 The Worldwide Boxing Magazine Site |
Got your free t-shirt yet? |
| articles from the magazine ... |
|
January 2002
Each month we bring you a selection of articles from the current and past issues of BOXING MONTHLY. To buy the magazine, see our subscription or back issues pages, or use our world distribution map to find a news-stand copy. Why not use our Interactive Forum to express your own boxing comments and opinions!
|
 |
BRITISH BEAT SPECIAL Light-middleweight has become potentially the most competitive weight category in British boxing. MICHAEL GILL provides a guide to the major players examines the merits of the 11st stars |
|
TOP DOG?: Does Alexander's undoubted power set him aside from the rest?
- Get Big Pic WAYNE ALEXANDER Background: From Croydon. Age: 28. Height: 5ft 9ins. Record: 17-1 (14 KOs). Manager/Promoter: Frank Warren/Sports Network. Credentials: Ex-Southern Area and reigning British champion. Story so far: Steamrolled five victims in seven rounds combined to win the 1994 English ABA crown. However, progress since turning pro in November '95 has been snail paced - just 13 starts in his opening 51 months in the profession. Became champion after bulldozing Newport banger Paul Samuels clean out of the ring at Dagenham in February 2000. A predictable two round win over Joe Townsley last November his only defence in the ensuing 22 months. Last February showed immense courage forcing the action - at just 24 hours notice - in a WBO challenge to Namibia's Harry Simon but was broken up with body shots in round five. Attributes: The biggest single shot hitter in this division, possibly any division domestically. He also has heart to burn and his lack of retaliation to the petulant and persistent butts of Ojay Abrahams in a January '99 Southern Area clash confirms a very sound temperament. Tactical knowhow and conditioning of trainer Jimmy Tibbs is another obvious plus. BUT . . . Is rather better at inflicting damage than weathering it. Found himself floored twice in a return with Abrahams, caved in under Simon's body attack and even touched down against light-hitter Townsley. Technical limitations and a porous defence don't help. Still to venture beyond round eight and fragile hands, the bane of all pure punchers, have restricted him to just 18 starts in six years. He says: 'Of the rest, Richard Williams is top, a good all-rounder, who's powerful and can box off the back foot. Steve Roberts is very good but he's been made to look a bigger puncher than he is by beating guys past their best. Anthony Farnell just thinks he's something he's not. He's already been knocked out by Takaloo so I've nothing to gain by beating him.' His ideal match-up: 'I just want to prove I'm No.1 and to do that I must beat either Williams or Roberts. I'd need to jump on Steve who can go negative under pressure. Richard's very good but he's not yet met anyone who can give it him back' Next Stop: A vacant European title challenge on home soil with Italy's Paolo Pizzamiglio early in the New Year. ANTHONY FARNELL Background: From Manchester. Age: 23. Height: 5ft 10ins. Record: 28-1 (19 KOs) Manager/Promoter: Frank Warren/Sports Network. Professional credentials: Two-time WBO Intercontinental champion. Story so far: A prodigious teenage streetfighter, 'The Warrior' was rescued from a life of delinquency by St Brian (Hughes) of Collyhurst. Steered to a national boys club title prior to linking with Frank Warren's Sports Network organisation, aged 19. Big ticket-seller from the off, mollycoddled to 27 straight wins and the WBO Intercontinental trinket during first four years. Credentials were shredded before hometown faithful last July when unhinged by single booming uppercut from Takaloo in clash for vacant WBU belt. In the aftermath, acrimoniously left mentor Hughes for Billy Graham. Showed immense fortitude to rebound with stoppages over Lee Blundell (KO2) and Pavel Melnikov (TKO12) in reclaiming that WBO junior strap. Attributes: A swashbuckling gladiator with decent power, Farnell trades on his ruggedness, aggression and desire. Has proved he can stay the full championship haul on three occasions. His technical skills have long been underrated and are improving further under Graham. His massive fan base virtually guarantees his involvement when the time comes to mix and match. BUT . . . Occasionally fighting before his partisans seems to serve as a hindrance rather than an asset. Allowed his emotions to consume him against Takaloo and gambled with disqualification in a fractious set to with Ojay Abrahams. While his enthusiasm is endearing, needs to guard against overdoing it in the gym. Felled by Marty Reneghan and Takaloo, a dark cloud loiters above his capacity to absorb punishment at top level. He says: 'Since going with Billy Graham my balance is miles better, I'm 10 times as strong 'cos I've started pumping weights and my lungs are really strong from work on the body belt. 