IAN NAPA has vowed to unleash his anger Stuart Hall this week. ‘Dappa’ Napa will fight in Hall’s back yards when they square off for the vacant British bantamweight title at Peterlee Leisure Centre on Friday (June 4). The Londoner (19-8) is still seething at losing the title on a controversial points decision against Jamie McDonnell in January. That setback cost Napa a European championship fight, and to make matters worse McDonnell replaces him and won the title..
To clear up the controversy McDonnell was ordered to risk his British title against Napa, but relinquished rather than give him a return.
Napa, 32, said: “I am not the sort of guy to sulk and get angry, but the fact that McDonnell is running away annoys me more than the judging in our first fight.
“If McDonnell was any sort of a man he would face me, but is happy in the comfort zone avoiding me
“Hall is a decent and beat Martin Power, but I have boxed much better fighters so I’m expecting a comfortable win.
“After that I will not rest until I get McDonnell again. In fact, if I had the choice of a world title challenge of McDonnell I would take the rematch first.
“I’m always confident, but don’t for one second think I am under-estimating Hall.”
Darlington’s Hall (7-0-1) shocked Power last September to gatecrash into the title picture and victory would almost certainly end Napa’s career.
His promoter Frank Maloney said: “Ian knows that another defeat will end his world title aspirations and he would hate to retire having been one of British boxing’s best talents never to challenge for a world title.”
Also on the talent stacked bill is Sunderland’s Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries (6-0) who faces tough Derby battler Matt Hainy (6-0-1).
Heavyweight Dave Ferguson (11-2) faces Paul Butlin (12-11) and leading British lightweight John Watson (12-0) is also in action.
Tickets are selling fast, but the last few £30 and £70 are available from www.frankmaloney.com, 0871 226 1508 or by calling Phil Jeffries 07747 611020
It’s On! – Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander-Ryan Barrett Clash Set For Sept 11th
Hackney’s Lightweight contender Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander has got his wish and is set to face former English Champion Ryan Barrett at the Steve Goodwin Promoted event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on the 11th September 2010.
An elated Alexander, who had just finished a training session with his coach Barry Smith at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town when he got the call, said. “I’ve got the fight I wanted, Ryan Barrett’s finally accepted the fight. I’m really happy and can’t wait until September 11th. It’s a fight that needs to happen. I want the fight, I think it’s good for boxing as well as for me and him.”
Back in April, at the Steve Goodwin promoted “A Night of the Rising Stars”, former Olympian Alexander grabbed the headlines with his magnificent knockout performance against Michael ‘Simply’ Devine. The plaudits were justifiable as Alexander not only outclassed Devine, the man being touted as the new Ricky Hatton, but sent him crashing to the canvas no less than four times in just three rounds.
Alexander, who wanted to keep the momentum going, approached Barrett’s promoter a few days later to see if a fight between them could be made for June, but it didn’t look likely. Alexander explained why, “When I first talked to the promoter, Steve Goodwin, Barrett didn’t want to know. I was really disappointed as I really wanted the fight and knew it could be made for Goodwin’s June show and I really want to fight again before the summer break. Steve tried all he could to make it happen for then but by the time the card was set for the show Barrett still didn’t want to know.”
Following their final discussion Alexander decided to put out a press release calling Barrett out, “I want to fight a good name next, I want someone that’s been there and already won a title.” and then stated that he had set his sights on Barrett as his next opponent. “I’ve watched Ryan Barrett for a few years now, he’s a former English Champion. That’s just the kind of scalp I want now. I want to start getting at the names in the division.”
Alexander explained what happened next. “The release I put out caught Steve Bunce’s attention who then interviewed me on his radio show. That got Barrett’s attention for sure.
He didn’t like that, maybe he thought I said something wrong, but that’s all good if he wants to take it personally, let him.
I’m happy, I wanted the fight and now I have the fight. Now I’m going to concentrate on getting ready and do what I need to do to win the fight.”
Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander versus Ryan Barrett will be on the Steve Goodwin promoted event on Saturday 11th September at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.
Co-feature to the Mark “The Flash” Alexander versus Ryan Barrett is Newmarket, Suffolk’s unbeaten Light Middleweight sensation Pat “Phat” McAleese in a ten round bout against a yet to be named opponent.
