Tommy out to prove he has learned from KO loss

Tommy Coyle is aiming to put the disappointment of his heart-breaking defeat to Commonwealth Lightweight champion Derry Mathews behind him when he faces John Simpson on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports from the Hull Ice Arena.

Coyle tackles Simpson for the vacant IBF International title after returning to action in September with a four-round win.

The shockwaves of his dramatic July loss to Mathews can still be felt though, such was the emotional rollercoaster that Coyle went through on the biggest night of his career so far. Coyle dominated the experienced Scouser and was cruising to victory before a huge left from out of nowhere knocked Coyle to the canvas in the tenth and ended the contest.

“I put it down to a bit of inexperience and a lapse in concentration,” said Coyle. “I was so far ahead in the fight that I could have afforded to get on my back foot for a few rounds and not get involved. The inexperience in me saw that I had Derry hurt and that I could potentially get him out of there.

“The game plan was never to do that. I followed the instructions for nine rounds, listening to Jamie Moore, and in the tenth round the instructions went out of the window and I paid the price.

“If it had gone the distance I would have won. I think I was eight rounds up so if it had gone to points I would have been the Commonwealth champion. But lessons are blessings and in hindsight it was a blessing in disguise and I am quite glad of the outcome because I believe it has made me a better fighter. If I had have won I would have been on a high and wouldn’t really have analysed my performance in such a way that I have after being beaten.

“I have looked at that performance and out of such a great performance there were so many things I was doing wrong. One of the main things I was doing wrong was dropping my right hand when I threw a body shot; I got knocked out with a left hook because I dropped my right hand. I have drilled that in training with Jamie, we have gone over it and over it, and I comfortably believe I am out of that bad habit now.

“I am a fighter and when you get knocked down everybody wants to carry on. I managed to get up on seven and, I will be honest, I didn’t know what day of the week it was. I thought I had fallen over and I couldn’t understand why the referee was counting me. He must have looked into my eyes and known I wasn’t there. I would have carried on, that fight meant a hell of a lot to me.

“I have sort of given the people who want to fight Derry Mathews next a blueprint on how to beat him. I said all along, when Curtis Woodhouse was getting ready to fight him, that Curtis can’t fight on the back foot, he can only fight going forward. You are going to get knocked out if you are going to walk on to a shot. Jamie and I devised a game plan which would nullify Derry Mathews and it worked to a tee.

“I think I shocked a hell of a lot of people. It has raised my stock in the boxing world and it is probably why Eddie and Matchroom have given me another opportunity to fight on such a big show on Saturday.”

Coyle’s clash with Simpson is part of a cracking line-up of action in Hull as Luke Campbell MBE fights for the third time as a pro and the second time in his hometown, with Lee Connolly taking on the Olympic Gold medal hero.

Unbeaten Sheffield Heavyweight Richard Towers faces Australian Lucas Browne in an eliminator for the Commonwealth title and Samir Mouneimne and Josh Warrington battle for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title.

Driffield Lightweight Curtis Woodhouse returns after his Commonwealth title challenge, former World title challenger Rendall Munroe continues his comeback and two more Hull favourites are in action – Light Welterweight Zak Collins and Lightweight Joel Haigh.

Tickets are on sale priced at £40, £60 and £100, with VIP tickets priced at £150 – all tickets are available from Matchroom Sport at www.matchroomboxing.comand on 01277 359900.

…but Butlin promises a tough night for Olympic hero in Sheffield

Anthony Joshua MBE is ready for his second pro fight on Saturday night (October 26) – and Paul Butlin has told him he’s going to take the fight to him live on Sky Sports at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

Joshua dismissed Emanuele Leo in the first round of his debut at The O2 earlier in the month, and now clashes with the experienced Leicestershire fighter in his Steel City second home, where he honed his skills with Team GB.

