Perez to Fight on Judah-Matthysse Undercard November 6!

Posted on | September 30, 2010 | No Comments

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT TONIGHT’S RADIO SHOW TO LISTEN TO PEREZ IN PERSON

For Immediate Release

Newark, NJ (September 29) – Unbeaten lightweight sensation Michael Angelo “The Artist” Perez will appear in a six round special attraction bout as part of the Zab Judah-Lucas Matthysse undercard Saturday, November 6 at the Prudential Center in his hometown of Newark, NJ.

Perez, a skilled pugilist with an intriguing style, is regarded amongst the top prospects on the East Coast. Unbeaten at 9-0 with 4 wins by knockout, the 20 year old phenom is coming off a devastating first round stoppage of veteran Jorge Ruiz. Prior to that, Perez made a name for himself on a national level, dominating previously unbeaten Francisco Reyes on TeleFutura.

Although he’s already built up a solid fan base and a few of his bouts have taken place within driving distance, Perez knows that his inaugural appearance in the Brick City will be something special.

“Fighting in Newark means so much to me,” said Perez, the 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion at lightweight. “Everybody has been dying to see me fight at the Prudential Center and I expect a huge crowd to come out and support me.”

Perez opponent will be announced shortly.

The highly anticipated bout featuring Perez against an opponent to be announced will come beneath the HBO “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader featuring Judah-Matthysse and Robert Guerrero against Vicente Escobedo.

The card is being promoted by Main Events, Golden Boy Promotions and Super Judah Promotions.

Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com.

Veteran Glen Johnson to Replace Injured Mikkel Kessler in Super Six on SHOWTIME

Posted on | September 30, 2010 | No Comments

NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2010) – Veteran contender Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson has been tapped to replace the injured Mikkel Kessler in the Super Six World Boxing Classic and is preparing to meet Allan Green in a Group Stage 3 bout on Saturday, Nov. 6, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), it was officially announced today by SHOWTIME Sports® Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Hershman.

The 12-rounder between the Jamaican-born Johnson (50-14-2, 34 KOs), of Miami, Fla., and Green (29-2, 20 KOs), of Tulsa, Okla., will emanate from MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas and open the telecast on SHOWTIME. In the second half of the excellent Nov. 6 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez (29-0, 26 KOs) of Puerto Rico will defend his title against two-division world champion Rafael Marquez (39-5, 35 KOs) of Mexico City.

A former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion, Johnson is a hard-knocking veteran who has fought and defeated some of the best fighters of this era. Seemingly always in close, rough, crowd-pleasing fights, Johnson owns victories over Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver, among others.

Johnson has appeared in seven world title fights and now has an opportunity to reestablish himself as one of the world’s elite prizefighters.

“I want to thank Showtime for including me in their Super Six tournament,” he said. “Having dedicated so many years to the sport of boxing, it is gratifying to still be considered worthy of competing with some of the top fighters in the world and on such a prestigious platform.”

Regarding the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds, at which Johnson has not fought since 2000, he stated: “I typically weigh in at 172 pounds for my light heavyweight fights. I will have no trouble making the 168-pound limit as a super middleweight.”

Group Stage 3, the final Stage of the point-based round-robin portion of the tournament, will determine the four fighters who will advance to the single-elimination Semifinals. As per tournament rules, a replacement fighter enters the Group Stage tied with the last place fighter—in this case, Green with zero points. Both men go into the Nov. 6 showdown on equal ground. But only one will have the opportunity to qualify for the Semis. The winner of Green vs. Johnson—with either 2 or 3 points—would need help from Andre Ward and/or Arthur Abraham to qualify. (See current standings below)

Allan Green, who was outmatched in his Group Stage 2 bout against Ward, is ready for the challenge ahead of him. Inspired to redeem himself, his intense preparation will continue as planned despite the change from Kessler to Johnson. No matter the opposition, Green needs a strong performance in Group Stage 3 to advance.

Following Nov. 6, Group Stage 3 will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 27, on SHOWTIME when Ward of Oakland, Calif., faces Andre Dirrell of Flint, Mich., in a battle of American stars and Abraham of Germany takes on former World Boxing Council (WBC) titlist Carl Froch of England, in a matchup that pits arguably the hardest punchers in the Super Six at Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland. Ward-Dirrell will be televised live; Abraham-Froch will be shown on same-day delay.

SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SCOREBOARD (Through Group Stage 2)
Record Fighter Points
2-0 Andre Ward 4
1-1 Arthur Abraham 3
1-1 Carl Froch 2
1-1 Andre Dirrell 2
0-1 Allan Green 0
0-0 Glen Johnson* 0

*Johnson replaces Mikkel Kessler
In Group Stage competition, fighters earn 2 points for a win, 1 bonus point for a KO/TKO and 1 point for a draw

For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive photos, fight highlights and interviews, plus to view all episodes of the acclaimed documentary series FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at www.WorldBoxingClassic.com

ABOUT SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division from around the world. All bouts in the Super Six tournament will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup.

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD™, SHOWTIME 2 HD™, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD™, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™ and FLIX ON DEMAND®. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution which recently launched SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

BOMBS AWAY! EXPLOSIVE PAUL “SEMTEX’’ DALEY TO FACE HARD-HITTING SCOTT SMITH

Posted on | September 30, 2010 | No Comments

DEC. 4 AT SCOTTRADE CENTER IN ST. LOUIS LIVE ON SHOWTIME® AT 10 P.M. ET/PT

Dan Henderson To Battle “Babalu” Sobral in Main Event;
Herschel Walker To Make Second MMA Start

NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2010) – Two fighters who loathe decisions will collide when recent STRIKEFORCE signee Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) of Nottingham, England, meets power puncher Scott “Hands Of Steel’ Smith (17-7, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Calif., in a featured welterweight (170 pounds) bout on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Mixed martial arts superstar Dan Henderson will take on former STRIKEFORCE world champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral at light heavyweight (205 pounds) in the main event. Football legend and unbeaten MMA fighter, the amazing Herschel Walker (1-0), will be opposed by an opponent to be determined in a televised heavyweight bout. Popular St. Louis native Jesse Finney will take on a foe to be announced in the top non-televised undercard scrap.

Daley is an exciting British bomber and freelance mixed martial artist whose style is a mix of striking, striking and more striking. Smith is a superb Muay Thai striker with tremendous one-punch knockout power. Neither is accustomed to putting in a full night’s work.

Combined, the fighters have 42 victories, but only five of those wins have come via decision, and all five belong to Daley. Smith, a pro since June 2001, has never been triumphant on points.

The world-ranked 5-foot-9, 27-year-old Daley scored a decision over Jorge Masvidal last Sept. 11. Prior to that, Daley’s last victory on points came on July 1, 2006.

“I am a striker – there is no secret about that,’’ said the brash-talking Daley, a winner of two in a row and six of his last seven. “I like to knock people out aggressively and quickly. That’s my game and no opponent’s going to change that. Almost all my fights are exciting and memorable with non-stop action.’’

Daley, who has compiled a highlight reel of impressive knockout victories, has competed against some of the best since turning professional in June 2003. Three of his most significant victories came against Masvidal, a 2:24, first-round KO (punches) over Dustin Hazelett on Jan. 2, 2010, and a 2:31, first-round TKO (punches) over Martin Kampmann on Sept. 19, 2009.

“Everyone knows I detest decisions,’’ said the soft-spoken six-foot-tall, 31-year-old Smith, a proven finisher known for dramatic, stirring comebacks. He’s won all his fights by knockout or technical knockout – 12 in the first round. The fight with Daley will mark Smith’s first start at 170 pounds.

“Fans want action all the time and so do I. That’s what I am all about.’’

In his most recent start last June 26, Smith lost to former STRIKEFORCE World Middleweight (185 pounds) Champion Cung Le in a rematch, one fight after Smith handed Le the first loss of the San Jose-based Vietnamese star’s fight career with an astonishing comeback third-round knockout on Dec. 19, 2009. The dynamic Le had previously amassed a perfect, combined 22-0 record in professional MMA and kickboxing.

Smith has fought some of the biggest names in MMA, including Le, Diaz, Robbie Lawler (twice) – their first fight was during the first-ever MMA primetime broadcast on the CBS Television Network) – Benji Radach, Dave Terrell, Patrick Cote, James Irvin, Jaime Jara and Pete Sell.

