FRANK MALONEY will continue to rely entirely on British based fighters when he stages his next promotion at Leigh Sports Village promotion on Friday 19th March. Maloney exclusively used British boxers when he staged a show in Nottingham last month, and is hoping to repeat that feat again on next week’s Sky Sports televised show.
The promoter said: “The fans appreciate fights between British fighters and know exactly what sort of test house fighters are having..
“It is also good to keep domestic fighters busy and give them decent exposure even though you are occasionally making matches you would prefer to avoid.”
Maloney says that it doesn’t mean the end of imported journeymen boxing on his talent stacked shows.
He added: “I was lucky in Nottingham with no pull-outs and the Leigh bill is holding up well with about ten days to go.
“Sometimes British fighters pull-out late, leave you in the lurch and you end up without a fight or paying over the odds for a late domestic sub because they know they could be saving the show.
“Imports are generally reliable. You make them an offer and all they want to know is how much, how many rounds and have they got a hotel room.
“I think the problem is that sometimes the quality of them is not what you expect.
“I put my hands up with three Latvians I booked a few months ago, and I saw another very poor quality European last week on a show I attended.
“That is a headache for promoters and the British Boxing Board of Control who rubber stamp overseas fighters.”
It means Olympic bronze medallist David Price (4-0) facing his first British opponent as a professional.
The heavyweight hopeful will face Heywood’s Martin Grainger (3-2) in a four rounder.
Heading Maloney’s bumper card is Belfast’s ‘Mr Excitement’ Martin Lindsay (15-0) who defends his British featherweight crown against Cwmbran’s 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jamie Arthur (16-2)
Other stars on the bill include British flyweight champion Shinny Bayaar, ex-British bantamweight champion Gary Davies, Paul Edwards, Dave Ferguson, Karl Place, Rick Goddins and unbeaten lightweight John Watson,
Tickets for are available for £40 and £80 ringside from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com
ARTHUR: “I’M A MAD MAN”
JAMIE ARTHUR is being pushed to the limit by his trainer – and couldn’t be any happier.
The 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist is confident of landing his first major professional title when he challenges for Martin Lindsay’s British featherweight crown at Leigh Sports Village on Friday March 19.
Cwmbran’s Arthur (16-2) is being whipped into shape by Steve ‘Sammy’ Sims who held the same title 27 years ago.
Arthur, 30, revealed: “Sammy is working me like a mad man, but you won’t hear one complaint from me because it is for a reason.
“It is doing me the world of good and I have never, ever felt better going into a fight.
“Early every morning I am out doing hill running with ‘Sammy’ revving me up from the comfort of his car.
“Early every afternoon I am in the gym and working 30 rounds some days. It is non-stop.
“In the evening I have my third session of the day when Darren Wilson comes in and fine tunes technical things.
“It is a hard, hard regime, but what I need to do if I am going to have my hand raised against Lindsay. All I am doing is thinking about Lindsay.
“I am even shadow boxing in my sleep. The fight is on my mind 24/7.”
Lindsay (15-0) is tipped to become Ireland’s next big star and the bookies make him favourite to turn back the Welshman’s challenge.
Other stars on the bill include Olympic bronze medallist David Price, British flyweight champion Shinny Bayaar, ex-British bantamweight champion Gary Davies, Paul Edwards, Dave Ferguson, Karl Place, Rick Goddins and unbeaten lightweight John Watson,
Tickets for are available for £35 and £80 ringside from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com
Ronnie Heffron says he’ll put Oldham on the map for boxing
Boxing hot shot Ronnie Heffron says he’ll put Oldham on the map for boxing – and become the town’s biggest ever star. The 19-year-old has his second professional fight on Friday night in Liverpool at the Echo Arena against the experienced Karl Taylor. It follows an impressive two-round demolition of Chris Brophy on debut in Newcastle at the end of last year. And while it may be early days yet, Heffron is looking to become a major player in British boxing after winning the ABA title as an amateur. “Footballers David Platt and Paul Scholes are from Oldham, but when it comes to boxers there haven’t been many,” said big ticket seller Heffron.
“To be honest, I think the biggest name recently round here was my dad Tommy and he only had a couple of professional fights.”
Outside of football, Oldham’s biggest export has been 1980s comedy double act Cannon and Ball – but Heffron says his career will be no laughing matter.
“I want a British title minimum within the next three years,” said Heffron.
“I’m only young and I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’ll be ready after 15 fights.
“Things have been going great in the gym with my trainer Anthony Farnell, and I’ve been learning so much from the likes of Tony Bellew and Frankie Gavin.
“There’s a can-do attitude in the gym, and every day you are being pushed and pushed.
“Next up I’ve got a guy who has had more than 150 professional fights so I can’t afford to make any mistakes, but I’m sure I’ll learn a few things I’m sure.”
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‘The Pride of Merseyside’ is headlined by Paul Smith’s first defence of his British Super-Middleweight title against former champion Tony Dodson. Chief support is Kell Brook’s challenge for the WBO Intercontinental title and Eliminator for the WBO World Welterweight title against Krzystof Bienias, and Tony Bellew’s challenge for the Vacant Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title against unbeaten Atoli Moore. An action packed undercard includes former WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli, plus the best in young British talent: Stephen and Liam Smith, Ronnie Heffron, Thomas Costello, Tobias Webb, Joe Selkirk and the pro-debut of John Thain.
Tickets for ‘The Pride of Merseyside’ are priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £200 and are available from:
Liverpool Echo Arena Box Office
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com
See Tickets
0871 2200 260
www.seetickets.com