Derek Chisora Backs Ali Adams To Win Prizefighter

Posted on | October 8, 2010 | No Comments

British and Commonwealth Champion Derek ‘Del Boy’ Chisora backs his sparring partner Ali Adams to win Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4, which will take place on tonight at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London and shown live on Sky Sports.

Whilst talking with Johnny Nelson, Adam Smith and Martin Rogan on Sky Sports, about his 11th December showdown with IBO, WBO & IBF World Champion Wladimir Klitschko, the conversation drifted to the upcoming Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4 and ‘Del Boy’ piped up “Here’s one for you. Ali Adams to win it, that’s the shock.”

At yesterday’s weigh-in the London based Iraqi’s trainer, Ultrachem TKO Gym’s Johnny Eames, took a slightly more backhanded approach when he said, “In fairness to Ali he’s had every preperational chance to do right for this fight. The sparring has been great and he’s had a lot of help from other people who’ve made sure he goes running. He’s in the best condition of his life. If he loses it’s because he didn’t perform on the night. He’s good enough to beat Skelton, it’s up to him if he does or not.

To me it’s all about confidence with Ali. Beating Skelton will give him confidence and once he’s got the confidence he can beat everybody in it (Prizefighter) really.”

Ali Adams versus Matt Skelton is set to be the opening bout of the night, with the victor in that fight facing the winner of the second bout between Kevin McBride, who was the last fighter to beat ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson and Tooting’s Franklin Egobi.

On the other side of the card the winner of the Sprott and Hughes clash will face either unbeaten Irishman Declan Timlin or Shane McPhilbin.

PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS IV DRAW (with weights)

Matt Skelton (17st 11lb) v Ali Adams (16st 10lb)

Kevin McBride (20st 7lb) v Franklin Egobi (18st 5lb)

Declan Timlin (15st 13lb) v Shane McPhilbin (15st 10lb)

Michael Sprott (17st 4lb) v Danny Hughes (19st 8lb)

Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4 will be at York Hall tonight and is broadcast live on Sky Sports from 8pm.

HUGHES: I WAS ‘PORN’ TO WIN PRIZEFIGHTER!

Posted on | October 8, 2010 | No Comments

Sunderland fighter laughs off ‘porn star’ wish

Prizefighter Heavyweights IV contender Danny Hughes has laughed off his claim that had he not been a boxer he would have been a porn star!
The Sunderland fighter takes on Michael Sprott in the final quarter-final of the sold-out show at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday night live on Sky Sports from 8pm, but all the talk at Friday’s weigh-in in London was around his interview with Boxing News, where he suggested a possible alternative to a boxing career.

“The guy from Boxing News asked me ‘what would be your dream job outside of boxing?’ At first I said ‘boxing trainer’ but then he said well that’s not really outside of boxing is it,” said Hughes. “So then he asked well if you look at something and think ‘I’d love to do that’ what would it be, and I said ‘well, Porn Star is the obvious choice, I’d love to do it, but I don’t think the girlfriend would approve!

“I didn’t think he’d put it in but he did – thankfully my girlfriend understands my daft sense of humour so I got away with it though! It’s a hard job but definitely not harder than boxing that’s for sure.”

When asked whether he’d rather win on Saturday or make his debut in the adult film industry, the cheeky 24 year-old said: “win Prizefighter then do a porn film!”

Hughes has fought in Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournament before, when he recorded the quickest knockout in Prizefighter history, dismissing Neil Perkins after just 45 seconds of their fight before losing to eventual winner Audley Harrison in the semi-finals. Harrison floored Hughes in the fight but he bounced back up to take him the full three rounds and the Sunderland man reckons that experience could be the edge as he has a second crack at the £32,000 first prize.

“I’m very confident for Prizefighter, I can’t wait to get into but I’m relaxed too – I’ve been here before so I know what to do,” said Hughes. “Tactics are important and I think the best tactic on the night is to aim to win the first round because then the other guy is playing catch up.”
The winner of the Sprott/Hughes clash will face either unbeaten Irishman Declan Timlin or Nottingham’s Shane McPhilbin in the second semi-final.

Before then, we will know the line-up for the first semi, as pre-tournament favourite Matt Skelton kicks off proceedings against Ali Adams for the right to face either Kevin McBride or Franklin Egobi, who
meet in the second bout of the night.

PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS IV DRAW (with weights)
Matt Skelton (17st 11lb) v Ali Adams (16st 10lb)
Kevin McBride (20st 7lb) v Franklin Egobi (18st 5lb)
Declan Timlin (15st 13lb) v Shane McPhilbin (15st 10lb)
Michael Sprott (17st 4lb) v Danny Hughes (19st 8lb)

ANTONIO TARVER LOOKS TO RECLAIM “MAGIC” AT HEAVYWEIGHT VS. NAGY AGUILERA FRIDAY, OCT. 15, ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

Posted on | October 8, 2010 | No Comments

Undefeated Shawn Porter Meets Hector “El Huracan” Munoz In a 10-Round Welterweight ShoBox Co-Feature;

Live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET from Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Okla.

NEW YORK (Oct. 8, 2010) – Feeling like he has much more to give the world of boxing, four-time light heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver will jump two weight classes to the heavyweight division in his comeback to the ring on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Oct. 15, LIVE on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Tarver (27-6, 19 KOs) of Tampa, Fla., will get his first heavyweight test in a 10-round tilt at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., when he squares off against 24-year-old Nagy “Dominican Dynamite” Aguilera (16-4, 11 KOs) of Newburgh, N.Y. by way of the Dominican Republic.

In an exciting 10-round welterweight co-feature, former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner and promising, unbeaten Shawn Porter (16-0, 12 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, takes on a game Hector “El Huracan” Munoz (18-3-1, 11 KOs) of Albuquerque, N.M.

Tarver is making the move from the SHOWTIME broadcast booth back to the ring, where he hasn’t fought since May 2009. Tarver’s comeback is an attempt to become only the third fighter to move from light heavyweight to win a world title in the heavyweight division. It’s a long road but if he’s successful, Tarver would join elite company with Michael Spinks, who won the IBF heavyweight world title in 1985, and Roy Jones Jr., who won the WBA heavyweight world title in 2003.

A 13-year pro and just a month shy of 42, Tarver is a former WBC-IBF light heavyweight world champion. “People either think I’m crazy or they think I’m brilliant,” said Tarver. “They’re excited because there’s not a marquee name that is carrying the torch for the Americans. I just need about two or three fights to show I’m a real threat.”

Aguilera boasts an impressive opponent list throughout his three years as a professional. The 24-year-old holds a career-best first-round knockout over former WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev in 2009.

A reporter recently asked Aguilera what it would be like to send another fighter into retirement after Maskaev left the public eye following his loss to Aguilera. “My job is not to retire guys, but just beat them,” Aguilera said. He has also shared the ring with the likes of Samuel Peter and, most recently, Maurice Harris in a 12-round unanimous decision loss on Aug. 6.

In Tarver, he’ll face not a “plodding heavyweight” but a “dazzling heavyweight,” to use Tarver’s words.

“I’ve got moves, speed and quickness,” Tarver said recently. “These big guys think they can just come in here and whop me down; they got another thing coming. They’re going to have to find me first. I’m going to be all over them. From every side, every angle. In and out; from the left side and the right. I’m unloading my bag of tricks.”

He continued: “I’ll probably come in at 217 and that’s beautiful. I’m not going to be a slow 230-pound fighter. I’m not going to do it. We’re going to match hearts against hearts and will against will and when it comes to the skill they can’t compete so that’s where we’re going to live. That’s where the chips are going to fall. If they don’t knock me out I don’t see them winning.”

The active Porter will be fighting on ShoBox for the fourth time in 10 months. In his last fight in a ShoBox co-feature on July 16 in Southhaven, Miss., he won a 10-round unanimous decision against left-handed Ray Robinson. On May 22 he recorded a fifth-round TKO win against Robert Kliewer and he knocked out Raul Pinzon in the first round of a ShoBox co-feature on April 16 in Salisbury, Md. He made his ShoBox debut in Hinckley, Minn., registering a fourth-round TKO against Jamar Patterson on Dec. 18, 2009.

Officially dropping down from junior middleweight because of his height, Porter was praised for his skills even before the move. In ESPN.com’s 2009 Prospect of the Year piece, Dan Rafael listed Porter as one of the future stars of boxing. “[Porter] was an outstanding amateur and has a bright pro future,” said Rafael. “The Cleveland resident is 5-7 and stocky, so perhaps a little undersized for [the junior middleweight] division. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, power and determination.”

