Manchester ready for the World
Posted: 22 Dec 2010, 21:08
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... her_column
Manchester is ready to conquer the boxing world in 2011.
The city is perfectly placed to have a massive year, not just with the champions we already have, but also with the kids coming through.
Ricky Hatton used to be called the jewel in the crown of Manchester boxing, but right now, it's more like a crown full of jewels.
John Murray and Matthew Macklin are ready to win world titles but it's also going to be a big year for Joe Murray, Anthony Crolla, Mark Heffron and Rhys Roberts as well.
Watching a Manchester fighter – not just an adopted Manc like David Haye – headline at the MEN arena isn't too far away.
A perfect year for Gallagher's gym would be John Murray and Matthew Macklin being crowned world champions.
We've had every other title, British title, European titles, and the only thing we're missing is a world champion.
And I don't just want one, I want both.
It's the first time in three or four years that we won't be in the gym on Christmas Day. Usually, it's just another working day and the likes of John Murray have been fighting in January so they've had to train.
They always kicked up a bit of a fuss but they're athletes and they had to do it. Footballers have to train on Christmas Day and boxers are no different.
They're happy this year because it falls on a Saturday and they can enjoy the luxury of a day off.
My family are happy as well because I won't be spending Christmas in the gym either.
I thought Amir Khan put in a very good performance against Marcos Maidana but it wasn't the fight of the decade. It wasn't even fight of the year.
There's a lot of talk in America about a re-match and I don't see any reason why that shouldn't happen.
I don't think Amir is ready to fight Floyd Mayweather, despite all the talk.
Floyd seems to be having more fights outside the ring than inside at the moment and Amir's got more chance of fighting him in a Las Vegas casino car park!
It's too early for Amir to think about pound-for-pound fights with the best in the business.
Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are in that category because they've won titles at lots of different weights.
Amir has only just won his first title and he's had two defences.
He's done very well but I think he should concentrate on unifying his division and becoming an undisputed world champion. It's something he is definitely capable of achieving
Manchester is ready to conquer the boxing world in 2011.
The city is perfectly placed to have a massive year, not just with the champions we already have, but also with the kids coming through.
Ricky Hatton used to be called the jewel in the crown of Manchester boxing, but right now, it's more like a crown full of jewels.
John Murray and Matthew Macklin are ready to win world titles but it's also going to be a big year for Joe Murray, Anthony Crolla, Mark Heffron and Rhys Roberts as well.
Watching a Manchester fighter – not just an adopted Manc like David Haye – headline at the MEN arena isn't too far away.
A perfect year for Gallagher's gym would be John Murray and Matthew Macklin being crowned world champions.
We've had every other title, British title, European titles, and the only thing we're missing is a world champion.
And I don't just want one, I want both.
It's the first time in three or four years that we won't be in the gym on Christmas Day. Usually, it's just another working day and the likes of John Murray have been fighting in January so they've had to train.
They always kicked up a bit of a fuss but they're athletes and they had to do it. Footballers have to train on Christmas Day and boxers are no different.
They're happy this year because it falls on a Saturday and they can enjoy the luxury of a day off.
My family are happy as well because I won't be spending Christmas in the gym either.
I thought Amir Khan put in a very good performance against Marcos Maidana but it wasn't the fight of the decade. It wasn't even fight of the year.
There's a lot of talk in America about a re-match and I don't see any reason why that shouldn't happen.
I don't think Amir is ready to fight Floyd Mayweather, despite all the talk.
Floyd seems to be having more fights outside the ring than inside at the moment and Amir's got more chance of fighting him in a Las Vegas casino car park!
It's too early for Amir to think about pound-for-pound fights with the best in the business.
Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are in that category because they've won titles at lots of different weights.
Amir has only just won his first title and he's had two defences.
He's done very well but I think he should concentrate on unifying his division and becoming an undisputed world champion. It's something he is definitely capable of achieving
