European Honours in Selby’s Sights

 

Lee Selby is confident he can come through his impending British and Commonwealth Featherweight title defence with John Simpson and start to look forward to challenging for European honours.

 

Current Featherweight EBU champion is Alexander Miskirtchian of Belgium who took the title from Frenchman Sofiane Takoucht with a split decision early this year. And Selby, of Barry in Wales, sees a showdown with Miskirtchian as a natural progression providing he can get through the tough and durable John Simpson when they meet at York Hall on the 18th November, live on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456).

 

He said “A European title is definitely on my radar. I’ve got a very tough fight against John Simpson that I need to come through first, but I want to start to push on and start making waves internationally”. The more experienced Simpson, of Greenock Scotland, will have other ideas though when the two step through the ropes at York Hall as he hopes to get his once promising career back on track after two hard fought close points decision losses to Stephen Smith.

 

The featherweight showdown is part of a hard-hitting card from George and Francis Warren’s Queensberry Promotions which features Tony Conquest vs. Toks Owoh for the Southern Area Title as chief support.

 

Francis Warren talking about the main event said “This is Lee Selby’s big chance to hold his hand up and prove he’s ready for a shot at European honours so it’s a huge night for him. Simpson however is going to be an enormously tough test, he fought two extremely close bouts with Smith and will be looking to prove himself against a fighter, in Selby, that has managed to overcome Smith. It’s a really interesting showdown but if Lee comes through it we’ll definitely be looking to try and get him that EBU title shot at some point next year."

 

Tickets priced £40 and £60 are available from the Queensberry Promotions Box Office on 01992 550 888 orwww.frankwarren.tv

VASSELL NOT DUCKING PURDY

DENTON VASSELL’S camp insist they will give Lee Purdy a rematch and beat him for the second time.

Vassell was named as mandatory contender for Purdy’s British title, but the Manchester banker decided to make a Commonwealth title defence instead of facing his old rival.

The 27-year-old will make the second defence of his crown against Cameroon born Australian Samuel Colomban at Oldham Sport Centre on Saturday November 12.

Unbeaten Vassell won the Commonwealth crown when he outpointed Purdy back in April 2010.

Denton’s trainer Bob Shannon said: “Hopefully he’ll fight Purdy in the New Year now.

“We didn’t take it this time, but we’re not running away. We will fight him again and beat him again.”

Shannon has warned Vassell that Colomban is a serious threat adding: “Denton is looking very strong right now, but he has got to.

“This kid is a very strong kid and similar to Denton – comes forward and is a very big puncher. This is a very big test.”

To see the interview in full and exclusive training footage of Denton Vassell log onto to www.hattonboxing.com

The bill will also include former European super-featherweight champion Stephen Foster Jr, Kieran Farrell, Dezzie Higginson, Adam Little and Matty Askin.

Boxing starts at 6.15pm and tickets priced at £35, £55 and £75 VIP ringside. You can buy by calling 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991 or online www.hattonboxing.com

KATSIDIS JOINS UP WITH EARL AHEAD OF BURNS FIGHT

Brit Basher Michael Katsidis has teamed up with former victim Graham Earl ahead of his Interim WBO World Lightweight title clash with Ricky Burns at the Wembley Arena this Saturday night.

The Aussie powerhouse was involved in a thriller against Earl in 2007 - also at Wembley Arena - that saw both fighters hit the canvas in a thriller before Earl was pulled out by his corner before the start of the sixth round.

Katsidis has based himself at Earl's gym in Luton for the final week leading up to his fight with Burns, that will be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456).

"It's great to catch up with Graham after that terrific war we had a few years ago and only in boxing can you get that special bond between fighters who've had to dig deep to win," Said Katsidis.

"I saw him briefly last year when I was over for the Kevin Mitchell fight and he offered us his gym to use then,"

"When the Burns fight was made I was straight on the phone to Graham to arrange to train at the gym. He's a great guy and he's looked after us while we've been in England this time,"

"The gym's out of the centre of London so I can get away from all the noise and mayhem and just focus on the fight against Burns,"

Earl, who fought Burns in 2005 and lost on points over eight rounds, hasn't passed on any tips to Katsidis.

"I understand that Graham is friends with Ricky and I wouldn't ask him anything anyway," he added.

"The Burns he fought in 2005 is different to the one I'm going to facing on Saturday night,"

"If Earl did tell me anything it wouldn't be much use as Burns is a different fighter now,"

"He's really come on since that fight, he won a world title and his experience and skill has improved and now he's moving up in weight as well,"

"All I can say is that I have a plan to beat Burns and I can promise the fans that I will fight as I do in every fight I have,"