Saturday June 7th sees Willie Limond defend his Commonwealth Light Welterweight title against Mitch Prince at Bellahouston Sports Centre.

Heading up the undercard is current Scottish Middleweight Champion Gary McCallum, who will make the first defence of the title he lifted in March this year.

With a professional record of nine wins, McCallum picked up his lastest win with a 98-93 points win over the durable Paul Allison and now will defend his title against Wishaw's Ryan Scott on the June 7th card. This bill will also feature Darren McAdam, George Thomson and Jordon McCorry, Craig Kelly in action. Former Commonwealth title challenger Eddie Doyle also returns to action.

While delighted with acquiring a title, the fighter from Castlemilk area of Glasgow admits he didn’t have it all his own way in his fight with Allison

“It did take me a few rounds to find my range. Paul is a game fighter, and always comes forward. I lost a few rounds as he was catching me, but after viewing the fight I can see were I can make the improvements, and I hope I can bring those into my Title defence”

With part of his title ambitions already met, McCallum adds.

“I would love to fight for more titles down the line, but I am in no rush. I learnt a lot from my last fight and I look forward to having more of them as I want to develop myself so I can reach my full potential. I will have the right experience if the big Title fights come my way.

My trainer Willie Downie has kept me ticking over recently and for the Scott fight we have had a good training camp with lots of hill runs and hard sparring. I’ve also been working on my strength and conditioning with coach Graeme Downie who will ensure I will be in great shape come June 7th”.

 

Watch the electrifying rematch at the O2 Arena from 8.30pm – EXCLUSIVE PICS ATTACHED

Sky Sports viewers can relive the epic rematch between Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler at 8.30pm on Sky Sports HD4 on Saturday night (June 1).

Froch gained sweet revenge on Kessler, outpointing the Dane in their breathtaking encounter at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night (May 25) – with the sold-out crowd and Sky Sports Box Office audience on the edge of their seats through the 12 rounds of gripping action.

“Sports fans are in for a huge treat this Saturday when this epic battle is replayed on Sky Sports,” said Froch’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “It was a special night for Carl Froch and for British boxing as he avenged his loss to Mikkel Kessler on a night that will go down in history within the sport.”

Photography by Lawrence Lustig

Matchroom Sport and Eddie Hearn have issued the following statement regarding Carl Frampton and Manager Barry McGuigan.

Eddie Hearn “We have enjoyed our time working with Carl Frampton as Promoter of his boxing career.  However, after the success of the last Frampton fight we were informed by Barry McGuigan that he wanted to be joint promoter in future Frampton fights.

“Whilst we had no problem whatsoever in agreeing purses for Carl Frampton, we felt that such a relationship with Barry McGuigan represented a potential conflict of interest with Barry’s role as Carl’s Manager and we could therefore not agree to be involved on this basis.

“Matchroom Sport and I wish Carl every success in his future boxing career.”

Liverpool men face British belt battle in Bolton

Paul Smith and Tony Dodson meet for the vacant British super middleweight title at the Bolton Arena on June 29, live on Sky Sports.

The Merseyside pair first clashed for the belt in March 2010 when Smith claimed the title with a unanimous decision. The Liverpool men now meet three years later for the belt on a stacked show in Lancashire, with defeat not an option for either fighter.

“I'm delighted to add this fight to our show at Bolton Arena on June 29,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It's a classic old school trade fight with plenty of local pride on the line. Both fighters career is on the line and I'm expecting a great scrap.”

Smith and Dodson’s British title fight is part of a huge bill in Bolton, topped by the mouth-watering lightweight tussle between Welshman Gavin Rees and Manchester’s Anthony Crolla. Rees’ fellow countryman Lee Selby will be in action as he closes in on major honours in the featherweight division.

Brian Rose will box for the first time since beating Joachim Alcine for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental light middleweight title in April and some of Matchroom Boxing’s brightest talent will also be in action, including Team GB’s Olympic boxing captain Thomas Stalker.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £70 ringside and £120 VIP. Tickets are available at www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.

