Showing posts with label Boxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boxing. Show all posts
December 24, 2013
February 19, 2012
Boxing News: Derek Chisora threatens to shoot David Haye
Boxing Betting 
/ Editor / 19 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
/ Editor / 19 February 2012 / Leave a Comment Chisora with Haye's wounded manager Adam Booth
"Haye, who was in Germany to work for television, goaded his compatriot, labelling him a 'loser'. Chisora replied, 'How's your toe?'"
British heavyweights involved in press conference bust-up after Chisora is beaten by Vitali Klitschko...
Boxing fans were treated to more deplorable scenes last night as mayhem ensued in Munich, with Derek Chisora clashing with David Haye. Yes, you read the right - Derek Chisora and David Haye - because, although Chisora was in Germany for a WBC Heavyweight title fight against Vitali Klitschko, the post-bout brawl between the two Brits is what most punters came away talking about.
Chisora had acquitted himself relatively well in the ring, despite losing on points to Klitschko. He showed plenty of spirit and, unlike Haye against Wladimir Klitschko last year, went on the front foot from the off.
However, things erupted between the British fighters in a press conference following the match. Haye, who was in Germany to work for television, goaded his compatriot, labelling him a loser. Chisora then asked Haye, "How's your toe?" in reference to the injury Haye blamed for his defeat to Wladimir Klitschko, before confronting Haye.
Both Brits' entourages were drawn into a brawl as fists and water bottles flew, with Haye's manager Adam Booth suffering cuts to the head. Chisora accused Haye of "glassing" him and was heard to threaten to shoot him.
It was an embarrassing scene which may well result in a fight between the two heavyweights further down the line. In the mean time, it could mean criminal charges against either, or both, fighters as well further fines from boxing's governing bodies. The WBC had already punished Chisora for slapping Klitschko at Friday's weigh-in but, with more fights in the offing for him, he's unlikely to be perturbed by financial penalties.
What Vitali Klitschko thought of the sight of the two Brits tearing into each other is anybody's guess. He looked on grinning and then he took his belt home.
Alex Steedman explains that, while the British fighter will give Saturday's fight his best shot, is likely to be outclassed by a champion in peak condition......
Ralph Ellis looks ahead to Saturday night's big fight and asks if we could see a brash Brit bring about the end of the Vitali era....
Betfair's sponsorship of Prizefighter begins with Saturday night's Light Welterweights contest on Sky TV. Here's part two of our guide to the eight contenders, what they've told us about where they've come from, and where they believe they are going....
February 10, 2012
Boxing Betting: Adil Anwar on Prizefighter 23
Boxing Betting / Ralph Ellis / 09 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Adil will relish Prizefighter
"Light welterweight is the division with the most talent, by far the most competitive at the moment. I want to prove myself. Prizefighter can open doors for me."
Adil Anwar, the Leeds boxer known as The Platinum Kid, is the early favourite for Saturday night's Prizefighter Light Welterweights, sponsored by Betfair. Seemed we should go to Leeds to meet him and find out more . . .
Hi Adil, and good luck for Saturday.
I know I can't wait, It's a big opportunity for me.
How did you first start boxing?
As a youngster I got into a dilemma with a kid at school and my cousin had to step in. He got suspended from school, and my dad thought it would be good as something for me for self defence. It was something he wanted to put me in anyway - my grandad was a professional gymnast and he used to do boxing in the army in Pakistan, so had always wanted somebody from the family to do it. My uncles had always been into mixed martial arts, so he took me into Martin Bateson's gym and that's how I got started.
So what made you like it?
Really it was Martin's method of training. He was an open character and we bonded straight away. He taught me a lot of the tricks I do now. He was a fantastic coach and still has an influence. I turned pro with his older brother Mark Bateson, so they both keep on top of me.
Who were your sporting heroes?
As a boy it was Prince Naseem, he was a fantastic entertainer as well as a great fighter. Then when I was on team GB it was Amir Khan, because obviously he got selected for the Olympics and he was inspirational.
