Unbeaten duo Paul Archer and Adam Kettleborough ready for Stadium of Light encounter

A determined Adam Kettleborough aims to defy the odds when he takes on undefeated prospect Paul Archer at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland this evening.

From winning his debut bout in front of 300 people at Grove Leisure Centre in Newark in April, the popular light-welterweight’s next fight will be much tougher.

The 26-year-old comes up against a County Durham opponent who boasts an unblemished record of four victories from four fights.

“I can’t explain how excited I am about this opportunity,” Kettleborough told Lincboxing.

“I am relishing the chance. I’m a bit anxious because it is a different situation for me to be in.

“My promoter Carl Greaves asked if I wanted to keep busy and I said yes. I never thought I’d be fighting somewhere as famous as the Stadium of Light this quickly.

“I will have to be ready to give it everything. Anyone with four wins from four is going to be very handy.”

 

Tough battle ahead: Adam Kettleborough

After sealing a desperately hard-fought victory against Jatinder Johal in his debut, Kettleborough’s second scheduled fight in Sleaford in May was cancelled after Northampton’s Jamie Spence pulled out of his Midlands Area title challenge against Amir Unsworth.

But the Newark-based scrapper insists he has kept himself ticking over in the gym.

As well as hill sprints with English light-middleweight title challenger Andrew Lowe, Kettleborough has been sparring consistently.

“I was disappointed to have my last fight cancelled but that is what happens in boxing sometimes,” added Kettleborough.

“I got back in the gym and I’m feeling good. I’ve been in the professional game only a short while, but I love it.

Amir Khan crushed by Danny Garcia in Las Vegas

Amir Khan suffered a demoralising defeat to surrender his WBA light-welterweight title against unbeaten American Danny Garcia.

Garcia unified the WBA with the WBC title after brutally stoppoing the Bolton boxer in round four.

Khan, who banned tv cameras from his dressing room before the fight, started well and looked sharp in the opening two rounds.

But Garcia, renowned for his big left, shocked Khan with that very much late in the third. After dropping to the canvas, he was lucky not to be stopped.

But the writing was on the wall for Khan and aftter a standing count and late knockdown in the next round,, the referee stopped the contest.

David Haye stops Dereck Chisora in grudge match at Upton Park

David Haye defeated Dereck Chisora in their heavyweight grudge fight at Upton Park.

The 31-year-old won by TKO in the fifth round.

The London fighter was always in control but Chisora always looked a threat – especially after landing a heavy left hook at the end of the third round.

Haye picked up the pace in the fifth and after nailing Chisora with a sweet left, produced the deadliest of finishes in front of the 30,000 plus crowd in East London.

Liam Walsh wins vacant WBO European lightweight belt with impressive stoppage of Domenic Urbano

Liam Walsh produced a skilful performance to stop Italian Domenic Urbano at Upton Park – and lift the vacant WBO European lightweight belt in the process.

The young Cromer fighter recovered well from sustaining a heavy left hook in the first to go on and win every round before referee Micky Vann stopped the contest in the eighth round following a barrage of punches.

Commonwealth champion stretched his perfect professional record to 13 straight victories.

Walsh entered the ring wearing a t-shirt dedicated to his late father.

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David Haye vs Dereck Chisora – time to put the panto to bed

Love them or hate them, agree with the fight or disagree with it, the truth is impossible to escape.

Everybody is talking about David Haye against Dereck Chisora.

So much so that Amir Khan’s unification contest with unbeaten Danny Garcia across the Atlantic this weekend has almost sneaked by unnoticed.

Morally, the fact two shamed heavyweight fighters who were exposed to the world for their unforgivable brawl in Munich earlier this year, is wrong.

They are role models to our younger generation and their actions in the build up to the contest have been inexcusable. They have made a mockery of British boxing – whatever the outcome this evening.

But with nearly 40,000 boxing nuts expected to cram into Upton Park, home of West Ham United, that statistic would suggest it is what the viewing public wants.

When the politics and panto is finally put to bed for anything up to 10 rounds, the fight itself is an intriguing one.

The 31-year-old ‘Hayemaker’ is the undoubted favourite. Weighing in almost three stone lighter than Zimbabwe born Chisora could see him blow his opponent away early.

But for all his controversy, 28-year-old Chisora is a quality fighter. One can only imagine how his career may have panned out had he applied himself exceptionally throughout.

He can take a hammer of a punch, as Tyson Fury discovered, and will always plough forward.

He is the shorter, heavier, slower boxer, which could see him tailor-made for Haye’s speed and precision punching.