With three fights previously confirmed for June 28th, Prospect Boxing is pleased to confirm that Welterweight Mark Parvin (2-1) is added to the card, which takes place at Cleland Miners Club and will also feature music and comedy as well as the four scheduled fights.


After two straight wins, Parvin picked up a 39-36 points defeat to Halifax's Richard Bitner earlier this year at Ravenscraig. Looking to see his fighter return to winning ways, manager Paul Graham thinks the defeat will help Parvin make improvements in the ring


“In boxing a loss is viewed by some as a negative thing, however If a fighter uses it to improve and get better then it can only be a good thing. I did think the fight was a little bit close, but to be fair to Bitner he boxed out of his skin that night and really switched it up. I can see a lot of potential in Mark and I can see him learning from this.


After tasting defeat, Parvin also hopes he can return to winning ways “It is always hard to taste your first defeat, however I have no excuses and just want to put it behind me. I am looking forward to getting back into the ring, I am usually focused but with an added incentive of getting the win and maybe re matching Bitner down the line I am looking forward to June 28th


Prospect Boxing present an evening of Professional Boxing the pro debut of Martin McCord and the return of trio Sean Watson, Rhys Pagan and Mark Parvin a four fight card at the Cleland Miners Welfare Club on Friday June 28th.


Tickets priced £35 are available from the boxers or by calling 01698 338 888 .


Further information available from www.prospectboxing.co.uk or www.facebook.com/ProspectBoxing or via twitter @ProspectBoxing

World lightweight contender tops Betfair Prizefighter bill at York Hall

Lightweight favourite Kevin Mitchell returns to action on July 6 at York Hall, Bethnal Green – topping the bill with the Betfair Prizefighter Light Welterweights III live on Sky Sports.

The Dagenham man is aiming to get back on the World title trail after falling to WBO king Ricky Burns in a thrilling challenge in Glasgow on September 22. The 28 year old will begin his quest for honours in a ten-rounder in east London as he looks to makes waves domestically before a second crack at the big prize.

“It’s great to get back to action,” said Mitchell. “It’s a new chapter in my life and I’m so excited to be back at the York Hall. There are some massive domestic battles out there for me later this year and I’m looking for a World title shot in 2014.”

“I’m delighted to have Kevin on a packed York Hall show,” said Matchroom Sport’s Eddie Hearn. “There are some big ticket sellers on the bill, so I’m expecting tickets to sell-out quickly and a cracking atmosphere.”

Mitchell’s return tops a great night of action in the east end with Southern Area title rivals Danny Connor and Chris Evangelou leading the line-up in the 31stedition of the Betfair Prizefighter. Connor and Evangelou have clashed twice for the Area belt since September with Connor victorious on both occasions – Evangelou will be hoping the draw pits them together so he can gain revenge.

Southampton’s Matty Tew, unbeaten pair Eren Arif and Charlie Rice battling for the title and the £32,000 winner’s cheque – the full line-up will be announced imminently and tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £120 VIP from www.matchroomboxing.com and on 01277 359900.

The Cobra and The Viking Warrior weigh-in at fight night venue

Carl Froch says he feels like a racing car at the red lights after weighing in for his blockbuster rematch with Mikkel Kessler at the O2 Arena tonight (Saturday May 25) live on Sky Sports Box Office in ‘Warriors’ Call’ in association with Betfair.

The Cobra tipped the scales at 11st 13lbs 9oz, a pound heavier than the Dane who scaled 11st 12lbs 7oz, and the Nottingham star

“I am sparking, I'm like a racing car at the red light,” said Froch. “I don't crack up under pressure, I'm relishing the occasion, the whole thing is World class and it's what World Championship boxing is all about.

“I've got to execute my game plan tomorrow night. I know what I need to do. I'm in the best possible shape I could be in and things couldn't be better. I'm at my best tomorrow night and he's in for a shock.

“You will see the best of Carl Froch – I've proved I can mix it with the best, it's a rematch for redemption and it's going to be one hell of a fight.”

