Matt Macklin says he wants to move to world level after his European title challenge on September 18. The Brummie takes on Shalva Jomardashviliin a European middleweight championship fight at the LG Arena, Birmingham. A victory should boost his ratings with each of the big four world governing bodies. Macklin is currently inside the top 10 of the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO, and knocking on the door for a world title challenge. “At 28 I am coming into my prime,” said Macklin. “I truly believe that I am ready for anyone in the world..
“My plan was always to win the European title, and then look at what options there were at world level.
“I’ve already won this belt once, so there doesn’t seem that much point in hanging around.”
Macklin’s words could be bad news for Darren Barker, who was supposed to meet Macklin on Saturday.
But he pulled out with an injury.
“I’d still love to fight Darren,” said Macklin.
“The whole point of meeting him on the 18th was to show that I am the best middleweight in Britain.
“Even when I win the European title against Jomardashviliin, I’ll still have that itch to prove that I am better than Barker.
“May be we can meet for the European belt, but perhaps it will be for a world title somewhere down the line.”
Tickets for the Magnificent Seven are priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 and are available from:
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SMITH DEFENDS TITLE AGAINST DAVID
Paul Smith will now face Paul David in a defence of his British super-middleweight on October 23.
The Liverpool hero had been due to take on Darren McDermott at the Echo Arena in front of his passionate fans.
But the Black Country Body Snatcher has tragically seen his career ended after suffering an injury in training.
The 32-year-old underwent emergency brain surgery this week.
“My thoughts are with Darren and his family and I hope he makes a full recovery,” said Smith.
“I was looking forward to sharing a ring with him, and I’m sure we would have had a great fight.
“It’s a dangerous sport we are in and boxers are fully aware of the risks involved, but it hits home hard when a boxer is injured.
“But now I am fully focused on Paul David, who will be an equally dangerous opponent.
“When people fight for the British title they tend to raise their game a notch or two, and David will be no difference.
“I know though that he is standing between me and my ambitions to win a world title.
“I want to do two things in the next 12 months – win a Lonsdale belt outright, and then go on to compete at the highest level.
“In my last three or four fights I have known that any kind of slip up will destroy my plans.
“This fight is no different.”
David, a 26-year-old from Northampton, is a former Midlands Area super-middleweight champion, and has also won the English title during a four year career.
More recently, he made the final of Prizefighter, losing narrowly to Patrick Mendy.
Tickets for “On the Waterfront” are priced at £40, £50, £80, £100 & £150 and are available from:
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Ticketmaster
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See Tickets
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RENDALL IN ALGARVE TRAINING CAMP
RENDALL MUNROE is spending one week warm-weather and altitude training in Portugal preparing for his world title challenge.
Munroe (21-1) will challenge for Toshiaki Nishioka’s (36-4-3) WBC super-bantamweight title at Tokyo’s 10,000 capacity Sumo Hall on Sunday October 24.
The Leicester binman is holed up in the Portuguese mountains with promoter Frank Maloney, manager Mike Shinfield and trainer Jason Shinfield.
Maloney explained: “The air in Tokyo is quite thin and the steep hills where we are will aid him.
“It is a hard training camp he is having in England and the change of routine will be doing him good.
“The training here will take his fitness to another level and he is already in magnificent shape.
“He is such a cool customer and his laid back style reminds me of Lennox Lewis. He takes everything in his stride.”
Team Munroe will depart for Tokyo 12 days before the fight allowing plenty of time to acclimatise.
Maloney added: “Rendall is paying for two of the days out of his own pocket as the promoters are only contracted to cover ten days.
“This one fight he can win and I can see a unification fight against IBF champion Steve Molitor down the line.
For Munroe fans wishing to attend the fight tickets can be purchased from www.frankmaloney.com. Prices for fans wishing to make the trip are £55, £90, £170, £230 and £380 (RINGSIDE).
BBBofC Southern Region Chairman Mick Collier Launches ‘Harry Fund’ To Support Former Boxer Harry Senior
Following the editor’s letter in Boxing News on August 26th, highlighting the plight of former Southern Area Heavyweight champion Harry Senior, BBBofC Southern Area Chairman Mick Collier has instigated the ‘Harry Fund’ and is appealing to the boxing community for their support.
Harry Senior suffered a stroke on the 2nd December 2009, during a sparring session with Albert Sosnowski ahead of the Polish fighters European title fight with Paolo Vidoz, and subsequently required life saving surgery, at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queen Square in London, where he had part of his skull was removed to allow his brain to swell, before starting the slow road to recovery at The Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit at King’s College Hospital.
During his distinguished career Harry boxed for England in the amateurs and fought the best domestic fighters in the pro ranks, including Danny Williams for the Commonwealth title. Harry is also credited with helping Audley Harrison win gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
On announcing the ‘Harry Fund’ Mick Collier said, “I am saddened by Harry’s plight and want to get him some much needed financial support as quickly as possible.
Harry suffered this most unfortunate incident and as he is a former license holder I believe collectively we should do our best to support him, and his family, as they are suffering some financial hardship at this time.
It could be another two years before Harry can get back to a normal life and in that time he needs to be looked after
I have been in touch with the general secretary of the board regarding the BBBofC Benevolent Fund, which offers aid to boxers that have fallen on hard times. However any payment made from the fund can take a while to come through, and even then it’s not a large amount, and Harry and his family needs help now.
I’d also like to say that there are some good people out there that have been talking about putting together charity events or a benefit for him, which is I think is great, but again these things take weeks or months to organise and Harry needs the help now.
This is why we at the Southern Area decided to create the ‘Harry Fund’ and make this appeal for support.”