James DeGale says forget the Royal Wedding – he’s found the perfect partner in Paul Smith. Headlines have been dominated by the announcement of the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton.But DeGale reckons his showdown with Smith is a match made in heaven. The pair get it on at the Liverpool Echo Arena on December 11, live on Sky Box Office. Smith’s British super-middleweight title will be on the line. “Congratulations to William and Kate, I’d like to wish them all the best,” said Olympic gold medallist DeGale..
“I’m sure their wedding will be a spectacular occasion which will unite the whole country.
“But if people want to see the perfect marriage of styles then they should tune in to my fight with Smith.
“Paul’s a good fighter but he’s tailor made to make me look the world beater I am.
“I’ll be too quick and too strong for him, and people are going to see a superb performance from me on the night.
“I know Paul will make it into a real war, but I’ll out-box him and have more heart as well.
“I want that British title real bad, and I’m going to take it off Paul Smith next month.”
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
The Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
MACKLIN WON’T BECOME WORLD CHAMPION SAYS VARON
Former world title challenger Ruben Varon says he will crush Matt Macklin’s dreams of making it to the top.
The Spaniard challenges Macklin for his European middleweight title on December 11 in Liverpool on a huge night of boxing live on Sky Box Office.
And he is intent on causing an upset at the Liverpool Echo Arena.
The 31-year-old, who lost a points decision against Felix Sturm in a WBO World Middleweight title challenge, has been fired up by recent interviews Macklin has given about fighting for a world title next year.
“All I hear from Macklin is how he will challenge for the a world title in 2011,” said Madrid native.
“Well believe me, he won’t.
“He’s taken my lightly, but I am coming to England to take away his title and break his heart.
“I’ve fought for a world title before, and I want a second chance.
“Macklin claims that he has matured in the last couple of years, and he’s getting better with age.
“He hasn’t got it, he has never had it, and he never will.
“He can talk all he wants about world titles, but he might as well talk about becoming king of England.
“They are both about as likely to happen.”
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
The Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
HATTON: I’LL PROVE I AM WORLD CLASS
MATTHEW HATTON says he will prove he is a world class welterweight next week.
‘Magic’ Matthew makes the second defence of his European title when he faces undefeated Swiss star Roberto Belge at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Friday November 26.
Hatton, 29, is on an eight fight unbeaten run and insists: “I do think I am world class, but I have to show that against Belge.
“Since I beat Ben Tackie two years ago I have had some really good wins and believe I have been fighting at world class.
“If I am world class I have to go in there do a number on Belge and show I belong there. That is what I am aiming to do.
“I want to fight the best out there and I do believe I am ready for a world title fight now.”
Hatton, beaten just four times in 46 contests wants WBA champion Viacheslav Senchenko and is constantly receiving offers from Golden Boy Promotions to face Mexican sensation Saul Alvarez
He said: “Senchenko has been my target for a few months now, but the welterweight division is packed with some really big names.
“Senchenko is a man I would be 100 per-cent confident of beating. It has always been my ambition to be a world champion, and I do feel he is the man I am capable of beating.
“I have been offered a fight with Saul Alvarez and if he comes through Lovemore N’Dou later this year there is a possibility I could face him in March.
“There are some really good fights out there and if Senchenko can’t be made I have got a massive fight there against Alvarez in America..
Hatton Promotions Director of Boxing, Richard Poxon has put together a top class supporting card for the show being televised by Sky Sports.
Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray aims to become a double champion when he tees off with Brazil’s former world title challenger Carlos Nascimento for the vacant WBA international crown
On the same bill, Bury’s impressive WBA international champion Scott Quigg will be bidding for his 21st consecutive win, but faces good Frenchman Daniel Kodjo Sassou – his toughest opponent to date.
The rest of the undercard features some of Hatton Promotions talented prospects including Beijing Olympian Joe Murray, Matty Askin, heavyweight giant Richard Towers, Adam Etches and Tasif Khan.
Hatton Promotions latest talent stacked show is certain to sell-out but you can get your tickets £75 (Ringside), £50 and £30 from 0161 775 7500, www.ticketline.co.uk. There is limited number of corporate packages – price on request.
MURRAY OUT TO GIVE A PASTA-RING TO ITALIAN ACE
JOE MURRAY insists he’ll be ready for his first professional title after sorting out David Chianella.
The Beijing Olympian will be bidding for his ninth straight professional win when he faces former Italian featherweight champion David Chianella at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Friday November 26.
Murray, 23, hasn’t lost a round since turning professional in March 2009 and believes he will soon be ripe for a shot at the vacant English nine stone crown.
Mancunian Murray said: “Once you have got ten professional fights under your belt you start looking at English titles and then moving onto the British and European stage
“You can see that prospects are being moved quicker these days because James DeGale fighting for the British title so early in his career.
“Boxing is getting like the UFC with fighters being matched harder sooner and Sky TV is also demanding exciting fights.
“I believe in my ability so that suits me and when my team say I am ready I know they will be making the right decision.”
Chianella, 37, has lost just seven times in 25 contests, but will be boxing outside his homeland for the first time in his career.
Heading the bill is Matthew Hatton who defends his European welterweight title against unbeaten Swiss star Roberto Belge.
Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray aims to become a double champion when he tees off with Brazil’s former world title challenger Carlos Nascimento for the vacant WBA international crown
On the same bill, Bury’s impressive WBA international champion Scott Quigg will be bidding for his 21st consecutive win, but faces good Frenchman Daniel Kodjo Sassou – his toughest opponent to date.
The rest of the undercard features some of Hatton Promotions talented prospects including Matty Askin, Adam Etches and Tasif Khan.
Hatton Promotions latest talent stacked show is certain to sell-out but you can get your tickets £75 (Ringside), £50 and £30 from 0161 775 7500, www.ticketline.co.uk. There is limited number of corporate packages – price on request.