BritBox Issue Two

A N E W M AG A Z I N E D E D I C AT E D TO B R I T I S H B OX I N G V I S I T W W W. B R I T B OX M AG . C O. U K

D E C E M B E R I S S U E £ 1. 9 9

INTERVIEWS WITH:

Bantamweight RULER Jamie MCDONNELL GREATEST SCOT AMATEUR DICK MCTAGGART ROCK SOLID GAVIN REES British legend Wayne ALEXANDER DRUGS: LARRY OLUBAMIWO PADDY GALLAGHER HOSEA BURTON john L. DICKINSON Nasser Al Harbi evangeLou brothers &MORE Exclusive!

AMIR KHAN SINK OR SWIM?

“My drive and ambition is to get back on top”

THE LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT IS REFOCUSED

BRITBOXCREDITS .EDITOR SEAN POLLOCK

@SeanPollo

.ASSISTANT EDITOR JOHN MACDONALD .BOXING WRITERS MICHAEL J JONES JOHN A MACDONALD BRIAN DONALD JOHN EVANS SEAN POLLOCK KYLE MCLACHLAN ROBBIE SMYTH GARY VYSE

THECONTENTS EDITOR’S LETTER: Welcome to BritBox issue two. Thanks to everyone who purchased issue one or a subscription and downloaded the app! We’ve had plenty of interest and hope to keep growing, even having issues bought abroad! We’ve packed this issue with plenty of interviews, hoping to give a stacked issue for you. On the back of a disappointing night at the M.E.N arena, I’m jet setting to Las Vegas for Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV, then returning to a much less famous matchup, but nevertheless exciting, Webb vs. Rose…December is a massive boxing month on all shores! Enjoy.

JAMIE KAVANAGH .3

Robbie Smyth speaks to Irelands ‘Golden Boy’ and profiles the rising star.

J.L DICKINSON .4

Mike Jones takes on ‘JLD’ on his downs and ups and possible peaks...

DRUGS IN BOXING .8

John MacDonald talks drugs in boxing, sports and big ‘War Machine’ drops the truth...

COACHES CORNER .11

Kev Campion talks Ricky Hatton and gives a coach’s perspective on the matter.

.Contact Us CONTACT@BRITBOXMAG.CO.UK @BRITBOXMAG BRITBOXMAG.CO.UK

.SPECIAL THANKS TO ANDREW MILLWALL IRISHBOXING.COM BRITISHBOXERS.COM .SOME DESIGN ELEMENTS VIA DAVE SMITH

NASSER AL HARBI .12

Gary Vyse talks to Coldwell star Harbi and rivalry with Frankie Gavin, what’s next?

HOSEA! .13

Gary Vyse speaks to the Gallagher’s gym man Hosea Burton on his career thus far...

ROCK SOLID .15

Gavin Rees is grilled by Mike Jones, he has a WBA title in his sights...

JAMIE MCDONNELL .16

The bantamweight talks about his almost split from boxing and how he is back on top.

BEST AMATEUR?.20

Brian Donald speaks to Scot legend Dick McTaggart!

IRISH FLYS .22

R. Smyth takes on the history of UK flyweights and Big Dave McAuley

EVANGELOU .24

The Evangelou brothers speak to John Evans on their careers and passions...

AMIR KHAN .28

Sean Pollock Q&A’s with Amir Khan on his December 15 bout and more....

WAYNE ALEXANDER .32

British legend ‘The Great’ talks about his career highs lows and massive punch!

PADDY GALLAGHER .35

The Irish prospect gets a BritBox profile and interview from Robbie Smyth.

GOLDENBOY JAMIE KAVANAGH

F

rom the cold streets of Dublin to the warm beaches of Malaga, all the way to the sweltering heat of the famed Wild Card boxing club in Los Angeles, California, it’s certainly been a long journey for top Irish lightweight prospect Jamie Kavanagh— but it’s only just the beginning.

‘The Nuisance’ as he is known for his sometimes giddy behaviour picked up boxing at the age of ten after following his uncle, Paul, who was just two years his senior, to the Drimnagh boxing club. While Uncle Paul quit after a short time, Kavanagh fell in love with the sweet science and chose to make it his life’s passion. So when his father decided to pack up the family and globetrot to Spain in search of better business opportunities, the young Kavanagh said he wouldn’t kick up a fuss about leaving his homeland behind on the sole condition that his father promised he would find him a new boxing gym when they arrived.

“He said, Yes, when we go to Spain I’ll find you a boxing gym,” Kavanagh recalled.

It was here that he met trainer Sedano Ruiz, the man guided him through his entire amateur career and still trains him today— along with the help of Freddie Roach of course.

“When Freddie isn’t training me and is off at someone’s’ fight, my second trainer Sedano Ruiz trains me— he was my amateur coach and has made the move to LA to carry on training me it’s his dream too. He has trained me my whole amateur career when I made the move from Gerry Malone in Drimnagh Boxing Club to Malaga,” he told BritBox. With the help of Ruiz, Kavanagh had a fantastic amateur career going 168-12, winning seven national Irish titles as well as picking up a silver medal in Mexico at the 2008 Junior World Championships.

After that, he decided to give professional boxing a shot stating, “I had it in my head to turn pro before I went to the World Championships for Ireland. My plan was to get a medal and then move on from there. I always much preferred a belt than a medal around my neck and the only way I was getting one was turning pro.”

But the thought of starting out in America hadn’t even crossed his mind until meeting an old friend from Dublin while attending the Manny Pacquiao versus Ricky Hatton fight in Las Vegas.

Dean Byrne, an Irish light welterweight prospect who was making an appearance on the under card introduced Kavanagh to manager Steve Feder.

Speaking to Ringtv, Feder said, “Honestly, at first, I didn’t take it too seriously, Dean told me he was really good and really serious, though. So I said to Dean, ‘We’ll find out how serious he is. Let’s see if he follows up with me.’ Well, he stayed on me. He kept in touch. He said he really wanted to come to the States and see if he could train at the Wild Card.

“So I set up a time for him to come. I told him to come three, four weeks before Freddie was due to return from the Philippines with Manny to get used to the surroundings.”

Kavanagh did exactly that, within a matter of days he went from training in a small gym in Malaga to working with some of the best pro’s in arguably the world’s best gym. By the time Roach arrived, he was ready.”

“The whole thing was a bit of shock,” Kavanagh admitted of working out for Roach. “When this first came up, I thought, ‘He’s not going to mess around with a kid like me. He works with only the big names. Maybe one day I’ll actually get a chance to work with him.”

“Then I got the chance,” he continued, “and Freddie said he wanted to sign me. It was crazy. Everyone at home went crazy when they heard the news.”

Kavanagh signed a co-managerial deal with Roach and Feder and as soon as Golden Boy Promotions learned the then 20-year-old spoke fluent Spanish, they quickly signed him up to an exclusive promotional contract.

Speaking to Irishboxing.com, Roach said, “When Golden Boy found out that he was bi-lingual and that he could speak Spanish – they have a lot of Telemundo shows and that is their biggest audience in boxing – they signed him right away. They wanted to sign him before Top Rank did. We could have gone either way, but Golden Boy made the better offer at the time.”

The precocious starlet made his professional debut on May 15, 2010, at the legendary Madison Square Garden, winning by first round TKO over William Ware. In the two and a half years since then, Kavanagh has remained undefeated winning ten of his last eleven starts to bring his record to 12 (5) -0 -1. The sole blemish of his career thus far was a unanimous draw with upset specialist Ramesis Gil of the Dominican Republic.

His most recent outing came on Nov. 3 and proved to be the stiffest test of his burgeoning career as he battled to a points victory over the tough Ramon Valdez in a mini-thriller in which the third round is a contender for round of the year.

From Dublin to Malaga to Hollywood, it’s been quite the journey for Jamie Kavanagh but it won’t be over until he realizes his dream of becoming world champion. With Freddie Roach and Golden Boy Promotions in his corner, you wouldn’t bet against him making that dream a reality.

Robbie Smyth

BritBox P3

TITLESTORY J.L. DICKINSON

“I want a Lonsdale belt outright and then a world title”

By Michael J Jones

Recently crowned British cruiserweight champion Jon-Lewis Dickinson concedes his bout with Shane McPhilbin was disappointing, but vows to put that behind him in his march for more titles in 2013.

The showdown for the vacant domestic belt occurred on the undercard of the brief David PriceAudley Harrison debacle in Liverpool and went the full 12 rounds. McPhilbin, usually a come-forward slugger, boxed a strangely cautious fight on the back-foot. Dickinson was forced to press forward uncharacteristically and a scrappy bout unfolded with an abundance of clinching. Never-the-less, the tall Geordie won by wide margins on all three judges’ cards to claim the Lonsdale strap.

“I did expect him to be aggressive,” reflects Jon a week after the fight. “It would have been better for me if he had come forward more but I still won clearly. It was a frustrating fight with all the holding but I don’t think I could have done any more than I did.”

The Birtley fighter was good enough as an amateur to reach an ABA heavyweight final, losing to Tony Bellew. He turned pro at the end of 2008 and, after just five fights, entered one of the Prizefighter tournaments alongside former WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide. After edging out Leon Williams on a split decision in his first bout, Jon-Lewis scored his first ever stoppage win with a one-round hammering of former heavyweight contender Mark Krence. He fought substitute Nick Okoth in the final, scoring another stoppage to win the competition in style.

Was the tournament winner disappointed that he never got to face a fighter of Hide’s calibre after the Norwich man was pulled out with cuts sustained in his opening contest?

“Oh definitely, it would have been lovely boxing a fighter like Herbie Hide. He chose to pull out on the night after the doctor and the referee said he could continue so it wasn’t to be,” says Dickinson before adding, “when he left (the venue) he never said anything to the other fighters which I thought was disrespectful. If I had been him I would have shaken the other lads’ hands and wished them luck.”

The success of Prizefighter was short-lived as the cruiserweight prospect then lost two straight bouts by injury-related stoppage. The first loss occurred

when on top against Tyrone Wright in the third round. Dickinson had won the first two rounds comfortably, even dropping his opponent at the end of the second. However, a cuffing one-two from Wright caused an angry-looking mouse below the left eye of Jon-Lewis. The referee stopped the bout just as Wright was aiming punches on the injured eye. “I was a bit disappointed the fight was stopped when it was.

“I’d won all three rounds and was still in control of the fight. I felt I could have carried on, the eye was shut and I was blind in that eye but I was still beating him in the round it was stopped.”

After suffering his first loss, Dickinson returned two months later in a repeat three round halting at the hands of strong Rick Turba— who broke the Geordie’s jaw. After shipping a monstrous right hook in the first round, Dickinson bravely struggled through, until the pain proved too much as he was pulled out by manager Frank Maloney. “The Wright fight I wanted to continue but in the Turba bout the pain was absolutely shocking; I’ve never felt pain like it in my life. It was agony even to throw a jab as the vibrations hit my mouth,” explains Dickinson. “You hear fighters carrying on boxing in fights with broken jaws but I can’t see anyone being able to (do that) with the break I had. My mouth was all over the place, my teeth were sticking out funny, and I could feel a bone had snapped with my tongue. It was horrendous. If I’d have carried on I could have done some serious harm to my future career.”