A special ticket pre-sale for STRIKEFORCE; Henderson vs. Babalu for “STRIKEFORCE Insiders” began yesterday and will conclude tomorrow/Thursday, September 30 at 10 p.m. CT. Fans can sign up to become an “Insider” at STRIKEFORCE.com. Anyone who purchases tickets during the pre-sale period will receive a special $5 off discount.

Tickets for the event go on sale to the public this Friday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. CT at Scottrade Center, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone (800) 745-3000.

Doors at Scottrade Center will open for the event at 6 p.m. CT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the first SHOWTIME televised main card fight will begin at 9 p.m.

EXPLOSIVE DOUBLEHEADER HEATS UP AUTUMN BOXING SEASON: ZAB JUDAH VS. LUCAS MATTHYSSE &

Posted on | September 30, 2010 | No Comments

LOS ANGELES, September 29 – Following a triumphant return to the East Coast this July, junior welterweight contender and former World Champion Zab “Super” Judah returns to Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, November 6 to take on one of his toughest tests to date in Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse in a battle for the NABO junior welterweight title.

Also featured on the HBO Boxing After Dark doubleheader is a collision of lightweight stars with former Two-Division World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero taking on 2004 U.S. Olympian and top contender Vicente Escobedo in a pivotal ten round bout with significant title implications.

Judah vs. Matthysse, a ten round NABO junior welterweight championship bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Main Events and Super Judah Promotions. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins at 11:15pm ET / PT.

Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com.

A proud native of Brooklyn, New York, Zab “Super” Judah (39-6, 27 KO’s) established himself as one of the best boxers of his era by winning multiple world championships at 140 and 147 pounds. With wins over Cory Spinks, DeMarcus Corley, Junior Witter and Terronn Millett, and having been in with the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto, the 32-year-old Judah is well aware of what it takes to win when the spotlight is shining brightest. Currently on a three fight winning streak, in his last bout this July he made a huge statement to the boxing world with a third round technical knockout over former World Champion Jose Armando Santa Cruz.

Unbeaten, 27-year-old Lucas Matthysse (27-0, 25 KO’s) has been waiting for a fight like this one against Judah for years and he’s not about to let this opportunity slip away. Known for his concussive punching power, the Trelew, Argentina native is the younger brother of former world title contender Walter Matthysse. A professional for six years, Matthysse is currently riding a four-fight knockout streak dating back to last year that has seen him blast through Luis Jose, Florencio Castellano, Rogelio Castaneda and former World Champion Vivian Harris. The heavy handed Argentine is now ready to add Judah’s name to his list of vanquished foes on November 6.

One of boxing’s top rising stars, former Two-Division World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (27-1-1, 18 KO’s) is rapidly closing in on a shot at another world title following having to relinquish his junior lightweight crown in early 2010 to care for his ill wife, Casey. Now with his wife on the road back to a full recovery from Leukemia, the 27-year-old southpaw has put together wins over Roberto Arrieta and Cuban legend and former World Champion Joel “Cepillo” Casamayor. He’s looking to add a victory over Escobedo to his already impressive resume and then move on to a world title fight in 2011.

2004 United States Olympian Vicente Escobedo (22-2, 14 KO’s) has impressed the boxing world with his speed, talent and grit since turning professional in 2005. These attributes, along with his hard-work and dedication to the sweet science, have led him to lofty heights. He boasts a 13-1 record over the last four years and is on a collision course with the champions in the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions. After his recent wins over Dominic Salcido and former World Champions Carlos Hernandez and Kevin Kelley, he knows one more win against a former World Champion can lead him to the promised land of a coveted world title fight.

For more information on the November 6 event, log onto www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

TDR this wk- Bastardi, Bender, Hipps, Guerrero, Heffernan, Mitchell

Posted on | September 30, 2010 | No Comments

Hello again Wrestling Fans. We return to the Brute Adidas studios for this weeks show brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods.

Join Scott Casber, Geoff Murtha (Simpson) and Ryan Freeman (Ok State) and Randy Crimmins.
Geoff Murtha joins us courtesy of Mass Mutual Financial Services, Ryan Freeman courtesy of ATT.

