Showing posts with label Savannah Marshall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Savannah Marshall. Show all posts

Friday, October 14, 2022

October 15, 2022 To Be A Full Day For Boxing Fans

 

In addition to the Heavyweight bout between former WBC Heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and former European Heavyweight champion Robert Helenius, a bout that was previously covered here in preview on The Boxing Truth®, Saturday, October 15, 2022 will feature much more for Boxing fans. Firstly, on the undercard of the Wilder-Helenius bout at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY that can be seen here in the United States on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View as well as on digital combat sports streaming network and pay-per-view platform FITE, will be a bout in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division between former world champions Caleb Plant and Anthony Dirrell.

 

Some may call this a “Crossroads Fight” for both men. As some may recall, Plant was last in the ring in  November of last year when he lost his unbeaten record and IBF Super-Middleweight world championship in a unification bout with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for the Undisputed world championship in the division. Although Plant would be stopped by Alvarez in eleven rounds, he did make a solid account of himself in defeat. Much like Deontay Wilder, Plant now looks to rebuild and the first step in that process will come in the form of former WBC world champion Anthony Dirrell. Dirrell, a veteran of thirty-eight professional fights, has also been looking to get back into position to fight for a world title and will come into this bout unbeaten in his last two fights having a draw and a win to his ledger in those bouts since suffering a knockout loss at the hands of David Benavidez in September 2019.

 

Although the story at least going into this fight will be one fighter looking to bounce back from the first loss of his career going against a fighter looking to continue building momentum, what this will come down to in the eyes of this observer could be who will be able to dictate the combat. What we have here is an encounter between two fighters who can do a little bit of everything. Two boxer/punchers that are capable of scoring a knockout should an opportunity arise and are also capable of Boxing to a decision victory.

 

While it may be logical to expect that Plant may want to make a statement in his first fight back, it may be wise to implement a tactical approach here as Dirrell has sixteen more bouts in his career compared to him and has scored knockouts in twenty-five of those bouts compared to Plant’s twelve knockouts in his twenty-one career wins. While this will likely be viewed as an advantage by some in Dirrell’s favor, one aspect that normally works in Plant’s favor is his lateral movement and ability to use angles.

 

 In his fight against Saul Alvarez, his movement and ability to attack Alvarez from various angles did for a time particularly early in the fight bring Plant success. As they bout went on however, Alvarez was able to put consistent pressure on Plant and gradually broke him down with body punches in addition to what he was able to land to his head.

 

Dirrell likely saw that fight and will likely be looking to implement a similar approach in his own way. What he needs to keep in mind is that Alvarez himself had trouble with Plant throughout that fight and it was largely his consistency in how he approached Plant that led to his success in the middle and late rounds and ultimately to his victory over him. Dirrell must also keep in mind that Plant does have quick hands and the ability to attack in spurts. If he is able to find success against him early, he must not get complacent and allow Plant any openings. Plant is the type of fighter that can take advantage of lulls throughout a fight and Dirrell needs to be aware of that.

 

As is the case for pretty much any fighter in the Super-Middleweight and 175lb. Light-Heavyweight divisions, the end goal for both fighters is likely an encounter with Saul Alvarez. With Alvarez maintaining his position as Undisputed world champion in the division, despite being shelved with an injury to his left hand following his third bout with Gennady Golovkin, this bout will likely amount to an audition among the potential opponents for Alvarez once he heals and is able to return to competition.

 

The Plant-Dirrell bout is not however, the only bout outside of Wilder-Helenius that will likely draw the interest of Boxing fans throughout the day on October 15th. Two events will be taking place outside of the United States that also have intrigue. First, at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England the highly anticipated Women’s world championship unification doubleheader featuring Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall meeting for the Undisputed Women's Middleweight championship of the world and a Jr. Lightweight unification bout between undefeated WBO/IBF world champion Mikaela Mayer and WBC/IBO world champion  Alycia Baumgardner, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+.

 

The card, which was scheduled to take place on September 10th, was delayed due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th as the United Kingdom entered a period of mourning, which suspended many activities including sports.

