Macklin: “Darren's all Bark and no bite"
 
Purse bids are looming for new European Middleweight Champion Darren Barker's mandatory defence against former champ Matthew Macklin and the Birmingham based Irishman wants it made very clear that he's ready, willing and able to claim back his old title against Barker.

Macklin vacated the European crown in March rather than hold it up after he suffered an injury at Freddie Roach's Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles while training for his first defence. That gave Barker the opportunity to contest the vacant title with Affif Belghecham with the Londoner eventually emerging victorious on points after a titanic struggle with his French opponent.

In recognition of his sportsmanship in deciding to vacate the title the European Boxing Union immediately installed Macklin as the number one challenger to the new champion and with purse bids due for the fight later this month Macklin is chomping at the bit to get his hands on Barker and his old belt.

“I gave up the European title because I was injured and I didn't want to hold the title up and deny other fighters the opportunity to fight for it,” explained Macklin. “Barker got the opportunity and full credit to him for taking it but I never lost the title in the ring so until he gets in there with me Barker's really only a paper champion. I just hope that he doesn't come up with any excuses to find a way of ducking out of the fight and will man up and try to prove that he is worthy of calling himself European Champion.”

Macklin is rated in the top ten with all four of the World's major sanctioning organisations so he is well placed to secure a World title shot but he see's no reason why he can't reclaim his European crown first.

“Obviously a World title is my ultimate aim and I'm very close to that but I want that European title belt again and this is too good an opportunity to pass up. If I'm honest I see it as an easy night's work because Barker's just not in my league. He's ok at British level but he made very, very hard work of picking up the European title against Belghecham and if he's as good as he claims to be then that should have been a walk in the park for him.

“I know a lot of people see it as a very competitive fight. Everyone's entitled to their opinion and there has certainly been plenty of talk about it but most people said that the Wayne Elcock and Amin Asikainen fights would be 50-50 affairs and I simply blew them away and I believe I'd do the same with Barker.

“It's nothing personal against Barker, whenever I've been in his company he's seemed like a decent lad but it's all about levels and I just don't believe he's on the same level as me. I think he and the people around him are deluded if they think he's capable to winning a World title and as long as he doesn't try to squirm out of the fight then I'll prove that.”

Macklin's manager Brian Peters believes that the recently turned 28-year-old is well placed to take advantage of a wide open middleweight division following Sergio Martinez's recent win over Kelly Pavlik.

“Obviously we were disappointed that Martinez got to Pavlik first because Matthew really wanted the Pavlik fight,” said Peters. “He knew it was only a matter of time before Pavlik was dethroned. That result has thrown the whole division wide open and Matthew's a free agent promotionally now, he has no ties to anyone so he's ready, wiling and able to take on the big fights now.

“We've had talks with some  of the U.S. promoters and in fact Matthew had agreed to fight both Winky Wright and Sergio Mora in the States over the summer but they both backed out of those fights which tells you how highly Matthew is regarded right now.

“He's very highly rated with all the major sanctioning bodies so he is well placed to secure a World title opportunity but there is also a case of unfinished business at European level.

“Matthew was disappointed at the manner in which he had to vacate the European title through injury and we're very grateful to the EBU for allowing him to get a crack at his old title so quickly and Matthew wants to make the most of that opportunity and prove yet again that he is a World class fighter and the most exciting talent in the middleweight decision.”

Event Preview: Goodwin Promotions  “Summer Fight Night Explosion”  York Hall, Saturday 19th June 

Following the huge success of his ‘A Night Of The Rising Stars’ event at York Hall back in April promoter Steve Goodwin recently announced that his “Summer Fight Night Explosion” at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 19th June, will be bigger, better and even more explosive!

A tall order, as “A Night Of The Rising Stars” received justifiable rave reviews, but true to his word Goodwin has pulled out all the stops to bring a top notch TWELVE bout event to the Capital’s world famous boxing venue. 

OK, so we’ve got the bigger, and it seems that Goodwin’s got the better and more explosive covered as well with the return of two of the most exciting and heavy hitting war lords on the domestic scene today, Yassine El Maachi, who on the 19th June will battle with Dee Mitchell, and  Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander, who will lock horns with Sid Razak.