The 24 year old Olympic gold medal hero headlines ‘Joshua and The Prizefighters’ on Thursday November 14 live on Sky Sports in his third pro outing, but expects a tough test in Sheffield against Butlin.

“The quality of opposition will get better and that is good, because it means I will need to get better,” said Joshua. “I can only defeat what is in front of me, so whoever it is I have to do my best. In this game I want to keep on learning in the gym and take that into the ring, give it my best and hopefully dispatch my opponents.

“You know what boxing is like, it only takes one shot. But hopefully tonight I can slip in, get a win and slip out again and then plan for the next show.

“I need to put in a lot more groundwork in the gym. Leo was 8-0 and on paper it was a great fight. Somebody once told me when I was ABA champion that I can’t that the ABA championship to a Russian World champion because they won’t respect you. At the stage I am at now I am so far from where I want to be so I have to keep grinding it out in the gym”

Butlin takes a wealth of experience into Saturday’s clash, with 167 rounds boxed in his 33 pro fights. The 37 year old says he’ll take the fight to Joshua from the opening bell – and expects to test the Londoners’ resolve.

“I will bring non-stop aggression,” said Butlin. “It is common sense, I can’t keep it long. I am going to have to put it on him from round one. If I don’t, he will stop me. The reach on him, the speed of him, the power of him, if I don’t put it on him then I will get stopped.

“It doesn’t matter how muscly you are, you can’t change your jaw – you could have the best body in the world but it doesn’t make you the best boxer, it doesn’t mean you have a good jaw. On Saturday that is what I am going to do – test his jaw.

“Anthony is a nice kid, a gold medallist as well, so it will be an honour to share the ring with him.

“He is good, he is sharp, but it is the start of his professional career so there are weaknesses I noticed on his debut.

“With some opponents you can get angry off with them, but he is such a nice lad. I think it will be a good fight. We will shake hands at the end and be alright with each other. We are both there for business, and that is what will happen.

“I think it is madness him facing somebody like me in his second pro fight. On the other side, I think Eddie Hearn is making a statement and being a Gold medallist you should be able to make those statements. You are the best in the world as an amateur, and turning pro you should still have that pedigree.”

Joshua’s fight with Butlin is part of a great line-up of action in Sheffield, as unbeaten Welterweight star Kell Brook faces a watershed night in his career against former World champion Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Brian Rose facing Javier Maciel in a final eliminator for the WBO Light Middleweight title while rising Liverpool star Callum Smith meets Ruben Acosta for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight International title

There’s a welcome return to action for Kal Yafai, the exciting 8-0 bantamweight who boxes for the first time since injuring his bicep in his last outing in March, while popular Sheffield fighters Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Sam O’Maison also feature.

Tickets are on sale now priced £30, £40, £60 and £100 through the Motorpoint Arena – www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk – and on 0114 2565656.

VIP packages priced £200 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

SATURDAY’S RUNNING ORDER (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

 

LIVE SKY SPORTS 3: 6pm-8pm

 

6pm                       6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest 

SCOTT JENKINS                 v              ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ                                        

(Sheffield)                                       (Spain)

Followed by       6 x 3 mins Bantamweight Contest 

KAL YAFAI                           v              ABIGAIL MEDINA

(Birmingham)                                 (Spain)

Followed by       10 x 3 mins Vacant WBC International Super-Middleweight Championship 

CALLUM SMITH                v              RUBEN EDUARDO ACOSTA

(Liverpool)                                          (Argentina)

 

Live float(s)        6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest 

SAM O’MAISON               v              ASHLEY MAYALL                     

 (Sheffield)                                         (Oldham)

 

4 x 2 mins Super-Featherweight Contest

JORDAN GILL                     v              ARRON FLINN

(Cambridge)                                    (Coventry)

LIVE SKY SPORTS 1: 8pm – 11:30pm

8pm                       10 x 3 mins IBF Youth Light-Middleweight Championship

ADAM ETCHES                   v              ALEXANDRE MENDES

(Sheffield)                                          (Brazil)

