Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Poll: Hatton vs Pacquiao
Ricky Hatton faces Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Saturday. The victor will claim to be the best Pound For Pound fighter in the world. Haton is coming into the fight after an impressive win over Paulie Maglianaggi with new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. Pacquiao was hailed by many as the Pound for Pound King after his impressive dismantling of American legend Oscar De La Hoya
Vote here for who you think will emerge victorious!
Vote here for who you think will emerge victorious!
Ince: From Preston to New York
Preston Boxing trainer Karl Ince feels his aggression and determination fuelled his rise from Boxing at the Guild Hall in Preston to being in the Joe Calzaghe corner for his mega-fight against Roy Jones Jr'I got into Boxing as a kid because I was aggressive and angry. I wanted to fight so the progression into the ring was natural' he stated
'I had my first fight aged 12, I remember winning it, it was such a great feeling' he enthused.
Ince went on to have a short career as a professional, which he started aged 21. The Preston man won 8 out of his 13 fights and fought in and around the Preston area, appearing at the Guild Hall 4 times. Ince feels he never truly fulfilled his potential as a professional.
'I went into the ring wanting to knock people out, and thought I could do it with either hand. None of my trainers taught me otherwise and its a big motivation for me as a trainer today' he said.
'My 3 years with Brian Hughes gave me a stepping stone to produce young fighters and I'm trying my best to produce Champions' he added.
Ince highlights his part in the Robin Reid camp for a world title fight with Jeff Lacey as one of the highlights of his career.
'I saw Jeff Lacey before that fight and thought 'what an awesome specimen'. He looked in superb shape. When he Fought Joe Calzaghe I didn't give Joe a chance. Joe Hammered him and my respect for Joe rose sharply after that fight' he reminisced.
'Then possibly the highlight was being in the Calzaghe corner for his mega fight with Jones Jr, its great to be involved and you really feel passionate as you want your fighter to win more than anything. The excitement is huge' said Ince.
Ince has respect for the greats of Boxing. He counts Rocky Marciano and Freddy Roach amongst his heroes.
'Rocky Marciano was a crude, rough fighter but his power was immense. Freddy Roach is my favourite trainer he has turned Pacquiao into a great champion' said Ince.
However, despite his admiration of Roach, Ince feels Hatton will be victor when the two clash in a super fight in Las Vegas on Saturday.
' Hatton is too powerful for Manny and too good as Boxer. Its a fight Ricky should win given his size advantage. However a problem with Ricky fighting is always going to be his cuts. If Manny cuts him it could be vital'
Ince career has been a roller coaster and he only hopes that it is on the rise. ' I feel lucky to have had these experiences but I want to push on now and really achieve something special in Boxing.
Ince: I want to produce champions
Preston Boxing trainer Karl Ince spoke out of his desire to produce top level fighters after a promising start to a career in the corner of the ring.Ince has several prospects on his books at his Elite Gym in Bolton including Chorley's Chris Johnson, Prizefighter semi-finalist Carl Dilks and the undefeated Brett Flourney.
'I want this gym to produce the best, Champions, and I believe I'm good enough to do that' claimed Ince.
'I learnt my apprenticeship for 3 years under Brian Hughes at his gym in Manchester which produced champions like Robin Reid and Gary Lockett. So I've worked with pedigree fighters. It got to the stage where I couldn't learn anymore so I decided to go alone and set up my own gym' he added.
Ince attribute his success as a trainer to his failure to fulfill his own potential as a boxer. Ince had a short career as a professional Boxer with a record of 8 victories and 5 defeats. Ince fought at Preston's Guild Hall 4 times and his early roots in Boxing are in Preston.
'I got let down as a fighter, I was better than what my record stands but I wasn't taught the right way. I felt if I could spot and develop every last bit of potential in a fighter then I can help them. I'm in a position to do that so I will' stated Ince.
Ince's fighter Brett Flourney, an undefeated Light-Middleweight in his first 9 bouts, is in line for a Commonwealth title eliminator and Ince believes he has great potential.
'Brett can go all the way. He has the ability to win titles and hopefully he will get the Commonwealth belt and move on to a British title fight' the Preston trainer said.
Local Boxer Chris Johnson of Chorley, is another young fighter who has shown potential in his early career, however he is coming off the back of defeat last time out to Geraint Harvey.
'Chris should never have lost that fight. He wasn't right on the night, he felt ill and maybe we should of pulled him out but he wanted to fight. He will be back though hes got a lot of heart' said Ince.
Johnson will be looking to emulate another Chorley Boxing star in Micheal Jennings, who recently got a world title shot at Welterweight superstar Miguel Cotto.
The young talented fighters hoping to impress their trainer next enter the ring on the 17th of May at the Reebok stadium and Ince has high hopes.
'Chris Johnson will be back in action, Brett will have his eliminator which he will hopefully win and Trevor Crewe makes his professional debut. I'm really excited about him, he has the x-factor and lots of potential'
Ince has made an impressive start to his career as a trainer and Boxing in Preston will hopefully benefit from his talent of producing talented fighters.
Click here to hear full Karl Ince interview
(see disc)
Suz Member lends a helping hand
Preston's first Asian boxer Suz Member spoke of his pride at being chosen to help troubled youth's in a government mentoring scheme.
Member was chosen by the government to work in the Lancashire area to help people aged 17-22 improve their lives and prospects.