The twice-beaten fighter took ten months, until he eventually came back to box David Dolan for the Northern Area cruiserweight title; winning a unanimous decision against the former amateur star. The victory was followed up early this year with a crushing secondround knockout of 15-1 Chris Burton. Seemingly back to his best, many questioned the selection of Jon Lewis’ next opponent just two months after he had stopped Burton.

Facing big-punching Matty Askin, Dickinson was taking on arguably the most dangerous opponent yet in his four-year career.

Blackpool’s Askin was 13-0 and on an impressive knockout streak when the paid met over ten rounds for the English title. The bout at Oldham also doubled as a British title eliminator and Dickinson was made the underdog.>>

Jon-Lewis BritBox P4

Dickinson

BritBox P5

TITLESTORY J.L. DICKINSON

>>“I do think that was my best win,” begins the Northerner about his unanimous victory. “I turned pro about the same time as Matty and had seen him fight a few times. I could see he was a good fighter who hit hard, but I also knew I had it in me to beat him.”

Dickinson boxed a controlled fight behind his jab to out-point the favourite comfortably, It surprised many including Askin who has always insisted he would avenge the defeat in a rematch. “I like the way my career is going right now, I’m not overly bothered about a rematch with Matty but if it’s arranged I’d happily fight him again. If he gets to be my mandatory the fight could possibly happen down the line.”

The champion’s younger brother Travis is currently a 13-0 light-heavyweight who has also won Prizefighter the year after his older brother did the same at the higher weight; the siblings are close and train together routinely. Jon-Lewis is glowing whilst talking about his kid brother. “We are obviously similar weights and we help each other by training and sparring together. With him I get speed work while he gets the strength work from me.

He also punches like a heavyweight does Travis so he’ll be winning everything soon like I have. We are close and we both want to see the other achieve.”

The cruiserweight division has had a chequered past in the last few years but alongside Dickinson and Askin, another prospect is looking the goods. “I’ve seen Tony Conquest box a few times,” he admits about his

10-0 Essex rival. “He’s a good boxer and there’s talk of us fighting already. A fight like that would be good and I’d be highly motivated for the fight with him being a dangerous opponent like Matty.”

What has the new champion have planned for the coming months of his boxing career? “I’ve just done twelve rounds for the first time (vs McPhilbin) so that was important for me. Ideally, I’d like to defend my British title another two or three times to win the belt outright. It’s a priority of mine to win that Lonsdale belt but if anything comes up in the meantime I’ll take it. I’ve no date lined up at present but I’d love to defend my title in Newcastle in the near future.”

And then move onto world level like fellow Geordie and former IBF champion Glenn McCrory?

“Oh Ay. I never saw Glenn fight he was a bit before my time but it was great what he did for the area and I’d like to emulate that some day. There’s a lot of great fighters in the world in this division but to be honest, I see a guy like Marco Huck, yes he’s strong and hits hard, but he doesn’t seem to have that much skill,” says Dickinson, heavily hinting that such a bout may not be too far in the future.

The Ron Rowe-trained fighter looks set to build on his recent success and at only 26-years-old and 12-2 (3) the neat-boxing champion is only going to get better.

BRITBOXBITESIZE

BROOK STATE SIDE?

Sheffield's Kell Brook is set to challenge American Devon Alexander for the IBF welterweight title on January 19.

Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn had been hoping to bring the fight to England but Alexander's team - he is promoted by Golden Boy - have insisted on a home bout for their man, with Las Vegas the likely venue.

"If we won a purse bid and Devon vacated, we had all the potential to become a paper champion and that's not what Kell Brook is all about." Eddie Hearn Brook, who is unbeaten in 29 fights, became the mandatory challenger when he defeated Argentinian Hector Saldivia in Sheffield on October 20.

Alexander, 25, will be making his first defence of the title after beating fellow American Randall Bailey on points in New York on the same night.

Hearn told ESPN.com: "We made a number of significant offers, well in excess of seven figures, to try and bring the fight to the UK, but Devon had no interest in traveling.

"We were at a 75-25 disadvantage in any potential purse bid and when we received the final offer from Golden Boy, we were all happy.

"If we won a purse bid and Devon vacated, we had all the potential to become a paper champion and that's not what Kell Brook is all about.

"To become great and make a statement, there is

no better way than travel to a champion's country and rip the belt from him. Kell has the opportunity to make a huge statement in the 147-pound division."

Kevin Cunningham, Alexander's trainer and manager, said: "There's no reason to have to leave the country to fight a guy who no one in America has ever heard of.

"That was not going to happen. I'm just happy that I have a team and a promoter that was willing to step up and make this thing happen in the States and now we're just going to work to make sure this title stays in the States.

"Devon should be fighting someone with a bigger name than Kell Brook, but since he's the mandatory, we'll defend the title against the mandatory. But I don't see anything special about Kell Brook."

BritBox P6

BritBox P7

FIGHTING DRUGS John MacDonald

BRITBOX EXPLORES THE WORLD OF DRUGS IN SPORT AND THE RECENT HIGHLIGHT OF PED USE. LARRY OLUBAMIWO SPEAKS ABOUT HIS STEROID USE AND BOXING BAN.

BritBox P8

O

n September 24, 1988, the world stood still as the global viewing audience of millions tuned in to watch what many believe was the greatest 100m final in Olympic history. The intense rivalry between the two fastest men on the planet; Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson, had captured the imagination of the mainstream public. From the sound of the starter ’s gun to the finish line Johnson produced a performance that was powerful, graceful and poised, leaving his challengers behind.

That race isn’t remembered for Johnson’s prowess, nor his new world record time of 9.79 seconds but rather the bombshell that broke 52 hours later; Ben Johnson had tested positive for an anabolic steroid.

This was but the tip of the iceberg, later six of the eight man lineup who participated in the final would be implicated in doping scandals. This was the dirtiest race in history.

Since then athletics’ governing body, the IAAF, has strived to rid the sport of performance enhancing drugs, working closely with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) most notably in the mid 2000’s when the American affiliate of WADA, the USADA (United States AntiDoping Agency), exposed the BALCO scandal in which Victor Conte had developed a performance enhancing steroid, terahydrogestrinone (THG), and supplied it to many leading athletes.

Professional cycling has been embroiled in the world of doping since the 1800’s and began the attempt to clean up the sport with the introduction of France’s first anti-doping law in 1964. Earlier this year USADA proved Lance Armstrong was guilty of systematically doping and distributing banned substances between 1998 and 2011. As a result Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life from the sport.

In fact every major sport has been rocked to its core performance enhancing drug scandal, bar one; boxing.

In an era when the highest paid sports star on the planet is a boxer, are we to believe that the squared-circle is the last bastion of sporting integrity?

This year boxing supposedly took a stand against doping with many fighters signing up for additional testing prior to high profile bouts. On the surface these tests bore fruit; Lamont Peterson, Andre Berto, Erik Morales and Antonio Tarver tested positive for banned substances. Yet what did these positive tests achieve?

On May 12th Andre Berto was notified that that his “A” sample had tested positive for nandrolone, subsequently his “B” sample also came back positive.

Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid which occurs naturally in the body in incredibly small quantities and increases muscle mass. It was the banned substance of choice during the 2000’s but is now easily detected. That positive sample cost the 29-year-old a lucrative pay day against Victor Ortiz, however little over six months on from that test Berto was back in the ring against Robert Guerrero on November 24th.

Lamont Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone in April 2012 in tests conducted by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency). What makes his case significant is that the heightened testosterone levels were detected by CIR (carbon isotope ratio) testing— had Peterson been tested by the conventional T/E urine test his ratio would have come back within acceptable limits. After news broke of a positive test, in an attempt to clear his name, Peterson revealed that he suffered from a testosterone deficiency and had a therapeutic testosterone pellet surgically implanted into his hip to rectify this condition prior to his bout with Amir Khan last year. Medical files were produced to back up his story; curiously these files were not presented prior to the original fight. After an investigation the IBF accepted Peterson’s account of events, allowing him to retain his light welterweight title and he is now free to compete.

However, the Erik Morales case is perhaps the most damning of all; ahead of his rematch with Danny Garcia both fighters participated in USADA testing. Both Morales’ “A” and “B” samples from tests on October 3rd and October 10th tested positive for clenbuterol, a potent fat loss and muscles preservation agent, popular with bodybuilders. In March when the pair originally fought, Morales, the champion, relinquished his belt on the scales after weighing in at 2lbs over the 140lbs division limit.

The aforementioned weight issues combined with the fact that the substance “El Terrible” had tested positive for was a fat burner should have made this an open and shut case. However Morales provided the explanation that the positive test was due the consumption of contaminated meat. In Mexico clenbuterol is often administered to beef cattle to increase bulk and has been cited as the explanation for many Mexican athletes testing positive for the substance in numerous sports. Despite both samples testing positive for a banned substance, Morales was allowed to take a third test prior to the contest; this time his sample was clean. As a result the future hall of famer was allowed to challenge for both the WBA and WBC belts. >>

BritBox P9

>> Of all the high profile boxers who tested positive for banned substances in America this year, only cruiserweight Antonio Tarver has received a substantial punishment. After his June 2nd draw with Lateef Kayode, Tarver ’s sample contained traces of anabolic steroid drostanolone in tests conducted by CSAC (California State Athletic Commission). CSAC gave Tarver a one year ban, which at the age of 43 has effectively ended the former champion’s boxing career. Perhaps more costly for Tarver, Showtime fired him as a commentator, costing him millions.

As well as inconsistent, sometimes nonexistent, punishments for testing positive for banned substances, this year has also seen the destruction of samples provided for testing. Prior to his return to the ring for the first time in almost four years against, then up-andcoming challenger, Peter Quilin, Winky Wright insisted that they both undergo additional testing. Samples were taken from both fighters but days later USADA informed them that testing would not be conducted as they did not have enough time to inform the fighters on what they could and couldn’t take. When Wright requested the samples so he could have them analyzed, he was informed that they had been destroyed. How can a body which prides itself in its effort to clean up sport as whole conduct themselves in a way which appears so suspicious?

The domestic scene in Britain has also had its share of PED (performance enhancing drugs) scandals in 2012. Both Enzo Maccarinelli and Tony Dodson tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a weight loss agent (each cited unintentional use with over-the-counter supplements blamed for the positive tests). As a result they were given six and five month bans respectively.

Heavyweight prospect Dillian Whyte recently became the third Brit to test positive for the substance, claiming the same defense and at the time of writing, is awaiting punishment.

In May following his fourth round defeat to former Olympic gold medalist Audley Harrisson, Iraqi-born Ali Adams tested positive for anabolic steroid Stanozolol and as a result was handed a two year ban from UKADA (United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency)- the British affiliate of WADA. The most high profile case in this country saw Larry Olubamiwo test positive for EPO (erythropoietin) on January 13th, following a controversial loss to Sam Sexton. The 34-year-old went on to admit taking 13 banned substances, including HGH (human growth hormone) and anabolic steroids, through-out his amateur and professional career and received a four year ban from UKADA. BritBox spoke to the ‘War Machine’: “The four year ban was actually reduced to two because of my co-operating in telling them what I did for the six years prior to being caught. It has been reduced to two years but I’m still not happy after what happened with Morales. I’m going to ask UKADA, because they have the remit to reduce the ban by up to 75% if I’ve given them assistance, which I have.

They have only reduced it by 50%; they have

another 25% they can reduce it by which would make it a year ban which would allow me to come back in February.