A cracking undercard in London sees huge fights for Froch’s stable mates Tony Bellew and George Groves. Bellew is in a rematch of his own as he tackles Isaac Chilemba in an eliminator for a crack at the WBC light heavyweight title following their draw in Liverpool last month – Bellew weighed in at 12st 6lbs 9oz, a touch heavier than the 12st 6lbs 4oz Malawi fighter.

Groves will be looking for a fight with the winner of Froch and Kessler, and the unbeaten Hammersmith star takes on Noé González at the O2, Groves scaling 11st 13lbs 7oz, with the Uruguayan 11st 13lbs exactly.

RUNNING ORDER (Subject to change)

18:10     4 x 3 mins Cruiserweight Contest

MICKI NIELSEN                  v              PAUL MORRIS

(Denmark)                                          (Preston)

18:45     4 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

ANTHONY YIGIT                v              DEE MITCHELL

(Stockholm)                                       (Birmingham)

19:10     6 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight Contest

ENRICO KOELLING           v              VYGAUDAS LAURINKUS

(Germany)                                          (Lithuania)

LIVE ON TV – 20:15 - RINGWALKS

12 x 3 mins WBC Silver Lt-Heavyweight Championship & World Final Eliminator

TONY BELLEW                   v               ISAAC CHILEMBA  

(Liverpool)                                                   (Malawi)

LIVE TV 2              12 x 3 mins International Super-Middleweight Championship

GEORGE GROVES             v              NOE GONZALEZ

(Hammersmith)                                (Uruguay)

LIVE TV 3 – 23:15 - RINGWALKS

12 x 3 mins IBF/WBA World Super-Middleweight Championship

CARL FROCH                       v              MIKKEL KESSLER  

(Nottingham)                                    (Copenhagen)

To be scheduled

LIVE FLOAT 1      6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest 

MARTIN J WARD              v              ANDY HARRIS

(Brentwood)                                      (Tottenham)

LIVE FLOAT 2      8 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight Contest

CALLUM SMITH                v            RYAN MOORE

(Liverpool)                                       (Waterlooville)

Public weigh-in for blockbuster rematch tomorrow at 1pm at the O2

Carl Froch has issued a war cry to his fans to create a carnival atmosphere at the public weigh-in for the his blockbuster rematch with Mikkel Kessler on Saturday night at the O2 Arena live on Sky Sports Box Office in ‘Warriors’ Call’ in association with Betfair.

Froch has some strong words for Kessler at yesterday’s press conference at the O2, and when the pair step on the scales in the London Piazza area of the stunning venue, The Cobra will stare into The Viking Warrior’s for the last time before they lock horns in the most highly anticipated fight of the year.

Kessler won yesterday’s coin toss and will walk to the ring second for the fight, and Froch says that the weigh-in will show Mikkel what he can expect when they get down to business on Saturday night.

“My weigh-ins are always hostile events for the guy in the other corner, and I hope tomorrow’s is no different,” said Froch. “I want the fans to come down and give Mikkel a taste of the wall of noise that will greet him when he steps in the ring on Saturday.

“I’m glad Kessler will walk first. I can get into the Arena, soak up the atmosphere from the biggest crowd either of us has performed in front of and he’ll be back stage listening to the Froch Army in full voice. I wouldn’t want to have to walk into that with my opponent standing there, soaking it up and feeling ten feet tall and invincible.”

Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler on May 25 is live on Sky Sports HD Box Office in ‘Warriors’ Call’ in association with Betfair. Visit skysports.com/froch or call 08442 410888 for booking information.

This and more in the Froch-Kessler special issue of Boxing News

Andre Ward told Boxing News magazine he thinks Carl Froch can stop Mikkel Kessler in their blockbuster super middleweight rematch at the O2 Arena on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office in ‘Warriors’ Call’ in association with Betfair.

Ward holds victories over both men but in a bumper preview issue of the weekly boxing bible, available today on the Boxing News app atboxingnewsonline.net/apps, the Oakland native – in London to commentate for HBO – believes that The Cobra has the edge over the Viking Warrior

“Carl Froch has been in some tough fights but I think he has more in the tank,” said Ward. “I think Kessler has kind of dipped a little bit since he and I fought, and even since he fought Froch the first time. Even though it’s going to be a tough fight, it’s going to be back and forth, I can’t see Kessler winning this.