Followed by       12 x 3 mins Final Eliminator WBO World Light-Middleweight Championship

BRIAN ROSE                       v              JAVIER MACIEL

(Blackpool)                                      (Argentina)

 

Followed by       6 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

ANTHONY JOSHUA          v              PAUL BUTLIN

(London)                                          (Melton Mowbray)

 

Followed by       12 x 3 mins IBF World Welterweight Eliminator Contest

KELL BROOK                       v              VYACHESLAV SENCHENKO                    

(Sheffield)                                          (Ukraine)

Sheffield star warns Ukrainian this fight will be nothing like Hatton bout

Kell Brook has vowed to prove he is ready for his World title shot by performing a ‘demolition job’ on former WBA king Vyacheslav Senchenko when they meet at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on Saturday (October 26), live on Sky Sports.

Twelve months ago Brook dismantled Argentine Hector Saldivia inside three rounds in a final eliminator for the IBF title and the unbeaten star was riding high with a fight against champion Devon Alexander lined up. However, injuries to both fighters meant the bout was postponed three times, leaving Brook heartbroken.

Now, with those problems behind him, the Steel City’s biggest sporting star is determined to prove he is once again ready for a shot at the IBF title by dismantling his opponent on Saturday night.

Senchenko will fight in England for the first time since spoiling Ricky Hatton’s comeback with a ninth round stoppage win last November. His devilish body shot ended the career of the Manchester legend, and Brook expects the Ukrainian to bring out the best in him.

“I want to do a demolition job on him, put on a great performance and really have fun in my hometown,” said Brook.

“He's been over to promote the fight and that shows he's confident, he's coming here to win and to get a second shot at a World title. It’s always good to get a look at your opponent ahead of a fight, get a feel of what his chin might be like.

“He seemed confident and his team are used to winning. He's got a good amateur background and he almost had a bit of a swagger about him when I saw him at the press conference, and like he did when he beat Ricky Hatton – but it's a whole different story going in there with me and he's going to realise that really quickly on Saturday.

“The public know that this is a real fight and that's why it's going to be buzzing in the arena when I walk into the ring.

“The fans remember what he did to Ricky, he wanted blood then and he wants the same again. But whatever obstacles he brings, I'm going to get past them and do what I do best and that's win.

“I need to make a statement; it's going to be an epic night. Anthony Joshua will be up here fighting, I've had great sparring with Brian Rose who's got a big fight too, so I cannot wait to get in there and do the business.

“He's a world class fighter and he only lost his title on a cut. They don't give World titles out for nothing; he's proved he deserves to be at the top.

“We didn't need this fight, I'm number one for the IBF title but Eddie put the fight in front of me and I wanted to take it.

“I've put the miles in on the road and taken myself out of my comfort zone, I left my partner and my little girl at home and moved in over the road from the Wincobank, so I've trained very hard and we've taking this very, very seriously. As long as we get the end result, a win and one in style, all the hard work is more than worth it.”

Brook’s clash with Senchenko tops a great line-up of action in Sheffield, with Brian Rose facing Javier Maciel in a final eliminator for the WBO Light Middleweight title.

Rising Liverpool star Callum Smith meets Ruben Acosta for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight International title and Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE faces Paul Butlin in his second professional fight. There’s a welcome return to action for Kal Yafai, the exciting 8-0 bantamweight who boxes for the first time since injuring his bicep in his last outing in March, while popular Sheffield fighters Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Sam O’Maison also feature.

Tickets are on sale now priced £30, £40, £60 and £100 through the Motorpoint Arena – www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk – and on 0114 2565656.

VIP packages priced £200 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

Hull Arena hosts Yorkshire derby for Featherweight belt on November 2

Samir Mouneimne will challenge Josh Warrington for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title at the Hull Ice Arena on November 2, live on Sky Sports.

