Internet hit out to get back into title contention tomorrow night. Usman Ahmed says the infamous video of his knockout on YouTube means he’s the biggest name in tomorrow night’s Prizefighter Super Flyweights tournament at Liverpool Olympia, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 and also in 3D.
Ahmed hit the headlines when a video of his extravagant ring walk and first round knockout defeat against Ashley Sexton became a huge hit on the internet. Over five million people have watched one version of the footage, and although Ahmed says he was upset at first, he has enjoyed the attention he’s received from the video.
“I’m probably the biggest name in this because of the video and the format is great for me, it suits me because I like to throw a lot of punches, hit and move and that will excite the fans,” said Ahmed.
“At first the YouTube thing was annoying because it was two videos edited together. The dance was from the Chris Edwards fight for the British and Commonwealth titles not from the Ashley Sexton fight, so that was a bit annoying really.
“But then I looked at it in a positive way as it’s made me famous and everyone knows who I am now.
“Hopefully I will do well tonight and show I’ve got a lot to offer, but I don’t think I really need to prove anything as I’ve earned Commonwealth, British and English title shots and they don’t just get given away.”
Ahmed joined the rest of the line-up at the official weigh-in in Liverpool on Tuesday afternoon, and says that joining up with Dominic Ingle at the famous Wincobank Gym in Sheffield has sorted out his previous weight issues.
“I used to give a lot of weight away – Edwards and Sexton were both a stone heavier than me when we fought so it was a big issue,” said Ahmed. “But now, I have been doing extra training, seeing a nutritionist and I’ve put weight on so that’s sorted now. I’ve also just moved up to Sheffield to work with the Ingles.”
British champion Lee Haskins is the bookies’ favourite for the tournament with St. Helens’ English belt holder Craig Lyon just behind him. Liverpool pair Mike Robinson and Ryan Farrag, former Commonwealth champ Don Broadhurst and unbeaten pair Nathan Reeve and Terry Broadbent complete the line-up.
Boxing commences at 7.30pm with the second Prizefighter prospect contest between local debutant Zak Smith and Michael Stupart.
A limited number of unreserved tickets for the Prizefighter Super Flyweights will be available on the door at the Liverpool Olympia from 6.30pm priced £30.
Prizefighter Super Flyweights weigh-in results
Usman Ahmed (8st 4lb 6oz)
Terry Broadbent (8st 4lb 3oz)
Don Broadhurst (8st 4lb 13oz)
Ryan Farrag (8st 4lb 6oz)
Lee Haskins (8st 4lb 15oz)
Craig Lyon (8st 4lb 15oz)
Nathan Reeve (8st 5lb)
Mike Robinson (8st 5lb)
Reserves:
Najah Ali (8st 4lb 10oz) and Martin Power (8st 4lb 5oz)
GB Amateur Boxing Championships 2011 comes to York Hall on 11 and 12 November
Tickets prices start at £1 as the best boxers from Scotland, England and Wales take-on the GB Boxing squad. The British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) has announced the GB Amateur Boxing Championships 2011 will be held at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November 2011.
The competition, which aims to identify the best male and female boxers in Great Britain, will pit the top amateurs selected by the Amateur Boxing Associations (ABAs) of Scotland, England and Wales against members of GB Boxing’s Podium Squad.
It provides an opportunity for boxers on the fringes of the Olympic set-up to secure the opportunity to join the GB Boxing squad as a funded athlete for an assessment period if they win the competition.
The Championships will cover the 10 men’s and three women’s Olympic weight categories. (Entries permitting) there will be two semi-finals in each category on the Friday. The finals of all 13 categories will be held on Saturday afternoon.
Tickets for the event go on sale on at 9.00am on Thursday 13 October 2011 through Ticketmaster and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0844 847 2500.
Tickets for Saturday’s finals are priced at: £5, £15, £20 and £25 (ringside). Doors open at 11.30am and boxing will begin at 12.30pm. Tickets for the semi-finals on Friday are priced at: £1, £3, £5 and £10 (ringside). Doors open at 1.30pm. There is only limited availability for what is expected to be a busy event and tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis.
Purchasers using the Ticketmaster website should either type in the name of the event or venue or use the genre (sport) and categories (boxing) section. Each transaction will be subject to a booking fee to cover postage and printing.
GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken said: “This will be a high quality competition that will provide a real test for the existing GB boxers and create an opportunity for those outside of the squad to force their way into the Olympic set-up.”
UK News submission; Johnny Garton Professional Debut
On Friday 21st October 2011 Peckham boxer Johnny Garton will be making his professional debut at the home of British Boxing, the York Hall in Bethnal Green.
As a professional Johnny is coached by Alan Smith and managed by Dean Powell having signed promotional terms with Queensberry Promotions, the company of Frank Warren’s sons George and Francis.
The exciting Welterweight will take to the ring on the undercard of Rob Norton’s British Cruiserweight Title defence against Leon Williams live on new boxing channel BoxNation (Sky 456).
Johnny started boxing at the age of 16 at the famous Lynn Boxing Club in Camberwell before moving with Coach Terry Palmer to the Double Jab Boxing Club in Forest Hill. As an amateur he won two London Novice ABA titles and two South East Divisional ABA Titles.
When asked about his upcoming debut Johnny said:
“I cannot wait to get in the ring, I have had a few months with Alan Smith making the change from the Amateur game which has gone well and I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I’ve always had a style suited to the pro’s so it should suit me better.”
“A lot of people have said I have an exciting style and they like watching me fight so hopefully that carries over.”
On his preparation for the fight:
“Preparations for my debut have been great, I have been sparring Welterweight Bradley Skeete and former British Light Middleweight champion Sam Webb. We have had quite a few weeks to prepare which I have never had before so hopefully it will bring out the best in me.”
On fighting at the York Hall:
“I boxed there as an amateur quite a few times and I have watched a lot of professional shows there, the atmosphere is always brilliant, it’s the perfect place for me to make my debut. Hopefully being a London boy I’ll get the home support.”
On being called ‘The Pexican’:
“(Laughing) that’s a nickname I think I need to earn in the ring; a few of the lads came to watch me fight as an amateur and started saying I fight like a Mexican. Being from Peckham they started calling me ‘The Pexican’. I did an interview with Boxing News just after the ABA’s and they picked it up off my Facebook, after that it just stuck. Hopefully with a few exciting performances I can do the Mexican connection justice.”
On his professional ambitions:
“I just want to see how far I can go, at this stage I’m just focussed on learning my trade and settling in as a pro. I’d love to win the British Title outright. It’s a lovely belt. At the minute I’d take winning one of them for keeps over a world title.”
Tickets are £40 unreserved or £60 ringside and available from Johnny by calling 07415 990 590 or emailing Tickets@JohnnyGarton.com.
To keep up to date with Johnny’s preparation and fight news follow him on twitter @Johnny_Garton.