Britain’s best lightweights Kevin Mitchell and John Murray have both promised war when they meet at the ExCeL Arena on Saturday 9th July with a world title shot on the line for the winner.
The pair came head-to-head today at a press conference in London to confirm their Battle of Britain showdown for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental lightweight title.
It followed an explosive meeting in the ring on Saturday night at the O2 Arena when they were announced to the crowd.
The show, titled North ‘n’ South, will be a Frank Warren Promotions event, but Warren’s sons Francis and George will be doing much of the organising.
“This will be an absolute classic,” promised former world title challenger Mitchell.
“I let myself down, my family down and my fans down when I wasn’t properly prepared for the Michael Katsidis fight.
“I’ve got another chance now against Murray, and I plan on taking it.
“Murray’s a great fighter and I have got massive respect for him. But when I am at my best, I will beat him.
“I think DeGale-Groves wasn’t as explosive as people thought it would be.
“But this will be more explosive. Forget about fireworks, me and John are going out there to throw bombs. If I lose it will be hard to come back, that’s why winning is my only option.”
But Murray, who has vacated his European title in order to focus on Mitchell, hit back by promising victory.
“I’ve seen a lot of Kevin’s fights, and I am preparing for the very best he can possibly be,” said the undefeated Mancunian.
“But even that won’t be good enough.
“I am hungry and I am strong, and I will answer fire with fire on July 9.
“I don’t care that I am coming into Mitchell’s backyard, it will just make it all the sweeter when I knock him out.
“We’re not like Groves and DeGale, we don’t hate each other. In fact, I like Kevin and he likes me.
“But business is business and we’ll be going at it hammer and tongs at the ExCeL. There is so much at stake here that just like Kevin, losing is not an option for me.”
Francis Warren and brother George were excited about the fight.
“This is a great opportunity for both guys, and the winner will definitely be looking at a world title shot within 12 months,” they said in a joint statement.
“We’ve been working on this fight for a long time, so it is fantastic that we’ve finally got it on.
“Everyone wants to see the best fighters in Britain facing each other, and here you’ve got the best two lightweights in the country meeting with a world title opportunity on the line.
“We’re sure the show will sell out, and we’re aiming to get a crowd of around 12,000 into the ExCeL Arena for a brilliant night of boxing.”
An action packed undercard will be announced shortly.
Tickets for North ‘n South are available now, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150 and £200, from 0844 844 0444 or ticketmaster.co.uk
Undefeated Patrick Majewski To Face Alex Bunema on June 11 in Mississippi
ATLANTIC CITY – Undefeated middleweight Patrick “The Machine” Majewski will face his first major test on Saturday, June 11 when he faces former world title challenger Alex Bunema at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, MS for the vacant NABO and IBF International middleweight titles.
The event, entitled “TNT at the DCC”, is promoted by Prize Fight Promotions, Greg Cohen Promotions and Global Boxing, and will be headlined by the ten round heavyweight match between former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman against Galen Brown.
Majewski, with a perfect record of 16-0 (11 KO), is a native of Radom, Poland but now resides in Atlantic City, NJ. Majewski’s all-action style has earned him a strong following in New Jersey on the strength of exciting performances on the undercards of countryman and top-rated heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek, as well as in Atlantic City.
Majewski is promoted by Global Boxing Promotions, and is trained by Bill Johnson, father of former lightweight champion Leavander Johnson.
“I’ve been preparing for the big fights my whole career and I’m ready to step up,” said Majewski. “I know he’s been in the ring with many champions, so it’s going to be a tough one for me and I can’t wait to get it on.”
Bunema, who is four years older than Majewski at 35, is from Memphis, TN by way of Kinshasa, Congo and has a record of 31-8-2 (17 KO). Bunema holds wins over former world champions Roman Karmazin and Vince Phillips, and has also faced current middleweight champion Sergio Martinez and former champ Jermain Taylor.
Bunema should be in great shape, having gone ten rounds just a week ago with top-rated middleweight contender Andy Lee.
For more information on Patrick Majewski, visit www.globalboxing.com.
Tickets for TNT at the DCC are on sale now and can be purchased at the DeSoto Civic Center Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by visiting Ticketmaster on line at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are priced very affordable beginning at just $25. Doors for the event open at 7:00 PM and the first bout is slated to begin at 7:30 PM.
“TNT at the DCC” will be broadcast via tape delay on Fox’s Sportsouth network throughout the Southeastern United States on Comcast and nationally on DirectTV and DISH Network reaching nearly ninety million homes.
Free Agent Michael Grant Seeks High Level Heavyweight Opponent
Former No. 1 World Heavyweight Contender, Michael Grant, who is not tied to any promoter and is a “free agent,” is seeking a high level heavyweight opponent for his next fight. Grant reports: “Since my knockout of Tye Fields in March, we are having difficulty finding a high-ranking heavyweight willing to fight me. I am ready to step up to the highest level available and will fight any of the top heavyweights willing to get in the ring with me.”
Grant has 47 wins, 35 by knockout, and only 4 losses. His four losses have come to then World Champion Lennox Lewis, a loss by way of an accidental broken ankle seconds into his fight with then 25-2 Jameel McCline, then undefeated (21-0) and highly-ranked Dominick Guinn, and current No. 1 contender Tomas Adamak.
After seven consecutive wins since his loss to Guinn in 2003, a year ago Grant scored a first round knockout of 6’6” and 277 pound Kevin Burnett, lost a very competitive decision to Adamek last August, and scored an extremely impressive third round knockout of 6’8” and 278 pound Tye Fields, who was 45-2 with 42 knockouts going into the fight with Grant.
Grant’s longtime attorney and management advisor, Jim Thomas, explains: “Mike is one of the most athletically gifted and powerful heavyweights ever, and at one point he was the most highly-regarded heavyweight in the world. He has had some bad breaks along the way, but he has fought through them, and I believe he is now once again one of the best and most dangerous heavyweights in the world. We are looking for a high-ranking heavyweight with the courage to get in the ring with Mike, and we do not have a promoter, so a fight ought to be easy to arrange.
Please direct all inquiries to James J. Thomas II, 404-869-7600 (o), 404-936-4304 (c), or jthomas@ichterthomas.com.