It’s not like I wouldn’t have served any time, I’d have served a year.” Revealed Olubamiwo.

The Hackney heavyweight has every reason to feel aggrieved. The lack of consistent punishments is unacceptable. As things stand, the high profile fighters receive little-to-no punishment; whereas the lesser known fighters are made an example of. The Morales case in particular riles Olubamiwo.

“I’m not letting them get away with it. Although it happened in the states the tests were conducted by USADA, the American arm of WADA, UKADA are the UK arm of WADA. Now because they have let Morales get away with it, I’m speaking to a lawyer at the moment and I’m almost 100% sure I’m in the right. I’m going to speak to UKADA and ask them to reduce my ban and if they don’t I’m going to box in a country that isn’t WADA affiliated and there’s nothing they can do about it. If I do that, it’s going to open up the flood gates for other guys like Ali Adams to do the same. It would be in their interest to reduce my ban.

This is a human rights issue, they are infringing on my right to earn a living. The difference between me and Morales is I’m a big enough name to make an example of but not big enough for them to lose millions over. I’m perfectly happy to serve a ban of two or four years if everyone else is getting it.”

If Olubamiwo was to set a precedent by competing under a license from a non-WADA affiliated commission it would have unimaginable ramifications for the sport.

Bans would then become meaningless as the number of commissions that aren’t WADA affiliated is astonishing; such as the German board and many of the American state athletic commissions. Cheats must be punished but the punishment should be the same whether you’re a journeyman or a five-weight-world champion. The actions of the “War Machine” may be enough to force WADA to level the playing field.

In an ideal world the solution to ridding boxing of doping is simple. Olympic style drug testing—not examinations for 12 weeks in the lead up to a fight as Floyd Mayweather Jr considers it to be—but true year round testing (as Nonito Donaire is currently participating in).

Testing should be conducted by VADA as they offer a level of transparency that USADA don’t. Set punishments would be established for each violation and bans would prohibit competing professionally anywhere in the world.

This is a fantasy, but without a single governing body it is impossible to enforce and even the cost of year round testing for every professional license holder would make it non-viable.

Olubamiwo offers an alternative, echoing the sentiments of Ben Johnson’s coach.

“They should let fighters take what they want but put them through increased health screening. Then it’s a level playing field. They would have to keep their usage within healthy parameters other wise they would get banned and no one could complain because it’s for their health.”

To some Olubamiwo is a curse on boxing, a rouge offender. He is not, like Johnson all those years before, he is simply the tip of the iceberg.

BritBox P10

BRITBOX

Kev Campion’s

C O A C H E S C O R N E R

Coaches Corner

C

WELCOME to the second edition of BritBox Magazine, the exciting new publication for all fight fans. I have been given the pleasure to write the “Coaches Corner ” for BritBox to give you a very short insight into a professional boxing coach’s world.

We have all heard the clichés, “Father Time catches us all”, “Time waits for no man,” but I don’t think the modern boxing world has experienced anything like recently when we witnessed Ricky Hatton’s comeback.

Ricky Hatton to me is a legend. He is your everyday hero. Every man in the world can relate to him because apart from being one of the best fighters we have ever produced, underneath it all he is an ordinary bloke, he got drunk, he got fat on fast food, he cracked jokes, he is approachable.

When he was overweight then dropped down to his amazing condition we all looked at him and thought... ‘Yep if I put my mind to it I could do that too…’

In truth every man could look at Ricky Hatton and see a little bit of themselves. Then after 3 and a half years out of the ring we all hoped, dreamed and thought he could do it again.

Unfortunately for Ricky and for all his adoring fans it just wasn’t to be. It would seem that the cliché is in fact correct. Bob Shannon (Ricky ’s trainer for the return) got Ricky in tremendous shape and no fault can be placed with him; let us be honest… he was 1 round from winning the fight... it would have been close but he was winning in my opinion.

I have seen a few people on the Internet saying that his team should have noticed he didn’t have it and pulled him out... Yeah right!

O A

Number 1 fighters have many talents, but one thing they all are is stubborn, don’t get me wrong I am not knocking it, every fighter has to have that ‘pig-headedness’ to survive in this brutal sport and does anyone in their right mind believe they could of talked Ricky out of it? His mind was made up; he had questions that needed answers.

But it’s difficult for a fighter ’s team to know whether a person still “has it”. In the gym, no doubt, Bob would of witnessed some of Ricky ’s finest work, he would have trained well, sparred well and would have been sinking those body shots into Bob’s body shield and trust me Bob would of felt them. However, Ricky fell short on the night. Sure I can look at most fighters in the gym tell if they are ready for a fight, that’s my job.

But the fact of the matter is, you can plan and prepare for most things in the gym and make it as real as possible but you can’t create the atmosphere, the emotions and the adrenaline that the fighter feels on the day. I am not just talking about walking out in front of a packed MEN arena, it’s the same for even a debutant fighter on a small hall show— the emotions are the same. That’s why sometimes we get it wrong.

No one really knows how it’s going to go until the chips are down. But it’s better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.

C H E S C O R N E R

Till next time... Fight hard, never quit.

Coach Kev Campion

SPONSOR KEV CAMPION! BritBox P11

NASSERAL HARBI

Gary Vyse speaks to Coldwell star, Nasser Al Harbi, on his big Zbik fight and potential future showdowns...

Birmingham-based social worker Nasser Al Harbi turned the doorknob and ushered a group of wide-eyed kids into the sweat-soaked and blood-stained arena of a boxing gym.

This wasn’t a foray into unknown territory for Al Harbi, who has already compiled a respectable 15-1-1 record as a boxer of potential. It was a return to a place where his loose-limbed torso feels at home and it was a fantastic opportunity to show the youngsters what can be achieved with “hard work and dedication”, to paraphrase the great Floyd Mayweather Jr. “The kids respect me – they see I’m a professional boxer.

It’s great to be able to show them fighters training and what it takes in this game,” he reflects.

Light-middleweight ‘Notorious’ Nasser is looking to drive his career forward in search of meaningful challenges after sailing under the radar of consciousness of most mainstream British fight fans. His style of fighting, which only includes two knockouts from 17 contests, may be a contributing factor in a sport whose fandom often demands blood and guts over craft and guile.

A defensively-minded fighter who likes to use the ‘Philly Shell’ – left hand low and lurking, with a right guard to the chin – Al Harbi has a snake like jab, which he used to good effect against the much more experienced Emanuel Della Rosa in June this year.

Bear this in mind: Della Rosa was 29-1 at that point, fighting on his home turf in Rome and had been good enough to drop a split decision for the interim WBC middleweight title against Sebastian Zbik. Al Harbi, who appeared to coast the first half of the contest, was unfortunate to lose a tight decision 114-115, 114-116 and 112-117.

Reflecting on that night, Al Harbi said: “I was confident and on the night felt I had done enough – the early rounds had done if for me. I was hard done by.

“It was my first 12-rounder and he was definitely the highest quality fighter I’ve taken on. He was being linked with a fight with Saul Alvarez only recently. That fight has given me given me confidence and I’ve improved since then.”

Al Harbi recently traded some virtual verbal blows with Birmingham counterpart Frankie Gavin via the internet. Both

have sparred together, know each other well but are fighting a weight division apart. Al Harbi cools the idea of a boxing derby for now: “He was definitely on my radar at one time. That’s a good fight if it happens, maybe down the line.”

Currently, Al Harbi’s gaze is on the English Light Middleweight Champion, Eric Ochieng – or at the very least, his belt: “He doesn’t want to fight me. We’ve given him the opportunities to fight me and he won’t. I think he’d rather vacate than fight me.”

Al Harbi – whose grandfather was a famed historian and wrestler in his family ’s native Yemen – has not ruled out the country of his ancestors for future ring opportunities. Casting his gaze towards his Middle Eastern roots, Al Harbi claims he could sell-out a 55,000-seater in Yemen.

Licking his lips and looking to the future, Al Harbi considers the possibilities on the horizon: “We’ve got some avenues there for me and I’m simply looking for what the best opportunities are.”

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IT’ S HAMMER TIME

Gary Vyse speaks to Coldwell star, Hosea Burton, on life as a pro so far and his ambitions for titles this year...

“I want as many fights as I possibly can and I want harder fights. I’ve done my learning curve and I’m targeting a title by the end of next year.”

The fire of ambition burns away inside Hosea Burton. After cramming five fights into his first seven months as a professional, he’s already set his sights on loftier goals.

It’s clear that Burton’s hunger for success has been fuelled by his bittersweet memories of the amateur game where, despite winning five national titles and the ABA Middleweight championships, he was failed to become a fixture of the English team.

He makes a game but unconvincing bid to shrug off disappointment at being left in the wilderness: “I won a handful of amateur titles but I don’t know what it was, I just didn’t get picked.”

Watching his first cousin Tyson Fury become a burgeoning domestic star must have added to his conviction that the professional ranks was the only direction left to turn.

Manchester-based Burton reflects on their different journeys: “I actually started boxing before him and had a lot of fights before him. He was so big that nobody wanted to fight him.

“To see what he’s done for himself can only inspire me – I’m bred a similar way.”

Hosea has a loose, long-limbed style punctuated by his 6ft 4ins frame. As an amateur he had a points-scoring in-and-out jab, move style that wouldn’t seem an obvious fit with his trainer Joe Gallagher ’s perceived style of fighter.

says one of the only noticeable adjustments he’s had to make to his style is to slow his feet a little to plant harder digs. He brims with enthusiasm as he reels off the quality bunch of boxers who file through Gallagher ’s gym, such as Paul Smith, Callum Smith and Callum Johnson – all of whom make for superb sparring.

He said: “With the amateurs, it’s a 100 metre sprint but as a professional it’s not about being the pig, it’s more about hurting your opponent. I’m now sitting down a lot more on punches.

“With Joe Gallagher ’s gym, I’m getting quality sparring every day. There is no better gym in the country.”

Yet, Burton sees things differently. For a start, he

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d i l o S k Roc EES ON R IN V A G O T S K L A T M IC H A E L J. JO N E S NEXT HUGE IS H D N A S S E C C U S T H IS R E C E N S H O W D O W N .. .

co cky or an yth ing, I’ll ) Ho pe full y yes. I’m no t be ing GR ht eig htw lig n pp ag e wo uld be a Eur op ea loo king for the win bu t a sto just Re ign ing Bri tish an d be of d ea ah n pla ar s a cle r tha n eve r at ligh twe igh t ch am pio n Ga vin Re es ha ag ain st Joh n Mu rra y. The nus. I kno w I’m hitt ing ha rde bo his Int eri m WB A titl e fig htfor ov er 14 ye ars bu t see ms tho ugh. yo u las t he ld a wo rld We lsh ma n ha s be en a pro -ol d. La st July in She ffie ld, be en five lon g ye ars sin ce It’s ars -ye 32 ’t go tte n in the wa y, be tte r tha n ev er at Do yo u fee l, if po liti cs ha dn ea n be lt wit h a e. op titl Eur his to e titl tish Bri on d on e ea rlie r tha n Re es ad de d the uld ha ve cla ime d yo ur sec ov er old foe De rry co e u ag yo pp sto nd rou thnin t ha rd- fou gh for me r wo rld ch am pio n to no w? en a lot of po litic s in Ma the ws. The win too k the uld ha ve set up a stra igh t sho GR ) Ye ah po ssib ly, the re’s be d an ll ly 37 -1- 1 (18 ) ov era ing els e ou t the re so it’s no t WB A cro wn. Un for tun ate the wa y bu t I’ve wo n eve ryth sho t at the cu rre ntl y va ca nt ati on s wit h the go ve rni ng hte r, Brit ish an d Eur op ea n be en so ba d. I’ve wo n Priz efig tho se so I ca n’t be too for the “Th e Ro ck” , co mp licbo ut set up ins tea d. win title s an d ma ny do n’t ge t to bo dy ha ve see n an int eri m Mu rra y is a wo rth y co d ma ny yea rs ea rly in my ste n wa I Joh po inte d rea lly.

