Matthew Macklin raised eyebrows amongst the German media yesterday when he came face to face with Felix Sturm at their press conference in Cologne ahead of their World title fight in the city on June 25th. Two time European Middleweight Champ Macklin made a big impression by addressing the assembled media in perfect German but he has promised that the charm offensive will be replaced with a far more aggressive offensive once he enters the ring at the 20,000 seater Lanxess Arena next month.
Having studied German in school for 6 years Macklin was happy to deliver a warning to Sturm in German to ensure that nothing was lost in translation. “I’m going to win, there is no doubt in my mind about that,” said Macklin. “Felix is a great technician, he has been a great Champion and he has my utmost respect but this is my time and my strength and power will be decisive in winning the fight.”
The champion however says he will meet fire with fire and he has no intention of surrendering his WBA World title after almost a decade at the top of the middleweight division. “Matthew seems very confident but we will see what happens in the ring,”; mused Sturm. “I will bombard him from the first bell and we will see if he can cope with that.”
Despite his confidence the champion was willing to admit that Macklin presents a formidable challenge. “Macklin is an outstanding challenger. He is very experienced and he has that Irish warrior mentality. He has earned this chance and is one of the five best middleweights in the world. It will be a war but I will be ready for anything and I will do whatever it takes to keep my title.
“I have been training very hard but I am enjoying it. I am just over 6 pounds over the middleweight limit now so I am already in great shape. Once the fight is over I can forget about the diet and I am looking forward to a celebratory barbecue on the Sunday afternoon to celebrate with my friends and family.”
Sturm’s trainer Fritz Sdunek added, “We have a plan for anything can Macklin can present in the ring. We have watched him fight and he likes to put a lot of pressure on his opponents to try to tire them out. Felix has no problems coping with that kind of style and putting on a lot of pressure himself so I believe he will stop Macklin in the final third of the fight.”
The German media were intrigued by Macklin’s background in hurling which saw him represent Tipperary at underage level despite having grown up in Birmingham while the 29 year old also revealed that boxing legend, “Smokin” Joe Frazier had dropped in to trainer Joe Gallagher’s gym in Manchester to watch him training earlier this week.
“It was an honour to have someone like Joe Frazier casting an eye over my training,” said Macklin. “He gave me a few pointers and there was a great buzz in the gym while he was there. There’s just over 5 weeks left now and my preparations could not be going any better. I was already very excited about the fight and coming face to face with Felix has only made me more confident that I will be taking that belt home with me next month.”
Macklin’s manager Brian Peters revealed that arrangements have been put in place for the army of Macklin supporters expected to descend on Cologne for the fight. “There is a ticket and hotel package available for any fans travelling over to the fight,” said Peters. “There has already been huge interest from people looking to go and Cologne is great city and the arena itself is fantastic so it promises to be a tremendous night. Matthew is so grateful for all the support and it means an awful lot to him and I’m sure everyone can play their part in cheering Matthew on to the World title and another famous night for Irish sport.”
For further details on the ticket and hotel package check out Brian Peters Promotions on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BrianPetersPromotions).
For all the latest visit brianpeterspromotions.com or add us on Facebook.
FOES FOR JONATHAN OQUENDO AND JONATHAN GONZÁLEZ TO “A PUÑO LIMPIO” JUNE 3 IN TOA BAJA
Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo and Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez have rivals for their upcoming bouts next June 3 in the third edition of the show “A Puño Limpio” to be held at the Antonio R. Barcelo coliseum in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico in a PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) presentation to be televised live on WAPA América.
Oquendo (20-2, 13 KOs), who’s ranked #3 in the superbantamweight division in the WBO, will defend his WBO NABO 122lb title against Colombian Reynaldo López (30-10-2, 22 KOs). This fight is scheduled to a 10 rounds.
In the other TV bout, “Bomba” Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs), 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games Gold Medalist, will face Ivan Moxey (2-3, 1 KO), from Bahamas.
The main event of this card is Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (15-0, 11 KOs), looking for the WBO NABO lightweight title versus Jose Gerardo “Pipino” Cuevas Jr. (14-6, 12 KOs), son of former World Champion Jose “Pipino” Cuevas.
Another five bouts will complete the show. “A Puño Limpio”, will be seen from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on WAPA América to the United States.
Tickets availables in Ticketcenter (www.tcpr.com) calling 1 (787) 792-5000. Prices are $15 and $33.
Interview: John Wayne Hibbert Talks Prizefighter, Witter, Lynes, El Maachi and more
By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro: With seriously big names, such as former World Champs Junior Witter and Colin Lynes and former British Champion Kevin McIntyre, grabbing all the headlines in the build up to the highly anticipated Matchroom Sports promoted Prizefighter – Welterweights II, which takes place at York Hall on Tuesday 7th June, I decided to buck the trend a bit, well my last interview was with Colin Lynes, and make a concerted effort to catch up with some of the lesser well known names taking part.
As luck would have it earlier this week I was at the TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town photographing Big John McDermott sparring with Ali Adams. Across the ring I spotted the familiar figure of John Wayne Hibbert chatting with Kevin Mitchell.
For those that don’t know him, yet, John has a crowd pleasing style and brings a large posse of highly vocal supporters with him. He lives up to his “John Wayne” moniker by donning a stetson into the ring.
The first time I see John in action was back in April last year, when he fought Matt Scriven, at the excellent Steve Goodwin promoted ‘Night of Rising Stars’ event. John impressed me with his performance, and his vociferous following who never let up their deafening support for their hero throughout.
That was John’s sixth bout and I have to be honest I was quite disappointed not to have seen any of his earlier fights and had made a mental note marking him down as one to watch.
I next got to see him in action the following December, at the superb Judgement Day event, where again he put on another excellent performance – as my fight report attests
“The assembled crowd at York Hall were on their feet and in full voice the moment they see the stetson wearing John Wayne Hibbert appear and didn’t abate throughout their heroes six round encounter with William Warburton.
Hibbert ensured that by putting on one of his trademark attacking displays. About the only time the decibel levels dropped was after Hibbert received a cut above the left eye in third round. Hibbert seemed unfazed by the cut as he kept on pressuring Warburton to secure a tidy 59-55 points victory.”
These may have been the only times I personally see John in action, but they are far from his only successes.
John was a successful amateur winning National titles at both schoolboy and Senior level, including representing England in international competitions.
John made his debut on Miranda Carter’s Left Jab promotions 2009 Father’s Day show, where he stopped Damien Jeffries in the first round.
Three months later John was back in action, this time his victim was Andrew Patterson, who he stopped in the second round.
Less than a month later John returned to York Hall, where he convincingly out pointed Kevin McCauley.
Next up just two months later was another second round stoppage victory, this time over Bheki Moyo.
It wasn’t until March 2010 that his legion of fans got to see him in action again, against Rick Boulter. As in three of his previous four outings this one also didn’t get to go the distance, as Boulter’s manager,
Carl Greaves, pulled him out at the end of the second to save him further punishment, or worse being knocked out.
Which nicely brings us back to the fights I see him in, so without further ado here is John Wayne Hibbert talking about Prizefighter and his possible opponents on June 7th.
Rio – Thank you for talking with me today – first of all please tell me your thoughts on Prizefighter.
John – I think it’s a great idea for prospects and everyone that’s in it. It’s a great idea.
Rio – What do you think your chances are of winning Prizefighter?
John – I wouldn’t be in it it I didn’t think I could win it, I believe I can do well and nick it.
Rio – Now to the other fighters in the tournament – What are your thoughts on Junior Witter?
John – Can’t knock him can you. He’s been a World Champion, I’ve got all respect for him. He’s getting on a bit now, so I’m still young so I don’t see any problems there really.
Rio – OK, We’ll move on to Colin Lynes
John – Damn good fighter, another ex-World Champion. I’m not going to disrespect him. He’s got a brilliant jab. Take away his jab though, I reckon I can get underneath it and take it away and do the job though.
Rio – Next up is Kevin McIntyre
John – Don’t know too much about Kevin McIntyre so I’ll have to watch up on him.
Rio – OK, your thoughts on Yassine El Maachi
John – Dangerous fighter, very elusive. You’ve got to get close to him, take all his grin away. Yeah I reckon I can beat him.
Rio – Next is Peter McDonagh
John – Don’t know too much about him either. Going to have to look up on him, I aint seen too much of him.
Rio – Bobby Gladman’s next on the list.
John – Aint seen too much of him either, I know he’s quite a good upright boxer. I aint too fussed.
Rio – Last but not least Nathan Graham
John – I don’t know nothing about Nathan Graham. All I’ve seen is his record, I’ll have to watch him.
Rio – How do you think being on Prizefighter will affect your career?
John – When I go and win it I’ll go straight up the rankings, so it’ll be all good for me when I win it.
Obviously if I get a title shot because of it that’ll be brilliant, there’s a lot of good fighters at that weight. But I’m going to take this one step at a time and concentrate on Prizefighter, I’m not thinking about
anything else yet. Just concentrating on that Prizefighter.
Rio – Talking about concentrating on Prizefighter, who have you been sparring to prepare for June 7th?
John – I’ve been sparring former Prizefighter champion Michael Lomax, Kris Agyia-Dua. I’ve been sparring all different people because I’ll be fighting all different people in Prizefighter. I’ve been sparring amateurs, all different people really.
Rio – Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today and good luck on June 7th.
John – No problem, thanks.
Prizefighter – Welterweights II, featuring John Wayne Hibbert, Colin Lynes, Junior Witter, Yassine El Maachi, Kevin McIntyre, Nathan Graham, Peter McDonagh and Bobby Gladman, takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on Tuesday 7th June 2011.
Tickets, priced £35 (Unreserved), £60 (Ringside), and £100 (VIP) are available now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or call 07960 850645