The British Boxing Scene – Backwards, Full Stop and Forwards!
By Donald C. Stewart
OK so we got excited and then we stopped getting so excited. The reason being we had guys up for titles and they all seemed to come back empty handed. But that’s the way it is in this business. One minute you’re down, the next you fall a little harder. What you hope is that you retain enough dignity to be invited back again. Our boxers this last week seemed to have done that but until the offers come flooding in we have to wait and see. But first news of some that didn’t have champion fights over the last week…
First up is news of Randall Munroe 23-2, 9 KO’s, who has dropped from super bantamweight to bantamweight and claims this will not be a problem. The drop in weight is to give him more scope for big fights and the opportunity to climb back up to world title contention.
News is coming thick and fast that some guy Vitali is offering to fight some guy called David. Could you imagine if the bigger one won? Where would that leave the little one? And what if the little one won? Would he have to fight the other big one again? Could he take his big toe into the ring? Does anyone ever remember the US sitcom with Billy Chrsytal Soap? I can hear it in my head RIGHT NOW! Oh and news of the other big one – you keeping track – he has pulled out of his fight because he had a kidney stone removed last weekend and is poorly… Who said the Heavyweight Division was a pantomime!
Also being pulled was the entire card including James DeGale’s 11-1, 8 KO’s defence of his European title in Liverpool. At present there is no reason for the decision but it has been rescheduled for January 27th.
As Amir Khan 26-1, 18KO’s gets ready for his defense against Lamont Peterson 29-1-1, 15 KO’s, he has spoken of how wary he is as well as his absolute assertion he will never fight Manny. Such love is heart warming…
Backwards
In the first of the title fights involving UK boxers Martin Murray 28-0-1, 21 KO’s bravely drew with Felix Sturm 36-2-2, 15 KO’s. It was a battle that many had Murray ahead at the end. It was the second British fighter in 2011 to go to Mannheim in Germany and fight Sturm and leave without winning. On both occasions it was close. On both occasions many had the UK boxer ahead….
In Finland Dereck Chisora 15-2, 9 KO’s lost the European Heavyweight title fight against Robert Helenius 17-0, 11 KO’s. Simply put – he was robbed. Chisora was the clear winner.
Less contentious was the 11th round stoppage of brave John Murray 31-2, 8 KO’s in Madison Square Gardens as he was unable to dethrone Brandon Rios 29-0-1, 21 KO’s for the WBA Lightweight title. Both Murrays have gained new found respect for the way they went about this massive step up in class for both boxers. Watch out for their names as both will surely be back.
Domestically the big news was Prince Arron 21-3-2, 4KO’s losing his British Light Middleweight title in Wigan to Brian Rose 18-1-1, 5KO’s. Rose was the clear winner and will be looking now to build up towards another title.
Full Stop
Ashley Theophane 30-4-1, 8 KO’s was due to return against Nigel Wright 24-6-1, 10 KO’s in Peterlee on the 10th for the British Light Welterweight title. His opponent has been wiped from the BBBC website which would suggest he has lost his opponent. Chris Edwards 16-14-3, 4KO’s will be on the same bill against Shinny Bayaar 15-5-2, 4 KO’s for the British Flyweight title.
In the world of world title fights of course Amir Khan has Lamont Peterson to take on in the USA!
Forwards
Christmas is getting closer and our pickings on the ground for boxing are becoming slimmer by the week. 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.
Still to come before Christmas is the British featherweight title fight between Lee Selby 11-1, 3KO’s and John Simpson 22-8, 9KO’s in Bethnal Green – that happens on the 14th December. Nick Blackwell 9-1 is back on the 16th December in Trowbridge.
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.
Also in the New Year now will be the lost December bout involving James DeGale at the Echo Arena Liverpool. DeGale will now take on Spaniard Jose Maria Guerrero 29-2-1, 11 KO’s in his European defense on the 27th of January.