The 22-year-old Porter had a stellar amateur career, winning the 2007 National Golden Gloves title and serving as alternate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Porter holds amateur wins over current pro prospects Fernando Guerrero, Danny Jacobs, Shawn Estrada, Demetrius Andrade and Edwin Rodriguez.

Porter said he learned a lot from his training sessions with Pacquiao. “I took a lot from that experience,” he said. “He has a lot of good training habits and rituals that he uses, like praying before and after a training session, and his work ethic is pretty amazing. That kind of stuff stuck with me, and I think it’s really going to help me throughout my career from a training aspect to actually performing in the ring.”

Porter will continue the trend of stepping up his level of opposition in each ShoBox appearance when he faces Munoz.

At the age of 32, Munoz is a seven-year pro. He built an impressive 18-1 record over the first four years of his career with 17 of those 19 fights coming in New Mexico. Munoz has said that personal issues have kept him inactive over the past three years but that he is ready to dedicate himself to boxing completely now. In his last fight on April 17, Munoz was TKO’d by Philadelphia prospect Mike Jones in Atlantic City, N.J.

Munoz came to the sport late at age 18 as a way to stay out of trouble and had just three amateur fights.

He has worked as a chief sparring partner for the late Arturo Gatti and Fernando Vargas, whom he calls one of his best friends. In fact, Munoz said he will wear the robe Vargas gave him as a wedding gift into the ring on Friday night.

The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC., in association with Tony Holden Productions.

Curt Menefee will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR THIS SATURDAY’S STRIKEFORCE CARD GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH; FIGHTER QUOTES

Posted on | October 7, 2010 | No Comments

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010,
HP Pavilion, San Jose, California

“DIAZ VS. NOONS II” – This Saturday at HP Pavilion
Live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT

SAN JOSE (Oct. 7, 2010) – There may have been tension in the room, but all the fighters, specifically Nick Diaz and KJ Noons, were respectful and reserved and made like true professionals during Thursday’s final press conference for this Saturday’s “DIAZ VS. NOONS II’’ mega-fight card at HP Pavilion live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Diaz (22-7-1, 1 NC), of Stockton, Calif., will risk his STRIKEFORCE Welterweight (170 pounds) World Championship against Noons (9-1), of San Diego, in the main event. In a second world title fight, undefeated Women’s Welterweight (135 pounds) Champion Sarah Kaufman (12-0), of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, will make the second defense of her 135-pound title against No. 1 contender and Dutch superstar Marloes Coenen (17-4).

“Diaz-Noons II’’ is a grudge rematch of a bloody, controversial slugfest won by Noons on a disputed first-round TKO on Nov. 7, 2007, when a cageside physician halted the proceedings due to excessive cuts around Diaz’ eyes. Both fighters have gone unbeaten since. Diaz has won seven in a row; Noons has triumphed in his last six fights.

Popular local favorite and former STRIKEFORCE champion Josh Thomson (17-3), of San Jose, will meet Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (15-3-1) of Brazil in a battle of world-ranked lightweights in a featured televised match. The winner could be next up to challenge STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez.

In the opening bout of the telecast, Tyron Woodley (8-0), of St. Louis, Mo., faces Andre Galvao (5-1) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in a welterweight weight.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com, at the HP Pavilion ticket office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. PT. The first live, non-televised fight is at 4:30 p.m.

What the eight fighters had to say Thursday:

NICK DIAZ
“I feel good and weight-wise I am almost perfect. I was angry for a long time (about the first fight). I was real upset that it ended the way it did because it wasn’t like I was hurt.

“Then I kind of dropped the idea of ever fighting a rematch because he got out of MMA. I never considered the first fight as a loss. I just always looked at it as a fight that was stopped (too soon).

“I don’t feel that this fight is about revenge. But I’m happy now that he took the fight.’’

KJ NOONS
“I love to fight and I love my job and I want to thank STRIKEFORCE and SHOWTIME and Nick for taking this fight. I’ve trained very hard and I’m excited about Saturday. This is a fight the fans want to see.

