Gary returns to scene of devastating Smith KO in Welsh derby

Gary Buckland says a move up to Lightweight will bring the best out of him as he faces Gavin Rees in a British title eliminator on Saturday night (February 1) at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, live on Sky Sports.

Buckland is back in action for the first time since August when he had the chance to win the Lonsdale belt outright in his British Super Featherweight title defence against Stephen Smith at the same venue. Smith stunned Buckland by uncorking a devilish uppercut to end their contest in the fifth round and the Welshman is honest in his assessment of that defeat whilst insisting he’ll be a major force up at Lightweight.

“I don’t want to make excuses about the Stephen Smith fight, I lost fair and square,” said Buckland. “The only thing I can put it down to was other things going on in my life during my training camp. I was distracted big time and that showed in the fight.

“A win over Gavin would get be back to British title level. I thought I would be on some small hall shows, which I would struggle to get up for. So when I was offered Gavin Rees I thought ‘what a fight to get me back up’. If I beat Gavin I will be back in with a shot at a big title.

“At Lightweight I will be a bit stronger but I am happy to box at either weight, whatever my options. After Saturday’s fight we will sit down and look at the options but I’ll be a different beast at the higher weight.

“A fighter doesn’t know what he has left until he’s in there again. I know I made mistakes before Smith, I know there were things on my mind, for this fight I’ve worked very hard for five weeks and done everything right this time.

“In all my defeats I’ve come back stronger than ever and I’m hoping this will be the same starting with the Rees fight.”

Rees too endured a disappointing 2013, with a World title challenge defeat against Adrien Broner in February followed by a slender loss to Anthony Crolla in Bolton in July. The 33 year old still harbours strong ambitions to become a two-weight World champion with some big domestic battles on the horizon, and although Rees admitted that defeat on Saturday could spell the end of his career Buckland is expecting a hard battle with his fellow countryman.

“This will be a really tough fight,” said Buckland. “Gavin Rees is one of the strongest opponents I have ever faced. I wouldn’t say the strongest but certainly one of – he is up there with Gary Sykes, Stephen Smith, so I will need to be careful.

“You have to be careful whichever boxer you get in with and when I was offered Gavin Rees it was the sort of fight I can easily get up for.

“I am expecting the best of Gavin Rees. Everybody wants to see a toe-to-toe war between me and him but I expect he will box well as well. The two of us can do a bit of boxing and I think that is going to happen.

“I think the Crolla fight was one Gavin probably thought he was winning but I certainly didn’t think so – I thought Crolla was a couple of rounds up.

“When you look at it you question does he need to carry on – he is a former World, European, British champion, he has won everything. But he seems to keep doing well and carrying on so you have to give him great credit for that.”

Rees’ mouth-watering clash with Buckland is part of a great line-up of action in Matchroom Sport’s first boxing show of 2014.

Lee Selby is aiming to add the vacant European Featherweight title to the British belt he defends against former World Super Bantamweight challenger Rendall Munroe.

Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks against Aberdare’s Dorian Darch, Jason Cook meets Tony Pace for the Welsh Area Light Welterweight title, and Prizefighter Light Welterweight champion Chris Jenkins faces Christopher Sebire for the vacant WBC International title.

Former European Middleweight champion Kerry Hope is in action and Islington’s former British Light Middleweight title challenger Erick Ochieng faces a tough test in his first fight down at Welterweight against Dale Evans.

Swansea’s talented Super Middleweight Tobias Webb tackles Nathan King in a six-round contest, with Bristol’s unbeaten Welterweight Tamuka Mucha in his seventh pro fight.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, or from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.

VIP Packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.

Unbeaten Welshman faces Sebire for vacant belt on Saturday

Chris Jenkins will meet Frenchman Christopher Sebire for the vacant WBC International Light Welterweight at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Saturday live on Sky Sports – hunting the breakthrough title win to take him to the big stage.

Jenkins burst onto the scene in July with his impressive win in the Prizefighter Light Welterweights III at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, coming in as a late replacement to win every round he boxed in, with the icing on the cake a second round stoppage of Danny Connor in the final.

The unbeaten 25 year old has moved seamlessly to 12-0 and now he’s ready to step-up to title level, and claiming the WBC International crown against the former French champion (22-6) could be the first step on the path to British title glory.

“This is a huge opportunity to really make waves in the Light Welterweight division,” said Jenkins. “I would love to get a crack at the British title this year and victory on Saturday would see me make an impression in the WBC rankings too.

“This is a great opportunity tonight against a classy international fighter and I want to really put on a show. I’m am hoping to get the win and then get more rounds in the bag to make sure I am fit enough in case I get a chance for the British title later in the year.

“In the top 15-20 in Britain you’ve got some really good boys. Within that top ten you’ve got Willie Limond, the likes of Lenny Daws and Adil Anwar, and they’ve all had fifteen-plus fights. Anyone that gets a chance there could be an upset, the title could be changing hands every other couple of months.

“I had an awesome 2013 really. I’m number seven in Britain now and I’m just looking forward to this year and hopefully it’s a big one for me and my team.

British champion Darren Hamilton defends his title against Curtis Woodhouse in Hull on February 22. Hamilton will claim the Lord Lonsdale belt outright if he wins and Jenkins hopes to meet the Londoner later this year.

“Saturday is a step up and I’d like a British title eliminator in April or May for a British title fight in September,” said Jenkins. “I believe I’ll be ready for it then, even if Darren Hamilton does what he does well.

“He has a good jab and right hand, is quite tight and is a come-forward fighter who will put you under pressure for 12 rounds. I’ve got respect for him so it’s not a case of calling him out, but in the next two to three fights I think it would be a good match up.”

Jenkins clash with Sebire is part of a great line-up of action in Cardiff, led by Lee Selby’s British Featherweight title clash with Rendall Munroe, where the victor will also claim the vacant European strap.

There’s a tasty all-Welsh British Lightweight title eliminator between Gavin Rees and Gary Buckland, Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks against Aberdare’s Dorian Darch and Jason Cook brings down the curtain on his career against Tony Pace with the Welsh Area Light Welterweight title on the line.

Former European Middleweight champion Kerry Hope is in action and Islington’s former British Light Middleweight title challenger Erick Ochieng faces a tough test in his first fight down at Welterweight against Dale Evans.

Swansea’s talented Super Middleweight Tobias Webb tackles Nathan King in a six-round contest, with Bristol’s unbeaten Welterweight Tamuka Mucha in his seventh pro fight.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, or from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.

VIP Packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.

Rendall aiming to stun Lee Selby in Cardiff

Rendall Munroe bids to become a two-weight European champion when he faces Lee Selby for the vacant Featherweight crown at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Saturday live on Sky Sports, and says he still has designs on World title glory.

Munroe hung the gloves up after defeat against Scott Quigg in their clash for the interim WBA Super Bantamweight title in November 2012. The Leicester man stayed away from the fight game for just four months though and was back in action in his hometown in May with a first round win.

The former WBC World title challenger added ten and six round points wins to his belt before the end of the year and now takes on the hotly-tipped star Selby.

“I don’t think I ever stopped being at my best,” said Munroe. “The issue for me was my weight, that was the thing letting me down – trying to make the weight all of the time. Sometimes it takes a bit of relaxation time to realise, and as my manager said to me recently, the best thing that happened was me retiring, getting my head clear and deciding what I wanted to do.

“I have shown the calibre of boxer I am and what type of character I am. I have said for a long time that I should have more than just the one World title shot that I had. There are others out there who get a few chances but I had one chance and everything went pair shaped for me after that.

“This is a step towards another World title fight. After I win this fight I will be a two-weight European champion. The talk at the minute is that Selby is ready to challenge for a World title, so after I beat him does that not say that I will be ready for a shot at the World title?

“If they are saying he is good enough to fight for a World title this year, and I go out there and beat him, then that is saying that I would be good enough. I had six European fights at Super Bantamweight and this is number seven for me. I don’t know what will happen on Saturday, if I will have a few defences of the European or get a World title shot straight away.

Selby has enjoyed a sparkling run of form since his stunning win over Stephen Smith to rip the British and Commonwealth titles from the Liverpool man on his home patch in December 2011. Impressive defences of one or both belts against John Simpson, Patrick Okine, Martin Lindsay and Corey McConnell were followed by a mature performance against unbeaten and well-ranked Romanian Viorel Simion for the WBC International crown.

A win over Ryan Walsh in November saw Selby claim the Lonsdale belt for keeps, but Munroe says he’s the first World class fighter the Welshman has faced.

“Selby is coming to win, and I am coming to win so this is his step to the next chapter that he wants,” said Munroe. “He will come very prepared and really up for it.

“He’s got nothing that worries me, nothing. I’m World class and I think I’ve proved that. As for him being bigger, I’ve been sparring bigger lads since day one. I always have to get sparring partners who are bigger than me anyway because I’m a strong lad at the weight myself.

