British heavyweight champion Derek Chisora says he’ll fight Audley Harrison if David Haye is not man enough. Haye and Harrison are bickering in the press ahead of a possible showdown later this year, but Del Boy has told Haye to put up or shut up – or he’ll step in. “Make your mind up Haye, because I’ll quite easily knock out Harrison if you can’t do it,” said Chisora. “You are running away from the Klitschko brothers like a thief in the night, if you can’t beat a powder-puff like Harrison, you should pack up. “Harrison still hasn’t won the British title that he promised to do inside eight fights when he turned pro..
“He’s now had 27 fights, I’ve got the British title so if he wants to finally come good on his promise here’s his chance.
“To be honest, I can’t believe he’s close to getting a world title shot after needing a lucky punch to beat Michael Sprott.
“If he gets in the ring with me, I’ll knock him spark out.
“The future of British heavyweight boxing is me, not an old man like Harrison.”
Chisora will defend his British title against Commonwealth champion Sam Sexton on September 18 as part of Frank Warren’s Magnificent Seven card at the LG Arena, Birmingham.
SMITH DEFENDS AGAINST McDERMOTT
Paul Smith will headline the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday 23rd October in a defence of his British super-middleweight title against Darren McDermott, live on Sky Sports.
A win for Smith will leave him just one step away from owning a prestigious Lonsdale belt outright, following victories over rivals Tony Quigley and Tony Dodson.
But former British middleweight title challenger McDermott is determined to spoil the party.
Smith, 27, has happy memories of the Echo Arena after winning his two British title fights there.
Last October he defeated Quigley on a split decision, before retaining against Dodson in March.
“I love fighting in Liverpool, and I love fighting at the Echo Arena,” said WBO number five and WBC number eight Smith.
“The fans up here are the best in the world, and they will make the atmosphere very special when I meet McDermott.
“I have a lot of respect for Darren, but there is no way he is getting his hands on my title.
“Not only is he standing between me and a Lonsdale belt, but if I lose to him I can kiss goodbye to any chance of fighting for a world title.
“The next 12 months could potentially be huge for me. There is no way I will slip up.”
But McDermott, the Black Country Body Snatcher, hit back by saying: “Paul’s a great champion, but I saw faults against Dodson and Quigley that I will exploit.
“I’m coming up from middleweight but that means I have the speed to make Smith look even slower that usual.”
Promoter Frank Warren added: “I’m delighted to be returning to Liverpool, one of the most passionate cities for boxing in the world.
“There are some very talented fighters on Merseyside at the moment, and the next three or four years are going to be very exciting indeed.
“I’ve been saying for a while that Liverpool can be the new Manchester, and I can see the Smith brothers and Tony Bellew leading the way.”
Also in action will be Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew, as well as Smith’s younger brother Liam, and top prospects Joe Selkirk and Tobias Webb.
Tickets are priced at £40, £50, £80, £100 & £150 and are available from:
Echo Arena Box Office
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
Oakey Kokey’ Puts His Weight Behind McIntyre Ahead Of Sept 11th Showdown With Ambler
Former WBU Champion Tony ‘Oakey Kokey’ Oakey believes that his Light Heavyweight discovery Joel ‘El Toro’ McIntyre, who debuts, against Welsh battler Jamie Ambler on the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘It’s Personal’ double title show at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday 11th September, has what it takes to go all the way in the sport.
Speaking from his Portsmouth home Oakey, who retired in May this year, said, “Joel McIntyre’s a little protégé of mine. A little while ago I was asked to have a look at this local lad. I’d already heard stories about him as he’s from the same little neighbourhood as myself and he fought for the same amateur club I did.
I get asked to look at lads regularly to see if they if they have what it takes to move from the amateurs to the pros. People don’t realise there is such a difference between the professional boxing and amateur boxing, they’re two completely different games.
Anyway, I liked what I saw so arranged for Joel to go and trial with Johnny Eames, at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in London, as I wanted to get him the best trainer and training possible.
After a couple of weeks in London I asked Johnny if it was all right with him if we did a couple of rounds. I didn’t want to mess with what Johnny was doing, you know, but wanted to have a move around with him. I wanted to really see what he had to offer.
I didn’t go too hard on him, just enough to see how good he was. I really liked what I saw, there’s a lot to like about him. He’s got all the tools there and just needs to be taught how to use them properly, which’ll be no problem for Johnny and Del (Derek Grainger), they’re the best in the business.
I think Joel has the potential to go all the way in boxing. He’s strong, he’s aggressive and he’s also got a lot of boxing ability. I look at Joel and I see a lot of myself, he was a bit of a tearaway kid. I hope that boxing will steer him in the right direction the same way as it did me, you know, which is a good thing.
I think he’ll surprise a few people, he’s the type of fighter who you’ll be able to take a chance with after a few fights.
He looks up to me and I try and help him as much as possible back here. When he’s not in London I help him train here in Portsmouth. I’m trying look after him the best I can as I think he has a bright future in boxing and I’ll be there in London cheering him on September 11th.”
Joel ‘El Toro’ McIntyre versus Jamie Ambler is on the undercard of the Goodwin Promotions ‘It’s Personal’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday the 11th September 2010.
Co-headlining ‘It’s Personal’ are Former English Super Bantamweight Champion Ryan Barratt versus Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander, for the vacant International Masters Lightweight title and ‘Phat’ Pat McAleese versus Lee Noble, for the British Masters Light Middleweight Title.
‘It’s Personal’ also features the British professional debut of the legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s protégé Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston.
Marston, who is now trained in the UK by Derek Grainger at the ‘fight factory’ known as the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town, will be facing a stern test in the highly experienced Welsh battler Lana Cooper in a four round Featherweight contest.
The exciting, Brian Lawrence trained/managed, Light Middleweight star Erick ‘The Eagle Ochieng, who recently defeated Curtis Valentine in the battle of the undefeated, is looking to extend his unblemished record against Brummy hardman Dee Mitchell.
Another Light Middleweight prospect, Michael Norgrove, also looks to extend his perfect record. Norgrove, whose record ot 2-0, has his hardest test to date when he faces Finchley’s Ian Eldridge.
Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert, who also has a perfect unbeaten record, is set to face his sternest test to date when he faces the experienced brawler Kevin McAuley from Halesowen.
Ultrachem TKO’s exceptional Featherweight discovery, 19 year old George Jupp, is set for his second career fight against the highly experienced Latvian Pavels Senkovs.
Unbeaten prospect Tony “The Conqueror” Conquest is set to face one of the most experienced Cruserweight’s around, Hastings Rasani, who has fought the best the division has offered over the years, David ‘Hayemaker’ Haye, Troy Ross, Bruce ‘Lionheart’ Scott, Terry Dunston, Mark Krence, Tony Bellew, Dean Francis… and the list just goes on. This is no easy fight for Conquest, who will need to be right on his game.
Super Middleweight Eder Kurti will be looking to maintain his six fight winning streak against Sabie Monteith.
Bethnal Green’s highly popular Light Welterweight Jamie Arlain is set to explode on the professional scene. Arlain will be facing Bulgarian Danny Dontchev.
Exciting Welterweight prospect Phil Gill aka “The Phil Gill Experience” looks to continue his unbeaten record against the experienced Sid Razak.
Also at Welterweight Bobby Gladman, who has a perfect 6-0 record is set for a four round contest against a yet to be named opponent.
Tickets for ‘It’s Personal’ at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 11th September 2010 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).
For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tickets.justlisten2this.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.