“I have respect for Nick as a fighter. His style works for him and I like to watch him fight. (But) I’m really pumped and ready to fight the best at 170 pounds.

“The first fight I worked on going forward against Nick because Nick never fights going backward, but I’ve been working on all aspects of the game. I’m sure at some point he’s going to try and take me down but I am ready for anything.’’

JOSH THOMSON
“JZ is a savage and a beast and I think it’s a joke that you guys have a guy like Ben Henderson ranked above a guy like him. I could go out there and fight the fight of my life and still lose. I have to beat him everywhere; there is no way I am going to win this fight doing one thing. JZ has fought some good ones all over the world. He is probably bigger and hits harder so I know I have to lay it on the line and see what happens,

“Everybody wants to talk about Gilbert Melendez but all my training and focus is on JZ. If I don’t get past this one, everything else is out the window.’’

JZ CAVALCANTE
“This will be an excellent fight and I’m really looking forward to it and fighting for STRIKEFORCE. I like being part of a fight fans want to see and are talking about. This is my chance to make a name for myself in America.

“I was off a long time because of my injuries but I’ve seen a lot by working with teammates and other guys that has helped me stay involved in the game. But there is nothing like a real fight.’’

SARAH KAUFMAN
“I like winning. This is definitely a big fight and, like always, I know I’ll have to come out confident and aggressive.

“This is definitely a big deal for the 135-pound division and a big push forward for it. The more attention and exposure we get, the more the fan base will grow. There’s already a good fan base for the STRIKEFORCE women at 145 pounds, so this is a great opportunity for us and the division.’’

MARLOES COENEN
“The closer we get to the fight, the more excited I am. All the work is done. I’ve trained really hard and feel great. I’m good on my weight and feel strong. That helps my confidence a lot fighting at 135 pounds. Coming down from 145 was a gradual process, but I had a good nutritionist and team working with me.
I don’t think I’ve lost any strength but I definitely feel faster.

“This fight means the world to me. I won a world tournament in Japan 10 years ago and, here I am again, 10 years later with another opportunity to win another potentially life-changing event. A victory means I can stay and have a career in America. I would love that to happen very much.’’

TYRON WOODLEY
“I can’t concern myself on what an opponent my do. It’s up to me to turn my weaknesses into strengths.

“This fight means a ton to me. I fought through the STRIKEFORCE Challengers series. Fans got to learn my story as a fighter, they got to see me develop and get better each fight. They got to submit guys fast. They got to see me go through wars. This is definitely a step forward towards my dream to be a champion. We’ll get those fireworks going on Saturday.’’

ANDRE GALVAO
“Tyron is a tough fighter, a top wrestling guy who has fought three times on STRIKEFORCE. I am excited and have a good game plan. I’m ready to go.’’

LIVE “INSIDE MMA” KICKS OFF AN ACTION-PACKED NIGHT OF SPORTS ON HDNET

Posted on | October 7, 2010 | 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Special Edition of “Inside MMA” precedes LIVE UFL Action – and Straka chats with Clay Guida on “Fighting Words” – all this Friday night October 8 on HDNet!

DALLAS (October 7, 2010) Live sports take front and center this Friday night as HDNet presents a special LIVE “Inside MMA,” airing just prior to exclusive UFL action, as the sellout sensation Omaha Nighthawks travel to Las Vegas to take on the Locomotives.

But first, kicking off the night at 8:30 p.m. ET, “Fighting Words with Mike Straka” presents a special interview with Clay “The Carpenter” Guida. Guida, one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC lightweight division, last fought at UFC 117 and submitted Raphael dos Anjos after breaking his jaw in the first round.

“I try to be very Randy Couture-esque,” Guida tells Straka. “I try to mold myself after one of the greatest champions of the sport.”

A clip of Straka’s interview with Guida can be found at the following link:

http://blog.hdnetfights.com/post/1251121393/fighting-words-clay-guida

Next, at 9:00 p.m. ET, Kenny, Bas and Ron go live from Sam Boyd stadium in Las Vegas for a special edition of “Inside MMA” featuring this week’s guest, Vitor Belfort – who will be fighting Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight championship sometime in 2011. This week the panel reviews last weekend’s K-1 World GP event, and looks ahead to this weekend’s Strikeforce card.

