BRITISH HOTSHOTS WALSH AND BUGLIONI DEFEND THEIR TITLES ON HUGE O2 ARENA SHOW
British and Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Champion Liam Walsh and WBO European Super-Middleweight Champion Frank Buglioni have had their challengers confirmed for the huge O2 arena show on Saturday 28th February.
The British hotshots feature as chief support to Tyson Fury’s European and WBO International Heavyweight title defence against Christian Hammer and Chris Eubank Jnr’s Interim WBA World Middleweight title challenge against Champion Dmitry Chudinov.
Undefeated Walsh will put both titles on the line against old Manchester rival Joe Murray in a rematch, whilst Buglioni makes the first defence - in his second reign as champion - of the title against Ivan Jukic.
For Cromer star Walsh, he believes that the public will see a much better fighter than in the first fight in September 2013 when he comprehensively outboxed Murray on the judges scorecards, but feels it was one of his worst performances.
“Murray personally asked me for the rematch after the first fight and I promised that I’d give him a chance in the first opportunity and I’ve now honoured that,” Said Walsh.
“The first fight was close, but without making excuses, I feel that I wasn’t at my best that night and I made plenty of mistakes, in fact I cringe when I watch the replays as I was so bad,”
“I promise this time around I will do a much better job on Murray and the public will see the real me, 100% and ready to put on a career best performance,”
“Since the first Murray fight I’ve taken myself to an overseas training camp in Tenerife and it’s given me an extra lift which has resulted in better showings against Kevin Hooper and Gary Sykes,”
“So the rematch against Murray doesn’t feel like I’m going over old ground, it’s a completely new fight for me, I’m a totally different fighter and if he’s preparing for the old Liam Walsh he’s in for a big mistake,”
“I’m maturing mentally and physically as a fighter, I’m 28 now, this is the time to step up so people can start seeing the best of me,”
“Whilst I’ve been out with injuries, I’m now fighting regularly, the Sykes fight was three months ago and I’ve barely stopped training since,”
“I don’t want it to be a 12 round bore fest, I want to put in an exciting performance and I’ll do that against Murray.”
Enfield ace Buglioni is excited to return to action and defend his title against tough Croatian Jukic following his brutal battle with Andrew Robinson last November to reclaim his belt.
“It’s the start of a busy year for me and I’m going to keep on the course that I’m on and picking up the titles and working my way to one of my ambitions of winning the Lonsdale belt,” Said Buglioni.
“I’ve been working hard in Ireland with my trainers Steve and Paschal Collins and I believe that I’m improving with every fight, although there is still a lot of work to be done,”
“The Robinson fight was a tough one, but I enjoyed it in there and gave the crowd plenty of action and I got the result and the belt,”
“I’m not making the mistake of taking Jukic lightly, to me he’s just as dangerous as the best fighters at the weight out there and I need that frame of mind to make me focus and do a job on him,”
“It’s a first for me fighting at the O2 arena, it’s a fantastic venue where some of the best British fighters have fought so I’m looking put on a great performance there and show that I’m one to watch this year.”
An action packed show also features Bradley Skeete returning to action and challenging for the Vacant WBO European Welterweight title; Erith talent Lewis Pettitt defending his WBA International Super-Bantamweight Championship; plus exciting welterweight Ahmet Patterson defending his English Welterweight Championship against Sunderland’s undefeated Glenn Foot that will also be an Eliminator for the British Championship; plus exciting Manchester light-heavyweight Dempsey Fury and the pro-debut of Chingford super-featherweight Boy Jones Jnr.
Priced at £50, £75, £100 and £250 + booking fees, ticket for Risky Business, are available from www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 1000 or AXS.com or 08448 24 48 24.
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Carl Ozimkowski to face Paul O'Brien on March 21 at York Hall
Polish welterweight Carl ‘The Doctor’ Ozimkowski 0-3(1)-0 has been matched with Paul O’Brien 0-2(1)-0 at York Hall on March 21st as he seeks out his first win in four outings as a professional.
The night of championship boxing titled ‘Best of Enemies’ features the eagerly anticipated rematch between Michael ‘The Look’ Lomax and Chas ‘Croydon Bomber’ Symonds for the British Masters Silver light-middleweight title. The co-main event features ‘The Ace’ Andreas Evangelou v Marco Stephenson for the same honours at light-heavyweight.
London resident Ozimkowski has lost all three pro fights to date but lives by his motto, ‘don’t ever give up’ as he seeks out his first win against opponent O’Brien from Hull.
“I always say that you are never a loser until you quit trying, so give it another shot!” Said the 28-year-old Pole trained by Alec Wilkey at The Lansbury ABC in Poplar.
The 31-year-old welterweight Paul O’Brien has an almost identical record to Ozimkowski losing just twice with one stoppage.
On his debut in October last year, O’Brien managed to nick a round from his Scottish opponent Gary Murray who remains undefeated in three fights.
