BBC Radio 5 live will provide full coverage of the build-up, live commentary and behind-the-scenes insight to Amir Khan’s WBA Light Welter-Weight title defence against Paul McCloskey on 16th April. In the lead-up to Saturday night, 5 live Sport will take a look ahead to the big fight with Ian Payne joined by Mike Costello, Steve Bunce and special guest Oscar de la Hoya on Thursday 14th April from 9pm to 10pm.
Then from 9.45pm on fight night, 16th April, Stephen Nolan will introduce live boxing commentary from the MEN Arena in Manchester as Khan takes on McCloskey in his fourth defence of the WBA Light Welter-Weight title.
The following week, 5 live Sport will present an Access All Areas: Big Fight Week special on Sunday 24th April with Steve Bunce documenting the behind the scenes build-up to the WBA world title fight. Steve talks to the managers, promoters, families and trainers of both Amir Khan and Paul McCloskey as they readied their fighters for the main event on 16th April.
You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra via DAB radio, online at bbc.co.uk/5live, or via digital Freeview, Sky, Freesat, Virgin Media and 909 & 693AM.
May 7th Is Redemption Day for Paul Morby, Daniel Cadman and Leon Williams
World Champ turned promoter Graham Earl has really pulled all the stops out for his second London show of the year – ‘Redemption Day’ – at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday 7th May – by having not just one, but two, Southern Area title bouts co-headlining along with a seriously quality undercard, which is to such a high standard that it is likely to put most televised shows of the past year to shame.
Graham’s superb ‘Capital Punishment’ event in January was headlined by Paul Morby’s Southern Area Super Middleweight title defense against Daniel ‘The Slick’ Cadman, which was a closely fought affair that after ten hard fought rounds the Referee raised both protagonists hands aloft and declared the bout a draw which left an air of unfinished business for Morby and Cadman as well as the 1000 plus fans that packed into the world famous venue.
As such it comes as no surprise that for his May 7th show Graham has Morby-Cadman II co-headlining. It’s also seems apt Graham chose to name the event ‘Redemption Day’, as most ringside on the night, including myself, felt that Cadman had done just enough to wrestle the belt from Morby’s grip.
The ‘Redemption Day’ title also sits well for co-headliner, which sees Streatham’s Leon ‘Solid’ Williams defend his Southern Area Cruiserweight Crown for the first time, against Titchfield’s Danny Couzens.
Back in February Williams suffered his first stoppage loss, in a non-championship battle with Blackpool based Slovakian Richard Turba, and is sure to be looking to redeem himself and keep his 2011 British title aspirations on track.
The main support for the double title header sees the welcome return of the sensational former English title challenger Michael Grant, who has just signed a promotional deal with Graham Earl’s promotional business.
Now competing in the Lightweight division Grant will be looking to impress, after his year long sabbatical from the sport, as he has stated his intention to get straight back on the championship trail.
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.
The cut to Smyle’s eye, as well as a serious swelling below the right eye, were caused by the many solid and highly accurate jabs and punches Oshunrinde landed throughout the short encounter, however referee Ken Curtis bought into play the new technical draw rule rather than presenting Oshunrinde with the much deserved stoppage victory.
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 protégé 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 and former Armed Services boxer Sam Standing, who will be joining his TKO Boxing Gym mates Williams, Grant and Oshunrinde on the show.
With Graham’s reputation of putting on closely matched all action bouts his ‘Redemption Day’ event is sure to be one of the most exciting shows of the year so far.
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.
HOT-SHOT FRANKIE GAVIN SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH FRANK WARREN AND WILL FEATURE ON THE BIG O2 SHOW
Frank Warren has signed a new three year deal with hot-prospect Frankie Gavin.
Birmingham star Gavin, Britain’s only ever World Amateur Champion, will feature in a championship contest at The O2, London, on May 21.
He will form part of the undercard to “This Is It”, a mouth-watering show headlined by Nathan Cleverly’s WBO World light-heavyweight title challenge against Juergen Braehmer, and the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title showdown between James DeGale and George Groves, live on Sky Box Office.
An opponent and title for Gavin will be confirmed in the next few days.
Gavin is undefeated in nine fights as pro, and lifted the Irish light-welterweight title last year.
In his last fight, he halted Michael Lomax in an eliminator for the British welterweight title.
His new deal with Warren runs until 2014, with the 25-year-old aiming to lift a world title in that time frame.
Gavin signed with Warren along with Olympic Champion DeGale and Olympian Billy Joe Saunders in 2008.
“Frank has done great for me so far, and I can’t wait for the rest of 2011 because there should be some big fights coming up,” said Gavin.
“I feel that I am ready for the British, Commonwealth and even European titles right now.
“There’s no one in the UK I wouldn’t fight, and my ultimate aim is WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan.
“A showdown between me and him next year would be one of the biggest fights in boxing.”
Promoter Frank Warren added: “When Frankie won the amateur world title I knew he was a special talent.
“Britain had never had an amateur world title before, and I am sure that Frankie will repeat his success in the professional ranks.
“I have been very impressed with the progress he has made in his nine fights so far.
“He’s come on a long way in the last couple of years, and I am looking forward to developing him into a world class talent over the next couple of years.”
***READ NATHAN CLEVERLY’S BIG FIGHT DIARY ON WWW.FRANKWARREN.TV***
Ticket for ‘This Is It’ are priced at:
£500 – Ringside
£300 – Floor
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor/Tier
£100 – Tier
£80 – Tier
£50 – Tier
To purchase tickets go to:
THE O2
+44 (0) 844 856 0202 or www.theO2.co.uk
Disabled booking line: +44 (0) 208 463 3359
SEE TICKETS
+44 (0) 871 620 7054 or www.seetickets.com