Moments after hearing that his dreams of a world title had been confirmed, Jason Booth spoke exclusively to Frank Maloney’s press officer Andy Scott. Jason Booth meets Steve Molitor for the IBF super bantamweight championship next month after a deal was reached to bring the title fight to England on July 23rd. Booth explained: “I’m over the moon at the news. I knew the fight was coming and now it’s finally announced it’s like a dream come true. “Jimmy Gill (Booth’s manager) said he wanted to fight me but it all went quiet for a while. Then we heard the news of the European title chance and then there were whispers that a world title shot could happen. But once it was actually signed and sealed I just couldn’t believe it..
Molitor is no stranger to Booth after he beat his brother Nicky in 2002 and Jason has already spoken to his brother about the 31-year-old.
“I owe him for what he did to my brother and Nicky has already given me some tips. He said ‘you better train hard because he’s good.’ I know what to expect from him though.
“He’s a class act and he’s a good fighter, Canadian fighters normally are. Carl Froch knows that, he fought a very good one.
“I know I can give him (Molitor) problems. It would be good to bring a world title back to Nottingham.”
Booth has got his life back on track after a well documented alcohol addiction nearly cost him his life and since then his form between the ropes has been nothing short of brilliant.
“With all of the problems 4 years ago, to now think that I’m fighting for a world title it’s great.
“I want to thank Frank and my manager Jimmy Gill and my trainer Tony Harris. If it wasn’t for them none of this would be possible because they have believed in me through everything.”
Booth is not just happy to be making up the numbers and genuinely believes that he has enough in his locker to conquer the classy Canadian. Manager Jimmy Gill has said that Jason will have to start fast:
“Jay’s up for it, he’s got to sensibly jump on him and try and dishearten him before he gets into gear. Nicky fought Molitor at bantam but this is up at super bantamweight so things will be different. This is a world title shot and he wants to win it.”
Booth vs Molitor
JASON BOOTH will fulfil a boxing dream when he challenges Canadian Steve Molitor for the IBF world super-bantamweight title next month.
The Nottingham star (35-5) will meet southpaw Molitor (32-1) on Friday July 23 at a venue in England that promoter Frank Maloney will confirm later this week.
Victory for Booth will complete one of the most remarkable comebacks in boxing history having led a rollercoaster life outside of the ring.
Booth, 32, is a recovering alcoholic and has also overcome drug problems to turn his career around.
Booth said: “The world title fight is such a bonus for me and now I want to win it so much. I am so lucky to have the things I do in life now.
“I am happy with what I have achieved in boxing, but thanks to my trainer Tony Harris, manager Jimmy Gill and Frank Maloney I have an opportunity to do better.”
During a 14-year career Booth has won British and Commonwealth flyweight titles, the IBO super-flyweight crown, Commonwealth bantamweight championship plus British and Commonwealth belts at super-bantamweight.
He hasn’t touched alcohol for two years and added: “If I hadn’t had boxing, I’d be dead; the drink would’ve beaten me.
“When I have to stop I’ll be alright now. I’ve got me kids now, they’re me focus. I think I’ve just grown up.
“Jimmy knows which opponents I can beat and Maloney’s been a big help. He’s always liked me and he’s given me opportunities.
“Tony’s a friend who’s been in my life since I was young. I’ve always trained at his gyms, on and off. I don’t need much training but he’s very good on his tactics and especially calm in his corner work.”
Maloney said: “If Jason pulls this off after the car crash life he has had, it will give me more pleasure than seeing Lennox Lewis become world heavyweight champion.”
Molitor, 31, won the IBF crown for the second time when he outpointed Takalani Ndlovu in March.
His first reign as champion started in November 2006 when he knocked out Hartlepool’s Michael Hunter in five rounds.
Molitor made five successful defences, but his reign ended two years later when he was stopped in four rounds by Celestino Caballero in a unification fight.
