be screened on Sky Sports.
Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn is expecting another great night of boxing on December 4. He said: “Everybody keeps asking me after Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 what can you do to better that?
“There were record crowds, record television ratings and a brilliant night’s entertainment but all I can say is you ain’t seen nothing yet!
“Our first ever light-welterweights Prizefighter brings together a field of competitors that would grace any top-line boxing promotion.
“It’s amazing to get all this talent in one room for one night’s boxing and even more amazing when they’re going to battle down to one champion on one night.
“Prizefighter has been a breath of fresh air for professional boxing and I can’t wait for December 4 at the National Hall, Olympia and neither can the thousands of fight fans that are queuing for tickets.”
The full list of competitors is: Ted Bami (Brixton, London), David Barnes (Manchester), Jason Cook (Maesteg, Wales), Colin Lynes (Hornchurch, Essex), Barry Morrison (Motherwell, Scotland), Young Mutley (West Bromwich, West Midlands), Lee Purdy (Colchester, Essex), Gavin Rees (Newbridge, Wales).
Tickets cost £40 (unreserved) and £80 (reserved) and are available from See Tickets on 0870 903 9033, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
MOORE TOLD WIN OR IT IS OVER
JAMIE MOORE has been warned that he’ll in the last chance saloon when he risks his European light-middleweight title against Ryan Rhodes at Bolton Arena on Friday night (23/10).
The Salford star’s showdown against fellow southpaw Ryan Rhodes (42-4) also doubles up as a WBC title eliminator.
If Moore wins there will be claims for him to get a straight shot at champion Sergio Martinez or at worst a final eliminator against number one contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr.
His co-promoter Frank Maloney warned: “If Jamie wins he will be so close to the big one, but defeat and I can’t see a way back.
“Ever since I have known Jamie he and his manager Steve Wood have told me he is a potential world champion.
“There have been performances when he has shown that, but his great displays against Matthew Macklin and Michele Piccrillo are in the past.
“It is about this week and if he can find the form he showed in those fights against Rhodes I can’t see a problem.”
Bookies make Moore a red hot 1-3 favourite to defeat Sheffield’s former British and WBC International title holder.
But Maloney warned: “Of course, I think Jamie will win but Rhodes has the style to cause him problems early on and he will have to be careful.”
There are two British title fights on the bumper Bolton bill St Helens Gary Davies (9-2-1) risks his bantamweight title against Ian Napa (18-7).
The pair were due to clash this week, but Davies who won the crown against Matthew Edmonds in April sustained a calf injury.
Stoke warrior Chris Edwards (13-13-3) defends his British flyweight title against Oldham based Mongolian Shinny Bayaar who recently gained British citizenship
Tickets are now on sale prices £40, £60, £80 and £125 from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508