Our Guests Include: (All times Central)

9:01 Joe Bastardi- the chief hurricane and long-range forecaster at AccuWeather and a national
bodybuilding competitor and our Penn State Wrestling Insider

9:20 Rich Bender- USA Wrestling Executive Director,

9:40 Andrew Hipps- IntermatWrestle.com JJ Classic Update

10:01 Eric Guerrero- Assist. Head Coach for Oklahoma State

10:20 Jim Heffernan- Head Coach of Illinois

10:40 Nick Mitchell- Head Coach Grand View College

10:50 Amy Rubel- Wildrose Resort and Casino

Wrestling fans- Episode 77 of TDR TV wrestling news is now on. Check your TV Guide for listings.

How to watch and listen-

TDR and TDR TV. It’s appointment Radio and TV! 4.5 MILLION HOMES AND GROWING!

TDR on Radio: LIVE Saturday at 9:00 AM CST on 1460 KXNO in Iowa.
Saturday nights at 7:00 PM Eastern on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan,

TDR TV: Mediacom Cable Ch. 22. IA, MO, AK, NE, MN, IL Tues. 5 PM, Sat. 10 AM

Time Warner Cable NY Ch. 813 Sat. 12 Noon

Comcast Cable Tennessee Ch. 96 Fridays 5 PM

CATV- CCN, Pennsylvania Ch. 8 Fridays 5 PM

Western Reserve Ohio Cable Ch. 9 Fridays at 5:30 (Premiers October 15th)

Call your local cable operator and ask them to carry TDR TV

TDR on Internet: You can join us 9 to 11 AM Saturday mornings at Takedownradio.com

TDR TV On Internet: 31 various web sites now carry your favorite wrestling news show

Thanks to our affiliates, our media partners and friends at Livesportsvideo.com.
Thanks for watching and listening!

Adams And Skelton Face To Face Ahead Of Their 9th October Heavyweight Clash.

Posted on | September 29, 2010 | No Comments

The World’s only Arab Heavyweight boxer, Hammersmith, London based Iraqi, Ali Adams came face to face with former WBU World Heavyweight Champion Matt Skelton ahead of their upcoming meeting at the massively successful Matchroom Sports promoted Prizefighter series, which makes it’s welcome return to York Hall on Saturday the 9th October with Heavyweights IV.

Adams, who is trained by Johnny Eames at the Ultrachem TKO Gym in Canning Town, is clearly unfazed by the prospect of facing such an experienced fighter as Skelton, who during his distinguished career has been English, British, Commonwealth, European and World Heavyweight Champion, as he said. “That’s the first time I see him (Matt Skelton) face to face. I think he’s a strong fighter. I respect anyone that has done what he’s done but I don’t think about that at all. We’re all boxers you know. What he has achieved he’s achieved, but this is my time. This is his last chance but this is my big chance you know, it’s my time.

I’ve been training really, really hard. I’m fit enough and I’ve had lots of sparring, Heavyweights and Cruiserweights. Quality sparring with Derek (Chisora), Damian (Campbell) and even sparred Tyson Fury. I’ve been sparring with Cruiserweights for the speed work. Johnny (John Eames) who is my trainer has done a lot of work with me and he’s been looking after me, you know.

I’m super fit and I’m super fast and I’m not that heavy. I think I’m small for a Heavyweight, but I’m very fast. I’ll surprise a lot of people with how quick I am.”

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

Matt Skelton v Ali Adams

Kevin McBride v Franklin Egobi

Michael Sprott v Danny Hughes

Declan Timlin v Shane McPhilbin

VIP and Ringside tickets are sold-out for Prizefighter Heavyweights IV but there are a limited number of unreserved tickets (£35) available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com, call 07960 850645 or in person at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town.

– END –

Harrison warns Haye – I’ll fight you every second

Posted on | September 29, 2010 | No Comments

Audley issues war cry to title holder from the mountains

Audley Harrison ran to the top of a mountain to warn David Haye that he will “fight him every second of the way” in their world title fight at Manchester’s M.E.N Arena on November 13.

Harrison posted two videos on YouTube from his United States training camp at Big Bear Lake in California – before and after a gruelling early morning run up the mountains in the bitter cold.
The videos can be watched online at Harrison’s official website, via this link:
http://www.audleyharrison.com/index.php/audley-harrison-training-camp-big-bear-ca-sept-2010/

The 38 year-old challenger looked into the camera before the run and stated: “Here we are – six o’clock in the morning – we’re on the track about to do our 45 minute run uphill. We are 7,500 feet above sea-level – you don’t get this in London with David Haye’s training, coming out of his nice posh palace and going down to his gym. This is the mountains.”

