Kell Brook will make his first appearance of 2012 at the Sheffield Arena on March 17.
The unbeaten Welterweight star is back from his successful debut in America and promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to secure Brook to sign for another hometown show against an opponent to be named at a press conference next week.
The 25 year-old blasted Luis Galarza away in five rounds in Atlantic City on December 17 to extend his unbeaten pro record to 26 fights. Brook will fight in the Steel City for the third time in ten months and the WBA Inter Continental champion is looking forward to the biggest show of his career so far.
“America was a great experience and a valuable one for the future, but I’m delighted to be headlining a massive show in Sheffield,” said Brook. “This is a huge night for me – the biggest show to come to Sheffield in many years and I’m ready to put in a devastating performance against a tough opponent.”
Hearn added: “Kell was a big hit in America – he performed well, charmed the fans and pundits and learnt so much in the process. Now it’s time to kick on in 2012 and when we first sat down the plan was always to aim for a big showcase fight at Sheffield Arena as soon as possible. March 17 is a massive fight for Kell Brook and for British boxing and fans can also expect a top undercard with Matchroom’s talent on display.”
Williams Unfazed By Late Change, Says He’ll Crush McPhilbin On Jan 13th
British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams is in bullish mood, following the news that he will now defend his coveted Lonsdale Belt against Bulwell, Nottinghamshire’s Shane McPhilbin on the 13th January at York Hall.
Just before Christmas William’s original opponent, Tony Conquest, was forced to withdraw due to illness, which opened the door for Midlands Area Champ McPhilbin to step up to the plate for a crack at the big one.
Speaking earlier today Williams clearly had long time friend Conquest ‘s plight in mind, as he said “First and foremost I hope Tony gets better soon, I was really looking forward to us fighting each other again, as I’m sure he was.” Before adding, “I’m sure he’ll get his chance again.”
The Streatham based Champion then changed tack and spoke briefly about his preparations, “I’m a hundred and ten percent ready for the 13th, it doesn’t matter to me who they put in front of me, Johnny (Eames) and Barry (Smith) have been pushing me, working me hard and honing my skills for any eventuality.
Had some great sparring over Christmas with Mitchell (Balker), Menay (Edwards) and my new gym mate Paul David (English Super Middleweight Champion).
Paul’s my new main sparring partner. He’s very awkward, very cagey. It would have been great to have had him here when I was preparing for Rob Norton.
As I said here at the TRAD TKO I have a great team around me, got plenty of great sparring partners and it’s all good, it’s almost perfect and the guy that’s fighting me now is gonna get crushed.
I know nothing about him, as far as I’m concerned he’s just an opponent for me to beat up, I’m the Champion and I’m gonna stay the Champion, I’m gonna look so good on TV as I beat him up, yeaaah.”
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Shane McPhilbin, for the British Cruiserweight title, headlines Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions first event of the New Year, which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 13th January 2012 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546)
Tickets, Standard Seated – £40 and Ringside SOLD OUT for Williams vs. McPhilbin are available now on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com. Tickets are also available direct from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO BOXERS TO WATCH IN 2012
January 3, 2012 – INDIO, CA – Fantasy Springs Resort Casino could very well be a lucky stop for fighters looking to make their mark in the boxing world. As the resort gears up for its first boxing match-up of the New Year, ESPN Online has compiled its annual list of the top 25 prospects to watch out for in 2012. Three of those fighters displayed their talents at Fantasy Springs Live Boxing events last year.
Crowd pleaser, Randy Caballero is on that list. The 21-year old Coachella Valley native, gained a hefty local fan base from his TV time on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo”. He is the World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Champion and is undefeated in the Featherweight division.
Also included on the ESPN Super 25 list, are Heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Seth Mitchell, who both made a stop at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino last year.
Another Golden Boy fighter to watch this time around is Rosendo Alvarez, an influential promoter and manager in his native Nicaragua. The 41-year-old boxer has trained with the Caballero camp at the Coachella Valley Boxing Club since July. Marcos Caballero says, when Alvarez first arrived he weighed in at 190 pounds and today he’s at 119 pounds. “He’s a fighter with a lot of heart and a legend already,” says Caballero.
You won’t want to miss the Weigh-in – January 5th, 1pm in LIT Lounge
or the Showtime televised Live Boxing match-ups – January 6th, 6:30 in the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center.