Leeds’ English champ Warrington enters enemy territory against unbeaten Hull star Mouneimne on a bumper bill in east Yorkshire, as Luke Campbell MBE fights for the third time as a pro against Lee Connolly, his second fight on home turf.

Warrington won the vacant English title in November with a win over Chris Male and successfully defended it against Jamie Speight in March and Ian Bailey last month. Mouneimne (12-0-1) has been hunting a first title shot for some time, and promoter Eddie Hearn expects plenty of passion when the pair clash for the belt.

“I am delighted that Samir has got this shot at Josh for the Commonwealth crown,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s great to bring another title fight to a local fighter on November 2. Josh brings huge support from Leeds and it will be a fantastic atmosphere in the Ice Arena.”

Mouneimne and Warrington are part of a great line-up in Hull as Olympic hero Campbell aims for a third first-round win.

Unbeaten Sheffield Heavyweight Richard Towers faces Australian Lucas Browne in an eliminator for the Commonwealth title, local Lightweight prospect Tommy Coyle meets John Simpson for the vacant IBF International title, Driffield Lightweight Curtis Woodhouse returns after his Commonwealth title challenge and two more Hull favourites are in action – Light Welterweight Zak Collins and Lightweight Joel Haigh.

Tickets are on sale priced at £40, £60 and £100, with VIP tickets priced at £150 – all tickets are available from Matchroom Sport at www.matchroomboxing.comand on 01277 359900.

Argentine faces Blackpool star in Light Middleweight eliminator in Sheffield

Javier Maciel believes his World title experience will be the key when he takes on Brian Rose in a final eliminator for the WBO Light Middleweight title at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on Saturday (October 26) live on Sky Sports.

Maciel has already boxed for a World title having challenged unbeaten Russian Dmitry Pirog for the Middleweight crown in 2011, and the Argentine says the stakes couldn’t be higher as the pair meet in the Steel City this weekend.

“This is one of the most important fights of my career because it would mean another chance to fight for a world title, and this time I’ll be better prepared and more experienced,” said Maciel.

“I’ve mainly been sparring with Mike Jones and Carlos De Leon Jr in Las Vegas. I’ve seen various videos of Rose. He has a good boxing style, he’s compact. It’s going to be a difficult fight but I’m going to bring it to him to be able to get the win.

“I don’t mind where the fight is held because I just have to focus myself on winning by any way possible. I’m feeling pretty calm and ready to bring home a victory for Argentina.

“We’re ready for each fight to go 12 rounds. I’ll be calm in there and do things in the best possible way.” 

Maciel travelled to Ekaterinburg to face Pirog for the title and lost on points to the hometown hero. The 29 year old admits that he was not in the right place to defeat the Russian that night, but with four stoppage wins inside five rounds in his last four fights he is ready to take the next step.

“Firstly I had an injury in my left hand which didn’t allow me to be at 100 per cent,” said Maciel. “I just wasn’t prepared mentally to be a World champion. My amateur career was pretty short and I hadn’t had that many professional fights at the time. I lacked experience and I lacked preparation.

“I take it all as a good experience though, and right now I’m a completely different fighter.

“Light Middleweight is better for me. My rivals were weighing almost 80kg on fight night and I don’t get up to that weight myself, so I think now I’m at my ideal weight class.”

Rose and Maciel clash on a massive night of boxing in Sheffield, where hometown favourite Kell Brook faces Vyacheslav Senchenko in a huge Welterweight showdown.

Rising Liverpool star Callum Smith meets Ruben Acosta for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight International title and Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE faces Paul Butlin in his second professional fight.

There’s a welcome return to action for Kal Yafai, the exciting 8-0 bantamweight who boxes for the first time since injuring his bicep in his last outing in March, while popular Sheffield fighters Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Sam O’Maison also feature.

Tickets are on sale now priced £30, £40, £60 and £100 through the Motorpoint Arena – www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk – and on 0114 2565656.

