Related News
-
Tennis tournament to showcase rising African stars - 14/06/12 -
Tennis tournament to host matches at Liverpool One - 01/06/12 -
Liverpool tennis tournament invites fans to donate their rackets - 18/06/12 -
Anderson & Bencic win Medicash Liverpool International Tennis Tournament 2012 - 25/06/12 -
LCH partners with tennis tournament to promote healthy living - 19/06/12
Fresh off the back of Rocky Fielding’s Prizefighter triumph, Matchroom Sport has announced details of their next eight-man one-night tournament.
Five international heavyweights have been confirmed in the line-up and will go toe-to-toe at Alexandra Palace, London on May 7.
Among them is 31-year-old Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson, from New Jersey, America, whose only defeat came against Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title in 2009.
Belfast’s Martin Rogan will also step through the ropes in a bid to land his second Prizefighter title.
He won the inaugural event, back in 2008 and went on to become Commonwealth champion by virtue of his victory over Matt Skelton.
However, successive defeats to Sam Sexton, in his own backyard, have scuppered the 39-year-old’s further title ambitions.
Irish-based Cuban Mike Perez brings a clean 13-0 record to the contest, with ten of those victorious coming by way of knockout.
Konstantin Airich, from Germany, and Richel Hersisia, from the Netherlands, also have impressive knockout statistics.
Kazakh born Airich has 13 KO’s from his 16 victories but has also been stopped twice himself.
His first defeat was against Danny Williams in 2008, when he was stopped in the seventh round in Baracaldo, Spain.
Whereas Hersisia, nicknamed ‘The Dutch Sonny Liston’, was born on the Netherlands Antilles and boasts a 32-3 record.
He has KO’d 25 opponents, but lost his WBF title to Audley Harrison in 2004 after being knocked out in the fourth round.
It will be the first ever international Prizefighter and Eddie Heard, Matchroom Sports managing director, said the wheels have been in motion since last year.
He said: “This event has been bubbling up for over a year now and I am so excited we have finally made it happen.
“As Prizefighter starts its international expansion, this flagship event couldn't have come at a better time and British boxing fans are in for a real treat on May 7.
“As always the line-up will combine an eclectic mix of prospects, champions and characters as these eight men look to fight their way into contention for a shot at the World Heavyweight title.
“In Martin Rogan we have a man that epitomises Prizefighter, our first ever champion and a guy looking to force his way back into the big-time.
“Johnson will be the first American fighter signed for Prizefighter and has lost only once, in a points decision to Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title.
“Former WBF champ Richel Hersisia boasts a high knockout percentage, Perez is a highly rated Cuban prospect that is out to shock the World while Airich is a tough knockout artist from Germany.
“You only have to watch his fight with Danny Williams to see what he will bring on the night.”
Prizefighter’s TV distribution has now reached key international boxing markets in USA, Canada, Australasia, Eastern Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.
Because of this, Hearn says competition will be fierce as he decides the final three spots in the May 7 line-up.
“The late night phone calls continue around the world,” said Hearn.
“We already have over a dozen fighters in contention for the three remaining spots.”
Tickets are now available, priced £35 unreserved, £50 and £60 ringside and £120 VIP, and can be purchased by calling Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/click_boxing
