Promoter Steve Goodwin has added some extra fuel to the fire that’s already burning between Hackney’s Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander and Former English Super Featherweight Champion Ryan Barrett, by making their 11th September showdown, at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, for a championship title. It’s already more than clear that neither Barrett or Alexander particularly likes the other by the comments each has been publicly making recently. Now with a championship belt on the line it’s become a ‘light the blue touch paper’ situation..
On Friday last week, prior to the photo shoot at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town, for the promotional poster for the event, Barrett stated, “I don’t particularly like the man. I don’t like the way that he feels he has to call me out, he only had to be polite and put it in Boxing News. Instead he said I didn’t want to fight him.
He doesn’t exist in my World. I have no respect for the man. He’s upset the wrong person. All I’ll say to him is just run and hide.
I think he’ll fight the fight one of two ways. He might come out and try and nick the first few rounds and then run to see it out to a points win. If he thinks he can’t do that he’ll just start off running, making it as awkward as possible, but I don’t think his old legs will carry him the full ten rounds trying to outrun me, really.”
Barrett is annoyed that in May this year Alexander decided to publicly call him out on Steve Bunce’s BBC London Boxing Hour, following the breakdown of negotiations with Steve Goodwin for a fight between the two on Goodwin’s June 19th ‘Summer Fight Night Explosion’.
Now the scene is set and the volatile Ryan Barrett versus Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander is set to headline the Goodwin Promotions ‘It’s Personal’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday the 11th September 2010.
Co-headline will feature undefeated Light Middleweight rising star ‘Phat’ Pat McAleese in a championship fight against a yet to be named opponent.
‘It’s Personal’ also features the British professional debut of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s protégé Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, who will be facing the highly experienced Welsh battler Lana Cooper in a four round Featherweight contest.
Supporting the title double header will be no less than five undefeated stars; Cruiserweight Tony Conquest, 4 (1KO)-0, Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert, 6(4KO)-0, Lightweight Bradley Evans 5-0-1, Light Middleweight Michael Norgrove 2-0 and Lightweight Tony Owen 7(1KO)-0 all against yet to named opposition.
Goodwin promotions ‘It’s Personal’ event also features the professional debuts of Lightweight Jamie Arlain and the exciting, Ultrachem TKO Gym trained, Light Heavyweight Joel McIntyre.
Tickets for ‘It’s Personal’ at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 11th September 2010 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).
For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tickets.justlisten2this.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
WBU Champ Willie Limond’s ‘Team Scotland’ Set For Charity Football Tournament On 25th July
WBU Lightweight World Champion Willie Limond is taking a little time out of camp, where he is preparing for his September 11th showdown with seven time World Champion Erik Morales, to take part in the Ultrachem TKO Gym’s Charity Football Tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust, at the Brockwell Stadium, Canvey Island on Sunday the 25th July.
Glasgow’s Limond, who beat English Champion Ryan Barrett to win the WBU Lightweight title in May ‘09, is no stranger to the football pitch, his team having won the previous Ultrachem TKO Gym celebrity football tournament in 2008.
On naming his squad, which includes his brothers Kevin and Rayman, various Scottish boxers including former British Super Featherweight champion Craige Docherty as well as a couple of former Scottish Premiership footballers – Kevin Melkle and Alan Reid, Limond briefly said “I’t’s an honour to take time out, from preparations for the biggest fight of my career, to come down and play in support of such a worthy cause as the Indee Rose Trust. It means so much to us to be involved and we’re looking forward to beating the English on their own ground again.“
Ultrachem TKO Gym’s Johnny Eames added, “On a personal note I would like to thank Willie and the Scottish team who generously offered to pay their own flights down and safe the charity a few quid. Fantastic gesture lads, shows the spirit of true boxing people.”
Willie Limond is just one of a host of boxing, TV, film and music stars taking part in the tournament, to raise funds for the Indee Rose Trust, which provide support to children recovering from brain and spinal tumors.