VIP packages priced £200 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

Three-weight World champ lines-up in Britain vs. USA York Hall special

Three weight World Champion James Toney is among the first names announced for the Britain vs. USA Prizefighter International Heavyweights bill at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Thursday November 14, with Anthony Joshua MBE topping the bill in his third pro fight live on Sky Sports.

Toney joins fellow countryman Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams, Prizefighter II winner Sam Sexton and the returning Larry Olubamiwo as the first four names revealed in the line-up for the 32nd edition of the eight-man, one night tournaments.

Olympic Gold medal hero Joshua is in action in Sheffield this weekend (October 26) and will return to the capital for his third pro bout, and he’ll be joined on the card by his cousin Ben Ileyemi, who made his debut at Cruiserweight on the same bill Joshua at The O2 earlier this month.

“Word got out this morning that James Toney was in the line-up and it’s already caused some reaction,” said Hearn. “Heavyweight Prizefighter is always the most exciting edition of the tournament and we are looking forward to selecting the final four participants. It’s also great to have Anthony back in the capital as he continues his journey in the division and we expect a quick sell out for the November 14 event.”

Tickets for ‘Joshua and The Prizefighters’ are on sale now priced £40 (unreserved), £70 (ringside) and £120 (VIP) available from www.matchroomboxing.comand on 01277 359900.

Unbeaten Liverpool sensation faces huge step up on October 26

Callum Smith will face Ruben Acosta for the WBC International Super Middleweight title at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on October 26, live on Sky Sports.

The Liverpool star is the hottest young prospect in British boxing with six consecutive first round wins, the latest landing him the English title against Patrick Mendy.

Now the 23 year old steps up the levels to face the vastly experienced Acosta, the 35 year old who challenge Robert Stieglitz for the WBO World title and knocked out former two-time Light Middleweight king Julio Cesar Vazquez, and Smith’s trainer Joe Gallagher is expecting his charge to handle the shift in class.

“It’s a huge step up in class for Callum,” said Gallagher. “He has not been a pro for even a year but we’re very confident he has the goods to tackle someone of Acosta’s class.

“Ruben has mixed with World-class company; he holds a great first round KO win over Vazquez, he’s been in with Anthony Mundine and he’s boxed for a World title. He’s got great experience and Callum hasn’t faced anything like this. He’s going to give him rounds and going to give him problems too, there’s no-one out there who has fought someone this good in just their ninth fight inside a year of being a pro.

“Callum is still wet behind the ears but there’s great faith in him from Eddie. We know the risks in the fight, I’ve looked on the independent ratings like BoxRec and he’s at number 38, so he’s well-respected and will have big ambitions of his own, just like Callum has.”

Smith’s clash with Acosta is part of a great line-up in the Steel City, with Kell Brook’s Welterweight blockbuster with Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Brian Rose facing Javier Maciel in a final eliminator for the WBO Light Middleweight title while Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE faces Paul Butlin in his second professional fight.

There’s a welcome return to action for Kal Yafai, the exciting 8-0 bantamweight who boxes for the first time since injuring his bicep in his last outing in March, while popular Sheffield fighters Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Sam O’Maison also feature.

Tickets are on sale now priced £30, £40, £60 and £100 through the Motorpoint Arena – www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk – and on 0114 2565656.

VIP packages priced £200 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

‘Hitman’ urges Kell to box clever against old foe in Sheffield

Ricky Hatton has warned Kell Brook not to get into a war with Vyacheslav Senchenko when they meet at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on October 26, live on Sky Sports.

The Hitman faced the Ukrainian in his comeback fight in November at his MEN Arena fortress, but the former WBA Welterweight champion spoiled the party, with a body punch knocking out Hatton in the final throes of the ninth.

Senchenko returns to British soil and into the lion’s den again to face the unbeaten Sheffield star, and Hatton has told Brook to follow the blueprint of Paul Malignaggi – who took Senchenko’s WBA title – to beat the visitor.

