British Super-Middleweight champion Paul Smith has promised challenger James DeGale a war on December 11 – and then a Sunday roast the next day. The British rivals clash at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, in a mouth-watering showdown on Frank Warren’s big 30th Anniversary show. The pair have long been friends, after DeGale boxed with Smith’s younger brother Stephen at amateur level. And DeGale is no stranger to Smith family hospitality, often staying with them in Liverpool. Yet friendship will be put to one side when they clash for Smith’s British super-middleweight title..
“It’s strange fighting someone you know very well, but business is business,” said Smith.
“It’s just the way boxing is, and there is so much at stake on December 11 that there will be no time to think about being mates.
“DeGale can expect an all-out war because I will not be holding back or feeling sorry for him.
“When I see that he is hurt I will be going in for the finish.
“Fight fans had better get ready because it’s going to be the one of the most explosive seen in a British ring for some time.
“But when it’s all done and dusted, we’ll shake hands and be friends again.
“So much so, that James and his family are more than welcome round my house for a Sunday roast the day after the fight and I’ll do the cooking.
“We can both sit there and lick our wounds, and James can even try on my Lonsdale belt for size because the closest he is going to come to wearing it.
“There will be plenty of beef in the ring, and then some more outside of it 24 hours later.”
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
The Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
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BURNS PROMISES TO REPEL VIKING INVASION!
Ricky Burns says he will succeed where his Scottish ancestors failed – and repel a Viking invasion force on December 4.
Burns defends his WBO World Super-Featherweight title at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow, against Andreas Evensen, live on Sky Sports.
Colombian born Evensen now boxes out of Norway and is a hero in his adopted country.
He will bring a band of supporters across the North Sea to see him in his attempt to wrest the title from Burns.
“Scotland was ravaged by Vikings hundreds of years ago, but that won’t happen when I fight Evensen,” he said.
“They used to come here and set fire to villages, terrorising the locals. I’m sure my ancestors got into a few scraps with them!
“But Evensen better get his long boat ready for a quick getaway because this time they aren’t going to conquer Scotland.
“I’m going to send him back to Norway nursing a couple of black eyes, busted ribs and some unhappy memories.
“I worked hard to win this title, and there is no way that I am giving it up to the first fighter I face.
“I’ve been reading Evensen’s comments about fighting in Scotland being much easier than growing up in Colombia.
“But he won’t be saying that after he’s taken my bombs.
“I’ll be throwing leather right from the start, and I will be surprised if he stands up to the punishment.”
Tickets for Monarch of the Glen, priced at £40, £50, £75 and £100, are available from:
Braehead Arena
0844 449 1700
www.braehead-arena.co.uk
Ticket Master
0844 844 0444
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See Tickets
0871 620 7054
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Return of the King
Lord of the ring Matty Tew maintained his unbeaten record after travelling to London in what was his fourth professional contest. The Southampton based lightweight was well supported as his legion of fans travelled with him to the capital to cheer him on at the dinner show hosted by London’s Mayfair Sporting Club at the prestigious Millennium Hotel in Mayfair. On what was a great night of boxing the fight stood out in particular as both boxers flew out of the corners and worked at a frantic pace. However it was Tew who had the more determination and better quality and went to work on his opponents body in the early rounds and eventually took the fight out of the other man and Tew ran out a deserved 40-36 points winner on the referee’s score card.
The event was clearly enjoyed by all and Tew once again delivered a crowd pleasing performance that not only kept his fans happy but won over the neutrals as he is now beginning to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Now Tew will be looking to make it five wins without loss next month at the Oceana night club where he will be fighting alongside other Southampton favourites such as Mark Atkins, Darryl Still and Jon Fernandes. .
Tickets for the Oceana’s Eleven on 21st September are available on 07841880538