Boxing Show with Jason Lowe

Steve Bunce


Live Tour success

By Jason Lowe

Steve Bunce with Jason Lowe

The Steve Bunce Live Show at the Dubliner pub was a huge success last month. A packed pub of fans and boxers warmly welcomed the popular boxing pundit ahead of the two hour intimate show, which covered a wide range of topics.

From discussing his own career, upcoming fights, the Super 6, Carl Froch, David Haye and British boxer Kirkland Laing, Steve was also accompanied by special guests. Guests included the newly crowned European Middleweight Midland's boxer Matthew Macklin and British Masters Champion Eddie McIntosh.

Both boxers talked candidly about their careers and what's in store in the future. Don Broadhurst also sat on stage informing the crowd of a double whammy title shot that will hopefully take place in December. Also John Pegg from Warrior Promotions was there to support along with former top Irish Heavyweight Champion Joe Egan and Vince Smith.

The Steve Bunce Live Show in Digbeth was part of a tour to create awareness and gather support for Steve in his search for a television company to reinstate his show, which came off our screens with the demise of Setanta.

In a very generous gesture Steve sold some boxing items and donated the proceeds to the Eastside Boxing Club based in Bordesley Green.

For more information or to show your support visit:

http://www.bringbackbunce.net/.


Dave Christopher Tully remembered

By Jason Lowe

It has been two years since the Midlands boxing community lost one of its own great coaches and I for one will not forget him. Dave Tully was a marvel at the Ladywood gym. He took over in the early 1970s and remained there until the doors closed years later, after helping many fighters turn their dreams into reality.

Dave sadly passed away the night Carl Froch fought Robin Reid in Nottingham and I heard the sad news while at ringside. I for one thought Dave was a nice chap who wanted to help people achieve their goals inside and out of the ring and I would like to think he is up there looking at us now with pride.

'Davo, you were a true gent and I will always remember you. Thank you for your support and my lasting memories of laughs we had over cups of tea.'

Jason

Home comforts for Lee against reigning European Union and French Champion

Middleweight contender Andy Lee announced details of his next fight at a press conference overlooking the hallowed turf of Thomond Park in Limerick. The U.S. based southpaw will be back at the University Sports Arena in his native city on November 14th when he takes on Frenchman Affif Belghecham on the Yanjing Fight Night.

Today's press conference at the legendary home of twice European club rugby champions Munster gave Lee the perfect opportunity to talk about his clash with Belghecham, the reigning European Union and French Middleweight champ.

The Lyon native is rated just ahead of Lee in the current European ratings occupying eighth place with the Shannonsider just behind in ninth place on a list headed by newly-crowned European Champion Matthew Macklin.

There has been plenty of talk about a possible all Irish European title showdown between Lee and Macklin but the Castleconnell man insists that his sole focus is on dealing with the formidable threat posed by Belghecham in Limerick next month.

“I've watched him in action and he's going to be a very tough opponent,” said the U.S. based Lee.

“He's the current European Union Champion and is coming into this fight on the back of some very good wins. He's never been stopped so it could be a tough night but I'm really looking forward to it.”

The fight will be Lee's third in his native Limerick since making history there last year by headlining the first ever night of pro boxing in the sports mad city. On that occasion Lee saw off the challenge of Argentina's Alejandro Falliga in 5 rounds while in his second outing at the University Sports Arena he thrilled his hometown fans with a final round KO of Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs.

Since that night Lee has racked up another three wins to take his overall record to 19 wins from his 20 professional fights and the Limerick man clearly packs a punch having registered knockdowns in his last 16 consecutive fights.

“It's great to be fighting at home again,” revealed Lee. “It always means that little bit more when you're fighting in your hometown. I've always got tremendous support from the people of Limerick right from my amateur days they have always backed me 100% so I'm always trying to repay that support.

“Even the week building up to a fight in Limerick is special because everyone's wishing you luck and coming up to say hello and it's great to have that kind of support. Then on the night you can pick out so many people in the crowd that you know and it really gives you that extra push.”

While a possible fight with Matthew Macklin isn't on Lee's immediate agenda he admits it's something he'd relish in the future.

“Obviously that would be a big fight and it would be great if it happened but right now I'm only concentrating on this fight. The European scene at Middleweight has really come to the fore recently and outside of Kelly Pavlik the other champions in the division, Felix Sturm, Sebastian Sylvester and Sebastian Zbik are all based in Germany so the European's are starting to dominate.”

Promoter Brian Peters believes that a win over Belghecham could lead to some major opportunities for Lee.

“We tried to make a fight between Andy and John Duddy for next month and when that didn't come off we looked at a rematch with Brian Vera (the only man to beat Lee to date) but unfortunately neither party was interested.

“To Andy's credit he was up for both of those fights and that shows you his mentality. He doesn't want any pushovers and he'll certainly have his hands full with Belghecham because he's a quality operator and will provide Andy with a very stiff test but if he can come through this then I'm sure there could be some massive fights around the corner for Andy.”

Details of the undercard for the University Sports Arena on November 14th will be announced shortly. Tickets for the Yanjing Fight Night priced from €40 are on sale from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie) and all usual outlets.

Diary Dates

For information on any event contact
Jason Lowe on: 07813 186301

Date: 6/11/2009
Show: Paul McCloskey v Souleymane Mbaye
Venue: Co. Derry

Date: 6/11/2009
Show: Martin Rogan v Sam Sexton
Venue: Odyssey Arena, Belfast

Date: 7/11/2009
Show: Kevin Conception v Tony Randell
Venue: Marriott Hotel, Leicester

Date: 7/11/2009
Show: David Haye v Nikolai Valvev
Venue: Germany. Televised

Date: 13/11/2009
Show: Rubery ABC Show
Venue: Bartley Green social Club.

Date: 13/11/2009
Show: Matthew Hatton v Lovemore N'dou
Venue: Fenton Manor in Stoke

Date: 14/11/2009
Show: Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto
Venue: MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas. PP

Date: 14/11/2009
Show: Andy Lee v Affif Belghecham, Limerick
Venue: Limerick

Date: 19/11/2009
Show: Hashim Rahman v Ray Mercer
Venue: New York

Date: 20/11/2009
Show: Studio ABC Show
Venue: Kings Norton Ex-service Man's Club

Date: 20/11/2009
Show: Steve Collins & John Conteh Dinner Show
Venue: Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire

Date: 21/11/2009
Show: Mikkel Kessler v Andre Ward
Venue: Televised

Date: 27/11/2009
Show: St. Francis ABC Show
Venue: Show St. Francis club, Handsworth

Date: 28/11/2009
Show: Pete Jackson Promotions: GB v Portugal International and Championship boxing
Venue: Regis Hall, Old Hill. 01384 569019
John H Stracey attending

Date: 02/12/2009
Show: Bernard Hopkins v Enrique Ornelas
Venue: Philadelphia

Date: 03/12/2009
Show: Roy Jones v Danny Green
Venue: Sydney

Date: 03/12/2009
Show: Howard Clarke
Venue: Brierley Hill

Date: 04/12/2009
Show: Ron Gray Dinner Show: John Conteh
Venue: Copthorne Hotel, Birmingham

Date: 10/12/2009
Show: Ron Gray Dinner Show: Tim Witherspoon and Joe Egan
Venue: Star City, Birmingham