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Four Title Fights Head To Head In Wigan
(DEC
7) Yesterday in Wigan, England, promoters Frank Maloney and Steve Wood held
the last press conference for their massive four title fight bill to be held
tomorrow, Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Wigan's Robin Park Centre. The card
will serve as the lead in on Sky Box Office's live broadcast of the
Mayweather vs. Hatton bill in Las Vegas.
"I'd
like top welcome you all to the Robin Park Arena for the final face to face
conference for the 'Home Guard' bill," said Maloney. "We've come up with
four great title fights that will keep the viewers on Sky Box Office happy
and the sell out crowd of just over 1,400 that will be in the arena on
Saturday night. Those that are here in the arena will be able to watch the
Hatton vs. Mayweather fight from Las Vegas after we finish the fights here
in Wigan.
"There
are four title fights on this show and out of this show, I believe that the
new Ricky Hatton will be born for British boxing because we have to look for
a new leader as Ricky is coming towards the end of his career. I do believe
that one of the guys appearing here on Saturday night may be the new star of
British boxing in the future."
Maloney's co-promoter for Saturday's show is one of the top fight figures in
Manchester, Steve Wood, also the manager of Jamie Moore, who had given up
the British light middle title to fight for the European crown at Wigan on
Saturday until champion Zaurbek Baysangurov pulled out with a training
injury.
"It's
a shame that Jamie Moore's not here to fight for the European title," said
Wood. "But he is really up for it and that's going to happen shortly. Frank
has knocked together four title fights really quickly and they're all evenly
matched. There are also eight good undercard fights so the boxing on
Saturday night is going to be quality and we're all looking forward to it."
The
eight fighters that will contest the two British and two Commonwealth title
bouts were on hand and they squared off with their respective opponents as
the Sky Sports television cameras rolled on.
London's Gary Woolcombe, 24-1 (9), and West Bromwich's Marcus Portman,
18-5-1 (3), will contest the vacant British light middleweight crown
recently given up by Jamie Moore and Maloney predicts that the winner will
likely meet Moore for the European title in the near future. Both men have
had impressive careers to date with Woolcombe failing only in an English
title bid against the awkward Andrew Facey and southpaw Portman is riding a
six fight win streak.
Both
men remain confident that they will be take this opportunity for the
domestic crown with both hands, setting up what should be a hard fought
twelve round contest of wills.
"I
believe that it's my time to win the British title," said Woolcombe. "I've
been pro for five years now, 25 fights and 24 wins and I believe it's time
to fight for the British and I know I'm going to be victorious."
"I've
been a pro for eight years now and I've fought some tough some geezers in my
time," said Portman. "This is definitely my time to win the British title
and I'm thankful for the opportunity of it. I'm going to bring that title
back to West Bromwich."
English flyweight titlist Chris Edwards, 10-12-3 (3), and English bantam
titlist Jamie McDonnel, 8-0-1 (2), will argue the inaugural British super
flyweight championship. Edwards is coming off two tremendous battles with
Dale Robinson, the second of which ended in a draw for the British and
Commonwealth flyweight belts while McDonnel is having a superb start after a
sterling amateur career and will have a sizable height advantage once the
bell rings.
"Jamie
hasn't been in with fighters of the same class that I've been in with," said
Edwards. "I don't have any doubts at all that the belt is coming back to
stay with me."
"I've
only had 10 fight so this British title fight has come fast," said McDonnel.
"I'd just like to say that title is coming back to Doncaster."
Welterweight Ali Nuumbembe, 18-2-1 (6), defeated British champion Kevin
Anderson in February for the Commonwealth title and will look to hold of the
youthful aspirations of challenger Craig Watson, 11-1 (3), the man who put
Amir Khan on the floor for what is now known as the longest count in amateur
boxing.
Nuumbembe, known as "The Silent Assassin", first shot to prominence two
years ago when he forced a draw upon unbeaten former British welterweight
champion David Barnes. Watson comes into the bout on the strength of a four
fight victory roll, including an impressive points win against previously
unbeaten prospect Michael Lomax in July.
"I'm
Commonwealth champion and have had 21 fights," said Nuumbembe. "I'm prepared
for this fight, it's the first defense of my title and I'm not prepared to
let it go yet. I will put on a good show and intend to keep my title."
"I've
taken some hard fights in my twelve bouts and beaten some good kids," said
Watson. "I'm chuffed to be here and would fight Nuumbembe here today if I
could."
Former
IBO super flyweight champion Jason Booth, 27-5 (10), meets Welshman Matt
Edmonds, 5-1 (1), for the vacant Commonwealth bantamweight title. Booth is
regrouping the second phase of a long career after dropping a close British
title fight to Ian Napa recently while Edmonds will try to bring to bear his
youthful advantage.
Also a
past holder of the British and Commonwealth flyweight belts, Booth contended
competitively for European honors on three occasions, losing narrowly in
each instance and the Nottingham man is confident that this will bout will
see the beginning of a new campaign for the Continental crown.
"I've
forgotten how many fights I've had, (laughter erupts from room) but I'm
ready for this one," said Booth. "I'm gonna do well in this one tomorrow,
(more laughter), I mean Saturday."
"I'd
like to say thanks to Frank for giving me the opportunity to fight for the
Commonwealth title, and I think this will be a great fight," said Edmonds.
"Jason is a great fighter; I've watched him since I was a kid and it's a
privilege to share the ring with him but I will be taking the belt back to
Wales."
Press
Release composed by Curtis McCormick for www.frankmaloney.com |
