London – TOUGH American Kevin Johnson says former World heavyweight champion Larry Holmes will inspire him to defeat Tyson Fury in their 12-round showdown at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on December 1st.
Thirty-three-year-old Johnson started his professional career with the legendary heavyweight and is confident that the knowledge he gained from Holmes will give him the advantage over unbeaten Fury on the Channel 5 televised battle.
Johnson has already proved his world class when he went the distance with WBC World heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in 2009 and insists that his all round experience will be too much for 24-year-old World title prospect Fury.
Johnson commented: “I learned from the best working with Larry Holmes at the start of my career. He’s a boxing legend and he taught me everything I know – he taught me all the things that Fury wishes he knew.
“It was a real boxing education working with Larry, he did it all in the ring. So I know that I have the tools to beat Fury, no doubt.
“I’ll beat Fury so bad he’ll want to retire, everyone will see that on December 1 in Belfast. Fury’s just not in my class.”
Johnson is determined to get back on the road to another World title fight and that is why he has taken the opportunity of facing Fury in Belfast.
“I have learned a lot from the Klitschko fight, there were mistakes I made in that fight but I am the better man for it and I will get another world title fight. When I beat Fury that should put me back in the frame for another world title shot.
“I’ve been like a lot of American fighters recently who have been on the outside of the world heavyweight scene but when I beat Fury that will change.
“Fury’s a good fighter, he’s done well but I’ll take him to school in Belfast.”
SERGEY RABCHENKO wants to face British light-middleweight champion Brian Rose.
The Manchester based Belarussian makes the first defence of his European crown against Frenchman Cedric Vitu (35-1) at Manchester Arena on Saturday.
Rabchenko (21-0) is trained by Ricky Hatton who headlines Saturday’s card when he returns in a ten rounder against Vyacheslav Senchenko.
Rabchenko, 26, said: “While I respect the value of Vitu, who has an excellent pedigree, I am totally confident that I shall win and keep my European title, thanks to the preparation for this challenge under the guidance of Ricky Hatton and Mike Jackson.
“We’ll sit down, after this, with Ricky Hatton, Philippe Fondu and Valery Kaplia to see what will be the best possible opponents to go further with my career.
“Personally, I would love to box the winner of Brian Rose v Sam Webb, as this is certainly a fight that the British public would like to see.
“I’d be happy to give the British champion an opportunity to compete for the European title”.
Rabchenko who has knocked out 16 of his opponents stopped Ryan Rhodes in seven rounds in June to claim his Euro crown.
He added: “I might be talking of Rose and Webb but I am not overlooking Vitu.”
There is world title action on the bill when Martin Murray (24-0-1) boxes Venezulan Jorge Navarro (12-0) for the vacant WBA interim middleweight crown.
Also Scott Quigg (24-0-1) meets Rendall Munroe (24-2-1) in a vacant WBA interim super-bantamweight title return match. Their summer showdown ended in a technical draw after three rounds because of Munroe’s cut right eye.
There is more title action when Gary Buckland (26-2) put his British super-featherweight crown on the line against Stephen Foster Jr (30-3-1).
Also in action are Hatton Promotions hopefuls Ashley Theophane (32-5-1), Zhanat Zhakiyanov (18-1), James Dickens (12-0), Adam Etches (9-0) and Scott Jenkins (6-0), Mitch Buckland (3-0) and Sam O’Maison (3-0).
Ricky Hatton vs. Vyacheslav Senchenko will be shown live on Primetime, Channel 498 on Sky and Virgin-On-Demand, on Saturday 24th November for only £14.95. To order call 0871 200 4444 or go online towww.primetimeboxing.co.uk.
Unbeaten super-middleweight talent Frank Buglioni has been given a big boost by world champion Nathan Cleverly ahead of his next fight.
Buglioni met with Cleverly at a London gym before the Welshman headed off to Los Angeles to defend his WBO World Light-Heavyweight title against Shaun Hawk with an eighth round stoppage.
Cleverly has been impressed with the young Londoner who’s only had six fights, but has looked better and better with each performance and says he could be future world champion.
The Enfield fighter aims to make it seven fights unbeaten at the ExCeL London on Saturday 15th December when he takes on Belfast’s Ciaran Healy over six-rounds, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).
“I’ve seen quite a few of Frank’s fights and I’ve been really impressed with him so far,” Said Cleverly.
“I like his style, he’s very composed in the ring and puts his punches together well, he moves really well plus he’s got power to back it up,”
“Outside of the ring he’s got a knowledgeable team around him of Mark Tibbs and his father Jimmy who will guide him to the top,”
“Frank’s only had six fights, but he’s showing a lot of improvement with each performance and I don’t see him far off from challenging for British and Commonwealth titles,”
“I challenged for the Commonwealth title in my 13th fight, but maybe Frank might do it sooner if he keeps progressing the way he has,”
“I enjoyed my rise winning British, Commonwealth and European titles and all I’d say to Frank is enjoy the ride now and soak up as much as you can because when the titles start coming the pressure starts,”
“We have the same promoter in Frank Warren who knows when the time is right to challenge for certain titles and he will know when Frank is ready to move up,”
“He’s definitely got the talent and potential to win a world title in the future.”
Buglioni features on an action-packed card at the ExCeL London on Saturday 15th December headlined by WBO World Lightweight Champion Ricky Burns with chief support George Groves defending his Commonwealth Super-Middleweight title against Glen Johnson, plus Commonwealth Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders defending against Nick Blackwell with the vacant British title also on the line. Tickets, priced from £40 are available atwww.eventim.co.ukor by calling 0844 2491000.