Ma nc he ste r ’s ap dis the for s nth mo 18 s t my ca ree r is go ing in nd ou r by no t be ing de dic ate d bu ch all en ge r de spi te a ho rren ch am pio n. La st July, the ree ca for me r Bri tish an d Eur op eaed da ng ero us, bu t err ati c the righ t dire ctio n no w. fac y yo u a fan of Ro cky rra Mu ten ea nb the n-u nic kna me is “Th e Ro ck” , are en tal titl e, ur tin Yo on erc Int O WB the Ke vin Mit ch ell for Ma rci an o? hin g rou nd s. The be ate n s a bit be for e my tim e. los ing a wa r in eig ht pu nis ain st rei gn ing WB A wo rld GR ) A bit yea h tho ugh he wa ag ed tch ma n the s t na me. Wh en I first fig hte r wa on ce mo re suf fer ed a (Ca lza ghe ) first ga ve me tha d o an Enz s Rio on nd Bra n pio ch am spa r wit h an yon e an d I wa s e de fea t. tra ine d at the gym an d I’d pu nis hin g ins ide -th e-d ista ncthe ev er- co nfid en t We lsh big ge r lad s, tha t’s whe n ll bu t I’d ho ld my ow n wit h sma Bri tBo x ca ug ht up wit h ht fig y it just stu ck. ree r an d the Mu rra Enz o ga ve me the na me an d sty list to tal k ab ou t his ca : ity thi s ye ar in the UK tiv ac of ure lot s be en a re’ The plu s his ho pe s for the fut s wa ; on nd u wa tch the rec en t ce mb er 8 in Lo eig ht div isio n. Firs tly, did yo htw lig Yo u fig ht Joh n Mu rra y on De l ca liti po e nni ga n? da te aft er som Pri zef igh ter wo n by Ter ry Fla me nt. Yo ung Fla nni ga n it a rel ief to fina lly ge t a rna tou od A? go a WB GR ) Ye s it wa s co mp lic ati on s wit h the No w k. nec the in in An tho ny Cro lla to win it pa d a nte s wa wa I it t it. ver y we ll to win did GR ) Ye ah, to be ho nes r. rne co the ard s. Wh en he los t (to t is just aro und co uld ha ve fou ght him aft erw I so I’ve a figh t set an d a title sho w. whe n we loo ked at t be hin d us no Sykes in the sem i-fin al) , tha t’s ry Ga Ho pe full y we ca n pu t all of tha full the h wit vin ’s tra ine r) wa sn’t the situ ati on is on Mu rra y. Ga ry (Lo cke tt, Ga ing tak Ha ve yo u an y ide a wh at n? rsio . He saw the Mu rra y figh t for the Int eri m ve n on tak ing on Mu rra y at first kee WB A titl e wit h yo u bo xin g will we like ks ers for the sam e mo ney, yet, bu t it loo mo re da nge rou s tha n the oth as GR ) It’s no t co mp lete ly sor ted rd ha Ric x bo tou ghe st co nte sts no w. I rif Bo ge re will bu t I sai d I on ly wa nte d the bo x for the Inte rim be lt an d Sha of tha t will the n ha ve to m be ati ng Cro lla or win ner n’t ha ve ga ine d an yth ing fro uld wo Ab ril for the pro pe r title. The Joh n Mu rra y. I see mys elf y wit hin 90 da ys. nni ga n bu t I’ve alw ays rat ed Fla fac e eith er me or Joh n Mu rra e ag pp sto g so it’s tim e to pro ve it two pu nis hin the be st ligh twe igh t in Brit ain as Joh n Mu rra y is co min g off he l fee u yo ; ho w mu ch do no w an d ste p up. de fea ts an d a lon g lay off we re) wh en WB O r? hte fig a re yo u sur pri sed (as ma ny as We t lef ha s s he’ ugh ho alt at Ke vin Mit ch ell so ter an d, ch am pio n Ric ky Bu rns be GR ) Joh n Mu rra y is a gre at figh to two wo rld cla ss , he los t de cis ive ly? be en sto pp ed in his las t two bu t no t tha t ea rly mu ch into tha t. He ’ll co me too d rea n’t ca you GR ) I tho ugh t Ric ky wo uld win so s ter figh a for dy rea at pe rfo rma nce fro m me -pl an an d I’m just fou r rou nd s). It wa s a gre (in in top sha pe wit h a go od ga t ou ts figh st ing all of the tim e an d he’ s wa nt the tou ghe Bur ns an d pro ves he’ s imp rov ha rd figh t. I’m 32 no w, so I just Mit che ll will be ba ck rtin g to hit ha rde r too. Kev in sta the re fro m no w on. l wil ak; stre ut -bo ut kno cko too, he’ s a sup erb figh ter.

Yo u are cu rre ntl y on a two ar? ye the of d en the by ee tha t be stre tch ed to thr BritBox P14

Another interesting fight coming up is Crolla versus unbeaten Kieran Farrell for the English title, how do you see that fight going?

GR) I don’t think that much of Farrell really I think Crolla will win comfortably. I don’t think Prizefighter really suited him, the format etc. I think he’s still got the experience and is quite a few levels above Farrell.

Which Welsh fighters coming through do you think will go far?

There’s a kid in our gym called Lewis Rees (5-0 lightwelterweight). He’s a great kid and will do well. Craig Evans (8-0 lightweight) is a good fighter too. Lee Selby (British and Commonwealth champion) is also a great talent; I think he’ll be a world champion if he can stay strong at featherweight.

Many point to your advanced age of 32 in a negative manner but fail to realise that you’ve rededicated yourself under Gary Lockett in recent years. Do you feel a better fighter at 32 than you were at 22?

GR) Of course I do; I’m ten times the fighter I was then (laughs). Boxers these days seem to go on for longer anyway, it’s normal for modern fighters to box at 36, even older in some cases. Going back to when I held the world

title even, I was lazy. Many of those fights I got through with my natural talent alone.

People say I have stamina issues but nowadays I’ll look to pick up the pace from the sixth or seventh round; a few years ago I’d start to fade at that point.

If you could go back in time knowing what you do now and have your career all over again; what, if anything, would you change?

GR) Lots of things. There was years when I cared more about going out with my mates than training. Back then I thought I had all the time in the world and my career would last forever but, you know, I was lucky that I got my act together before it was too late to win these titles. If I’d have had to retire before winning any major titles the regret would have haunted me forever.

If you get past Murray, how would you ideally like the next twelve months to go?

GR) I’m hoping to fight for the full title in February, become the WBA champion and then face Ricky Burns later in the year in a unification fight. That would be a huge fight over herewith two world titles on the line.

(John Murray pulled out since interview)

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JAMIE MCDONNELL REAL AS IT GETS John MacDonald speaks to bantamweight sensation with brutal honesty on his almost exit from boxing

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COVERSTORY JAMIE MCDONNELL

I

n an attempt to unearth the next global superstar, promoters battle to sign the most coveted amateurs offering lucrative deals.

Once signed, the prodigious youngsters enjoy luxuries such as making their professional debut's on the undercards of sell-out arena shows, televised showcase slots after a handful of fights and an instantaneous air of excitement surrounding them from the moment they remove the headgear and vest. This treatment is reserved for the chosen few.

training, nail everything, and get it absolutely right.

I'm going to get back in the gym and hopefully we'll know more in a couple of weeks. I'll be 100% confident of taking that title when I get in the ring."

For most it's a long road to the stardom, starting with small hall shows in front of a few hundred people against hardened journeymen, followed by a string of area titles and fringe contenders. Eventually, regardless of their start in the sport, the cream of the crop rise to the top. This is certainly the case for Jamie McDonnell. In his seven years as a pro McDonnell has worked his way through the rankings collecting the English, British, Commonwealth and European bantamweight titles along the way, now he is the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt.

"I ain't took no short cuts. Some people criticize me saying that [last fight] was an easy touch. I don't get a say in who I fight, I just say I'll fight anyone. I can only fight who's put in front of me and to get to where I am obviously means I'm good at what I do. Hopefully I'll get in there, win a world title and people will stop criticizing me. I'd like them to get on my side, start praising me and do it for Britain, get another world title here."

"I want my name out there like Kell's (Brook) name is out there. We're at the same sort of level but he's been pushed more, his name is out there. That's what I lack but if I win this world title it'll give everyone a kick up the arse!" Proclaimed McDonnell.

The 26-year-old will get the chance to catapult himself into the upper echelons of British boxing early next year. If his world title tilt is successful, then the new found exposure combined with his all-action, high-volume style and likeable personality could well seem him become British boxing's latest star.

At this stage the opponent and date remain unconfirmed; as rumours continue to circulate that the reigning champion Leo Santa Cruz will likely vacate to move up to the 122lbs. Regardless of who stands opposite him in the ring, McDonnell has the upmost confidence he will be triumphant.

"I know Leo is tough, I do believe I'll beat him if he doesn't vacate. If he does vacate I don't know who's next in line. I just have to work hard in

Despite diligently taking every rung on the ladder to earn his crack at a world title, McDonnell still receives criticism from the naysayers who accuse him of only facing has-beens and neverwill-be opponents. Now he is ready to silence the doubters.

The Doncaster native earned his crack at the IBF strap by forcing the tough as teak Darwin Zamora to retire on his stool at the end of the eighth round on the Kell Brook v Hector Saldivia undercard. The Nicaraguan was a late replacement for two-time world title challenger Vusi Malinga, who had to withdraw from the contest after abnormalities were detected in his brain scan.

As the fight began the atmosphere was electric, the passionate South Yorkshire crowd united behind one of their own. As chants of "Yorkshire, Yorkshire" resonated round the arena the fans were treated to the fight of the night. McDonnell seemed in control throughout, repeatedly forcing his opponent onto the back foot with punishing combinations to the head and body from both fists. Many lesser fighters have succumbed to defeat much earlier, but Zamora, stepping up from super flyweight, was determined to make McDonnell earn his shot at glory the hard way. Every time the Nicaraguan survived the home favourite’s onslaught he would retaliate with his own flurries; but simply lacked the power to make an impression on his rival. >>

“At one I point I was that depressed with everything that was going on that I said to my dad I can't be arsed with this boxing”

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COVERSTORY JAMIE MCDONNELL

>> "In that fight I was just plodding along, thinking this is quite easy. He chucked the odd shot I felt, but I was happy to win on points then I thought I better stop him. For a super flyweight he has one of the strongest single shot power I've felt. When you step it up at this level you have to watch every shot. He was a late stand in and he could dig, I started thinking I'm facing Santa Cruz next who'll have been training for ten weeks, he's going to be stronger, he'll have prepared for my style. It gave me a kick up the arse, that's when I decided everything has to be nailed for this next fight. They say it's different at world level, I know what they mean now. It was wake up call," he admitted.

