Hot talent Nathan Cleverly is aiming to send out a KO message to British champion Dean Francis on Friday night. The pair will both appear on the same bill in Swindon – with a mouth-watering clash between the two scheduled for later this year. The light-heavyweight duo have been on a collision course for months, and Cleverly can’t wait for the fight to happen. “Knowing that Francis holds the British title has been driving me mad,” said the undefeated 21-year-old, who puts his Commonwealth crown on the line at the Oasis Sports Centre against Kenyan puncher Samson Otyango live on Sky Sports.
“I believe I’m number one in the country, but until I beat Francis there will always be a debate as to who is the top dog.
“I’ve been willing to fight him since the autumn, but for one reason or another the fight hasn’t been made.
“But once I’ve dealt with Samson Otyango in style on Friday, then Francis can’t run from me any more.
“I’ve always dreamed about becoming a British champion, and to add the Lonsdale belt to my Commonwealth title would be a great buzz. I just hope Francis doesn’t get cold feet after he sees me knock out Otyango.
Cleverly has had just 14 fights, but is already being tipped as a star of the future.
However veteran puncher Francis, who still harbours ambitions of challenging for a world belt, would be his toughest opponent to date.
“It would be man against boy if we ever met,” said Francis, who keeps busy with a fight against talented Joey Vegas in Swindon.
“Nathan’s a good kid, but he’s never fought anyone who punches like me, and he won’t be able to take my power.”
BRINKLEY AND GILBERT BREAK CAMP!!!, OPEN WORKOUTS ON TUESDAY IN RENO
Super middleweights Jesse Brinkley and Joey Gilbert broke camp on Sunday in anticipation of their long awaited showdown this Saturday night, February 14th, at The Reno Events Center.
Both fighters will appear at open workouts for fans and media on Tuesday, February 10th at the Fourth Street Gym in Reno . Brinkley will work from 11am to 12noon while Gilbert will train from 12:30 to 1:30pm.. The Fourth Street Gym is located at 410 E. Fourth St .
Stepping off the a plane from his training camp in Rhode Island, with his trainer Peter Manfredo Sr., Brinkley declared himself ready for war, “We had a terrific camp, Mr. Manfredo did a great job setting everything up. The sparring partners were perfect for this fight.”
“I’m glad to be back in Northern Nevada , it will be nice to see my kids and family who I’ve been away from since Christmas. Saturday night will be a special night for fight fans in Northern Nevada , not so special for Joey Gilbert” stated Brinkley.
Said Gilbert, who trained in the Reno area for the fight, “As much as I love finishing up a tough training camp because it’s finally time to fight and reap the rewards of my hard work; I miss the disciplined and rigorous workouts and my jam packed schedule. It’s something I adapt and look forward to as I prepare for each fight. For me, each day is another challenge of how hard I can push myself, and what limitations I can break or conquer.”
“I have nothing to say about my opponent from Yerington as I’m sure he’ll talk enough for the both of us as he usually does, but come Saturday night it’s no longer a war or words… I look forward to that, this is my town.”
Presented by Reno ‘s “Let’s Get It On” Promotions and Las Vegas based TKO BOXING Promotions, “CIVIL WAR” features the long awaited showdown between super middleweights Jesse Brinkley of Yerington , NV and Reno ‘s Joey Gilbert set for Saturday, February 14th at the Reno Events Center . The twelve round bout is for Brinkley’s WBC USNBC world title.
Tickets for “CIVIL WAR” are priced at $253.25, $153.25, $78.25 and 43.25 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com or through the Reno Events Center Box Office (775-335-8815).
A five dollar discount is available on tickets priced at $43.25 for students, active military, and police and fire department personnel with valid ID. Doors will open the night of the event at 6pm, with the first bell at 7pm. Tickets for “CIVIL WAR” are priced at $253.25, $153.25, $78.25 and 43.25.
Reno, Nevada based “Let’s Get It On” Promotions was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane . In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with super middleweight contender Jesse Brinkley, “Let’s Get It On” Promotions also promotes lightweight prospect Bayan Jargal and highly regarded brothers Tyler and Derek Hinkey. They have consistently promoted world class boxing events on a national basis.
