Sam Sexton says he will win the British heavyweight title for his mum. The Norwich puncher meets champion Derek Chisora on September 18 at the LG Arena, Birmingham on Frank Warren’s huge Magnificent Seven show, live on Sky Box Office. It’s all part of Frank Warren’s Magnificent Seven card with a stunning nine title fights. In May, Sexton was supposed to fight then title holder Danny Williams. But he was forced to pull out of the West Ham show when mum Mandy suffered an aneurysm. Fortunately she is now recovering, but Sexton spent weeks by her bedside at hospital..
“I’ll dedicate the victory to my mum when I beat Chisora,” said Sexton.
“She’s my biggest fan, always has been, always will be.
“Beating Chisora will give her such a lift.”
Sexton fought Del Boy two years ago, but was stopped late on in a six rounder.
But he believes he is now a much-improved fighter.
“It’s like comparing chalk and cheese,” he said.
“I wasn’t living the life back then. After getting beat by Chisora I grew up a lot, and took a long hard look in the mirror.
“I knuckled down and you could see the difference when I beat Martin Rogan twice.
“The first fight was close, the second I was by far the better man. I’m improving every time I step in the ring and you are going to see that when I fight Chisora.”
Tickets for the Magnificent Seven are priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 and are available from:
LG Arena
0844 338 8000
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
MACKLIN AND BARKER PROMISE FIREWORKS
Matthew Macklin and Darren Barker promised a thrilling fight to live up to the big stage they have been given by promoter Frank Warren
The pair meet in a European middleweight title clash on September 18 at the LG Arena, Birmingham
It’s all part of the Magnificent Seven event – which actually features nine championship fights – that forms part of a big night of boxing live and exclusive on Sky Box Office.
And it is heading for a 13,000 sell out.
“This fight was scheduled for two years ago, but I’m glad it didn’t happen then,” said Macklin on the first of a two-city press tour taking in London and Birmingham.
“It would have been good but it would have gone on in a leisure centre somewhere.
“Now it is for a bigger belt and it’s going to be at the LG Arena, one of the biggest arenas in the country. It was 20 years ago that Benn and Eubank fought there at middleweight.
“This is just as big a fight and can be just as good.”
Barker added: “I’ve been preparing for a fight like this ever since I turned professional.
“I’m glad I’ve got it because it will be a defining fight for me. I might have the British, Commonwealth and European titles, but I’m not the number one middleweight in the country.
“I will be when I beat Macklin.
“He’s a great fighter but I think although we are both 28, I am a fresher 28. He’s had some hard fights and that is going to be a problem when he fights me.”
Warren, who marks his 30th year in boxing with one of his most ambitious cards, said much was at stake for both men.
“Whoever wins is probably going to fight for a world title,” he said.
“I’m talking to Matt at the moment about that, and if Darren wins then his people will be working hard for him.
“Both these boys have got good rankings with the governing bodies, and a win is going to bring an improvement.”
Tickets for the Magnificent Seven are priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 and are available from:
LG Arena
0844 338 8000
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
CLEVERLY LANDS UNIVERSITY DEGREE
Mathematics student and European Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly collected the first of two titles he aims to secure in 2010.
Cleverly, 23, became a BSc in Mathematics at Cardiff University yesterday – and also intends to add “world champion” to his name before the year is out.
Cleverly, from Phillipstown in South Wales, has been juggling full-time study with the disciplines of professional boxing for the past four years. He retains a 19-win unbeaten record and has won British, European and Commonweath light-heavyweight titles – while also getting to grips with Stochastic Models and Fluid Dynamics.
Nathan, who graduated with a 2:2 at a University ceremony at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall said: “I have always tried to make the most of my opportunities – whether it is an exam or a fight. My tutors at Cardiff have been very good about giving me the time I needed for boxing – and likewise, my trainers have understood the demands of undergraduate study.
“These years at Cardiff University have been the best of my life. I have no regrets about combining boxing and mathematics – they have both given me a tremendous amount.”
With the degree safely in the bag, Nathan moves on to his next challenge- fighting unbeaten German Karo Murat, in an Eliminator for the WBO Light-Heavyweight title in Birmingham on September 18. The fight, promoted by Frank Warren at the LG Arena, could taken Nathan one step closer to his second dream – a world title.
Tickets for the Magnificent Seven are priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 and are available from:
LG Arena
0844 338 8000
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk