Wayne Elcock and Matthew Macklin will square off in the ‘Battle of Brum’ in the biggest Birmingham boxing derby in living memory at the Aston Arena on Saturday, 14th March. The fight Birmingham has been waiting for will become reality when Elcock makes the second defence of his British Middleweight Title against Mandatory Challenger Macklin, who has won his last six fights since he was stopped by Jamie Moore for the British Light-Middleweight Title in 2006..
The grudge match will be shown live on ITV4 in front of what is expected to be a sell-out crowd at the Hennessy Sports show and former world title challenger Elcock cannot wait to get it on with his Birmingham rival Macklin.
“There hasn’t been a fight like this in Birmingham between two top rated Brummies for as far back as I can remember,” said champion Elcock.
“My phone is off the hook at the moment because there’s so much interest in it. It’s going to be a cracking atmosphere on the night and a cracking fight.
“I will win the fight and have been looking for this opportunity for years, since we turned pro. Matt has been doing all the talking, but there’s no need to hype this one because it is just a massive fight without any hype.
“I rate Matt as a decent fighter and this is what Birmingham and British boxing needs – two top fighters squaring off against each other.
“He said he’s going to knock me out but he was saying that sort of thing before he fought Jamie Moore and look what happened then.”
Elcock had to pull out of scheduled defence last month against Jason McKay because of a leg injury, but he has fully recovered from the fractured fibia.
“My leg is fine and I’m back in the gym full-time now. The December 6th fight was just a bit too soon for me and I needed a longer break for the injury.”
“The venue holds just over 2,000 people and I expect a quick sell out for this one as I can’t remember a bigger Birmingham boxing derby. There will also be a massive audience on TV for this one. There’s a bit of needle between them both and it’s boiling up to be a great fight.” said promoter Mick Hennessy.
“I am pleased for Wayne as this is a fight he has wanted for a while; I know this fight has highly motivated him”
Tickets will be on sale from Monday 12th January from the Ticketline box office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk
Edwards vs. Bloy Double Title Fight Hits Stoke
Thrilling ex-British super flyweight champion Chris Edwards returns to the ring Friday, January 23 when the pint-sized terror drops down a division to meet his chief domestic rival, Wayne Bloy, in a clash for the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight belts.
Fans are expected to pack out the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke, England for the return of local hero Edwards, who hasn’t fought in his hometown since stopping Dale Robinson in a shocker two years ago.
The fantastically conditioned Edwards will bring his trademark whirlwind-style of fighting to the contest and has vowed to not only keep his reputation of being the most exciting boxer in Britain but also add the British and Commonwealth flyweight titles to his already impressive trophy cabinet.
In the opposite corner will be Grimsby based hard man Bloy, who will try to parlay an advantage in youth, height and reach to knock off Edwards and offset the Stoke man’s edge in stamina, ring generalship and sheer toughness.
Promoter Frank Maloney has chosen this incendiary pairing to kick off the new year for good reason but has also stocked the undercard with a raft of sure-fire support contests that do justice to the all-action main event.
Highly-skilled English lightweight champion Scott Lawton and ruthless challenger Henry Castle will each place a five bout win streak in jeopardy in a classic boxer vs puncher battle that will determine who will go onto a British title challenge and who will start back at square one.
Big-hearted welterweight Mark Thompson is nearing a shot at the Commonwealth crown but first he’ll have to get past one of the top welters in Ghana, iron-chinned southpaw Phillip Kotey.
Welsh dynamo Gary Buckland will be looking to retain his Celtic lightweight belt but must sweep aside the continuing comeback of seasoned former Commonwealth super feather titlist Craig Docherty.
More information on additional undercard bouts will be released soon.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Stoking The Fire”, featuring Chris Edwards vs. Wayne Bloy for the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight championships along with full undercard support on Friday, January 23, 2009 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke, England.
Tickets are priced at £70 and £35 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508.
Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 10PM.
DAWS NOT BOTHERED BY LATE SWITCH
Lenny Daws will challenge Dean Harrison for the vacant English Light-Welterweight Title confident that a late change in opponent will not throw him off course in his ambition to become British champion again in 2009.
The Morden boxer was supposed to box Scott Haywood (Derby), but he has relinquished the title so Daws will now face Harrison (Wolverhampton) for the English crown instead at the Robin Park Centre in Wigan on Saturday, 17th January 2009.
British lightweight champion John Murray (Manchester) defends his title for the first time against Lee McAllister (Aberdeen) as the main even on the Hennessy Sports show that will be shown live on ITV4.
Daws aims to impress the ITV4 audience and sees winning the English title as a step towards reclaiming the British title he lost two years ago by beating Harrison, who was narrowly out-pointed by Haywood for the English title in September.
“The change of opponent has not made much difference and we’ve got everything covered,” said Lenny.
“I was expecting to box a taller opponent but that’s about it. Dean is no journeyman and he has fought for this title before, so he’s going to be up for it and I’m expecting a tough fight.
“But I also believe I’m going to win and put on a good performance. Hopefully winning this title will start to make things happen for me in 2009 because I want to win back the British title.
“Winning this title should lead to the British title shot. I want to move on to bigger things this year but I have to prove I’m ready for that by beating Harrison.”
Tickets are available from the Ticketline Box Office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk