King Arthur Abraham (33-3, 27 KOs) celebrated a successful ring return on Saturday night when he knocked out Pablo Farias (19-2, 11 KOs) in the fifth round of their clash in Offenburg, Germany. Fighting in front of a sell-out crowd of 4,000 fans and more than five million fans on German public TV giant ARD, Abraham punished his opponent with his trademark power punches. He knocked him down three times before the referee waved the bout off after two minutes in round five.
“It´s good to be back,” King Arthur said. “This was a good start, nothing more and nothing less. I am pleased with my performance and will keep working hard to get back to the very top. I want to be world champion again in 2012.”
Farias, the IBF´s number three, came out aggressively and was on the front foot throughout most of the fight. “It took Arthur a while to find the right distance,” coach Ulli Wegner said. “Once he had found it, we all know how hard he can punch. It was a good comeback victory.” Said Farias: “I started well but when he hit me with his power it was over. His punches are very hard.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland believes that 2012 will be Abraham´s year. “He just knocked out the IBF´s number three in five rounds, that´s a very good start,” Sauerland stated. “King Arthur is back on track and he has great things ahead in 2012.” The victory made him the new WBO Europe Super-Middleweight Champion.
In the co-featured main event, World Boxin Organization (WBO) Super-Middleweight Champion Robert Stieglitz (41-2, 23 KOs) retained his title with a points victory over brave challenger Henry Weber (15-1-1, 3 KOs). Stieglitz was ahead 116-112, 118-110 and 119-109 after twelve rounds. Heavyweight hopeful Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) continued his march up the rankings with a ninth-round TKO victory over Michael Sprott (36-18, 17 KOs).
Unbeaten Heavyweights Step Up to the Challenge on NBC Sports Network Inaugural Fight Night Broadcast
In a classic match-up of boxer vs. puncher, two talented, undefeated Philadelphia heavyweights have agreed to move up into the spotlight and put their perfect records on the line this coming Saturday, January 21st at Philadelphia’s legendary Asylum Arena on the inaugural broadcast of the NBC Sports Network’s “Fight Night” boxing series. Coverage on the NBC Sports Network begins Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.
The spectacular cross-town match-up of equally talented rivals will pit Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm and Bryant “Bye Bye” Jennings in the ten-round co-main event. Byarm and Jennings will risk their undefeated records and their neighborhood pride as each takes on the role of a real life “Rocky” and steps into the ring on short notice. The originally scheduled main event, featuring heavyweights Eddie Chambers and Sergei Liakhovich, was scrapped when Chambers revealed on Friday that he had suffered two broken ribs in training.
“This series is about giving the fans exciting, action-packed fights where the outcome is in doubt,” said promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events. “It is truly a shame that Chambers and Liakhovich cannot fight on Saturday, but athletes get injured. We tried all weekend to find a suitable replacement to face Liakhovich, but truly competitive opposition could not be found on such short notice. Last night we decided that it would be in the best interests of the fans and the series to go in another direction and present a fight that will live up to the standards that we have set for this project. We are thrilled to have come up with such a compelling bout. The fans in Philadelphia and those watching on TV will have plenty to cheer about on Saturday night.”
In addition, the televised card also will feature a battle between two exciting young undefeated light heavyweight prospects, Damar Singleton and Sullivan Barrera.
“I often hear people say that there are no American Heavyweights,” said Russell Peltz of Peltz Boxing, matchmaker for the NBC Sports Network “Fight Night” Series. “We are presenting a terrific fight on Saturday night at the Asylum between two promising American heavyweights who are willing to test themselves sooner rather than later.”
The prototypical Philly fighter, Jennings is a boxer-puncher who rarely misses a day at the gym. A mechanic at the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia, Jennings was an all-around athlete who played football and basketball, ran the 200 meters and participated in the shot put at Ben Franklin High. The 27-year old father of 4-year old Mason played basketball at North Philly recreation centers for years before he decided to try boxing. In 2009, he reached the finals of the PAL Nationals and the US Golden Gloves Tournament. In his most recent outing in November, Jennings (11-0, 5 KO’s) KO’d Kevin Franklin in just one round.
