DILLIAN ‘THE VILLAIN’ WHYTE has delivered a knockout punch to David Haye and Dereck Chisora by refusing to spar with both fighters. The exciting London heavyweight prospect has sparred with them in the past, and when their summer grudge match was announced the rivals turned to unbeaten Whyte for help.
But Whyte (5-0) who meets fellow KO specialist Noureddine Meddoune (4-1) at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday refused.
Whyte, 24, explained: “They have both asked me to spar ahead of their clash, and that leaves me in a difficult situation.
“I have thought about it and I am not going to spar with either of them because they are both friends.
“David and Dereck have helped me in my career so I don’t want to spar with one and create bad feeling with the other.
Whyte who beat British Olympic hope Anthony Joshua during a brief amateur career has also sparred with David Price and Tyson Fury.
Price (12-0) heads Saturday’s bumper bill when he meets Sam Sexton for the vacant British and Commonwealth heavyweight title.
Whyte added: “I am a tough guy and when I go to spar I bring it. A lot of guys go to spar and lay down after a couple of rounds – that is not me.”
The chief support sees Ashley Theophane (31-4-1) defends his British light-welterweight crown against a selected opponent after Steve Williams pulled out on Monday.
In a third major title fight Liverpool rivals Paul Edwards (9-1) and Kevin Satchell square off for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight crown.
In a special attraction classy Leeds boxer Adil Anwar (16-1) meets Dave Ryan (13-5) in a vacant English title and eliminator for Theophane’s crown.
Other fights include: John Donnelly (13-2) v Mike Robinson (5-4-3) (English super-flyweight title), Bob Ajisafe (9-2) v Travis Dickinson (12-0) English light-heavyweight crown.
Tickets are selling fast. The are some available priced at £95 (ringside), £75 (main floor) and £55 (floor) from www.frankmaloney.com/www.ticketmaster.com
HEAVYWEIGHT MIKE MOLLO SEES BIG OPPORTUNITY THIS FRIDAY AGAINST LAWRENCE
CHICAGO, IL (May 14, 2012)—This Friday night two Heavyweights will slug it out in Dover, Delaware will slug it out as Franklin “Yah Yah” Lawrence (17-2-2, 12 KO’s) takes on Mike Mollo (20-3-1, 12 KO’s) for the vacant NABA title.
The bout can be seen over the world on www.gfl.tv ($9.99) by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Friday_Night_Fights/1487
Mollo has been training hard for this bout as the Chicago native knows the importance of the bout.
“Not only am I going to win but I will win in spectacular fashion. I have been putting in the hard work and have been in training camp for ten weeks”, said Mollo from his training camp in Chicago.
Mollo does not put much stock in the five fight knockout streak that Lawrence is on that has catapulted to the number-twelve ranking by the WBC.
“He beat an out shape Jason Gavern and Jason Estrada. He has gotten off easy in those fights and if he wants to live off that then he is fooling himself”
Mollo is most remembered for gallant effort against Andrew Golota as part of the Roy Jones – Felix Trinidad HBO PPV undercard on January 19, 2008 and knows what the win will do for his career.
“This fight will get me back in the spotlight and I am not looking to squeak by with a decision”
Mollo, who hasn’t fought since August 6, 2010 has been training hard to make sure he is primed and ready for Lawrence.
“I spar like it is a real fight and this long layoff doesn’t mean anything because I am always in the gym. I was training for a fight last summer with Seth Mitchell on HBO and the fight got called off due to Robert Guerrero getting hurt and I would like to fight him if it’s the right situation. I am a fighter”
“This fight with Lawrence begins my road to redemption. I am in great shape and I am ready to fight”
The action begins on www.gfl.tv at 7:30 pm with Mike Mittman calling the action with analysts Legendary Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and Marc Abrams.
Amateur Star TOKA KAHN-CLARY Signs With Top Rank
LAS VEGAS, NEV. (May 15, 2012) – Top Rank announced today the signing of amateur sensation TOKA KAHN-CLARY, from Providence, Rhode Island. Kahn-Clary, 20, who boasts speed, power and a “pro style of fighting” is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. and managed by Mike Criscio, who discovered and managed light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson. Kahn-Cary will make his pro debut, as a junior lightweight, on Friday, June 8, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, on a card headlined by the Kelly Pavlik vs. Scott Sigmon super middleweight bout.
“Everyone at Top Rank is excited and what a great way for Toka to start, fighting on the Kelly Pavlik card at the Hard Rock,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.
“Toka is a top prospect who is the real deal. He throws a lot of punches and hits hard,” said Bruce Trampler, Top Rank’s Hall of Fame matchmaker.
Manfredo added, “Toka is the best I’ve seen at our gym in 35 years – and I’ve seen a lot of fighters. He has speed, skill, tremendous combinations and a big heart.”
A native of Liberia, Kahn-Cary moved to Philadelphia when he was six, where he was soon orphaned, losing his father in a shooting that same year. He made his way to Pawtucket, RI, where life was not any easier, but eventually he was taken under the wings of Andrea Watson, her husband Ron Clary and Manfredo. Those three and boxing proved to be Kahn-Clary’s salvation. As an amateur, Toka was a Gold medalist at the National Golden Gloves (2010), a Silver medalist at the U.S. Championships (2011), and a Bronze medalist at the U.S. National Championships (2012, 2010.)