Further information on “Let’s Get It On” Promotions can be viewed at www.letsgetitonboxing.com
SUTHERLAND: THE PRESSURE IS OFF
DARREN SUTHERLAND has promised his growing army of fans a treat when he makes his second professional appearance.
Ireland’s Olympic bronze medallist was in explosive form on his professional debut in home city Dublin in December despatching Georgi Iliev in the first round.
And the 26-year-old insists he will deliver an even better performance when he boxes a six round super-middleweight contest against a selected opponent at Robin Park Arena on Friday 6th March.
Top of the bill is the vacant European light-middleweight title fight between Salford southpaw Jamie Moore (30-3) and Italy’s former world champion Michele Piccirillo (50-4).
Sutherland who has been sparring with Dean Francis said: “I really can’t wait to deliver some fireworks in my next fight.
“To tell you the truth I am looking forward to it more than my pressure debut even though that was such a special night in Dublin that will stay with me forever.
“Jamie is top of the bill and there will be absolutely no pressure on me because the focus will be on his fight.
“On my debut that were such big expectations because of all the publicity after Beijing and it seemed like I knew everybody who was in the hall.”
Manager and promoter Frank Maloney believes he has already spotted traits that separates Sutherland from the other top fighters.
He added: “When the weather was bad last Monday, Darren couldn’t do his road work properly or get a train to the gym in London for sparring.
“Instead he walked two miles from his home to a health club where he could do some work.
“I bet there were plenty of champions who got up, saw the snow and ducked out of training. This fella is different and made sure he got some kind of training done.”
Tickets for this night of top quality action are available, priced £35, £80 and £90 VIP Ringside are available from 0871 226 1508 and www.frankmaloney.com
Froch to Taylor: “You’re right – I’m no Joe Calzaghe”
WBC super middleweight champ, Carl “The Cobra” Froch says he’s delighted to hear that Jermain “No Intentions” Taylor is alive and well after all. The former World middleweight champ and mandatory challenger for Froch’s title has been mysteriously quiet of late but he finally surfaced at the weekend.
Taylor released a statement waffling on about Joe Calzaghe but was still ambiguous about his desire to trade punches with Froch who is new King of the super middleweights following his thrilling title win over Jean Pascal in December.
“I’m just happy to hear from Taylor to be honest as he’s been on the missing persons list for the last few weeks now,” said Froch who was honoured with a civic reception in his native Nottingham last week. “Everyone in his camp from his promoter to his trainer is saying that he wants to shut me up but I still haven’t heard that from Jermain.
“Instead he went on about how he never got the chance to fight Calzaghe. Joe would probably have tapped and slapped his way to a boring points win but I guarantee you, I will smoke Taylor’s boots and destroy him.
“He did get one thing right though when he said that I’m no Joe Calzaghe. That’s certainly true. When Calzaghe won a version of the world title it took him 10 and a half years to fight in the U.S. and 44 fights before he won the title that I now hold.
“I’m willing to cross the Atlantic for my very first defence and take on all comers, you won’t find me hiding at home for the next decade and hand picking my defences. I respect Joe, he’s been a great champion and he’s beaten everyone put in front of him but let’s face it two uninspiring points wins over a pair of old timers hardly makes him a boxing legend.”
Despite Taylor’s reluctance to talk about a fight with Froch it appears the clash is close to being signed for a mid April date. “I’m hearing that it’s looking very promising but they’ll probably still need to drag Taylor to the ring kicking and screaming because I don’t think he wants any part of me.
“Taylor says that the best should fight the best, well what’s he waiting for then? And if that was the case why was he considering swerving me and fighting the likes of Jean Pascal – the guy I just beat or Allan Green.
“In my opinion Taylor sees his career as one big gravy train and he wants some more easy paydays before it grinds to a halt. I believe he doesn’t have any respect for the fans that actually pay his wages and would rather talk the talk without walking the walk.
“His promoter said that I’ve brought out the beast in him well let’s hope he’s beast enough to finally put pen to paper and get the fight on.”
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