Back in April El Maachi declared war on French hard man Bertrand Aloa for the vacant International Masters Light Middleweight title. The cheering legion of fans at York Hall that evening were treated to nine scintillating, action packed, yet very close, rounds before a clear and indisputable winner could be called. When that moment came, just seconds from the bell to end round nine, El Maachi clinically let rip with a magnificent hook to the head that sent Aloa crashing to the canvas. Aloa quickly got to his feet to survive the last few seconds of the round.

The final round was all El Maachi, his movement was fluid and his punches telling. Mid way through the final round the Frenchman was sent sprawling face down on to the deck, although not by a clean shot but due to his unsteadiness and a little helping push by El Maachi. Aloa again jumped up quickly and as if the second  trip to the canvas acted as a wake up call, came back at the London based Iranian, albeit too late to win the final round and close the deficit. When the scorecards were read out they declared, by a 96-93 margin, Yassine El Maachi the new International Masters Light Middleweight Champion.

Alexander’s Lightweight contest against Michael Devine was equally, if not more, sensational. Devine was the clear favourite, being unbeaten and having stopped all his previous opponents, but like all good thrillers there would be a twist in the tale.

Within a minute of the start of the first round Devine found himself crashing to the canvas following a beautiful one two combination to the head and body by the ever so slick Alexander. As soon as the referee finished the standing count Alexander was all over the clearly shaken Devine like a rash. It seemed that Alexander could land clean punches and move out of harms way in a flash, each time leaving Devine punching at fresh air.

Alexander’s movement and power was telling on Devine, who seemed to throw his fight plan out of the window as he tried to pursue the phantom that was his opponent. Within a minute of his first trip to the canvas he was back there again courtesy of a vicious left to the body followed by a lightning quick hook. Again, after the standing count, Alexander went on the attack and rocked Devine on numerous occasions before the end of the round.

Devine didn’t fare much better in the second round as the elusive Alexander came on the inside, playing Devine’s ribs like a xylophone before ducking and swaying out of harm’s way. Around the middle of the round Devine rushed at Alexander and managed to bundle him onto the ropes, but before he could land a decent shot ‘The Flash’ had already moved causing Devine to turn into a looping right which sent him crashing to the canvas for the third time.

Alexander stepped it up another level and just plain out boxed, and out moved, the hapless Devine, who could see his perfect record disappearing like a rat up the drainpipe. Everyone, but everyone, was on their feet as it seemed the fight would surely be over before the end of the round. Devine is made of sterner stuff and, although he was being given a boxing master class by Alexander, managed to make it to the bell.

Devine’s corner must have really fired him up for the third round as he came out with both barrels blazing. Again he managed to rush and bundle Alexander into a corner, this time even managing to land a punch or two, albeit on the gloves of ‘The Flash’.

Alexander seemed content to just play with his opponent like a cat plays with a mouse, at times his magnificent movement sending Devine off balance as he let rip with yet another huge air shot. It was inevitable that ‘The Flash’ would stop playing with his prey but no one, not Devine or any one at ringside, saw the lightning quick punch that sent Devine to the deck for the fourth, and final, time. Devine did make it to his feet but the referee decided enough was enough stopping the fight at two minutes and eleven seconds of the third round.

El Maachi and Alexander are not the only exciting crowd pleasers on the show. Alexander’s Ultrachem TKO Gym mate,  Light Welterweight sensation Daryl Setterfield, who will be facing Ricky Boulter on the 19th June, will be looking to build on his stunning knockout victory over the highly rated Darren Hamilton back in March this year.

Coming into that fight Setterfield was undoubtedly the underdog as Hamilton had been rightly touted as a future star of the division. However, no one took into account that Setterfield, anything but an easy opponent at the best of times, always comes to win.

Hamilton was intent on imposing himself with heavy handed attacks. Setterfield wasn’t content to just roll over and take it, responding with vicious salvos of his own. The climax to the exciting battle was nothing short of spectacular. Setterfield let rip with the most vicious overhand right to the head, which literally stopped the previously unbeaten fighter in his tracks, then followed up with a lightning fast combination that sent Hamilton crashing to the canvas so hard the paramedics were immediately called for. 

