BoxRec

Drops the British..

WBU - here he comes!

Get Tae fornicate any links.

He vacated the British and Commonwealth titles during his post fight interview tonight.

Wouldn't mind seeing a Macca rematch though, I thought he won it last time and probably would of done better if it wasn't for being inactive.

I think its a fair decision by HObson, as he said last night the next mandatory for the british title is Rob Norton , who Hobson beat to win the title 3 years ago, so the motivation might not be there. Also after last nights win he has a Lonsdale belt for keeps, and he's done it in some right wars as well.
I think now he's signed by Warren he can get some good fights on the international scene, Mark deserves some more good paydays.

This news is now confirmed on his promoters website.

What "World" title shot will it be do you reckon, WBU or for the interim WBO title - Maccrinelli will probably make a defence of the belt before Nelson returns.

Below Hobson at Cruiserweight is very competitive, so could have some good dust ups.

What is Dean Francis' status with the injury.... is it completely f'd again or is he looking at a return. If he is coming back I suspect it will be Francis vs Norton for the vacant title... With Norton's inactivity this is winnable for Francis if his shoulder doesn't give way.

I think, although it is obviously liable to alteration and does not necessarily mean anything anyway, that Enzo's fight on the Calzaghe, sorry, Williams-Skelton card, was originally penned in as a WBO interim fight, but is now just a WBU fight. Don't know if that means anything.

If Hobson is "targetting" a world title fight, then I'd guess he'll just have a few fights against some imports of varying quality until the enzo/nelson/wbo triangle sorts itself out. Can't see him fighting Haye very quickly.

Fighting for one of the big 3/4's intercontinental titles is also a neat trick in order to bill a "world title fight" yet ensure opposition is sufficiently tailorable.

Below Nelson/Macca/Hobson/Haye I reckon Rob Norton is the best of the rest. A big cruiser with excellent countering skills.

He should have the beating of whoever they match him with for the vacant title.

Would the combined age of 69 (or maybe 70 when it happens) be the oldest for a British title fight. Thats if it is Norton vs Keeton for the vacant title.

Surely it must be the oldest combined aged for fighters fighting for a vacant British title?

Norton's inactivity is worrying.

Although in saying that, he has been unlucky with opponents. He has been lined up to fight and then opponents pull out at the last minute. He was due to fight for the WBF 'world' crown about this time last year; against Konstantin Schevts - who pulled out, after failing a medical - no one seems to be willing to fight Rob.

I would fancy Rob over near enough all the cruiserweights in the UK (Nelson, Haye, Maccarinelli and Hobson aside).

People talk of Dean Francis, but lets not forget Dean has a major weakness in his shoulder, he can beat the likes of Tommy Eastwood - a non-puncher- with only one good shoulder, but Norton is a whole different proposition. Incidentally I’ve seen the Francis-Eastwood fight, and i thought Eastwood did enough to share the spoils - the ref scored it 95-94.

Norton is a big cruiserweight, with good power (17 stopped in 27 wins) - the only man to put Paul Bonson down for the count in over 100 fights- who can counter very well for a big man.

Francis has never fought a man of Rob's size and power.

The other men who could take on Rob (who will fight for the vacant title) are:

Carl Wright- Rugby - 13-0-1 - Midland Area & British Masters Champion.
- I don't feel Carl is up to the job, he was poor against Tony Dowling, and couldn't stop him - the only man not to do so.

John 'Buster' Keeton - Sheffield - 25-14.
- Was OK against Hobson, but stopped in his last 3.

Lee Swaby- Lincoln - 22-15-2.
- Already beaten by Norton, but will give it a go. Took on the highly rated Marco Huck last time.

Purely from a West Midlands perspective, I’d like to see Carl Wright take on Rob Norton. It would be a fascinating clash between two West Midlands lads, which would ensure that the title would be coming to the Midlands!

Tom Podmore.

Carl Wright wouldnt be up to the challenge I am afriad - Norton would box his ears off.

Still, as you say Tom it would secure the title for the west mids one way or the other!

Andries v Nelson beats it I think 43 and 29/30?

1996 British Cruiserweight title.

I don't know if he'd be interested but Ola Afolabi could box for the British title as he was born in Britain, he's based himself in America for his pro career and record 2 good wins in his last fights over Michael Simms and Orlin Norris, the win over Norris hasn't been built on really that took place last November and Ola hasn't fought since .

Motivation is the key issue here - and I felt that was the cause of a below par performance from Hobson against Keeton.

As Mark said, he has beaten every top 10 British Cruiser outside the top 5 and has gone full circle. Mark needs challenges to get the best out of himself and now at his peak needs to be stepping up to the plate at a higher level. He tends to throw caution to the wind when faced with inferior performers - eg Keeton and Tony Moran and gets involved in exciting brawls rather boxing of the jab and working combinations of the front foot, which is Marks strength.

The WBU baulbe would afford Mark some well overdue good paydays, test himself against international opponents whilst waiting for the re-match with Enzo or fight with Jonny Nelson to come along. for what its worth I still think Nelson will beat Enzo, with Mark having a better chance through his experience of sparring Jonny and better ring savvy.

Yea Norton has talent, but since the beating from Hobson has looked gunshy. Doesnt look like he wants a real fight these days, is getting no younger and could well be beaten by the likes of Dean Francis, Carl Wright, who when motivated can look the part.

Hope they make Hobson Vs Macca 2 for the WBO interim.

Hobson should win it.

Max Molyneux wrote:Hope they make Hobson Vs Macca 2 for the WBO interim.

Hobson should win it.

Max, I think SN are going to let this one build up for a while. The Macca v Nelson will happen, so I think we are looking at Xmas-or first part of 07 before Macca/Hobson re-match.

Manager Chris Aston has confirmed that, contrary to information wrongly posted on the internet, MARK HOBSON remains the British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion.

For the avoidance of any doubt we wish to make this clear.

(dated 7th June)

http://www.bbbofc.com/notices/985878205 ... 9cdf37.doc

jomothepure wrote:

Manager Chris Aston has confirmed that, contrary to information wrongly posted on the internet, MARK HOBSON remains the British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion.

For the avoidance of any doubt we wish to make this clear.

(dated 7th June)

http://www.bbbofc.com/notices/985878205 ... 9cdf37.doc

DG is not wrong.

Hobson said it on TV!

The least they could have done is Name Me!

DG.. Spelt D.......G!

jimmy from the green wrote:

Max Molyneux wrote:Hope they make Hobson Vs Macca 2 for the WBO interim.

Hobson should win it.

Max, I think SN are going to let this one build up for a while. The Macca v Nelson will happen, so I think we are looking at Xmas-or first part of 07 before Macca/Hobson re-match.

Long as it happens, I don't mind when it's set for.

Oh Yeah and I think as long as inactivity, injury and age hasn't got to Nelson then he should clearly beat Macca like Hobson did.