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The British Boxing Scene – Backwards, Full Stop and Forwards!

By Donald C. Stewart

Over in the UK, whilst y’all in the US of A are all wondering if there will be a Pacquiao/Marquez IV, we are wondering if we will see Ricky Burns, 33-2, 9 KO’s, head to Las Vegas to fight Juan Manuel Marquez, 53-6-1, 39 KO’s. It’s the latest opponent suggested by the wee man himself as his next step up in class.

As we all settle down to good ol’ speculation in the professional ranks our Olympic preparations for London 2012 saw a boxing test event take pride of place in the sporting calendar. United Kingdom boxers won no fewer than 5 Golds in the test event. Designed to try out the arena and the infrastructure the most dazzling effect was thankfully in the ring so UK fans can take great hope from this display! The roll call of boxers to look out for next year includes – Natasha Jonas, Savannah Marshall, Martin Ward, Sean McGoldrick and Josh Taylor.

George Groves, 14-1, 11 KO’s, has had to pull out of his Liverpool bout citing a problem with one of his hands. James DeGale, 14-1, 11 KO’s, will therefore headline and have the biggest dressing room!

One of the former UK Olympic Boxing triumphs from the last Olympics in Beijing, WBO Light heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly, 23-0, 11 KO’s, is allegedly in talks with WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Beibut Shumenov, 12-1, 8 KO’s. A unification fight at this weight would be a highlight for 2012 for British boxing fans!
Oh an apparently there is some guy called Haye in talks about fighting another one of those Klitschko guys – who would have thought…?

Backwards

British boxing fans always like the speculation too of who will fight either Pacquiao or Mayweather JR. With Saul Alvarez, 39-0-1, 29 KO’s, having disposed of Kermit Cintron, we hear that the Mexican is now being touted as the next Floyd Mayweather, JR., 42-0, 26 KO’s, opponent. This seems unlikely to those of us who have followed the careful way Mayweather has picked his opponents but who is to know in this crazy world of boxing – after all there is talk of a Haye/Klitschko bout – have you heard?

In real news, Anthony Crolla, 23-2, 9 KO’s, took the British Lightweight title in a unanimous decision against Scotsman Willie Limond 34-, 8 KO’s, in Motherwell. Limond was well beaten and will now be considering his future. Fellow Scot Kris Carslaw 14-1, 3 KO’s, also lost on points to Mathew Hall 24-4, 16 KO’s, in a forgettable night for Scottish headliners.

Ryan Rhodes, 46-5, 31 KO’s, got back on track with an impressive points win against Belarusian and European title holder, Siarhei Khometski, 23-9-2, 9 KO’s.

Full Stop

On Friday the 2nd Martin Murray 28-1 (21KOs) the biggest fight of his career as he takes on Felix Sturm 36-2-1- (15KOs) in Mannheim, Germany for the WBA Middleweight belt.

One night later, on the 3rd, and in Madison Square Gardens, Brandon Rios 28-0-1 (21KOs) welcomes John Murray 31-1 (8KOs) for the WBA World Lightweight title as we hope that the old British advert of never hurrying a Murray comes true and we end up with two new World Champions!

This weekend has a pretty full card domestically but little on the domestic title front as on the 3rd December Prince Arron 21-3-1 (4KOs) and Brian Rose 17-1-1 (5KOs)will be in the ring for the British Light Middleweight title in Wigan.

Forwards

As we career towards Christmas the turkey may be getting fat but our pickings on the ground become slimmer. Down my way I am still waiting on the new date for the Ayr Citadel dust up! Graham Steel – amongst many others – are in the ring then.

On the 9th December we await James DeGale at the Echo Arena Liverpool. DeGale will take on Spaniard Jose Maria Guerrero, 29-2-1, 11 KO’s, in his European defense.

Ashley Theophane, 30-4-1, 8 KO’s, returns against Nigel Wright, 24-6-1, 10 KO’s, in Peterlee on the 10th for the British Light Welterweight title. Chris Edwards, 16-14-3, 4 KO’s, will be on the same bill against Shinny Bayaar, 15-5-2, 4 KO’s, for the British Flyweight title.

The New Year will see Derry Matthews, 29-5-1, 15 KO’s, fighting for the vacant IBO lightweight title against Alisher Rahimov, 22-0, 11 KO’s, in Liverpool on the 20th January. Also in Liverpool on the 21st January David Price, 11-0, 9 KO’s, finally takes on John McDermott, 26-7, 17 KO’s.

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