The stars keep on coming. Also on the card are Olympic Bronze Medallist Boris Georgiev (Bobby George), who will be looking to build on his excellent pro-debut win, and former English Super Featherweight Champion Ryan Barrett.

Barrett, an exciting, classy southpaw, has been in with the best of the best - Amir Khan, John Simpson, Willie Lamond etc. -  secured the English Super Featherweight title with a third round knockout of Femi Fehintola in October 2008. The Thamesmead based fighter also held the British Masters Featherweight title, and challenged, unsuccessfully, for both the British Featherweight Crown and the WBU World Lightweight Title.

That’s not all, rising stars Tony Owen, Joe St John, Bradley Evans and Michael Norgrove will all be looking to increase their unbeaten records. Whilst Welterweights John Brennan (opponent TBA) and Adam Battle, who will face Danny Dontchev, will be looking to impress on their pro-debuts.

Last but not least, Ultrachem TKO Gym trained, World Fireman’s Games Champion and former Royal Marine, Matt Jack will battle it out with Marco Stevenson in what promises to be an exciting all action Light Heavyweight contest.

Steve Goodwin is clearly a man of his word and  “Summer Fight Night Explosion” has the potential to be the York Hall’s greatest show this year and is without doubt a don’t miss event, so don’t miss it!

Oh and as there are so many fights on the card the action starts at 5.30pm so get there early.

Tickets for the Goodwin Promotion’s “Summer Fight Night Explosion”  at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday 19th June 2010 are £35 (Unreserved) & £60 (VIP).

For tickets call 07960 850645 or buy on-line at www.tickets.justlisten2this.com

McCLOSKEY HOPING WIN ON FRIDAY LEADS TO SHOT AT AMIR KHAN

PAUL McCloskey hopes a win on Friday takes him closer to an all-British world title fight with Amir Khan.

McCloskey, 30, makes the first defence of his European Light-Welterweight Championship when he takes on Italian Giuseppe Lauri at the King’s Hall in Belfast.

Northern Irishman McCloskey, who will be fighting in front of his home crowd, believes a good performance could lead to a shot at WBA title holder Khan.

“I’m very confident of winning the fight and I’m in great shape,” said McCloskey, winner of all 20 of his professional contests.

“I’ve seen him on a DVD and he’s very experienced, he’s been around the block and is very clever.

“But some good boxers have beaten him and I’ve seen some of his defeats. He likes to control the fight and fight at his pace but I’m going to do something he doesn’t like and take the fight from him.

“It’s been a roller-coaster ride so far but I’m getting better and I’m hoping to climb the ladder as quickly as possible.

“I think I can go on and fight for World Championships and someone like Amir Khan I know I could beat him.

“Amir Khan is now in America and all I can do is keep moving up the ladder. I think I’m the WBC number eight so I’m getting close to being number one.

“To be fair to Amir Khan he has improved but he’s still vulnerable and not a superstar just yet. He’s getting better but he’s not unbeatable and he’s had a few fights where he’s looked vulnerable.

“He’s a very good boxer but people are talking about him in the same breath as Manny Pacquiao which is ridiculous.

“It’s nice to know that if I keep winning I’m there or thereabouts to fight him.”

Ex-Italian champion Lauri is four years older than McCloskey and has twice fought for the European belt before but lost on each occasion to Brixton’s Ted Bami.

Despite the potential showdown with Khan in the future for McCloskey, he insists he will not be complacent and under-estimate a fighter who has won 50 of 56 bouts.

“I never take my mind off the next job and that job is on Friday,” added McCloskey.

“Every fight I’ve had, I’ve won comfortably but you always have to be ready for whatever comes your way.

“To headline at the King’s Hall will be fantastic and you look at the past names that have fought there.

“If I beat Lauri, the mandatory challenger, then it will be a massive boost for my career.”

Tickets are priced £30, £60 and £90 are available from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets. Contact Ticketmaster 0844 8472455, (0818 719300 from ROI), Julie 07745698372, Francie 07803 282224. Tickets will also be available at the venue on the night.