Kenny Anderson will face the Czech Republic’s Roman Vanicky at the London Grosvenor House Hotel on Friday September 12 after three opponents withdrew from facing the hard-hitting 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Edinburgh’s Anderson, who has stopped all six of his opponents since his professional debut in October 2006, had originally been due to face American Antonio Baker in keeping with the UK versus USA theme for Sports Network’s fourth annual DebRA charity dinner..
However, Baker’s replacement Joe Rea pulled out of facing Anderson and third choice Michael Rayner also called off.
Vanicky was halted in the first round of his only previous outing in the UK, when Anderson’s fellow Scot, Stevie McGuire, unleashed a vicious left hook to the Czech’s body at the Kirkcaldy Ice Rink in February 2007.
That was the third stoppage defeat on Vanicky’s resume which shows seven wins, four of which have come inside the distance, 18 losses and one draw.
Despite all the uncertainty over who would be in the opposite corner on Friday, Anderson is just relieved that he will be fighting for the first time since Braveheart Promotions’ show at the SECC back in March.
Anderson said: “I am not going into the ring to prove any points. I suppose some people might think because Stevie McGuire knocked Vanicky out inside a round that I have to do the same.
“But I will be going out there to box him and if the knockout comes, it comes. Vanicky has a decent chin but I’m just going to rely on my boxing ability. I am developing a reputation as a bit of a banger after six knockouts from six fights, but people forget about my all round boxing ability.
“This will be only my second fight this year due to a number of shows I was scheduled to box on being cancelled or postponed. I am hoping to have three more fights after Friday night, starting in Paisley in October.”
FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM LEGENDARY BLUE HORIZON FOR FRIDAY NIGHT’S CARD
PHILADELPHIA (September 10, 2008)—On Wednesday most of the participants for this Friday night’s big card at The Legendary Blue Horizon were on hand to converse about the outstanding show that will be highlighted by three evenly matched eight-round bout that will surely provide fireworks and excitement for the fans in attendance and those who will be able to view the card on www.gofightlive.tv on a tape delayed basis.
In the main event, Steve Upsher Chambers will take on Kevin Carmody in a Jr. Welterweight fight. Gee Cullmer and Jameel Wilson will square off in super middleweight tilt. A potentially explosive cruiserweight fight between undefeated Ran Nakash of Israel taking on Larry Robinson of Philadelphia in a bout that most pundits believe will end in a knockout.
There will be three exciting undercard bouts featuring Derrick Bivins and Darryl Jones making their pro debut in separate bouts.
FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES:
Steve Upsher Chambers (17-1-1, 5 KO’s)—“I anticipate that this is going to be a tough fight. I know him from the gym and I think we worked together about four or five years ago and a lot has changed since then. I know I have gotten a lot better and I am sure he has as well.”
“I train hard to come out victorious. I am ready and I have never felt this good in my life.”
“I am not looking past him as he is known around Philadelphia and I have heard a lot.”
“I want you to come out and watch the fight or tune into www.gofightlive.tv”
Kevin Carmody (10-10-2, 1 KO)-—“It means a lot to be fighting at The Legendary Blue Horizon.”
“I know that Chambers is a good fighter but a very basic fighter. He has a Winky Wright type of style, so I should do fairly well with that.”
“I am not nervous. I have fought the top guys already so this is nothing to me. It is just another fight to me“
“Watch this fight there will be an upset”
Ran Nakash (14-0, 10 KO’s)- “I know he is 10-3 with a hard punch”
“If I win this fight I feel I should get that respect that I deserve.”
“This is my sixth time fighting at The Blue Horizon and it feels like my 2nd home.”
“This fight will be a hell of a fight”
Larry Robinson (10-3, 7 KO’s)—“It should be an interesting fight. I am explosive. He is explosive so that makes a good fight.”
“Come watch the fight or watch on the internet and tell me what you think of the new Larry Robinson”
Derrick Bivins (Pro debut)-“It means a lot (to make my pro debut at The Legendaty Blue Horizon), I am going to make these fans feel good about the same things I do.
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential seats, $65 for VIP, $55 for Ringside, and $45 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling The Legendary Blue Horizon at 1-215-763-0500 or by logging on to comcasttix.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM / 1st bout begins at 7:30 PM
The Legendary Blue Horizon is located at 1314 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA
For more information, log on to www.legendarybluehorizon.com
A rare event in Philadelphia, just for a different prize – experience
The James Shuler Memorial Gym In West Philadelphia is a real working gym where those just starting out train alongside current champions of all weights and classes. The ring always seems to have some action going on, but the fighters and trainers just keep on working, honing their skills. Sometimes a fighter or trainer may take a minute or two off to catch a glimpse at the two combatants sparring, but that’s about all.
Not so earlier this week. Everyone, but everyone stopped what they were doing and watched as two fighters well known as gym regulars squared up to each other. It could so easily have been because climbing on to the ring apron to give instruction from one corner was the legendary trainer Nazim
Richardson and the other Marshall Kauffman, but no. it’s not unusual to see them instructing their many famous charges.
It was something far rarer. None other than the current IBF cruiserweight champion of the world, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham had climbed in to the ring, for a public sparring session.
On the spur of the moment the ever likable champion had decided to give his good friend, Julio Cesar Matthews (4-0), a serious workout to assist with Matthew’s preparation for his upcoming fight against the more experienced Chris Stallworth (9-1) from Pittsburgh, this coming Saturday at the ‘Night Of The Rising Stars’ event in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Matthew’s, and those lucky enough to be in the gym at the time, were treated to a master class in the art of pugilism tutured by the grand master himself.
At the end of the session all those in attendance applauded the pair and normal service resumed as everyone went straight back to their training.
Julio Cesar Matthews vs Chris Stalworth will be at the King’s Promotions ‘Night Of The Rising Stars’ event at the Riveredge Hotel and Restaurant Complex. Route 183 North, Reading PA on Saturday September 13th and Steve Cunningham will be there to cheer his friend on.
This event will be headlined by an eight round heavyweight bout featuring Travis ‘GW Hope” Kauffman (12-0, 9 KOs) against Josh “Griz” Gutcher (18-9) of Iowa.
The evening’s eight round co-feature will pit Reading’s Keenan Collins (12-4-1) against Joshua Onyango (14-15-1) of New Jersey.
In addittion to Julio Cesar Matthews vs Chris Stalworth the undercardfeatures featherweight Lucian Gonzalez (6-4-1) who will face an opponentyet to be determined in a six rounder and welterweight debutee JoseMartinez will take on Esteban Rodriquez (2-1). Also making his pro debut will be Philadelphia heavyweight Joey Dawejko, who has won five national tournaments as an amateur.
Doors open at 6:45pm; fights start at 7:30pm. The Riveredge is located on Route 183 North, just south of the Reading Airport. Tickets are priced at $60.00 ringside and $30.00 general admission. A very limited number of VIP tickets are available at $100.00. Tickets are available at The Riveredge (610-376-6711), Kauffman’s Interiors (610-375-4915), or at the door.