“I’m not getting any younger but I’m good enough, strong enough and I’ve proved I belong at that elite level. This is my chance to show Rendall Munroe has gone up a weight and to still show I’m World class. By beating Lee Selby I’ll be European champion which will get me fights and put me back in the frame to fulfil my dream of becoming World champion.

“I didn’t think a shot at the European would come so soon after the comeback but when you get those opportunities you have to make use of them. I was English champion when I fought for the European title at Super Bantamweight. I took that opportunity and that made me into who I was. Now, I have a vast of experience behind me and I have the opportunity to do it all again. I’m still seeing the lights; I want the lights and I want the belts.”

Munroe’s clash with Selby tops a brilliant night of action in Cardiff, with a tasty all-Welsh British Lightweight title eliminator between Gavin Rees and Gary Buckland one of many highlights.

Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks against Aberdare’s Dorian Darch while Jason Cook meets Tony Pace for the Welsh Area Light Welterweight title.

Prizefighter Light Welterweight champion Chris Jenkins is in action as is former European Middleweight champion Kerry Hope, and Islington’s former British Light Middleweight title challenger Erick Ochieng faces a tough test in his first fight down at Welterweight against Dale Evans.

Swansea’s talented Super Middleweight Tobias Webb tackles Nathan King in a six-round contest, with Bristol’s unbeaten Welterweight Tamuka Mucha in his seventh pro fight.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, or from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.

VIP Packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.

With Seven straight wins from Seven fights, Aberdeen's Matthew McAllister returns to action for the first time since his win over Scottish Title challenger Billy Campbell in November last year.


Taking part in a stacked twelve fight card at Ravenscraig Sports Facility, McAllister takes on former International Masters Welterweight Champion William Warburton in a Six round contest on Prospect Boxing's “Lock, Stock and Twelve Smoking Fights” which also features Rhys Pagan competing for his first professional and WBO European Title Champion Iain Butcher returning to action.


With a excellent start to his career in the paid ranks, McAllister is enjoying his boxing, with his main highlight so far fighting on the undercard of his brother Lee's European title shot “I have really taken to the pro game and enjoy the training side of it. The highlight of my seven fights, is fighting on the undercard of my brother's (Lee McAllister) European title fight February 2012. I was boxing in front of Three thousand people in my home town and it was on Sky Sports so that was a good experience for me.


With all the success in the ring, the Welterweight picked up an injury last year, which lead to him being out for most of 2013 “I hurt my knee in training. I went to get it looked at and it was my crucite ligament I ruptured. This lead to me being out for Six months while I recovered from it. I had to do a lot of strength work on my legs to get myself back in shape, it was horrible not managing to train.


Returning to action in November, the 25 year old changed trainers to former Ricky Hatton trainer Bob Shannon “When I came back after the injury, I contacted Bob about coaching me. I moved down for my training camp and it went really well, as we both clicked and I feel we made a good team. I will definitely be working with him in the future.


He adds “My plan for this year is to Stay unbeaten and win the Scottish title, then I will be looking to push for a British or Commonwealth title shot next year. I last fought in November last year, and by the time 'Lock Stock' show comes it will be nearly three months, I cant wait to get back into the ring and impress the fans on February 28th.


"Lock Stock and Twelve Smoking Fights" takes place at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility on Friday February 28th 2014.


Headlined by Rhys Pagan, the show will also see the professional début of JP McGuinness, Ryan Love and Shayan Rahmat. Returning to action is Iain Butcher, Scott Edgar, George Thomson and Billy Campbell. George Thomson, David Drummond, Michael McGurk and Matthew McAllister also feature on the card, while the line up is completed by former Commonwealth title challenger Mitch Prince completes the line up.


Tickets are priced at £30 and £50 and available from the fighters directly or by calling 01224 632218 or 01698 338 888 where Credit/ Debit Cards are accepted. Further details on @ProspectBoxing on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/ProspectBoxing 

Welshman fears defeat would spell the end of the road

Gavin Rees says that defeat against Gary Buckland at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Saturday (February 1) would spell the end of his career.

The former WBA World Light Welterweight champion was stopped by Adrien Broner in Atlantic City for ‘The Problem’s’ WBC Lightweight crown in February and followed that with a slender defeat to Anthony Crolla in Bolton in June.

The 33 year old now tackles his fellow Welshman in an eliminator for the British title live on Sky Sports, but there’s more than just a shot at the title on the line for ‘The Rock’.

“If I lose to Gary I think that would be the end of the road for my career,” said Rees. “It’s all on the line for me, if I lose its curtains.

