British heavyweight Michael Sprott will venture to Las Vegas on Friday, May 1st in the hope of kicking off a boxing weekend to remember for UK fight fans. Set to appear one night before national hero Ricky Hatton’s mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao, Sprott has been handed a wonderful shop window for his exciting skills. He will box over 10-rounds at the South Point Hotel Casino..
Now 34, Sprott is a former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion with standout wins over Audley Harrison, Danny Williams and Cenzig Koc. Never a pushover, even in defeat, Sprott is looking for one final run towards a European title shot.
“I’ve never boxed in Vegas before and I’m really looking forward to it,” says Sprott, 31-13 (16 KO). “I’ve never even boxed in America before, so this is a big moment in my career.
“I’m hoping that a big win on May 1st will get me back in the picture and get me back involved in some big fights.”
Sprott’s last big outing arrived in March when he dropped a competitive decision to ex-WBO champion Lamon Brewster. Tentative to begin with, Sprott had lost too many rounds before mounting a late-notice surge in the contest. It was too little too late.
“I just never really got going until late in the fight,” admits Sprott. “Brewster is a good fighter, but I just didn’t perform to the best of my abilities that night. I definitely had the tools to beat him, but it just didn’t come together the way I hoped it would. On May 1st, I’m determined to deliver my best performance for a while.”
Sprott may need to get back to his slick-boxing best, too. With both Francois Botha and Friday ‘The 13th’ Ahunanya touted as possible opponents for Sprott on May 1st, the Reading-based heavyweight is promised a firm test of his considerable talents.
“I always look to fight the best,” says Sprott. “It doesn’t matter who I fight or where I fight, I’m there. I’ve been forced to go all over the place and take fights against undefeated and dangerous heavyweights. That’s what excites me. I like going in as the underdog and coming out on top.”
*** Topping the Thell Torrence/Adam Fish promoted fight card on May 1st will be an all-Hispanic brawl between Alejandro Perez and Adolfo Landeros. The action-packed undercard includes appearances from welterweight Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne, 10-0 (4 KO), as well as Salvador Sanchez, 13-3-2 (6 KO), the nephew of the legendary Mexican featherweight of the same name.
*** Tickets for the event are priced at $25, $50 or $100 and can be purchased at the South Point Box Office, located at 9777 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89183. They can also be purchased online at www.SouthPointCasino.com or by phone at (702) 797-8055
BROADHURST: I’LL MAKE FLYWEIGHTS FASHIONABLE
All-action Don Broadhurst is aiming to recreate a golden era for British flyweights – and roll back the years to the days when the little-men from the home nations dominated the division.
The 25-year-old defends his Commonwealth super-flyweight belt at the Wolverhampton Civic Centre on Friday night against teak-tough Ghanaian Asomoah Wilson live on Sky Sports.
But unbeaten Broadhurst already has his eye on bigger things – and has been inspired by some of the legendary names of British boxing history, including Jimmy Wilde and Benny Lynch.
“Before the Second World War, British boxers dominated at flyweight,” said Broadhurst.
“It really was a golden age.
“Flyweights were big business and there was a fantastic production line in the UK. I want to recreate the same success we had back then.”
Among Britain’s pre-war champions were Lynch and Wilde, as well as Jackie Brown and Peter Kane.
There were more champions after WWII, including Duke McKenzie and Frank Warren promoted Charlie Magri, but Britain hasn’t had a flyweight world champion since Robbie Regan vacated the IBF belt in 1995.
And no boxer from Britain has ever held a version of the super-flyweight world title.
But Broadhurst says all that is about to change.
“I’m only 10 fights into my professional career and I’ve still got a lot to learn,” said Birmingham’s Broadhurst, who makes the second defence of his Commonwealth title against Wilson.
“But I know that I have got the ability to make it to world level.
“Vic Darchinyan is obviously the man to beat at the moment, and he’s a very good fighter. There are some other good lads out there as well.
“But I’m moving in the right direction. If I beat Wilson then I’ve got a British title shot lined up against Lee Haskins, and after that I’ll look to move on to European and world level.”
EXTRA TICKETS FOR TONY JEFFRIES HOMECOMING
An extra 120 tickets have been released for the sensational Sunderland show on Saturday May 2 with a special attraction the homecoming of Olympic bronze medal hero Tony Jeffries.
Every ticket was sold within hours for the FTM show which will be televised live on Sky Box Office, but Sunderland council have now been given permission to add further seats at Crowtree Leisure Centre.
Promoter Frank Maloney explained: “They have found room for another 330 seats at the venue, but 210 went to people on a waiting list.
“That means there are 110 available on first come first served basis.
“Tony is like Ricky Hatton – a man everybody can identify with. He is a true blue collar hero.”
Top of the bill is European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore who makes the first defence of his title when he faces Ukraine’s former amateur star Roman Dzuman (23-6-1).
Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams (40-7) risks his British heavyweight title in a rematch against John McDermott (25-4).
Their combined weight is almost ¼ ton and if there clash last year is anything to go by it will be an explosive contest.
Brixton’s Williams was a controversial points winner in their first meeting when many
European super-bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe (18-1) bids to become a double title holder when he meets Ghana’s Issac Nettey for the vacant Commonwealth title.
Like fellow southpaw Moore, the Leicester dustman is closing in a on a world title tilt.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “This is the biggest night of boxing in the north-east for 20 years and I am sure the passionate fans will get behind it.
“Manchester has been the capital of British boxing for a decade, but the north-east is about to take that crown.”
TO PURCHASE TICKETS CALL @ £40 each call 0871 226 1508 or log on to www.frankmaloney.com.