'I know I'm miles better than Takaloo, but that night I beat myself because I became too hyped up in the changing rooms. 'Roberts has got great skill but isn't my cup of tea, just taps and runs. Alexander showed against Fesschenko that if he can't get you out in three rounds he struggles. Alas his balance is poor and that's why he goes down when he gets tugged. 'Williams is the best for skill but I think he got found out against Hussein Osman.' His ideal match-up: 'There's always been a feud between me and Alexander. He's a mouthy git who's always slagging me off on websites. I can't wait for a chance to shut his mouth up' Next step: Continues his rehabilitation by defending his belt on the Joe Calzaghe-Charles Brewer undercard in Cardiff on 9 February. GARY LOCKETT Background: From Cwmbran. Age: 25. Height: 5ft 10ins. Record: 15-0 (12 KOs). Manager: Brendan Devine. Professional credentials: Nil. Promotional status a matter of dispute as we go to print. Story So Far: Won 22 junior amateur titles at national level or above prior to turning pro with Munro-Hyland Brothers, aged 19, in September '96. However an allergy to house dust mites and his promotional procrastination left Lockett with only seven starts in his opening four years as a pro. Within nine months of shifting to Matchroom, had not only doubled his win tally but significantly raised his level of competition. Disinclined to be merciful, his 'Rockabye Rockets' (booming left hooks) have rumbled 11 of his 15 victims within the opening six minutes - leaving him woefully short of rounds. Attributes: If Alexander is the hardest puncher in the division, Lockett's superior timing and accuracy make him the greater danger. Very sound technical ability (sharp jab, fluid combinations, commendable patience). Chomping at the bit to be involved in the major action and possesses the intelligence, humour and charisma to transfer any ring success into commercial profit beyond the ropes. BUT . . . At 24, remains disturbingly inexperienced. Boxed very little as a senior amateur and to date as a pro, has been competed just 37 rounds in 15 outings. He is yet to venture beyond round six. He says: 'Excluding myself, I'd say Richie Williams is possibly the pick. He's very smooth. His only weakness could be his age. While all the others are very good fighters who I have the greatest respect for, I see weaknesses in each which I hope I could capitalise upon.' His ideal match-up: 'I'm trying to build up a reputation for not calling people out or slagging them down, so I'll leave that one, if you don't mind. But match-ups with any of the Sports Network boys will be easy to make and when the time comes, I'm confident in my ability to come out on top against any of them.' Next step: Will look to get in some much-needed rounds on the Calzaghe-Brewer undercard. STEVE ROBERTS Background: From West Ham. Age: 29. Height 5ft 11ins. Record: 27-0 (12 KOs). Manager/Promoter: Barry Hearn/Matchroom. Professional credentials: Ex-Southern Area and reigning WBF champion, former WBF super middleweight champion. Story so far: Former five-time national junior champion and a senior ABA finalist at 18, southpaw Robbo's jab and grab style drew scant attention as he fiddled his way to 16 straight wins - subsequently went AWOL for 18 months. Has been less cautious since resurfacing in December '99 and has required the judges scorecards in just two of his last nine outings en route to WBF titles at both super middle and light-middle. Scalp list includes ex-WBC king Keith Mullings (TKO2) and reigning South African champ Willie Gare (TKO9). Attributes: A slick, composed skillster with excellent hand speed, good mobility and a large dollop of southpaw awkwardness. Roberts has matured into an accurate and increasingly damaging counter