TORONTO (November 22, 2011) – One of Ontario’s best amateur boxers, undefeated featherweight prospect Tyler Asselstine, steps-up in class December 10 for his first scheduled eight-round bout against Frenchman Philippe Frenois at Bell Centre in Montreal.
In his last action this past June in Ireland, Frenois (14-4-1) went the full 12-rounds, albeit in a losing effort, against undefeated Patrick Hyland for the World Boxing Federation featherweight title. The French boxer has never been stopped.
Asselstine’s amateur pedigree includes being a member of the 2009 Canadian National Team, representing his country in numerous International matches, as well as being the 2010 Ringside World Championships gold medalist. Since completing a standout amateur career (70-10), the 25-year-old Asselstine (7-0, 5 KOs) from Kingston, Ontario has taken to the professional ranks by storm. The gifted southpaw, who started boxing at 18 after being a kick-boxer, has been a pro prizefighter for only 13 months but he has already had seven fights.
In some ways, Tyler is a smaller, younger version of his boxing idol, IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, sort of a “Bute-light.” Asselstine’s promoter, Hennessy Sports, believes Tyler has what it takes to be the next great Canadian boxer.
“He’s only 25 and we think, to say the least, Tyler has a very, very bright boxing future,” his promoter Adam Harris (Hennessy Sports) said. “He has been totally dominant in his first seven pro fights. We’re keeping him as busy as possible because all he really lacks at this stage of his young professional career is ring experience.”
Asselstine-Frenois is on a GYM Promotions card headed by Adonis Stevenson vs. Aaron Pryor, Jr. for the NABA/NABO super middleweight titles and a WBC International middleweight championship bout between David Lemieux and Joachine Alcine.
Other members of Hennessy Sports’ growing stables of champions, contenders and prospects include undefeated Commonwealth and British heavyweight champion, WBC # 11 Tyson Fury; WBC #15 light heavyweight contender Danny “The Big Mac” McIntosh, former Commonwealth welterweight champion John O’Donnell, former British light welterweight title-holder “Lightning” Lenny Daws, former WBC light welterweight king Junior “The Hitter” Witter, WBC International Silver welterweight champ Victor Lupo; unbeaten prospects such as NABA super featherweight champion and WBA #9 Logan Cotton McGuinness, light heavyweight Lionell “Lonnie B” Thompson, super bantamweight Kid Galahad, newly-signed middleweight sensation Chris Eubank, Jr., and welterweight Samuel Vargas.
Go on line at www.HennessySports.com for more information about Asselstine, upcoming Hennessy Sports events or any of his stable-mates.
Stephen Simmons in action on Friday
Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Stephen Simmons has been inspired by close friend and stablemate Ricky Burns ahead of fight this Friday night.
Edinburgh’s Simmon’s, Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist in Delhi last year, has his third pro fight on November 25th at the Ravenscraig Sport Centre in Motherwell.
He features on the undercard of Anthony Crolla’s British Lightweight title defence against Willie Limond, live on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456).
Scottish hero Burns beat Michael Katsidis earlier this month to claim the Interim WBO World Lightweight title – his second world title – and that is a feat Simmons would like to achieve one day.
“Ricky trains like a warrior in the gym,” he said. “He then takes that into the ring and what a performance it was against Katsidis. Ricky is a real inspiration, I would be happy to win one world title let alone two.
“It’s a real buzz having him in the gym and training beside him, he’s just like one of the boys, he doesn’t act like a world champion, he just acts like one of the boys and is a great guy to be around.”
With a one hundred percent record after his first two bouts against Nick Okoth and Hari Miles, the 27-year-old from Edinburgh is already setting his sights on the British cruiserweight title.
“Hopefully everything goes to plan on Friday night,” he continued. “I could see myself having another fight in December, get on a card somewhere if they can squeeze me in.
“I don’t think I’ll be far away from fighting for the British title after watching the fight between Leon Williams and Rob Norton a couple of weeks ago.”
Anthony Crolla v Willie Limond for the British Lightweight Championship headlines the card; Kris Carslaw v Matthew Hall feature as chief-support in an Eliminator for the British Light-Middleweight Championship; Edinburgh prospects Stephen Simmons, John Thain and Gary McMillan, Glasgow talents Michael Roberts and Jonathan Slowey, plus Caldercruix’s David Brophy complete the card.
Ben Murphy defends his Southern Area Lightweight Title against the undefeated Tony Owen
British Eurosport will broadcast LIVE coverage of the fight which takes place on Friday 25th November from 8pm.
Murphy will go into the fight as favourite having boxed at a higher level, however may be rusty having not boxed competitively for a year. Despite this, Murphy will still be fit and will approach the fight in his usual ferocious manner, happy to steam into opponents and trade punches. The bout also holds added importance for the Hove fighter with a top-10 ranking at stake.
Owen has kept himself more active and will be fresh and confident. The bout will be a step-up for the bricklayer from Carshalton, however will be hoping his southpaw stance and six and-a-quarter inch height advantage will act in his favour.
Mickey Helliet the promoter of the fight, also manages both boxers has said himself it looks to be a 50-50 and could go either way. The winner of the fight is then likely to find themselves challenging for the British belt currently held by Anthony Crolla.
British Eurosport will broadcast LIVE coverage as well as action from the undercard fights.
Friday 25 November
2000-2200 LIVE coverage on British Eurosport
British Eurosport is available on Sky (Channel 410) and Virgin Media (Channel 521).
Eurosport channels also available online via Eurosport Player: www.eurosportplayer.co.uk
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