haye43561 Former world cruiserweight champion David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye has offered to box in Germany on a K2 Promotions show in order to revive negotiations for a summer showdown with WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Originally scheduled to take place on June 20 at Stamford Bridge in London, Haye’s eagerly anticipated duel with Klitschko has hit a series of snags in recent weeks, and now appears on the brink of collapse.

Haye’s trainer and manager Adam Booth is willing to sacrifice home territory in the hope of kick-starting the most important and exciting heavyweight contest in years.

“I want to make this absolutely clear, because unfortunately the KMG manager, Bernd Bonte, seems to be taking things too personally and trying to confuse the issue,” begun Booth. “The one-sided interview he did with biased keyboard warrior Dan Rafael (ESPN.com) – a man who has shown a longstanding dislike for David Haye – has distorted some of the facts.

“David will fight Wladimir anywhere they choose, and give them the two rematch options they have requested.

“In regards to the rematches clause, I am baffled as to why Bonte seems to have forgotten our last conversation about this. We said they could have the two rematches they wanted, which effectively means David’s next three fights could be in Germany against either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.

“What they’re also demanding is that if David were to win against Wladimir and then have a mandatory challenger obligation (non-Klitschko) he would have to immediately vacate the title he won from Wladimir. This would mean David could win three fights against the Klitschko brothers and still not be in a position to officially call himself heavyweight champion of the world at the end of it.”

Booth continued: “They (the Klitschkos) would make exactly the same money in Germany as they would in England because we have dropped our figure to go to Germany. If they take a proposed fight with Chris Arreola, they will make substantially less. So people can now work this out for themselves.

“The original deal to co-promote the event would never work because of unacceptable terms. However, we’re willing to sacrifice a little on our side just to get this fight made.

“David doesn’t want to dodge Wladimir and just pick and choose his way through boring, fringe contenders. He wants to fight the best and restore some excitement to the heavyweight division. We only hope Wladimir feels the same way.”

Andy Murray gets European Union title chance at The O2

With two Irish titles to his name and a perfect record of 14 straight wins Cavan star Andy Murray is ready to turn his attention to European affairs. Murray will make a bid for the European Union Lightweight title at The O2 Arena, Dublin on Saturday, March 21st in a featured attraction on the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night.

A sensational night of boxing is headlined by Bernard Dunne’s challenge for the WBA World Super Bantamweight title against Panamanian, Ricardo “Maestrito” Cordoba while Olympic heroes Kenny Egan and Paddy Barnes will also be in action alongside reigning World and European Champion, Katie Taylor as professional and amateur boxing come together for a historic night of Irish sport.

Murray will lead the professional side of the undercard as he faces Italy’s Massimiliano Chiofalo with the European Union Lightweight title at stake. The 26-year-old from Cavan town won a bronze medal when he fought in the European Union amateur championships in 2003 but he’s confident that he can claim the top prize this time around in the pro ranks.

“It’s great to get a crack at the European Union title,” said Murray who currently holds Irish titles at both lightweight and light welterweight. “It was actually an Italian that beat me in the semi finals of the amateur EU championships so maybe I owe them one now this time around. Fighting at European level in the pro’s will definitely be a step up for me but I feel I’m ready for it now.”

Chiofalo has lost just two of his fifteen pro fights and the winner of next months title fight could be in line for a shot at the full European Champion, Jon Thaxton. Murray’s manager Brian Peters says he’s confident of delivering that for Murray should he be successful against Chiofalo.

“I believe Andy is going to be Irish boxing’s next big star,” said Peters. “He has tremendous potential and now that he’s 26 the time is right for him to start moving up through the levels and I think he has the ability to do that with ease. We’ll see how he gets on against Chiofalo but I’m confident that having delivered home advantage for him and with a stage like The O2 to perform on he’ll be on fire on March 21st.

“As well as winning the EU title it would put him within touching distance of a crack at the full European champion, Jon Thaxton. I have a good relationship with Thaxton’s promoter Mick Hennessy and I’d be confident of delivering that fight for Andy when the time is right.”

While Murray is happy to be talked about in terms of a possible Thaxton fight he’s adamant that it will not distract him from the task at hand. “I’d love a crack at Jon Thaxton at some stage but I can’t afford to think about that right now. I just need to focus on one fight at a time and if I do that and keep winning then I’m sure Brian will keep delivering these kind of opportunities for me.

“Thaxton’s a hell of a fighter and I have an awful lot of respect for what he’s achieved in his career. He’s awkward and very strong but if the chance came along then of course I’d take that fight. At the moment though I just want to concentrate on becoming EU champion. That’s the next hurdle for me and it’s all that’s on my mind for now.”

