WBA, WBC & WBO Female Welterweight Champion Cecilia Braekhus (23-0, 7 KOs), the pound-for-pound number one, will defend her titles against former world champion Myriam Lamare (22-3, 10 KOs) in Frederikshavn on January 18. “This is a tough start of the new year,” the First Lady said from her training base in Berlin. “Lamare is one of the best girls out there, she is a former champion and has been in the ring with the best fighters. She always comes to fight. This will be a difficult title defence for me. I have big plans for 2014 and I am determined to get the new year off to a successful start in Frederikshavn.”
 
Lamare, who lives in Marseille, boasts a record of 22 victories with three defeats  (10 KOs). She is a former European and World Amateur Champion and also held the WBA & IBF Female Light Welterweight belts. “2014 can be the biggest year of Cecilia´s career, starting with a victory over an experienced and proven fighter like Myriam Lamare,” promoter Nisse Sauerland said. “This is a clash of two experienced champions. There will be so many things at stake – not only the three world titles, Cecilia´s unbeaten record and her pound-for-pound number one status – but also the prospect of a mega fight in Norway later this year. Cecilia really needs to be at the top of the game to win on January 18.”

New York, NY / Monaco / Johannesburg  -- A sensational world title clash has been added to “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” on Saturday, FEBRUARY 1, 2014 as South African-based knockout artist Ilunga “Junior” Makubu and undefeated Polish contender Pawel “Hamas” Kolodziej will battle for the World Boxing Association (W.B.A.) Interim Cruiserweight World Title, it was announced today by Rodney Berman, President of African promotional giant, Golden Gloves of South Africa.

“We’re thrilled to add this outstanding world title bout to “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” said Berman. “Makubu had two sensational performances in Monte Carlo this year and he and Kolodziej are both excellent fighters.  Adding their world title clash truly enhances what will be an extraordinary card.”

Headlining the “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” is boxing’s fastest rising superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin defending his WBA/IBO Middleweight World Titles against top rated challenger Osumanu Adama.

A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, now based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the 25-year-old Makubu, 15-1-0 (14KO’s) had an outstanding 2013 with three big wins cementing his status as one of the most feared cruiserweights in the world.

In the highly successful first promotion by Golden Gloves of South Africa in Monte Carlo on MARCH 30th, Makabu destroyed Tamas Lodi with a devastating third round stoppage.

Returning to Monte Carlo on JULY 13th, Makubu looked sensational, soundly beating undefeated contender Dmytro Kucher over 12-rounds for the vacant WBC Silver Cruiserweight Title.

With a crushing fifth round knockout over highly ranked contender Eric Fields, Makubu defended his title on AUGUST 31st at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa.

“I’m not in the habit of watching fight tapes, but I’ve done so with this guy’s last fight,” said Makabu. “What I see doesn’t bother me, I’m sure I’ll win, no problem. I don’t believe he will be as tough or as good as [my last Monte Carlo opponent] Dmytro Kucher. The only way he can beat me is by working harder than me. I don’t believe that is possible.

“I work with people who will take me to my dream of being another Golovkin or Mayweather. Money is nothing. Boxing is my life. I plan to win, especially as I love fighting in Monte Carlo.”

Makabu is currently world ranked # 3 by the WBA, #5 by the IBF and #11 by the WBO.

Sporting an unblemished record of 33-0-0 with 18 knockouts, Kolodziej is among the most popular fighters in his native Poland and holder of the IBF Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Title, winning the strap in 2012.

Winning all three of his starts in 2013, Kolodziej is coming off a seventh round stoppage of Prince Anthony Ikeji on NOVEMBER 23rd. He is world ranked #2 by the WBA and IBF in addition to #9 by the WBO.

Another title fight on the “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” undercard will see former IBF minimumweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi contest the vacant IBO light-flyweight title against Rey Loreto of the Philippines.

Southpaw Joyi, 24-2 with 17 KO’s, has been included on the bill primarily to honour HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, his countrywoman who works tirelessly to further the cause of South African sport.

Loreto, 17-13 with nine KO’s, recently captured the interim Pan-Asian light-flyweight title and is on a run of nine wins from his last 11 bouts.

He’s proven to be something of an upset king. Against all odds, last August he defeated world-ranked former WBA champion Pornsawan Porpramook by technical decision. Two years before, fighting again as a big underdog, he knocked out world-rated Wisanu Kokietgym to annex the Pan-Asian light-flyweight title.

Detailed ticket information for “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” at the beautiful Salle des Etoiles venue on the peninsula of Monte Carlo will be announced shortly.

This world class event is exclusively distributed internationally by leading boxing rights distributor and sports marketing firm, Octapixx LIVE, and the company is presently in conversation with top broadcasters worldwide to ensure that the “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” can be seen by sports fans everywhere.

Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo SBM Group, is the premiere casino destination in Europe.  It continues to attract gamblers among the wealthiest and most well known celebrities.  For further information please visit their website at www.MonteCarloSBM.com

A country rich in sports history, Monaco is home of the world famous Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race and many major international events such as the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

MICHAEL JENNINGS: "ASKIN CAN'T OVERLOOK THIS WEEKEND'S TEST"

MICHAEL JENNINGS has advised Matty Askin to not think about big title fights in 2014 just yet.

Having won the British and WBU crowns as well as facing the mighty Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden, Jennings knows what it takes to get to the top and is keen to teach Askin about the dangers of looking past his next fight.

Askin is the reigning English cruiserweight champion and is set to defend his title against Menay Edwards in the New Year before a likely shot at the coveted Lonsdale belt.

But first he must get past an as yet to be confirmed opponent in a six round bout at Wigan's Robin Park Centre next Saturday (December 14).

"I've told Matty that this next fight is his most important," Jennings, who began training Askin a couple of months ago, said.

"You can never look beyond the fight that's in front of you and that's one thing I learned in my career.

"People used to ask me what my most important fight was and they were all the most important. I'm trying to get that across to Matty because we don’t want him going into this fight thinking he can stop the kid and move onto the next one.

"We've got a six-rounder and all his concentration needs to be on that. Afterwards he can start thinking about defending his English title in February. It's one step at a time."

Jennings is the fourth trainer Askin has worked with in his 17 fight professional career, and he feels he's got him at his best.

"I know all trainers says it, but everything really has gone perfectly up to now," Jennings stated.

"The things we've been working have all been coming off.  He's been sparring with Courtney Fry and he's really been putting it together. I've been impressed.

"He's got so much potential and people seem to think he's older than he is. He's only 24 and he's not in his best years yet. If keeps progressing like he is now, then he's going to be really, really good.

"Under Brian Hughes I think he was excellent technically but lacked a bit of fitness. When he went to Bob Shannon I think he got his fitness up, but the technical side slipped. Now we're looking to make sure he has both and I know he's going to go into this fight and really show what he can do."

Next Saturday's bill is sponsored by Warm Front Ltd and features the return of former British champion Gary Davies, Middleton's Warren Tansey and Liam Taylor as well as Liverpool prospects Adam Ismail, Stephen Lewis, Ryan Vaughan, Phil Smith and Tommy Carus.

There will also be fights involved young punchers from famous fistic families as Haroon Khan (Amir's brother), Dempsey Fury (Tyson's cousin) and James Metcalf (son of Shea Neary) all appear.

Boxing commences at 6.30pm and tickets are on sale now. They are priced at £30 general admission and £60 ringside and are available from all boxers, the venue and www.vipbe.co.uk