Chris Truman believes meeting boxing legend, Roy Jones Junior, has inspired him ahead of his British Masters Title showdown with Stephen Jennings.

The Erdington-born light welterweight met the four-weight world champion at the Hawthorns last Saturday evening. The 'Fighter of the Decade' for the 1990s - as voted by the Boxing Writers Association of America – appeared at West Bromwich Albion’s home stadium for a sporting dinner.

 

Truman, who takes on Jennings at the Institute, Digbeth, Birmingham on Saturday, 29th June, went along as a guest of Promoter, Marcus Anderson.

The 28 year-old has drawn inspiration from speaking to Jones, the only boxer in history to start his career as a light middleweight and go on to win a heavyweight title.

 

“It was a real honour to meet him,” Truman told www.uko-boxing.com . “He’s a boxing legend and he had so many stories to tell. He’s an inspiration.

 

“I shook his hand and had a good chat with him about my own career and he told me to keep working hard and putting in the hours in the gym and I’ll get my rewards.

 

“You look at him, in such good shape for a 44 year-old, and it makes you realise that if you live the life, you can achieve things. Meeting Roy was amazing and he’s inspired me ahead of the Jennings fight.

 

“It will be a tough test but, after listening to Roy talk about being a four-weight champion, it makes you realise that anything is possible.”

As well as Truman versus Jennings, It’s-A-Bout-Boxing’s ‘Salvation: Rise of the Trumanator’ also features Coventry super featherweight Troy ‘Terrifying’ James, Burton welterweight Tom Shaw and Welsh light middleweight prospect, Warren Sinden.

Northampton lightweight, Jamie Spence, and prospects Michael Mooney and Ainsley Seivwright complete the card.

Tickets are priced at just £25 General, £50 Ringside and £75 VIP Ringside. They are by calling the Box Office on 0845 467 3930 or 07888 870 650.

On July 6 (Palace Of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine) all boxing fans will get an opportunity to enjoy a big show promoted by K2 Promotions (Klitschko Brothers Company) and supported by TM Khortytsya and Inter Channel. WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Zaur Baysangurov will face American challenger Demetrius Andrade. It will be the third title defense for Baysangurov.

 

At the moment Zaur continues his training camp with Abel Sanchez at The Summit (Big Bear Lake, CA).

 

 “I arrived to Los-Angeles two months before the match. Andrade is high rated boxer and I do perceive that this fight is very serious.  I started working from my first day in California, so now me and Abel are focused on strategy and physicals and in few days I start to spar.

I’m very satisfied with our cooperation. Sanchez is unique man, very good person and excellent teacher.

I know that there are a lot of people in my native land and Ukraine, who support me and expect my victory, so I’ll do my best not to disappoint them. It will be not a cakewalk, but I`ll do it. ” - said Zaur Baysangurov.

 

“The contract is signed. Now July 6th is official. This time we will make a show never seen before in Ukraine. The main event itself worth much and the undercard is not lagging behind - Rudenko - Baktov(heavy), Salamov vs Djabbarov (light-heavy), Tereshkin (heavy), Spyrko (light-middle). We will show the fight in Ukraine, Russia, Chechnia, Europe and USA. Housands in attendants in Kyiv Palace of Sports will derive pleasure  from the world class show! Everyone can allow visiting as the ticket price starts from 30 hrn (4 USD).”- said director general “K2 Promotions” Aleksandr Krasyuk.

RICKY HATTON TRAINING NEW RISING STAR

LEADING European bantamweight contender Zhanat Zhakiyanov has begun training with Ricky Hatton and his assistant Mike Jackson at Hatton Health and Fitness in Hyde.

The big punching Kazakhstani has been part of Hatton Promotions' stable since 2011 and feels a move to England will help him take his career to the next level.

Zhakiyanov has won 12 of his 19 victories by knockout and is the current mandatory challenger to EBU titlist Stephane Jamoye.

"I'm very happy and very proud to be trained by Ricky because he is one of the greatest boxers in history," Zhanat, 25, said.

"I am new to this country, but I do not mind being away from home because I am a survivor and have lived though many things.

"Boxers from Kazakhstan often go to other countries to become world champions and I am the same. Vassiliy Jirov was my idol and he boxed mainly in America. I hope I can have a career like his here with Ricky."

Zhanat has only been in the gym for a few days, but already he has made a huge impression on 'The Hitman'.

"I've been very impressed, but I'm also excited that there's so much more I can do with him," Hatton said.

"Zhanat only came to us this week and I can see the improvement already. As the weeks and months go by, I think he's going to get better and better.

"He's already the number one contender in the EBU rankings and he's got there very little coaching. This kid has come through on sheer talent and I'm excited because there's a lot more we can add to him.

"He's very heavy handed and I believe with a little bit of fine tuning he can go all the way.

"I'm confidence he can beat Stephan Jayome for the European title and that should get him ranked at number two or three by the WBC. It's not going to be easy, but winning that fight alone could put him near to a world title."