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WATCH: FACE-TO-FACE – CHISORA VS. PARKER

 

 

WATCH: FACE-TO-FACE – CHISORA VS. PARKER
 

 

On October 26, Derek Chisora will meet Joseph Parker in a highly-anticipated Heavyweight showdown in which the victor will cement themselves as a top contender in the division.

The pair sat down with Amber Dixon to preview their upcoming clash at The O2 in London which has captured the interest of fight fans worldwide and as has come to be expected with sit downs like this, the Face to Face gave us of bit of everything, with unpredictability and trash-talk aplenty.

 

Chisora has won over the hearts of British fight fans after his two enthralling clashes with Dillian Whyte and his sensational KO win against Carlos Takam. ‘WAR’ Chisora was most recently seen destroying Artur Szpilka in two rounds back in July and will step through the ropes on October 26 with great self-belief and confidence.

 


“He’s going to run! We know how he boxes from the amateurs to the pros, this guy has never stood there to fight and when it’s time for him to step-up he chokes”, said Chisora. “I’m crazy! He hasn’t got anything which can bother me and I am willing to eat leather to get to him and the moment that I do, he’s f***ed.

“He’s coming to my house and has just jumped into a big pond. There is real fighters over here and I am ready to take him to war, if he doesn’t knock me out then I’m going to put him out.”

 

For the former WBO World Champion, October 26 is Parker’s opportunity to catapult himself back into the mix to challenge for World honours in 2020. The New Zealander penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in June to join the growing list of elite level Heavyweights fighting out of the Matchroom stable.

 

“Chisora always brings it and I know that will bring the best out in me” said Parker. “I want to knock him out cold.

“He can’t box, he can only fight and he’s not even that good at it anyway! He is going to get caught. I’ll outbox him, catch him and put him away. I’m excited for October 26 and I am ready to put him into retirement.”  

 

The Heavyweight showdown has all the ingredients to be yet another barn-burner in boxing’s blue ribbon division and is just part of October 26’s stacked night of action.

 

Main event sees Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis contest the coveted Ali Trophy in the final of the World Boxing Super Series with one man leaving The O2 as unified Super-Lightweight World Champion. Lawrence Okolie steps up to European level to take on the unbeaten Yves Ngabu for the Cruiserweight crown and two former World Champions Ricky Burns and Lee Selby collide in an eagerly-anticipated domestic dust-up on a card which also features rising Welterweight prospect Conor Benn, who looks to take his professional record to a perfect 16-0.

 

Tickets priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £200 and £500 (VIP) are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CHISORA VS. PARKER FACE TO FACE ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Read More on Derek Chisora HERE
Read more on Joseph Parker HERE
Read more on Lee Selby HERE
Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE
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Boxing News

HEAVYWEIGHT DOUBLE-HEADER LANDS AT THE O2

 

 

ALLEN-BROWNE/CHISORA-GASHI HEAVYWEIGHT DOUBLE-HEADER LANDS AT THE O2
Rising talents Kelly, Cordina and Benn star on April 20 card

 

Dave Allen faces the biggest night of his career when he takes on former WBA World Champion Lucas Browne on a huge evening of Heavyweight action at The O2 in London on April 20, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US, that sees Finchley bad boy Derek Chisora return to the ring against Senad Gashi after his FOTY contender with Dillian Whyte in December.

 

‘White Rhino’ is in the form of his life after notching successive stoppage wins over Nick Webb, Samir Nebo and Ariel Esteban Bracamonte in the second half of 2018. The Doncaster fans’ favourite rich vein of form began with a “life-changing” fourth round knockout win against Webb at The O2 in July and he hopes to make it three KO’s from three fights at the Greenwich venue next month.

 

Browne returns to the scene of his sole career loss to Dillian Whyte determined to redeem himself with a big knockout win over cult hero Allen. Since that loss the 28-1 Australian, who’s career-best win came against Ruslan Chagaev in 2016, has bounced back with three wins and he believes another victory on April 20 will fire his name back into the World mix.

 

“I have never trained so hard in my life,” said Allen. “I’m going to knock Browne spark out, I hit too hard for him. Even though there’s no animosity in the build-up, I want to punch him all over The O2 in to row Z.