So Khan was a hero then, but is he in your sights to fight one day?
It could be down the line, but certainly not right now. Eventually, I've got aspirations to fight for world titles like he has done, and he is still a great inspiration to me. Seeing him as a boy from Bolton, somebody who was there at the time I was, to excel at that stage it shows you can do it. I suppose we have similar family backgrounds because my family is from Pakistan as well. But more important than where they are from is that like him I am blessed with a supportive family, and we have both been helped along the way both financially and morally.
What was the highlight of your amateur career?
I suppose in 2004 and 2005 when I won the Junior ABAs and then went on to get picked for Team GB, and also to box for Young England versus Italy. Then, unfortunately, I was in a car accident which knocked me off course completely. I dislocated my shoulder and it put me out of boxing for more than a year, and then I had to start all over again. But it did make me realise just how much I loved the sport, and it gave me that fire to make a success of myself. They say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and I think that year was good for my character. I thought: 'I want to make a name for myself'.
You're on the way because you are now English welterweight champion. Why enter Prizefigher as a light welterweight?
Because it's the division with the most talent, by far the most competitive division at the moment. I want to prove myself. Prizefighter can open doors for me.
You've been working with Ricky Hatton. Tell us about that.
Yes, I've been going down to Matthew Hatton's camp, training with him and a few of the other lads there.
And how has that helped you?
It's been excellent to work with top people. Matthew is quite a forward fighter, and he brings the pressure on to you, so it's been good to learn that from him and some of the other good boxers there. But also the big thing is they've got the heated lights in the gym. Until you fight on TV you don't realise but the spotlights are quite hot. When I fought for the English title it was new to me, and I thought 'wow, this is really hot'. Thankfully I still managed to knock James Flinn out in the eighth round, but being able to get used to those spotlights, and the pressure a fight brings on, has been really helpful since then and I think that will stand me in good stead on Saturday.
That should help for three fights in Prizefighter then?
Definitely. I'm ready, and to be honest with you I've never felt more ready for anything in my life.
That's good news for our punters who have made you favourite.
I heard that. I saw a tweet by Barry Hearn this morning. It's pretty impressive - but what matters is Saturday night. I feel good. I took the fight for the English title at four days notice and was probably only 60 per cent fit. If I could do that, just imagine what I can do when I've been preparing for six weeks. It's going to be an explosive night but it's going to be my night - Platinum Night.
The 23rd edition of the Betfair-sponsored Prizefighter hits our screens on Saturday night; Alex Steedman previews the boxers and selects a few for the future plus his best bet of the evening....
With Saturday's Betfair-sponsored Prizefighter fast approaching, we caught up with the two favourites, Adil Anwar and Tyrone Nurse, for an exclusive insight into their preparations......
Alex Steedman wasn't convinced by the format when Prizefighter launched four years ago, but he has been won over by the sell-out shows, Rocky-style storylines and, of course, the betting opportunities......
July 13, 2011
Boxing Betting: Judah will be real test for Khan
Boxing Betting / Ralph Ellis / 13 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Khan is avoiding trash talk before his fight against Judah
Khan should win but it won’t be easy – and odds against in the early market for the fight to go the distance looks appealing."
Amir Khan wants to put the pride back into British boxing but he will need to do more than watch his lip if he's to overcome his dangerous opponent next weekend, says Ralph Ellis.
David Haye wanted to leave boxing a legacy, and in a way it seems he has. The trouble for him is that he will always be remembered as the prime example of how not to set up a big fight.
His defeat by Wladimir Klitschko has not only left him with nowhere to go, and his reputation in tatters, it's left the sport on the ropes too. And the only consolation is it seems other fighters are having to learn from the hard lesson that it's no good trash talking if you can't back it up when you get in the ring.
