Hot prospect Kevin Mitchell will be battling for his world title ambitions on February 13 – and the future of that East End staple, jellied eels, as well. The WBO lightweight number one ranked contender faces Spaniard Ignacio Mendoza at Wembley Arena as he close in fast on a crack at WBO interim world champion Michael Katsidis. And the 25-year-old is hoping to use the fight to raise publicity for the plight of eels. Reports today suggest that the eel population in the River Thames has dropped by up to 97 per cent in the last five years..
East Ender Mitchell has vowed to do his bit to help them avoid extinction, by giving up the dish ahead of his clash with Mendoza.
“I usually get stuck into a plate of jellied eels on a Friday after a tough week in the gym with my trainer Jimmy Tibbs,” he said.
“It’s my little treat after working hard, but as of today I’ve decided to stick to Pie ‘n’ Mash instead.
“Jellied eels are an important part of east end culture, and it’s vital they don’t die out.
“All the cockneys out there who love eating eels need to cut down a bit to sustain the population, me included.
“The east end wouldn’t be the same without them, and if my next fight can help save them then that’s great.”
“The only things up for extinction are Mendoza and Katsidis!”
Night of the Champions features the exciting heavyweight showdown between British heavyweight champion Danny Williams and Derek Chisora; Kevin Mitchell’s WBO Intercontinental Lightweight title defence; Nathan Cleverly versus Antonio Brancalion for the Vacant European Light-Heavyweight title; Olympic Champion James DeGale and former World Amateur Champion Frankie Gavin; plus hot prospects Vinny Mitchell and Liam, Michael and Ryan Walsh.
Tickets priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150, are available from:
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
Wembley Arena
0844 815 0815
www.wembleyarena.co.uk
EDWARDS: DON’T FEED ME STIFFS
LIVERPOOL flyweight Paul Edwards is insisting that promoter Frank Maloney gives him tougher tests.
The 2006 ABA champion has stormed to five impressive wins since turning professional 18 months ago.
Maloney wanted to bring the 23-year-old on slowly, but Edwards refused to face a journeyman in his next fight.
Instead he will face former British super-flyweight champion Andy Bell at Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre on Friday February 5.
Maloney said: “I offered Paul a pretty routine six rounder that would have been a learning fiught, but he wasn’t interested and said he needed to be let off the leash.
“I offered him Andy and Paul jumped at the chance to take what will be a big step up in class for him.
“Paul knows that if he has any hope of becoming British champion this year he needs to come out on top against the likes of Andy.”
A win over Doncaster’s Bell (11-4) would see the 5ft 5in scouser join in-form Ashley Sexton at the top of the queue to challenge British eight stone king Shinny Bayaar.
Maloney added: “Flyweight and heavyweight boxing are my favourite divisions and I am excited for its future of the eight stone division in this country.
“It would be nice to get Paul some top quality sparring against Thai or South American fighters to bring him on.”
Top of the bill is local throwback Jason Booth (34-5) who risks his British super-bantamweight title against Londoner Matthew Marsh (13-1)
The star studded undercard includes Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries and former British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson (27-4).
Tickets for the star studded Nottingham show priced £35 and £85 are available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.
New BBBofC Southern Region Chairman Mick Collier Gloves Up
The newly appointed BBBofC Southern Region Chairman, Mick Collier, is a firm believer in leading from the front. So much so that this week, in between carrying out his normal duties as Chairman and business commitments, he spent some time at London’s premier boxing gym, Rooney’s Boxing Gym in Southwark, to meet with local fighters and coaches.
During the extended visit the former amateur Boxer and Karate stalwart not only spent time with British Bantamweight Champion, Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa, Lightweight Ben Murphy, Super Middleweight Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng, Light Middleweight Karol ‘Dr KO’ Ozimkowski, Welterweight Ben ‘The Entertainer’ Day, Heavyweight Damian Campbell and Super Bantamweight Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston but also took to the ring for four rounds of sparring with gym owner, and renowned coach and manager, John Rooney Jnr.
Following the sparring session Mr. Collier explained his reasons for taking the time out from his busy schedule to visit Rooney’s Boxing Gym. “The gym, well that’s the place where it all starts. If you don’t have respect for people, they don’t have respect for you.
I believe it’s important to keep close to fighters, trainers and managers.”
Mr. Collier then went on to talk briefly on a one of his major plans. “We’re looking to arrange an award ceremony in April or May. We’re following the lead by the Midlands Area who started one up about fifteen years ago.
It’ll be good for the Southern Area to also have an awards ceremony because we are now the biggest region, since we incorporated the Western Area.”
Mr. Collier will be attending the first major championship fight of his Chairmanship when he officiates at the Frank Maloney promoted British Bantamweight title fight between current champion Ian ‘Dappa’ Napa and Jamie McDonnell at the Brentwood Centre in Brentwood, Essex on the 22nd January.