Olly Campbell

Rule Britannia! – DeGale Turns Road Warrior & Makes History

Rule Britannia! - DeGale Turns Road Warrior & Makes History

Those of us in the UK, who started out frustrated at the fact that the live televised broadcast of tonight’s fight card was delayed by a sh***y lower tier English football play off final, actually had our spirits lifted come the end of the in-ring action, when Harlesden’s James DeGale, became the first British fighter in history to lift a professional world title following an Olympic gold medal.

One hell of an achievement.

The likable Londoner is the sole British name on an elite list of fighters that includes both Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard in accomplishing this history making feat, in a fight that was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster for both sides – UK AND US – as the early action saw 2 stunning knockdowns in the 2nd round that left many thinking it would be an early night’s work for the Brit.

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‘There Will Be No Issues With The Weight’ Says Kenny Porter – Porter v Broner

'There Will Be No Issues With The Weight' Says Kenny Porter - Porter v Broner

Ahead of the much anticipated June 20th 145lb catchweight clash between “Showtime” Shawn Porter (25-1-1, 16ko) and fellow Ohioan motor mouth, Adrien Broner (30-1, 22ko) from the MGM Grand in Vegas – the former’s father and trainer, Kenny Porter, has spoken to BeRealtv about how the fight came together and the perceived ‘disadvantages’ the catchweight may present given his son’s naturally heavier build and weight – a notion he dismissed outright as “not an issue” while still conceding anything below 147 requires “adjustment” for Shawn to boil down to.

The fight will potentially be another jewel in the crown of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions brand, which – thus far – is delivering on it’s promise of consistent, entertaining and most importantly competitive fights.

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Those Who Shout The Loudest! – Willie Dirrell Says Andre Taking Belt Back Home

Those Who Shout The Loudest! - Willie Dirrell Says Andre Taking Belt Back Home

If there has been an irksome, fly-on-s*** type presence hanging over the media workouts and pressers this week in Boston ahead of tonight’s fight between James DeGale and Andre Dirrell, look no further than the non-boxing brother of the Dirrell family – Willie – who has spoken to iFLtv in between making an ass of himself – to state unequivocally that he believes the IBF 168lb title is going back to Michigan.

Dirrell, who has made it his job to be a professional pain in the backside with regards to this fight – stalking DeGale over Instagram and calling him a loser at the open workout this week – looked even more stupid posting for pictures with his fists raised at the head to head as if it were he getting in the ring and not his brother.

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Buglioni & Markham To Do It Again

After their blood and guts war that more than ably headlined Frank Warren’s recent “Striking Distance” show from the SSE Arena in London earlier this month, Enfield’s “Wise Guy” Frank Buglioni and Romford’s Lee “Banjo” Markham are set to go at it again – after their electrifying first fight ended in (a rightful) draw.

Announced by George Warren on “Bunce’s Boxing Hour” and by Buglioni himself via his twitter feed, the rematch is set for July 24th at the same venue – and each man will be determined to walk out a clear winner and leave nothing in the hands of the judges this time.

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Deontay Wilder Is Getting A Lotta Slaps

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Big punching WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder – who fights the limited Eric Molina in a ‘Get Out Of Jail Free’ fight for his maiden (voluntary) defence on June 20th – has spoken to FightHub.com to talk Klitschko – promising that should he lose to the dominant Ukrainian champion, his fans the world over have his permission to slap him round the face.

Ever good natured and enthusiastic in his interviews, Deontay is the kind of guy you can’t help but like – OUT of the ring – yet he is pretty far off the mark with his statements here regarding what will happen – if and when he eventually gets the call to fight Wladimir IN it.

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Hearn Announces 5 Year Contract Extension With Sky

Hearn Announces 5 Year Contract Extension With Sky

Matchroom Sports promoter Eddie Hearn has this afternoon announced a 5 year extension to their current exclusive Sky Sports broadcasting contract (which ends next year), meaning that the present Saturday night formula for British fans is set to continue until 2021.

This is sure to elicit a mixed response from fans who, as of late, have grown tired of what they perceive as mis-matches on many of the domestic cards, taking to calling the firm “mis-Matchroom” boxing in jest on social media.

For example, a £5 7-fold bet on the favourites for the last domestic show in Birmingham, that included Matthew Macklin and Anthony Joshua, would have returned you the princely sum of £5.31.

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James DeGale Laughs Off Team Dirrell Insults

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At yesterday’s media workout ahead of Saturday’s PBC on CBS, James DeGale took some time out to chat to iFLtv about the fight and the laughable situation that saw another of the Dirrell brothers, Willie, hijack proceedings – vocally branding the Londoner a loser – among other things – as the assembled media looked on.

DeGale insists he is in better shape than ever ahead of the history making fight for the vacant 168lb IBF strap, which, should he win, means he will become the first British gold medal winning Olympian to go on and win a world title in the paid ranks.

He said;

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Froch v Golovkin At Wembley?

Froch v Golovkin At Wembley?

So just a day or two after saying that he would be ‘flipping a coin’ over whether or not he will fight again – Carl Froch appears to be flirting with the idea of another huge Wembley UK show – a la George Groves – yet this time against the murderous punching middleweight Gennady Golovkin, who we saw break apart Willie Monroe Jr on HBO last weekend.

The Daily Mail, as well as multiple other sources online, are reporting that talks for the fight are underway, although I’m incredibly wary of how much of this is ego-satisfying bluster for “The Cobra” and how much of it is credible, thoughtful and ultimately SERIOUS consideration.

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Credible Fights For Hughie Fury /Arreola In The Frame

Credible Fights For Hughie Fury /Arreola In The Frame

It would appear that the future is looking bright for British heavyweight prospect Hughie Fury (15-0, 8ko) – cousin of Tyson, if a series of late night tweets from his father and trainer Peter are anything to go by.

The young 20 year old heavyweight took a significant step up in class last time out, turning in a confident and mature performance against the more experienced Ukrainian Andriy Rudenko (24-2, 16ko) on the undercard of the Gennady Golovkin/Martin Murray fight in February.

Clearly looking for credible tests for his son, which is always a refreshing thing to hear regarding a young fighter, Peter tweeted the following with regards to the next outing;

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