puncher. Can also dig hurtfully to the body. Though 29, has relatively low mileage as innate caution generally steers him free of gruelling war. Fights with the confidence of a man who has not tasted defeat for almost seven years. BUT . . . There have been exceptions, such as his early destructions of Sergio Acuna and Mullings last spring, but generally Roberts list of assets falls somewhere short of excitement. Consequently he doesn't fill too many seats and probably isn't the TV networks' first choice when the time comes to match the talent. Appears to have regressed in his last three starts and was noticeably gun-shy after being dropped for the first time by Louisiana's Ron Weaver last time out. After a taxing schedule of eight 12-rounders since June 2000, seems to have gone stale and may require some R & R to recharge the batteries. He says: 'On their day everyone's got the beating of everyone else. Williams is very sharp and skilful, a good thinker with good movement and defence. He can punch too. Alexander's a devastating puncher. Takaloo deserves credit for doing [Scott] Dixon and Farnell, who's proved since he's still dangerous. Lockett's going to be very good. A devastating puncher. Definitely the star of the future. With so many belts its very easy to stay apart.' His ideal match-up: 'I'm far more interested in the payday, than the opponent. Ultimately, I'd really like a shot at someone like De La Hoya and then just walk away. I'm just turned 29, my hands and elbows are continually playing up. It makes you think twice. ' Next step: Rumoured to be defending against America's former WBO king Bronco McKart in late February, early March. TAKALOO Background: From Margate. Age: 26. Height: 5ft 9ins. Record 18-2 (14 KOs) Manager/Promoter: Frank Warren/Sports Network. Professional credentials: Former IBF Intercontinental and reigning World Boxing Union champion. Story so far: Bad discipline and poor motivation were at the core of Takaloo's early career reverses to Jawaid Khaliq (KO4) and Michael Jones (L6) during his time under Jimmy Tibbs. However, has been totally reconstructed since teaming with ex-pro Jim McDonnell and is presently on a 13-fight winning streak (11 quick). Barely squeaked past Howard Clarke and James Lowther in IBF Intercontinental title bouts, before exploding to prominence with back-to-back one-round blast-outs of Anthony Farnell and Scott Dixon in WBU match-ups. Attributes: A monstrous short-range hitter, particularly downstairs. Exhibited serious mental resolve to negate Farnell's intimidating 'Arnie's Army' prior to his title-winning effort at the Manchester Velodrome. In trainer McDonnell, he has the security of arguably the best physical and mental conditioner in the domestic game (no tactical slouch either). Confidence is presently soaring off the graph and his engaging personality and warring style suggest that astute marketing could see him capitalise commercially. BUT . . . Like Alexander, suffers from hand problems more than most. As Iranian birth disqualifies him from British, Commonwealth and European contention, would now profit from some competitive rounds against overseas opposition if he is to prosper on a global stage. He says: 'I think I'm the best all-rounder of the bunch. I can take a punch, have good balance and hand speed, and my fitness is second to none. The others are all very good at certain things, but have weaknesses. Williams, who's probably the best of the others, can only fight at his own pace, Roberts hasn't got much power, Alexander holds his chin high. We don't know how Lockett will respond when he's in deep water and obviously Farnell doesn't worry me!' His ideal match-up: 'It must be good money to fight any of them, but I'd say Alexander. We've sparred hundreds of rounds and my style beats his style every day of the week and twice on Sundays!' Next step: Rated No 2 by the WBO, expect him to challenge for the vacant belt following Harry Simon's rise to middleweight. RICHARD WILLIAMS Background: From Stockwell, London. Age: 30. Height: 5ft 91/2ins. Record 15-1 (12 KOs). Manager/Promoter: Barry Hearn/Matchroom. Professional credentials: Former Commonwealth champion, reigning IBO cham |
|
Also available to read from issue:
|
|
On sale on the last Thursday of every month Ensure you never miss a copy . . . buy your subscription or back issues here. |