Fury-Zeller on Saturday; Khan vs. Barrera at M.E.N Arena – News

By Boxing News - 01/16/2009 - Comments

fury5Tyson Fury, British boxing’s biggest new star, has taken on a risky second professional fight at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan on Saturday, 17th January against an opponent who has won 20 of his 21 wins by stoppage with only three losses. Former ABA champion Fury (Manchester) made an excellent debut when he stopped Bela Gyongyosi with a body shot in the first round in Nottingham last month.

The 6feet 8 ½ inch 20-year-old continues his march towards global recognition when he boxes Marcel Zeller (Germany) on the undercard of John Murray (Manchester) against Lee McAllister (Aberdeen) for the British Lightweight Title on a Hennessy Sports show that ITV4 will televise live from 7.40pm.

Zeller might be far more experienced than big-hitting Fury, but the Manchester star is convinced he is ready for the task.

“I want to take on good opponents because I believe I’m good enough and there’s no point in hanging around,” said Tyson.

“Obviously my promoter Mick Hennessy is not going to put me in with a world champion just yet, but I’m confident in my own ability and what I can achieve so that’s why I believe I can beat the likes of Zeller (21-3).

“I was happy enough with my pro debut but I only had a couple days notice for it because I had just come back off honeymoon, but I’ve prepared a lot better for this one.”

Promoter Mick Hennessy is convinced of Fury’s potential to go all the way after signing the former amateur star last year.

“You don’t get 20 knockouts like Zeller has if you can’t punch but I believe if Tyson stays focused he will become a mega star and a genuine world heavyweight champion in the future,” said Mick. “It’s refreshing when someone says to you he wants to fight better opponents to the ones you are coming up with, but obviously I’m going to have to rein him in a bit.”

Tickets can be purchased on the night at the Robin Park Arena.

Winter of changes for Sebastian Sylvester

New year, new coach, new challenge: Sebastian Sylvester has big plans for 2009. After dropping a points decision against WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm in November, the Hurricane decided to make a change. In 2009 he will not continue to work with the Viking Box-Team of manager Winfried Spiering and coach Hartmut Schroder. From the end of January on, he will work out in Berlin-Marzahn under the guidance of Karsten Rower. The new coach has been under contract with Sauerland Event since November 2008 and shall lead the ex-champion back to former glory. “Without a doubt this is a very important step in my career,” Sylvester said. “After all the years with Winne Spiering and Hartmut Schroder this decision did not come easily. But after giving it a deliberate thought, I decided that this is the right move for me.”

For several years, Sylvester has been promoted by Sauerland Event, while at the same time having a separate management contract with Winfried Spiering. However, the 28-year-old did not wish to follow the plans of his manager, who had intended to let him fight for different promoters. “My future is with Sauerland Event,” Sylvester said. “That is why this was the only way for me.”

The Viking Box-Team, which is based in the Eisenhaus near Berlin´s East Side Gallery, and Sauerland Event go back a long and successful way. “Our cooperation has been and still is beneficial for either side – it has always been very professional and we have treated each other with a lot of respect,” said Sauerland Event General Manager Chris Meyer. “With us promoting Sebastian, he became European champion twice and earned a world title shot. That is a very good record. When Sebastian asked whether he could join us completely, we of course agreed and let Mr. Spiering know. The cooperation with the Viking-Team will continue nevertheless.” Spiering´s talents such as Henry Weber and Thomas Trolenberg always fight at Sauerland Event´s shows.

Due to his long-time ties, coach Hartmut Schroder did not want to leave the Viking Team. “I owe Hartmut Schroder a lot,” Sylvester added. “He is more than just a coach for me. But now I am starting over again with Karsten Rower. I am very optimistic.”

Rower is an accomplished amateur fighter and coach. 1996 he made Jurgen Brahmer the youth amateur champion. 2007 Rower turned pro and was appointed head coach at Hamburg-based boxing stable Arena before signing a contract with Sauerland Event at the end of 2008. Judging from their mentality, the new coach and his new fighter are sure to get along well – they are both from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. “The first impressions at our initial meeting were absolutely positive,” Rower said. “Sebastian is highly motivated and very ambitious. We will be working very hard and set our goals high.”

At the end of January both will start the preparation for the next fight. Due to limited space in the Max-Schmeling-Gym near the Olympic Stadium, Rower and Sylvester will train at the Sauerland-Gym in Berlin-Marzahn.

KHAN-BARRERA AT THE M.E.N ARENA!

Amir Khan’s blockbuster showdown against Marco Antonio Barrera will take place at Britain’s number one boxing venue The Manchester Evening News Arena on Saturday 14 March.

Promoter Frank Warren yesterday announced that Khan would face the seven times, three weight, World champion, and today is delighted to confirm that the 20,000 seat venue will host the epic fight.

The M.E.N Arena has staged the biggest British fights in recent times featuring greats like Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Naseem Hamed and more recently classic fights like Joe Calzaghe v Jeff Lacy and Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu.

Bolton hot-shot Khan aims to exorcise his demons at the M.E.N Arena – where he suffered his first professional loss last September to Breidis Prescott – by beating the Mexcian legend and thrusting him back into the elite fighters of the lightweight division.

Khan said, “I’m so happy that the fight is at the M.E.N Arena and it’s going to be an absolutely wicked atmosphere on the night that will really get my juices flowing,”

“There have been so many great nights there and I was ringside for Calzaghe v Lacy and Hatton v Tszyu and I believe that my fight against Barrera ranks up alongside those, I just can’t wait.”

“It’s also the perfect opportunity to rid the ghosts of my loss to Breidis Prescott last year and a victory would send my career onto another level.”

“This a fight for the fans and a chance for them to see Barrera, who is a living boxing legend, in a British ring against a young fighter who aims to achieve what he has.”

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150, £200 and £300, go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 21 January. Tickets can be resevered now through See Tickets on 0871 220 0260.



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