An old saying states that "the darkest night brings the brightest dawn". This is certainly the case for McDonnell who has endured a turbulent year outside the ring, having to overcome personal demons to earn the opportunity to sit at boxing's top table.

"I had a bird (girlfriend) who I'd been with for eight years, before that fight I'd been finished with her for six months. All I was doing was going out, partying, drinking, going on holiday then they hit me with eight weeks’ notice (for the fight), that's what killed me more with the diet. I just couldn't shift the weight. I was struggling all the way through," he confessed with candid honesty.

"Now that's all past me, I'm sorting my house out with the ex girlfriend, I still had that playing on my mind going into the fight. I had loads of stuff on my mind that people don't think about. My head weren't on that fight 100% but now I'm back at home with my mum, she's looking after me. I'm focused on this world title; I'm excited just talking about it."

At his lowest point McDonnell contemplated giving up the sport he loves, thankfully his family and friends supported him through his struggle: "At one I point I was that depressed with everything that was going on that I said to my dad I can't be arsed with this boxing, I had no motivation to get in the gym. My dad sent me to a bloke who sits down and talks to you mentally. I had five or six sessions with him and he swung me back round. My dad told me, ‘don't get depressed and fuck your boxing off, that's your life’.

“I realized that there were people in worse positions than I was, it wasn't even a big deal really when you think about it. Now that I've come through it I'm ready for anybody."

If his challenge for the IBF slice of the bantamweight crown is successful, the Yorkshireman plans a long, dominant reign as champion and is willing to face the best to prove his superiority, "At bantamweight I believe I'll clear up, I'll be unstoppable. I'm going to try and hold my weight down there as much as possible and get as many belts as I can. I'm too big for everyone there; I can get two or three world titles. That's what I want to do, let's see if it goes to plan."

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Exclusive!

GREATEST AMATEUR

Brian Donald reports on the amazing Scottish amateur Dick McTaggart about his army days, rivalries and superb achievements.

Y

ou just know there is something unique about a boxer who, 23 years after throwing his last competitive punch, became the first and last former N.A.T.O. soldier to be honoured for his achievements with a 30 minute TV documentary during the Cold War on Soviet television praising his character and sporting achievements to high heaven.

Ironically, the show lauding Dundee southpaw lightweight McTaggart’s (A former Royal Air Force Corporal) peerless ring artistry throughout the U.S.S.R. from Tomsk to Tashkent, was broadcast in 1988 while Dick was in Leningrad with a Scottish amateur boxing team—but he was sleeping through the broadcast in his hotel room, and only ever managed to see the end credits roll!

which started in 1946, McTaggart defeated his own brother, Archie, for the Scottish Midland Area junior flyweight title. And in triumph, not disaster, he was the constant, loyal, unseen ring second in his corner in 634 amateur bouts— where this superb boxing southpaw only tasted the bitter taste of defeat just 24 times.

At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, victory over tough West German, Harry Kurschat, brought him not only Scotland’s only Olympic Gold medal thus far- at 60kgs -but also the Val Barker trophy for Best Olympic boxing stylist.

“The late Gordon Hendry—a Scottish boxing official—woke me up from a snooze and we rushed to the TV—only to see the credits rolling! But it was still a great honour,’ explained Dick.

In 1958 in Cardiff he took Empire (now Commonwealth Games) gold and in 1961, won the European championship gold in Jugoslavia (a win he rates higher than his Olympic win as it purged the traumatic memory of being KO’d in one round by fellow Scot from Aberdeen, Johhny Kidd at Prague in the 1957 European championships.)

Amateur Career In a glorious amateur ring career

In addition, this son of the tough Dundee tenements—one of 15 children—

won British A.B.A. crowns in 1956-61-63 and 1965 plus seven Scottish A.B.A titles between 1957-65, although strangely enough McTaggart was 1956 Olympic champion BEFORE he ever became a Scottish senior lightweight champion!

And in the year that he won European Gold in Jugoslavia in 1961, Dundonian southpaw ace, Dick was also not even Scottish champion , having quit boxing earlier that year for a spell.

Rivalry...

But there were many paradoxes in the life of this supreme technically accomplished ring artist.

This Michelangelo in ring mitts also sullied dreams of glory of other superbly gifted, contemporary ring rivals like Liverpool’s Johnny Cooke. Also, Dunfermline’s Jimmy “Golden Boy ” Gibson and Glaswegian Jim Lynch—both of whom Dick rates as being his toughest Caledonian opponents even though he beat both men seven times, thus preventing them from grabbing the international glory that he himself continually enjoyed.

Continued >> BritBox P20

>> Incidentally, Dick rejects Scouser Cooke’s take on their six ring clashes as expressed by the Liverpool man in a recent issue of BritBox magazine saying, “I admire Johnny Cooke greatly—he was hard and awkward, but very clever with it, clever at holding and working inside— but I mastered Johnny ’s style.

Johnny was not as tough as my toughest ever opponent, the Polish guy, Pazidor, who beat me three times in European competitions.”

“Similarly, Johnny Cooke wasn’t my toughest ever English opponent; that was future pro-British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Dave Charnley from Deptford who knocked me out in the first round in London in the 1953 A.B.A. championships when I was just 18-years-old. But Charnley was a southpaw like me and I hated fighting fellow southpaws—that’s why my toughest Welsh opponent was another wrong way round opponent, Malcolm Collins, who outpointed me in an R.A.F. V Wales show.”

Army Man....

Mention of the Royal Air Force highlights another paradox in the McTaggart ring career. Throughout his career as one of Britain’s most popular television boxers in the 1960’s

the boxing coach Chiefy Roy— whom he reckons played a huge role in making him the peerless Caledonian boxing great that he became and remains.

He is, and will always be, Scotland’s greatest ever amateur boxer.

McTaggart expressed his highly refined idea of individualism by sporting his blond hair in a distinctive crew cut and wearing the then unusual white boxing boots. Both of which became the McTaggart signature ring trademark, typical of his natural non-conformist approach to life.

But 1956 Olympic gold medallist McTaggart acknowledges his debt to the highly disciplined regime he endured in his six year spell in the Royal Air Force. Not only did the R.A.F. provide Dick with more ring glory, as he won four Imperial Services title between 195559, but he came under the influence of

“Early on in my career it was Frankie Quinn at the Dudhope Castle based Dundee A.B.C. who brilliantly taught me the basics but the R.A.F.’s “Chiefy ” Roy was my most inspiring ring coach and corner man,” said Dick.

Iconic Figure...

Post-boxing career, Dick had spells working as a Glasgow municipal rat catcher. Then for many years, this pugilistic thoroughbred worked for the elite of British engineering firms, Rolls Royce, in Glasgow until his retirement— having also had spells as Scottish national boxing coach.

Now Dick McTaggart lives in Troon, Ayrshire, with Kent-born second wife Doreen and enjoys the several grandchildren that his four daughters have provided. He remains in huge demand at Scottish club and international boxing shows where he always receives a huge cheer from the boxing fans of all ages to whom he is, and will always be, Scotland’s greatest ever amateur boxer.

BRITBOXBITESIZE

WORLD RECORD!

As BritBox reported earlier this month, a boxer has set a new world record after being hit more than 10,000 times in 112 continuous rounds in the ring.

Super-middleweight Danny “The Beast” Lewis Price faced more than 20 opponents – from middle to heavy weights – over seven hours of gruelling sparring.

The 20-year-old semi-pro ordered his rivals not to go easy on him and he was pounded with blows that saw his collapse at the end of the challenge.

The 112 two minute round benchmark he set at the Ffrith Arena in Prestatyn beat the previous record set by a Dutch fighter 10 years ago. Money raised will go to Help For Heroes.

Danny, from Rhyl, who weighs in just under 12 stone, said: “I wanted to get to 200 rounds but after 10 I was sweating like mad.

“We couldn’t get a boxing ring so had to use a wrestling one which is higher so I was right under the spotlights in the arena.

“People wanted to go easy but I demanded that they didn’t, I wanted them to spar as normal.

“They were nearly all heavier than me so by the end I was in absolute agony, even the smallest punches were killing.

“When I got to 112 I knew I couldn’t do any more and went for it and then collapsed and I was crying at the end.”

His opponents included a selection of former professionals including his dad Dave Allan Price and his uncle Tucker, who are also his trainers.

Danny, who hopes to turn pro, added: “It was hard but it was worth it because I have raised money for Help For Heroes, already around £231 but with more to come.

“I did this for my nan Mabel Jones who died in 2006.

“She was in the RAF during the war and she was a hero of mine. Since doing the challenge a soldier in Afghanistan got in touch and said they really appreciate what I have done, so for me that makes it all worth it.

“I started this with a small wrist fracture and then ended up battered and bruised, my blood vessels were popped in my eyes, I was in a mess and I am still recovering.”

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BritBox’s Irish correspondent Robbie Smyth talks historical flyweights and the mighty

Dave ‘Boy’ McAuley

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reat Britain has a quite remarkable history in the flyweight division, arguably producing its greatest ever fighter ‘The Ghost with the hammer in his hand’ Welshman Jimmy Wilde, who ruled the class for seven long years from 1916 to 1923. ‘The Mighty Atom’ as he was sometimes known, won the world title by knocking out American Young Zulu Kid and successfully defended it a handful of times beating great fighters such as ‘Memphis’ Pal Moore and Joe Lynch, before finally being dethroned by Filipino great Pancho Villa.

Along with the man from the valleys came pugilists from the other

three countries in the union. Firstly there was Scotsman Benny Lynch, widely considered the finest Scot to ever lace up a pair of gloves. The little fellow from the fighting city of Glasgow reigned over the division for three years from 1935 to 1938. He picked up the title by knocking out Englishman Jackie Brown and solidified his claim by defeating the tough Filipino Small Montana. Although Lynch’s hedonistic lifestyle which ment he could no longer make the weight, thus forcing him to vacate the title.

The English produced legendary puncher Peter Kane, who, in front of 40,000 screaming Glaswegians at Shawfield Park, fought Lynch for the world flyweight title in 1937. In one

of the greatest championship fights the division had ever seen, the then 19-year-old Lancashire native fought his heart out before succumbing to the power of the rampaging Scot in the 13th round.

Finally there was the Irishman, John Joseph Monaghan or simply, ‘Rinty’. He was allegedly the youngest professional boxer of all time; his first recorded fight was at the age of just 13! After a hard 15-year career filled with many ups and downs, the man from Belfast finally got a crack at the global title when he took on hardened Hawaiian battler Dado Marino at the Harringay Arena, in London, which he won by 15-round decision. >>

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Rinty successfully defended the title three times against Jackie Paterson, Maurice Sandeyron and Terr y Allen before retiring in 1950.

All of these men are rated by most renowned boxing historians as among the twenty best flyweights of all time. So it ’s safe to say when it comes to producing these little gladiators nobody makes them better than the British.

So it should be of no surprise that during the late 1980’s another great emerged from these isles.

Dave ‘Boy ’ McAuley epitomized the words ‘ fighting Irish’— he was hard as nails and engaged in some of the most violent tussles to take place inside a British ring in recent memor y. Hailing from Larne, Northern Ireland, McAuley a chef by trade in the family hotel didn’t exactly get his career off to the best of starts when drawing in his debut fight. However, he went on to win ten of his next eleven, setting up a British title showdown with Joe Kelly which he won by TKO in nine.

