World title hopeful Krzysztof Bienias has warned Kell Brook that a harsh Polish winter has made him a hungry fighter ahead of their February 13 clash. Former European title challenger Bienias will take on rising British star Brook in an eliminator for the WBO World Welterweight crown at Wembley Arena on the huge Night of the Champion extravaganza promoted by Frank Warren. Both men are riding high in the WBO rankings, but Bienias says he’ll come out on top in the fight after a tough training camp in his home city of Warsaw. While temperatures have plummeted in the UK over recent weeks, they’ve been even colder in Eastern Europe, but that hasn’t stopped Bienias from getting in shape outdoors..
“I’ve been breaking up blocks of ice with my fists,” stormed Bienias.
“Some people hate the freezing weather but for me I love it because it means I can train harder than ever.
“Smashing ice has made my fists rock hard but it won’t feel as good as breaking Brook’s heart at Wembley Arena.
“He’s a good young fighter but he’s not faced anyone like me yet,”
Bienias, who is lost just three times in more than 40 outings, has also a secret weapon – a special Eastern European dessert that has given him his nickname, Kisiel.
It consists of sweetened juice, thickened with arrowroot, cornstarch or potato starch and Polish vodka, and Bienias says he tucks into it every evening.
“It gives me lots of strength after all that work in the snow,” he revealed. “It’s got a few added ingredients that I won’t reveal, but it will mean that Brook will be feeling plenty of pain when I give him a serious beating at Wembley. I might have a sweet nickname but I’ll be leaving a nasty taste in Brook’s mouth.”
Night of the Champions features the exciting heavyweight showdown between British heavyweight champion Danny Williams and Commonwealth champion Sam Sexton; Kevin Mitchell’s WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title defence; Kell Brook’s WBO Intercontinental Welterweight title challenge; Derek Chisora versus Matt Skelton for the Vacant English Heavyweight Championship; The Olympians James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders; plus hot prospects Vinny Mitchell and Liam, Michael and Ryan Walsh.
Tickets priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150, are available from:
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0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
HARRISON WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE OF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DREAM
Prizefighter Champ Audley signs with Matchroom and gets European title shot
PRIZEFIGHTER Champion Audley Harrison has vowed to ‘gatecrash the boxing big-time’ by winning the European Heavyweight Championship in April.
Harrison, 38, saved his career by triumphing in Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 in October and will now meet Poland’s Albert Sosnowski for the European belt.
Former Olympic Gold medalist Harrison hopes the fight, scheduled for April 9 at London’s Alexandra Palace, leads to a shot at World title.
“Albert Sosnowski represents a difficult challenge for me and I know he wants to keep his crown he won in December against Paolo Vidoz,” said Harrison.
“I was impressed by Sosnowski’s fitness and pressure. I’ll need to be at the top of my game if I’m to be successful.
“He’s only lost twice before in 48 fights, but that tells me he can be beaten.
“I have enough time to get my preparations right; no excuses, this is it! I will be giving it my all to rip away the European title and gatecrash the big-time.
“David Haye and the Klitschko brothers will be within my sights if I can get a victory and that’s enough motivation for me to lay it all on the line.
“I am so happy to have agreed terms with Matchroom Sport and truly feel this opportunity will lead me to a World title this year.
“They have done everything they said they would do and that’s a rare commodity with promoters within this industry.”
Harrison’s career appeared to be over in December 2008 with a shock defeat against Martin Rogan but Harrison, who won an Olympic gold in 2000, responded in fine style.
He claimed impressive victories over Scott Belshaw and previously-undefeated duo Danny Hughes and Coleman Barrett to win Prizefighter.
“Forget the past, the dream is still very much alive for Audley,” commented Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn.
“When I first met with Audley in Vegas last Summer I told him a win at Prizefighter would put him back in line for a shot at the big-time. Prizefighter was a big gamble and he showed plenty of bottle and quality to get the job done.