Less than three weeks later in Plymouth, O’Brien received a cut under his left eye that called a halt to the four round contest against the Midlands Area lightweight title challenger Josh McLaren in the penultimate round.
The plucky away fighter had boxed well for the first two rounds showing good head movement, mobility and a tight guard but got caught with a few big right hands from the 24-year-old McLaren from Stoke-on-Trent in the opening seconds of the third round causing the offending cut.
Content to fight quickly in succession, O’Brien fights first on March 7th at Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham against unbeaten 21-year-old welterweight Michael ‘Duck Boy’ Williams before tackling Ozimkowski at the famed ‘home of boxing’ in Bethnal Green two weeks later.
Home fighter Ozimkowski originally had his first stint in the pros back in 2008 suffering defeats to two unbeaten prospects in African champion Badru Lusambya and Portsmouth’s Johnny Creamer.
In September 2008, ‘The Doctor’ took on number one ranked Ugandan southpaw Badru Lusambya on his professional debut losing on points over four rounds. Lusambya was unbeaten and held the African Boxing Union light-middleweight title at the time of Ozimkowski’s debut defeat.
A return to the same venue three months later in December 2008 saw Ozimkowski taste his second consecutive loss in the pro game to Portsmouth’s Johnny Creamer, also in his second professional contest.
After being mis-matched in his debut and arguably unfairly outpointed in the following contest, Ozimkowski went back to amateur boxing feeling dejected and disappointed with the pro game.
A successful amateur, he collected countless accolades achieving the crown of SE Senior Division champion and Haringey Box Cup finalist in 2010, a Belfast Cup Gold medallist in 2012 as well as representing London many times and also England on two occasions against Germany and Scotland. In kick-boxing, he also attained a Bronze medal in the 2003 European Cup and was the Polish national champion for six years running.
After rebuilding his confidence and fan-base, Ozimkowski made his return to professional boxing last November, almost six years to the day from his last pro fight, against journeyman Mick Mills. Initially controlling the fight, the 28-year-old went in for the kill after a solid left hand sent Mills backpedalling onto the ropes. Under attack, Mills threw a left hook that caught his aggressor cleanly sending him crashing to the canvas knocked out cold.
Coach Alec Wilkey commented on that punch, “We looked at the DVD of the fight a few times after and he rushed it, got carried away in the heat of the moment, even with all his experience he rushed everything, his hands were down and that kid won’t ever throw another punch like it!”
Now Carl’s ambitions are to become a contender within the welterweight division continuing with six-rounders until eventually ready to start challenging for titles after a stumbling beginning to his pro career.
‘Best of Enemies’ – In the show’s headlining fight, the crowd-pleasing pair promise fireworks in their highly-anticipated rematch. The 36-year-old Londoner, Michael Lomax claimed the vacant British Masters light-middleweight Gold title on their last encounter in September 2014 winning on points over ten rounds at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
The victory over Symonds for Lomax, ranked 12th in the British ratings, propelled him into a career-changing clash with Liam Williams 12(7)-0-1 for the vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight title at the ritzy Hilton Hotel in Mayfair. The fight ended abruptly due to a first round knockout with just 12 seconds of the opening round remaining, the vacant title being handed to the unbeaten Welshman moving up to number three in the rankings just behind Brian Rose 26(8)-2(2)-1 and Liam Smith18(8)-0-1.
For the ‘Croydon Bomber’, this rematch will be the first fight back since the defeat to Lomax in September and his first taste of ring action for six months by the time that March rolls around. Both fighters enter the contest off the back of a loss.
Both of the Evangelou brothers are back in the fray again with the youngest of the duo Chris ‘The Flash’ 12(2)-3-0 defending his International Masters welterweight title over ten rounds. The Enfield 28-year-old won his first ever title by defeating Croatian, Zoran Cvek at the York Hall on September 27th last year.
The elder of the fighting brothers co-headlines the event, unbeaten 31-year-old Andreas ‘The Ace’ 10(2)-0-1 also defends his International Masters honours against Jamaican Marco Stephenson in a ten round title fight at light-heavyweight.
Chief support to the action-packed main events sees Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor 9(3)-3(1)-1 bid for his second Masters belt as he goes for the vacant International Masters Bronze lightweight title in his second fight after signing with manager Steve Goodwin.
Former light-middleweight Prizefighter champion Robert Lloyd Taylor 19(5)-7(2)-0 makes his return after nearly three years out of the ring.
Welterweight Adam Salman 4(2)-1(1)-0 takes part in a six round welterweight contest. The 24-year-old Londoner is still awaiting news on his opponent.
Kent’s 24-year-old southpaw Brent Osborne 0-1-0 looks towards his first pro win over four rounds at light-heavyweight against Curtis Gargano 0-6(2)-1 after his disappointing debut loss to journeyman Mitch Mitchell 5(2)-30(4)-1 at York Hall on April 19th last year as referee Jeff Hinds scored the bout 38-39 for the away fighter.
