Froch and Groves make weight for Wembley – Fight night running order

By Andy Clark

Posted on May 30, 2014

Carl Froch and George Groves are set for their rematch at Wembley Stadium connected by EE after they made the weight in front of a 5,000 strong crowd at Wembley Arena.

Froch defends his IBF and WBA World Super Middleweight titles live on Sky Sports Box Office in association with Betway against Groves in a grudge rematch of their epic encounter in Manchester in November, and the champion tipped the scales at 11st 13lbs 9oz – heavier than the 11st 12lbs 4oz challenger.

Photo credit – Lawrence Lustig

Lying in wait for the winner of the main event will be the victor from the chief support bout as James DeGale MBE (11st 13lbs 7oz) and Brandon Gonzales (11st 13lbs 8oz) who meet in a final eliminator for the IBF belt. That’s the prize also on offer when Kevin Mitchell (9st 8lbs 9oz) faces Ghislain Maduma (9st 8lbs 12oz) for the right to face IBF Lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez

Jamie McDonnell is aiming to become a two-time World champion when he meets Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat for the vacant WBA Bantamweight title, with the Doncaster man scaling 8st 5lbs 10oz and his Thai opponent 8st 5lb 1oz.

The show begins at 6.30pm with Heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua MBE (16st 12lbs) facing Matt Legg (16st 3lbs 9oz)

Saturday night’s running order (subject to change)

6.30pm Anthony Joshua MBE vs. Matt Legg

Followed by

Jamie McDonnell vs. Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat

Followed by

Kevin Mitchell vs. Ghislain Maduma

Followed by

James DeGale MBE vs. Brandon Gonzales

Followed by

9. 50pm ring walk for Carl Froch vs. George Groves

Photo credit – Lawrence Lustig

Bradley Saunders ready for first title shot

By Andy Clark

Posted on May 30, 2014

Red hot light-welterweight Bradley Saunders will challenge for his first professional title at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on Saturday 7th June.

The undefeated 28-year-old from Sedgefield, a former Beijing Olympian and 2007 Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist, faces Villi Piispenen for the Vacant WBO Intercontinental title on the undercard of Stuart Hall’s IBF World Bantamweight title defence against Paul Butler.

Saunders has looked sensational since turning professional in 2012, racking up an unbeaten record of nine wins with seven knockouts. His last four fights have ended by stoppage within five rounds and he received rave reviews after his last hard-hitting display against Mitch Prince in March.

Piispenen is his most experienced opponent to date. The 30-year-old from Finland has won 18 out of 25 fights, with three draws and out of the four losses he’s only been stopped once by Giuseppe Lauri back in 2008. More recently he’s extended European Champion Michele Di Rocco in their title fight and Britain’s Lenny Daws in a European Union title bid.

However, Saunders is looking to showcase his potential again with another exciting performance to claim the title.

“I can’t wait, this will be the first of many titles in my career,” Enthused Saunders

“I’ve been building my career along nicely with my last two fights back up here and I’m over the moon that my fans will now get to see me win my first title at home,”

“I hear that Piispenen has been wanting to fight me for some time and I was supposed to fight him last time instead of Mitch Prince. Maybe he’s seen something in me that he thinks he can beat, but I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got to offer,”

“Looking at his record he’s mixed in good class and has travelled around a bit so he’ll be used to fighting away from home, but he’s never felt the heat of my roaring fans in the north-east hotbed before and then he’s got to contend with me in the ring,”

“I’ve had a great training in Marbella with the team and I’m looking forward to showing the results next Saturday night.”

Stuart Hall defends his IBF world bantamweight title against Paul Butler at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on June 7. The undercard for the show features Bristol’s Lee Haskins in an IBF world bantamweight title eliminator against Sergio Perales.

Also appearing will be Birtley’s British cruiserweight champion Jon-Lewis Dickinson taking on Commonwealth ruler Ovill McKenzie; Guisborough’s Josh Leather; Sedgefield’s Bradley Saunders; County Durham’s Thomas Patrick Ward; Doncaster’s Dave Allen and Jason Cunningham; Sunderland’s Jordan King; Wales’ Rhys Evans, and Northumberland’s Lewis Scott.

Tickets priced at £40, £60, £75, £150 and VIP £200 are available via Box Office 0844 493 6666 (VIP Packages 0114 243 4443) or from dennishobson.com

Watch Hall v Butler live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/HD 490 and Virgin Ch. 546). Join at www.boxnation.com