by James Slater – Top British boxing promoter Frank Warren today announced a quite sensational eight-fight bill for September. Set to go ahead at The LG Arena in Birmingham on September 18th, the “Super-Show,” to be televised live by Sky Sports, will feature no less than three European title fights as well as two British title fights.
Top of the bill, and very possibly the best fight of the lot, is Matthew Macklin, 26-2(18) defending his European middleweight title for the first time, against unbeaten contender Darren Barker, 22-0(14). Both 28-year-olds have been wanting to fight each other for some time, and the fireworks in this one could well satisfy the fans all by themselves. However, before this grudge-match gets underway, fans will get the chance to see rising star and potential world champion of the future, 23-year-old Nathan Cleverly, 19-0(9) facing a TBA in a light-heavyweight clash..
The gifted Welshman has really caught the eye of fight fans in the last 12 months or so, and his rise to the top will really take some stopping. Also in action against an as yet TBA, is European cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli, 32-4(25). The 29-year-old, on the hunt for one more crack at a world title, will be defending the belt he won in fine style back in April, when he blew away Russia’s Alexander Kotlobay inside a single round. “Macca” is always entertaining, win or lose, and it will be interesting to see who he rumbles with in September (there have been talks of Enzo facing unbeaten 25-year-old Alexander Frenkel, and maybe this will be the man Maccarinelli faces on Warren’s big show).
Amateur stars/upcoming prospects James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Don Broadhurst will also be in action, and the title fights will keep on coming. Ryan Rhodes, 44-4(30) and looking as good as ever at age 33, will defend his European light-middleweight title against Lukas Konecny of the Czech Republic. With a record of 44-3(21), during which he has never been stopped, the 31-year-old will likely give Rhodes a tough test.
And finally, we have two fights that have suffered postponements at least twice each already. The long awaited British welterweight title clash between unbeaten 24-year-old Kell Brook, 21-0(14) and 32-year-old former British champ at 147, Michael Jennings, 36-2(17) will (fingers crossed!) at last go ahead. Jennings, due to the way the earlier dates for this fight fell apart, will have been out of action for a solid year come fight night, and this may make the fight even tougher for him. Can Brook do what world champion Miguel Cotto did, and get Jennings outta there?
Then, the second fight that has previously been hit by postponements, will also finally go ahead – as heavyweights Derek Chisora and Sam Sexton will clash in a rematch of their June 2008 meeting. 26-year-old Chisora, 13-0(8), and fresh off his quick stoppage win over Danny Williams, will be looking to repeat his victory whilst defending his British belt. But 25-year-old Sexton, 13-1(6), who has already captured the Commonwealth crown, has to be given a real shot when it comes to avenging his sole pro loss. Two years is a long time in boxing, and Sexton will argue he has vastly improved since that summer evening in ’08 when he was TKO’d in the 6th-round by “Del Boy.”
Overall, a potentially thrilling card by Warren, and one that will surely give great value for money.
Now, how much are the tickets, and will the show be on “free” Sky, or Pay-Per-View!?