If Dave was happy with that he must have been thrilled when finding out the news that his next bout would be against newly minted WBA world champion Fidel Bassa. The Columbian, Bassa, who hailed from the small fishing town of El Reten was somewhat of an unknown when heading into his first world title fight against the all-time great Panamanian Hilario Zapata but he none the less shocked the boxing world by comfortably out pointing the future hall of famer over 15 rounds.

On April 25, 1987, in what later became known as ‘The Bloody Battle of Belfast ’ McAuley and Bassa put forth one of the greatest fights the historic Kings Hall venue had ever bore witness to.

For 12 vicious rounds both men punched lumps out of each other, trading multiple knockdowns along the way. Despite being dropped in the opening session, Dave ‘Boy ’ roared back dropping Bassa in the third, seventh and more in the ninth. But each time he fell, the brave little Columbian rose to his feet and battled back until, finally, in 13th, he managed to floor

a battered and tired McAuley.

Exhausted, the game Irishman couldn’t muster up the strength to rise to his feet and was counted out by referee Nate Morgan.

The epic encounter demanded a rematch, so eleven months later the two locked horns yet again at Kings Hall. Although it didn’t live up to the impossibly high standards of their first encounter, both warriors put on an entertaining scrap which saw each rocked and hurt many times. Unfortunately for McAuley his rival proved once again too tough, winning a unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Not one to sit around dwelling on the past, the man from Larne challenged IBF Flyweight champion, fellow Brit Duke

I’m the hardest punching flyweight in the world!

-Dave McAuley

McKenzie. Upset at having been over looked for the shot at Bassa, the undefeated Londoner was determined to prove he was the main man in Britain.

The first all-British world flyweight championship fight in 40 years since Monaghan vs. Allen took place on June 7, 1989, at the Wembley Arena, Duke’s home patch.

Before the fight McAuley stated, “I’m not one for predictions, but I am going to beat him because I’m the hardest punching flyweight in the world, I am fortunate to get a third title shot, but I am the only one in Europe with the credentials to challenge him.” I n what was considered a mild upset McAuley lifted the crown

from the head of McKenzie by unanimous decision. It seemed the saying ‘ third times the charm’ was true for Dave boy as he finally became champion of the world.

If ever a fighter deserved an easy fight it was certainly McAuley, instead he opted to face another talented pugilist in former IBF Flyweight champion, Dodie ‘Boy ’ Penalosa of the Philippines. In the 1989 Wembley clash, dubbed ‘The Battle of the Boys’, McAuley boxed well, moving and jabbing his way to an easy split decision.

A year later, Dave ‘Boy ’ was challenged by Columbian Rodolfo Blanco. In a packed Kings Hall, McAuley was put down twice and nearly had his night ended early when he was felled in third.

Gamely fighting back, he scored a knockdown of his own in the ninth but was dropped yet again in the eleventh. A close fight was given in favour for McAuley who had defended his title for the third time.

Perhaps it was a mistake to rematch the man who pushed him so close the first time round and even more of a mistake to do so away from home but that was the type of fearless warrior Dave McAuley was. He packed his bags, picked up his passport and headed off to Spain to defend his crown against Rodolfo Blanco yet again, his first fight outside of Britain.

In front of a partisan Latin crowd McAuley waged war with the rugged Columbian in a defiant defence of his prized IBF world championship and after 12 hard rounds of fierce action most believed the Irishman to have done enough to retain, but the judges thought otherwise awarding Blanco the unanimous decision victor y and the coveted world title.

It would turn out to be McAuley ’s last fight as he promptly retired, perhaps upset at the dubious decision Spain or maybe just worn out from the many battles endured during his fabulous career. Whatever the case Dave boy McAuley proved to be one of Ireland and Britain’s finest champions and rightfully earned his place alongside the fabulous four flyweights who preceded him.

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COVERSTORY

EVANGELOU BROTHERS

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F EVANGELOU C A E S H

by JOHN EVANS

“in 2013, if a major domestic title opportunity should arise then my brother will have the talent and experience to go for it”

I

t has been a frustrating year for the Evangelou brothers. The popular Greek Cypriot duo from Enfield entered 2012 with plenty of momentum but injuries and misfortune have restricted light welterweight Chris to a single outing this year while light heavyweight Andreas has appeared just twice. Luckily, the Evangelou’s are thoroughly modern fighters. It’s very apparent that both know exactly what it takes to progress in nowadays and accordingly neither sibling is the type to get too disheartened by the challenges the sport provides.

“I’ve learned not to get disappointed,” Andreas told BritBox magazine recently. “I know that everyone has hurdles to get over. Sometimes it’s getting fights, sometimes opponents pull out and sometimes it’s injuries. Even though I get disappointed, I get over it quickly, pick myself up and get ready for the next one.

You’d be disappointed a lot otherwise.”

Chris’ story has been well told. As a 17-year-old,

he found himself involved in a verbal altercation. Things calmed down before fists flew but, unhappy with the way he handled himself, he decided to join his local boxing gym. Andreas says that boxing has always been the Evangelou’s “family sport” but reveals how the brothers initially followed diverging career paths.

“We both went to the gym together. We grew up around the sport but my brother really went into it hardcore,” the 28-year-old Andreas said. “I went but was still going out with my mates a bit. I wasn’t as disciplined and left the gym for a while but he carried on. He won ABA titles and went to the Olympic qualifiers for Cyprus.

I was always in the gym but never fighting fit. I carried on and began getting really good and beating people in sparring. Then I began beating people who were actually professional and I thought to myself ‘I may as well have a few fights and see how it goes’. I just took to it. I love it and I changed everything. Now I’m ultradisciplined.” >> BritBox P25

COVERSTORY

EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU

>> “Me and my brothers, every time we tried rest of Britain’s light heavies, a good run of form can see something we picked it up quite quickly,” Chris continues. a fighter progress quickly in the division.

“When I first started boxing it was literally only a week or “Exactly,” says Andreas. “I’ve had five fights now. I’m two until my boxing club asked me if I wanted to box for looking two more six rounders and then I wanna go BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOUatBROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS them. That’s when it became serious for me. My brother for the Southern Area title, the English and then two has always been around the sport but sort of floated fights after that I wanna be looking towards the British around. Because he started so late, he’s had to work a title. lot harder over the last three years. He’s caught up really “It’s not like twenty years ago when you needed 40 EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS BROTHERS EVANGELOU well considering he hasn’t had as much experience as fights toEVANGELOU get a British title shot.

Now it’s a lot sooner, me as an amateur. I think we both took to boxing quite especially in my weight class. I’ve learned to always be easily to be honest.” ready to fight. Last season I got an opportunities to Over the past few years their career paths have fight at a week’s notice, One of those, I don’t believe I BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS steadily EVANGELOU converged. Both BROTHERS brothers fight under the was readyBROTHERS for and I drew ( EVANGELOU in April against Jamie Kelly) Matchroom banner, both are attacking the sport with and I’ve learned from that. Always be ready to fight.” the same vigour and both have domestic titles in their The brothers are leaving no stone unturned in sights for 2013. their attempts to reach their goals and think nothing EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU EVANGELOU Although he is the younger by two years, Chris is of travelling the world toBROTHERS expand their knowledge. a step further along the road to achieving his goals. They have previously spent time together training in The slick 26-year-old has long attracted admirers Los Angeles but this summer, whilst Chris ventured back and carried an 8-0 (1) record into his first title fight, a across the Atlantic to spend a couple of weeks soaking 140lb Southern Area championship clash with EVANGELOU the 6-5- up the atmosphere of theEVANGELOU Mayweather Gym BROTHERS in Las BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS BROTHERS 1 Danny Connor in September. After ten rounds, the Vegas, Andreas chose a slightly more leftfield option vast majority of observers had Evangelou winning by a – for a light heavyweight anyway – and decamped to couple of rounds. Referee Ken Curtis’ score of 98-94 in Japan.

Connor ’s favour therefore came as a surprise. Not least “My EVANGELOU mates live over there and I was going to visit EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS BROTHERS EVANGELOU to Evangelou. them for a month,” he reveals. “My brother was going to “To be honest I was really pleased with my Vegas and I decided I didn’t wanna start the season off performance,” he says. “I showed timing, stamina for not being ready. Jorge Linares trains out there and he’s ten rounds, durability, movement and I think one of the one of myBROTHERS favourite boxers.EVANGELOU I had four sparring partners BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS best parts of my performance was my defence. I can’t out there. I sparred their number one heavyweight which remember one round where I was in any distress or got was an experience. It was good to train in that humidity. hit by a good shot.”

Two rounds felt like ten and they ’re used to doing it. I Evangelou will get an immediate chance to redeem thoroughly enjoyed it out there. It was really good for EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU himself when he faces Connor again on December 7th my mentality.

I wasn’t with any of my team, it was just me as part of Matchroom’s ‘Christmas Cracker ’ show. Before so all eyes were on me.” the first fight, ‘The Flash’ had talked about confidence Normally an interview like this would end by asking being the most important thing a fighter can enter the each brother to lay out their targets and ambitions for BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS BROTHERS ring with.EVANGELOU Has suffering his first BROTHERS defeat had any effect on the months ahead. SpeakingEVANGELOU to both Chris and Andreas the self-assured Evangelou? “The only thing that took allowed me to gain a slightly different – if not totally a knock was my confidence in the governing bodies or unbiased – angle on that time worn question. boxing as a whole but maybe that was a good thing,” “I see him beating Connor in the rematch,” states EVANGELOU BROTHERS he says “I’mBROTHERS no longer relyingEVANGELOU on anybody else to make AndreasEVANGELOU confidently. “I knowBROTHERS he won the first EVANGELOU fight and a decision for my career. I will do my very best to make he’s added more strength and conditioning since the the decision with my own hands. first fight. After that, I think he’ll be ready for Darren “Before, I thought – as a lot of home boxers do – that Hamilton and the British title. He was supposed to fight if it was aEVANGELOU close fight then the BROTHERS home boxer wouldEVANGELOU get the Hamilton BROTHERS for the Southern EVANGELOU Area title so we’ll definitely BROTHERS BROTHERS decision. That’s gone out of my head completely. Even take it for the British. If he hasn’t got it, then we’ll fight though I was the home boxer, I outboxed my opponent, Steve Williams.”

I didn’t get hit and the statistics were all in my favour, I “Good question,” says Chris. “In the next few months still didn’t get the decision. My style will be the same but my brother needs to be knocking on the door of a EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU my attitude will be a bit different in the ring.”

Southern Area or English title. There’s not a major pool At the moment, confidence is the least of Andreas’ of boxers in the light heavyweight division so every worries. The 4-0 (1) light heavyweight is preparing fight he has is a big step forward. I think he can be himself for an assault on the domestic 175lb scene next knocking BROTHERS on the door of a domestic title quite soon and BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU EVANGELOU BROTHERS year. Although he lacks the amateur experience of his sometime in 2013, if a major domestic title opportunity brother, Andreas’ enthusiasm is helping him make up for should arise then my brother will have the talent and lost time. With WBO champion Nathan Cleverly and experience to go for it.”