A preview clip of the program can be found here:

http://blog.hdnetfights.com/post/1263970725/inside-mma-preview

Then, it’s onto live football as Kenny Rice and Paul Maguire call all the action from Las Vegas as the (2-0) Nighthawks, lead by Quarterback Jeff Garcia, look to stay alone at the top of the UFL as they take on the (1-1) Las Vegas Locomotives. A win in Vegas would allow Omaha some distance between itself and the rest of the league, while a loss would bring them back to the UFL pack.

Join us for an exciting night of live action and analysis – all on HDNet this Friday, October 8 – beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Time for the title – Lima vs. Juarez

Posted on | October 7, 2010 | No Comments

Top two contenders to vie for welterweight crown at MFC 27

For the first time in the organization’s history, the Maximum Fighting Championship will pit two fighters who have become stars right in the MFC ring against each other for a title.

Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (15-4) will clash with Jesse Juarez (15-5) for the welterweight crown in the main event at MFC 27: Breaking Point slated for Friday, November 12 live on HDNet Fights from the River Cree Resort and Casino, just outside Edmonton, Alberta.

“It’s the most excited I have ever been for an MFC championship fight. This is the kind of fight I’ve been wanting for 10 years,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“These guys are MFC fighters – not guys who made their names somewhere else and then came to the MFC. They are both MFC fighters and they are going after the MFC title.

“They became big names here in the MFC and one of them is going to become a true MFC champion.”

Lima, who fights out of the American Top Team’s Atlanta operation, exploded onto the scene back in September at MFC 26. Though he came into the fight with an unheralded name and as a heavy underdog, Lima stunned the sold-out crowd when he fashioned a lightning-quick tapout and Submission of the Night honors early in the second round against home-town favorite Ryan Ford.

Immediately after the victory, Lima offered his plea for a title shot. With the fight in place, the 22-year-old could hardly contain his enthusiasm.

“There’s no need to ask the question. I’m super excited. I was ready for the title fight the day I beat Ford. I’m ready for Juarez,” said Lima, who has won three consecutive fights heading into the title bout.

“I don’t know much about Juarez. I’ve seen a few fights online. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. He’s got a good record but I’m ready to take him on. I think the fight will stay standing but I’m ready for whatever he’s got. Wherever it goes I’m going to be very comfortable.”

A proven jiu-jitsu talent with nine submission wins to his credit, Lima also boasts a solid stand-up attack with muay thai skills that have produced four victories via knockout – all coming in the first round.

Like Lima, Juarez was ecstatic over getting the title shot. He will ride a stellar nine-fight winning streak into the bout – a run of success that includes wins in the MFC over Joe Christopher via unanimous decision at MFC 23 and a startling head-kick knockout of Nathan Gunn only 11 seconds into a matchup at MFC 24.

“It’s awesome to finally get a title fight,” said Juarez, who could bring a third MFC title belt to the Bodyshop Team where he trains under reigning MFC lightweight champion Antonio McKee and alongside former MFC light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton.

“Lima is a great competitor and from a really good camp. I wanted his coach (Roan) Carneiro but fighting Lima should be a lot of fun. Fighting is a lot of fun for me and the paydays are nice. In reality I’m fighting for my family now.”

Fun wouldn’t normally describe a head-to-head confrontation with Lima, but Juarez does possess a well-rounded game that matches up interestingly against his Brazilian-born counterpart. Of his 15 wins, Juarez, who fights out of Torrance, California, has scored five by both knockout and submission.

Lima versus Juarez will top the bill for MFC 27: Breaking Point that includes two already-detailed bouts for the HDNet-televised main card:

Dwayne Lewis (12-5) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (10-2), light heavyweight

Kajan Johnson (17-11-1) vs. Orestes Betran (13-4), lightweight

The remainder of the lineup, including the semi-main event, will be announced shortly.

Tickets are selling fast for MFC 27: Breaking Point. Tickets are available via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 and through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca and charge-by-phone (780) 451-8000.

Prizefighter – Heavyweights IV: The ‘Big’ Boys Are Back In Town

Posted on | October 7, 2010 | No Comments

7th October 2010

Event preview – By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

The London and Southern area seismic call centres will have to be on full alert this coming weekend, when Barry Hearn’s exciting Prizefighter series returns to the York Hall in Bethnal Green with Prizefighter -Heavyweights IV on Saturday.

