Chavez-Manfredo this Saturday on BoxNation; Conquest-Owoh on Friday

BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456) will televise LIVE this Saturday’s big WBC World Middleweight title showdown between Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. against Peter Manfredo, Jr.
They clash at the Reliant Arena in Houston, USA, with Chavez making the first defence of his title against top-five contender Manfredo.

Chavez Jr, who’s father is the legendary six time world champion and one of the most popular fighters in history, is unbeaten in 43 fights in just over eight years as a pro.

He won the title in his last fight against Sebastian Zbik in June with a points win.

“It was always my dream to win a world championship and I accomplished that in my last fight when I beat Zbik. Now I want to be more than just a world champion. I want to be a world champion for the rest of my career,” said Chávez, Jr.

Manfredo said, “I am very excited about getting the opportunity to fight Chávez. He is a world champion and I followed his father growing up, so this fight is very special to me,” said Manfredo “I have a lot of respect for him as he is the world champion. This is a great opportunity for me and also great opportunity for the fans as this is going to be a great fight. I am going to be prepared 100% to win and bring this belt home to Rhode Island. Winning this fight for me is everything. If I lose this fight I am done with boxing. I see this as my last opportunity, and I don’t plan on letting it pass me by. I know I am in for a tough fight but it’s a winnable fight and I am very confident I will do just that.”

Tony Conquest vs. Toks Owoh on Friday

This coming Friday Romford’s hot Cruiserweight prospect Tony ‘Conqueror’ Conquest gets his first shot at a Championship title, when he faces Chalk Farm’s former World ranked star Toks Owoh for the vacant BBBofC Southern Area Cruiserweight title, at Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions event at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday, 18th November – which will also broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform channel 456).

The outcome of Friday’s showdown between Conquest and Owoh is very much of interest to new British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, not just because it’s for the belt he vacated just a few weeks ago – in order to challenge, and beat, long time champ Rob Norton for his coveted Lonsdale belt – but because whoever wins this intriguing battle, between a wily old fox and the new kid on the block, will be his next opponent early in 2012.

Following a training session at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, a relaxed Williams said, “I see Tony Conquest beating Toks comfortably, he’s got good movement, good footwork and good work rate, Toks wont be able to get near him.

Tony’s a young man, twelve years younger than Toks, and he’s on the way up.

The same can’t be said for Toks, he’s thirty nine years old and really doesn’t have anywhere to go.

Don’t get me wrong, he was a world class fighter in his day, at Super Middle, but just hasn’t shined as a Cruiser, he’s a shadow of that guy who earned a World title shot at the turn of this century.

Tony’s unbeaten in seven and is determined to make his mark as a pro. He’ll be well prepared for anything Toks can bring on the night.

Basically, I’m sure it will be Tony that’ll win and will be fighting me in January. That’ll be a great fight for the fans.

Tony’s a good friend of mine but it’s a fight, it’s business and I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do and he’s got to do what he’s got to do.

Hopefully we’ll keep our friendship afterwards, but during the fight it’s a fight, nuff said.”

Tony Conquest versus Toks Owoh for the vacant BBBofC Southern Area Cruiserweight title features on Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry promotion event, headlined by Enzo Maccarinelli versus Gyorgy Marosi, which takes place at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456), on Friday the 18th November 2011.

Tickets, priced £60 (Ringside) and £40 (Standard Seated), are available now on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA

Quality boxing action in WSB curtain raiser weekend

Lausanne, Switzerland, 15 November 2011 – The much anticipated World Series of Boxing (WSB) second season began in style this weekend. Five matches over three days with fifteen high end bouts to savour. The two new teams made their mark in the competition, introducing some promising boxers to the ring. Some old scores were settled. The action did not disappoint.

Full results and rankings www.worldseriesboxing.com/results/season-2011-2012/team-ranking/team-ranking.aspx

Schedule www.worldseriesboxing.com/schedule/season-2011-2012/full-schedule.aspx

Relive all the matches on www.worldseriesboxingtv.com

The match of the week

In the weekend’s grudge match between last year’s semi-finalists, Los Angeles Matadors set the record straight against the Astana Arlans as they avenged their previous defeat by triumphing 3-2. Captain Rau’shee Warren closed proceedings with a win for the Matadors. The Arlans went 2-0 up but LA Fought back and it was then all to play for in the final fight of the evening as Warren made his mark. It was also redemption time for Javier Torres who overcame the challenge of Kazak newcomer Doszhan Ospanov to win his Heavyweight contest, ensuring a perfect the night for the spectators at the packed Music Box in the heart of Hollywood.

One to watch

It was the Leipzig Leopards’ fledgling German prospect Artur Bril, the current AIBA Youth World Champion and Youth Olympic gold medallist, who really stood out this weekend. The youngster seamlessly transitioning from youth amateur boxing to the ranks of seasoned professional. Overall the debutant Leipzig Franchise will be very pleased with its night’s work, a resounding 4-1 win over an accomplished Mexico City Guerreros team. Group B now promises to be anything but straightforward.

Sensation of the week

The Baku Fires have been training hard and the experience of having scouted the best boxers around at the AIBA World Boxing Championships helped them immensely in their preparations. Quiet optimism could be found in the camp in the build-up to the WSB season and this was translated into a thunderous first victory in the ring against the Wuxi Dragons. Four Azeris and one Tajik inflicted a humiliating defeat on the visiting team from China, ensuring a five star show for the crowds as the Baku Fires triumphed 5-0 in Group B.

Comeback of the week

Reigning champions Paris United looked like they would start their campaign with a defeat, however after falling 0-2 behind their fighters rallied to overturn the deficit and record a 3-2 win against Istanbul Bosphorus. Croatian Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic sending the crowds at the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin into raptures after stopping his opponent in the third round of the final fight of the evening’s proceedings. Next up for the French team, a visit to Foro Polanco to face the Mexico City Guerreros.

Newcomer watch

The Mumbai Fighters put on a real welcome show for their big entrance in the competition. Huge crowds were present in Pune to support the Indian Franchise. The odds were stacked against them in this season opener as they faced the Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder. The fans were treated to some exceptional boxing throughout but unfortunately it was the visiting team who made the difference in the final fight with WSB Individual World Champion Clemente Russo overpowering Krishan Kumar to inflict a narrow 3-2 defeat on the newcomers. The Mumbai Fighters will have taken great heart from their performance and will look forward to their next match in Group A as they travel to Perm to face Dynamo Moscow.