UK News: Dickens vs. Ward, Carroll vs. Geraghty, McKenna

West Rainton’s Martin Ward, 26-4-1 (5), gets the chance to avenge his 2015 defeat to James Jazza Dickens on July 27, when the pair clash at the Rainton Meadows Arena for the vacant British Super Bantamweight Title, live on Freesports (Freeview 95, Freesat 252, Sky 422, BT 95, Talk Talk 95).

The belt was being held by Martin’s brother Tommy, 23-0 (3) – who took the title off Dickens in May 2017 – but he has now vacated to concentrate on securing a world title opportunity, and will face Spanish-based Romanian Ionut Baluta for the IBF European Super Bantamweight Title on the same show.

In his previous reign as champion, Liverpool’s Dickens, 23-3 (8), won a bloody and contentious split-decision verdict over Martin at the Rainton Meadows venue, but Northeast’s ‘Mr Boxing’, Phil Jeffries, believes the outcome will be different this time.

“We’re moving Tommy on,” stated Jeffries, who is working on the upcoming show in association with Dennis Hobson.  “Tommy’s not been getting any dates off Frank Warren, so we’re putting this show on ourselves, with Dennis [Hobson].

“To me, Tommy facing Jazza again was a pointless fight, he’s already beaten him once.  Tommy is already high in the world ratings, so we want to move him on, and it’s looking good for him if he wins this next fight.

“Martin’s fight with ‘Jazza’ will be exciting.  I thought Jazza just beat him last time, but it was dirty fight; Martin was cut to bits, just like Tommy was cut to bits in his fight with Jazza.  Martin will have learned from that first fight though, and I think he will beat him this time.

“This will be a good show, we’ll have a lot of good prospects on the undercard, and it’s really good to be working with Dennis again.”

Promoter Dennis Hobson, who has worked with numerous former world champions including Ricky Hatton, Clinton Woods, Jamie McDonnell and Stuart Hall, said: “Martin Ward against Jazza is a cracker.  Jazza is a smashing lad, he’s working with MTK Global, who I get on very well with and hopefully we’ll do more match-ups in the future together.

“Jazza has been after the fight with Tommy Ward, but Tommy is now looking to get on the world stage.  I spoke up for Tommy at the recent IBF convention; he’s had some issues which I believe are now sorted with Frank Warren.  So, he’s moved on and asked if I’d help.  I get on really well with his team; Phil Jeffries, Dave Garside, and Neil Fannan.  They’re a pleasure to work with and I’m pleased to help.

“If I get help Tommy get on the world scene then I’ll do that.  I got Martin Ward a world title shot from nowhere against Stuart Hall, and the great thing about Tommy is he’s very talented and we just don’t know how far he can go.

“So, it’s all worked out well for everybody.  Jazza is getting a shot back at his British Title, Martin’s getting another chance at the belt, and Thomas is moving onto the world scene by fighting for an IBF European Title; which will get him further up the rankings and hopefully into contention for a world title.  That’s the plan.

“Jazza is a smashing lad, I like him a lot, but obviously I’ll be in the other corner on the night.  Martin has fallen short a couple of times in title fights, but he’s matured and hopefully learned from those defeats.  I’ve been involved with fighters who’ve lost fights but improved, and hopefully Martin will show that too.  If he can win the British Title, then it’s a big platform for him to get a second wind in his career.  Jazza is bang up for this though, you can tell from his social media.  He’s selling a lot of tickets and the atmosphere will be electric on the night.  When we do the press conference and weigh in, that should be lively too.

“So, this will be a great show for the fans, and it’s live on Freesports too.  Every show we’ve done for Freesports has been successful, and all the fights have been brilliant entertainment.  I’m convinced this show, and the two headline fights featuring the Ward brothers, will also be another cracker.”

World-ranked super-featherweight Jono Carroll has launched a scathing attack on Declan Geraghty’s character as the pair prepare for a hotly-anticipated rematch.
 
Carroll beat Geraghty via disqualification in late 2014 and having since claimed an IBF ranking title, is confident of repeating the dose on the undercard of Michael Conlan v Adeilson Dos Santos in Belfast on Saturday.
 
‘King Kong’ said: “After the first fight went down, Deco leaned over and asked me not to give it loads on social media. The next interview I did, I gave him props for having a chin.
 
“I retract that statement. He does not have a chin and I rocked him that night. After that first meeting I granted his request only to hear that two days later he was saying he was winning.
 
“Everyone who watched it knows he wasn’t winning that fight and the situation annoyed me. I’m a man of my word whereas he’s nice as pie to your face then badmouths you on social media. It’s a two-faced thing to do.
 
“I always treat people like they treat me. I’m as straightforward as they come. If I don’t like you, I’ll let you know. I’m not the type of person to hide it.
 