“2013 was the worst of my career. Two fights, two losses and some injuries, things can only get better this year. I want to start off with a good win against Gary, who is a really talented fighter that likes to come forward just like I do, so it promises to be a really good fight for the fans. We've sparred lots of rounds and if that's anything to go on, it'll be a great fight.

“I've been on the road for the last few years so it's great to be back in Wales and on a big show. I love fighting, I've been doing it for 20 years and with a good win on February 1, I think I'll be right back in the mix with some of the great boxers in the Lightweight division in Britain.”

Rees’ mouth-watering clash with Buckland is part of a great line-up of action in Matchroom Sport’s first boxing show of 2014.

Lee Selby is aiming to add the vacant European Featherweight title to the British belt he defends against former World Super Bantamweight challenger Rendall Munroe.

Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks against Aberdare’s Dorian Darch while Jason Cook meets Tony Pace for the Welsh Area Light Welterweight title.

Prizefighter Light Welterweight champion Chris Jenkins is in action as is former European Middleweight champion Kerry Hope, and Islington’s former British Light Middleweight title challenger Erick Ochieng faces a tough test in his first fight down at Welterweight against Dale Evans.

Swansea’s talented Super Middleweight Tobias Webb tackles Nathan King in a six-round contest, with Bristol’s unbeaten Welterweight Tamuka Mucha in his seventh pro fight.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, or from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.

VIP Packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.

“There has been plenty of speculation over the last few weeks regarding my future. As it stands we are looking closely at two options George Groves and Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr. Yesterday, we made a seven figure offer to George Groves for a second fight that would have seen him earn around double that of the first. Disappointingly, George rejected this offer so we are continuing our talks with Top Rank and HBO regarding Chavez Jnr. I understand the demand for the Groves fight in the UK, but also the demand in the US for the Chavez fight. Talks are ongoing and no doubt some further news will break soon. I’m happy to fight anyone, as I have done throughout my entire career.”

Olympic star meets experienced Norfolk man while Coyle defends against Argentine

Hull stars Luke Campbell MBE and Tommy Coyle face tough tests in their opening bouts of 2014 at the Hull Ice Arena on February 22, live on Sky Sports.

Campbell faces Southern Area Super Featherweight title challenger Scott Moises in his fifth pro contest, with the 26 year old from Norwich boxing in his 18thbout in the paid ranks.

Coyle defends his IBF International Lightweight title against Argentine Daniel Brizuela in the same venue he claimed the vacant belt with a seventh round stoppage win over John Simpson in November. The former IBF Latino champion Brizuela brings an impressive 30 fight record to north Yorkshire with 25 wins on his CV, and the 28 year old will be gunning for Coyle’s title to boost his chances of landing a major title shot.

“It’s great to put Luke and Tommy in with two tough competitors in their first taste of action this year,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Scott has 81 professional rounds in the bank and will provide a stiff examination of where Luke is at. Tommy has the potential to have a great year but Daniel travels from South America with plans of his own and it’s important for Tommy that he deals with Daniel in style to land some big fights in the ultra-competitive Lightweight division.”

Sparks have flown on Twitter between British Light Welterweight champion Darren Hamilton and challenger Curtis Woodhouse ahead of their clash for Hamilton’s belt, with the champ able to claim the Lord Lonsdale belt for keeps is he can defeat the Driffield man. Unbeaten pair Gavin McDonnell and Leigh Wood in the second British title clash on the bill as they tussle for the vacant Super Bantamweight strap.

Young Hull talents Zak Collins and Joel Haigh continue their pro journeys on the bill, Charlie Payton makes his professional debut while experienced Liverpool Super Middleweight Tony Dodson appears on the card with an eye on a major bout in Liverpool on March 15.

Tickets are on sale now priced £30, £40, £60 and £120 for VIPs and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com

After confirming their first card of the year, Prospect Boxing are pleased to confirm that Light Middleweight Rhys Pagan will be competing for his first professional title on the February 28th show.

 

With a near perfect 7-1 record, Sanquhar based Pagan takes on tough Bulgarian Valentin Stoychev for the International Masters Light Middleweight Bronze title, in a Eight round contest.

 

With his first shot at a title since turning professional 2012, Pagan had a mixed year in 2013, picking up three wins and his first loss to the unbeaten Robert Dixon however promoter Paul Graham feels that the loss benefit the fighter in the long run.

 

“The loss to Dixon was a close one and it came after a good win over another undefeated fighter in Sam Omidi, so It didn’t raise too much concern for me or his Team. After the fight we sat down and looked at what improvements could have been made, and in his next fight with Chris Jenkinson I could see he had worked on what had been discussed.

