PRIZEFIGHTER BRINGS IN THE INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHTS
By: Peter Mann RCM’s UK Boxing Writer and Freelance Sports Writer
On the night of Wednesday 20th June Sky Sports will once again provide the increasing spectacle of the Prizefighter series, and, for the second time in its four year reign, the International Heavyweights take centre stage. Only as recent as May 2011 that of Mike Perez would take the plaudits as he defeated Tye Fields in the series finale.
This time round the field is again very much a strong one. A line-up that includes two former WBC Heavyweight title challengers in American Kevin Johnson, 26(12)-1-1 and Pole Albert Sosnowski, 46(28)-4(3)-2. The latter is, by some way, the most experienced fighter going into the event. Both boxers lost to Vitali Klitschko with Johnson losing via a UD12 back in December 2009 and Sosnowski in May of 2010, but courtesy of a tenth round KO.
Johnson is one of three American boxers lined up to fight at York Hall and Promoter Eddie Hearn was quoted as saying that “June 20th promises to be a real tear up at York Hall with eight huge hitters gunning for the big prize.
“Johnson, Sosnowski and Harris bring plenty of calibre to the table and for Dallas it’s a big chance to crash the British Heavyweight title party.
“As for Tom Little – what a night for a 24 year old with just three fights on his CV. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain and I’m sure he’ll come out all guns blazing.”
And with Kevin Johnson going in as the favourite to win the prizefighter’s 32k grand prize he told prizefighter.co.uk that “There’s no pressure on me as the favourite, it just makes me look extra good – I should be the favourite because I’m the best here.
“I believe I will turn that into a victory on the night and that I will knock out all three of my opponents on the way – and after that, I’m coming back to beat everyone, all the big names.
“No matter what I’m definitely going to be Heavyweight Champion of the World and this will solidify that shot and I’ll get it quicker than a lot of other people who deserve it less. I’m here now because I’ve been avoided in the US but after winning this, I will be the man in control.”
Of those fighters which Hearn mentioned, Maurice Harris is one of the two remaining Americans on show. Going in with a 25(11)-16Ko’s(11)-2, the fighter, nicknamed Mo Bettah, is the second experienced on the card but, at 36 years of age, is the eldest of the eight fighters. The remaining American is that of Tor Hamer and at 29 he comes in with a 15(10)-1 fight record, his sole defeat arriving in May 2010 via a split decision against Kelvin Price.
The United Kingdom is represented by 27 year old Tom Dallas 15(11)-2(2), whose last two bouts were defeats against that of David Price and Matt Skelton; and the vastly inexperienced Tom Little. Little will be 25 next month and only has three fights under his belt. Granted it will be a massive step up for him but of his victories he can count a PTS success over Hastings Rasani on his record.
Of the two remaining fighters then there is Moroccan Noureddine Meddounne, who in his 4(4)-1 record can count in a TKO1 against Rasani in March 2011; and experienced Brazilian Marcelo Luis Nasciemento. Nasciemento, better known as The Hammer, arrives with a 16(14)-3(2) record and faced Tyson Fury, albeit losing with a TKO5, in February 2011 as well as losing, RTD8 against Manuel Charr for the WBC International Super Heavyweight belt in November 2011.
Of the eight, several others have also fought for titles during the career. Johnson not only fought Klitschko for the WBC Heavyweight but his last bout was a TKO9 over Alex Leapai for the IBF Australasian Heavyweight title two months ago. The last fight for Harris was a defeat via unanimous decision against Edmund Gerber for the USBA Heavyweight title last month and Sosnowski himself claiming the EBU (European) Heavyweight title with a first round TKO over Paul Butlin last time out in September 2010, as well as his Klitschko loss.
English
No Comments Yet