Dagenham light-middleweight Taylor Jordan 2(1)-0-0 is back after a stuttering start to his professional career so far. The six foot tall 21-year-old began his journey in December 2012 with a shut-out points win over Aaron Csipak 2(2)-15(4)-0 at the Prince Regents Hotel in Essex. Two months later in February 2013 saw Jordan blast debutant Harjinder Gill away with 30 seconds to spare of the first round at the York Hall. Over two years later, after pursuing a modelling career, the good-looking prospect is back in action over four rounds against tough Liam ‘Bucko’ Griffiths 3-49(2)-1 in what will be the 27-year-old Sussex journeyman’s third fight that month.
Light-heavyweight Remel Scott 1-2(1)-0 will be desperate to score a win after two successive losses at the hands of journeyman fighters Iain Jackson 4(1)-23(8)-2 and Elvis Dube 6(5)-31(4)-2. The 32-year-old Essex lad enters into a four round contest against James Conroy 0-4-1.
‘Big Dog’ AJ Carter 6(4)-1(1)-0 makes his comeback fight after his upset against Ugandan’s number one heavyweight Kenneth ‘Bad News’ Odeke 6(5)-1(1)-0 back in May last year.
Four exciting debutants take to the professional stage for first time. Welterweight debutant Luke Davey goes up against veteran Bheki Moyo 0-70(6)-2. The Berkshire 24-year-old nicknamed ‘The Duke’ kicks off his pro career with a traditional four-rounder.
The card also features former world heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne’s sparring partner ‘Big’ Dave Abraham, 29-years-old from Watford, who will make his professional debut taking part in a four round contest against Ugandan Moses Matovu – the third debutant that he will have faced in the same month going up against Ryan Crawford on the 7th and Louie Darling on the 14th March, also at York Hall.
The third of the foursome comes in the shape of 26-year-old super-middleweight, Billy Long. The Essex boy makes his pro bow in a four round contest against veteran opponent Iain Jackson 4(1)-23(8)-2 from Brighton.
Former Queensbury Boxing League champion Danny ‘House of Pain’ Parsons from Walton-on-Thames also makes his debut at super-featherweight in a four round contest but is the only one of the quartet without a confirmed opponent at this stage.
For tickets to the show call 07922 843 199 or visit http://carlthedoctor.com/ As well as standard unreserved and reserved ringside tickets there are also VIP tickets priced at £100 which includes a guaranteed reserved ringside seat in rows 1 and 2 together with a free private bar from 5pm until 7.30pm with food snacks included.
Lifelong Wolverhampton Wanderers fan Des Bowater is looking to land his first professional boxing title this February, at the home of local rivals Walsall Football Club.
The 23-year old super featherweight takes on Leicester’s Lewis Jones at The Banks’s Stadium for the British Bronze Masters Title on Black Country Boxing’s ‘Triple Threat’ three-fight event.
And despite the local rivalry between the two clubs, the undefeated fighter (6-0) is adamant the venue won’t deter his supporters from turning out in full force.
“Most of my fans are Wolves fans as well but we should be alright on the night - no trouble,” smiled Bowater. “It won’t be too much of a problem getting them to come Walsall for this one that’s for sure!
“When the fans are as loud as mine you do tend to hear them.
“It does encourage you but your mind is set on who is in front of you. They’re trying to hurt you so you try to block everything out apart from the fight.”
‘D-Bow’ switched from the amateur code eighteen months ago and has enjoyed a solid start to life in the paid ranks.
His six straight victories so far, including last time out against Jamie Quinn, have all gone the distance but Bowater is satisfied with his progress.
“I felt good in there and I’m more than ready for 8 rounds now,” he added.
“I got a bit of criticism for my last performance from certain writers but that’s boxing. I didn’t fight my best but in my eyes I won at my worst.
“I’d have liked a nice stoppage somewhere along the lines but its six out of six and it’s been better than expected.
Bowater visited the Banks’s Stadium in January and outlined his plans for what he hopes will be a memorable year in the ring.
“I’ve wanted a title fight for a while now,” he explained. “You can expect an exciting fight. It’s going to be a war with lots of punches thrown, hopefully a knockdown in this one but I can guarantee you your monies worth.
“I’m hoping to step up to ten rounds and fight for an English title in by the end of the year. Boxing is all mindset and I know I’m more than ready.
Stablemate Lennox Clarke joint tops the bill on February 21st as he looks to make it a perfect seven against Trowbridge’s Dan Blackwell for the Super Middleweight Bronze Masters Title.
Stoke’s Kieron McLaren completes the card, taking on road warrior Matt Seawright over six two-minute rounds.
Tickets are priced at £30 Standard Unreserved and £40 Stage Ringside or £50 VIP Ringside with three-course meal.
Standard and Stage Ringside tickets are available by calling 07557 395 138.
VIP Ringside with three-course meal places are available by calling the Walsall FC Ticket Office on 01922 651 414/416.