 

While all four fighters were in Manchester and participating in fight week activities including the pre-fight press conference prior to the Queen’s passing, an obvious question as these bouts near taking place is what affect if any will the one month delay have on the fighters.

 

The Shields-Marshall unification bout is one of the most anticipated fights throughout the entire sport. Two undefeated world champions putting their respective portions of a world championship on the line to unify and determine one champion alone is enough to draw interest even amongst casual fans, but this fight also has bad blood between the champions attached to it.

 

This stems from the meeting the two had as amateurs in May 2012 where Marshall scored a four round decision over Shields, in what was the only defeat Shields has suffered in a Boxing ring in a career that has seen her win two Olympic Gold medals as an amateur and win world titles in three weight divisions as a professional including briefly becoming the Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion.

 

Obviously, the bad feelings between the two has simmered in the decade since that bout including a heated exchange between the two in a post-fight interview following Shields victory in February of this year over Ema Kozin. While some may view such an exchange “Pull Apart” as a means of promotion, this observer was vocal in saying that it was a negative for the women of the sport to see such an incident particularly when the sport is taking advantage of unprecedented exposure and long overdue recognition for the female fighters in the sport.

 

The view of yours truly notwithstanding, the fight between the two, this time as professionals appears to be an even fight. Shields has been splitting time between Boxing and competing in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) where she has a 1-1 record currently.

 

 Although one should not compare Boxing with the sport of MMA as it is two different sports and require different attributes, it is nevertheless interesting that someone of Shields’ caliber would be willing to venture into a different sport while still at the top of her game as a boxer. Given the demands and tone each sport requires to compete at a high level, a question done might ask is how will this impact her preparation for this fight particularly because it comes against not only the only boxer to defeat her as an amateur or professorial, but also someone that has proven to be very dangerous as a professional. Marshall has scored knockouts in ten of her twelve pro fights and will enter into this fight having scored eight consecutive knockouts.

 

At her best, Claressa Shields is a compact combination puncher that often overwhelms and out works her opponents with activity. While Shields only has two knockouts in her twelve career wins as a professional, she has on occasion shown punching power in her own right. Wisdom would suggest that she look to out box Marshall over the course of the scheduled ten round bout. Even though you can never dismiss the possibility of a knockout for either fighter and keeping in mind that Claressa Shields has yet to really be in danger in a fight to this point, sure must be wary of Marshall’s power because she has shown the ability to end a fight with one punch before. Despite the bad blood between the two, Shields must be tactical and not allow her emotion to dictate how she approaches this fight.

 

For Marshall, her fight plan should be looking for a way to limit Shields’ offense over the course of the fight. While one could make an argument based on statistics that she might have the edge in terms of power, Marshall must not head hunt and should be tactical as well, but try not to leave Shields openings. Marshall must dictate how the fight is to be fought in other to be successful.

 

Although the winner of Shields-Marshall will have status as Undisputed world champion in the Middleweight division, the co-main event could lead to an undisputed championship fight for the winner in 2023 in the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division.

 

The fight between world champions Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner presents an interesting clash of styles. Mayer is a solid boxer/puncher that uses lateral movement and hand speed to get the upper hand on her opponents. Unbeaten in seventeen pro bouts with five knockouts, Mayer has gradually been working her way towards unifying the division by successfully adding the IBF crown to the WBO championship she won in October 2020 with a ten round unanimous decision over Ewa Brodnicka. In the fight where she added the IBF championship, Mayer scored a ten round unanimous decision over Maiva Hamadouche in November of last year. While Mayer has not faced much resistance on her path towards an undisputed championship bout, her opponent Alycia Baumgardner could prove to be a dangerous obstacle in that path. Baumgardner won her portions of the World Jr. Lightweight championship by scoring a one punch knockout over previously undefeated world champion Terri Harper in November of last year a knockout where Harper appeared to be out cold on her feet. Since that victory, which some called an upset, Baumgardner successfully defended her crown in April by scoring a ten round unanimous decision over Edith Mattysee.

