MANCHESTER, April 13 – On Saturday, April 16, British boxing royalty will take to the ring at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, as WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir “King” Khan defends his crown against unbeaten European champion Paul “Dudey” McCloskey.
Though the bout is taking place across the pond from the United States, HBO viewers won’t miss a second of the action, as a tape-delayed broadcast of the bout will open up Saturday’s edition of World Championship Boxing, featuring the live WBC Welterweight World Title bout between Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz, beginning at 9:45pm ET / 6:45pm PT.
“It’s great having HBO cover the fight even though I’m fighting at home in the U.K.,” said Khan. “Last year, I had the best fight of the year on HBO [against Marcos Maidana in December] and plan to have another one this year. The support HBO has given me is brilliant and I really appreciate them showing my fight against McCloskey on Saturday night to all of my American fans.”
In 2010, Bolton, England’s Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) dazzled American fans with an 11th round technical knockout win over Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in his U.S. debut in May and in December participated in the “Fight of the Year” with a win over Marcos “Chino” Maidana in Las Vegas. Now, he will look to give back to his loyal British fans by adding a home-turf win over McCloskey to his already impressive resume.
“He’s an unbeaten, dangerous fighter, but I’m going to win and give my fans at home a great fight,” said Khan.
In the opposite corner, McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) has patiently waited for his shot at a world title, building up a perfect record in the process. On Saturday night, he will get his shot against Khan and hopes to make a statement to American fans.
“I don’t know why it’s taken so long to get a world title shot,” McCloskey said. “Nobody can say I don’t deserve this opportunity. I have earned it the right way, as I’ve won British and European titles along the way.”
On Saturday, the pride of Derry, Northern Ireland gets his turn in the spotlight and he promises that for his European fans and for new ones watching on HBO in the United States, it will be a night to remember.
“At the end of this fight,” he said, “the name of Paul McCloskey will be well known on the other side of the Atlantic.”
“King Khan Returns,” the WBA Super Lightweight Championship fight featuring Amir “King” Khan defending his title against undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey on April 16 at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, is a 12 round bout presented in association with Khan Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. The event will broadcast live on Primetime Pay-Per-Viewin the U.K. at 8:00 PM BST, with the main event being aired on a delayed basis in United States on HBO at 9:45 PM ET/6:45 PM PT.
Leon Williams: Couzen’s Gonna Get Crushed Like A Biscuit On May 7th
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams is to defend his Southern Area Cruiserweight title, against Titchfield, Hampshire’s Danny Couzens, at the Graham Earl promoted ‘Redemption Day’ double title headlined event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 7th May 2011.
Streatham’s Williams won the title back in October with a totally dominating performance over JJ Ojuederie. Williams was on fire throughout the bout, constantly on the attack forcing Ojuederie to cover up and absorb Williams’ double handed flurries.
It was only after his corner read him the riot act, at the end of the ninth, that Ojuederie finally stood his ground and traded with Williams. However that was way too late and Williams was rightly crowned Southern Area Champ with a shutout 99-92 points decision.
Following a full-on sparring session with London based Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker, at the TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, Williams confidently spoke of his upcoming title defense against Danny Couzens. “I’m good to go, I’m excited about defending my title.
There’s no way in hell he’s gonna win, I’m gonna crush him. That title belongs to me.
Preparation has been perfect, I’m ready to fight now if I had to fight. I’ve had fantastic sparring, training’s been perfect, everything’s good.
It’s a good fight, a good defense, a good learning curve for me so I’m excited about that.
I’d like to fight for the British title by the end of the year, but there’s no guarantees so I can only prepare for it, and that’s what I’m gonna do – prepare.
Team Solid is gonna fill up the York Hall and Danny’s gonna get crushed – Crushed like a biscuit.”
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Danny Couzens for the BBBofC Southern Area Cruiserweight title co headlines at the Graham Earl promoted ‘Redemption Day’ double title headed event at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 7th May 2011.
Co-headlining will be the eagerly anticipated Paul Morby-Daniel Cadman rematch for the Southern Area Super Middleweight title.
Heading up the support card for the two title fights sees the sensational former English Light Welterweight title challenger Michael Grant making his first appearance as a Lightweight.
In addition to Michael Grant, Graham Earl has lined up a seriously strong undercard featuring some of the Country’s most exciting young warlords.
Former American Basketball star Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Oshunrinde will be hoping that his return to York Hall will be more satisfying than his previous outing there.
Oshunrinde was clearly robbed of his first win on British soil when his shortened fight with Jahmaine Smyle was declared a technical draw, following the fight being stopped, in the first round, due to a serious cut over Smyle’s right eye.
