Thursday, September 24, 2009

Boxers are Hits in Liverpool

Liverpool might be most famous for The Beatles but today a second Fab Four promised to put together a string of hits - in the boxing ring. Olympic champion James DeGale, amateur world champion Frankie Gavin and former England representatives Stephen Smith and Tony Bellew will appear at the Liverpool Echo Arena on October 30. It was a case of All You Need is Glove, A Hard Day's Fight and Glove Me Do as the quartet posed for photos in Beatles' costumes in front of the new Hard Day's Night Hotel in Liverpool. The world champions in waiting promised that over the course of the next few years the only words on the lips of their opponents will be Help.DeGale, Gavin, Smith and Bellew - all of whom are unbeaten - are firm friends after their time spent under the wing of ex-England coach Terry Edwards in the international amateur set up. And having achieved huge success in the unpaid ranks, they say they will follow it up in the professional game. "I've been saying for a few years now that the next bunch of kids who come through will be really special," said promoter Frank Warren. "These four and a few others who aren't boxing on the card have as much potential as any fighters I have worked with in all my time in boxing. "DeGale and Gavin are rightly being hailed as the next generation of superstars in British boxing, plus Bellew and Smith are sensational talents. "All four of these kids are not only brilliant boxers, but really exciting to watch. They'll definitely put bums on seats and there will be real thrills when they are making their way to the top." DeGale and Gavin will have their fourth fights as professionals at the Liverpool Echo Arena as part of the under-card to the mouth-watering British title double-header which will see Tony Quigley and Paul Smith duke it out for the super-middleweight crown, and Kell Brook and Michael Jennings go at it for the welterweight version. And the 2008 Olympians are relishing returning to a city where they boxed many times as amateurs. "I've got some really good memories of Liverpool, it's a brilliant fight city and I can't wait to box here," said DeGale. "The people on Merseyside really know their boxing, and whenever I've fought here before I've got a warm reception." Smith and Bellew are more familiar with the city, having grown up in Liverpool, and the pair are excited that big time boxing is returning to an area steeped in pugilistic history. "This is the biggest boxing show in Liverpool for years and I'm thrilled to be a part of it," said Bellew. "We've got a proud musical and footballing culture up here, and it's about time boxing was included as well. "There has been some famous champions who have come out of Liverpool, but I think we could be entering an era that's as good as any in recent memory." Smith is part of a boxing dynasty, with older brother Paul topping the bill at the Echo Arena, and younger brother Liam also in action. "Paul's an inspiration and I'm aiming to be where he is in a few years time," said Smith. "This show is going to be special because not only are my brothers on the card, I'm boxing with my old amateur team-mates as well. "The atmosphere in the camp when we boxed at internationals events was fantastic, we were always having a really good laugh and we were great mates. "We're all buzzing again after meeting up and everyone will be spurring each other on come October 30." Tickets priced at £30 (Tier), £40 (Tier), £50 (Tier), £100 (Floor), £150 (Floor) and £200 (Ringside) are available from: Liverpool Echo Arena 0844 8000 400 http://www.accliverpool.com/
Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500 www.ticketmaster.co.uk Frank Warren Promotions
01992 550 888 http://www.frankwarren.tv/

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