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BoxingScene recently caught up with Jim McDonnell, trainer of WBC silver super middleweight champion James DeGale who recently overcame Dyah Davis in the third defence of his title. McDonnell discussed DeGale’s next move and the recent controversial fight between Carl Froch and George Groves.
Yvon Michel promotes another big night of boxing in Quebec this Saturday with both the main event and the chief support potentially explosive encounters. Adonis Stevenson’s second defence of his WBC 175lbs title against Brit Tony Bellew has fight fans in the UK excited, but what do the locals know of the Liverpool man? “In terms of the general public, they don’t know Tony Bellew, he hasn’t fought on television here,” explained Michel.
Trainer Joe Gallagher will yet again have a busy night of action on November 23 as several of his fighters will be performing on the undercard of the Carl Froch – George Groves fight. BoxingScene caught up with Joe to discuss the progress of his men, including new world champion, Scott Quigg.
On Thursday, Hennessy Sports held a press conference at the Bounce club in central London to promote tonight’s clash between James DeGale and Dyah Davis for the WBC silver super-middleweight title. BoxingScene was able to catch up with Davis and Mick Hennessy who discussed tonight’s bout, as well as possible match ups down the line. While the winner of DeGale vs Davis could face Marco Antonio Peribán next, the winner will have a keen eye on the world title fight between Sakio Bika and Anthony Dirrell on December 7.
Gary Hyde is a busy man these days with an ever expanding stable of fighters under his management. As was reported earlier today on BoxingScene, Hyde has signed up talented middleweight Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam who will make his debut in Barcelona on December 14. The Irishman recently had a good weekend in the Catalan capital, seeing two of his men in Mark Heffron and Iain Weaver claim victories. Weaver is still hoping he will receive clearance from the British Boxing Board of Control to fight in Great Britain after they found a cyst on his brain during a medical.
Ahead of Larry Olubamiwo’s return at Prizefighter on Thursday night, the heavyweight contender expanded a little more on his recent ban for using performance-enhancing drugs in an interview with BoxingScene. Do you feel there’s a discrepancy with the bans that are issued to boxers and is it unfair to certain fighters? If you get an athlete in any other sport, athletics for instance, they get banned for the same amount of time. It seems like in boxing you get different treatment. In the US, and let me give you an example: James Toney, for his first offence was banned for 90 days. He’d probably take that time off anyway.
Next Thursday’s Prizefighter at East London’s York Hall marks the return of Larry Olubamiwo to a boxing ring. The heavyweight was banned for four years by UK Anti-Doping in June 2012 although subsequently had his ban reduced. Larry admitted to being somewhat disillusioned with the sport during his absence and even considered his future, yet he’s now excited to be back. “Some people know I do a bit of acting and I haven’t been able to pursue that 100%,” he told BoxingScene.
Kiko Martínez is excited about the prospect of making the first defence of his title on his home turf in Elche, Spain on December 21. “[Jeffrey] Mathebula is a great professional with a lot of experience and the only thing I have to do is train hard and be ready in the best possible way,” said Kiko. “His height won’t be a problem for me because all the sparring that I’ve done throughout my career has been with taller fighters. We’re working with tall guys every day. “I think he fought on the back foot against [Nonito] Donaire and managed to go the distance. I think he came out to survive, but he showed he can take a good shot. I know that he’s a good boxer and a good sportsman.”
Dyah Davis is in confident mood after it was recently announced that he will be travelling to England to challenge James DeGale for the WBC silver super-middleweight title. The clash is scheduled to take place on November 16 at the Glow Arena in Bluewater, Kent, screened live on terrestrial television in the UK on Channel 5. Speaking to BoxingScene from Houston, Texas, Davis spoke of his excitement and belief that he will return to the United States with the victory. “For the last couple of months or so I was going to the gym with sort of a cloud over my head, wondering what was happening. I’m fortunate for the opportunity; I’m really looking forward to it. I want to make the best of it. We’re training hard and making sure we go out there to get the job done,” he said.
It was recently announced that esteemed trainer Pedro Díaz will be working with former WBO super-bantamweight and featherweight champion, Juan Manuel López. BoxingScene had the opportunity to speak to the Cuban boxing guru by telephone from his Miami home on several subjects, including López, Guillermo Rigondeaux and others. BoxingScene.com: Pedro, I understand you will be working with Juan Manuel López, is that correct? Yes, I’m working with Juan. We did some medical tests such as an electrocardiogram, also some blood tests, and everything looks positive. So, from the medical point of view it’s all good. Now we can look to reorganize his career.