Hunter is their one common opponent – Booth also claimed a five round win over him last October.
Booth won’t be after Molitor’s treasured world title belt, but also family revenge. Molitor visited these shores in September 2002 and took the Commonwealth bantamweight title from Jason’s younger brother, Nicky.
The fight will be televised live by Sky Sports.
FULL VENUE DETAILS, TICKET INFO AND PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER THIS WEEK.
LARRY ON BRITISH TITLE BRINK
LARRY OLUBAMIWO will meet Dave Ferguson in a heavyweight title eliminator at The Brentwood Centre on June 25.
The winner will be in line for a British title shot at some stage in the next 12 months and promoter Frank Maloney had no concerns about matching two of his fighters.
He explained: “It shows how much Larry and Dave want to go forward by agreeing to meet each other.
“The winner will have to wait a little while for a crack at Derek Chisora’s belt, but they will know a chance is coming.”
Southern Area champion Olubamiwo (8-1) recently returned from a training trip to Los Angeles where he worked under Lennox Lewis.
The London man mountain won his first professional title last month blasting out experienced Colin Kenna inside a round.
North Shields Ferguson (12-2) might be the underdog, but holds a win over Daniil Peret – the only man to have beaten Olubamiwo as a professional.
Top of the Brentwood bill is the anticipated English heavyweight title rematch between Tyson Fury (10-0) and John McDermott (25-6), which is also a final eliminator for Chisora’s title.
Other heavyweight bruisers on the bill includes Olympic bronze medallist David Price (6-0), Tom Dallas (10-0) and much talked about debutant Dillian ‘The Villain’ Whyte.
Also on the Brentwood bill are Ashley Sexton (9-0-1), Menay Edwards (3-0), Tony Hill (4-1) and Lewis Pettit (1-0).
Tickets are available prices £40 and £90 from 0871 226 1508 and www.frankmaloney.com
DALLAS TOLD BY MALONEY DON’T GIVE UP THE DAY JOB
TOM ‘THE BOMB’ DALLAS might have world heavyweight title dreams but has been told by promoter Frank Maloney: “Don’t give up the day job”
The unbeaten Chatham boxers lives a hectic life training twice a day and still finding time to hold down a full-time job as a roofer.
Dallas, 25, wants to become a full-time boxer when he can afford it, but Maloney is encouraging him to keep working all the way to the top.
He explained: “I am a great believer that a job for a fighter is good for them because it stops boredom. A fighter will train in the morning, once in the afternoon and get bored.
“When that happens they sit around eating, drinking and getting into trouble.
“A job is not the end of the world and all good fighters should work. The way he is knocking out people let him keep climbing those ladders with tiles. A job like that is training.
“Rendall Munroe will fight for the WBC super-bantamweight title this year and still holds down a job as a dustman and that is one of the reasons he is the strongest 8st 10lb fighter in the world.”
Dallas bids for his 11th straight win on Maloney’s ‘Conspiracy Fury’ show at The Brentwood Centre on Friday June 25.
Eight of the former junior ABA champion’s wins have come inside the distance and manager Mark Roe says: “I know what sort of power Tom has got and it has been softly, softly. We are starting to take the reins off a little bit.
“Every time we pick out somebody who is supposed to be durable, Tom is putting them away so you cannot ask any more than that.”
Top of the bill on the Sky Sport televised show in Brentwood is the eagerly awaited English heavyweight championship and British title final eliminator between Tyson Fury (10-0) and John McDermott (25-6).
Other heavyweights in action includes Olympic bronze medallist David Price (6-0), Southern Area champion Larry Olubamiwo (8-1) and much talked about debutant Dillian ‘The Villain’ Whyte.
Also on the bill are Ashley Sexton (9-0-1), Menay Edwards (3-0), Tony Hill (4-1) and Lewis Pettitt (1-0).
Tickets are available prices £40 and £90 from 0871 226 1508 and www.frankmaloney.com