Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport are delighted to announce that Paul McCloskey will face Breidis Prescott in an official eliminator for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Light-Welterweight title at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday 10 September, live on Sky Sports.
It marks a return to action for the Dungiven fighter after his World title challenge against Amir Khan in Manchester on April 16 ended in controversy after the fight was stopped in the sixth round after McCloskey suffered a cut through a clash of heads with the Bolton fighter.
The Khan loss is the sole blemish on McCloskey’s 23 fight record and the 31 year-old gets the perfect opponent to avenge that defeat – the only man to beat Khan, Breidis Prescott.
“We’re going for the man that Amir couldn’t beat,” said McCloskey. “I could’ve gone for an easier fight but I don’t feel like a beaten fighter so why should I go for anything but the best.
“Breidis Prescott is as tough an opponent as you could ask for but I want to fight the best fighters out there. I’m not looking to chase Khan for the rest of my career – I want to be a World Champion. I’ll fight anyone to reach that goal and I know I belong at World level.
“The support in Manchester was such a boost on the night, and on September 10 there will be twice as many inside the Odyssey Arena so it’s going to be something special.”
The 28 year-old Columbian stunned Khan in September 2008, knocking out the Brit inside a minute of the opening round at the MEN Arena to wrestle the WBO Inter-Continental title from his grip. Now, Prescott and McCloskey will meet in Belfast with a World title shot on the line, in a fight that Hearn says is for the fans.
“Paul’s fans were simply incredible in Manchester and to get travelling support like that was breathtaking,” said Hearn. “We wanted to give Paul and his fans a huge homecoming fight and we have delivered that in Breidis Prescott. The Amir Khan experience was obviously disappointing but what better way to come back from that by beating the only man to have ever beaten him?
“Paul is one win away from another crack at a World title and it’s going to be a special night at the Odyssey. The undercard will be packed with Irish talent and the atmosphere electric as Dudey’s Army gets on the march again.”
Since beating Khan, Prescott has fought in the UK against Kevin Mitchell in Newcastle in December 2009, losing out to the Essex man for the WBO Inter-Intercontinental title on points. The Miami-based Columbian has claimed three wins since that defeat and believes that both men will be eyeing up a second shot at Khan should they come out on top.
“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to fight Paul McCloskey,” said Prescott. “I want to thank everyone involved in making this fight possible. I promise that if Amir is watching, and he happened to forget what occurred back in 2008, I will give him a reminder by my performance on September 10. I can only hope that after I win, Amir keeps his promise and gets back in the ring with me. I will see everyone on September 10.”
Tickets for Paul McCloskey vs. Breidis Prescott plus a full championship undercard to be announced soon go on sale on at 9am on Thursday morning (July 20) priced at £30-£200 (tickets may be subject to service charge) and available from the Odyssey Arena Box Office on 02890 73 9074, Ticketmaster 0844 277 4455 (24 hour). Tickets are also available in person from the Odyssey Arena Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, and online from www.ticketmaster.ie.
Cayo-Peterson & Miranda-Despaigne on 7/29
The undercard has been announced for the Warriors Boxing blockbuster FIGHT NIGHTS at The Cosmopolitan III at The Chelsea Friday, July 29 and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
Several exciting matchups are scheduled in addition to the 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super Lightweight elimination bout between the Dominican Republic’s once-beaten IBF #3-rated Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (20-1, 18 KOs) and Washington DC’s IBF #4-ranked Lamont Peterson (24-1-1, 14 KOs) and the sensational 10-round light heavyweight showdown between Edison “Pantera” Miranda (34-5, 29 KOs) and Yordanis Despaigne (8-1, 4 KOs).
Topping the all-action undercard will be Miami, Florida, via Cuba’s undefeated knockout artist Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy 12-0 (10 KO’s) in an eight-round super featherweight matchup against Kansas City’s Gerardo Robles (14-9, 6 KO`s).
In a 10-round battle with a touch of international flavor, Chelyabwsk, Russia’s undefeated Sergey Kovalev (15-0, 13 KO`s) will face Nairobi, Kenya’s Douglas Otieno (23-6, 12 KO`s) for the NABA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Also featured is a six-round light heavyweight scrap between Las Vegas’ (via Sweden) Badou Jack “The Ripper” (6-0, 5 KO`s) and Athens, Georgia’s Timothy Hall Jr. (6-11, 4 KO`s); and in a four-round lightweight attraction, popular Las Vegas fighter Cameron Kreal will make his highly anticipated pro debut against fellow Las Vegas resident Franky Martinez (0-3).
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In conjunction with Warriors Boxing Promotions and Blue Wave Group, “Fight Nights at The Cosmopolitan” combines the mystique and excitement of legendary Las Vegas boxing matches with a new and socially dynamic experience. Tickets are on sale now and priced at $250 for VIP tables, $150 for ringside seats, $100 for floor seats, $50 for grandstand seating and $20 for general admission tickets and are available for purchase by calling 877-551-7778 or at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com.
Hitz signs the Brothers Amidu, Yakubu and Abdullai, talented lightweight Chris Singleton
Chicagoland promoter Bobby Hitz is proud to announce he has signed a quartet of talented fighters to promotional agreements including the Brothers Amidu, Yakubu and Abdullai, talented lightweight Chris Singleton, and a co-promotional deal (along with Square Ring Promotions) with Chicago’s own former world heavyweight title challenger “Fast” Fres Oquendo.
26-year-old Los Angeles-based Ghanaian Yakubu “Black Mamba” Amidu (19-2-1, 17 KOs), is the current NABA-US Lightweight Champion. He made his Chicago-area debut last April with a unanimous decision over capable John Revish and followed it up with an impressive knockout over Damon Antoine in Rosemont, Illinois, last May.
Yakubu’s brother, 28-year-old undefeated knockout artist Abdullai Amidu (19-0, 17 KOs) has worked as a sparring partner for pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and was last seen winning a decision over Cristian Favela in August 2010.
“Both brothers are fantastic, all-action fighters,” said Hitz. “The fans at my shows have already taken to Yakubu and his ‘take no prisoners’ approach and they’re going to love Abdullai when he gets in there this year.”
27-year-old Lafayette, Louisiana lightweight Chris Singleton (2-0, 2 KOs) came to Chicago last April and was so impressive in stopping formerly undefeated Russell Fiore in one round that Hitz quickly signed him.
“I’ve got a pretty good eye for talent and this kid most certainly has it,” explained Hitz. “He came into, basically, the other kid’s backyard and just tore into him. Great power. Good fundamentals. We’ll develop Singleton properly and make a contender out of him.”
During his long career as a world-class heavyweight, Oquendo (32-7, 21 KOs) has held numerous regional belts and taken on a long list of other top-quality big men.
He has also been plagued by questionable scoring. In 2003, he dropped a highly questionable decision to then International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Chris Byrd in an unsuccessful challenge for the title. In 2008, a point deduction for a rabbit punch cost him a draw against multiple world champion James Toney. His two most recent setbacks were also dubious in nature.
“There’s no question Fres is still an elite heavyweight,” asserted Hitz. “He’s had some bad luck fighting in other people’s hometowns, so Square Ring Promotions and Hitz Boxing are going to resurrect his fortunes and get him back on track for another title shot.”
For more information, visit www.hitzboxing.com.