Clad in winter gear, the Londoner now based in the US then pulled a climbing axe from his jacket and said: “You think I’m playing? Look what I’ve got – this is an axe, and it ain’t for Haye – it’s for the bears! We are in the wilderness and we ain’t playing, David, you better be ready for a serious fight.”
After completing the run in temperatures around eight degrees Celsius, Harrison had a message for the 29 year-old world champion in the countdown to their clash on Sky Box Office: “38 minutes, 7,000 metres uphill at altitude – I told you David Haye, every minute, every second, of every round, I’m going to be in your face.”

Ricky Hatton – A Career in Crisis?

Posted on | September 28, 2010 | No Comments

Once hailed as British Boxing’s leading ambassador Ricky Hatton’s fall from grace has been spectacular to put it mildly.

Not so long ago Ricky was everyone’s favourite sportsman, when he traveled to America to fight it was not unusual for over 30,000 fans to make the trip as well. Unfortunately so many have now turned against their former hero.

Even the boxing hierarchy reacted, by revoking his professional boxing license, as well as his seconds and manager licenses and fining him £20,000 after finding him guilty of misconduct – in that his actions and behaviour were detrimental to the interests of Boxing and to the public interest and that he had brought the sport into disrepute.

However, we should remember that our sporting heroes are human, after all we all make mistakes at some time. Ricky is still Ricky, he is one the greatest boxers of our generation and should be hailed for his achievements.

Ricky Hatton’s case highlights an issue that affects many athletes as their career draws to an end. The dramatic – not to mention traumatic – change in lifestyle required from people whose life has been dedicated to intense physical challenge up to this point can affect them deeply, leading to all kinds of problems both mental and social.

Leading sports psychologist Andrea Firth-Clark explains the challenges faced by not only Ricky Hatton, but all athletes that have to adapt to the ending of what was not only a career, but their whole world.

“Lately, Ricky Hatton is being vilified, some people are outraged, some don’t understand how he could have let himself down, his family, fans and his sport down. However, like many of our retiring athletes, it is Ricky Hatton who has been let down.

He was not helped enough after his heavy defeat by Manny Pacquiao, the manner of this defeat, a knock out, was a hard pill to swallow for Ricky and by his own admission he descended into depression. His retirement does not seem to be of his own free will, it seemed to him he had little choice but to do so and in fact it is not even clear if he had actually retired until his boxing license was taken away. His career as a boxer has kind of just petered out. There was no hero’s send off, no pomp and ceremony, a very disappointing end to what had, despite the Pacquiao fight, been an outstanding career.

Many athletes retire from sport with little or no emotional upheaval. For others retiring from sport requires a difficult emotional adjustment. In short, giving up a lifetime of competitive sport and all that it involves can result in an emotional crisis based on the loss of their athletic identity. Taylor and Watson quote research that found 88% of footballers and 61% of Olympians experienced emotional stress after retirement. Ricky has admitted to being depressed saying ‘I’ve been in such a low place, such a bad place I couldn’t tell you’.

Failure to adjust to life after retirement is not just restricted to retirement from sport. For any of us retiring from a life we have grown used to can lead to emotional turmoil. Some miss the camaraderie associated with an everyday routine; others feel that they have lost their identity, part of what makes them unique. ‘A lost sense of identity can cause people to lose confidence in their ability to make decisions and plan appropriately for the future’. Dimarco (1997).

Sports performers need to accept they are athletically past their peak. For many it is a life style they have lived obsessively since early childhood. A lot of athletes experience the retirement process as a major loss in their life, akin to grief. Like Ricky, they have a hard time admitting that part of their life is over. In Ricky’s case, the question that he could not resolve after his unexpectedly heavy defeat was did it need to be? It is this question that, in many ways, made it harder for Ricky. At his age, 31, not old for a boxer, had he been able to overcome his depression sooner and had he avoided his self destructive behaviour, there is no real reason why he needed to have retired just now. He had a choice, he could have chosen not to let one defeat define his career boxing career. With adequate support, despite other issues in his personal life, he could have bounced back much quicker.

