BARKER v MACKLIN IS A HOT TICKET!
Darren Barker is expecting big support for his showdown against rival Matthew Macklin at the LG Arena - after asking for 4,000 tickets.
The Barnet man defends his British and European middleweight titles against Macklin on September 18.
Promoter Frank Warren won the purse bids to stage the British blockbuster and it's all part of Frank Warren's Magnificent Seven card, shown live and exclusive on Sky Box Office.
It's been billed as the biggest middleweight scrap since Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank clashed 20 years ago at the same venue.
Macklin is the home fighter with the event going on in his native Birmingham.
But popular Barker is hoping an army of fans make it to England's second city.
"It's ridiculous how many people have asked me about tickets for this fight," said Barker.
"I've asked Frank Warren for 4,000 and I think I'll sell them all.
"I've always been well supported, but this fight seems to have caught the public's imagination.
"It's the two best middleweights in the country going up against each other, and it's a cracking card as well. I'll get rid of all my tickets, no problem.
"But even if there wasn't a soul there to support me I wouldn't be bothered.
"I boxed all over the world as an amateur in some very hostile environments, and it never affected me."
Opponent Macklin hit back by saying: "I'll send home Barker's fans in silence.
"I'm boxing in my home town so there will be pride at stake as well. My phone's been ringing non stop as well, and this fight is as big for Birmingham as Benn-Eubank 20 years ago."
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
CLEVERLY CALLED UP BY THE ARMY!
British and European Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly will be guest of honour at the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh's amateur boxing show at Dale Barracks in Chester this Thursday (22 July).
Cleverly, 23, is preparing for his forthcoming WBO World title eliminator against Karo Murat on Frank Warren's huge multi-show The Magnificent Seven on September 18 at the LG Arena in Birmingham, live and exclusive on Sky Box Office, but was delighted to be invited to the show.
The unbeaten Welshman met with the soldiers at his gym last October before they departed on six month tour of duty of Afghanistan and gave his support by wearing the "Support the Royal Welsh in Afghanistan" wrist band.
Cleverly said, "These guys are the real fighters who are putting their lives on the line everyday whilst on tour so it's the least I can do by going to catch up with them and support their evening,"
Captain Robert Rees of the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, said, "Nathan is an inspiration to the lads and they have followed his career closely in the last few years. In such a short space of time he has British, Commonwealth and European titles and now he is close to go for the world title and we will be there to support him. We are grateful that he has taken the time out of his busy training schedule to come down and see the lads again, watch our boxing show and present the awards."
NORTH EAST IS BRIT BOXING CAPITAL
TONY JEFFRIES believes the north-east has overtaken London and Manchester as the capital of British boxing.
The big ticket selling Sunderland warrior (7-0) helped revive boxing in the area by winning an Olympic bronze medal in 2008.
And he’ll be set for his first professional crown if he defeats Pole Michael Banbula (10-25-3) at Rainton Meadows Arena on Friday (23 July).
Banbula recently caused one of the biggest upsets of 2010, by defeating former British and WBU light-heavyweight champion Tony Oakey.
Jeffries said: “The number of fighters emerging from the north-east is incredible and people will see how much talent we have on Friday.
“When we had the press conference every lad on the bill was someone I had boxed with from the amateurs apart from Nigel Wright who was in the England squad before I came through..
“The talent is there because this is the main place to be for boxing in England.”
Promoter Frank Maloney believes it is only a matter of time before the north-east is celebrating another world champion and believes that will be Jeffries.
Maloney added: “I have been in that area when Glenn McCrory and Billy Hardy fought for world titles and the atmosphere was incredible.
“Those are the sort of nights I want up there again.”
Heading the bill being televised by Sky Sport is another rising star from the region Darlington’s Stuey Hall (8-0-1) who makes the first defence of his British bantamweight title against former holder Martin Power (21-5)
The pair first waged war last September when Hall stopped the Londoner in the eighth round of a thrilling battle.
Crook’s Wright (21-6) who conquered former world champion Alex Arthur in his last battle contests the vacant English light-welterweight crown against Wolverhampton’s Dean Harrison (16-3).
TICKET DISCOUNTS FOR MOLITOR v BOOTH
WE all love getting a discount so Frank Maloney urges all fight fans attending his show at Rainton Meadows Arena on Friday (23rd July) to take up his special offer.
Maloney is offering tickets at reduced prices for the big world title night at the same venue on Saturday 11th September when Jason Booth challenges Steve Molitor for the IBF world super-bantamweight title.
The undercard will feature the cream of north-east boxing including Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries.
Fans who attend Friday's show will be able to buy £95 ringside tickets for just £85 saving a TENNER. £35 tickets will be available for just £28, saving a SEVEN POUND.
The offer will only be available to customers attending this week's show and the special offer tickets for the world title bill will be sold inside the arena.
Maloney said: “Money is tight especially during August when kids are off school and it is the holiday season so I think this is way of appreciating north-east fans who are being asked to fork out twice inside a few weeks for big time boxing."
“The discount is competitive and I am sure there will be plenty of people taking up the chance to save a few quid on Friday.
Heading Friday’s card is Darlington’s Stuey Hall (8-0-1) who makes the first defence of his British bantamweight title against former holder Martin Power (21-5)
The pair first waged war last September when Hall stopped the Londoner in the eighth round of a thrilling battle.
Crook’s Nigel Wright (21-6) who conquered former world champion Alex Arthur in his last bout contests the vacant English light-welterweight crown against
Wolverhampton’s Dean Harrison (16-3).
Jeffries (7-0) continues his march to the top when he steps up to eight round class and meets Staines based Pole Michael Banbula (10-25-3)
