Promoter Frank Warren confirmed today that Dereck Chisora’s title challenge against World Boxing Council (WBC) World Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko will be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456, Virgin Ch. 546).
Londoner Chisora faces the three-time world champion at the Olympiahalle Munich, Germany, on February 18th – the first British fighter to challenge for a world title in 2012.
BoxNation viewers’ saw Chisora’s European title challenge last month against Robert Helenius in Norway when he was robbed by the judges’ of a stunning victory.
If Chisora gets himself into the same physical and mental condition as he did against Helenius, he’s got a chance of pulling off an incredible upset over the long-standing world champion who’s ruled the division with his brother Wladimir, the WBA Super/WBO/IBF World Champion.
Warren said, “I’m delighted that BoxNation have secured the rights to this fight for viewers to watch live in the UK,”
“BoxNation have televised some of the best domestic and international fights live this year and they are starting with a bang in 2012 with a big world heavyweight title involving a British fighter,”
“It’s a really tough fight for Chisora, but one that he can win if he gets himself in the same shape as he did against Helenius.”
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ANDRE WARD AND VIRGIL HUNTER: THEIR YEAR OF SUCCESS SHOULD LAND THEM FIGHTER AND TRAINER OF THE YEAR AWARD
LOS ANGELES, CA (Dec. 20, 2011) – It has been a tremendously successful 2011 for Andre Ward (25-0, 13 KOs), who after a twenty-six month journey is now the Super Six World Boxing Classic champion; the WBA champion; the WBC champion; the Ring magazine champion and the No. 1 Super Middleweight in the world.
Right there with him, is Ward’s crafty veteran trainer and godfather of 18 years, Virgil Hunter, who like World Boxing Council champion Ward is soft spoken, but filled with wisdom. Hunter recognized the talent and drive in Andre from the moment he walked into his gym. Virgil began training the 9-year old Ward and guided him to a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics.
Andre always believed that Virgil was the man who was going to elevate his game to the highest of levels and we’ve all been witnesses to just that. This past Saturday, December 17, as Ward was presented with three championship belts and the Super Six Cup, those beliefs were confirmed more-so.
Ward decimated the gritty British fighter with a unanimous decision at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
Already named Sports Illustrated’s Fighter of the Year, Oakland, California’s Ward had one word for his impressive evening and undefeated run through the two-plus year tournament: “Supernatural.”
“These are all great fighters. That’s why you don’t hear me talking badly about them before the fight. I know what I’m getting into. I just want to be a little bit better on the night of the fight.”
Earlier this year in May, Ward put on another destructive performance against former middleweight titleist and one of the hard-hitting favorites to win the tournament in Arthur Abraham. Ward scored a near perfect shutout against the former champion in a lopsided victory that would send him to the final.
Hunter’s work alongside Ward has earned him to be named “Trainer of the Year” with Andre’s one-sided run and the culmination of his last two bouts in a tournament filled with high-profile, top-level competition, all directed by his trainer. The man currently stands above everyone else since Andre’s upset of Mikkel Kessler and has had Andre prepared to finish his opponents with sheer dominance on his way to obtaining the WBA, WBC, Ring championship belts, along with the Super Six World Boxing Classic title. These are tremendous accomplishments by both fighter and trainer, especially when you throw in the fact that Hunter started with Ward when he was a nine year-old and has built him into an elite world-class fighter from scratch, taking him from US Olympic Gold to a decorated world champion as a professional.
Roger Mayweather deserves credit for Floyd Mayweather, but Floyd fought only once in 2011. Freddie Roach, the winner the past two years, has recently struggled with Manny Paquiao against Juan Manuel Marquez in his last bout and most recently Amir Khan.
There are other trainers that could deserve this recognition also, but for utter dominance of their fighters, Virgil Hunter stands alone in 2011.
Hunter, also trains Brandon Gonzales, Karim Mayfield, Michael Dallas, Marlow Moore and Heather Hartman.
MATHEWS v MARSILI SET FOR LIVERPOOL OLYMPIA ON JAN.20 – LIVE ON BOXNATION
Liverpool star Derry Mathews headlines the Liverpool Olympia on Friday 20th January when he challenges Emiliano Marsili for the Vacant IBO Lightweight Championship.
The show, promoted by Frank Warren and Stephen Vaughan Jnr., will be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456, Virgin Ch. 546).
Mathews, a former WBU World Featherweight Champion, was last in action in October when he challenged European Lightweight Champion Gavin Rees for his title, but the contest was ruled a technical draw after four rounds when a clash of heads left Mathews with a broken nose.
The 28-year-old had a good run this year before Rees, winning the IBO International title against Scott Lawton; the English title with a first round stoppage of Amir Unsworth and halting Stephen Jennings in the sixth round to claim the British Masters title.
Lazio born Marsili, ranked ninth in Europe, is the current Italian champion and is unbeaten in 24 fights, but this will be his first fight outside of his country.
“It’s great to be the main event in my home city for this title opportunity and I’m going to win it in front of my fans,” Said Mathews.
“The fight will be live on the new UK fight channel BoxNation that has already televised some great fights this and I’m looking to put on a good show for the viewers against Marsili,”
“I’m not expecting an easy night, he’s unbeaten, he’s away from home so all the pressure will be on me to perform, but I’ll rise to the occasion,”
Vaughan said, “It’s set to be a cracking show featuring some of Liverpool’s best up-and-coming talent and headlined by Liverpool’s favourite son Derry Matthews,”
“He’s got a tough fight on his hands, but we’ve worked hard to get Marsili over here and now it’s down to Derry to win the title on his patch.”
Warren said, “Mathews v Marsili is another good fight added to January’s schedule that also features the British Cruiserweight title between Leon Williams and Tony Conquest with more fights to be announced.”
Tickets are available from 0151 263 6633.