Ross vs Keaton Commonwealth Title in Canada (spoiler).

Box Office · Post by **Box Office** » 19 Mar 2007, 08:51

Cruiserweight Ross looks to Commonwealth title to step up fight career
Published: Sunday, March 18, 2007 | 7:01 PM ET
Canadian Press: BILL BEACON
MONTREAL (CP) - Troy Ross sees winning the Commonwealth cruiserweight title as a means to pick up a lagging pro boxing career.

The Brampton, Ont., fighter who has also played boxers in two Hollywood films will face veteran John (Buster) Keaton (26-14) of Sheffield, England for the Commonwealth cruiserweight belt on Monday night at the Montreal Casino.

"This is a big title," Ross (14-1) said Sunday. "This should elevate me into the top 10. That's what I need to get the best fights and help me get known."

Ross, 31, weighed in at 192.4 pounds while Keaton, the 34-year-old British champ known as a brawler, just made the limit at 200 pounds.

The bout heads a card that includes a Canadian super-welterweight title fight between Fredericton native Ian MacKillop (25-8-2) and Stephane Desormiers (15-2) of Terrebonne, Que.

As well, Walid Smichet (15-2-3) of Montreal faces Matt O'Brien (17-0) of Qualicum Beach, B.C., with the winner advancing to a Canadian middleweight title bout with Bryon Mackie.

Commonwealth title bouts are rare in Canada these days, but are still followed closely in Britain, where Keaton also sees better days ahead with a win.

"I've read a lot about the history of boxing and the Commonwealth title means a hell of a lot to me, as does the British title, and I believe I can do it," Keaton said.

"Troy had good amateur experience but I don't think he has the experience as a pro. I just won a British title back in the U.K. which is a prestigious belt. I've trained very hard and I'm fit like never before, so hopefully we can put on a good show."

Ross had been out of the ring for 20 months when he stopped Hastings Rasani of Zimbabwe in January in London.

The fight came only weeks after signing with Hennessy Canada, a branch of British promoter Mick Hennessy's company that is looking to sign Canada's top pro fighters.

Hennessy Canada is working on this card with Groupe Yvon Michel, the country's largest promoter with stars like contenders Joachim Alcine, Herman Ngoudjo and Jean Pascal.

During his layoff, Ross was stripped of the Canadian title he won from Toronto's Claudio Rasco in 2005. He was busier on the film sets, portraying fighters in "Cinderella Man" and "Resurrecting the Champ."

"I had a lot of fights cancelled during that time for different reasons - that's been the story my whole career," Ross said. "This a stepping stone to bigger and better things."

Michel said Commonwealth bouts are neglected in Canada because fighters here more often go for the regional belts offered by the main sanctioning bodies - the WBC, WBA or IBF. They see winning a North American or Continental Americas belt as the main road up the rankings.

"Also the TV in the United States recognizes those titles, while the Commonwealth may seem foreign to them," Michel said. "This is an important fight because the cruiserweight division is really lively over there (in Britain). It's a division where a champion can make a lot of money."

Adam Harris of Hennessy Canada mentioned David Haye (18-1), Mark Hobson (26-5-1) or even WBO champ Enzo Maccarinelli as possible British opponents if Ross gets by Keaton.

"We see an athlete in Troy that is underdeveloped from the promotional aspect," Harris said. "We think we can make him a very big star."

Between Montreal and Toronto, Hennessy Canada has six fighters signed, while overall Hennessy has about 40, including junior welterweight champ Junior Witter of Britain, who is in town for the fight.

Keaton lost three fights in a row in 2006 before a TKO win over Lee Swaby in Sheffield.

"It's not that the guys were better, I just didn't believe enough in myself," Keaton said. "I had a job. Boxing was more of a hobby. But when I won that British title, I picked it up."

Ross, who was born in Guyana and came to Canada when he was seven, feels his mix of power with both hands and speed will prevail.

"He'll come straight in and try to mix it up, so I've got to use my jab and try to put combinations together," Ross said. "Keaton looks more like the brawling type."

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 19 Mar 2007, 12:06

Anyone know when this is on Eurosport.

Boxrec say Eurosport have the rights to it, but I cannot find it in its schedules.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 20 Mar 2007, 06:02

*******spoiler***********

Keaton lost KO2

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 20 Mar 2007, 07:34

there was always the potential that this match would end in an early defeat for keaton, he's been stopped 11 previous time, usually against good opponents though.
With his free swinging style, he's always open to taking a big shot in return.

Big Pussy · Post by **Big Pussy** » 20 Mar 2007, 08:25

Not a surprising result in the slightest. Keaton is a journeyman who lucked out against Swaby. Keaton gets easily beat against Hobson next month.

Ross with Hobson would be an interesting fight. I'd edge for Hobson down the stretch if he can handle the early onslaught.

Ally-M1 · Post by **Ally-M1** » 20 Mar 2007, 08:27

Keeton was always going to get beat, as rightly pointed out - he's no better than a 'good' journeyman Pro...

I should think he'll lose his title against Hobson.