But Chisora (15 wins, three losses) boasts a heart and courage that should seen him through to the latter rounds. If Haye becomes complacent or frustrated, then that will spark Chisora’s chance of victory. He can punch a bit too and is by no means slow for a heavyweight.

Haye (24 wins, two losses) has been knocked out before – something that has never happened to his opponent tonight.

At times Chisora looked capable of breaking Vitali Klitschko’s empire back in February, something Haye never looked like doing in his defeat to brother Wladimir last year.

But Haye would appear to have the edge on a game Chisora in every department. He is supremely confident and will take some beating so long as his focus remains intact.

The Luxembourg Boxing Federation, steel gates, trash talk of the worst kind, bottles and brawls – it is all a bit of a farce that seems to be becoming the norm in the sport.

Let’s hope the fight itself makes up for that and the world can at least start to respect British heavyweight boxing again.

Amir Khan reinstated as WBA champion ahead of Danny Garcia fight

Amir Khan has been reinstated as WBA light-welterweight champion by the governing body.

The news serves as a timely boost for the Botlon boxer ahead of his fight with Danny Garcia in Las Vegas this weekend.

The Bolton boxer lost his WBA and IBF belts in a controversial points defeat to American Lamont Peterson, last December.

Khan was twice docked points for pushing during the contest before Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone, which he claims is for medical reasons, before a scheduled rematch between the pair in May.

Stable-mates Amir Unsworth and Kev Hooper to clash in English title eliminator

Sleaford fighter Amir Unsworth will finally have the opportunity to defend his Midlands Area lightweight title against stable-mate and unbeaten Kev Hooper on Friday, October 19.

The exciting clash will double up as an English title eliminator.

Hard-hitting Unsworth (13 wins, five losses, one draw) last fought for the national belt in 2011 – coming up short in a first round defeat against Liverpudlian Derry Mathews.

Two fights with Northampton’s Jamie Spence collapsed after the latter pulled out on both occasions.

Grimsby’s Hooper, 28, is expected to enter the ring a slight favourite after racing to 12 straight victories since turning professional in 2009.

Interviews with both boxers later this week.

Gavin Rees stops brave Derry Mathews to retain European belt and claim British title

Powerful Gavin Rees overcame a gutsy Derry Mathews in Sheffield to claim the lightweight British crown – and retain his European title in the process.

The meeting was a repeat of their October clash which ended in a technical draw after Mathews sustained a broken nose from an accidental clash of heads in the fourth.

After a dominant start by Liverpudlian Mathews, there was another accidental clash of heads in the third – resulting in a nasty cut above Mathews’ left eye.

In what proved a brutal and thrilling contest, the tide swung this way and that.

Welshman Rees’ come-forward and hooking style was always going to contrast Mathews’ jabbing from range.

Mathews enjoyed much success with simple left, right combinations throughout.

But Rees, buoyed by the bloody face of Mathews, began to land with more and more telling blows and eventually floored his opponent with a cracking right hand in the ninth.

Rees now hopes to fight the winner of the September 22 showdown between Ricky Burns and Kevin Mitchell in what is such a competitive division.

Kell Brook displays guts and courage to overcome impressive Carson Jones in Sheffield

Kell Brook survived the biggest scare of his career so far after digging deep to overcome Carson Jones in Sheffield last night.

The Sheffield welterweight stretched his perfect record to 28 victories but it was anything but a comfortable night for Brook, who will now fight for a version of the world title.

Brook looked in dazzling form early on and came close to stopping the American on a number of occasions – most notably in the sixth and seventh rounds.

But a combination of fatigue and Jones courage almost saw the fight turn on its head.

Brook, who sustained a suspected broken nose, struggled to breathe as a result late on and came under immense pressure.

Jones (34 wins, nine losses, four draws) surged forward in the final round in search of a knockout and some prolonged punishment in the final seconds almost finished Brook.

But the undefeated Englishman clung on to claim his most notable victory in the face of severe adversity.

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Jody Meikle takes unbeaten Ricky Dennis Pow the distance on Tyson Fury undercard

Loss: Jody Meikle

Jody Meikle pushed unbeaten Ricky Dennis Pow all the way in Clevedon, Somerset, last night.

The Scunthorpe light-heavyweight (three wins, 23 losses) wobbled the Spanish resident more than once but ultimately the latter proved too strong.

Pow extended his perfect record to eight wins from eight outings after winning every one of the six rounds.

“He came with a reputation as a knockout merchant – but I have no idea why,” Meikle told Lincboxing.

“I wobbled him a few times and he was nothing special. There wasn’t a massive difference in the fight but he got the decision.”

Meikle will next fight unbeaten Ray Ginley in Belfast on Saturday, July 21.

