BoxRec

Any tasty names in action? Gagging to get back to the venue and see another fight.

I'm talking about guys who've knocked around world level, not just domestic guys who aren't much cop outside of this forum.

Any heavyweight scraps coming up? Would love to see a Danny Williams or a Sprott type of guy in the flesh.

I think there is one on Saturday, then again on Feb 1st. But to be honest, it is domestic level guys.

Tony Oakey looks to settle a score when he defends his British light-heavyweight title against Londoner Peter Haymer at York Hall on Friday, February 1.
These two met at the same venue on a sweltering night in June 2005, and after 10 dour rounds, Haymer got the nod by one point from Bristol referee Grant Wallis - much to the chagrin of Oakey's mentor Frank Maloney, fit to be tied once more.
It wasn't a great spectacle.
Since then, their fortunes have contrasted. Oakey went on a winning run which culminated in the coveted British title while Haymer went for the Commonwealth belt (once held by Oakey) but lost quickly to Jamaican puncher Ovill McKenzie and was then outscored by switch-hitting Northampton nightmare Paul David in an eight-rounder, although David subsequently also licked Andrew Lowe.
Haymer has been in a lot of wars dating back to an amateur thriller with David Haye 11 years ago in which he was eventually sparked. You wonder how much the 29-year-old "Daddy" has left.
Of course, 32-year-old Oakey has engaged in countless wars himself and looked on the way out when he copped a year's ban for cocaine use after defeat to Matthew Barney in 2003 and was wobbled by Brummie journeyman Varuzhan Davtyan (whom he stopped at the end of the fifth) and edged out by Haymer on his shaky return. But the Portsmouth brawler gradually shook off the rust in a series of low-key wins, before coming good again as he outlasted Ipswich warrior Steve Spartacus for the British title and retained with a draw in a tricky first defence in Dublin against Irish southpaw Brian Magee.
That was his last fight.
Not a big puncher and stumpy for the weight, Oakey ploughs forward and grinds the ambition out of opponents with constant aggression, body work, great stamina, a solid chin... He's quite a punishing fighter. But the talented, rangy Haymer has the reach, boxing ability and snap in his punches to give him another close, hard fight. Yes, the verdict he got first time did look a bit 'iffy' but it was hardly the worst in the world and Peter proved competitive all the way. His subsequent loss to McKenzie (two rounds) may have been one of those 'caught cold' things (he previously outscored McKenzie); the awkward David could trouble anyone.
So another scrap looks on the cards between two gutsy, capable exponents. Haymer, once hailed the greatest English champ ever, is due a big performance and his quicker, longer punches should enable him to build a lead. But Oakey is nothing if not remorseless. Expect him to grind out a 12-round decision.

"The greatest English champ ever" That title has a long and prestigious history for sure.

(I know it's not your quote, Bennie. It just amused me)

Wasn't they talking of closing down York Hall a while back? Have them plans been shelved? Hope so.

King Tubby wrote:Wasn't they talking of closing down York Hall a while back? Have them plans been shelved? Hope so.

think thats been selved for good now

I wrote this wee piece about it a few months ago http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Hall%2C_Bethnal_Green