'The aim is to give these youngsters a positive outlook on life. The people involved are struggling to get into work, young offenders and people involved in gun and knife crime' said the Preston Puncher.
'Ive taken them to the gym, Fire station, a talk to Police, showed them different jobs and vocations and got them networking with other employers to give them a better chance in life' he added.
Along with Member, Ricky Hatton was chosen to help Manchester youth's and John Terry was selected in the South. This is a source of pride for Member.
'Its nice to be the first Asian professional sportsman in Preston. Its brilliant to be asked to do this and recognised at a national level' he enthused.
'I do a lot of charity work, talks at youth clubs and visiting young offenders institutes because its important to give back to the community and remember where you came from' said the Preston boxer.
Suz Member wants to send out a positive message to the young in society and was certain in his beliefs.
'Anythings possible in life, if you want to do something and have a positive attitude, you can achieve it. Its not just a case of getting into the ring and fighting, its about sending out positive messages. I'm grateful and humbled by my support from fans' he stated.
Member is back in full training ahead of his yet-to-be scheduled 7th professional bout and will be looking to build on a promising start to his boxing career as he starts his professional journey.
Re-Member the name!
Preston’s own Welterweight boxer Suz Member is back in Full Training preparing for a return to the ring.
Member, with a record of 5 wins and 1 defeat said ‘I am back in full training, no exact date has been set for my next fight, but it will be soon, the contracts are being drawn up’
The first Asian boxer to come out of Preston, Suz has won 5 of his 6 professional fights and claims his training has been very successful so far.
‘I am focusing on fighting my own way, dominating the fight and boxing to my strengths’ said Member.
Suz feels that as well as being a big puncher he also has many other talents in the ring. ‘I’ve been doing a lot of agility work in training; I’ve got good speed and movement. The training is making me more focused and fitter.’
Member has been training hard in Salford as well as at his hometown gym and the 3 times a day sessions seem to be paying off.
‘I am doing technical work in the morning, stretching in the afternoon and running in the afternoon, everything is geared towards making me a better all round boxer’ stated Member.
Suz Member’s solitary defeat came in his third fight, for the North Area Welterweight title against Terry McDermot but he feels he has put that defeat behind him.
‘I took that fight at short notice, I am not taking anything away from my opponent but I got a virus in the build up and wasn’t able to train fully. If I took that fight fully fit I am confident there would have only been one winner, I would have won no problem.’ Suz stated with confidence.
The powerful fighter, with 5 knockouts to his name added ‘I am not here to make up the numbers; I am here to win something and make a mark in professional boxing.’
Suz has created plenty of local interest when fighting and his debut fight at PR1 nightclub was watched by over 1200 people. ‘ My first two fights were something out of this world, it was really nice to see so many people turn out on my debut, I seem to have got a bit of a following which is great’ he enthused.
The next few fights will be crucial and Member, an ambitious boxer, knows he will have to win. The local lad wants to push on and get himself another shot at a title. ‘I am going to have to keep winning, get up the rankings, get another title shot and win it.’
Suz has the ambition to go even further and feels he can perform at a higher level. The Preston puncher has high hopes and wants to get his hands on a coveted Longsdale belt.
‘I know I am better than what I am at the moment, I want to get up the rankings, maybe win a Longsdale belt or better.’
Member, with a record of 5 wins and 1 defeat said ‘I am back in full training, no exact date has been set for my next fight, but it will be soon, the contracts are being drawn up’
The first Asian boxer to come out of Preston, Suz has won 5 of his 6 professional fights and claims his training has been very successful so far.
‘I am focusing on fighting my own way, dominating the fight and boxing to my strengths’ said Member.
Suz feels that as well as being a big puncher he also has many other talents in the ring. ‘I’ve been doing a lot of agility work in training; I’ve got good speed and movement. The training is making me more focused and fitter.’
Member has been training hard in Salford as well as at his hometown gym and the 3 times a day sessions seem to be paying off.
‘I am doing technical work in the morning, stretching in the afternoon and running in the afternoon, everything is geared towards making me a better all round boxer’ stated Member.
Suz Member’s solitary defeat came in his third fight, for the North Area Welterweight title against Terry McDermot but he feels he has put that defeat behind him.
‘I took that fight at short notice, I am not taking anything away from my opponent but I got a virus in the build up and wasn’t able to train fully. If I took that fight fully fit I am confident there would have only been one winner, I would have won no problem.’ Suz stated with confidence.
The powerful fighter, with 5 knockouts to his name added ‘I am not here to make up the numbers; I am here to win something and make a mark in professional boxing.’
Suz has created plenty of local interest when fighting and his debut fight at PR1 nightclub was watched by over 1200 people. ‘ My first two fights were something out of this world, it was really nice to see so many people turn out on my debut, I seem to have got a bit of a following which is great’ he enthused.
The next few fights will be crucial and Member, an ambitious boxer, knows he will have to win. The local lad wants to push on and get himself another shot at a title. ‘I am going to have to keep winning, get up the rankings, get another title shot and win it.’
Suz has the ambition to go even further and feels he can perform at a higher level. The Preston puncher has high hopes and wants to get his hands on a coveted Longsdale belt.
‘I know I am better than what I am at the moment, I want to get up the rankings, maybe win a Longsdale belt or better.’
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)