London (December 24th 2010). John O’Donnell, the British / Irish welterweight prodigy is hoping that 2011 is going to be the year that he finally fulfils his lifelong dream and wins the British title. “It’s been a dream of mine from the day I started boxing to win the Lonsdale belt” said O’Donnell
But before the former unbeaten Commonwealth champion can be crowned the champion of Britain he must defeat his old foe, Manchester’s Craig Watson at Wembley Arena on 5th February for the 2nd time..
Both fighters last met in April 2009 when the Commonwealth belt was on the line, that night they produced a thrilling 12 round contest which saw the fast handed southpaw from Shepherd’s Bush awarded a split decision result by the judges and picked up his first major title.
O’Donnell is expecting Craig Watson to turn up at Wembley Arena on the 5th February in great condition and looking to gain revenge but he has vowed to silence any critics and put the record straight.
“I’m really looking forward to this one; it’s the fight I’ve wanted since the first encounter between the two of us. Ever since I won that night he has been mouthing off about the outcome, so I’m looking forward to stepping in that ring and setting the record straight once and for all.”
The second title fight of the evening will see Morden’s very own British champion Lightening Lenny Daws defending his light welterweight title against the American based Londoner, Ashley “Treasure” Theophane.
To add spice to this already great event Londoner Dazzling Darren Barker the current British and former unbeaten Commonwealth and European Middleweight Champion will also be making his debut at Wembley Arena with an international opponent being lined up over 10 rounds.
Commonwealth title challenger Lee “Lights Out” Purdy and former Southern Area Champion Kreshnik Qato will both be in back in action.
Joining these fighters at Wembley will be a host of talented young boxers including Haddenham’s Tornado Tyler Goodjohn, Islington’s John “the Gorilla” Ryder, Phill Fury of Lancaster and Chris “Flash” Evangelou of Enfield.
Craig Watson:“I’m gunning for O’Donnell so he better be ready”
The two weight Commonwealth champion Craig Watson has issued a warning to his rival John O’Donnell ahead of their British Welterweight title battle at Wembley Arena on Saturday 5th February 2011 “I’m gunning for him, so he better be ready. ”
With only 5 weeks to go Manchester’s current Commonwealth Light Middleweight champion who lost to O’Donnell back in April 2009 on a split decision has made sure this time round he is fully prepared and not suffering from inactivity.
“I could have done more gym work, and hadn’t boxed in 11 months prior to that fight and was a bit ring rusty, but even after all of my problems I still thought I had done enough to win by 2 rounds.”
“But this time I feel stronger than ever, I’ve had 4 stoppages in my last 6 fights; I even won the Commonwealth Light Middleweight title with only 2 days notice so I’m not going to leave anything to chance and have been hitting the gym twice a day”.
“This time I’m going to score a KO” Said Watson.
The second title fight of the night will see Morden’s Lenny Daws defending his British Light Welterweight title for a 3rd time against Paddington’s Ashley Theophane.
To add spice to this already great event Londoner Dazzling Darren Barker the current British and former unbeaten Commonwealth and European Middleweight Champion will also be making his debut at Wembley Arena with an international opponent being lined up over 10 rounds.
Commonwealth title challenger Lee “Lights Out” Purdy and former Southern Area Champion Kreshnik Qato will both be in back in action.
Joining these fighters at Wembley will be a host of talented young boxers including Haddenham’s Tornado Tyler Goodjohn, Islington’s John “the Gorilla” Ryder, Phill Fury of Lancaster and Chris “Flash” Evangelou of Enfield.
Theophane: My British title shot is 3 years overdue
LONDON (December XX, 2010) – Ashley “Treasure” Theophane, the current IBO International welterweight champion believes his shot at the British light welterweight title is now 3 years overdue.
The globetrotting Londoner who has been training in America for the past 5 years sparring the likes of world champions Joan Guzman, Yuri Foreman, Elio Rojas and Paul Malignaggi will finally get his opportunity on February 5th 2011, when he takes on the UK’s number one light welterweight Lightening Lenny Daws for the British light welterweight title at Wembley Arena.
“I won an eliminator back in 2007 against Alan Bosworth for the British title so I have been waiting for my title shot for 3 years now, this is as important as any fight I’ve had so I will be preparing as hard as I do for all my fights” said Theophane.
Theophane who boasts wins over former world champion Demarcus Corley and then world number three Delvin Rodriguez believes that he is past domestic level and a world title shot will be on the cards soon. “My main focus is a World Title shot which will come one day but I feel that I have now past domestic level and my fight against Lenny will be a “keep busy” fight until a bigger fight comes along.”
“Lenny Daws is a good Domestic fighter as he has shown, this being his second reign as British champion. He has had some stoppages of late which is good for him but just being Ashley Theophane will be enough to beat him.”
“I’m Lenny Daws best opponent to date but he is far from mine. I’m his big test. I have all his attributes. I’m just better.” Added Theophane.
The second British title fight of the evening will see the eagerly awaited rematch between John O’Donnell of Shepherd’s Bush and Manchester’s Craig Watson for the vacant welterweight title.
To add spice to this already great event Londoner Dazzling Darren Barker the current British and former unbeaten Commonwealth and European Middleweight Champion will also be making his debut at Wembley Arena with an international opponent being lined up over 10 rounds.
Commonwealth title challenger Lee “Lights Out” Purdy and former Southern Area Champion Kreshnik Qato will both be in back in action.
Joining these fighters at Wembley will be a host of talented young boxers including Haddenham’s Tornado Tyler Goodjohn, Islington’s John “the Gorilla” Ryder, Phill Fury of Lancaster and Chris “Flash” Evangelou of Enfield.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are on sale NOW from the following box offices priced at
£100, £75, £40 and £30.
Please note: Family tickets are also available from the Wembley Box Office.
Wembley Arena, 24hr Box Office Call 0844 815 0815
or www.wembleyarena.co.uk
WEMBLEY ARENA TO HOST GREAT BRITISH TITLE DOUBLE HEADER ON FEB 5TH 2011
LONDON (December 23rd, 2010) – On Saturday 5th February 2011, Wembley Arena will be the hosts for an action packed Hennessy Sports fight card which will see two prestigious British titles up for grabs.
The first of the double header will see the UK’s number one British light welterweight, Lightening Lenny Daws of Morden, defending his Lonsdale belt against American based Londoner Ashley “Treasure” Theophane over the championship distance.
The second British title fight of the evening will see the eagerly awaited rematch between John O’Donnell of Shepherd’s Bush and Manchester’s Craig Watson. Both fighters last met in a thrilling contest for the Commonwealth title back in April 2009 in which O’Donnell on the night was awarded a close split decision and ripped the title from Watson’s waist.
Promoter Mick Hennessy Said “These two matches are cracking old school fights for the British title and with Lenny and John both coming from London, Wembley seemed the ideal venue for these two great fights. It is an action pack card and will be a great show for London”
To add spice to this already great event Londoner Dazzling Darren Barker the current British and former unbeaten Commonwealth and European Middleweight Champion will also be making his debut at Wembley Arena with an international opponent being lined up over 10 rounds.
Commonwealth title challenger Lee “Lights Out” Purdy and former Southern Area Champion Kreshnik Qato will both be in back in action.
Joining these fighters at Wembley will be a host of talented young boxers including Haddenham’s Tornado Tyler Goodjohn, Islington’s John “the Gorilla” Ryder, Phill Fury of Lancaster and Chris “Flash” Evangelou of Enfield.