Prizefighter’s unique format, 8 competitors battling it out, in a one night 7 fight tournament, for the £32,000 prize, continues to bring boxing fans an adrenaline fueled night of action and drama.

It’s not just the healthy prize fund that drives the boxers to give their all. Over the years the highly exciting series has been responsible for making, or resurging, careers and none more so than with the Heavyweights. The three previous Prizefighter -Heavyweights winners have seen their careers blossom following their success in the tournament.

Audley Harrison, who in the final of Heavyweights III at the ExCel in October ‘09 beat Coleman Barrett with a second round knockout to lift the coveted title, has since gone on to win the European title, with a last round knockout of Prizefighter IV contender Michael Sprott, and earn a shot at David ‘Hayemaker’ Haye’s WBA World title on November 13th.

The Prizefighter II win, in September ‘08, opened the door to title honours for Norwich’s Sam Sexton. Since winning Prizefighter Sexton has only fought championship fights. The very next fight after his tournament success see Sexton secure the Southern Area title. Six months later he won the Commonwealth crown, his next fight see him defend his Commonwealth title. Then in September this year he faced, and lost to, Derek Chisora for the British title.

The very first Prizefighter winner, Martin Rogan, got to fight, and beat, Audley Harrison in his first fight following the win. His next fight was a Commonwealth title shot against defending champ, and Prizefighter IV favourite, Matt Skelton. Rogan then defended, and lost, his title to Prizefighter II winner Sam Sexton.

So who are the likely candidates to follow Rogan, Sexton and Harrison as Prizefighter – Heavyweights Champion?

The bookies seem to be going for Michael Sprott and Matt Skelton meeting in the final, not surprising really as their experience levels state these two as the likely suspects, but hold on before making any bets, there are a few dark horses at the starting gate.

MATT SKELTON VS. ALI ADAMS

As already stated Matt’s one of the favourites, and rightly so as he’s been at the top of the game, previously having won a World title and held almost every European and domestic title at least once.

A long time campaigner Matt has the experience to win, but he’s up against a young, very fit and athletic fighter in Ali Adams in the first fight of the night.

Now I know more than a little about Ali, the World’s only Arab Heavyweight Boxer, as he is trained by my old mucker Johnny Eames at the Ultrachem TKO Gym.

I have watched Ali sparring with the likes of Derek Chisora, Tyson Fury, Damian Campbell etc. He’s fast, very fast, has a good chin and can mix it up when he needs to. More importantly he’s hungry, no let me correct that – he’s plain starving. He wants to win so bad.

Ali has gone on record stating,“What he (Matt Skelton) has achieved he’s achieved, but this is my time. This is my big chance you know, it’s my time now.

I think I am too fast for all the heavyweights in this country, I think I have got an amazing jab.

Prizefighter is my chance to show people I can box, you know, It’s my big chance, I’m not wasting it.”

Brave words from an underdog you may think. I don’t, Ali is the first of my ‘Dark Horses’ so don’t be surprised to see him there holding the trophy at the end of the night.

In the semi final the winner of Skelton Vs. Adams will face the winner of…

KEVIN McBRIDE VS. FRANKLIN EGOBI

IBC Americas Heavyweight Champion Kevin ‘The Clones Colossus’ McBride may not be favourite to win Prizefighter but he does have the ability and punching power to cause a big upset.

Michael, who lives in Boston in the United States, holds the distinction of being the last person to stop ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, recently said “I still have that dream I had as a kid to be the first Irish-born Heavyweight Champion of the World and winning Prizefighter would be a great stepping stone to that goal.

Everybody said to me that I only beat Tyson because he was at the end, but every man in the ring with two hands is dangerous – and that’s the same in Prizefighter, as it’s so explosive and all eight fighters will believe they can win it. I know I can win it that’s for sure – I may have lost a few fights but the desire is there and these fights could be over with one big punch, and I have The Equaliser in my armoury.”

Michael’s work will be cut out for him though as his first round opponent is another of my ‘Dark Horses’, this time in the form of former IBF Continental Africa Heavyweight Champion Franklin ‘The Prince’ Egobi.

