Ryan Forde-Kelly

Matthew Macklin still focused on World titles

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Matthew Macklin retains the unflinching belief that he is capable of world title glory ahead his comeback on Matchroom’s RESURRECTION card this Saturday.

Multiple middleweight World title challenger Macklin, 31-6 (20KO’s), returns to British shores for the first time since 2010 as he looks to rebuild his career in his hometown of Birmingham following his crushing defeat to Jorge Sebastian Heiland by 10th round knockout in November 2014.

Macklin will now face unheralded Hungarian southpaw Sandor Micsko, 25-8-2 (19KO’s), in the wake of original opponent Ferenc Albert’s withdrawal from the contest earlier this week. A change unlikely to phase the middleweight who continues to reach for the stars, despite some alarming signs in his previous contest.

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Big three prospects step in for Gavin

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Never has a boxing show been handed a more fitting name.

‘RESURRECTION’ Matchroom’s foray into the British heartlands – set to take place this Saturday in Birmingham – has been impacted by schedule changes and drop outs that have seen the UK’s premier promotional outfit call in the cavalry.

Premier prospects Anthony Joshua, Luke Campbell and Callum Smith will step in to fill the void left by home favourite Frankie Gavin – who will now challenge IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook on 30th May in London’s O2 Arena.

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Composed under pressure – Ali outboxes Santana over 10

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Brooklyn native Sadam Ali successfully answered some serious questions in Madison Square Garden, New York last night on his way to securing a unanimous decision over the rampaging Francisco Santana, to continue his charge up the 147lbs division.

Scores at ringside confirmed the general consensus that it was the superior boxing ability and slick movement from the home fighter that was much preferred, reading 97-93, 97-93 and 100-90.

Ali – subject to intense pressure throughout – boxed superbly off the back foot at times in the face of Santana’s relentless pressure and persistent will to drag the young New Yorker into a war.

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Wladimir Klitschko v Bryant Jennings – Main Event Review

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Wladimir Klitschko successfully defended his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles at New York’s Madison Square Garden tonight with a unanimous points decision over previously undefeated challenger Bryant Jennings.

All three judges found in favour of the Ukrainian with scores of 116-111, 116-111 and 118-109, despite a spirited effort from the challenger who succeeded in announcing himself as a name in the heavyweight division.

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Klitschko v Jennings Weigh-In; Wilder-Briggs Go At It!

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During an eventful weigh-in at Madison Square Garden-Chase Square this afternoon, Wladimir Klitschko, 63-3 (53KO’s), tipped the scales at 241.6 pounds, looking magnificent at 39 years of age.

His challenger Bryant Jennings, 19-0 (10KO’s), looked equally impressive – despite the size aggregate – notching a ripped 226.8 pounds.

Sadly, it was not the two men who will put it on the line tomorrow that will take the headlines from today. These will once again be dominated by the tedious sideshow that is Shannon Briggs and his furious slanging match with reigning WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

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Wladimir Klitschko v Bryant Jennings – Final Presser

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Fight week got started in New York this afternoon as long reigning World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, 63-3 (53KO’s), faced unbeaten challenger Bryant Jennings, 19-0 (10KO’s), in their final formal media obligation in Madison Square Garden.

Both fighters conducted themselves with confidence, class and respect, something, which has typified the build up to a fight that has accepted its position as the entrée to the biggest event in boxing history.

This class cannot be extended to the continued delusion of gate crasher Shannon Briggs, who ludicrously turned up at the proceedings as incoherent and as annoying as ever.

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Ryan Farrag lands British title shot

There exists no happier man in Liverpool than exciting bantamweight prospect Ryan Farrag, 13-1 (2KO’s), who was recently announced as the mandatory challenger for the coveted British title held by Lee Haskins, 31-3 (13KO’s).

The announcement made by the British Boxing Board of Control on 9th April called for purse bids to be conducted on Wednesday 13th May, with the bout to take place no later than the end of July.

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We Are Leeds – Undercard Ringside Review

We Are Leeds – Undercard Ringside Review

Martin J Ward TKO5 Maxi Hughes – Martin J Ward, 11-0-2 (6KO’s), left no room for doubt second time around as he convincingly halted Maxi Hughes, 13-2-2 (2KO’s), on his stool at the closure of the 5th round of their super-featherweight rematch.

It’s been a long wait for Tony Sims’s charge; he felt he had done enough in the first meeting in December – in which he was controversially down twice – to earn more than the majority draw awarded.

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Josh Warrington v Dennis Tubieron – Ringside Review

Josh Warrington v Dennis Tubieron – Ringside Review

Josh Warrington claimed the vacant WBC international featherweight title this evening with a 12 round unanimous decision victory over the teak tough Filipino Dennis Tubieron.

The local hero – now mandatory challenger to Gary Russell Jnr’s WBC featherweight world championship – was greeted in the customary raucous fashion held on reserve for him at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, which resembled more of summer rock festival than a championship boxing show.

Such an atmosphere can’t help but transfer to target of its affection and Warrington looked ready to explode as he soaked up every ounce of it pacing around his corner, in which he was oddly accompanied by ex-footballer and actor Vinnie Jones.

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