GRAHAM EARL

[FtmPress]

GRAHAM EARL enters the last chance saloon when he makes his ring return against in-form Henry Castle at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday October 17.

Although no title is at stake the winner is certain to be in the British lightweight title picture, while the loser may find it tough picking up the pieces.

Earl (25-3) had a terrible 2007, losing to Aussie Michael Katsidis in a interim WBO title fight and nine months ago was blown away in 72 seconds by Amir Khan.

Luton's ex-British and Commonwealth champion, 30, who has started training boxers insists he was never contemplating retirement despite those setbacks and is feeling fresh for the lay-off.

Promoter Frank Maloney who managed Earl until they split in 2006 said: "Earl has asked me to give him an opportunity and I have done that.

"I've told him that at this stage of his career he must fight live men. I cannot build him back up with soft touches."

Salisbury's Castle (18-4) has won four consecutive fights since losing to Ian Wilson in March 2007 and the 29-year-old showed he will be a lightweight force halting previously unbeaten Lee Cook in his last fight.

Maloney added: "Castle will see Graham's recent form and really fancy his chances. He knows impress here and he becomes a live challenger for British champion John Murray."

Ian Napa tops the bill dubbed 'Dapa Napa' and challenges defending champion Carmelo Ballone for the European bantamweight title. Tickets are available from www.frankmaloney.com or 0871 226 1508

[Poncey]

C'mon Henry. Do Southampton proud, Lad.

[DavidPayne]

I worry about Graham. An honest lad who without contentious victories would have a shallow resume.

Vanzie beat him twice.

But he looked, sounded and performed like a man for whom boxing should be a recollection not a vocation.

I never tell a fighter to retire and if the BBBofC deem him fit to fiht, thats good enough for me but he would need a lazarus revival to win back a British belt.

Gomez v Earl would entertaining fare I suppose, but I think Gomez would stop him.

[Captain Hook]

Agreed, a shootout between Earl and Gomez would see both rocked and probably Graham getting stopped in the 3/4

wouldn't be pretty.......both are damaged goods.

[Carbo]

A clever angle to promote the fight. "must bring him back wtih live opponents..."

Earl is one of those fighters who seems to make at least one trip to ga-ga land during every fight. During every fight he seems on the brink of defeat (or actually to have been defeated); after every fight he seems to have reached the end.

Good luck to him if he can make some money, but to have taken so many leg wobbling shots much be a concern.

[stujones]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

[johnswan1]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

Agreed, and he appears to have turned into a punch bag, just as Gatti did late in his career (or at least more than he was in his prime).

[rhino222]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

agreed, and david walker is in the same bracket !!

[Eraserhead]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

Yep. More worrying, though, is that Gatti always had the ability to box (a bit) plus ridiculous punch power. Earl has neither. He HAS to fight the way he does. There is no alternative. He won't be blowing people away or taking the easy route. Most of his fights are tough, career-shortening wars of attrition. Well, Khan aside. That was just short.

[Captain Hook]

He's the low profile Gatti, but at least Gatti became world champ and world-recognised.

Gomez aside he at least lost to high-profile, world-ranked fighters....I can see Earl losing to guys he wouldn't have two years ag0 - Gomez, then a few up and comers.

[Captain Hook]

Out of interest I just had a look at Gatti's record, including an early loss to King Solomon.

Does anyone know anything about this guy? Seems to have thrown it in despite a winning streak which includes Arturo.

[Old bones Ian]

Out of interest I just had a look at Gatti's record, including an early loss to King Solomon.

Does anyone know anything about this guy? Seems to have thrown it in despite a winning streak which includes Arturo.

Soloman also beat Gene Reed twice who would go on to challange for the WBO title, and Tony Green who went on to box for the WBC feather title.

[scurlaruntings]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

Hmm i wouldnt go that far. He was a decent boxer. But naturally as he stepped up in class he was found wanting. He was beaten from pillar to post by Katsidis but boy did he show some balls.

[scurlaruntings]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

Yep. More worrying, though, is that Gatti always had the ability to box (a bit) plus ridiculous punch power. Earl has neither. He HAS to fight the way he does. There is no alternative. He won't be blowing people away or taking the easy route. Most of his fights are tough, career-shortening wars of attrition. Well, Khan aside. That was just short.

WHATS ACTUALLY MORE WORRYING is Gatti says he`s making a comeback..

[scurlaruntings]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

agreed, and david walker is in the same bracket !!

What ever happened to Walker? Is he still around?

[DG.]

Graham Earl = The Uk's Arturo Gatti.

agreed, and david walker is in the same bracket !!

What ever happened to Walker? Is he still around?

Walker retired the other day!

Earl should retire, this is a dangerous sport.

[scurlaruntings]

Walker retired the other day!

Earl should retire, this is a dangerous sport.

Indeed. I was very surprised to see him get wiped out by Khan in a round.Either the fix was in or he lost all he`s punch resistance taking a pasting vs Katsidis.

[DG.]

Walker retired the other day!

Earl should retire, this is a dangerous sport.

Indeed. I was very surprised to see him get wiped out by Khan in a round.Either the fix was in or he lost all he`s punch resistance taking a pasting vs Katsidis.

Maybe a bit of both!

[stujones]

Earl is always a bit vulnerable. Bobby Vanzie wasn't a huge puncher, neither was Kevin Bennett - but both had him at sea.

[scurlaruntings]

Earl is always a bit vulnerable. Bobby Vanzie wasn't a huge puncher, neither was Kevin Bennett - but both had him at sea.

Whatever happened to Kevin Bennett.. Shame about Vanzie. Warren treated that lad really well..

[scurlaruntings]

Earl is always a bit vulnerable. Bobby Vanzie wasn't a huge puncher, neither was Kevin Bennett - but both had him at sea.

Whatever happened to Kevin Bennett.. Shame about Vanzie. Warren treated that lad really well..

benny is a happily retired married man now now he was happy with what he achieved in the ring and also he had a breathing problem which he couldnt find out what caused it(cos he trained as hard as anyone i know so that wasnt the problem) im off to butlins with him in 3 weeks for the weekend so i will tell him he was asked after

I remember that breathing problem he had very well. Wasnt it a commenwealth bout when he made it to the last round and nearly passed out as he was swallowing he`s own blood aswell?