Castle, Johanneson Meet
March 20 In London
March 14, 2009
(MAR 14) A thrilling domestic showdown
has been added to Ian Napa's upcoming European title defense on Friday,
March 20 at Newham Leisure Centre in London, England as Henry Castle
clashes with Carl Johanneson at lightweight. Castle, 19-4 (11), has
moved up the ranks from the bottom, fighting his way through the ranks
at lightweight and picking up a few losses along the way. But the man
from Salisbury found his stride over the last year and a half, racking
up five consecutive victories.
During that streak, the 30 year old has turned back Belfast sharpshooter
Kevin O'Hara, rugged Frenchman Frederic Gosset, London hard man Ryan
Barrett and the previously unbeaten Lee Cook but it was the ruthless
first round crushing of former British and Commonwealth titlist Graham
Earl last October that has put Castle in the driver's seat in his bid
for domestic dominance.
For Castle to continue his bid for the British title, he'll have to face
down hard as nails former British super feather champion Carl Johanneson,
who returns from a year's absence to meet Castle in an eight rounder
next Friday at Newham LC.
Johanneson, 27-4 (19), fought his first 16 bouts in America before
returning home to England in 2004 to wage a very successful campaign at
super feather, picking up the British title within two years by stopping
Billy Corcoran.
The Leeds veteran then retained the belt with gritty performances over
Ricky Burns and Femi Fehintola before mounting a disastrous bid to
unseat reigning European champion Leva Kirakosyan, suffering a fourth
round KO at the hands of the big punching Armenian.
But Johanneson roared back in a British title fight with Michael Gomez,
stopping the former champion in the sixth during an intense firefight
before losing the crown in a thriller to Commonwealth king Kevin
Mitchell last March.
A year off has refreshed Johanneson and after eight years as a super
feather, the 30 year old will try his hand in the lightweight division.
Without question, it's a tremendously difficult initial test at 135
pounds for Johanneson and this crossroads battle with Castle could
provide the winner with a chance to fight for the British title.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents the Bantamweight Championship of
Europe as reigning titlist Ian Napa defends against Malik Bouziane along
with full undercard support at Newham Leisure Centre in London, England
on Friday, March 20, 2009. Tickets, priced at £80 for Ringside and £35
General Admission, are available by logging onto frankmaloney.com or by
calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508.
Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS2 at 10PM.