 

He added “Rhys is a model professional, and I only wish I could install his values in all my fighters! He trains everyday and just wants to fight as regularly as he can and I do believe we haven’t seen the best of him yet.

 

“He has been with me for a few years now and I am not just seeing progress in him, but I am seeing clear progress every time he steps through the ropes, and you have to remember he’s only 20 years old – so still has a lot of time on his side.

 "Lock Stock and Twelve Smoking Fights" which takes place at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility on Friday February 28th 2014.

 Headlined by Rhys Pagan, the show will also see the professional débuts of Lee Gallagher, Shaun McShane, JP McGuinness, Ryan Love and Shayan Rahmat. Returning to action is Iain Butcher, Scott Edgar, George Thomson and Billy Campbell.

 David Drummond, Michael McGurk and Matthew McAllister also feature on the card, while the line up is completed by former Commonwealth title challenger Mitch Prince completes the line up.
 

Tickets are priced at £30 and £40 and available from the fighters directly or by calling 01698 338 888 where Credit/ Debit Cards are accepted. Further details on @ProspectBoxing on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/ProspectBoxing 

Tony begins Cruiser campaign as Stephen Smith closes on dream World title shot

Tony Bellew will face former World Cruiserweight title challenger Valery Brudov in his first fight at the weight at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on March 15, live on Sky Sports, on a massive night for the city’s boxing stars.

Stephen Smith is lining up a massive night and is expected to challenge Fernando David Saucedo for the Argentinian’s WBC Silver Featherweight title in a crunch eliminator bout. Stephen’s older brother Paul is also set for a big night, as he is expected to fight for the outright ownership on the Lord Lonsdale belt with a British Super Middleweight title defence on the card.

The youngest Smith, Callum, is also in action as he looks to build on an incredible year in 2013 where he raced to 9-0 with a stunning sequence of six first-round wins in the Super Middleweight division, the division where Commonwealth champion Rocky Fielding is lining up an all-Liverpool clash with Tony Dodson, who fights in Hull on February 22.

Sheffield Welterweight star Kell Brook and popular London Lightweight Kevin Mitchell have both enjoyed great nights in the Echo Arena and the pair will both be in action as they build to big fights before the summer.

Birmingham’s unbeaten Super Flyweight talent Kal Yafai continues on his path to a first title shot, while exciting Liverpool youngster Robbie Davies Jnr faces his fifth pro fight.

Bellew steps up a weight after challenging Adonis Stevenson for the WBC Light Heavyweight crown in November, and the 31 year old faces a stern test on his debut at Cruiserweight.

Brudov – 41-4 – has five World title challenges to his name and promoter Eddie Hearn expects Bellew to shine on a huge night of boxing on Merseyside.

Tickets for the Echo Arena show on March 15 go on sale at 10am on Thursday January 23, with tickets priced £30, £40, £60 and ringside seats at £100 available from the Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 and at www.echoarena.com

VIP tickets priced at £150 are exclusively available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com

Unbeaten duo clash in Hull for Super Bantamweight crown

Gavin McDonnell and Leigh Wood will clash for the vacant British Super Bantamweight title at the Hull Ice Arena on February 22, live on Sky Sports.

The unbeaten pair – both 11-0 – put their unblemished records on the line to grab the strap on the star-studded bill in Hull, topped by Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell MBE.

Doncaster’s McDonnell, 27, will be close to home as he looks to capitalise on impressive victory over Josh Wale in their final eliminator in September; that followed a successful defence of his Central Area title in July with a second round stoppage of Ross Burkinshaw.

Nottingham prospect Wood, 25, enjoyed a brilliant 2013 with five wins from five contests, landing the vacant International Masters title on home turf against Brazilian Genilson de Jesus Santos in November, the fourth win inside the distance of his blossoming career.

“It’s a fantastic 50-50 domestic scrap,” said Hearn. “Both lads are very popular and we’re expecting big support from both fighters and the winner can expect an exciting reign as champion in a fantastic division.”

McDonnell and Wood’s battle for the coveted Lord Lonsdale belt is part of a great night of action in Hull, topped by Campbell’s fifth professional contest.

Darren Hamilton will defend his British Light Welterweight title against Curtis Woodhouse while Hull star Tommy Coyle will defend his IBF Inter-Continental Lightweight title.

Young Hull talents Zak Collins, Joel Haigh and Charlie Paynton continue their pro journeys on the bill, while experienced Liverpool Super Middleweight Tony Dodson appears on the card with an eye on a major bout in Liverpool on March 15.

Tickets are on sale now priced £30, £40, £60 and £120 for VIPs and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com