“Kessler’s last two performances, he hasn’t fought the best guys – a shopworn Allan Green then Brian Magee who’s very tough but limited – and he’s going to look good against them but I don’t know if he has the same fire as when he fought Froch the first time. I would be shocked if Kessler got his hand raised. I think Froch wins and I wouldn’t be surprised if Froch caught and stopped him.”

Adonis Stevenson, previously the number one contender for Froch’s IBF crown and challenging Chad Dawson on June 8 for the WBC light heavyweight belt, predicted a 115-113 points win for the Nottingham hero.

That’s a verdict echoed by former Froch victim Glen Johnson, but the recently ousted WBO champ Arthur Abraham is edging towards Kessler to defeat Froch, and Boxing News editor Tris Dixon is expecting another great battle.

“Let’s not see this as anything but what it actually is; a fight between two big punchers with granite chins, real quality, balls the size of the O2 dome and hearts that are filled with the hopes of their significant fanbases,” said Dixon. “It's the biggest fight we are likely to see in Britain this year and this week's special edition of Boxing News reflects this as we have extensive interviews with both men, an in-depth preview, Joe Calzaghe's analysis and inside knowledge from the respective training camps.”

This week’s Boxing News magazine hits the stands on Thursday and you can download the Boxing News app now at boxingnewsonline.net/apps to receive the digital edition today.

Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler on May 25 is live on Sky Sports HD Box Office in ‘Warriors’ Call’ in association with Betfair. Visit skysports.com/froch or call 08442 410888 for booking information.

Bomber promises improved output in final eliminator
rematch with Isaac Chilemba

Tony Bellew has vowed to overcome Isaac Chilemba’s spoiling tactics and land himself a shot at the WBC title when the pair rematch as chief support to Carl Froch’s blockbuster bout with Mikkel Kessler at the O2  Arena in London on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office in ‘Warriors’ Call’  in association with Betfair.

The Bomber and his South African rival drew their WBC  light heavyweight final eliminator in Liverpool in March but agreed a quick  rematch with the winner to face either Chad Dawson or Adonis Stevenson for the green belt.
 
Bellew has promised an improved performance this time around, and says Chilemba had no other option but to fight him again.
 
“I wanted the rematch straight away and he basically had nowhere to go,” said Bellew. “He is somebody who no-one wants to fight because at the end of the day Isaac Chilemba is in the ‘who-needs-you’ club because he doesn’t come to fight, he comes to make you miss and make you look bad. 
 
“Ideally we match up very well and we match up to make a really, really great fight but you can’t force a guy to fight in that ring. To make a great fight happen it takes two to tango and it takes two guys who really want to have a fight. I am willing to play my part in it, it is whether he is
willing to play his part. 
 
“The real big difference on the night will be in my output and this time I am not going to stop after seven rounds, that is the top and bottom of it. I am not going to fall apart halfway through the fight.
 
“I didn’t perform last time, it is as simple as that. I did not perform to anywhere near the best of my ability or my potential and I was very disappointed in myself. While I still think I won, and he knows I won deep down, I still didn’t perform well enough and I am paying for that by having
this rematch.”
 
The winner of Bellew v Chilemba II will become mandatory challenger for the WBC light heavyweight title, which Dawson defends against Stevenson in Canada on June 8 and Bellew believes the 30 year old will retain his title.
 
“I think Dawson is too clever for Stevenson,” said Bellew. “But Stevenson has an equaliser in that right hand; he can really, really punch. 
 
“I am not looking too much into that fight, I will pay attention to that once I beat Chilemba, but my head says Dawson because he is at that level and has dealt with people at that level many times before but you can never write off a puncher and Stevenson is definitely, definitely a
puncher.”
 
Bellew v Chilemba II is the chief support to Froch v Kessler on May 25 and is live on Sky Sports HD Box Office. Visit
skysports.com/froch or call 08442 410888 for booking information.