Graham also has his exciting Light Welterweight Terry Holmes out for his third professional bout, against a yet to be named opponent. Holmes has proved to be nothing short of sensational on his two previous outings and Graham has big expectations for the heavy hitting nineteen year old from Stevenage.
Another big hitter, Belfast’s Joe Hillerby, will also be getting his third outing. Hillerby, who debuted in October 2010, has made quite an impact on the scene. No surprise really, after all he is an all action heavy hitter with a knockout finish, as proved on his debut against Gavin Putney, which lasted just 43 seconds!
His second fight, against super tough Ryan Clark, lasted the full course and turned out to be one of the most action packed fights of the night at Graham Earl’s excellent ‘Capital Punishment’ event back in January.
Lowestoft Featherweight Craig Poxton will be looking to get back to winning ways, following his loss to Youssef Al Hamidi a year ago.
Making their professional debuts at ‘Redemption Day’ are Belfast’s Mark Ginley, Heavyweight Scott Whyley whilst former Armed Services boxer Sam Standing will be joining his TKO Boxing Gym mates Williams, Grant and Oshunrinde on the show.
Tickets for the Graham Earl Promoted ‘Redemption Day’ event at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 7th May 2011 are now on sale and priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).
For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call in person at The TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.
Berto vs. Ortiz stats
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
April 13, 2011 – Mexico City.
From the office of WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán:
WBC STATISTICS
WBC Welterweight World Championship
Foxwoods Resort Casino – Mashantucket, Connecticut
April 16, 2011
This will be the 1,861st fight sanctioned by the WBC in its 48-year history.
DiBELLA ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS:
ANDRE BERTO (US)
WBC Welterweight World Champion
Age, date of birth: 27 (September 7, 1983)
Residence: Winter Haven, Florida
Place of birth: Miami, Florida
Record: 27-0, 21 KOs
Stance: Right-handed
Total rounds: 132
Title fights: 6 (6-0, 3 KOs)
Promoter: DiBella Entertaiment
VICTOR ORTIZ (US)
Ranked WBC No. 5
Age, date of birth: 24 (January 31, 1987)
Residence: Oxnard, California
Place of birth: Garden City, Kansas
Record: 28-2-2, 22 KOs
Stance: Left-handed
Total rounds: 133
Title fights: 1 (0-1)
Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
WBC WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS
1. Luis Manuel Rodriguez (Cuba)
2. Emile Griffith (Virg. Island)
3. Curtis Cokes (US)
4. Jose Napoles (Mexico)
5. Billy Backus (US)
6. Jose Napoles (Mexico) *
7. John Stracey (GB)
8. Carlos Palomino (Mexico)
9. Wilfredo Benitez (P. Rico)
10. Ray Leonard (US)
11. Roberto Duran (Panama)
12. Ray Leonard (US) *
13. Milton McCrory (US)
14. Don Curry (US)
15. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica)
16. Jorge Vaca (Mexico)
17. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica) *
18. Marlon Starling (US)
19. Maurice Blocker (US)
20. Simon Brown (Jamaica)
21. James McGirt (US)
22. Pernell Whitaker (US)
23. Oscar de la Hoya (US)
24. Felix Trinidad (P. Rico)
25. Oscar de la Hoya (US) *
26. Shane Mosley (US)
27. Vernon Forrest (US)
28. Ricardo Mayorga (Nicaragua)
29. Cory Spinks (US)
30. Zab Judah (US)
31. Carlos Baldomir (Argentina)
32. Floyd Mayweather (US)
33. Shane Mosley (US) Interim *
34. Andre Berto (US)
* Regained
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC:
29 welterweight world champions have recognized by the WBC, of whom only four have regained the title: Jose Napoles (Cuba-Mex), Ray Leonard (US), Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica), Oscar de la Hoya (US-Mex), Shane Mosley (US).
119 WBC welterweight world championship fights have been held in the history of the WBC.
90 WBC welterweight world championship fights have taken place in the USA.
WBC TITLE BOUTS HELD IN CONNECTICUT STATE:
20 bouts have been held in Connecticut in WBC history.
This will be the second WBC title fight in the welterweight division been held in Connecticut in WBC history.
BREAKDOWN BY DIVISION:
Light heavy 5
Super light 3
Super middle 2
Middle 2
Super welter 2
Light 2
Heavy 1
Welter 1
Feather 1
Super bantam 1
Total Bouts 20
WBC Statistics by Luis Medina.