A heavy handed southpaw who is known for scoring spectacular knockouts, Byarm (13-0-1, 9 KO’s) is a Philly native who currently resides in Washington, D.C. where he trains with Barry Hunter. “They call Byarm “Freight Train” for a reason,” Peltz said. “He will be coming forward all night.” According to Byarm’s promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions, “Maurice has the tools and the personality to become a major force in the heavyweight division. His style is reminiscent of a young Mike Tyson and with a little more seasoning, I expect Maurice to be a future Heavyweight Champion!”
The son of Lionel Byarm, who was best known for making Evander Holyfield’s pro debut the best fight of the night when they faced off in Madison Square Garden in 1984, the younger Byarm became interested in boxing after watching Vitali Klitschko fight Chris Byrd in 2000 because he was certain that he could beat both of them. Byarm’s only loss as an amateur came to Tyson Fury in a USA vs. Ireland International Amateur Tournament in Philadelphia in 2005. He turned pro in 2009.
“I am really excited to get the chance to show what I can do on national television,” Jennings said about the sudden turn of events. “I’ve wanted to fight Byarm for a long time. I’m not worried about dealing with a southpaw. This is a perfect match for me.”
Byarm expressed his good fortune in returning to fight in his hometown, “I am so excited to be coming home to Philadelphia and fighting in front of my parents and so many friends and family. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I plan on making the most of it.”
In the 10-round co-main event, Philadelphia’s Gabriel Rosado (18-5, 10 KO’s) will take on tough Jesus Soto Karass (24-6-2, 16 KO’s) of Los Mochis, Mexico in what promises to be an all action bout. Singleton (7-0, 3 KO’s) will face the explosive Barrera (8-0, 6 KO’s) in a six-round match.
Presented by Main Events, Peltz Boxing and GCP. To find the location of the NBC Sports Network on your local cable, satellite or IPTV provider, click here: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30092015/ns/sports/
Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922, or online at www.peltzboxing.com . First fight begins at 7 p.m.
LYON TO HEADLINE IN HOMETOWN
CRAIG LYON will top the bill in his hometown St Helens for the first time on Saturday 31st March.
The English bantamweight champion will make the second defence of his title against Newcastle southpaw Martin Ward in a homecoming ten rounder.
It will be Lyon’s first fight since his Prizefighter setback against Ryan Farrag, in one of the most exciting fights ever seen in that competition.
Also looking to make a winning return on the Sutton Sports Centre bill will be former British welterweight champion Craig Watson who hasn’t fought since losing his title rematch against Lee Purdy last July.
Lyon (12-1-1) recent changed camps leaving Oliver Harrison’s stable to be trained by Ricky Hatton.
‘Hitman’ Hatton said: “Oliver did an excellent job with Craig and I hope to continue the fine work he did.
“We have had a few weeks together and both of us are enjoying the partnership and hopefully it will develop in the coming months.
Lyon, 29, won the English crown in October 2010 forcing Ross Burkinshaw to retire on his stool after five rounds. His only defence against Josh Wale ended in a technical draw after three rounds because both men were cut.
Craig appeared twice in his hometown early on as a professional – outpointing Issac Owusu and Anthony Hannah on undercards but cannot wait to defend a title there.
Ward, 23, has won 13 of his 14 professional contests and is coming into the fight with confidence boosting KO of Andy Roberts.
Watson (20-5) shocked John O’Donnell to become British champion last February, but was then upset in his first defence by Purdy losing in five rounds.
In a rematch, the Essex man repeated the win over the 28-year-old dropping Watson twice and forcing another fifth round stoppage.
Watson who will face a selected opponent in St Helens insisted: “I have had a good rest and still have plenty to offer.”
The card is the latest broadcast live on You Tube by Hatton TV and expects to pull in tens of thousands of fans from around the globe.
Hatton Promotions Director of Boxing, Richard Poxon will reveal the full undercard in the coming weeks.
Boxing starts at 7pm tickets are priced at £30 general admission and £55 ringside. You can buy by calling 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com