World title challenger Kevin Mitchell has been taking tips from soccer hard-man Julian Dicks ahead of his clash with Michael Katsidis. Mitchell takes on the Aussie powerhouse at West Ham’s Boleyn Ground at Upton Park on May 15 in a challenge for the interim WBO World Lightweight title. West Ham legend Dicks – whose nickname was The Terminator – was on hand to help launch the fight, and Mitchell says his presence was an inspiration..
“When I played football I used to model myself on Julian,” said the 25-year-old, who grew up supporting The Hammers and now has the chance to fight for a world title at their home ground.
“I’d threw myself into tackles and kick everyone up in the air, even though I was the smallest player on the pitch.
“My approach to football was the same as it is to boxing – don’t leave anything in the dressing room.
“Julian was in a few fair scraps during his time at Upton Park, and that’s exactly the kind of spirit I’ll need to show against Katsidis.
“We had a chat at Upton Park last week about the pride and the passion down here in the east end of London, and how important it is to put everything on the line, especially in sport.
“People round here are warm-hearted and generous, but we stand up for ourselves as well.
“There’s no way that Katsidis is going to come to my manor and beat me in front of my own fans
“I’m going to give it to Katdisis right from the first bell. He won’t have to come looking for me, and I’m sure I won’t have to go looking for him either, and that’s just the way I like it and just the way the fans will like it to.”
‘Hammer Time’ is headlined by Kevin Mitchell’s challenge for the WBO Interim World Lightweight Championship against Michael Katsidis. A quality packed undercard includes the British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship between Danny Williams and Sam Sexton; Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale challenges for the first title in his career – the WBA International Super-Middleweight Championship; unbeaten heavyweight star Derek Chisora; and Britain’s hottest young prospects Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders. Plus more fights to be added.
Tickets for ‘Hammer Time’, priced at £30, £40, £50, £80, £150, £200 & £250, are available from:
West Ham Ticket Hotline: 0871 222 2700*
Website: www.whufc.com
See Tickets Ticket Hotline: 0871 2200 260*
Website: www.seetickets.com
Ticketmaster: 0844 847 2500*
Website: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
MUNROE BINS HIS JOB
RENDALL MUNROE is taking a break from his job as dustman to prepare for his WBC world super-bantamweight title final eliminator next month.
The Leicester binman meets Victor Terrazas at Coventry Skydome on Friday 23rd April for the right to challenge WBC king Toshiaki Nishioka.
Southpaw Munroe is taking a break from his day job to prepare for the biggest night of his fighting life, by training full-time for six weeks.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “Rendall must be the only man in Britain who misses going to his day job.
“But he knows it makes good sense to devote himself completely to boxing for the next few weeks because a win against Terrazas and he will fight for the world title later this year.
“Working has a binman does help his fitness because it is a heavy manual job, but he will benefit more from a training camp with Mike and Jason Shinfield.
“Even if when he beats Terrazas, Rendall says he will back at work a few days later and that is admirable.
“He is very level headed and there is nothing big time about him. At times he doesn’t realise that he is close to becoming a big star.”
Terrazas (25-1-1) is unbeaten in seven years, and suffered the sole loss of his professional career on his paid debut when he was knocked out inside two rounds by Adrian Tellez – a loss he avenged.
Tickets are on sale, priced £30, £50 and £70 by logging onto www.frankmalomney.com or by calling 0871 226 1508. Boxers on the bill will also be selling tickets.
MALONEY: I’LL MATCH PRICE MY WAY
FRANK MALONEY has reacted to criticism of David Price’s opponents, blasting: “I’ll do it my way.”
The Beijing Olympic bronze medallist took his unbeaten professional record to five last Friday when he defeated Martyn Grainer inside a round.
It led to calls for Price to be matched tougher when he returns to action at Dagenham’s Goresbrook Leisure Centre on May 14.
Maloney says: “I am ignoring all the criticism and matching David the way I think best and will continue to do so.
“People are entitled to opinions, but I have a proven track record with top heavyweights Lennox Lewis and John Ruiz. Domestically, I got it right with Julius Francis and James Oyebola.
“I don’t remember Lennox, Ruiz or Frank Bruno having it tough early on, but judging by the some of the comments, people would like me to match David against a Klitschko or David Haye right now.
“Judge David in two or three years, not now.”
Maloney believes Price will eventually become world heavyweight champion and plans to develop his latest protégé in the gym over the next 12 months.
Maloney added: “David might have a fantastic amateur pedigree and more potential than any British heavyweight, but he had hardly been in a professional gym until little over a year ago.
“Over the next few months he will do most of his learning in the gym and travelling around the world sparring.
“I am hoping that he will help Albert Sosnowski prepare for his world title challenge against Vitali Klitschko.
“He will also be travelling down to London to spar with one of my other fighters, John McDermott.
MCDONNELL’S COMING HOME
FRANK MALONEY has promised unsung ring hero Jamie McDonnell a South Yorkshire homecoming after his latest stunning performance.
Doncaster’s McDonnell, 23, caused the biggest boxing upset of the year on Saturday when he travelled to France and stopped Jerome Arnould to capture the vacant European bantamweight crown.
That shock came just two months after McDonnell (14-2-1) upset Ian Napa to capture the vacant British and Commonwealth titles.
Maloney admitted: “I got a call late on Saturday night telling me about the win when I was having a drink with friends. At first I thought I must have been drinking too much.
“I have to be honest and admit that when Jamie beat Napa and was offered the Arnould fight I thought it was a bit too soon to face a world class campaigner.
“Jamie and his team decided to take the chance and it has paid off for him and the least he deserves is a homecoming fight. I certainly don’t mind being proven wrong.
Maloney is looking at staging McDonnell’s next fight at Doncaster Dome, but plans talks with the fast improving fighter’s manager Dennis Hobson.
Promoter Maloney added: “There are a lot of options available and the British Boxing Board of Control have ordered a rematch against Napa.
“That would be a triple title fight and be a big domestic attraction with all the titles up for grabs.
“If Jamie decides not to go in that direction then he will have to relinquish his British championship.
“He should have around nine months grace before he has a European mandatory and we are waiting to learn who the official challenger will be. Looking at the latest ratings it could be Malik Bouziane or Napa.
“There are a stack of options for him, but no decision will be made until I have met with Jamie and his team.
“He will fight close to home though because he has had to travel to London and the French Riviera to win his titles.”