Matt Goddard overcomes Dan Naylor challenge in London

Matt Goddard improved his record to 2-0 after having too much for durable journeyman Dan Naylor in London.

After an even start to the featherweight clash in Southwark, Naylor was wobbled by a big punch in the third.

Dan Naylor targets victory against prospect Matty Goddard

Busy: Dan Naylor (right)

Featherweight Dan Naylor is never one to shirk a challenge.

After a narrow points defeat against Ryan Collins in Glasgow last weekend, the 25-year-old will step straight through the ropes for a second time in a week this evening when he takes on unbeaten Matty Goddard.

Stone Cold Steve Swinburn eyes title shot next year

Unbeaten: Steve Swinburn

Stone Cold Steve Swinburn insists he is jusy two successful fights away from landing his first title shot of his professional career.

The Lincoln boxer fired a clear message to the rest of the welterweight division with a sensational second round stoppage victory over heavy-hitting Monsoor Wali in Sheffield last month.

Now, the undefeated 26-year-old has his sights firmly set on an Area title crack within 12 months after blowing Wali away at the Don Valley Stadium.

Carl Froch closes in on Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute rematches

Carl Froch aims to line up an eagerly anticipated rematch with Mikkel Kessler in the next few weeks after announcing his next bout will be against an as-yet-unknown opponent in November.

He will then rematch against Candaian Lucian Bute in Montreal next March.

Nathan Decastro ready to mix it in the pro ranks

Winner: Nathan Decastro (left)

Nathan Decastro has promised to mix it with the best Britain has to offer after putting pen to paper on a professional contract.

The 21-year-old middleweight , nicknamed “Nightmare”, revealed he is desperate to start landing television appearances and big money deals.

Timothy Bradley relinquishes WBO crown after controversial Manny Pacquiao victory

Unbeaten Timothy Bradley has relinquished his WBO light-welterweight title after winning the welterweight version in controversial circumstances against Manny Pacquiao on June 9.

The American had worn the 140Ib belt since 2009 before opting to fight at welterweight.

As a result, Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez has been elevated to full title holder at light-welterweight.

Vitali Klitschko to fight Manuel Charr in Moscow

Vitali Klitschko will put his WBC heavyweight title on the line against Germany’s Manuel Charr in Moscow on September 8.

The bout, which will take place at the SC Olimpiyski Sports Arena, could well be Klitschko’s last with the 40-year-old Ukrainian preparing to stand in his country’s elections on October 28.

Callum Johnson has all the attributes to be a world champion says Jody Meikle

Tough: Jody Meikle

Callum Johson has all the attributes to be crowned world champion according to former victim Jody Meikle.

Boston’s undefeated light-heavyweight (5-0) has raced out of the blocks in the professional ranks after striking gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

Johnson, dubbed “The One”, overcame tough journeyman Meikle in his second professional fight after four scrappy rounds last year and has most recently recorded a seventh round stoppage over  James Tucker.

Despite being involved in a competitive weight category that boasts names like Nathan Cleverly, Tony Bellew and Enzo Maccarinelli, most pundits believe the hard working Johnson will go far under the guidance of influential trainer Joe Gallagher.

“I am a journeyman who loves to have a real go at these young prospects but I remember thinking ‘I don’t want much to do with this Callum Johnson kid.’

“He is so strong and fast for a light-heavyweight. He doesn’t hit massively hard but certainly hard enough.

“He throws hooks in bunches and I believe he will go very far in the sport.

“To become a world champion you have to have something extra and only time will tell whether he has that but he certainly has all the other attributes covered.

“He has a really strong team behind him and he is living the perfect life for a professional boxer.

“I really hope he achieves as well because he is a nice lad and we get on quite well.”

Kieran Farrell wins Coldwell Boxing’s “Boxer Of The Season”

UNDEFEATED Heywood lightweight Kieran Farrell has been named Coldwell Boxing’s first “Boxer Of The Season”. 

Farrell, who signed with Dave Coldwell after leaving Hatton Promotions, claimed the first title of his young career when he defeated Joe Elfidh for the Central Area title in Bolton. 

The 21-year-old saw off challenges from Hosea Burton and Nav Mansouri, among others.

“With fighters like Curtis Woodhouse who was in a great fight recently, and Ryan Rhodes, it’s an honour to win this,” said Farrell, who finished off Elfidh with a trademark body shot to record a knockout victory.

Coldwell added his praise following the award’s announcement.

Amateur star Iain Weaver signs with Eddie Hearn; will make debut on Darren Barker undercard

Iain Weaver will make his professional debut on the undercard of Darren Barker’s return to the ring in September.

The 22-year-old super-featherweight has signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sports and the man from Dorset could  make quite an impression, according to Hearn.