“If you’re being disrespectful on social media publicly and then private message me nice things it makes no sense to me. I’m an open book on social media.”
 
Carroll v Geraghty is just one of an array of highlights on one of Irish boxing marquee nights – including Conlan v Dos Santos, Jack Catterall v Tyrone McKenna, Tyrone McCullagh v Joe Ham, Johnny Coyle v Lewis Benson and more.

Belfast beanpole Tyrone McKenna believes that a clinical victory over world-rated ex British champion Jack Catterall at The Odyssey Arena in his home city this weekend, could catapult the former Junior Olympic medallist into a world title gig with Dallas’s angular WBO king Maurice Hooker.

‘Hooker v McKenna. Freak against Freak! I’m just concentrating on Saturday but, yeh, let’s bring ‘Mighty Mo’ to Belfast. He’s definitely beatable,’ states the 6ft 1in southpaw – known as ‘Bones’ – who is unbeaten in 17 (one TD) since kickstarting his pro innings on the US East Coast back in August 2012.

‘Once I beat Catterall and establish my name, I want the big fights as soon as possible. I’ve been pleading for these types of fights for a while. I’m ready to take on the world!’
 
Eight months back, the former six-time All Ireland amateur king was still to venture beyond round six in a slow burning career. However, subsequent gritty and educational 10 round wins over French nugget Renald Garrido and 17-1 city rival Anthony Upton have plugged the gap.

‘You could throw a stone from my garden and hit Upton’s house so there was a lot of west Belfast pride involved; a bit of needle. There’s no way I could’ve shown my face around here, if I’d lost to him,’ says the swift and slingy sharpshooter.

‘Anthony is a tricky, sharp switch hitter, a very good boxer but, on the night, he just wanted to move. It was a bit frustrating because I trained very hard and sparring went unbelievably well. Still, I demonstrated a bit of power to drop him in the ninth and won comfortably enough on the cards. It told me a lot about where I’m at, in fighting terms. He’d beaten me in the amateurs but I got my revenge where it mattered.’

Nevertheless, the crossroads clash against 21-0 ‘El Gato’ Catterall, ranked fifth by the WBO, represents another sizeable step-up.

‘Basically, I’ve had to step in because that mouthpiece Ohara Davies didn’t have the balls. One hundred per cent Davies can have it next, after I win on Saturday. I’ll gladly end his career,’ says the 28 year old Ulsterman who is managed by MTK Global and coached by Danny Vaughan in Glasgow.

‘Jack and I have sparred in the past and we get along, talk quite often on social media. As a fan, I enjoy watching him fight. He’s always entertaining and he’s a solid all-rounder. It’s sure to be a tough night for me.

‘But it’s a test I’m more than ready for. Since switching to Danny two years ago, I’ve grown as a fighter. He’s got me training very hard and eating right. My defence is much improved and I’m finally sitting down on my punches.’

The odds setters enlist McKenna as a generous 4-1 outsider, remarkable given that the southpaw enters with a six inch reach height advantage and enjoys home court……and there’s no home advantage quite like a Belfast home advantage!

‘The size differential makes no difference. I have to punch down but I had well over 100 amateur contests and encountered every style and size. Some highlight that I’ve ‘advantages’ but I’ve never been in the boxing game to jab and move. I love to entertain the fans,’ claims ‘The Mighty Celt’.

‘Boxing a fellow southpaw won’t be an issue either. I’ve done most of my sparring with Tom Stalker, Jono Carroll and Sam Maxwell, who switches. Sometimes I prefer a southpaw for a change.

The collision with Catterall represents Tyrone’s sixth successive start in the Ulster capital.

‘There’s zero pressure on me. Jack holds the belt, he’s the odds -on favourite, he’s the one saying I’m ‘easy work’,’ he says.

‘I’ve fought before at the Waterfront and SSE in Belfast and the fans give you a big, big drive. Our fight is likely to be just before Mick (Conlan)’s big homecoming so the hall should be rammed and I guarantee it’ll daunt Jack Catterall. I believe it’ll affect his performance and inspire me.

‘I’m fit and ready to rumble. If Catterall wants to war, we war!’ He’s talking of making it a hat-trick of one round wins in a row so maybe he’ll steam out for an early ‘kill’. However, if he tries to box instead, I’ll outsmart him. I’ve far greater amateur experience and I’d pitch my boxing brain against anyone else’s in the division. Either way, baby!

‘Jack says he’s not underestimating me but he keeps talking about future fights with Ohara Davies and Maurice Hooker. Hold on …..! First, he’s got to get past a 6ft 1in southpaw who’s a nightmare for any one.

‘I’ve faster hands, faster feet and think speed will be a key factor. With 8oz gloves on, a stoppage is possible. I won’t be looking for it, but I certainly punch hard enough. If I execute my game plan, I expect it to be a comfortable night for me.’