Tony Bellew standing head and shoulders above the

EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BROTHERS EVANGELOU BritBox P26

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COVERSTORY

KING AMIR

KHAN will ‘king’ khan

sink or swim

on december 15 when he faces carlos molina after two straight defeats, one, a brutal ko at the hands of danny garcia.

by Sean POLLOCK

COVERSTORY

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COVERSTORY Everybody knows the Amir Khan story. He was a scrapping starlet from the 2004 Olympics who amassed an 18-0 professional record, before finding himself in deep waters against a raging Breidis Prescott. Most critics alleged the Bolton man’s ship had set sail, and in fact, it had—all the way to L.A and Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym.

That’s when the story got exciting.

Khan ripped his way through the light-welterweight ranks, claiming the scalps of marquee names like: Barrera, Kotelnyk, Malignaggi, Maidana, McCloskey and Judah. However, a controversial loss to Lamont Peterson vacuumed the air from ‘King’ Khan’s sails, and then Danny Garcia stormed through the 25-year-old with a devastating left-hook knockout in four rounds.

After making waves—last water-based cliché—in an ocean of talented pugilists, Khan finds himself in a familiar position of attempting to reboot his career after a traumatic loss. He returns on Dec. 15 against unbeaten, untested, 17-0 Carlos Molina in L.A’s Sport Arena.

BritBox presents a Q&A with the 26-3 man as he prepares for his latest boxing outing...

2) In the Maidana fight, you seemed to answer questions about your punch taking abilities, but there were still idiots on Twitter, forums etc that insult your chin, were you ever out to prove to them or to yourself that you could mix it with punchers like Peterson and Garcia?

I don’t think I needed to prove anything to anybody. I knew going in against Maidana people thought I wouldn’t be able to handle his power but I was always confident and knew that if I boxed to the game plan then it was a fight I would win. I think I’ve shown my heart in recent fights but mixing it goes against the qualities I have as a boxer so I’m going to be a bit more controlled and fight to my strengths and abilities. I’m still going to be involved in exciting fights but I’ll be more measured in my approach.

3) You were boxing well in both of them two bouts, but ended up drawn into a scrap—what have you learned from two hard fights?

As I say to box to my strengths rather than my opponents. I know I have speed, footwork and the boxing abilities to trouble any fighter so I’ll be using those skills a lot more rather than standing and going toe-to-toe. If I box I can beat anyone in the division.

“My drive and ambition is to get back on top” 1) The last time we spoke you were preparing for a fight with Zab Judah to become unified champion and you were regarded by most as the division’s number 1 or 2. Where do you feel you sit now among the light-welterweight elite?

I believe I’m still in the mix amongst the very best in the division but it’s now up to me to go out and regain the top spot. I’ve made changes to make this happen and I’m confident that I can prove that I do belong there. I made some mistakes in the fight with Danny Garcia that I know I won’t make again. My aim now is to beat Carlos Molina on December 15th and then only after that will I look at what other options I have in order to become world champion again.

2) Do you think you’ve ever lost your focus or drive, or are you still the same Amir Khan who moved to America to become the best?

I’m even hungrier now to be honest with you after my last fight. My drive and ambition is to get back on top and I won’t stop until I get there. Winning back the world titles is my goal but I’ll be taking things a step at a time and not looking too far ahead. At the moment I’m only focusing on December 15th where I aim to get back to winning ways.

4) Virgil [Hunter] told press he wanted to help make you the ‘complete fighter ’, what has he added to your game for the Molina fight?

He’s been excellent during this camp and has a way of explaining things so that you get it and it sticks with you. As well as training, I’ve watched a number of old fights with him and he has explained why fighters do certain things, which has helped me understand some of what he is trying to implement into my game. He has a fantastic knowledge of the sport and we’ve had a really tough but worthwhile camp.

5) Has it been hard to prepare mentally after defeat or has it spurred you on to train harder?

Have you had any advice from Oscar about bouncing back from defeat?

It’s not been hard to prepare after defeat it’s just made me more determined and hungry to get back on top. This camp I’ve spent a lot of time with Virgil because he does my conditioning as well and all those hours with him will help make me an even better champion when I come back. I spoke with Oscar after I lost and I know Oscar and everyone at Golden Boy is fully behind me. >>

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AMIRKHAN 6) Molina is unbeaten, but un-tested, what does he offer that you haven’t seen before?

He’s a tricky fighter and is quite slick. The fact he’s never tasted defeat makes him even more dangerous because he doesn’t know what it’s like to lose so he will have great confidence going into the fight. It’s up to me to break his will and get him out of there. I’m training for the full twelve rounds and anything else will be a bonus because I know he is a dangerous fighter who will be looking to make a statement.

7) If all goes well for you, you’ve said if Brook beats Alexander you’ll fight him. There was a bit of bitterness between your team and Barry Hearn after the McCloskey fight; would that make it all the better to beat Brook in the UK? First Kell Brook needs to get past Devon Alexander.

If he does that then we can start looking at making the fight happen. At the end of the day if it does happen it’s just me and Kell who are going to be in that ring and no one else so my focus would be solely on beating him. But at the moment I have a match up with Carlos Molina on December 15th and can’t look past that.

8) Another potential super fight would have been Ricky Hatton, what would it have meant to you to

fight ‘The Hitman’ in a big UK venue?

It would have been a mega-fight in the UK. Ricky has achieved so much in the sport and even though we’re good friends it’s obvious that it would be a special fight. I have nothing but the highest respect for Ricky and wish him well. If we both kept winning it may have been a possibility in the future.

9) Khan Promotions plans to expand, do you have plans to put on UK shows like Ricky Hatton has done and pass on your knowledge to young fighters after you retire?

Well I’ve set up Super Fight Promotions with the aim of showcasing some of the best young talents around.

We’ve made a few signings and are hoping to capture a few more over the coming months. I want to build up our stable of fighters and give them the platform to build their careers with advice from myself and experts of the fight game. I know what it’s like being a young boxer and the things you need to look out for. Our philosophy at the company is always to put the fighter first so they have a chance to flourish in the sport without obstacles or barriers that so many fighters come up against.

Will Amir Khan sink or swim on December 15?

Get involved on Twitter: @BritBoxMag

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MICHAEL J JONES SPEAKS TO

WAYNE ALEXANDER ABOUT HIS UP AND DOWN CAREER AND LEGENDARY PUNCHING POWER. WAS ‘THE GREAT’ ACTUALLY HAVE THE GREATEST KO PUNCH POWER IN BRITISH BOXING HISTORY?

BritBox spoke to power-punching, former lightmiddleweight contender Wayne Alexander about a career that saw him win British, Commonwealth and WBU titles.

The Londoner was an ABA champion before entering the pro ranks in 1995; Alexander ’s exciting wade-in style quickly gained him a huge following in his early career before he captured the British title with a pulsating threeround stoppage of previously unbeaten Paul Samuels.

The big-punching domestic champion was then thrown in at late notice to give WBO champion Harry Simon a battle before seeing his challenge end in the fifth round.

The years after that fight were full of frustration for Alexander as he endured spells of inactivity and some shaky performances. However, the heavy-handed contender joined John Breen’s stable late into his career to score some memorable victories.

The most notable of those being his second round,

one-punch destruction of arch rival Takaloo to win the WBU title; the brief contest is now a YouTube classic as Alexander flattened Takaloo with a massive left hook.

The ex-champion retired in 2007 shortly after losing his third contest to unknown Serge Vigne. He still lives in London and trains white collar and unlicensed fighters in Croydon.

The ex-champion remembers his career fondly: Can you start by telling me about that ABA title run in 94’?

WA) In the 93’ ABA’s I got beaten by Howard Eastman but the next year I was more experienced. I won all my fights by KO; I don’t think that’s ever been done before.

I beat Chris Bessey, who was a great fighter, in the semi’s and Steve Bendall in the final. I’m pretty sure all of my opponents in the tournament had been a national champion either before or after I had beaten them. >>

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You fought Richard Williams the year after in the London ABA’s in an outstanding fight?

WA) Yeah that was a great fight. I thought I deserved to win but he got the majority decision. When the decision was announced I cried my eyes out. I had given him a standing count in the second but he had me over twice in the last. I should have boxed in the last round but I slugged with him and paid the price.

If the ref ’ hadn’t taken a point from me in the last few seconds I still would have won but Richard Williams is a nice guy and went on to beat Chris Bessey the fight after. That was probably the best amateur fight ever.

You turned pro shortly after that loss and quickly built up a good record. Your first real tests were against cagey Ojay Abrahams. Tell me about those two crazy fights you had with him?

WA) The first bout was for the Southern Area title and I was very disappointed to win my title the way I did (Abrahams was disqualified in the first for a knee to the groin). I’ve spoken to Ojay since and he admits he was s**t scared for that fight. I think he thought it was better to be thrown out than knocked out.

The second contest he really shocked me. He’d goaded me quite a bit after our first fight and said a few things that had made it personal between us. I thought he had frozen again but he caught me with a great shot and put me down. It turned into a street fight (Wayne was down twice and Abrahams three times in a three-round thriller). I let myself down a bit in that fight but it proved I could come off the canvas to win.

Were you always a big puncher?

WA) I stopped a few guys as a junior but I really noticed the difference when I got to about 16-yearsold. I never did weights or any special training it was all natural.

Eventually, you faced Welshman Paul Samuels for the British title four years into your pro career. You were both big punchers and unbeaten, but you weren’t going to be denied that night?

WA) It was an evenly-matched fight but I knew I’d have to be carried out on a stretcher to lose. He cut me and rocked me to my boots but my will to win was greater. He hit really hard; even harder than Harry Simon did. It was a shame we couldn’t have fought later on for more money because he was a great fighter but wasn’t the same after that fight.

You only fought once in the subsequent 13 months until offered a bout with WBO champion Harry Simon on just a day ’s notice. Did you still think you could win beforehand?

WA) Yeah I never took a fight that I didn’t think I could win. I got the call the day before the fight. I turned it down at first as the money wasn’t great but Sky really wanted me to be his opponent as I was undefeated. They rang a few more times each time offering more money so eventually I took it. Luckily, I was near the weight at the time. I hurt him badly in the second but he was the best guy I ever fought. He had

everything; punching power, durability, fit etc.

There were several good champions at your weight during your career; did you ever want to box any of them?

WA) Yeah I actually pulled out of a clash with Daniel Santos (the WBO champion after Simon). I was promised the fight in the UK, but it ended up being offered in Puerto Rico. My confidence wasn’t great at the time so I said no.

I should have gone. Takaloo took the fight in the end and it ended up in Wales! It’s my own fault; he was a beatable champion.

All of the titles you won were vacant at the time you contested them. Was it annoying that champions kept bypassing you in title fights?

WA) It does get to me a bit. Ensley Bingham vacated instead of fighting me for the British title. Mamadou Thiam (the European champion) beat Paolo Pizzamiglio before I beat him but it was controversial. He refused to fight him again so that’s why I got paired with Pizzamiglio (and stopped the Italian in three.)

I couldn’t do anything about it really, even the WBU belt was vacant because Takaloo had lost to Eugene Monteiro and was stripped of the belt.

You had a very frustrating Pizzamiglio fight, only fighting years and then losing in an Delroy Mellis. I believe you shingles around this time? >>>

few years after the once in the next two upset to journeyman also had a bout of

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>>> WA) Yeah I had shingles about four times in all. I wasn’t the most dedicated of fighters. I never really ‘ticked over ’ between bouts. There were some fights where I never ate a thing in the days leading up to them and just relied on my power to win.

With Mellis, I had a period where I wasn’t training and I put on weight.

I re-signed with Frank Warren and he offered me another world title shot if I beat Mellis. I lived like a rabbit for six weeks to lose two stone. I won the first five rounds but then I had absolutely nothing left at all (Wayne was stopped in the eighth).

I was devastated; I thought “I can’t carry on my career like this”.

I knew I had to get away and knuckle down to get to my best again. I went to train with John Breen in Belfast for ten weeks away from all the distractions. I got good sparring with Jim Rock and also Paul McCloskey (who had just turned pro).

You never fought again. Was it hard walking away?

WA) It was just I felt “where do I go from here?” I hung around for a year after and never got a fight so I thought “well that’s it then.”

I wasn’t ever the greatest trainer but I feel I should have been a world champion at the very least. I could have beaten Santos, I could have beaten Yori Boy Campus….I’d even have given Oscar De La Hoya a good fight. Fernando Vargas was another champion I feel I could have beaten but it just wasn’t to be.

There were many other good fighters at your weight when you were around like Gary Lockett, Steve Roberts etc.

Out of your domestic rivals who would you have liked to have fought the most?

WA) Anthony Farnell. He was always on TV getting the rave reviews. He could sell a lot of tickets and there was a rivalry between us. I nearly fought Steve Roberts; I was offered either him or Santos, I chose Santos and then pulled out. I don’t think me and Williams would have ever happened as we had rival promoters but that would have been a cracking fight. Gary Lockett wasn’t at the weight very long but I think I would have beaten any of them.

Ryan Rhodes pulled out of fighting me and also Jamie Moore a few years later. Because nobody would fight me I never won a Lonsdale belt outright.

That’s one of my biggest regrets was never getting that belt to keep. I was British champion for three years but only made one defence. At one point Farnell was nominated to fight me but Frank Warren wouldn’t let him. I ended up just vacating.

Boxing is still my whole life and it always will be

Soon after hooking up with Breen you fought Takaloo in a grudge match. Why was that fight so personal?

WA) When I was with Jimmy Tibbs, I went into the gym one day and I was asked to spar with Takaloo. I didn’t feel right, but Jimmy insisted, so I got into the ring.

Tak’ treated every spar like a world title fight. On this occasion he dropped me with a right-hand. It was one of those things; a week later I got him back by stopping him the next time we sparred. After I’d battered him he lost his next fight which may have been because of me (laughs).

Anyway, I heard afterwards he’d been going around telling everyone he’d knocked me out in sparring and I’d had to be carried out on a stretcher!

He kept saying it to everybody and it really wound me up. By the time of the fight I’d have rather died than lose to him.

The first round he caught me with a good left hook and in the next he got me with a cracking body-shot.

If anyone else would have hit me with that shot I would have gone down but I stayed up and when he came after me I just rolled and came back with the hook. It wasn’t lucky, I knew what I was doing. It was probably the best punch I’d ever thrown; it couldn’t have landed better.

So now you are training white collar fighters?

WA) I help out Ross Minter. I do a lot of training but there’s no money in it at all. I’m trying to get qualified in security, close-protection and body-guarding. I’m hoping to do that for a living so I can spend more time with my two beautiful daughters.

Boxing is still my whole life and I go to all of the pro and amateur shows I can. Boxing will always be my life.

You scored some excellent wins after that, avenging the loss to Mellis and then taking the unbeaten record of Thomas McDonagh. It made your third and final defeat all the more shocking as you were stopped in the opening round by Serge Vigne. What happened?

WA) I was in good shape for that fight but a bit complacent. I really thought I’d just walk right through him but he caught me first.

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IRISHPROSPECTIRISHPROSPECT

BY ROBBIE SMYTH

PADDY

GALLAGHER T

he beautiful city of Belfast has produced some of Irish boxing’s greatest warriors. From legends such as Rinty Monaghan and Johnny Caldwell to modern day battlers like Eamonn Magee and Carl Frampton, it’s the gift that just keeps on giving.

What it has given Irish supporters now is a new wave of talented prospects who have flooded the professional boxing landscape in Ireland, all these warriors have dreams of following in the footsteps of their heroes, but there’s one in particular who may have the best chance of doing so.

His name is Paddy Gallagher, known informally as ‘Patman’ to his fans. He is a former amateur standout who won welterweight gold at the 2010 Commonwealth games in Delhi by defeating Liverpool’s Callum Smith in the final.

He also represented the Mumbai Fighters as a middleweight during the second season of ‘The World Series of Boxing’, a semi-professional league in which international teams compete against each other in an array of matches were the participants fight without vests or protective headgear and bouts are contested over five three minute rounds while being scored using the professional ten point system.

Gallagher lost his debut fight in the competition’s opening week by fifth round TKO to Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko who was a former 2008 Olympian and 2007 AIBA World championships bronze medallist but rebounded by winning a unanimous decision in week four over Haitian-American, Russell Lamour, of the L.A Matadors to finish the season with a 1-1 record.

After failing to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, the 23-year-old opted to change codes and punch for pay, “A lot of people say that I suit the pros and I am an entertaining fighter so people may be excited. Since I have been about 17 I have been thinking of going pro and a lot of people have been saying to me and advising me to go pro as it would suit my style,” he told BritBox “I was on and off about going pro and changed my mind a few times.

“Decent opportunities kept coming up such as the All Ireland’s and International trips, which I couldn’t turn down. Also I didn’t want to go pro too early. I wanted to mature a bit by boxing senior and getting more experience. Two years ago I was ready to go, after I got beat in the Ulster final I didn’t think I would make the Commonwealth Games, but I moved up a weight and qualified. Then when I went and won them I considered going pro but the lure of the Olympics stopped me.

That didn’t work out so I ended up going into the World series of Boxing in India which was a good experience

and very like pro boxing.”

In May of this year Gallagher inked a two year deal with respected manager John Rooney, and instead of seeking out new trainers the Belfast banger choose to stay with his old team of head coach Gerard McManus and conditioning guru Paul Mcilroy.

“I signed with John Rooney, who also has Martin Lindsay and Alfredo Meli in his stable, for two years and I hope to be fighting ASAP. I plan to fight as much as possible then when I am ready step it up and start fighting for titles I will. I am going to compete at light welterweight. I will be staying with my boxing coach Gerard McManus and my strength and conditioning coach Paul Mcilroy,” Gallagher recalled.

The former Gleann ABC man made his much anticipated pro debut on the big September blockbuster at the Odyssey Arena headlined by Belfast’s own rising star Carl Frampton. On the aptly titled ‘J udgement Day ’, ‘Patman’ took on experienced 44 fight veteran William Warburton and showed why so many people are excited about him, “It was a hard fight and he gave me some trouble,” telling BritBox, “he was an experienced journey man who knew exactly what he was doing. He has only been stopped twice in 44 fights, which goes to show you how hard he is and how smart he was. It was a hard scrap,” Gallagher, who hopes to be back out in November added, “I was hoping to perform a bit better but he was awkward. The main thing is I got the win. What I was practicing in the gym didn’t really come off. Maybe it was the occasion, but I felt ok. These are the learning fights you need, to fight tough awkward lads like this to progress.”

As far as Irish prospects go, Paddy Gallagher is sure to shine and continue his march towards professional boxing success.

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RICKYHATTON

Referee Victor Loughlin had reached the count of five before the 20,000 fanatics crammed into the Manchester Arena realised that their worst nightmares were being played out in front of their eyes. As Ricky Hatton winched in pain they began to will him up. He tried to make it. He wanted to get up. He just couldn’t do it. The ultimate irony is that the punch which finally ended his career was the punch which helped launch it. A hard left hook to the body.

For three rounds, Vayacheslav Senchenko looked to be the ideal comeback opponent. Durable enough to give Hatton rounds, talented enough to pose problems but not powerful enough to hurt “The Hitman”. Then things changed. The ring rust didn’t fall off; Hatton stopped jabbing his way into range and became a sitting target.

The more Senchenko landed his jab and right hand, the more frustrated and wild Hatton became. The wilder he became, the more Senchenko landed.

A bigger puncher may have ended matters long before the ninth round, as it was Hatton got a prolonged confirmation that the skills which had carried him to the undisputed light welterweight title and world championship belts at welterweight had been forever eroded by a three year absence from the ring, his well documented out of the ring problems and years of hard living.

“We found out tonight. It isn’t there no more,” said an honest, emotional Hatton after the fight. “The team were saying to me: ‘Don’t make any rash decisions. You were three or four rounds up against a former world champion. It was one body shot’. They ’re right but that’s what I did three years ago when I retired the first time. I was making excuses.

“It was Mayweather and Pacquaio and they are the two best pound for pound fighters. It was a bad training camp. If you wanna find an excuse, you’ll find them. The top and bottom of it is that I needed to find out whether I still have it and I haven’t.

“I think I was four rounds up but even if he hadn’t caught me with that body shot and if just I’d scraped through with a points decision, I’d still be telling you the same thing. A fighter knows when they ’re in there and I just knew. It isn’t there no more.”

“No matter how much you train, I was sharp and couldn’t done anything better,” he continued. “My sparring was great. Whether I was four rounds up or not, I know. Nobody has to tell me. What should I do? Should I dwell on it like last time? I know and I’m not going to put myself through it like

last time. I’m not going to put Jennifer [his girlfriend] through it and I’m not going to put my loved ones through it. I’m not the man I think I am if I can’t draw a line in the sand now and draw a line under my boxing career.”

He added: “As much as it hurts, I have to say that I gave it me all. It wasn’t there and that’s the end of Ricky Hatton.”

As a Manchester based fight fan, Hatton has provided me with some incredible memories and moments. As a young fan I would sneak my way into city centre hotels to see the weigh ins for his early fights and eagerly snap up tickets in the cheap seats to witness unbelievable atmospheres like the night he fought Eamonn Magee.

I watched him bloom into a world-class fighter and avidly watched his battles with the likes of Jose Luis Castillo, Mayweather and Pacquiao. As I’ve grown older and found my way into the world of boxing writing I have been lucky enough to speak to him on numerous occasions and always found him to be friendly, helpful and amusing.

It is a positive sign that Hatton readily accepted the facts that had been laid bare in front of him.

This time, there can be no more wondering and ‘what ifs?’. The 34-year-old is a wealthy man, has a young family to look after and a potentially successful promotional company with a talented stable of fighters. He is also fit and healthy and can look back on one of British boxing’s most successful careers. The incredible atmosphere generated inside the Manchester Arena should also remind him that he will also take the title of ‘Britain’s Most Popular Fighter ’ to his grave. Hopefully, all these factors will combine to prevent Hatton descending back into the depression which consumed him following his defeat to Manny Pacquiao all those years ago.

“It’s well documented the story of where I was and how bad things had got,” said Hatton. “I needed to put a few demons to rest and a few ghosts to sleep and I said before the fight that win, lose or draw I felt like I’d already won and I still feel like that,” he continued. “I’m content. I’m happy with my life and there won’t be any ‘Ricky Fatton’ any more. I’m in a good healthy state of mind and that’s where I want to keep it.”

If, as everybody hopes, this really is the long-term outcome of last night’s defeat the comeback might not have been a failure at all.

Follow on twitter @John_Evans79

BoxingScene.com Correspondent

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