Froch set to enjoy home comforts
Super-middleweight boxer Carl Froch will be counting on home advantage this weekend when he takes on Jean Pascal for the vacant WBC title at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham.
Froch told Setanta Sports News he expected to see some familiar faces in the crowd.
“Everyone I went to school with will be there; all my friends; all my family. They’re all going to be there. It’s a big boost for me.
“I think it’s going to give me a lift. Whether it’s going to hinder Pascal I don’t know.
“I’ve toured all over the world and I’m glad it’s here. I’m going to relish and enjoy the fact that it’s in my back yard.”
James DeGale to pick trainer next week
Olympic gold medallist James DeGale has yet to confirm a trainer for his first professional bout which is due to take place in February. DeGale signed his first professional contract with Frank Warren earlier this week.
Speaking to Steve Bunce on Setanta Sports News DeGale said he was close to making a decision.
“I’ve got two [trainers] in mind and it’ll probably be announced at the start of next week. It’s hard to choose a trainer; I don’t want to change too much.
“I won’t change [technique] totally, but I’m going to slow it down. I’m going to pick my punches; I’m going to think more. My boxing brain is going to be immense.”
The middleweight added that he wanted a professional coach to be hired alongside current coach Steve Newland.
Watson, Amar Set For Commonwealth Clash In Dublin
In one of the most anticipated welterweight contests on the European boxing scene, Craig Watson and Adnan Amar are set to clash on a massive fight card, held on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at The Helix, located on the campus of Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland.
The pair collide as chief support to Rendall Munroe's European super bantamweight title defense against granite-jawed Italian champion Fabrizio Trotta.
Watson, 13-2 (4), puts his Commonwealth title at risk against top challenger Adnan Amar, 22-1 (6), but much more is at stake in this crucial crossroads battle for both men.
25 year old Amar has been moving through the ranks since turning pro in 2001 but kicked his career into overdrive over the past year, winning four bouts and capturing the English and Midlands Area welterweight titles.
The Nottingham stylist has been most impressive during that streak, gaining three of the six knockouts on his record including a third round stoppage of Canadian middleweight Ian Mackillop.
But Amar will be stepping up to a higher level of competition when he faces Craig Watson, the steel-tough Manchester battler who punched his way into the headlines as an amateur by flooring celebrated rival Amir Khan.
Watson, also 25 years of age, has been thrown into the deep end on more than once occasion since joining the paid ranks just over three and a half years ago but the experience has helped the southpaw develop a bruising, take no prisoners approach that has proven difficult to overcome.
A win over previously undefeated prospect Michael Lomax in July, 2007 was a breakthrough for Watson but it was his shattering upset of heavily favored Ali Nuumbembe a year ago that brought the Mancunian the coveted Commonwealth crown.
After failing in a bid for the European Union belt against highly skilled Italian Daniele Pettruci in Rome, Watson got back on the horse in May with a superb performance against Matthew Hatton to retain the Commonwealth title for the first time
The Commonwealth prize will be up for grabs when the bell rings in Dublin on December 18, but Watson and Amar will also be vying to move up the Continental ladder as the winner will be within striking distance of a top ten post in the European ratings.
Spirits are running high between the two opposing camps and each fighter will carry into the conflict the hopes and dreams of their dedicated followings, ensuring a matchup to remember and a worthy chief support contest to the main event.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents "Out To Conquer The World" headlined by the debut of Irish Olympic Bronze Medallist Darren Sutherland and European Super Bantamweight Champion Rendall Munroe's title defense against Italian Champion Fabricio Trotta along with full undercard support, on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland.
RENDALL MUNROE has scooped yet another prestigious prize following his amazing ring achievements this year.
The European super-bantamweight champion picked up the Brian Clough breakthrough award at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall
Punching dustman Munroe beat England Under-21 footballer Joe Mattock and cricketer Josh Cobb to the prize in the annual BBC East Midlands awards.
He said: "It's great with all the hard work I've been putting in to finally achieve something.
"It is all down to determination and trying."
Earlier this year the Leicester southpaw was voted Midlands Boxer of the Year, and hopes his good run will continue where it matters most, in the ring later this month.
Munroe (16-1) makes the third defence of his Euro crown against Italy's Fabricio Trotta (13-4-2) on at Dublin City University on December 18.
Munroe, 28, started the year in sensational fashion defeating world class Spaniard Kiko Martinez in March to claim the European title
In subsequent defences the bin man has put Salem Bouaita and Arsen Martirosian out with the rubbish, and is moving towards world class.
Munroe's cracking defence tops the bill, but Irish eyes will be on Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland who boxes a six round super-middleweight contest on his professional debut at the university where he studied.
Martinez (19-1), who knocked out Bernard Dunne in seconds, boxes a six rounder on the undercard.
Irish light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore (30-3) contests a six rounder ahead of his crack at the vacant European light-middleweight early next year
London based Irishman Martin Power (19-3), the former British bantamweight champion faces a tough test against Gary Davies (7-2-1).
In a special attraction Craig Watson (13-2) defends his Commonwealth welterweight title against Adnan Amar (22-1), a protégé of Dubliner Brendan Ingle.
A third title bout on the bill sees Jason Booth (30-5) risks his Commonwealth bantamweight crown against Sean Hughes (15-7-1).
Tickets for the big Dublin bill cost 100 Euros and 40 Euros and are available from www.frankmaloney.com , www.ticketmaster.ie . To order from Ireland by phone call 08 18 719300, and from UK 0871 226 1508