Frank Warren: The Magnificent Seven, Khan vs McCracken
By Frank Warren
I CELEBRATE 30 years as a licensed boxing promoter this December - and what better way to celebrate than with a blockbuster show.
After the success of The Magnificent Seven in September, we're off to Liverpool for The Return of the Magnificent Seven!
Nathan Cleverly will fight for the interim WBO world light-heavyweight title, while bitter rival Tony Bellew will be defending his Commonwealth crown as the two prepare for an all-British Benn-Eubank style showdown next year.
Also on the December 11 show at the Liverpool Echo Arena, Paul Smith defends his British super-middleweight title against Olympic champion James DeGale.
It's a big step up for DeGale in only his ninth professional fight. Not only will Smith enjoy home advantage he, too, was a top amateur and has much more professional experience.
If DeGale wins, he will leapfrog Smith and be elevated on to the world stage. But Paul will have other ideas.
European middleweight champ Matt Macklin is in action and the talented Kell Brook continues his march to the world title. Also on the bill is Frankie Gavin who, after only eight fights, may have the skills to outshine everyone.
December 11 is a massive night of boxing with Brits competing elsewhere for world titles. Amir Khan defends his crown in Las Vegas while, in Germany, British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Dereck Chisora takes on world No 1 Wladimir Klitschko.
As regular readers will know, the fight has been on the cards for a couple of weeks. Dereck was in Hamburg on Saturday to watch Wladimir's big brother Vitali and will travel to Mannheim to formally announce the fight.
It will be beamed live into the Echo Arena on big screens.
CALLUM SMITH DELIVERS
AS I predicted two weeks ago, Callum Smith delivered a silver medal for England at the Commonwealth Games.
Congratulations also go to Amir Khan's younger brother Haroon, who won bronze though his achievement was for Pakistan as he could not get into the England team.
Khan Jnr believes he was unfairly frozen out and gave England coach Robert McCracken plenty of stick.
It's easy to understand why Khan felt frustrated, but sometimes these things are better left unsaid. Best to let your fists do your talking.