Murray had a perfect warm up for next months scheduled twelve rounder with an impressive third round stoppage win over Ali Wyatt on February 7th. It was his first appearance under new trainer John Breen and Murray believes there is more to come. “I was happy enough with my performance. I hadn’t boxed since last summer so it was a good fight to get me comfortable working with John and Eamonn Magee. I felt a little rusty early on and my timing was a little off but from the second round on I started to improve and it was good to get him out of there because he’s a tough lad and doesn’t get stopped that often.”

Murray will be back in Breen’s gym in Belfast this week as his preparations for March 21st ramp up. “John is such an experienced trainer and of course Eamonn Magee brings so much experience from his own career so you couldn’t be in a better place to learn and develop as a fighter,” said Murray. “The sparring up there is second to none as well because you have so many top pros in the gym to spar with like Paul McCloskey, Stephen Haughian and Kevin O’Hara.”

Murray will get a taste of The O2 atmosphere in a couple of weeks time as a paying punter when he goes to see Snow Patrol in concert there. “I booked tickets to see them on March 1st before I even knew about the title fight. It will be three weeks to the fight so I’ll get a good chance to sample some of the atmosphere then but I’d say it will be something else come March 21st.

“I was there for the press conference a couple of weeks ago and it’s a phenomenal venue. I’m really buzzing about fighting on such a big event and I just can’t wait for the fight. The fact that it will be for the EU title makes it all the sweeter.”

Murray – Chiofalo will be one of two Ireland V Italy clashes on the professional half of the bill. The second duel will pit Dublin’s own, Jim “The Pink Panther” Rock against Turin based warrior, Alessio Furlan in a ten round middleweight clash. It will be Furlan’s third business trip to Ireland and having been beaten by both Matthew Macklin and John Duddy he will be hoping to make it third time lucky against the seemingly ageless Rock.

Meanwhile Bernard Dunne remains a 9/4 outsider with Ladbrokes.com to take the WBA World Super Bantamweight title from Ricardo Cordoba in the main event with the champion the 3/1 on favourite.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night are priced from €50 and are available now from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

Get the latest news and video on our website: brianpeterspromotions.com

Sweeney not too disappointed with Valentines night at home

The fact Michael Sweeney was pulled out of his Banner Promotions Tommy Egan Promotions debut clash with Tony Averlant deprived the Mayo punchers wife a dream Valentines night in the country of love, France.

But Mrs Sweeney shouldn’t be the only person disappointed the Storm didn’t step into the ring last weekend.

Sweeney’s next bout will be on a St Patrick weekend Illinois hosted ESPN Friday Fight Night, and the teak tough Mayo man believes his opponent that night will rue the fact he didn’t appear on the Cristobal Cruz Cyrill Thomas under card on Saturday night.

Sweeney is now chomping a the bit, keen to get a new and exciting leg of his pro punching career underway, and will use his Valentines weekend disappointment to his advantage come St Patrick’s weekend .

The fighter, who knocked Andy Lee out when they were both amateurs, claims he can now train harder and is in the best shape of his career. He is also eager to put on a real show when he steps in the square circle in the States in March.

“I am really looking forward to March and fighting. I am disappointed I didn’t fight the weekend but I was pulled out for the right reasons and I can have no arguments about that.” The Storm explained.

“Valentines night in France though would have been nice. I have to look at the positives now have more time to train and prepare and am more motivated than ever. I really want to get into the ring and put on a show. My opponent will be facing a different Michael Sweeney, unfortunately for him.”

With his Banner Promotions Tommy Egan Promotions debut delayed by a month Sweeney has had more time to train and he believes he has never been in better condition.

The former light heavy weight has dropped to cruiserweight and admits he feels much better since dropping down the scales. He is benefiting from one on one coaching with Irish boxing legend and fellow Westerner Sean Manion.

The Mayo pugilist is also working with the man who has helped to shape impressive man mountain Paul O’Connell and his Munster team mate’s, strength and conditioning coach, Blue Shinners.

“I have done a lot of training and although I intend to get even fitter I am in the best shape I have ever been. Working with Sean is great there isn’t anything he doesn’t know about boxing. Also we have joined teams with Blue Shinners and Jason Kennedy, who are strength and conditioning coaches that have worked with the Munster Rugby team and Bernard Dunne. I have a great training team and I have to thank Tommy Egan for that he has really gave me the best chance to progress,” he added before explaining how eager he is to get into the ring in March for a fight he believes is a stepping stone to bigger things.

“I have boxed in Boston before and there was great atmosphere. I think this time out it will be much better though to be honest. I have a perfect team behind me with experienced coaches and obviously Banner Promotions and Tommy Egan. I really want to impress on my first fight with them. I want to prove I am a hidden Irish talent and I see this as a step to something bigger. My long term goal is to win world titles and this is the first step I am going to give it 100 percent and put on a show.”