Scottish hero Ricky Burns will take on former world champion Paulus Moses in his homecoming fight at the Braehead Arena on Saturday 10th March, televised live on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546).
Interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Lightweight Champion Burns, who became Scotland’s first two-weight world champion in twenty years when he sensationally defeated Michael Katsidis last year, makes the first defence of the title on home soil after a year on the road.
Moses, from Windhoek in Namibia, has no problem in travelling to challenge Burns in his backyard after winning the WBA world title in Japan against Yusuke Kobori in 2009.
Burns said, “I can’t wait to return to Glasgow again and defend my title in front of my loyal supporters,”
“I’ve been to Liverpool and London for my last two fights and they’ve followed me there so I’m over the moon that I’ve got a world class fighter like Moses for my homecoming fight,”
“I don’t think Moses will be bothered about coming to Scotland, he won the title in Japan so he’ll be looking to make a big upset in Scotland against me,”
“He’s a good fighter, he’s a former world champion with a good record and he’s lost only once in 29 fights, this is just the kind of fight I wanted to make me perform to my best,”
“The fans are going to be in for a great fight.”
Promoted by Don King, big-hitting Moses, known as “The Hitman”, has 19 KO’s out of 29 wins with only one loss.
Moses said, “Make no mistake, I’m coming to Scotland to win the world title by knockout,”
“I’ve beaten better fighters that Burns before, I know I can beat him easily,”
Burns’ promoter Frank Warren has told him not to underestimate Moses and to be prepared for a tough fight.
“I know that Ricky is the consummate professional, he trains hard and lives the life of a fighter, but this guy will be out to beat him and reclaim the title,” Said Warren.
“Moses will be out to cause an upset, Ricky had a fantastic win over Katsidis in November, but now he’s got to be fully-focused on a hard fight against Moses which I’m sure he will be.”
Cote vs Herrera postponed
Montreal, Thursday, January 12th 2012- It is with regret that InterBox announces that its February 3rd 2012 boxing event scheduled to take place in Quebec City must be postponed. Undefeated IBF 140 pound Intercontinental champion Pier-Olivier Cote has been informed by his doctor that he must immediately cease training for an undetermined period of time while doctors perform a battery of tests. Cote was preparing to fight IBF World #6 rated 140 lbs boxer Mauricio Herrera in the Main Event that was due to be broadcast live on the popular SHOWTIME series ShoBox: The New Generation.
“We are less than a month out of the most important fight in Pier-Olivier’s career and he could not train adequately in the gym. He wasn’t feeling well. I really do not want to speculate what could be wrong with him until he undergoes the necessary medical tests. The first doctor he saw told him he has to stop training and rest. Until we know more we are following his recommendations” states Cote’s trainer Mr. Francois Duguay.
InterBox President Jean Bedard is disappointed for boxing fans across the world. This is the first time InterBox has to postpone an important fight, but the health and security of all InterBox athletes is of the utmost importance to him. “My primary responsibility is to protect our athletes. We had a very bad experience in the past with health issues related to Lucian Bute and we certainly do not want to repeat this same error. We await the results of Cote’s medical exams before reevaluating the situation. Hopefully it is minor and we can sit with Thompson Boxing Promotions and SHOWTIME to discuss another date” states Jean Bedard.
Pier-Olivier Cote is equally disappointed with this sudden turn of events. “I was really looking forward to fighting Herrera on February 3rd. This is the first time in my 18 fights that such a situation arises. I will follow the recommendations of the doctor and undergo every test that I have to. My goal right now is to get better and return stronger than ever. I would like to thank my promoter for supporting me during this difficult time”.
IABA UPDATE (IABA ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT)
RISH AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION
Ireland’s top boxers will be honoured at the Irish Amateur Boxing Association hosted Annual Awards at the Green Isle Hotel in Dublin on Saturday night.
The Centenary year of Irish amateur boxing was another outstanding twelve months with numerous medals claimed in World and European competition and three places secured at the London 2012 Olympics.
Likewise, Katie Taylor won her fifth European title in-a-row in Holland and her fourth European Union title on-the-trot in Poland.
John Joe Nevin became the first Irish male boxer to win two medals at AIBA World Championships level, while 2008 and 2010 AIBA World Youth champions Joe Ward and Ray Moylette claimed double gold at the European Senior Championships.
Nevin, the youngest member of the Irish 2008 Olympic squad in Beijing, Darren O’Neill and Michael Conlan qualified for the 30th Olympiad.
Ireland’s young boxers also claimed gold, silver and bronze at the 1st AIBA Women’s World Youth and Junior Championships and the European Youth, Junior and Schoolboy Championships.
Young John Joyce won gold at the European Schoolboy Championships in Russia, tweleve months after he took home bronze from the same tournament in Bulgaria.
AIBA President Dr Ching Kuo-Wu was the guest of honour at the IABA hosted European Youth Championships at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, while Tyrone referee and judge (R&J) Michael Gallagher achieved an historic first for Irish boxing after scooping the AIBA 2011 World R&J award.
Saturday’s Annual Awards ceremony begins at 8pm sharp. Dress code: black tie.
Meanwhile, 18 semi-finals at the Open Youth Competition will be decided on Friday evening at Dublin’s National Stadium.
The finals will be held on Saturday. Boxing begins at 6pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday.
Visit www.iaba.ie for all your boxing news, results and fixtures.