London (Feb 24.) Last Saturday night promoter Mick Hennessy announced live on Channel 5 in front of millions of viewers “I’m absolutely proud and delighted to say that we have got a massive fight at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on April 14th, Tyson Fury in a long awaited fight versus Martin Rogan.”
Tyson Fury vs. Martin Rogan will be shown live on Channel 5.
Both fighters were in the ring for the announcement and when Martin Rogan was asked by Channel 5’s Mark Pougatch “How much are you looking forward to this fight in Ireland on April 14th?”
Martin Rogan responded “Very much, very long anticipated fight, respectfully Tyson’s world number 6 and I’m getting a great opportunity thanks to Mick Hennessy, Mickey Hughes and Tyson Fury, lot’s have gone on with the politics in boxing obviously with the purse offers, but some of the phrases that were used against Tyson calling him a chicken and stuff like that I find very disrespectful because any man who steps in the ring is far from a chicken, and as I said, I respect the chance that I’ve been given to step in the ring.
“I’m a great heavyweight, I’ve proved that by beating Matt Skelton, the undefeated and un-knocked out guy, I beat Audley Harrison, so I got the pedigree to do the business on the 14 April and that’s what I intend to do.”
“Why is it Martin next for you Tyson, why is it Martin Rogan?”” ask Mark Pougatch.
Tyson Fury Said; “Well we sat down and it’s been a long decision, the fight has been off and on two or three times and it was suppose to happen last year when I fought at the Kings Hall and like you said before it’s politics that got in the way of the boxing match and that’s what it’s not about. It’s about going in there given the fans a great fight and I know Martin Rogan, I’ve grew up my full career watching him so I’ve nothing but respect for the man.
“I was watching the fights when he beat Matt Skelton and Audley Harrison and I know he is coming firing with both hands to take what I’ve got away but as he said I’m number 6 in the world and I’m working my way to a world title shot and I’m hoping I’m going to get there.”
Mark Pougatch asked Tyson “So what is your prediction for the fight on the April 14 with Martin Rogan?”
Tyson Fury answered “All I can say in prediction is this is going to be a great fight, there is going to be plenty of action and Martin Rogan always comes to fight as does Tyson Fury.
“And you are going to see two true warriors in the ring come April 14, in a fighting country as well.”
Mark Pougatch then asked Martin Rogan “A prediction from your point of view?”
Big Rogie responded “I don’t make predictions, Tyson makes predictions”
He then turned to Tyson and asked “Tyson, what round am I going to knock you out in?”
Tyson jokingly responded “The first, 10 seconds”
Martin Rogan added “Listen everybody get your arse in to gear and get to Belfast and all you Belfast people come and watch a real good fight.”
Tickets for the UNFINISHED BUSINESS event at the Odyssey Arena on April 14th are priced at £155, £105, £65, £44, £33 and £27.50 and can be purchased from the Odyssey Arena Box Office on 028 9073 9074, or via Ticketmaster on 0844 277 4455 (24 hour).
Tickets can also be purchased in person from the Odyssey Arena Box Office and the usual Ticketmaster outlets.
Tickets are also available to purchased online from www.ticketmaster.ie
Please Note: Inner Circle Ringside tickets are NOT currently on sale and the £155.00 priced tickets are Floor tickets and not ringside tickets.
Go on line www.hennessysports.com for more information about the April 14 show.
Keenan Collins Turns Life Around Through Boxing
ALLENTOWN, PA (February 24, 2012) – Competition runs deep in the veins of junior middleweight boxer Keenan Collins of Reading, PA. Collins (13-7-2, 9 KO) has shown that he can compete with top-rated contenders in his two most recent fights, which were competitive losses to Gabriel Rosado and Charles Whittaker.
But Collins believes he can take his level of competition to a higher level and will be fighting for another chance at a top fighter when he faces Julio Cesar Lanzas (7-17-6, 1 KO) of Managua, Nicaragua this Saturday at the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA in the co-featured bout of King’s Promotions “Heavyweight Explosion”.
“It feels great to be back in the swing of things, doing what I love to do,” said Collins. “It was encouraging to see the level that I’m on now, being able to give good fights to these highly-regarded fighters. I know there are still a lot of tools that I haven’t used yet, and I don’t feel like I’ve fought a complete fight yet. I’m coming to fight and show the best of me on Saturday.
Despite his inconsistent career inside the ring, the 35-year-old Collins regards himself as a winner in life. That’s because, after a misspent young adult life that saw him spend several years in prison, he has turned his life around and become a productive member of society and role model to his five children.
Collins now works at the Adapt halfway house in Reading, helping men who have gone down the same road he has assimilate back into society just as he had to do.
“I can be of help to them due to the fact that I was in a halfway house myself,” said Collins. “These guys are getting out, and a lot of them don’t see themselves going anywhere. I’m a perfect example because I was in the same position and I’m doing something with my life without having to do something illegal. You don’t have to be a pro athlete to succeed, you just have to be the best you can at whatever you do. I like these guys to see me, that I’m a success, that I’ve been in the same prisons that they’ve been in and I made it in my eyes.
“I’m not Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather or making their money, but I’m a success in my way because I’m not doing the same petty stuff that I used to do.”
In the main event, heavyweight favorite William “Big Stuff” Miranda (4-4-1) of Allentown, PA will meet battle-tested Riley Brooks (1-3-1) of Baltimore, MD in a six-round battle.
Also on the card, undefeated welterweight Grayson Blake (4-0, 1 KO) of State College, PA will meet Corey Preston (1-7) from North Carolina in a four-round bout. The 29-year-old Blake was a former national amateur standout and was a member of the Pennsylvania State University boxing team.
In other action, heavyweight Eric Newell (3-1,1 KO) of Bethlehem, PA will face debuting Randy Easton, plus junior lightweight Frank Santos De Alba (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Reading, PA meets Corey White (1-3, 1 KO) from Ohio in a four-round bout.
Rounding out the card is a four-round junior welterweight clash between pro debut Joshua Reyes of Reading, PA against Osahon Omo-Osagie (0-1-1).
Tickets are priced at $65 (VIP), $50 (Ringside) and $35 (General Admission), and can be purchased at the Rodeway Inn (610-398-1629), King’s Boxing (610-587-5950) at Lehigh Valley Isshin Ryu Karate (484-554-8804) or online at eventbrite.com. Doors open at 6PM and first fight is at 7PM. For more information, visit www.kingsboxing.com
The Rodeway Inn is located at 1151 Bulldog Drive, Allentown, PA.