Welsh prospect Gary Buckland will take a jump up tp the next level when he meets Scott Lawton in a British lightweight title eliminator on Friday, May 29. The pair will clash in support of the Chris Edwards vs. Usman Ahmed British flyweight championship bout serving as the main event at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Just 22 years of age, young Cardiff man Buckland, 15-1 (5), won a Celtic lightweight title by outpointing Martin Watson in 2007 and recaptured the belt in his most recent outing, a dominating ten round points verdict over former Commonwealth super feather boss Craig Docherty..
While Buckland will certainly have the advantage in youth on May 29, the Welshman couldn’t find a more experienced opponent at domestic level than Lawton, 26-4-1 (5).
The current English lightweight champion has only come up short against British titlist Jon Thaxton and Commonwealth king Amir Khan over the last four years.
Lawton has won six straight, including a victory over Martin Gethin last December, and will also have home advantage at Fenton Manor as the local Stoke hero has a very vocal and devoted fan base.
A superb undercard is on tap, headed by 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland.
Frank Maloney Presents the Flyweight Championship of Britain between reigning champion Chris Edwards and challenger Usman Ahmed with full undercard at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent, England on Friday, May 29, 2009
Tickets are on sale at £35 and £75 and available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.
Sky Sports will broadcast live on SS1 starting at 10PM.
LAWTON: UZZIE WILL BE A STATE IN EIGHT
SCOTT LAWTON predicts Impact Boxing stable mate Chris Edwards will topple Usman Ahmed in eight rounds later this month.
Edwards (12-13-3) risks his British and Commonwealth flyweight title against Britain’s tiniest fight in his hometown at Stoke-on-Trent’s Fenton Manor Sports Complex on May 29.
Lawton said: “It’s a hard fight, but one I fully expect Chris to win.
“He’s in good shape and has got his weight down. He’s been sparring hard and fully expects Ahmed to come at him. I predict Chris will win in the eighth round.”
Edwards, 33, outpointed Ahmed (5-1-1) on his Derby rival’s debut in September 2006 but the challenger has remained unbeaten ever since.
Lawton (26-4-1) is one of the show’s co-promoters and faces Welshman Gary Buckland (15-1) in an eliminator for the British light-welterweight title.
And he is delighted to get another chance to impress in Stoke when Sky Sports visit the Potteries and broadcasy the card live.
Lawton, 32, is backing the crowd to roar him towards a crack at domestic champion Paul McCloskey and added: “All of us Stoke boxers love fighting here because the crowd is always behind you.
“They always give you that extra push, especially in the late rounds when your body is tired and create a massive atmosphere.”
Fighting on home soil certainly lifts Edwards. He has boxed eight times in his hometown and won on seven occasions.
An eliminator for the British super-featherweight title on the same bill sees Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes (11-0) square off with Manchester’s big ticket seller Anthony Crolla (13-1), in what promise to be a fierce ten rounder.
Ireland’s Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland (2-0) continues his march to the top of the super-middleweight division on the same bill.
Tickets (£35 and £75) for the show which also features other top fighters from Stoke including Scott Miller and Alex Ibbs.Call the box office on 08712261508 or log on to frankmaloney.com.
SUTHERLAND: I WANT TOUGHER TESTS
DARREN SUTHERLAND is at loggerheads with promoter Frank Maloney over the quality of his opponents.
Ireland’s Olympic bronze medallist believes he is ready to step up in class after impressive KO wins against Georgi Iliev and Siarhei Navarka in his first two professional fights.
The pair failed to last ten minutes between them and Sutherland is hoping for a tougher test at Stoke-on-Trent’s Fenton Manor Sports Complex on May 29.
Maloney said: “Darren is driving me mad to give him some real tests, but it is about developing him in the gym as well as the ring.
“I have an opponent is mind who I hope to name early next week and if records are anything to go by I think I have decent test for him.
“Darren is an immense prospect, but it is all about the right fights at the right time even for the very best and I have explained this to him.
“My track record with upcoming fighters in good and when Darren is ready he’ll be unleashed against the very best, and I bet he’ll be there standing at the end.”
Top of the talent crammed card is local hero Chris Edwards (12-13-3) who defends his British and Commonwealth flyweight title against Derby’s Usman Ahmed (5-1-1)
Also on the top class bill, local hero Scott Lawton (26-4-1) faces Welshman Gary Buckland (15-1) in an eliminator for the British light-welterweight title.
An eliminator for the British super-featherweight title sees Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes (11-0) square off with Manchester’s big ticket seller Anthony Crolla (13-1), in what promise to be a fierce ten rounder.
Tickets (£35 and £75) for the show which also features other top fighters from Stoke including Scott Miller and Alex Ibbs are on sale and available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.