BoxRec

Froch returns to EAST TWO

http://www.hennessysports.com/upload/CF ... 06_600.jpg

Carl Froch will return to the home of British Boxing a champion when he defends his Commonwealth super middleweight title against Australian tough guy Dale Westerman on the Hennessy Sports promoted ‘EAST TWO’ event at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on February 17th.

The 28-year-old, regarded by some as the hottest property in the sport, took his fledgling steps as a professional at the historic and atmospheric venue as a founder member of Hennessy Sports’ ‘Real Class of 2002,’ but has not returned since stopping Varuzhan Davtyan in five rounds in March 2003.

“I had my first four fights at the York Hall, (five in total),” said ‘The Cobra,’ who also holds the British Title and is ranked #6 with the WBC. “They were all good nights. There was always a different feel to the events featuring the Class and the place always sold out.

“You get a very knowledgeable crowd there. They got behind me as a prospect, so I am looking forward to seeing how they receive me now that I have gone on to become a double champion.”

The Westerman fight, being covered live by SKY Sports, will also be his first appearance in the Capital for some time.

Since impressively beating Dmitry Adamovich in Dagenham in early 2004, a brief Hollywood excursion aside, Froch has boxed exclusively in his hometown of Nottingham, developing one of the largest bases of supporters in domestic boxing in the process. That show is now hitting the road.

“There are going to be a lot of people coming down the M1,” the undefeated Froch, who had a stellar amateur career, added. “I always had good support when I boxed in London before, but there is even more interest now. My brother Lee will be cramming people into the coaches!

“I hope a lot of locals will turn out to see me as well. I intend to always box regularly in Nottingham, the fans there are my inspiration, but I have said from day one that I want to show the people of the Capital what I am all about at different stages of my career. I know I am the best super middleweight this country has, so it makes sense to want to prove that to them.”

A good performance against Westerman will continue that process in style. The Melbourne fighter is in the midst of an Indian Summer that he puts down to a renewed dedication, restructured training programme and vastly improved diet.

His four most recent wins have all been at title level and against decent opposition. Perhaps his most impressive performance came in Japan last year when he decisioned local puncher Yoshinori Nishizawa, who in his previous fight had lost a decision to WBC champion Markus Beyer in Germany, despite scoring a knockdown in the 2nd round.

Westerman is able to pack a dig of his own. Last time out he floored fellow Aussie Brett Culey twice on the way to another Championship distance decision. He may be even more dangerous given that he is moving down from light heavy for this opportunity.

“Westerman is going to be a real handful. He is going to be big at the weight, is in good form and has had plenty of notice,” appraised Froch, who last time out became the first to stop rugged South African Ruben Groenewald.

“He is a tough-man and obviously game too. Fair-play to him for taking for this, when other top-rated eligible contenders including Syd Vanderpool, Jason DeLisle, Ian Gardner and Evans Ashira chose not to, for whatever reason

“Apparently he talks a good fight as well, so this should be entertaining in and out of the ring. I read that he wants to gatecrash the world top 10 and get a world title shot, so it looks like he’s after my rating as well as my Commonwealth title. He’s in for a bit of a shock isn’t he?”

For the latest bill please visit: www.HennessySports.com
Tickets: 0870 444 555 6

Nice to hear he's fighting in London for a change, it's lame living in London for boxing.

Good he's getting the fights under his belt too, although I hope this won't jephordise (well however the fornicate you spell it) the Magee fight in any way

I've seen Westerman in with Yohinori Nishizawa for the Super Middleweight OPBF title, he is tough but limited. This is a pretty poor match, would have rather seen him in with Dodson but considering it is only a tune up for the Magee fight in late March it's not so bad i suppose.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Nice to hear he's fighting in London for a change, it's lame living in London for boxing.

It's better than Liverpool for boxing.

Neri1983 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Nice to hear he's fighting in London for a change, it's lame living in London for boxing.

It's better than Liverpool for boxing.

And keeping your hubcaps.

Neri1983 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Nice to hear he's fighting in London for a change, it's lame living in London for boxing.

It's better than Liverpool for boxing.

Both are better than Leicester.

It just surprises me that considering London is at the centre of so many things, there are so few major fights staged there.

At a guess without seeing figures, I would say proportionally the north of england has a far higher proportion of Gyms than the south, and more traditional communities centred around particular areas.

People in London are flying about all over the place, and outside of a few communities in the east end and pockets of north london, don't stick in one spot long enough.

