Talking to Crystina Poncher for Top Rank at the media workouts earlier this week, the Jamaican champion said of the opportunity to box at the Garden;
Nicholas Walters: This Fight Won’t End In A Decision
Olly Campbell
Luke Campbell v Tommy Coyle: All Set For August 1st
It’s already being billed as a huge domestic clash that will serve as an official eliminator for WBC champion Jorge Linares’ 135 lb title – and after leaking online earlier in the week, promoter Eddie Hearn this morning dropped the news that London 2012 gold medalist Luke Campbell and hometown rival Tommy Coyle, will indeed headline Matchroom’s “Rumble On The Humber” card from Hull’s Craven Park – with ample support coming in the form of Scotland’s Ricky Burns – (who put in a heroic shift vs Omar Figueroa Jr in Texas recently, when he fights a TBA opponent.)
Walters v Marriaga / Selby Keeping An Eye On Things
Jamaica’s “Axe-Man” Nicholas Walters puts his unbeaten record and WBA 126lb strap on the line on Saturday night when he takes on Colombian Miguel Marriaga at Madison Square Garden.
With 18 early finishes from 20 fights, Marriaga presents a significant danger to the dominant Walters – and holds a notable amateur victory of the Jamaican champion – something he will be looking to repeat at the weekend.
Paul Smith On Andre Ward: I Can’t Let Him Be His Best
Liverpool’s super middleweight contender and former world title challenger Paul Smith goes into the lion’s den on June 20th when he travels to California and attempts to upset the returning Andre Ward in a fight many are viewing as an uphill struggle for the Brit – who is coming off back-to-back losses against Germany’s Arthur Abraham.
Speaking to fighthype.com, Smith was honest in his appraisal of his chances in the fight and clearly recognises he is a big underdog. However, he believes he can upset the odds if he boxes a smart fight – and is buoyed by the American’s inactivity – Ward last stepped through the ropes back in November of 2013.
Dillian Whyte Unfazed By Anthony Joshua
The hype surrounding big punching British heavyweight Anthony Joshua shows no signs of abating, with the debate and speculation surrounding his next potential opponent thriving across social media.
One name repeatedly linked to the knockout artist is Brixton heavyweight Dillian Whyte, who floored Joshua 6 years ago in their amateur days, en route to earning a scrappy points decision over four undisciplined rounds.
It was “The Villain’s” first amateur contest – and since that evening in 2009, the two men’s careers have gone in contrasting directions, yet now look set to come full circle later this year, possibly in September on Eddie Hearn’s O2 Arena show.
Robert Garcia : Unhappy With Brook v Rios – ‘They Think They’re Mayweather’
If trainer Robert Garcia is to be believed, then the proposed Kell Brook v Brandon Rios dust-up could have hit the skids already. The proposed fight for the Brit’s IBF 147 lb title is ostensibly on course for August 29th in Sheffield – and all the noises from Rios himself and both Matchroom Sport and Top Rank have been positive thus far as negotiating the fight goes.
So it’s probably a good job that Brandon’s trainer Robert Garcia isn’t in charge of making it happen, as following his disappointing trip to England 10 days ago, in which his fighter Evgeny Gradovich dropped his IBF 126 lb strap to Lee Selby , the Oxnard based trainer has spoken to fighthubtv to accuse Brook’s handlers – Eddie Hearn & Matchroom Sport – of diva-ish behavior saying that from his experience of dealing with them things weren’t positive.
Team Fury Full Of Belief : Klitschko v Fury
It’s a fight we are going to see sooner rather than later – and with Wladimir Klitschko’s trainer James Ali Bashir expressing concerns earlier this week regarding the danger Tyson Fury presents the giant Ukrainian champion in the Autumn of his career, a tweet from Fury’s trainer and Uncle Peter Fury, last night summed up the belief that evidently exists in camp ahead of the fight – writing the following;
“You will see the best @Tyson_Fury ever. The world will awake to a new era in boxing & the new undisputed champion of the world!”
Amir Mansour : ‘Rankings Don’t Mean S*** To Me’
Now 42 years old, American heavyweight contender and Islamic convert Amir Mansour (22-1, 16ko) hasn’t had the easiest of careers, though it would be fair to say he has been the architect of his own destruction – sentenced to 8 1/2 years for drug offences back in 2001 and then after a fleeting comeback in 2010, he was sent back to jail for a further 14 months for violating his parole the following year.
Nice guy I’m sure – but many boxers have troubled personal lives – look at Jermain Taylor lately – and it’s what gets achieved in the ring that truly matters, with the New Jersey born heavy on a seven fight comeback streak since January 2013 – the sole loss coming to former cruiserweight boss Steve Cunningham in a fight where both men tasted canvas a little over a year ago.
Kell Brook Doesn’t Look Impressive Says Brandon Rios
Brandon Rios is looking increasingly likely to be Kell Brook’s next defence of his IBF 147lb title – on August 29th, possibly in Sheffield – and he has spoken out to fighthype.com to insist he sees nothing about the Brit that worries him, insisting the Wincobank fighter isn’t impressive and that he also has no concerns about coming to box in Brook’s backyard.
After his trainer Robert Garcia recently questioned the neutrality of British officials, it would appear Rios is relaxed about the idea and expressed no issues. Asked if the journey across the pond bothers him, he said;
Deontay Wilder : Boxing Needs Me To Take Over
Ahead of his clash with unheralded challenger Eric Molina on Saturday, Alabama’s WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has spoken out to Sky Sports – who will be showing the fight in the UK – to promote the contest and talk about not only the future of the heavyweight division, but the future of boxing generally – something he feels he is ready to be the new star of following Floyd Mayweather’s inevitable retirement from the sport.
He said;
“Floyd Mayweather seems to be coming to the end and boxing needs an exciting new face to take over. I believe I can be that exciting new face.”