John Murray and Kevin Mitchell are both eyeing a fight with Brandon Rios after the classy World Boxing Association (WBA) World lightweight champion scored a third round KO at the weekend. Promoter Frank Warren has already opened talks with Rios’ promoter Bob Arum over a meeting between the world ruler and his two lightweights.
And the fight could be even bigger after Rios’ win on Saturday against Urbano Antillon in California.
Manchester ace Murray is ranked number four in The Ring lightweight rankings, while Rios is number one and Antillon was at number eight.
Now the attention turns to the UK, with Mitchell and Murray meeting for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental lightweight title on Frank Warren’s huge July 16 event at the Liverpool Echo Arena, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
“I’ve seen Rios’ fight at the weekend and he looks like a great champion,” said unbeaten Murray who went through a media work-out at his gym in Hyde today.
“I’ve always said that I want to fight the best, and I’d love to take him on next.
“I’m going to make a big statement in this fight to the rest of the champions in the division to sit up and take notice.
“Once I get this fight with Mitchell out of the way, I’ve then cleaned up domestically and I want to fight for a world title and Rios would be an ideal opponent.
“I’ve been to America before and fought over there, so I’ve got no problem going to the US if that’s what it takes to get this fight with Rios on.”
Mitchell added: “Murray can talk up a fight between himself and Rios all he likes, but he’s got to get past me first.
“I’m going to knock him out on Saturday, so he can kiss goodbye to his dream of becoming a world champion.
“Rios looks like an all-action fighter, so a fight between me and him would be an absolute classic.
“He’s a genuine world champion, and like John I want to fight the best, so why not Rios?
Mitchell v Murray features on a blockbuster card that is headlined by Ricky Burns’ WBO World Super-Featherweight title defence against Nicky Cook; Tony Bellew’s Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title defence and challenge for the vacant British title against Ovill McKenzie; Frankie Gavin’s WBO Intercontinental Welterweight title defence against Curtis Woodhouse, plus a massive undercard.
Remaining tickets, priced at £50, £80 and £100, are available on the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 or www.echoarena.com
Lara wants rematch with Williams
Los Angeles (July 11) – Saturday night, Erislandy Lara, one of boxing’s rising stars, was dealt a decision loss against former World Champion Paul Williams at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey despite the fact that the vast majority of ringside media in attendance, fans watching the fight in person as well as those watching live on HBO, believed that Lara had won the fight in convincing fashion. When the decision was read (scores 114, 114, 115-114 and 116-114 in favor of Williams) a chorus of boos rained down on the ring and calls for a rematch were immediately heard.
“When you see a young undefeated star convincingly win almost every round against one of the best fighters in the world and then have the judges take the fight away from him, it’s very disturbing, not only as his promoter, but also as a boxing fan,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “The CompuBox statistics alone indicate who the winner of this fight was…Lara landed 42% of his total punches to Williams 19%. Further indication come when examining the power punch statistics as landed Lara landed half of his power shots to almost one of every five that Williams landed. We hope that Williams and his promoter Dan Goossen will give Lara a much-deserved rematch to settle the controversy that has erupted since Saturday night’s decision. If Williams chooses not to fight Lara again, Erislandy is ready to fight anyone, anywhere and at any time and we will make sure they he gets the opportunities he deserves in the wake of his spectacular performance in Atlantic City.”
Lara, who suffered a small facial fracture apparently as a result of a clash of heads with Williams, will not be able to train for six to eight weeks. Lara feels he clearly won the fight and hopes Williams will give him the rematch.
“It was a good fight, but I don’t know what the judges saw,” said Lara. “I definitely want the rematch with Williams.”
David Diaz to fight on August 19th
Hitz Boxing will return to the luxurious “Venue” in the Horseshoe Casino, in Hammond, Indiana, on Friday, August 19 for a night of world-class boxing, featuring Chicago’s former World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion David Diaz in the main event.
Diaz (36-3-1, 17 KOs) won the world championship in 2006 against Jose Armando Santa Cruz and successfully defended against all-time-great Erik Morales via unanimous decision before falling short in a valiant stand against pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao in an exciting high-profile showdown in 2008. Diaz also has victories over former world champions Jesus Chavez and Ener Julio.
The 35-year-old southpaw Diaz is back stronger than ever and planning to re-join the ranks of the world’s best lightweights. He will be looking to make a statement in front of his hometown fans.
“David Diaz is back on the comeback trail and we’re very happy to be hosting his next fight,” said Hitz Boxing Founder, Bobby Hitz. “He’s a beloved former world champion from right here in Chicago with plenty left in the tank for another run at the top.”
Diaz’s career has been plagued by inactivity since losing the title, but Hitz says that’s about to change.
“David has agreed to appear on a number of our shows in the coming months, so we’re all very happy to be able to play a role in his journey to once again wearing a championship belt. We’re looking forward to another terrific night of boxing at the premier Las Vegas-style casino in the Midwest.”
Diaz’s opponent and undercard matches will be announced shortly.
The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don’t have to get on a plane to enjoy.
The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities — and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago.
Tickets for “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” will go on sale soon.