Mads Larsen v Luke Blackledge - June 2 in Denmark - spoiler

[turbostar]

Interesting one this, Larsen, the former European champ who "lost" to Sven Ottke in an IBF title shot, is making a comeback aged 39 against Accrington's Luke Blackledge (9-0, 3 KOs). Blackledge is only 21 and has wins over Matthew Barney and Phill Fury.

I have never seen Blackledge fight, but he seem decent taking his age into account. Could he pull off an upset and take advantage of Larsen's ring rust?

[Craig14]

This is a strange one. Good on the young lad for taking it. I guess sometimes you just can't say no to a good pay cheque.

[Freiheit]

From yesterdays pressconference:
Mads Larsen (51-3, 38 KOs) and Luke Blackledge (9-0, 3 KOs) today faced the press in Copenhagen before travelling on to Herning where they will collide at the Nordic Fight Night on Saturday. Promoter Nisse Sauerland is thrilled to see the “Golden Boy” back in the ring. “It´s great to have Mads back in action,” he said. “Our German coaches and his training partners in Berlin have all been full of praise for him. I can see why – he looks in great shape and I am sure he will take care of business against Blackledge on Saturday. If he wins, there will be a lot of interesting options, but first things first – a victory over Blackledge is a must.”


Larsen is happy to be fighting again. “It´s great to finally enter the ring after all the training,” he stated. “I know there is a lot of pressure on me because I have been away so long. Training is one thing but having a real fight is something different. I look forward to Saturday night.”


His opponent boasts a perfect record of nine victories with zero defeats – yet a small number compared to Larsen´s 51 victories. However, Blackledge does not feel that the experience will be a decisive factor. “At the end of the day it is just us in a fight,” he said. “I have boxed people who have more experience than me before and I won, so that´s nothing new. Larsen is a good, a tough fighter who has been around for a long time. But I got a Mexican style, I am very aggressive and I come forward a lot. I got my youth, my work rate and a good game plan. I will win.”

[Deno1986]

I'm surprised to see Larsen making another comeback. He looked completely finished when he fought Brian Magee over two years ago. He probably has 6-8 rounds in him so it's a pity the fight isn't longer and it would be a great chance for Blackledge to get a big name on his record. If the young lad smothers Larsen from the first bell, anything could happen.

[whiskey]

I've never seen blackledge, but this is refreshing to hear.

We have world champs who still haven't fought someone of Larsen's experience, and this kid fights him in his 9th.

Larsen is a Sanavia-level fighter. Hopefully the kid spanks him.

[Bard of Boxrec]

What a strange fight. Never seen this Blackledge fella but you would have thought Larsen would have chosen a well-known trial horse to work out the ring rust, not a young guy coming in with ambition.

[Freiheit]

Bleackledge is a substitute. Originally Larsen was scheduled to fight Lorenzo Di Giacomo http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer

[Wake up call]

Bit of background on Luke from last year - http://www.secondsout.com/columns/andre ... iming-high

[Jeff Thomas]

Luke's real story is far more interesting. He's done amazing for himself and I hope he pulls ot off.

[matko]

Luke is strong and fearless with a great work rate great experience and challenge

[Counter-puncher]

never seen Luke fight, but if he can get to Laursen's body consistently, he might look like he wants to cry again like he did with Magee.

[Freiheit]

Larsen quit in round 4 after winning the first 3 rounds. Blackledge was very dirty, and it must have mentally challenged Larsen.

[Craig14]

Larsen quit in round 4 after winning the first 3 rounds. Blackledge was very dirty, and it must have mentally challenged Larsen.

Why did he quit? Did Blackledge knock him down?

[Freiheit]

He knocked him down, but it looked like Larsen looked for an excuse to quit

[Craig14]

He knocked him down, but it looked like Larsen looked for an excuse to quit

That really is a great win for young Blackledge so early in his career.

[dondada]

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2012/blackl ... ing-larsen

[Craig14]

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2012/blackl ... ing-larsen

Did you go?

[dondada]

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2012/blackl ... ing-larsen

Did you go?

Nope...just got the info through. Well done to the lad.

[Craig14]

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2012/blackl ... ing-larsen

Did you go?

Nope...just got the info through. Well done to the lad.

Phil Fury,Matthew Barney and now Mads Larsen all within your first 10 fights and at 21 couldn't really be going any better.

[Brute]

An 18 month holiday is not always good for you.

Meanwhile Larsen's former opponent Sakio Bika stopped Dyah Davis in the last round of a ten rounder on the Pacquaio/Bradley card. Bika was ahead on all cards when the referee called "enough!"

[Freiheit]

In the first round Larsen showed the difference in class and experience and outboxed Blackledge. Blackledge often leading with his head cut Larsen late in the round. Referee Freddy Rafn called it a punch but it was clear unintentional headbut. Late in the 2nd round Blackledge was in big trouble but Larsen ran out of time and air and Blackledge survived. In the 3rd round again took control but was starting to complain to the referee about the headbuts from Blackledge. From the beginning of the 4th round Larsen looked like a totally different fighter, and it looked like he was just looking for a place to go down. The time came after just over 1 minute. Larsen went down, and stayed down. For many people it seemed like he quit. Scores at the time of the stoppage was 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 all for Larsen
After the fight Larsen complained about the referee and especially the wrongly called headbut and a bodyshot from Larsen that the referee called too low, got on to Larsen’s nerves. Larsen how isn’t too fund of the Danish federation called them amateur. Larsen has still not been payed from the Magee fight, purse €150.000, because they didn’t get a bank guarantee because “there is no need for it”. The promoter of that fight went bankrupt shortly after.

On the undercard Gary Boulden lost a close fight vs former Contender star Ahmad Kaddour. Kaddour being the clearly better boxing almost knocked out Boulden in the first round. As the fight progressed it was clear that Kaddour wasn’t in the best shape of his life and Boulden won several rounds by pressuring Kaddour who didn’t have enough air to do anything else than defend. After 8 rounds Kaddour won a MD with the scores: 76-76 78-74 and a too wide 79-73.

[Craig14]

Frieheit Is it the end for Larsen now?

[Freiheit]

I hope so. He doesnt have the hunger anymore. He trains in Berlin and is therefore away from his wife and kids for months when in training camp. Last night I think he just realized - sod it Im too old for this. Normally he is a boxing commentator and have done a few TV shows, so I think stick to that now.

As for Blackledge - I think he will get a good payday or 2 in Germany vs some of Sauerland Events fighters. The danish show was promoted by Sauerland Promotion - two different companies.

[STEVE WOOD]

Made up for Luke was left without a job when Rocky Fielding pulled out against him and shown true spirit in taking this fight. If all boxers were like this then maybe TV companies would support us better , boxers only wanting to fight noddles has contributed to SKY cutting shows in half and BBC with ITV pulling out . Trainers and fighters are ruining there own sport

[Craig14]

I hope so. He doesnt have the hunger anymore. He trains in Berlin and is therefore away from his wife and kids for months when in training camp. Last night I think he just realized - sod it Im too old for this. Normally he is a boxing commentator and have done a few TV shows, so I think stick to that now.

As for Blackledge - I think he will get a good payday or 2 in Germany vs some of Sauerland Events fighters. The danish show was promoted by Sauerland Promotion - two different companies.

I hope Blackledge thinks he can all the way, 21 the world is his oyster. If he was to go the money route with Sauerland he'd get stiffed in the end. You haven't actually said if you was impressed by him, a bit dirty but impressed?