Take Tyson Fury. The giant, rapidly up and coming heavyweight from Manchester told us in the Betfair Big Interview that Klitschko would win, and is not mincing his words now. "The fight was, not to put too fine a point on it, rubbish," he's told the Daily Express today. "The way Haye conned the public is a disgrace."
And even the likes of Amir Khan, who is a friend of Haye's, is putting a bit of distance between himself and the man who promised to knock out the world champion but ended up complaining about a poorly little toe. The WBA light welterweight champion from Bolton meets IBF belt holder Zab Judah in Las Vegas in ten days time and he's steering well clear of any trash talk.
"I have got the chance to put the pride back into British boxing," he says. "David is a good friend of mine but I would never like to be in the position he was in and put pressure on myself. I can learn a lot from him, and I won't go down the road of talking up a fight in the way he did."
Khan could be wise to take that approach because, while Betfair's market makes him [1.24] to unify the two belts, he'll find Judah is a far from easy opponent. The 33-year-old has won 41 of his 47 fights and is a dangerous man - all the more so because since returning from suspension he's cleaned up his attitude and got his approach to training back on course. Don't forget, he's a former undisputed world welterweight champion, and some of the six defeats in his 14 year record as a pro have been controversial, to say the least.
Khan's superior hand speed and aggression should see him justify the odds to win, but it won't be easy - and odds against in the early market (between [2.5] and [3.45]) for the fight to go the distance looks appealing.
Five things you might not know about Zab Judah
1. Born October 1977 in Brooklyn, dad Yoel was a three time world champion kick boxer who first took Zab to a boxing gym at the age of six
2. His brothers Daniel and Josiah have also had careers in the ring - Daniel as a cruiserweight or light heavyweight and Josiah - nicknamed 'The Gorilla' as a super middleweight. There are four other brothers, all raised by Yoel and his mother - he says he's been a single parent since Zab was 12.
3. In 2001 he was fined $75,000 and suspended for six months because after losing to Kostya Tszyu he threw a stool across the ring and stuck his gloved fist into the referee's neck
4. More trouble followed when a 2006 points defeat by Floyd Mayweather Junior ended with Yoel and Mayweather's uncle exchanging blows, and a melee developing inside the ring. Yoel and Zab were both fined heavily and banned for a year.
5. He moved back to light welterweight last year and recruited Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, a long time family friend, to replace Yoel as his main trainer. Zab had carried Whitaker's belt into the ring before his 1997 fight with Oscar De La Hoya.
Forget all about David Haye's underwhelming defeat and get stuck into the 'fight of the year' between John Murray and Kevin Mitchell - a bout that has all the makings of a seriously entertaining showdown...
Don't believe the markets, don't believe the naysayers - David Haye has got the tools to win his toughest fight yet and, if he uses them correctly, Wladimir Klitschko won't know what's hit him, says Alex Steedman....
The big man of British boxing will have to pull off an upset if he is to unify the belts, according to Betfair customers...
July 9, 2011
Boxing Betting: John Murray v Kevin Mitchell
Boxing Betting / Alex Steedman / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 
/ Alex Steedman / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment Kevin Mitchell works the punchbag before going down against Michael Katsidis - he's not fought since but is still Steedo's big fight selection
"There are two developing trends with Murray - he gets hit too much and he's beginning to look like a one trick pony."
Forget all about David Haye's underwhelming defeat and get stuck into the 'fight of the year' between John Murray and Kevin Mitchell - a bout that has all the makings of a seriously entertaining showdown
For the third weekend in four the Sky cameras cover an 'event fight' - most fans have been licking their lips waiting for John Murray against Kevin Mitchell. This has been several years in the works but it almost can't fail to deliver and will thrust the winner onto a world title shot at Lightweight.
It feels as though that stage has been set up for Manchester's Murray ([1.59]) for some time but a loss here would certainly stall any grand plans. This is a big risk in many ways and all credit to Murray for encouraging such a dangerous match, but then that is his way, he's an old school fighter in both style and attitude.
