WBA world light welterweight title contender Amir Khan will make his Setanta Sports News debut on the Steve Bunce Boxing Hour this Thursday from 2pm. Khan, who is stepping up a weight to take on Andriy Kotelnik on Saturday 27 June, is excited to be on the show. He said: “It’s going to be good fun. Steve Bunce is one of those guys who speak the truth. It’s the only boxing show; it’s one of those shows that people like to watch because it discusses fighters from right around the world..”
Bolton-born Khan plans to use his appearance on the show to answer as many of his fans’ questions as possible. Fans with a question for the 22-year old Olympic silver medallist should email views@setanta.com.
Khan added: “It’ll be good for the fans to see me. If they want to ask me a question, anything, just write in. Steve can ask me anything he wants to, I’ll have answers for everything.”
MENTAL MIDGET IS 25 NOT OUT
FRANK MALONEY celebrates 25 years as a promoter tomorrow night (THURS) when he launches The St George’s Sporting Club.
The gala dinner, cabaret and boxing show will be held at The Troxy in the east end of London a stone throw from the pub he once owned.
Maloney has had a roller-coaster ride during his quarter of a century in boxing’s shark infested waters, but insists he wouldn’t change his time for any job in the world.
The man branded a ‘Mental Midget’ by Don King said: “It is an old cliché, but if it wasn’t for boxing I don’t know where I would be today.
“I certainly wouldn’t have the lifestyle I’ve enjoyed for the last few years and met so many amazing people, good and bad!
“I started in the Fourth Division and I like to think I have had a nice few years in the Premier League building the careers of champions.”
He has managed or promoted four world champions Lennox Lewis, Paul Ingle, Scott Harrison and David Haye.
The passionate Millwall fan added: “The ultimate accolade for me during the last quarter of a century was managing Lennox Lewis – the only Briton ever to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
“It is no exaggeration when I say I know how Sir Alf Ramsey felt when England beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup Final.
“It would never have been possible if a young lightweight called Richie Edwards hadn’t walked into my pub, The Castle a stone throw from tonight’s venue and asked me to manage him.
“At the time I was disillusioned with boxing. I had packed up training amateurs and moved in the professional game training Frank Warren’s stable
“When Richie came along I was spending most nights sat at the bar drinking lager, but he gave me the kick up the backside I needed.”
Guest speaker at The Troxy show is the first fighter Maloney trained Terry Marsh with the music provided by a Chas ‘n’ Dave tribute act.
Topping the boxing bill is the vacant English super-bantamweight title clash between Sheffield’s serving soldier Ross Burkinshaw and Liverpool’s Mike Robinson.
Also in action is former British light-middleweight champion Gary Woolcombe and heavyweight hope Tom Dallas.
Profits from the show will go to The Army Benevolent Fund and Edward Starr Charitable Trust.
If you are interested in buying tickets for show call 0208 467 7647