I guess maybe there isn't the support for live boxing in London there used to be a couple of decades ago, and too many competing attractions.

I'm talking myself out of this one aren't I?

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It just surprises me that considering London is at the centre of so many things, there are so few major fights staged there.

At a guess without seeing figures, I would say proportionally the north of england has a far higher proportion of Gyms than the south, and more traditional communities centred around particular areas.

People in London are flying about all over the place, and outside of a few communities in the east end and pockets of north london, don't stick in one spot long enough.

I guess maybe there isn't the support for live boxing in London there used to be a couple of decades ago, and too many competing attractions.

I'm talking myself out of this one aren't I?

London rents are much higher than the rest of the country so makes boxing events less profitable maybe???

He isn't in against a world beater that is true, however he is in against a resonably tough opponent who has been in against good fellows and held his own. That he is having two challenging fights in two months is to be commended. OPBF seems to be worth something similar to a national title aswell.

Would like to see him get that european title off chanet though (although I havent seen him fight and don't know what challenge he poses). Good to see a british fighter going the right way.

knockout wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It just surprises me that considering London is at the centre of so many things, there are so few major fights staged there.

At a guess without seeing figures, I would say proportionally the north of england has a far higher proportion of Gyms than the south, and more traditional communities centred around particular areas.

People in London are flying about all over the place, and outside of a few communities in the east end and pockets of north london, don't stick in one spot long enough.

I guess maybe there isn't the support for live boxing in London there used to be a couple of decades ago, and too many competing attractions.

I'm talking myself out of this one aren't I?

London rents are much higher than the rest of the country so makes boxing events less profitable maybe???

Probably a factor yes, I would have thought venues are going to be a lot more expensive. I also think it would be very difficult these days to get 22,000 people to turn up to watch any fighter in London.

Can anyone recall what the gate was when Hatton fought at the excel?

Have no chance of a major fight happening here these days, i'd appreciate regular domestic cards.

Can anyone answer this: When was the last time a genuine (WBC,WBA or IBF) world title was contested in Liverpool ?

Not Neary's WBU, or Culshaw's WBU & WBF titles thanks

Neri1983 wrote:Can anyone answer this: When was the last time a genuine (WBC,WBA or IBF) world title was contested in Liverpool ?

John Conteh vs Len Hutchins 1977?

Liverpool has nothing in the way of a good venue to stage boxing and thats the problem. The Olympia has a great atomosphere but its too small. When Hoko had the WBC title he couldn't defend it here beacuse there was no where to go. If Holligan had done the impossible and beaten Chavez he would probably have gone up the road and defended it in Manchester. The same thing would have happened if Dunne or Culshaw had ever won one of the big three. The fans are here all they need is a venue and a champion and they'll go ten thousand or more.

Me dad's mentioned the Liverpool Arena, think it was the only purpose built boxing arena in Britain/Europe. Since that shut down theres only the Olympia, or Everton park sports centre :)

There seems to be absolutely loads of fight fans in Liverpool. It's weird that there's no real outlet for them any more. Probably down to the lack of a star name or champion, as others have mentioned.

Kevo wrote:Me dad's mentioned the Liverpool Arena, think it was the only purpose built boxing arena in Britain/Europe. Since that shut down theres only the Olympia, or Everton park sports centre :)

Dick Tiger fought there a few times I believe whilst he was living in Liverpool for a short while.

Dick Tiger....... now theres a guy who could really rumble.

Londons bad, leciester is bad..........


fornicate me I live in newcastle - our biggest fights are Calzaghe V Reid, Woodhall v Nardiello, Audley fought here once, Junior Witter fought and won in 2 rounds at 12.30am - good job he won early as there was a curfew on the arena!!!!

Apart from that we have had Billy hardy (mackem) Glenn Mc and John Davison!!!

JamesMc - London may be shit but spare a thought lol.......

Come to think of it imagine if the geordies had a fighter we could get behind up here - fornicate me the place would be rocking!!

Mustn't forget Michael Hunter who is doing the biz but is a monkey hanger (sorry Ian lol)

Regards

Wrists

Wrists, you may have a point. But I live in Northampton, so I reckon I'm even worse off than you mate.

It's not that there's a shortage of fights, it's just that they're all outside top nitespot (sic) 'Legends', or Northampton's premier drugs and snooker venue, 'The Cue Club'. Some of the shows put on just outside the front door of Fever are superb as well. Nevermind DK promotions, 'VK (ice) promotions' has this town sewed up.

I really should move........