The Boxing writers' Young Boxer of the Year in 2006, Murray has succeeded Mitchell as Britain's longest unbeaten fighter and has carved himself a role as the fan friendly, come forward rumbler. With a ledger now running to 31 wins, Murray has crammed experience into his career having fought in Canada as well as America, including an appearance on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather's blockbuster against Oscar De La Hoya four years ago. But he is beatable.
Further evidence of Murray's vulnerability came when he successfully defended his European Title in April against unheralded Karim El Ouazghari. As has become the norm, Murray rumbled forward seemingly unfussed by the artillery heading his way and, though grinding out the required decision win, he left the ring bearing the bumps and bruises of battle.
Now there is no doubt that the Mancunian has found it difficult to motivate himself against uninspiring opposition but there are two developing trends with Murray - he gets hit too much and he's beginning to look like a one trick pony. The heat and pressure Murray brings to attack is impressive in its own way and with six successive stoppages (2.58 KO/TKO/DQ) on the record, it is very effective at a certain level. But, for me, Murray lacks the subtlety required at and around world-class and Mitchell has the ability to be that kind of fighter.
Mitchell ([2.82]) himself comes into this fight with big questions as well as dark clouds gathering above his well-groomed head. The Eastender was one of Britain's brightest talents until he was chopped down to size by Aussie warrior Michael Katsidis in May of last year and he hasn't fought since.
Embarrassed in front of his adoring West Ham faithful at Upton Park, Mitchell went into the biggest fight of his life ill prepared both physically and mentally. It emerged quickly afterwards that he had skipped training while life at home was far removed from bliss and after falling to Katsidis in just three rounds, Mitchell embarked on a near six-month bender and by his own admission, caned £100,000 in the process. Promoter Frank Warren deserves praise for sticking with Mitchell through all of that and more for banking him this platform opportunity. Is Mitchell prepared and ready to pay him back?
Though there were 'trade' rumours about Mitchell's weight six to eight weeks ago, recent reports suggest that the Essex man has trained like a demon and significantly, experienced trainer Jimmy Tibbs has said on Frank Warren's website that Mitchell is in similar shape and showing the same focus as before his win over Breidis Prescott in late 2009. That is the same Prescott who hammered Amir Khan 15 months before yet Mitchell produced a performance full of quality and discipline to earn a deserved decision win. I don't think there is much doubt that Mitchell is more skilled than Murray and he has more variety in his repertoire too. In other words, Mitchell holds most of the cards provided he's in the right frame of mind to play them and perhaps at the right times too.
Despite the positive vibes emanating from the camp Mitchell there is the dark cloud of a reappearance date at Dagenham Police station looming on issues relating to drugs and while Mitchell hasn't been charged, it could be a distraction. And the fight is a week later than planned as Mitchell was forced out of the gym recently with a virus. There are so many niggling doubts. On the same note, I was out in Germany for the Matthew Macklin/Felix Sturm fight recently and John Murray seemed to be enjoying himself there, just a few weeks before the biggest fight of his life.
And this promises to be fight of the year. Were it not for his absence, the dramas of the past 12 months and that impending police date, I'd have Mitchell down as one of the most convincing bets of the year. If he is less than prepared, Murray will grind him down but as it stands Mitchell has the ability to win good looking and I'll be backing him to get the result.
Steedo's Selection
Mitchell to win - 3pts (0-10) @ [2.82]
Don't believe the markets, don't believe the naysayers - David Haye has got the tools to win his toughest fight yet and, if he uses them correctly, Wladimir Klitschko won't know what's hit him, says Alex Steedman....
The big man of British boxing will have to pull off an upset if he is to unify the belts, according to Betfair customers...
David Haye believes that he is at his "ideal perfect fighting weight" for his clash with Wladmir Klitschko despite weighing 30lbs less than his opponent....
