Olly Campbell

Billy Joe Saunders – A Great Year Ahead

Billy Joe Saunders - A Great Year Ahead

There is more good news for Britain’s undefeated middleweight Billy Joe Saunders (21-0,11ko) this morning as he has been named the EBU fighter of the year. In a joint accolade his fight with Chris Eubank Jr last November (19-1,14ko) has also been named EBU fight of the year.

It’s a deserving award for the British, Commonwealth and European 160lb fighter ahead of his blockbuster world title challenge later this year against “Irish” Andy Lee, who we saw last weekend in a good fight with Peter Quillin which ended in a hard fought draw.

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Hatton Picks Floyd For May 2nd; Thinks Khan Can Trouble Mayweather

Hatton Picks Floyd For May 2nd; Thinks Khan Can Trouble Mayweather

The most prominent, and at times desperate member of the “Mayweather” sweepstakes is perennial “Bridesmaid”, Amir Khan (30-3,19ko) who whilst still not confirming his next fight will be with American Chris Algieri, knows he is fast running out of time and any other option.

Despite all that, perhaps the Bolton fighter can take cheer from legendary British 140lb-er Ricky “Hitman” Hatton,(45-3, 32ko) who in various sections of the British media has been vocal in his support of Khan and his chances at beating Mayweather, should he indeed secure that fight.

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Provodnikov v Matthysse – Ruslan Promises War

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I’m saddened that days out from what many are building as FOTY potential, Saturdays scrap between big punching 140lb warriors Ruslan Provodnikov (24-3,17ko) and Lucas Matthysse (36-3,34ko) isn’t getting more attention.

Even on social media it seems that only “die-hard” fans are anticipating, and perhaps appreciating just how much potential to entertain this fight has.

Screened on HBO in the States and on Boxnation in the UK as part of a televised split with Terence Crawford v Thomas Dulorme, it’s safe to say in my opinion that those who will be in attendance ringside at the Turning Stone in Verona, NY are to be in for the biggest treat. Yet somehow, especially here in Britain, it doesn’t seem that enough people are getting truly excited about it.

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Rigo Calls Out Quigg, Also Eyeing Frampton

Rigo Calls Out Quigg, Also Eyeing Frampton

In one of my favourite movies, The Crow, just before his character throws one of the men who murdered him and his girlfriend out of a window (just watch it, it’s a great film), Brandon Lee says;

“I guess it’s not a good day to be a bad guy, huh Skank?”

Well in Britain, I guess it’s not a good day to be Bury’s WBA (reg) super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg, as like the fabled movie and comic book hero, WBA (sup) and WBO champion, undefeated Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux (15-0,10ko) is on something of a hunting mission, publicly stating that he intends to come to the UK and call out Quigg in person.

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Carl Froch : “I Would Have Beat Calzaghe”

Carl Froch : "I Would Have Beat Calzaghe"

Britain’s best 168lb fighter of the last few years, Carl Froch (34-2,24ko), has been at it again, ahead of a new ITV documentary that he is the focus of.

In a teaser for the soon to be released film, the famous ego of “The Cobra” lands with a bang once more, with both Froch and trainer Rob McCracken re-asserting their long held belief that should the two rivals have ever got in the ring, the undefeated Welshman would have emerged the loser.

The Froch v Calzaghe (46-0,32ko) hypothetical is a much debated topic on social media, particularly in the UK, with the consensus belief being that the hand speed, ring IQ and intense work rate of Calzaghe would have proved to much for Carl to deal with. It’s a belief I am inclined, along with Barry McGuigan, to agree with.

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Frank Warren Talks Andy Lee vs Billy Joe Saunders

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Veteran British promoter Frank Warren has today spoken to iFL tv’s Kugan Cassius in the aftermath of Saturday’s draw between Andy Lee and Peter Quillin regarding his fighter, former Olympian and undefeated current British, European and Commonwealth middleweight champion, Hatfield’s Billy Joe Saunders. (21-0, 11ko)

WBO 160lb mandatory challenger Saunders was always due to face the winner of Lee-Quillin yet after the somewhat unique situation of the belt staying with Lee (W or L) as soon as Quillin failed to make weight, the fans knew before the fight that win or lose Andy Lee vs Saunders would be a world title fight in Britain or Ireland at some stage in the summer. The fact that the entertaining fight between Lee and Quillin ended up a draw became something of a moot point.

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Garcia/Broner: Will They/Won’t They?

Garcia/Broner: Will They/Won't They?

It feels like a long time now that the names Danny Garcia and Adrien Broner have been mentioned alongside each other.

The latest installment in the will they?/Won’t they drama came at the weekend, when Broner was ringside for Garcia’s hotly disputed “gift” decision against Lamont Peterson. The Ohio born motor-mouth, coincidentally alongside Garcia’s father Angel, is one of the most disliked and divisive figures in all of boxing, so the prospect of those two personalities clashing in the build up would be entertaining from a fan perspective to say the least. Neither Garcia Snr, nor Broner are ever short of something to say.

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Khan-Brook-Algieri-Gavin: It’s A Farce

Khan-Brook-Algieri-Gavin: It's A Farce

Amir Khan (30-3, 19ko) is once again the focus in sections of the British media this morning, namely The Guardian, although the attention of that focus is once more on the circus surrounding his fight on May 30th, for which, no OFFICIAL opponent has yet been announced.

After the video on his wife’s YouTube channel suggesting it would be American Chris Algieri (20-1, 8ko), who was decked seven times by Manny Paqcuiao the last time he boxed, the ridicule and condemnation from British fans in particular was as such that Khan went into back track mode whilst he waits for the furor to die down.

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Josh Warrington & “We Are Leeds”

Josh Warrington & "We Are Leeds"

Tonight in Leeds, UK half of the city will come to a stand still when their favourite son Josh Warrington steps between the ropes once more to face Dennis Tuberion in an official eliminator for the WBC featherweight title, live on Sky Sports 2.

The unbeaten Yorkshireman is well known for the large and loyal base of support he enjoys in his home town and it’s a safe bet the roof of the First Direct Arena will come off when he makes his ring walk.

Warrington (20-0, 4ko) whilst not a noted puncher at the weight, possesses a fantastic work rate, and has been working his way consistently up the rankings capturing British, Commonwealth and European featherweight championships along the way.

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British Heavyweight Hope Anthony Joshua – Frank Warren Shares His Thoughts

British Heavyweight Hope Anthony Joshua - Frank Warren Shares His Thoughts

Stop and ask any British boxing fan in the street who they believe our next great hope for winning the world heavyweight title is and you will more than likely hear a variety of answers, but one name that will crop up time and time again is Olympic Gold medalist and undefeated powerhouse Anthony Joshua (11-0, 11ko).

If that is a name that is unfamiliar to you then I suggest you read on, because in his column for the Independent newspaper this week, veteran British promoter Frank Warren offered his thoughts on the fighter he tried to sign after London 2012 and leveled some criticism at the way he believes Joshua’s career is being handled under the guidance of Warren’s promotional rivals Matchroom Sport.

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