“Lucas Browne isn’t the Lucas Browne who beat Chagaev, he’s a faded force. That being said he’s still very dangerous, he does have that power, but this fight is perfect for me. He’s a former World Heavyweight Champion. A win here puts me on the big stage, not the highest level, but within touching distance of a fight that would then put me there.

“To be at the top of the bill at The O2 means loads, the support is something special. I’m unbeaten at The O2 with two huge knockouts and I’m very confident in making it a treble.”
 
 “I’m eager to redeem myself at The O2 and will be coming for a knockout,” said Browne. “I’m a fan of Dave, I have nothing bad to say about him and I’m looking forward to a good old-fashioned brawl on April 20. This is the fight for me to showcase who and what I am to the masses. It’s a blockbuster fight and I know Dave is a big crowd favourite but that will drive me on to silence the fans.
 
“I’m at the stage in my career where I need to be 100% serious, I’m getting too old to play around. The loss to Whyte was the kick in the butt that I needed and since then I’ve changed my promoter, team, training and general approach to boxing.”

 
Former World title challenger Chisora came sensationally close to beating Whyte in December. Going into the eleventh round of an exhilarating and brutal fight, Chisora was ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards only to be caught by a devastating left hook.

Having recently teamed up with highly-respected trainer Dave Coldwell, Chisora is feeling refreshed, revitalised and ready to take on any challenges in 2019.

“Six weeks ‘til I go back to WAR and boy I can’t wait!” said Chisora. “On Saturday 20th April I will be stepping into the ring at The O2 with fire in my soul, I have a point to prove and mission to continue!
 
“Parker b*tched out, he must have taken too many laxatives and sh*t himself. He wasn’t ready for the battle, he reckons he needed more time. Gashi has shown he is a true fighter, he is always ready to go to war when called. He showed this in December when he stepped in the ring with Takam on just one week’s notice and gave him a real fight. I’m not stupid, I know with six weeks’ notice in April Gashi will be a different animal.  
 
“He is a wild horse, a loose cannon, he is coming to win but trust me, he won’t hear the final bell. I’m ready, we’ve stepped things up a gear working hard with Dave Coldwell. April 20th WAR Chisora will be back in London to show the Heavyweight division exactly why retirement wasn’t an option.”

 

Some of the best up-and-coming talent Britain has to offer get the chance to showcase their skills to the masses once again as Sunderland’s ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly takes on the toughest opponent of his career to date in the form of unbeaten 17-0 Pole Przemyslaw Runowski.

 

Cardiff’s ‘Welsh Wizard’ Joe Cordina picked up the Commonwealth Lightweight crown in his last outing against Sean Dodd and he steps up again on April 20 to take on Barnsley ‘KO Kid’ Andy Townend for the vacant Lord Lonsdale belt.

 

Ilford Welterweight Conor Benn makes his long-awaited return to the ring following a hand injury that kept him out of action since his first title win over Cedrick Peynaud in July, and ‘The Destroyer’ in promising another explosive performance as he looks to pick up where he left off.
“Runowski’s a solid opponent, unbeaten for a reason,” said Kelly. “They breed them tough in Eastern Europe but I’m ready to dismantle him and put on a show for everyone in the crowd and watching at home. It excites me every time I step through the ropes. This year is going to be massive if everything goes to plan. I’ve got to keep my feet firmly on the ground, continue to work and get the results.”

 

“I’m excited to be back at The O2 for this big Heavyweight double-header,” said Eddie Hearn. “Dave Allen has become a cult hero over the last year but this time he is in deep against former WBA World Champion Lucas Browne. Browne, who lost to Dillian Whyte at the same venue just under a year ago, has bounced back with three wins since and is looking for a shot at one of the big boys. For Dave, this is a dream chance to catapult himself into the big time in a vibrant Heavyweight market.

 

 

 

“Chisora returns after his FOTY contender with Dillian Whyte in December against the tough Senad Gashi. Gashi went to war with Takam in December on less than a week’s notice and this time he will be fully prepared in what I believe will be a very tough fight. One of the world’s biggest young talents Josh Kelly defends his WBA title against unbeaten Pole Przemyslaw Runowski and fellow Olympian Joe Cordina will challenge Andy Townend for the vacant British Lightweight title. Unbeaten 147lb star Conor Benn also returns to action following a hand injury as he hunts major domestic titles in 2019.”

 

David Haye of Hayemaker Promotions said: “On Saturday 20th April Hayemaker Promotions are excited to be back at The O2, the home of British Boxing. Once again working in partnership with Matchroom Boxing, we are looking forward to bringing fight fans an electric night of boxing with showreel knockout endings!”

 

“Derek ‘WAR’ Chisora will be back, on a mission to show the fans exactly what he has in his armoury under new Head Trainer Dave Coldwell. Former WBA World Champion Lucas Browne is set to go toe-to-toe with Dave ‘White Rhino’ Allen and future World Welterweight Champion Josh Kelly is also ready to set the ring alight.”

 

Tickets are available to purchase for O2 Priority customers NOW via www.theo2.co.uk and go on sale to Fight Pass members at 2.00pm on Tuesday March 12 via www.stubhub.co.uk

General Sale tickets are available to purchase at midday on Wednesday March 13 from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

 

 

 

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TOM LITTLE: I’m willing to go to them deep and dark places to get the win

I’m just eager to put the last couple of defeats behind me and move on. I’m willing to go to them deep and dark places to get the win.

 

LITTLE: I’M WILLING TO GO TO PLACES THAT PRICE HAS NIGHTMARES ABOUT

Hatfield man says his mental toughness will be the difference on the night

 

Tom Little says he is mentally tougher than David Price and is planning on taking the Liverpudlian giant to ‘deep and dark places’ to get the win.

 

Little and Price clash on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s eagerly-anticipated rematch with Derek Chisora at The O2 in London this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.

 

Like Little, Price has suffered back-to-back defeats in 2018. He was brutally stopped by Alexander Povetkin after initially flooring the Russian last March and then a fight against Sergey Kuzmin in September was cut short when Price suffered an injury.

 

Little believes Price is vulnerable and plans on taking full advantage when they meet over eight rounds.

 

 

“I’m mentally stronger than David,” said Little. “He’s going to let his last couple of defeats get to him whereas I’m just eager to put them behind me and move on. I’m willing to go to them deep and dark places to get the win.

“There are weaknesses there to be exposed. I can categorically say that this fight won’t go the distance. I’ve got the engine of a train and I won’t stop going. When I fought Filip Hrgovic I was getting better as the rounds went on, but I got cut. Never at any point was I gassing.”

 

 

He fought rising Heavyweight talent Daniel Dubois in his last outing at The O2 in June and took the Peacock Gym giant five rounds despite breaking his hand in the opening session, and knows he may have to show the same heart to get past Price

 

“David has the skill-set and the physique to stand me on my head,” added Little. “But I’ve got a heart bigger than David’s. There will never be any quit in me. Who wants it more? That’s the difference between me and him. I am willing to go to places that David has nightmares about.

“Against Daniel Dubois, I broke my hand in four places in the first round but I would never, ever say: ‘I’m done’. I believe that if you do it once you will do it again.”

 

A shot at a title could be the reward for Little if he upsets the odds against Price on Saturday but he also knows the ramifications for the loser of the fight.

 

“This is a game of hearts, and you have to put it on the line. Sometimes you have to bite down and go to lace that you don’t want to go. I’ve done that a couple of times. It ain’t all roses, honey and cuddles in the trenches. You have to fight your way out.

 

“This is a winnable fight. People expect me to get banged out but I’ve done rounds with David, and I know this is close. David doubts himself. I think his last couple of losses have taken a lot out of him and if the going gets tough he won’t want to know.”

 

Main event sees fierce Heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora rematch after their Fight of the Year contender in December 2016.

 

Charlie Edwards gets a second shot at a World title when he challenges Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title, rising Croydon star Joshua Buatsi defends his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against tough Australian Renold Quinlan, British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh puts his Lonsdale belt on the line against Watford’s Reece Bellotti, with Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley and Nigerian Middleweight Linus Udofia also featuring on the undercard.

 

Tickets are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

Read more on Whyte vs Chisora HERE

Read more on Edwards vs Rosales HERE

Read more on Buatsi vs Quinlan HERE

 

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

Image by Matchroom Boxing

 

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DANISH HEAVYWEIGHT LJUNGQUIST MEETS MUSIL ON THORSLUND-GRAF UNDERCARD

“I feel I’m getting better by sparring with the best, and I’m getting matched harder and harder in my fights. In 2019, I look forward to developing more against even stronger opponents.”

 

 

DANISH HEAVYWEIGHT HOPE LJUNGQUIST MEETS MUSIL ON THORSLUND-GRAF UNDERCARD

 

Kem Ljungquist (6-0, 4 KOs) meets Dominik Musil (3-1, 2 KOs) on the undercard of Dina Thorslund‘s WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title defence against Alesia Graf on January 19 at the Struer Energi Park.

 

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring,” said the Danish heavyweight hope. “Musil is an exciting opponent, but he is one that I should be able to beat. I look forward to entertaining the fans in Struer!”

 

Ljungquist was last in action on September 28 in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, as part of the World Boxing Super Series final between George Groves and Callum Smith, scoring a second-round stoppage against Egypt’s Morad Omar.

 

“It was a good fight for me and a great experience to be part of the World Boxing Super Series,” he says. “Morad Omar came to win, but I quickly found the right openings and was happy with the win.”

 

The 28 year-old has enjoyed a perfect 2018. Ljungquist has claimed five wins from five fights, and also acted as sparring partner for the returning Tyson Fury.

 

“It was a great experience to spar Fury,” said Ljungquist. “I know he has recommended me to other top heavyweights, and I hope he will call again.

 

“I feel I’m getting better by sparring with the best, and I’m getting matched harder and harder in my fights. In 2019, I look forward to developing more against even stronger opponents.”

 

 

 

The Herlev boxer calls himself his own worst critic, and while he admits he is still in the development phase, it is clear his eyes are on the prize.

 

“My motivation, to achieve something big in my career, is huge,” he says. “It’s a privilege to make a living from boxing and I would like to go all the way. I want to keep improving until I finally get the big fights for the big belts.

  
“It’s all about training hard, full throttle and living right. I have managed to do well so far and if I continue to do that, then the opportunities will come.”

 

Ljungquist’s eight round heavyweight clash with Musil is the latest addition to a stacked card in Struer. Dina Thorslund defends her WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title against Germany’s Alesia Graf, former European Champion Dennis Ceylan rematches Jesus Sanchez for the EU Featherweight crown, and Oliver Flodin faces Abdul Khattab in a Scandinavian middleweight thriller.

 

 

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.dk

 

Read more on Thorslund vs Graf HERE

Read more on Flodin vs Khattab HERE

Read more on Sauerland Promotion HERE

 

Image by KGZ Fougstedt

 

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Filip Hrgović’s new opponent Did not think twice

“I’m feeling good,” said Johnson. “I’m coming off a knockout win last weekend and I’m still in that fighting mood. I’m in great shape and I’m ready to go.

 

 

Filip Hrgović vs. Kevin Johnson tops an action-packed fight card at the KC Dražen Petrović in Zagreb on Saturday

 

Filip Hrgović (6-0, 5 KOs) has a new opponent set for his heavyweight showdown on Saturday at the KC Drazen Petrovic with former World title challenger Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson (32-11-1, 16 KOs) replacing Ytalo Perea.

 

Perea was due to arrive in Zagreb on Tuesday, but did not make his scheduled connection from Bogota. Later, it became apparent, despite previous assurances, that he did not possess the necessary documents to travel.

 

With no time to spare, the call went out for a suitable replacement, and Johnson, currently based in Germany, where he recorded a knockout win last Saturday, was placed on standby earlier this week and arrived in Zagreb today.

 

Johnson, from New Jersey, USA, challenged Vitali Klitschko for the WBC World title, and has since gone on to share the ring with a number of modern heavyweight greats including Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

 

“I’m feeling good,” said Johnson. “I’m coming off a knockout win last weekend and I’m still in that fighting mood. I’m in great shape and I’m ready to go.

“I didn’t have to think twice when I was offered the fight. Hrgović doesn’t worry me. I’ve been in there with the best, and he’s not the best, so why should I worry about him?

“He’s been training for something completely different so who knows what’s going to happen when we meet in the middle of the ring. It’s hard to predict, but if the opportunity for a knockout comes, I’m going to take it.

“He’s going to need all the support he can get come Saturday because if he doesn’t, there’s going to be a big upset, and whatever the outcome, one thing’s for sure, the fans are going to get their money’s worth, I can guarantee that!”

 

“Obviously, it’s not ideal for Filip to have such a late change of opponent, but due to the circumstances, we were left with no other option,” said promoter Nisse Sauerland.

“We are, however, delighted to have secured such a high profile replacement. Kevin Johnson has fought the best out there. He always puts on a great show, and I’m sure the fans at the KC Drazen Petrivic will not be disappointed.”

 

Filip Hrgović vs. Kevin Johnson tops an action-packed fight card at the KC Dražen Petrović in Zagreb on Saturday, which also features Croatian female star Ivana Habazin in a rematch with Eva Bajic and a full supporting undercard.

 

 

Tickets are available online via http://www.eventim.hr. All the action will be broadcast live and exclusive on RTL in Croatia.

 

Read more on Habazin vs Bajic HERE

Read more on Sauerland Promotion HERE

 

Images by LAB.bg

 

 

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DAVID PRICE AND TOM LITTLE CLASH AT THE 02

 

“With the Heavyweight division, there are big fights everywhere. There are so many big names around and they all need dance partners. There are massive opportunities for the winner of this fight on offer.”

 

 

 

PRICE AND LITTLE CLASH AT THE 02
Heavyweights meet on Whyte vs. Chisora 2 undercard

 


David price and Tom Little meet on the undercard of the crunch Heavyweight rematch between Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora at The O2 in London on December 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

Liverpool puncher Price has suffered back-to-back stoppage defeats, each time on Anthony Joshua’s undercards, and admits he will be fighting for his career when he meets Hatfield’s Little next month.

 

He was stopped by Alexander Povetkin after initially flooring the Russian last March. Then a fight against Sergey Kuzmin in September was cut short when Price suffered an injury.

 

The 35-year-old is determined to prove that he can still mix it with the top Heavyweights and is aiming to end 2018 on a high as he bids to return to title contention.

 

Little, 31, has previously shared the ring with Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist Filip Hrgovic and fast-rising Heavyweight talent Daniel Dubois, who he took five rounds before being stopped in June.

 

“This is a real fight,” said Price. “He’s well schooled now and he’s also as tough and game as they come. I can’t go from fighting the likes of Alexander Povetkin and Sergiy Kuzmin to fighting knock-over jobs because I need the threat in front of me.

 

“I know Tom Little really well and he knows me. We’ve done lots of rounds of sparring and I’ve seen him improve a lot during that time. He’s certainly closed the gap that was between us when we first started sparring.

 

 

 

“With the Heavyweight division, there are big fights everywhere. There are so many big names around and they all need dance partners. There are massive opportunities for the winner of this fight on offer.”

 

 

 

 

“What awaits the victor is part of what will make this a cracking fight. Tom has a couple of losses in his last couple of fights and so do I, so we’re both fighting for our careers in this one.”

 

 

“I’m delighted and privileged to be fighting on such a great card,” said Little. “This is a massive PPV show on a massive platform in Sky Sports. I’m fighting a huge name and it’s a dream come true to be honest.

 

“Not to discredit David but I think his last couple of losses have taken a lot out of him and that will be the difference on the night. I think I’m mentally stronger than David, he’s going to let his last couple of defeats get to him whereas I’m just eager to put them behind me and move on.

 

“I’m willing to go to them deep and dark places to get the win. I’m expecting a very rough fight, it’s going to steal the show. One way or the other, this fight won’t be going the distance.”

 

 

Price vs. Little is part of a huge night of boxing in the capital.

 

Main event sees fierce Heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora rematch after their Fight of the Year contender in December 2016.

 

Charlie Edwards gets a second shot at a World title when he challenges Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title and British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh puts his Lonsdale belt on the line against Watford’s Reece Bellotti, with further exciting fights to be announced soon.

 

Tickets for Whyte vs. Chisora 2 are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

Read more on Whyte vs Chisora HERE

Read more on Edwards vs Rosales HERE

Read more on Walsh vs Bellotti HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

Image by Matchroom Boxing