Following his sensational defeat of World #45 ranked Richard Turba last Friday, London based Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker has rocketed into the top one hundred in the World Cruiserweight rankings, moving up from his previous #220 spot to #86.
Mitchell, who one year ago relocated to London to be managed and co-trained by Johnny Eames at his famed TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, controlled the bout virtually from start to finish, saying that he did have to survive a second round visit to the canvas after Turba landed a sharp left uppercut followed by a left hook. After the knockdown Mitchell stayed calm and closed up shop until the end of the round.
Throughout rounds three to six Mitchell was barely troubled by Turba, even though the tough Blackpool based Slovakian was constantly letting rip with wild right hands, and controlled the proceedings with his superb jab and crisp clean combinations to pick up his fifth win, in six outings, by a 57-56 points margin.
On returning to the TRAD TKO Gym earlier today a relaxed Mitchell said, “It was a good fight, I just came in and I was really relaxed. focused, when I walked to the ring.
We had a perfect game plan, me, Johnny (Eames), Leon Williams worked on it. We had a perfect game plan to do it, I just had to keep focused and that’s just what I did and it worked perfect.
The second round, he caught me with a shot, I’ll have to watch the tape to see what went wrong and how he caught me with the shot.
After that everything went OK, he caught me with the shot and after that I was very focused and had my hands up and thought to myself stay calm and stick to the game plan.
After that I didn’t get caught with shots, I was moving around using the ring. He wasn’t using his jab that’s why I got mine in first.
I feel very good, very good, to be in top one hundred. I’m very excited as that means if I keep winning fights bigger fights will come up. I’m very excited.
At the end of this month I will have been at the TRAD TKO gym for one year and I feel perfect, I have a good team and a good manager, good people around me in the gym. I’m very blessed with all the people around me. It seems like family, you know, in the gym. You work hard and you can trust everybody and that’s why things go well.”
Mitchell’s next outing will be against Welsh banger Hari Miles on Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions event at York Hall in London on the 7th October 2011.
Tickets for Mitchell Balker versus Hari Miles will be available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing gym, Gillian House, Canning Town, London E16 4SA early in September.
World Boxing Council News
The African Boxing Union celebrated its international convention in Zambia, hosted by Mr. Nelson Sapi of Zambia, with the attendance of all African countries where professional boxing exists on the continent.
Houcine Houichi of Tunisia was re-elected as President, Dr. Peter Ngatane of South Africa as Vice-President, and Celestino Mindra of Uganda as Secretary General.
Two new Vice-Presidents were elected: Dr. Goodluck Kanu of Nigeria, and Nelson Sapi of Zambia.
Executive members: Rafik Ouennoughi, Tunisia – Treasurer; Joseph Nazaire Topsoba, Burkina-Faso; Samir Captan, Ghana; Khalid Rahilou, Morocco; Lonzoe Defector Zimba, Malawe; Hassan Mostafa, Egypt.
The convention approved several matters related to safety and uniformity, and sponsored a ring officials seminar headed by WBC Ring Officials Vice-Chairman Bruce McTavish of the Philippines.
The African Boxing Union was founded in 1974. It was through their Executive Secretary at the time, Colonel Hassine Hamouda, that the ABU was the continental federation that nominated José Sulaimán for WBC President for the first time in Tunisia of 1975.
Houcine Houichi – Peter Ngatane – Celestino Mindra
Sampson Boxing of Russia Inks Heavyweight “Mago” Magomed Abdusalamov
Sampson Boxing LLC has joined forces with Boris Grinberg to create a new organizational division of the Sampson Boxing family in Russia and usher a new era of blood into the heavyweight division. A jubilant Lewkowicz stated: “The signing of “Mago” Magomed Abdusalamov to a long-term promotional contract represents the next future heavyweight champion. We are very pleased to have him be part of our team. We have big plans for him.” The 6’-3”, 230 pound, south paw born in Makhachkala, Russia holds a record of 9-0 with all of his victories coming by way of knock out. He is a two-time, Amateur National Champion of Russia.
The team who brought World Boxing Organization (WBO) Heavyweight Champion, Sultan Ibragimov to the pinnacle of his career is eager to hone the skills of their next boxing talent (Magomed), taking him to the next level in his career.
The new Sampson Boxing of Russia, division Partner Boris Grinberg had this to say: “It has taken many years to bring back a new heavyweight boxing style, combined with the team that has been put in place in Oxnard, California will be the recipe for the next future heavyweight champion.”
“Mago” Magomed, added: “I am proud to be part of the Sampson Boxing family of fighters and look forward to making my contribution. When I spoke with Sultan Ibragimov, he told me that I needed to get in touch with Sampson Lewkowicz if I wanted to become champion.”
Pablo Sarmiento, which currently trains Middleweight phenom and gate-keeper Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, said: “In only the second week of working with “Mago”, Sergio and I have been pleasantly surprised to see great power combined with excellent hand speed coming from the south paw. I have now seen first-hand, a heavyweight boxer with these key attributes and I am excited to help propel his career to the next level. The boxing public will be able to see “Mago” Magomed, for themselves on October 1, 2011 on the under-card of the Sergio Martinez fight in Atlantic City, NJ.