“He's a lot tougher than he looks,” said Hatton. “He's a tall boxer-type but he's not a skilful boxer. Kell is a really good boxer and Paulie showed that Vyacheslav can be out boxed so if Kell chooses to box him rather than go to war with him like I did, and picks his moments when to put it to him, I think he will do the business.”

Brook’s Welterweight clash with Senchenko tops a great line-up of action in Sheffield, with Brian Rose facing Javier Maciel in a final eliminator for the WBO Light Middleweight title.

Olympic Gold medal hero Anthony Joshua MBE faces Paul Butlin in his second professional fight, Liverpool’s Callum Smith is aiming to continue his incredible run of first round stoppage wins, there’s a welcome return to action for Kal Yafai, the exciting 8-0 bantamweight who boxes for the first time since injuring his bicep in his last outing in March, while popular Sheffield fighters Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Sam O’Maison also feature.

Tickets are on sale now priced £30, £40, £60 and £100 through the Motorpoint Arena – www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk – and on 0114 2565656.

VIP packages priced £200 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

‘Lights Out’ takes on undefeated Euro champ in London

Lee Purdy will challenge Leonard Bundu for the European Welterweight title on December 14, part of a huge night of action in London live on Sky Sports.

Purdy boxes for the first time since his World title challenge against Devon Alexander in May and faces the unbeaten Italian in London, with the venue to be confirmed soon.

Bundu claimed the title in November 2011 and  has defended it four times since. The 38 year old is ranked at number four in both the WBC and IBF and Purdy’s promoter Eddie Hearn was delighted to secure the fight for his Christmas blockbuster, and believes a win for Purdy will open more big doors in 2014.

“This is the perfect fight for LP and one that many welterweights around Europe have been looking to make,” said Hearn. “Bundu is the European champion and also well placed in the governing bodies. Further details on the December show will be released soon – we’re planning a blockbuster night to end a great year on a high.”

British Lightweight belt on the line – Fielding faces Lennox Allen

Anthony Crolla will challenge Martin Gethin for the British Lightweight title on the undercard of Carl Froch’s WBA and IBF Super Middleweight title blockbuster with George Groves at the sold-out Phones 4u Arena Manchester on November 23, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Gethin makes the first defence of the coveted Lord Lonsdale belt after beating Ben Murphy in his hometown of Walsall in January, Crolla is looking to win the crown for the second time having beaten John Watson in February 2011 for the vacant title – and hopes to make this his last domestic dust-up before challenging for World titles.

“It’s always a great honour to box for the British title,” said Crolla. “Martin’s a cracking boxer and I am sure it’ll be a very good fight, but I am aiming to win and win well and move onto the World stage in 2014.”

“Everybody loves a domestic match-up, especially in the Lightweight division, and Anthony Crolla vs. Martin Gethin should provide fireworks in Manchester,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We have big plans for Anthony in 2014 and victory over Martin will see him mark the end of a thrilling domestic run and stand on the verge of a World title shot.”

Also announced today for the bumper Manchester bill, Liverpool’s Rocky Fielding will defend his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title against undefeated Guyanese mandatory challenger Lennox Allen. Fielding won the title with a first round stoppage win over Mohammed Akrong in Liverpool in September while New York-based danger man Allen holds 17 wins with ten inside the distance.

“This is a huge step up for Rocky and I take my hat off to him and Oliver for taking the mandatory challenge,” said Hearn. “Lennox Allen is a talented fighter with a rising reputation in the States and it’s a big test for Rocky.”

Crolla vs. Gethin and Fielding vs. Allen are added to a great line-up of action on the undercard of the Super Middleweight Battle of Britain between Froch and Groves, with Scott Quigg defending his WBA Super Bantamweight title and Stephen Smith set to defend his British Super Featherweight title.