Amongst those already committed to the event are WBA Heavyweight World Champion David Haye, former undisputed Light Welterweight King Ricky Hatton, European Champion Darren Barker, British & Commonwealth Super Featherweight Champ Kevin Mitchell, British Super Middleweight Champion Paul Smith, Commonwealth Champions Ricky Burns & Tony Bellew, former Irish Heavyweight Champion, and Mike Tyson’s sparring partner ‘Big’ Joe Egan, Olympic Gold Medallist James DeGale, World Amateur Champion Frankie Gavin and Olympian Billy Joe Saunders.
From the world of television and film, actors Gerald Kerns & Ciaren Griffiths, both of whom are currently starring in the hit TV series Shameless, Mark Wingett (Jim Carver from the Bill) and former English Super Featherweight Challenger and Coronation Street star Stephen Bell, who will be guesting on the National Journalists team.
Representing the Music biz are Rock superstars Iron Maiden, who are co-favourites, with Team Scotland, to win having former England star Teddy Sherringham in their squad, and Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell, who will be guesting on the Ultrachem TKO Gym team.
The Ultrachem TKO Gym Boxers & Celebrity Football Tournament, in aid of The Indee Rose Trust will be at the Brockwell Stadium, Canvey Island on Sunday 25th July 2010.
Tickets are priced:
Adults: £10.00
Children: £5.00
and are available from The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA – Tel: 0207 474 3199
or buy on-line at www.tickets.justlisten2this.com
Willie Casey in title eliminator
Dolphil promotions are proud to announce the headline for the August 7th Citywest show. Prizefighter Champion ‘Big Bang’ Willie Casey makes his eagerly awaited return to the ring to fight Emiliano Salvini.
The fight which is seen as a European title eliminator sees ‘Big Bang’ lock horns with the talented Italian, ranked no.9 in Europe.
Willie Casey knows this is a must win fight on his quest for European and World titles.
A Dolphil Promotions spokesman said ‘this is the perfect test at the right time for ‘Big Bang’, training is intensifying somewhat and he is responding well to it, he’s looking as sharp as I’ve seen him.
The Dolphil team are hoping boxing fans come out in their numbers to get behind the Limerick banger in what should be a fascinating encounter. Willie comes into this fight still undefeated in 9 bouts (6 KO’s) and on the back of an impressive performance against Faycal Messaoudene. August 7th will be a step up in class however for Willie Casey but he is remaining focused and upbeat. ‘I’m feeling in great shape for this one, in three weeks time there will be no stopping ‘Big Bang’. This is the test I’ve been waiting for and I’m ready for the step up. World titles are what I want so we want to pick up the pace now and start mixing it up with the ranked lads.’
Pace is something Willie knows all about both in and out of the ring. In his short career in the paid ranks Willie has beaten the reigning (and undefeated) Canadian Champion is his own back yard, he has impressively won Prizefighter and managed to clock up nine straight victories in only two years.
‘I’m keeping my feet on the ground but at the same time nothing fazes me, there was talk of Wayne McCullough calling me out, Paulie Hyland was mentioned, I heard the other day Bernard Dunne would fancy a shot and I just keep saying bring them on. I’m not being cocky, I genuinely believe a World title will be mine so why wouldn’t I think I can beat these lads?’
Willie who has been compared to Ricky Hatton means what he says, with people paying close attention to his threat following Prizefighter. Let’s see if the crowd responds and gets behind this countries next big talent. He’s the same weight as Bernard Dunne, but he has a punch that would take a heavyweight out.
Also on the bill are John ‘The Warrior’ Waldron, Anthony ‘The Pride’ Fitzgerald, Finbarr ‘The Rock’ Eade, Gavin ‘The Pimpernel’ Prunty, JJ McDonagh, Alan Donnelan and Darren Cruise.
Tickets on sale now from only €40 at ticketgroup.ie or call 087 9719193 and 01 4560213