 

Despite her rise to the top of the division coming quickly and as a surprise to some, Baumgardner has shown obviously that she does have the punching power and credentials that should be taken seriously by fans and more importantly her opponents. This could potentially be a close fight depending on who is able to dictate how the fight is fought. Mayer must rely on what has gotten her in this position and box Baumgardner by being a tactician. Baumgardner meanwhile needs to find a way to cut the ring off and limit Mayer’s ability to move.

 

Although Mayer likely has an edge in regard to hand speed, she has not been put in a position thus far in her career where her ability to take a punch from a fighter with significant punching power has been tested. If Baumgardner is able to dictate the tempo of the combat, Mayer may well be tested in what has the appearance of a close and competitive bout at least on paper.

 

Following the Women’s world championship unification doubleheader, ESPN+ continues their Boxing programming of the day by presenting the rematch for the Undisputed Lightweight championship of the world between undefeated world champion Devin Haney and the former champion George Kambosos. A contractually mandated rematch that will take place in the country  as their first encounter Melbourne, Australia.

 

In their first bout in June of this year, Haney thoroughly out boxed the previously unbeaten Kambosos over twelve rounds to win the Undisputed championship in what was a pro-Kambosos environment before the champion’s home country.

 

Although this rematch was pre-ordained per contractual terms for the original bout and there remains a possibility that there could be a third bout between the two per the same contractual terms should Kambosos regain the championship, done questioned the wisdom of the former champion for exercising his rematch clause.

 

This is due to how the first fight was fought where Haney was simply too quick and too elusive for Kambosos. While some may say that it was a matter of the adage of “Styles Make Fights,”  the onus is on the former champion to show that he had a bad night at the office and this fight will be different.

 

How can Kambosos accomplish this? It is certainly easier said than done, but he needs to bring the fight to Haney from the outset and apply pressure on him. The difference in hand speed in the first fight was clear and some might be wondering how Kambosos can combat that speed this time around.

 

This observer is a firm believer that one of the best ways to try to negate a fighter’s hand speed is through timing. Although keeping in mind that it is easier said than done, Kambosos has to find a way as he is applying pressure on Haney to make the champion miss and counter his offense. This was accomplished by former world champion Jorge Linares, who was able to badly stun Haney in the closing seconds of the tenth round of their fight in May 2021. To date, this was the only time Haney has been hurt in his career. While he was able to recover and go on to win a convincing unanimous decision, it did show how an opponent needs to approach Haney.

 

Kambosos must find the balance of applying pressure, being more aggressive, but doing so tactically and trying to bait Haney into creating openings for him to exploit if he wants to be successful in this fight. Simply put, he cannot try to box with someone who might prove to be a master boxer by the time his career is over. He must force Haney into his role of fight.

 

The task for the champion going into his first title defense is to try and repeat a near-perfect performance that he was able to produce in the first fight. Haney must however, not be complacent and must be prepared for any adjustments that Kambosos might make this time around. While both fighters are likely going to be moving up to the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division in the not too distant future, there remains unfinished business and we will see if Kambosos can find a way to force a chapter three in this rivalry.

 

As tends to be the case especially as the sport of Boxing moves more in the direction of digital streaming on terms of how it is broadcast to the public, this day of Boxing truly offers a little something for every type of Boxing fan. How October 15, 2022 will be remembered in the history book of Boxing however, remains to be seen.

 

“And That's The Boxing Truth. “

 

Wilder vs. Helenius (Featuring Plant vs. Dirrell) takes place on Saturday, October 15th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. The fight can be seen in the United States on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT for $74.99. In addition to being streamed on the Fox Sports app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs, the event will also be streamed in the United States and globally on digital combat sports streaming network and pay-per-view platform FITE in addition to also being available via traditional cable/satellite pay-per-view throughout the United States and Canada.

 

To order and stream on the Fox Sports app download the Fox Sports app on your preferred device and follow the ordering instructions or visit www.FoxSports.com/PPV for ordering information.

 

To order and stream on the FITE app, download the FITE app on mobile, tablet or connected streaming devices/Smart TVs, or Click the following link to order and for instructions on how and where to download the FITE app: https://www.fite.tv/watch/wilder-vs-helenius/2pbyb/

 

Shields vs. Marshall /Mayer vs. Baumgardner takes place Saturday, October 15th at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The full card can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 2:30PM ET/11:30AM PT. ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices, platforms, and Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, to subscribe, and where and how to access the ESPN app please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.

 

Haney vs. Kambosos 2 takes places Saturday, October 15th at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. The card can also be seen in the United States on ESPN+ beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. The main event will also be simulcast on the main ESPN cable network across cable and satellite providers with a scheduled start time of 10:30PM ET/7:30PM PT.

 

*Fights and Cards Subject To Change 

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

BREAKING: Women's World Championship Unification Doubleheader Back On For October 15th In London, England Boxing Set To Resume In The United Kingdom

It has been announced that the highly anticipated Women’s Boxing world championship unification doubleheader featuring a bout for the Undisputed Women’s Middleweight world championship between world champions Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall and a Jr. Lightweight world title unification bout between world champions Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner has been officially rescheduled for October 15th at the O2 Arena in London, England. The card, which can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ was originally scheduled for September 10th at the same venue was postponed the day before it was supposed to take place due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th.

Following an official ten day period of mourning throughout the United Kingdom and funeral services for the Queen on Monday, September 19th, sports including Boxing are set to resume throughout the United Kingdom. The first Boxing card scheduled to take place will be on Saturday, September 24th headlined by a Heavyweight bout between former WBO Heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker and understood top contender Joe Joyce at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. As will be the case with the women’s world championship unification doubleheader on October 15th, the Parker-Joyce bout can also be seen on ESPN+. Also in action on September 24th in Nottingham, England at the Nottingham Arena, IBO Lightweight world champion Maxi Hughes will defend his world title against former IBF Featherweight world champion Kid Galahad. On the Hughes-Galahad undercard, unified Women’s IBO/WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Hannah Rankin will defend her title against former IBO/WBC Jr. Lightweight world champion Terri Harper. Both bouts as well as it’s full undercard can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.


We will have coverage of both cards over the next week and will keep readers updated on any developments as they become available. Stay tuned.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Monday, September 12, 2022

September 8-10, 2022 Weekend Thoughts

 

Originally, this column was to discuss what was one of the biggest weekends on the Boxing calendar in the year 2022 to date that planted the spotlight of the sport firmly on three world championship unification bouts in Women’s Boxing. Unfortunately, as many know, two of those bouts that were scheduled to take place on September 10th at the O2 Arena in London, England as the co-main events of an all women’s card, the encounter between undefeated Middleweight world champions Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall for the Undisputed Middleweight championship of the world, and a Jr. Lightweight unification bout between world champions Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner was postponed the day before the event due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th.

 

While the United Kingdom has entered a period of mourning as well as transition, there was one Women’s world championship fight that did take place as scheduled on September 8th in San Jose, Costa Rica, that like the two other postponed bouts, was a world championship unification bout. This observer is referring to the IBF/WBO Minimumweight world championship fight between world champions Yokasta Valle and Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen.

 

Historically, the 105lb. Minimumweight division, also known as the Strawweight division does not receive much attention here in the United States regardless of whether it is on the men’s or women’s side of the sport. While this in part can perhaps be attributed to the lack of American representation and exposure in the weight class, Boxing’s lightest division and the divisions that immediately follow usually produce fights normally fought at a very high pace, where there is often plenty of action. This fight was no exception, but should serve as an example of one fighter’s overall experience and skill as well as an example of one fighter’s heart.

 

Before a sizable hometown crowd at the Cuidad Deportiva Heiner Ugalde Yokasta Valle put on what was simply a masterful Boxing performance. Often when it comes to Women’s Boxing, the quick pace in which the fights are fought in addition to the two minute round length, does tend to produce very close fights most of the time when fights do not end via knockout or stoppage. Much like the numerous bouts I could mention, this fight was fought at a very high pace from the opening bell.

 

What made Valle’s performance in this fight masterful was how she used her experience and timing to not only dictate the tempo of the combat, but also showed discipline in doing so as her opponent Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen was more than willing to engage and to her credit did try her best to force Valle into a toe to toe battle. The difference, despite the high pace in which the fight was fought was both Valle’s hand speed as well as her discipline in maintaining distance and only letting her punches go when it was to her advantage. The sequence of the fight was a simple one to describe, Valle either stepping in with two to four punch combinations and then backing back out where Nguyen could only try to lunge forward in trying to reach her with a punch or Valle waiting for Nguyen to take the initiative and counter punching with combinations before re-establishing distance. While competitive this proved to be a lopsided fight in Valle’s favor as she would go on to sweep all ten rounds of the world championship bout on all three scorecards, it still was an entertaining bout to watch.

 

Now as the unified IBF/WBO world champion at 105lbs. I feel that Yokasta Valle is likely to move up in weight where perhaps she could be a future opponent for undefeated WBC world champion Kim Clavel in the 108lb. Light-Flyweight division. If Valle decides to try to completely unify the 105lb division about with current WBA champion Seniesa Estrada would be very interesting if Valle wants to continue trying to unify the division in her next fight. As for Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen, it is important to keep in mind that even though she was the WBO champion going into her fight with Valle, she was at a significant disadvantage in terms of experience entering the bout unbeaten in five fights as a professional going against a fighter in Valle who had twenty-seven professional bouts going into the unification bout.

 

While that is both a reflection of a sport that is very much still growing for the women who compete in it as well as a reflection for the moment of a weight class that is not too deep in terms of depth, Nguyen showed a lot of heart in this fight even as it became apparent that Valle had pulled ahead on the scorecards. Simply put, she never stopped trying and it was as much the disadvantage in experience as it was Valle’s overall skillset that was the difference in this fight. One loss does not define a career and it will be how Nguyen comes back from this defeat, the first of her career that will be the story for her going forward.

 

The circumstances that led to the postponement of the two remaining women’s world championship unification bouts that were scheduled to take place in London, England, did not mean that the Boxing action over the three-day stretch ended with Valle’s victory over Nguyen. On Friday, September 9th, The Canadian-based United Boxing Promotions the first of two Boxing cards as part of their recently signed deal with digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN from the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario.

 

The main event of the six bout card was a bout for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Intercontinental Welterweight championship between undefeated prospect Josh Wagner and veteran Jorge Perez.

 

While this was a regional championship that was at stake in this bout, it is often the step young fighters try to make as a prelude to entering the world rankings in a given division. What always interests me whenever I see a prospect for the first time as was the case on this occasion with regard to Wagner is how they will respond to fighting on what in most cases is the first significant stage in their professional careers.

 

Regional championships also offer an opportunity for fighters who have suffered some setbacks to try to bounce back as was the case with Perez who entered the bout against the 12-0 Wagner having dropped his previous two bouts. While on the surface this would appear to be an ideal scenario for the young prospect by facing a fighter that had been experiencing a slump, it turned out to be a very competitive bout.

 

In many ways, this was a scenario of two types of fights being fought within one fight. When the combat was fought primarily in the center of the ring, it seemed that Perez would get the better of the action whereas when the fight was being fought in close, Wagner was the fighter who was dictating the action.

 

Part of what made this a close fight that was not necessarily the easiest one to score is Wagner was exceptional with his lateral movement throughout and while he was not always throwing and landing punches, which gave Perez a slight edge, it made it difficult for Perez to consistently land his punches cleanly, despite finding success in landing his left hook throughout the fight.

 

As the fight entered the middle rounds of the scheduled ten round bout, Wagner gradually began to change the ebb and flow of the combat. He did this largely by varying his jab in both the body and head of Perez as well as variations in how he threw the jab. This along with combination punching appeared to turn things in his favor.

