Bellew’s Liverpool clash to be aired live on Sky Sports – tickets on sale at 9am
Matchroom Sport are delighted to announce that they have joined forces with David Coldwell and Coldwell Boxing for Tony Bellew’s British light-Heavyweight title defence against Danny McIntosh on ‘The Big Bang’ card at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday April 14, live on Sky Sports.
Tickets go on sale at 9am Thursday morning (February 2) with those priced at £30, £40, £60 and £80 available from the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 and www.coldwellboxing.com. VIP packages priced at £150 are exclusively available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com.
“I’m delighted to be working in association with David Coldwell and Coldwell Boxing to deliver another great night of boxing for Sky Sports,” said Eddie Hearn. “Tony has tremendous support in Liverpool and Danny represents a real test for him on what promises to be an electric night at the Echo Arena.”
Bellew holds a 16-1 record as a pro and scooped both the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight belts in 2010. Last year he also challenged for the WBO world light-heavyweight title challenger, dropping a close and competitive decision to champion Nathan Cleverly.
“It’s a dream come true to back on Sky Sports,” said Bellew. “April 14 is going to be a great night with a great atmosphere and I can’t wait to put on a big performance in front of my people.”
Challenger McIntosh, meanwhile, is 13-2 (7 KO) and won the English light-heavyweight title in just his eighth pro bout, and in January 2011, McIntosh shocked the world when travelling to France to knockout home hero Thierry Karl, lifting the European light-heavyweight belt in the process.
“As promoters, we strive to give the fans what they want and the fighters what they deserve, both in terms of opportunity and exposure,” said Coldwell. “This fight between Bellew and McIntosh deserves the platform and coverage Sky Sports will provide, as it is a contest everybody in the trade is looking forward to.
“I’d also like to express my own personal delight at linking up with both Eddie and Sky Sports for this particular event. Eddie and I share a similar passion for the sport and I am full of admiration for the way in which he is attempting to drive British boxing towards a brighter future.”
McKENZIE V DODSON PREVIEW
Derby based banger Ovill McKenzie begins his second reign as Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion against Liverpool’s rejuvenated domestic veteran Tony Dodson on Friday at Manchester’s Bowlers Exhibition Centre. The show, promoted by Frank Warren in association with VIP Promotions, will be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546).
Fresh from a 15 second stoppage over Jeff Evans in November to capture the Commonwealth title, McKenzie hopes this time he has more success facing a Scouser following a points loss to Tony Bellew in 2011. Suitably nicknamed ‘The Upsetter’, he’s often voiced his opinion that he’s avoided due to his reputation as a dangerous and pure power puncher with all of his 8 stoppage wins having come in the first 3 rounds.
Now as champion there are a number of fighters eager to face McKenzie and Dodson is as tough as any challenger. Aiming to start a new chapter of his career with title success, Dodson has moved to light-heavyweight from super-middleweight where he enjoyed Central Area, English and British title reigns. Under the guidance of Salford based trainer Oliver Harrison, 31-year-old Dodson boasts a wealth of experience having shared the ring with the likes of Carl Froch and Paul Smith in the past.
Both McKenzie and Dodson come from contrasting backgrounds with Dodson enjoying a brilliant amateur career with 7 national title wins and a junior Olympic gold medal before he turned pro when still a boy at aged just 18. The professional ranks have provided Dodson with many ups and downs but he’s since settled in and out of the ring which has seen his performances improve at light-heavyweight with quality performances in Prizefighter and when stopping Darren Stubbs last year.
The chiseled, Jamaica born McKenzie is part of the successful Shinfield’s gym in the Midlands. His success in the ring has often comes when he has rushed and overwhelms his opponents, causing them to leave make mistakes and gaps that he can punish with his punching power. Having sometimes thrown caution to the wind in the past, Dodson will have to call on his boxing skills to keep McKenzie at bay early on – it should be noted that Dodson has a superior knockout ratio, albeit at a lighter weight.
The undercard includes the talents of Ronnie Heffron, Warren Tansey, Terry Flannigan, Mark Evans, Courtney Fry, Jamie Brown, Rick Goddins, Chris Johnson and Gary Davies.
OFFICIAL WEIGH IN RESULTS A PUÑO LIMPIO FROM SAN SEBASTIAN, PUERTO RICO
BLUE RED
(115lbs – 6 Rounds)
KADEL MARTÍNEZ – Will weigh in later VS. MCJOE ARROYO – 114 lbs.
Miami, Florida (2-2) Fajardo, Puerto Rico (9-0, 5 KOs)
(113lbs – 6 Rounds)
SAMUEL GUTIÉRREZ – 112 lbs. VS. JONATHAN GONZÁLEZ – 113 lbs.
Coahuila de Zaragoza, México (5-9-3, 0 KOs) Caguas, Puerto Rico (7-0, 6 KOs)
(113lbs – 6 Rounds)
GILBERTO MENDOZA – Will weigh in later VS. MCWILLIAMS ARROYO – 110 lbs.
Mexicali, Baja California, México (4-1, 1 KOs) Fajardo Puerto Rico (9-1, 8 KOs)
(138lbs – 6 Rounds)
RAMESIS GIL – Will weigh in later VS. LUIS JOEL GONZÁLEZ – 138 lbs.
Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana (6-3-5, 5 KOs) Bayamón, Puerto Rico (9-0-1, 5 KOs)
(Heavyweights – 4 Rounds)
EMILIO SALAS – 212 lbs. VS. KEITH TAPIA – 202 lbs.
San Sebastián, Puerto Rico (Pro Debut) San Juan, Puerto Rico (1-0, 1 KOs )
(132lbs – 4 Rounds)
JAVIER RAMOS – 131 lbs. VS. JONATHAN TORRES – 132 lbs.
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico (3-7, 0KOs) Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (4-0, 4 KOs)
(126 lbs – 4 Rounds)
EMMANUEL JIMÉNEZ – 129 lbs. VS. HARRY PÉREZ – 128 lbs.
Aguada, Puerto Rico (Pro Debut) Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (Pro Debut)
(145lbs – 4 Rounds)
WILLIAM LORENZO – 145 lbs. VS. JESSE MONTALVO – 142 lbs.
Aguada, Puerto Rico (1-7, 0KOs) San Sebastián Puerto Rico (0-1)
(124lbs – 4 Rounds)
JOSEPH SANTOS – 121 lbs. VS. CHRISTIAN RODRÍGUEZ – 124 lbs.
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico (Pro Debut) San Sebastián, Puerto Rico (Pro Debut)
PROMOTER: PR BEST BOXING PROMOTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TOP RANK
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