Franklin’s manager, Bruce Baker, told me, “Franklin is in good shape, although he’s been inactive he’s a good boxer and he’s up for it. I expect him to do well and at 16-1 he’s worth backing.”

Bruce isn’t the only person to say this to me, some of my most trusted boxing pals have also been telling me that their money’s on Franklin to win the £32K prize on offer.

MICHAEL SPROTT VS. DANNY HUGHES

On the other side of the draw Michael Sprott will face Danny ‘Boy’ Hughes.

First I have to admit I am a huge fan of former British, Commonwealth and European Union Heavyweight Champion Michael Sprott.

I was ringside when he fought Audley Harrison for the European title. He dominated that fight from the start and would have won if Audley hadn’t landed the killer shot in the twelfth. By rights it should be Michael fighting David Haye on the 13th November, but he’s not.

On his future after Prizefighter Michael said, “If I come through this then who knows what might happen but this is going to be explosive and anything could happen as there’s been some real shocks in Prizefighter in the past so I’m fully focused on Danny in the quarter-finals.”

He’s right to be focusing on his fight with Danny. One of the big problems championship boxers have with the Prizefighter format is adapting their style to work for the short three round sprint against the marathon of ten or twelve rounds.

Danny ‘Boy’ Hughes has been there and done that, having made it to the semi’s at the previous Prizefighter – Heavyweights.

This could prove to be a huge advantage for Danny, along with his being some eleven years younger than Michael.

Even taking that into account I have a good feeling that Michael will make it all the way to the final, that is if he gets past the winner of…

DECLAN TIMLIN VS. SHANE McPHILBIN

Those same pals that have been talking about Franklin Egobi have also been giving me their thoughts on this first round match up between unbeaten Declan Timlin and three fight veteran Shane McPhilbin.

What struck me as interesting is that everyone said that Shane could well turn over Declan, even though the Irishman has more experience and is unbeaten.

Shane’s manager/trainer Carl Greaves also told me “Shane is in a confident mood ahead of Saturday nights Prizefighter. Having shared the ring with some big heavyweights as an amateur including Tyson Fury in the semi finals of the ABA’s he fears no one.”

Shane himself added “I’m the smallest heavyweight in this competition have had the least amount of notice and I’m the most inexperienced but with it only being 3×3 minute rounds I feel I have the speed and ring craft to over come all that. My manager and trainer Carl Greaves has done his best to get me ready for this so I’m gonna give it my all and we will see what happens.”

My personal prediction (or is that wish) for the final is Michael Sprott against Ali Adams, but with upsets being the order of the day neither may be there. That’s the beauty of Prizefighter, every single fighter taking part has an equal chance to lift the Prizefighter Trophy, and pocket the £32,000 cheque, at the end of the night.

Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4, at York Hall on Saturday 9th October, is already sold out. Luckily for those that were unable to score a ticket the don’t miss event is televised live on Sky Sports from 9pm.

WATCH STEVE BUNCE’S PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS IV PREVIEW VIDEO

Posted on | October 7, 2010 | No Comments

Leading pundit runs the rule over the contenders for sold out show
Prizefighter Heavyweights IV is just two days away and Steve Bunce has delivered his verdict on the night in an exclusive video.

The York Hall in Bethnal Green is sold out for the 14th edition of Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one night tournaments but the action is live on Sky Sports 2 from 8pm, and Bunce has the inside track on the contenders for the £32,000 winner’s cheque.

To watch the video, click on the following link:

http://www.prizefighter.co.uk/intro-video.htm

Bunce has also interviewed the fighters for the latest edition of the Prizefighter Podcast, which can be downloaded for free on iTunes through the link on the Prizefighter website.

Former European, Commonwealth, British and English champion Matt Skelton opens the action against Londoner Ali Adams. The victor in that fight faces the winner of the second bout of the night between Kevin McBride, the Irishman who was the last fighter to beat Mike Tyson and Franklin Egobi, the Tooting fighter.

The third quarter-final pits Michael Sprott against Danny Hughes for the right to face either unbeaten Irishman Declan Timlin or Shane McPhilbin, the 24 year-old Nottingham boxer fighting for the fourth time in his career.

PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS IV DRAW

Matt Skelton v Ali Adams

Kevin McBride v Franklin Egobi

Michael Sprott v Danny Hughes

Declan Timlin v Shane McPhilbin

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