Top of the support for the main feature fights sees legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s protégé Marianne “Golden Girl” Marston in her debut fight against the experienced Lana Cooper, from Wales.
Further unbeaten stars, Light Middleweights Ryan Toms & Michael Norgrove and Lightweights Bradley Evans & Tony Owen make up the rest of the card against opponents yet to be announced.
Michael Jennings will aim to regain his British welterweight title on July 3 against John O’Donnell in Preston
Tony “The Bomber” Bellew will make the first defence of his Commonwealth light-heavyweight title on the card titled 3 Lions. Jennings hasn’t held the British title for more than four years after losing controversially to Young Mutley in January 2006. But the defeat still rankles – he was beaten on a split decision – and he has long dreamed of regaining the Lonsdale belt. He’ll get the chance to do so in front of his own fans at the Guildhall, a venue where he successfully defended the British crown against Bradley Pryce in a thriller back in October 2005.
Jennings, 32, will have to beat current Commonwealth champion O’Donnell to do so, and become just the second fighter to defeat the southpaw traveller.
“It’s fantastic news that I’m going to get the chance to win back the British title in front of my own fans,” said Jennings.
“I should never have lost the belt in the first place.
“Everyone is talking about Kell Brook at the moment, but I believe I’m the best welterweight in the country right now.
“After I’ve beaten O’Donnell, Kell’s more than welcome to try and prove me wrong.”
Jennings was close to meeting Brook on July 3, but his Yorkshire rival was ruled out through injury.
Brook, who recently gave up the British title he had won outright in a little over a year, may still be in line to meet the winner of Jennings and O’Donnell.
A huge ticket seller and an all-action stylist, Jennings hasa 36-2 record and last year earned a shot at the vacant WBO title against Miguel Cotto.
Jennings, who suffered his only stoppage defeat in New York against the Puerto Rican, has returned with two wins since then.
O’Donnell is eight years younger at 24, and has a 23-1 record, his only defeat coming against Christian Salano in Las Vegas in 2007.
He has won eight straight since that reverse, lifting the Commonwealth title with a split decision win against Craig Watson, and successfully defending it against Tom Glover.
The quality-packed 3 Lions card will also feature rising welterweight hot-shot Ronnie “The Razor” Heffron, former Commonwealth Light-Middleweight Champion Matthew Hall, and Liverpool stars Joe Selkirk and Liam Smith.
Tickets for 3 Lions are priced at £30, £50, £75 and £100 and are available from:
The Preston Guild Hall Box Office
01772 258858
www.prestonguildhall.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
ROSE’S TANGERINE DREAM
BRIAN ROSE plans to emulate Blackpool’s amazing Premier League rise in the boxing ring.
Unbeaten Rose (14-0-1) is heading towards boxing’s top flight and is booked to challenge British champion Sam Webb in the autumn.
He has a warm up at Huddersfield Leisure Centre on Friday (28/5) when he faces Birmingham’s Max Maxwell (11-9-2).
Blackpool fan Rose hails from the seaside town that hit the headlines after their sensational play-off triumph against Cardiff City on Saturday.
And his supporters at Friday’s testing fight will don tangerine wigs worn by Blackpool fans at Wembley.
Rose, 25, said: “The Wembley triumph has given Blackpool the lift that it needed.
“What Ian Holloway and the boys achieved was magnificent and I wouldn’t mind some of that success myself.
“Some of my fans are still celebrating promotion and everyone who has bought a ticket from me will be wearing tangerine wig at the Maxwell fight.
“Provided I get thorough Maxwell, my promoter Frank Maloney will deliver a British title fight and like the footballers I won’t let the town down.”
Maxwell, 30, (11-9-2) will certainly give Rose a test in their eight rounder that is likely to be televised live on Sky Sports.
He holds a draw with Prizefighter winner Prince Arron although he lost their return on points earlier this month.
Top of the bill is local favourite Gary Sykes (14-0) who makes the first defence of his British super-featherweight title against Belfast’s Kevin O’Hara (17-5).
Former domestic champion Carl Johanneson (28-4) who is lined up to face the winner is a late addition to the bill.
There are some tickets left price £30 and £70 from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com