May 21, 2011
Boxing Betting: Nathan Cleverly v Aleksy Kuziemski
Boxing Betting / Paul Moon / 21 May 2011 / Leave a Comment Paul believes Nathan Cleverly will be unshaken by his scheduled opponent's withdrawal
"The fact that new opponent Aleksy Kuziemski is an orthodox boxer will not be a problem because Cleverly had built the non-attendance of Braehmer into his training."
The markets are certain that Nathan Cleverly is set for another victory on Saturday night. Does Cleverly-aficionado Paul Moon agree?
Nathan Cleverly is the 11th boxing world champion to come from Wales and he did it 12 months quicker than Joe Calzaghe. He was awarded the WBO Light Heavyweight title after scheduled opponent Juergen Braehmer pulled out with a supposed eye injury. History will record that the German bottled it.
This columnist had been privy to both the planning for that fight and was staggered by the attention to detail. Every eventuality had been covered and the physical preparation first class. Not a single day of training was lost and the boxer never fitter or stronger. Nathan assured me that Juergen Braehmer would never have met such levels of fitness, strength and endurance before and the team had an inkling that he might dodge the fight because of it.
The German neither needed nor wanted this mandatory match. With only five rounds of boxing since 19 December 2009, he would have preferred yet another low-level defence in front of a partisan crowd, something that epitomised his career. The boxing media consensus was that if Cleverly boxed Braehmer he would win but if he fought him he would lose - not true according to the home camp. Nathan was supremely confident he had the tools to win in either fashion and wanted to prove it.
In his preparation Cleverly had completed close to 100 rounds of sparring with southpaws, including 32 with James DeGale, where at times there was a touch of temper. The fact that new opponent Aleksy Kuziemski is an orthodox boxer will not be a problem because Cleverly had built the non-attendance of Braehmer into his training. Besides, there is a big difference in class between these two fighters - it is worth reminding readers that Cleverly was trading at [1.57] and Braehmer [2.86] on the Betfair market before the plug was pulled.
After the Tony Bellew debacle some sanity was restored when Polish fighter Kuziemski was chosen for the fight. Ranked 11 by the WBO, he is three places higher than Bellew. His 23-fight record includes 21 wins though the highlight of his decent career was losing to Braehmer over 11 rounds. There is no knowing how fit he is but he remains a test bigger than the one Bellew would have posed.
One imagines the biggest danger to Cleverly was the pre-fight chaos. Promoter Frank Warren called the situation a 'total nightmare' and is genuinely worried about how his boxer deals with it. Boxing stalwart and matchmaker Dean Powell was less concerned, he told Betfair: "Nathan is a model professional. There has been no collateral damage whatsoever with the nonsense he has endured in the last 24 hours, in fact he has been magnificent."
Father and trainer Vince echoed those points adding: "We do not know what all the fuss is about. Nathan is relaxed but focussed, there will be no complacency and no excuses and he is confident of putting on a good show. Actually the Polish boy is tailor made for Nathan and he will knock him by the eighth or ninth round if not before."
This is a good time for Cleverly to be champion with plenty of options and a chance to unify the division. Some fights that could come about include Bernard Hopkins or all-British affairs against Carl Froch and James DeGale. One day the Tony Bellew fight could happen and that would make for interesting viewing.
Of course, winning the title is one thing but keeping it is another. Nathan reminded us that he does not consider himself champion yet, that will come at the end of the Kuziemski fight. He is treating tonight's bout as if he were the challenger. Latest Betfair prices show: Cleverly [1.06] Kuziemski [13.5] Draw [55.0].
James DeGale is favourite to win Saturday's all-British bout but, as Ralph Ellis points out, the fight could be closer than the market suggests....
James DeGale has got the trash talk down to a fine art, which is a shame as he is a classy operator in the ring, says Alex Steedman. But it's those fighting qualities which should see the Olympic gold medalist...
Destiny calls for a Welsh boxing wonder some 14 years on from Joe Calzaghe's arrival on the scene, but can Nathan Cleverly live up to the hype? Alex Steedman may have the answers...
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