 

Although the fight remained close going into the late rounds, the subject of scoring would not be an issue. In round nine, seemingly without warning, Wagner found the answer that would bring the fight to its conclusion. After stunning Perez with a hook to the head, a follow up barrage of punches would send Perez down. Perez was able to get up on unsteady legs and Wagner sensing he had his opponent in trouble pressed forward and dropped Perez for a second time with a short flurry.

 

Perez showed his mettle by getting up for a second time, but he had no answer to keep Wagner off of him at this point in the fight and after being hit with a few more solid punches, the bout was stopped. For Wagner it was his thirteenth win of his career and his seventh knockout. What impressed this observer about his performance beyond displaying well-rounded Boxing skills was the poise he showed once he knew he had Perez in trouble and the tactical approach in which he finished the fight by not giving his opponent the chance to recover. Wagner made as good a first impression as one could of expected of a young prospect in his first title fight as a professional. What may come next as he attempts to add his name amongst a very talent-deeo 147lb. Welterweight division remains to be seen.

 

After a very competitive main event on September 9th, United Boxing Promotions returned on September 10th at the same CAA Centre with another six bout card. In the main event of night two, undefeated current Canadian Middleweight champion Suhkdeep Singh moved down six pounds from the 160lb. Middleweight division to face Xhuljo Vrenozi in a bout for the IBA’s International Jr. Middleweight championship. As was the case with Josh Wagner the previous evening, this was the first time that yours truly had the opportunity to see Singh in action and the similarities between the two did not end with the fact that it was the first time I’d seen both compete, but they also entered their respective bouts unbeaten in twelve professional fights and were matched up similarly against two veterans. The slight difference for Singh was his opponent Xhuljo Vrenozi had split his previous four bouts going 2-2.

 

In terms of style, what stood out to me was the almost sniper like approach that Singh implemented his offense. It was a style with an emphasis on using his legs to both establish himself as an elusive target as well as manage distance. This along with periodically switching between an orthodox and southpaw stance kept Vrenozi from being able to land offense consistently, much less be able to get into a consistent rhythm. While not always the most exciting fight to watch, Singh’s discipline and ability to maintain control from start to finish is what stood out in the bout in winning a convincing ten round unanimous decision.

 

Although this was my first time to see Singh in action, I was impressed by what I saw and it will be interesting to see if he will remain at Jr. Middleweight or if he will move back up to the Middleweight division. Much like for veterans later in their careers, it will likely come down to what opportunities are available to Singh as a young unbeaten prospect and whether those opportunities make sense for him both physically in terms of weigh as well as financially and trying to progress his career forward.

 

Despite the marquee event scheduled for the weekend being postponed due to a tragedy, Boxing fans should not feel disappointed in the sense that they still got one Women’s world championship unification bout as well as what turned out to be a showcase for two rising prospects on the Canadian Boxing scene. As the Boxing works now turns it's attention to the highly anticipated third encounter between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on September 17th, one can only hope that the exciting action continues.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

 

 

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Friday, September 9, 2022

Women's World Championship Unification Doubleheader Postponed Following The Passing Of Queen Elizabeth II

 

Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, September 8, 2022, it has been announced that Saturday’s scheduled all Women’s Boxing card, which was to be headlined by two world championship unification bouts featuring Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall for the Undisputed Middleweight championship of the world and Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner in a Jr. Lightweight unification bout, that was to take place at the O2 Arena in London, England has been postponed as the United Kingdom begins a period of mourning. The announcement follows postponements of several events that were to have taken place throughout the United Kingdom including several Football (Soccer) league matches, the postponement of a PGA Golf tournament, among other events.  

 

Prior to the announcement on Friday, it had been announced by Boxxer, the promotional company behind the card had intended to hold a private weigh-in for the event. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) however, released a statement early on Friday saying that it as a mark of respect following the passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that competition that had been scheduled for Friday, September 9th had been suspended, but said that decisions regarding competition scheduled for the remainder of the weekend would be made following a review of official mourning guidance and consultation with relevant parties and other sports.  


It has also been announced that the entire card that was scheduled to take place at the O2 Arena will be tentatively rescheduled for October 15th at the same venue. We will keep readers updated on any developments as they become available. 

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison