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RIVAS: I’M GOING TO BE THE LAST MAN STANDING

I moved to Montreal to train with Marc Ramsay who has improved lots of aspects of my boxing. I am a technical boxer but I also have a big heart. This is what makes me a better boxer.

 

 

RIVAS: I’M GOING TO BE THE LAST MAN STANDING

‘Kaboom’ ready for “explosive fight”

 

Hammer-fisted Colombian Oscar Rivas is determined to be the “last man standing” at The O2 in London on Saturday July 20 following his huge Heavyweight clash with Dillian Whyte, shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN in the US.

 

Rivas heads into the bout on the back of his biggest win in the paid ranks, travelling to Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY in January to KO former World title challenger Bryant Jennings in the final round of their fight.

 

After crafting his skills as an amateur in his native Colombia, Rivas is steadily climbing the Heavyweight ladder and is now ready to seize his golden opportunity and propel his name to the top of the mix with a career-best win over ‘The Body Snatcher’.

 

“I have been waiting for an opportunity like this for years, and now it is happening. I am looking forward to showing people what I can do,” said Rivas. “I don’t care what Whyte is thinking. If he’s not thinking about me, that’s his problem.

 

“I have changed lots of things, technically I have improved. I moved to Montreal to train with Marc Ramsay who has improved lots of aspects of my boxing. I am a technical boxer but I also have a big heart. This is what makes me a better boxer. But we are Heavyweights and one shot can change anybody’s plans.”

 

The Canadian-based 32-year-old carried an impressive amateur record into the paid ranks, beating Kubrat Pulev in the 2008 Olympic Games a year after landing silver in the Pan-American games – and with 18 KOs in 26 fights since turning over, ‘Kaboom’ is predicitng an explosive war between two in-form big-punchers.

 

“Whyte is a really strong guy, but I think with my technique, my speed, my power, my experience, I’m going to get on top,” he added. “That’s a guy that I can beat, but he’s strong, so I have to be very well prepared, and I will be. Each of us will show what we’re made of on Saturday and we can produce one of the best fights of the year.

 

“It’s going to be an explosive fight. I cannot wait until the bell rings and then I’m going to make sure that I’m going to continue my rise. I know that Whyte is going to try to make me lose my first fight, but it won’t happen. I don’t give predictions, but I can say this, I’m going to be the last man standing.”

 

 

Whyte vs. Rivas tops a huge night of boxing in the Capital.

 

Doncaster fan favourite Dave Allen (17-4-2, 14 KOs) tackles Liverpudlian Heavyweight David Price (24-6, 19 KOs) in a must-win domestic showdown, former World title challengers Derek Chisora (30-9, 21 KOs) and Artur Szpilka (22-3, 15 KOs) clash in an explosive Heavyweight match-up, big-hitting London Cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe (9-0, 8 KOs) defends his WBA Inter-Continental title against Bournemouth’s undefeated Chris Billam-Smith (9-0, 8 KOs), Canning Town’s Charlie Duffield (7-1, 6 KOs) clashes with Lewisham’s Dan Azeez (8-0, 5 KOs) for the vacant Southern Area Light-Heavyweight title, British Cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie (12-0, 9 KOs) returns, Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley (7-0, 6 KOs) continues his march towards a title and Sheffield amateur star Dalton Smith (1-0) fights for the second time.

 

 

General Sale 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 Matchroom Boxing HERE

Image by Matchroom Boxing

 

 

 

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Boxing News

MICHAEL ZERAFA: BROOK IS UNDERESTIMATING ME

“This is the biggest opportunity of my career, I’m taking it with both hands and I’m definitely going to put on a show in Sheffield. I’m going into this fight with absolutely nothing to lose.”

 

 

ZERAFA: BROOK IS UNDERESTIMATING ME
Aussie vows to shock The Special One

 

Michael Zerafa has accused Kell Brook of overlooking him and says he’ll thrive off the underdog status when they clash at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield this Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

Zerafa, 26, is a former Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion and has secured 14 of his 25 wins via knockout. He has lost just two of his 27 professional fights, including a stoppage loss to former WBO Middleweight ruler Peter Quillin in 2015.

 

The Melbourne fighter admits that former IBF World Champion Brook is another step up in class but says he is ready for whatever the Sheffield star throws at him.

 

“I’m really up for this fight, I’m in the best condition of my life,” said Zerafa. “Halfway through the first round Brook and his team will realise they’ve underestimated me.

 

“I’ve got two losses on my record but that was years ago. I was a kid back then and very inexperienced. Now I’m a more complete fighter, more power, more speed & more boxing IQ.

 

“I respect Kell Brook, he’s a great fighter and he’s been at a higher level than me for longer, but that’s exactly why he’s looking past me. I’m going to make a lot of people eat their words.

 

“This is the biggest opportunity of my career, I’m taking it with both hands and I’m definitely going to put on a show in Sheffield. I’m going into this fight with absolutely nothing to lose.”

 

Brook’s clash with Zerafa tops a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

 

Unbeaten Irish star Jono Carroll faces French former European Champion Guillaume Frenois in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer.

 

Rising Welterweight star Josh Kelly steps up in class as he takes on former WBA World Champion David Avanesyan in his ninth professional contest.

 

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

 

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa pricedare available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

 

Read more on Kell Brook HERE

Read more on Kelly vs Yeleussinov HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing Event HERE

 

 

Image by Sky Sports

 

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Boxing News

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

 

 

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Boxing News

JOSH KELLY: I’M DOWN FOR THE YELEUSSINOV REMATCH

 

“I’ve won two belts but this is only the start. It’s down to Adam and Eddie about what moves we make. Getting to World level you need to make these little steps, my goal is to lift a World title. People seem to forget I’ve only had eight fights as a professional. If I skip or fight for a British Title early then so be it. I’m just developing day in, day out.”

 

 

KELLY: I’M DOWN FOR THE YELEUSSINOV REMATCH
‘Pretty Boy’ out for revenge against amateur rival
 

 

Josh Kelly says he is on a collision course with former amateur rival and Olympic Gold medallist Daniyar Yeleussinov.

 

‘Pretty Boy’ faces the toughest test of his eight-fight professional career on December 8 at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield when he defends his WBA International Welterweight crown against former World Champion David Avanesyan, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

The North East sensation has made a blistering start to life in the paid ranks, landing his first professional title in just his sixth fight against former World ruler Carlos Molina before stopping Kris George in his next fight to earn the Commonwealth strap in Newcastle.

 

And now the Adam Booth-protege has set his sights on the World title picture in 2019.

 

One of the greatest amateurs of modern times, Yeleussinov defeated Kelly on the way to Olympic glory at the 2016 Rio Games, but ‘PBK’ feels he has made a smoother transition to the pro game and would be keen for a rematch with the Kazakh star when the time is right.

 

“I’m down for the rematch with Daniyar Yeleussinov,” said Kelly. “He beat me in the Olympics but as a professional I’ve made the transition much better than he has. When’s the right time to meet? When does it make sense? Those questions are to play out but we’re definitely on a collision course. I’ll enjoy that one in particular, there’s unfinished business.

 

“My full attention is on Avanesyan and I’m glad to be boxing in Sheffield for the first time as a pro. I’m obviously familiar with the area from the Team GB days so it’s nice to be coming back.

 

“Adam is moving me quickly, it’s been a short turn around since the last fight in Manchester. Avanesyan is an ex World Champion. He’s boxed Mosley and Peterson who are at the top level. I’ve done my due diligence and we think this is the right step. I’m ready to make that leap and I’m hoping he can test me.

 

 

“The Welterweight division is stacked from top to bottom and that excites me and helps me to switch on to remain there for the coming years.

 

“I’ve won two belts but this is only the start. It’s down to Adam and Eddie about what moves we make. Getting to World level you need to make these little steps, my goal is to lift a World title. People seem to forget I’ve only had eight fights as a professional. If I skip or fight for a British Title early then so be it. I’m just developing day in, day out.”

 

 

Kelly’s clash with Avanesyan is part of huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

 

Main event sees ‘The Special One’ Kell Brook take on Australia’s former Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Michael Zerafa.

 

Unbeaten Irish star Jono Carroll faces French former European Champion Guillaume Frenois in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer.

 

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

 

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

 

 

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

Read more on Brook vs Zerafa HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

Images by Mark Robinson of Matchroom Boxing

 

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KELL BROOK: ‘ THIS COULD BE MY LAST FIGHT IN SHEFFIELD ‘

“This will be an emotional fight for me because I think this will be my last in Sheffield,” said Brook. “We hope that the Khan fight is next and after I’ve knocked him out I want the Spence rematch and it’s likely that will be in the States.”

 

 

BROOK: THIS COULD BE MY LAST FIGHT IN SHEFFIELD
‘The Special One’ ready for emotional Sheffield farewell

 

Kell Brook says his clash with Michael Zerafa at the FlyDSA Arena on December 8 could be the final time he fights in Sheffield, as he looks to pursue career-defining fights at Welterweight.

 

The Steel City hero is close to securing a long-awaited British battle with former two-weight king Amir Khan in 2019 and has promised to deliver a ‘blistering performance’ for his hometown fans when he takes on Australia’s Zerafa next week.

 

Sheffield’s FlyDSA Arena holds happy memories for ‘The Special One’, with successful defences of his IBF World title against Ionut Dan Ion in 2015 and then Kevin Bizier in 2016.

 

He was last in action in March when he swept away Sergey Rabchenko inside two rounds in Sheffield to claim the WBC Silver Super-Welterweight title and is aiming for a similar performance against former Commonwealth Champion Zerafa.

 

 

“This will be an emotional fight for me because I think this will be my last in Sheffield,” said Brook. “We hope that the Khan fight is next and after I’ve knocked him out I want the Spence rematch and it’s likely that will be in the States.

“There’s other huge fights out there for me at Welterweight. Shawn Porter holds the WBC belt and there’s other big names like Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.

“For now all that’s on my mind is Zerafa – this is the moment and chance of his career but he’s meeting me at a terrible time. I’ve never been so focused and I plan of giving my Sheffield fans a blistering performance on December 8.”

 

Brook’s clash with Zerafa tops a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

 

Unbeaten Irish star Jono Carroll faces French former European Champion Guillaume Frenois in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer.

 

Rising Welterweight star Josh Kelly steps up in class as he takes on former WBA World Champion David Avanesyan in his ninth professional contest.

 

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

 

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

 

 

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

Read more on Brook vs Zerafa HERE

Read more on Kelly vs Avanesyan HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

Images by Mark Robinson of Matchroom Boxing

 

 

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Boxing News

WALSH PUTS BRITISH TITLE ON THE LINE AGAINST BELLOTTI

“The British title has always been the title that I’ve wanted to get my hands on,” said Bellotti. “Every kid starting out in boxing wants to win it eventually. Obviously the main goal is to win a World title but the Lonsdale belt is a very prestigious title.

 

 

WALSH PUTS BRITISH TITLE ON THE LINE AGAINST BELLOTTI

Featherweight rivals clash on Whyte vs. Chisora 2 undercard

 

 

Ryan Walsh defends his British Featherweight title against Reece Bellotti at The O2 in London on December 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

The Cromer star won the Lord Lonsdale belt outright when he stopped Belfast’s Marco McCullough at the Copper Box Arena in May 2017 before drawing with Manchester’s Isaac Lowe in his next defence of the title on the George Groves vs. Chris Eubank Jr. undercard earlier this year.

 

Bellotti, a former Commonwealth and WBC International Silver Featherweight Champion, is hot on the comeback trail after his shock defeat to Ryan Doyle at York Hall in June and hopes a British title win will signal the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

 

“Bellotti is a young, fresh prospect and I rate him highly,” said Walsh. “He’s got a lot about him and he’s very dangerous, not just because he can punch but because he’s lost. He’ll want to prove himself to everyone.

 
“I was trying to get the Bellotti fight when he was the Commonwealth Champion. He was on the up and he was a Champion, ideally I would have got him then and won the Commonwealth but I’m glad we’re getting in on now.

 
“Bellotti will be another Commonwealth Champion that I’ve fought. Lowe was a Commonwealth Champion and so was McCullough. James Tennyson got a win over McCullough and went on to fight for a World title so you never know what will happen in this sport.”

 

 

“The British title has always been the title that I’ve wanted to get my hands on,” said Bellotti. “Every kid starting out in boxing wants to win it eventually. Obviously the main goal is to win a World title but the Lonsdale belt is a very prestigious title.

 
“I’ve got my chance now and I’m looking forward to it. This will be the toughest fight of my career by a million miles. I’ve watched Walsh for years, I was at the Copper Box Arena when he won the belt outright against McCullough. 

 
“He’s a tough, well-rounded professional and I’m expecting a really good fight. I’ve learnt massive lessons from my loss against Ryan Doyle and hopefully winning this title will signal the start of a new chapter of my career.”

 

 

 

 

Walsh vs. Bellotti 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, with further exciting fights to be announced soon.

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

 

 

Read more on Whyte vs Chisora HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing Events HERE

 

Images by Matchroom Boxing