UK Boxing: Mitchell Wants Katsidis; Williams Ready For Sexton; Rendall Munroe; Ian Napa

Kevin Mitchell says he wants Aussie power-house Michael Katsidis. Mitchell will make the first defence of his WBO Intercontinental lightweight title on Frank Warren’s blockbuster show at Wembley Arena on February 13, following a faultless performance over Amir Khan conqueror Breidis Prescott earlier this month. And the Dagenham Destroyer knows that victory could pave the way for a clash with the WBO Interim champ Katsidis, who may even have the full WBO belt before long if current champion Juan Manuel Marquez decides to vacate. Katsidis was last seen on these shores in 2007 in a barnstormer against Mitchell’s former gym-mate Graham Earl..

“I’m ready for Katsidis right now,” stormed 25-year-old Mitchell.

“He’s a great fighter and he’s well known in the UK after his war against Graham Earl a few years ago.

“He is a dangerous opponent, but when my bombs start landing I’m going to be even more dangerous for him.

“He can crack a bit but I can take a better shot than Earl and I can hit harder as well.

“If I stand in front of Katsidis and have a war I’ll beat him, but I can out box him as well and do a proper job on him just like I did against Prescott.

“Everyone said that was going to be a tough fight and I was going to get knocked out, but I made it look easy in there and I’ll do the same against Katsidis.

“I showed against Prescott that I belong at world level, and by the summer I want that world title wrapped around my waist.”

Mitchell, who will be facing a world-rated opponent on February 13 when he headlines the card and is currently ranked number one by the WBO, already has his sights set on a world title chance by May.

“I can’t take anything for granted in this next fight, but ideally I’d like to face Katsidis early in the summer,” he said.

“He’s been to the UK before and I’m sure he’ll come here again, but unlike last time he won’t be going home with the title. Earl had him rocking early on and let him off the hook, but I’ll wallop him good and proper.”

Main event features the explosive heavyweight showdown between British heavyweight champion Danny Williams and Commonwealth champion Sam Sexton; Kevin Mitchell’s WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title defence; Kell Brook’s British Welterweight title defence; Derek Chisora versus Matt Skelton for the Vacant English Heavyweight Championship; The Olympians James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders; plus Vinny Mitchell and Liam, Michael and Ryan Walsh.

Tickets priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150, are available from: See Tickets 0871 220 0260 www.seetickets.com

Danny Williams Ready For Sam Sexton

Danny Williams says he’ll turn Sam Sexton into one of Norfolk’s most famous products – a stuffed turkey! Williams is training for his British title defence against Commonwealth champ Sexton on February 13 at Wembley Arena and says he’ll be giving his Norwich rival the “bird” for his final fight. “Once I’ve finished with Sexton, the only thing he’ll be good for is one of Bernard Matthews’ farms,” stormed Williams.

“The perfect way to round off my career will be knocking him out, and I’m going to give him a right good stuffing at Wembley.

“Sexton taking this fight against me was like a turkey voting for Christmas, and that’s what I’ll turn him into. He’s going to turn into a massive flop.”

Earlier this week, Sexton revealed that he’s turned to Delia Smith for inspiration.

And Williams has hit back at Sexton’s “Let’s be havin’ yer” jibe.

“I’ll give Sexton the toughest fight of his life,” said Williams. “I’ve knocked out tougher men than him, including Mike Tyson.

“I’m glad that he wants a war because I’m going to give him one.

“As soon as that bell goes I’m going out there to knock Sexton out. Beating him up will be the perfect belated Christmas present for me.”

Tickets priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150, are available from:

See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com

Wembley Arena
0844 815 0815
www.wembleyarena.co.uk

Rendall Munroe Gets WBC Title Final Eliminator

RENDALL MUNROE will meet Mexican Victor Terrazas in a final eliminator for the WBC world super-bantamweight title.

Leicester southpaw Munroe expects the battle for the right to challenge for Toshiaki Nishioka’s crown to take place in next February or March.

The WBC have mandated the fight and the fighter’s promoters HG Boxing and Frank Maloney, who handles Munroe can have private negotiations until January 14.

If no agreement is reached, the fight will go to immediate purse bids.

Maloney said: “I am meeting Rendall and his manager Mike Shinfield at Millwall’s FA Cup tie against Derby County on January 2.

“We will sit down then and discuss the fight and discuss the options available to us.

“Obviously we would like to avoid purse bids and bring Terrazas to England, but appreciate how hard that might be.

“Whatever happens, at least Rendall knows he is just one win away from the fight he wants so much.”

Terrazas (25-1-1) was knocked out on his pro debut in March 2003, but has remained unbeaten since then.

The 26-year-old has won 13 fights inside the distance and holds the Mexican super-bantamweight and WBC FECARBOX featherweight titles

Munroe (20-1) currently holds the Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight crowns.

IAN WON’T BE CAUGHT NAPPING BY JAMIE

IAN NAPA will defend his British bantamweight title against Jamie McDonnell at the Brentwood Centre on Friday 22nd January.

Napa, 31, will be making the first defence in his second reign as champion when he tackles the Doncaster youngster.

The flashy Londoner regained the title in October with a deserved points win over Gary Davies.

It was a victory that saved the career of Napa (19-7) who had lost the European title earlier this year.

Promoter Frank Maloney said: “Ian always seems to comeback when he has suffered a defeat, but he cannot afford any more if he wants to reach world level.

“His European title loss against Malik Bouziane was a shock to him. After that fight myself and Ian’s trainer Brian Lawrence told him he had to put more in to succeed.

“I cannot fault his application since and he proved himself once more by defeating Davies.”

McDonnell, 23, (12-2-1) has won his last four fights with three of his victories coming inside the distance.

His only defeats were controversial points losses against Lee Haskins and Chris Edwards in a British super-flyweight title challenge.

On the same bill Cheshunt’s cocky Ashley Sexton (8-0) faces fellow extrovert Usman Ahmed (6-2-1) in a clash for the vacant English flyweight championship.

On the comeback trail is former British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson (27-4) who boxes for the first time since his defeat to Kevin Mitchell in March 2008.

Tickets for this top class show, priced £80 and £35 are available on line www.frankmaloney.com or 0871 226 1508