06.09.07 – The last time that Lee Haskins fought at London’s famed York Hall, the 23 year old southpaw engaged in fierce firefights with Commonwealth bantam boxing champion Tshifhiwa Munyai, but the Bristol man gave up a full seven inches in height and was unable to overcome the outrageously talented, six foot tall “Atomic Spider” of South Africa last October.
This time out, Haskins, 16-1 (9), will actually enjoy a height advantage over 5 foot 1 inch British bantamweight champion Ian Napa, 14-6 (0), when the two clash on a Frank Maloney promotion at York Hall on Friday, September 21.
Coming off a tune up bout win in February, West Country hero Haskins is ready to pull off the upset of Napa and take home the British title belt, according to his manager and trainer, Chris Sanigar, himself a hardnosed former light welterweight fighter.
“Munyai was a freakish opponent,” Sanigar told the Bristol Evening Post, “Lee could box for the next 10 years and he won’t come up against another bantamweight as big or as tall as he was. Napa is a smaller opponent and, although he is more experienced, he will suit Lee.”
Napa has climbed to the top of the bantamweight pile in the UK, but the sharply skilled 29 year old will likely have to dig deep, as he did to take the vacant British title against Jason Booth this past July, if he is to solve the baffling, all angle attack of the hard punching challenger on September 21.
A full undercard supports the Napa vs. Haskins main event with Jason Booth clashing with Jamie McDonnel for the English bantam belt and London’s light middle sensation Gary Woolcombe tangling with a rough and ready Jason Rushton over eight rounds.
Unbeaten prospects Danny Harding of Manchester and London’s Lee Cook clash to see just who will become the hottest up and coming lightweight in Britain and rounding out the card are light middle Sam Webb, featherweight Akaash Bhatia, super feather Ian Wilson, light heavy Tony Salem and super middle Dwayne Lewis as well as welter Scott Woolford.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Boxing Is Coming Home”, headlined by Ian Napa vs. Lee Haskins for the Bantamweight Championship of Britain, at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England on Friday, September 21, 2007.
Tickets are £75 ringside and £45 general admission and can be purchased by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508. Doors open at 6:45PM
Sky Sports will televise the main bouts live on SS1 starting at 22:00 GMT.
Press release composed by Curtis McCormick for www.frankmaloney.com