RingSide Report

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Amir Khan, Dereck Chisora & The British Boxing Scene

By Donald C. Stewart

So you start with a weekly boxing review of all things UK and what happens… Hurricane Bawbag and Amir Khan 26-2, 18 KO’s loses both his belts. It threw us, it threw you but it certainly had plenty of hot air to keep us going…

It has now got into the Heavyweight scene. News this week of a man who can’t hold onto the British title, can’t win the European title so it is time to put him in against a Klitschko for a World title fight. In Munich on the 18th December Dereck Chisora 15-2, 9 KO’s will take on Vitali Klitschko 43-2, 40 KO’s for the world title fight Wladimir was unable to give him.

The British Board of Boxing Control also met this week to give former world flyweight Scottish Champion Scott Harrison 25-2-2, 14 KO’s his license back. Harrison’s issues with alcohol and drugs are widely known and his stint in a Spanish jail for 2 ½ years well chronicled. We are now looking forward to writing some serious boxing news with his name attached.

Ricky Burns 33-2, 9 KO’s, the interim lightweight champion will be fighting to become the real champion at home in the Braehead Arena, Scotland, with an opponent to be announced.
Now it is, after all Christmas and we began our season with no fewer than 4 world champions. We are now down to 2 – Ricky Burns now an interim one – so we all know what British Boxing wants for Christmas…

Backwards

Ashley Theophane 31-4-1 9 KO’s did return to the ring on the 10th and beat Ben Murphy 8-5-1, 4 KO’s by TKO in the 11th round for the British Light Welterweight title. Chris Edwards 17-14-3, 4 KO’s, on the same bill beat Shinny Bayaar 15-6-2, 4 KO’s for the British Flyweight title.

The big news story though is Amir Khan. Khan’s complaints will now be investigated and it has to be said he may have a point. It is one less than the ones he lost due to pushing but is pushing your opponent away punishable by the deduction of points? Khan believes not. On top of that, at one point in the fight, the referee warns the Lamont Peterson 30-1-1, 15 KO’s corner to stop something or else he would deduct a point from Peterson. Since when has the conduct of a trainer ended up with points punishment of the fighter? Khan knew he was taking on Peterson in his own backyard so the arguing over home advantage does not go down well. The conduct and performance of the referee (is thus guy even from DC???) certainly does deserve scrutiny. The rematch will obviously happen. Let us hope that it does with Peterson as Champion and Khan can compete as the challenger in a legitimate bout rather than a grudge match.

Domestically Billy Joe Saunders 12-0, 8 KO’s continued his impressive progress with a 1st round TKO against Tommy Tolan 4-8, 3 KO’s in York Hall and Lee Selby 21-1, 4 KO’s also had a TKO against John Simpson 22-9, 9 KO’s to defend his British and Commonwealth titles. Selby stopped Simpson, something no other boxer had managed in the 5th.

Forwards

With Santa revving up the sleigh we are due to take a well-earned break. It will not stop the speculation or the rumors so I will keep y’all up to date with that but 2012 has the following as promises to make it a fight – tastic year!

The New Year will see heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo 10-2, 9 KO’s take on Sam Sexton 14-2, 6 KO’s at the York Hall on the 13th January whilst Derry Matthews 29-5-1, 15 KO’s will fight 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.

The lost December bout involving James DeGale 11-1, 8 KO’s at the Echo Arena Liverpool will happen with DeGale fighting Spaniard Jose Maria Guerrero 29-2-1, 11 KO’s in his European defense on the 27th of January. On the same bill we have Stephen Smith 12-1, 6 KO’s, Liam Smith 8-0-1, 4 KO’s and Billy Joe Saunders. On the 28th January Carl Frampton 11-0, 7 KO’s will take on Kris Hughes 15-1, 1KO to defend his Commonwealth title as Frampton continues to build a solid reputation and the British Cruiserweight title will be decided on the 31st January between Leon Williams 9-3, 4 KO’s and Tony Conquest 8-0, 2 KO’s.

February continues the treats as Scott Quigg 23-0, 16 KO’s will defend his British Bantamweight title against Jamie Arthur 18-5, 4 KO’s.

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