“Albert represents a tough challenge but the winner puts himself right in line for a World title shot – and who could rule out an all British battle with David Haye if Audley can produce the goods in April.”
Sosnowski, who is based in Brentwood, Essex, but originally hails from Warsaw, Poland, claimed the title with an emphatic points victory over Italian Paolo Vidoz in December.
However, 30-year-old Sosnowski is best known for a shock stoppage win in 2008 over Harrison’s long-term rival Danny Williams, the current British Champion and promises to bring with him an army of Polish supporters for the fight.
The show will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and for ticket information contact Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng Ready To Soar To New Heights Against Jon Harrison On The 22nd January
Stoke Newington’s exciting Super Middleweight prospect Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng is back in action on the 22nd January on the undercard of Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa’s British Bantamweight title defense against Jamie McDonnell at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood Essex.
Ochieng, one of promoter Frank Maloney’s new young rising stars, has started his professional career brightly by winning his first two bouts. In his debut ‘The Eagle’ dominated the proceedings against vastly experienced veteran Matt Scriven (13-54-0) winning every single round.
His second fight, against Prince David Davis at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre in Nottingham, was more of a closer affair. Again Ochieng dominated the fight from start to finish but the game Prince David was determined to impress his local fans.
For his upcoming fight Ochieng will be facing another veteran, Jon Harrison (10-16-1), after his original opponent Gavin Brook withdrew.
Following training, at Rooney’s Boxing Gym in Southwark, South East London, Ochieng took a few moments to talk about his preparations for his showdown with Harrison. “I’ve been in the gym training hard. I’ve been totally focused, putting the hours in. I feel good. Done a lot of sparring. I’ve been sparring Ben Murphy. He’s lighter than me but he’s real strong for his weight. He’s a pressure fighter so I’ve been working my technique and speed, so I’m in great shape.
I was supposed to face Gavin Brook. I don’t really know much about my opponent now as he is a late replacement.
I have been really focused on being prepared for anything. I’m in top condition. I’ve left no stone unturned so it doesn’t matter as I’m going to win.
I have a great team around me, you know. Frank Maloney is the best promoter around, really supportive. Mind you, you can have the best promoter around but if you don’t have the right coach, you know, one that can really teach you to fight you’re not going to get anywhere. I have a great coach, Brian Lawrence, he’s very experienced and really pushes me all the way.
I think with Brian the sky’s the limit, the future’s bright. He has me ready to fight at all times. My last fight we got the call on Thursday to fight on Friday. Brian asked me if I wanted it and of course I said yes. I knew I was fight ready. I am always in fighting condition. I had done 10 rounds on Tuesday and 8 rounds on Wednesday. I was sharp so when Brian asked if I wanted to take the fight I said yes without missing a beat.
That was a good fight against Prince David (Davis). It was his debut and he’d come there to win. You know what I’m saying, he was really up for it and wanted to impress. He wanted to keep pressuring me. It was a really good show and a good win for me.
My vision is to become World Champion. My future is British, then Commonwealth, European and then World Champion. It’s just a matter of time you know. I’m already World Champion, just no one knows it yet.”
Ochieng will not be the the only Rooney’s Boxing Gym based fighter on the card on the 22nd January as the headliner, British Bantamweight Champion, Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa and Ben Murphy, who faces Lee Cook, are both also trained there by Brian Lawrence.
‘The Eagle’ took the opportunity to also speak about his gym mates upcoming fights. “Ian Napa’s in great shape. He’s fast and tough. He’s just got to stay disciplined and he’ll win the fight.
Ben Murphy’s in great shape too, he’s up against Lee Cook. Ben’s a pressure fighter. He’s so strong for his weight, I know that when he spars me. He’s going to win the fight for sure.”
Eric ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng vs. Jon Harrison is on the undercard of Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa’s British title defense, against Jamie McDonnell at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex on Friday the 22nd January 2010.
Tickets for this top class show, priced £80 and £35 are available on line www.frankmaloney.com or 0871 226 1508