MURAT PREPARED FOR CLEVERLY'S BOMBS
Fighting Nathan Cleverly will be easy for Karo Murat - after growing up to the sounds of bombs going off.
The 26-year-old will challenge the Welshman for the right to fight for the WBO light-heavyweight title on September 18.
The mouth-watering fight between the two unbeaten hot-shots will form part of Frank Warren's Magnificent Seven card at the LG Arena, Birmingham, live on Sky Box Office.
Murat now lives in Germany, but was born in Saddam Hussein's Iraq.
His family fled from the dictator's rule in the 1990s, pitching up in Europe.
And it is from Germany that Murat has built a 22 fight unbeaten record that has seen him rise in the world rankings.
He is keen to call the country home, especially after his experiences in Iraq.
"I don't remember too much about my childhood, and I don't want to remember too much either," he revealed.
"There were bombs exploding every day. It was a bad time.
"To be honest, I like to think that I grew up in Germany. I forget how it was was in Iraq.
"After my experiences, I will not have a problem beating Cleverly.
"We will see what happens on September 18 but I have never been beaten before, I have 22 wins and I am very confident ahead of this fight.
"It is hard to predict a KO but if one comes, it will be me who is knocking Nathan out."
Tickets for the Magnificent Seven are priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 and are available from:
LG Arena
0844 338 8000
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
CHISORA GETS STALLONE BACKING!
Derek Chisora says he has been inspired by the original Rocky - Sylvester Stallone.
The British heavyweight champion met Sly at the premiere of his latest film, The Expendables, on Monday night in London's Leicester Square.
And Chisora says he will put in a Rocky-esque performance on September 18.
He defends his Lonsdale belt against Sam Sexton at the LG Arena, Birmingham, as part of Frank Warren's Magnificent Seven extravaganza, live on Sky Box Office.
"Stallone was my ultimate hero when I was growing up," said Del Boy.
"I loved those Rocky films when I was a kid - talk about an inspiration to start boxing.
"Everyone who knows me will tell you that I don't normally get star-struck or shy.
"But when I met Stallone, I was shaking like a leaf.
"He was a top guy though and said he would try and check out my fight with Sexton.
"And he told me that he was always wanted a Lonsdale belt of his own because it's the most famous title in boxing!"
Chisora is aiming for a repeat win over Sexton, after halting his Norfolk rival in a six rounder two years ago.
This time much more is at stake, with Finchley star Chisora also aiming for the Commonwealth crown currently held by Sexton.
"I can't wait for the fight and the chance to get another title," said Chisora. "I've beaten Sam once and I will beat him again, even if I have to go into the trenches like Rocky to do it."
Tickets for the Magnificent Seven are priced at £40, £50, £80, £150 and £200 and are available from:
LG Arena
0844 338 8000
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
Sam Webb, James Cook And Ali Forbes To Guest On Steve Bunce’s Boxing Hour Thursday 12th August.
British Middleweight Champion Sam Webb, Former British & European Super Middleweight Champion James Cook and Former British Champion and World Title challenger Ali Forbes will be guests on Steve Bunce’s BBC London Radio show (94.9 & DAB @ 9pm) this coming Thursday evening.
The famous trio of champions will be discussing their upcoming Charity 20/20 Cricket match, at Beckley Park Cricket Ground, Rectory Lane, Beckley, which is to raise funds for Tenterden Amateur Boxing Club, Pedro Amateur Boxing Club and Beckley Park Cricket Club.
James Cook, the driving force behind the Pedro Amateur Boxing Club in Clapton, London, which celebrates it’s first Birthday in September, said “We’re boxers, all boxers careers started at one Amateur club or another. It’s only right that we show our support for Amateur Boxing Clubs. It’s important for them to have funding so they can continue to do the great work they do.
If it wasn’t for clubs like Tenterden and Pedro, we wouldn’t have even got to fight let alone win championships.
Great Britain has a history of producing World Champions like David Haye, Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe, Nigel Benn, Ricky Hatton, Alan Minter and so many others. It’s important for us boxers to put back in to the grass roots, not just helping at the clubs, but doing whatever we can to help them in any way we can.
It’s going to be great fun on Saturday, try and get down to Beckley and support this worthy cause and the Boxers and Cricketers taking part.”
Amongst the well known boxers joining James Cook are British Light Middleweight Champion Sam Webb, former British & Commonwealth Super Bantamweight Champion Michael Alldis, Former British Champion and World Title challenger Ali Forbes, former British Light Middleweight champion Gary Woolcombe and former British title challenger Derek Grainger.
Also from the world of boxing top coaches Johnny Eames and Alan Smith and referees John Lewis and Geoff Hines will also be taking to the pitch. The boxers team will also include Eastenders star Sylvester Williams.
The BBC London Boxing Hour presented by Steve Bunce, and featuring British Middleweight Champion Sam Webb, Former British & European Super Middleweight Champion James Cook and Former British Champion and World Title challenger Ali Forbes, is on BBC London 94.9 & DAB on Thursday 12th August at 9pm (GMT)