Fury Blasts Haye; Barker Challenges Duddy; Barney-McIntosh – News

By Boxing News - 02/25/2009 - Comments

fury3Up and coming British boxer Tyson Fury reckons he’ll be a bigger success at heavyweight than fellow Brit David Haye. Fury faces Russia’s Daniel Peret at the Norwich Showground, Norwich, in only his third professional fight this Saturday.

In an interview on this Thursday’s Steve Bunce Boxing Hour on Setanta Sports News Fury said that Haye stood no chance at heavyweight, calling the Hayemaker a “baby”. He said:

“David Haye is a cruiserweight and he’s not a big man. He’s 6’2” and 15 stone. I’m 6’9” and 18 stone, that’s a real heavyweight.

“In a couple of years David Haye won’t stand a chance. That’s if he gets past Klitschko.”

A confident Fury said that Haye would stand no chance if the two were ever to clash in the ring. He added:

“It would be no contest to be honest. I know that’s a bit big headed but I’m improving all the time. So in another couple of years I’ll be at his level. So we’ll see if the fight happens.”

Notes to editors: –

See the Tyson Fury interview in full on the Steve Bunce Boxing Hour this Thursday at 2pm only on Setanta Sports News.

Matthew up for Barney with McIntosh

Matthew Barney admits he’s drinking in the last chance saloon this weekend when he challenges Danny McIntosh for the English Light Heavyweight title at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich.

Saturday nights intriguing clash on the Hennessy Sports show will be broadcast live on ITV4 and provides the chief support to Jon Thaxton’s first defence of his European Lightweight title.

Local favourite McIntosh won the title in a thrilling derby with Steve Spartacus at the same venue last October but Barney says this is a fight he cannot afford to lose.

“I’m 34 now and I know this is probably my last chance to get back into the title picture,” admitted Barney. “I’ve been training very hard for this, sparring has gone well and I’m putting everything in to this fight. When, and I stress when I beat McIntosh I want a crack at either the British or Commonwealth title. Dean Francis has the British title and I’ve already beaten him so maybe we can get that on again.”

Barney believes the title fight experience accumulated in his 32 fight pro career will prove the difference against McIntosh who is unbeaten in 9 pro fights. “I think McIntosh is biting off a bit more than he can chew with me. He’s not a bad fighter but he’s very inexperienced and I’ve seen enough of him to be very confident going into this fight.”

Barney says he has no concerns about going into the lion’s den to face McIntosh who will enjoy raucous home support in Norwich.

“I’d go anywhere for a fight so that’s not a problem for me. I’ve no problem taking on anyone in their backyard. I fought Carl Froch in Nottingham for the British title and I went to Germany to challenge Thomas Ulrich for the European title. I beat Tony Oakey in Portsmouth so going to Norwich won’t bother me in the slightest.”

McIntosh has branded Barney an “awkward, negative” fighter but the 34-year-old from Southampton bristled at that suggestion. “I think that’s unfair, generally the only people that call me awkward are the people who have real problems with me. I’m a clever boxer and I use my head in there but if some people want to call that awkward or negative then that’s their problem not mine.”

Barney also dismissed any suggestions that McIntosh’s power punching would be a factor in the fight. “I’ve boxed lots of people who are supposed to be big punchers and they haven’t bothered me so I’m certainly not worried about McIntosh’s power.

“I’ll be giving him plenty to worry about myself. Like I say he’s a good fighter but he’s not anywhere near the level of some of the guys I’ve been in with before. I think I’ll just know too much for him.”

Barney’s clash with McIntosh for the English Light Heavyweight title is the chief support to Jon Thaxton’s first defence of his European Lightweight title against French Champion Anthony Mezzache.

The exciting undercard also features heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury alongside Matthew Thirlwall, Steve O’Meara, Lee Purdy and Earl Ling. A special attraction sees the pro debut of 2008 ABA Champion Bradley Evans. The Royston featherweight came away from last years ABA’s with the best boxer of the night trophy. Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.

Barker wants bite at Duddy

Commonwealth middleweight champ, “Dazzling” Darren Barker has challenged John Duddy to earn a shot at World champion, Kelly Pavlik.

Barker’s promoter Mick Hennessy has offered the New York based Irishman the chance to challenge Barker for his Commonwealth title on the undercard of the Carl Froch – Jermain Taylor fight on the East Coast of the U.S. on either April 18th or 25th April and it’s a fight Barker would relish.

“John’s obviously a very popular guy over there,” said Barker. “But I believe there’s more to being a fighter than selling tickets and while there is a talk of a fight with Kelly Pavlik I don’t think John has earned that chance yet. I’m a traditionalist and I believe you should earn those kind of fights in the ring and not in the box office.

“I’d love to defend my title against Duddy. I think it would be a cracking fight with two unbeaten guys from this side of the Atlantic going at it on that side of the pond. I know that Mick Hennessy has spoken to his management and while they were keen to fight on the card I don’t think they’re all that keen on the idea of fighting me.”

The London stylist believes Duddy’s current reputation is the product of careful matchmaking and clever marketing and questions if there is any substance behind the hype.

“To be honest John’s opposition to date has been very much hand picked, fighting a collection of guys that were either well past their best or weren’t much to begin with in the first place. If he steps up and fights me he’d face a very different type of opponent. I believe I’m a world class fighter and I think by the end of the year I’ll be knocking on the door of a world title fight myself but I want to make sure I’ve earned that right first.”

Promoter Mick Hennessy said, “I’ve had talks with Duddy’s management and they’re looking to fight in late April but I’m not interested in watching Duddy fighting another faded veteran and I find it hard to believe that his own fans are either.

“I think it’s time Duddy stepped up to fight a dangerous, unbeaten fighter and prove he belongs at world level. I’m offering him the chance to do just that in April against Barker in what would effectively be a home town fight for Duddy.”



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