Tony Dodson gets a world title fight

[FIGHTFANs]

Just read on Tony twitter he is boxing 30th sept namibia south Africa against Harry simon for world title

[FIGHTFANs]

You mean Tony Dodson ?

yep

[crusader]

Harry Simon? Now there is a name from the past. He was a very good fighter in his day, but he is 38 now and has done nothing worth mentioning since 2002. I wonder which title will be up for grabs.

[FIGHTFANs]

Tony Dodson faces the biggest challenge of his boxing career at the end of summer, when he will square off against an African fighting legend challenging for a version of the world light-heavyweight title.
The Gatson 'Warrior' has agreed to travel to Namibia on September 30th and face non other than former two-time world champion Harry Simon, aka The Teriminator, whose unblemished 26-0 record features 19 knockouts.
A former Olympian, Simon, held the WBO world title at both light-middle and middlweight during his heyday, with wins over the likes of Winky Wright, Kevin Lueshing, Rodney Jones and Armand Krajnc to his credit.
However, now 38, the veteran has been largely inactive for the best part of a decade after being jailed for serious driving offences and subsequently stripped of his world title in 2002. He returned in 2007 with a rudamentary points win, then was inactive again until last year when he clocked up two stoppages - all of which where on home soil.
Dodson will also have to travel to the African contient, but is taking inspiration from another former Scouse champion, Peter Culshhaw, who made a similar journey back in 2000 to face Baby Jake Matlala in South Africa, and against the odds claimed the similarly fringe WBU belt which ignited his pro career.
"This is my big chance," Dodson told Mersey Gloves today. "It's a big ask to ace a champion as successful as Harry Simon and in his own backyard as well, but I love a challenge and I believe I can repeat what Culshaw did to Baby Jake and make my name with this win.
"I will be going to Africa to bring home the belt and stake my claim for a bigger world title match-up fight in the future. This is a fight I simply could not turn down."
Dodson will undoubtedly face a vociferous welcome when he touches down in Kenya, where Simon is based and still has a huge following. Yet he is still anxious to get out there early and settle into his new surroundings.
He adds: "The fight has been agreed verbally, I am just waiting for the contract now.
"It will be a life changing experience for me, but I've told the promoters I want to get out there early and acclimatise. I am 100% up for the challenge and I will have a gameplan in place for Harry Simon. Don't get me wrong, the man is a legend, and I will give him all the respect he deserves. I am grateful for this chance.
"But I will be coming home with that belt and as the first man to ever defeat one of the greats. It's the opportunity of a lifetime."

[stujones]

Dodson will have a sizeable size advantage in this fight. Harry Simon wasn't the strongest at Middleweight when he won the WBO title there. I remember when he was talked about being a Calzaghe opponent most experts thought he would be far too small.

[wrimc]

You would have to think that although he is travelling he will have to be the favourite Simon has been inactive since the first half of the last decade and Dodson will be the much bigger man.

Could be a stepping stone onto bigger things

[hurlock]

simon will murder him :!: remember alexander having a pop at simon & he landed probably the best shot i had ever seen him land & he took that step back were he watches them crumble & simon was clear as a bell :!: at that point i think waynes world fell apart pardon the pun D

[Deserter]

simon will murder him :!: remember alexander having a pop at simon & he landed probably the best shot i had ever seen him land & he took that step back were he watches them crumble & simon was clear as a bell :!: at that point i think waynes world fell apart pardon the pun D

That was at light-middle more than a decade ago so that's ridiculous to use it as a formline. Simon hasn't had a meaningful fight in nine years so Dodson's got every chance of rolling over him.

[hurlock]

simon will murder him :!: remember alexander having a pop at simon & he landed probably the best shot i had ever seen him land & he took that step back were he watches them crumble & simon was clear as a bell :!: at that point i think waynes world fell apart pardon the pun D

That was at light-middle more than a decade ago so that's ridiculous to use it as a formline. Simon hasn't had a meaningful fight in nine years so Dodson's got every chance of rolling over him.

the man is a natural fighter period.

i thought he was in a bad car accident or got banged up & had to retire??

[Deserter]

simon will murder him :!: remember alexander having a pop at simon & he landed probably the best shot i had ever seen him land & he took that step back were he watches them crumble & simon was clear as a bell :!: at that point i think waynes world fell apart pardon the pun D

That was at light-middle more than a decade ago so that's ridiculous to use it as a formline. Simon hasn't had a meaningful fight in nine years so Dodson's got every chance of rolling over him.

the man is a natural fighter period.

i thought he was in a bad car accident or got banged up & had to retire??

All three! And as for being a natural fighter, you'll never got a more natural fighter than Duran, but it didn't exactly help him towards the end of his career when he was losing to guys who wouldn't have been fit to tie his shoelaces. Dodson takes this if the match is made.

[Gary L]

Tony has every chance! Harry Simon was over here a couple of years ago training in Enzo Calzaghe's gym - he looked so slow and out of sorts and didn't really get a lot better after a couple of weeks of training. Yeah, the man will always have a touch of class but against a big LH like Tony (who has been quite active the last year) he'll be by far the smaller man! Fancy Tony all day long in this one

[ALI]

What 'world title' are they to fight for?

[whatashambles]

What 'world title' are they to fight for?

The WBC Pan-American interim silver light heavyweight title

[JDC]

What 'world title' are they to fight for?

The WBC Pan-American interim silver light heavyweight title

[Gary L]

It's supposed to be for the WBF title

[JDC]

It's supposed to be for the WBF title

WBF are pants

[ShadrachSimmo]

Just read on Tony twitter he is boxing 30th sept namibia south Africa against Harry simon for world title

Cant see him gettin a fair shake with the judges for a WBF title in Namibia. KO required for a no contest!

[derry]

trust me am in gym everyday with tony he is buzzing about this fight like he as said its not about the belt for him its about beating harry simon , that will put him in great stead to bigger and better things , hats of to the warrior goin over to kenya in the mans back yard , trust me guys he will do this might be a shock to people but not to us we no he is capable of better titles and bigger names lets do this champ

[knock off]

interview with Tony Dodson about the WBF WORLD Title fight at http://www.janecouchboxing.com

[THEBUTCH]

It's at Dodson's best weight IMO.

Biggest challenge ??? Still think that would be Froch.

[milpool]

It's supposed to be for the WBF title

Are we talking WB Federation or WB Foundation??!!!

[oliverfennell]

I read somewhere that the fight's off because the British board has vetoed the WBF (whichever one, or both) and that extends to British boxers fighting for it overseas.

[bluenoseshf]

I read somewhere that the fight's off because the British board has vetoed the WBF (whichever one, or both) and that extends to British boxers fighting for it overseas.

What i read was the fight was still on but Tony couldnt defend the title in the uk if he won if because the BBBofC isnt recognising it as a world title. It about time too, if only they could have done this a long time ago the sport might not have been in this mess.

[Londonirish]

I read somewhere that the fight's off because the British board has vetoed the WBF (whichever one, or both) and that extends to British boxers fighting for it overseas.

What i read was the fight was still on but Tony couldnt defend the title in the uk if he won if because the BBBofC isnt recognising it as a world title. It about time too, if only they could have done this a long time ago the sport might not have been in this mess.

I dont think he could even defend it abroad being licened by the BBBC. They wouldn't let Micheal Grant fight for it in Malta.....

[JonRobo]

listen guys tonys fightin for the IBO INTERNATIONAL tittle vs darren stubbs in liverpool's green bank sports centre 8th october