Athletes are still relatively young when they retire, nowhere near the retirement age of other professions; therefore they have additional worries along with those shared by everyone else, such as can they continue to live the life they have grown financially accustomed to? Do they need to down size? Can they hold down another type of job? Do they have transferable skills? Is it possible for them to somehow stay involved in their beloved sport? Not all successful athletes make a great deal of money from their sport so some will need to find a means of supporting themselves after a life dedicated to a sport which has not allowed them to accumulate a nest egg.

Successful athletes are used to feeling and being treated as special, once they retire they are treated just like everyone else, they are no longer top dog, someone else will come along to take the top dog role. In addition once they retire the athlete loses constant contact with members of their support group; such as trainers and coaches with whom they have built a daily and close relationship. It is for these reasons that Lavellee and his colleagues argue that retirement for sports men and women is likely to be more traumatic than for non athletes.

Yet, we expect our athletes to be able to handle this transition on their own, when often what is needed is some form of mentoring to help them cope effectively with this transition. Generally, the more control an athlete has over their retirement the easier it is for them to adapt to their new life and the different routine and mindset necessary.

A lot of planning and effort goes into the building and maintenance of an athlete’s career. In comparison little thought or goal setting is given to the retirement years. Athletes that tend to do well upon retirement are those with a great support network, those who have developed other interests outside of their sport, or who have planned their second career or next job well.

Some athletes approach retirement calmly, addressing the issues logically, accepting the inevitable and actively planning and putting in place effective coping mechanisms. Others are much more emotional, these athletes will find it hard to adjust to life outside of elite performance in their sport. Athletes often delay addressing the issue of retirement; denying that retirement is looming then becoming angry or depressed once it happens. This emotional distress is stronger especially if they have not achieved all they wanted before they retired, or if they finish their career on a low. Early planning is the key, planning the next stage of their life is best done whilst still flourishing as an athlete.

Unlike, athletes who announce their retirement before their last competition or finish their career on a high, on their own terms with a fitting send off, Ricky , despite having other businesses to secure his future, had not planned to retire straight after his last fight, for Ricky it was a bolt out of the blue, a real anti-climax to an illustrious career.

One of the cruelest means of retirement is when the athlete realises or is told that they are no longer fit or talented enough to compete or there is a prolonged drop in form. In Ricky Hatton’s case a serious defeat such as his loss to Manny Pacquiao near the end of his career affected him badly. No doubt had he not suffered such a devastating loss so near the end of his career he would have found retirement as an athlete easier.

Some athletes such as Sue Barker, Gary Lineker, Michael Johnson have all become successful commentators and seem to have transitioned well from sport performer to commentator. If the athlete’s whole identity is not just that of an athlete they can adjust well. If they carefully plan their retirement well in advance and if they have good support, someone to confide in about their feeling and if they can be mentored by those who have gone through the process already they are likely to adjust better to life after elite sport. It is important for all governing bodies to provide this for their elite performers. It is not good enough to say to them, thanks for the memories, now you are on your own.

Ricky is one of the lucky ones despite his sudden exit as a boxer, he still has a life in boxing. He has highly successful businesses including his boxing promotion business, leisure centre, boxing equipment and leisure wear company. This is a man used to success, I am sure he will not let one failure define his future.

Ricky is fortunate to have other strings to his bow, not all our athletes have his business acumen, or are involved in such high profile sports. It is therefore important that we help them to plan effectively for their retirement from sport and not leave them unsupported in this transition.

I hope, one day soon Ricky will receive the retirement send off he deserves devoid of the derision he has recently received.”

Taking note of Andrea’s perceptive insight perhaps sports governing bodies could take a leaf from the military, which for long serving personnel offer courses to help them adapt, upon retirement, to civilian life, as well as providing a long term support network.

Whilst the comparison between a serving soldier and an athlete may seem strained, when you look at the discipline and dedication each give to their vocation the similarities become much clearer. Both have an extremely regimented life which is focused on them achieving one goal.

An initiative such as this would clearly be a positive way forward. Ricky dealt with his depression with alcohol and recreational drugs. Ok, not the smartest way, but we could so easily be mourning him had he decided to take the same route as former Great Britain rugby league player Terry Newton, who committed suicide on Sunday.

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