Anthony Joshua signs new exclusive three-year promotional deal with Matchroom
Eddie Hearn is delighted to announce that Heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua MBE has signed a new exclusive three-year promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.
The Olympic gold medal hero has raced to 14-0 in the paid ranks with 14 devastating KOs under the guidance of Hearn, and has penned the new deal ahead of headlining his the sold-out event on December 12 at The O2 in London where he faces bitter amateur rival Dillian Whyte for the British and Commonwealth titles.
The 25 year old has quickly become a fans’ favourite since making his pro debut at the Greenwich venue in October 2013, and Joshua is delighted to have extended his relationship with Britain’s premier boxing promoters.
“I have been part of the Matchroom family for a number of years now and I am really excited that the relationship will be continuing,” said Joshua. “They have an exceptional and passionate team from Eddie downwards. Matchroom have provided me with the perfect platform to get my professional career started and there was never a question that they were the guys, with Sky Sports, to help move me to the next level and ultimately to a shot at the Heavyweight World Championship.”
“It’s an absolute honour to announce a new three-year exclusive promotional deal with Anthony Joshua,” said Hearn. “The first two years have been a great experience and I feel the journey has been faultless both in and out of the ring. Anthony’s profile has continued to grow and he has boxed in virtually every major city in the UK but more importantly those experiences coupled with tremendous dedication in the gym has seen him develop immensely as a fighter. Anthony has already become one of the hottest commodities in World sport and we are blessed with the responsibility of helping to guide Anthony Joshua to the World Heavyweight title and ultimately unifying the division.”
Mitchell Smith Confident George Jupp Isn’t On His Level
Swaggering super-featherweight starlet Mitchell Smith intends to place capital upstart George Jupp firmly in his place when the pair clash for the WBO Inter-Continental title on Frank Warren’s mega Manchester Arena card on December 19th.
‘I think this is a really good way to finish a good year for me,’ says the 22 year old, presently unbeaten in 13, including seven (often spectacular) stoppage wins.
‘Besides, it’s a pleasure and an honour to get a chance to fight on easily Frank’s best show of 2015. I’ll focus very hard in camp over to Marbella and, on the night, I’ll ‘switch on’. I intend delivering a performance that’ll leave all the fans ranting and raving!’
With three brutal stoppage demolitions over imported competition plus the acquisition of the 2015 Young Boxer of the Year award, the ex ABA featherweight champion from Harrow Weald has established the foundation from which to launch an assault on world glory next year.
‘The plan is to stay in the gym over Christmas then head to the US for sparring in the New Year. In 2016, I aim to stay fit, drop to 9st, pick up the British title and a world rating, then really kick on,’ says ‘King Mitch’ who is ranked eighth in the world at 130lbs by the WBO.
Reigning Southern Area king Jupp is two years older, almost five inches taller and arrives for battle unbeaten in over four years. Nevertheless, as ever, Smith is supremely confident of executing a spectacular stoppage win for his huge battalion of fans.
He says: ‘George has an okay jab and has put together eight decent wins. Because he’s tall and long, he also presents a different style for me to get past, another challenge to conquer and tick off.
‘Look, this is his world title fight. No doubt he’ll train extremely hard but he barely scraped through his Southern Area title fight. He’ll find I’m world class.
‘From our past spars, George knows he can’t win. I know exactly what he’s got and he’s pretty plain. No doubt he’ll run and spoil, try to fiddle his way through to points but once his back hits the ropes I’ll get hold of him.
‘I’d be very, very disappointed with myself if I didn’t knock him out. I feel I’m several leagues above him; I’m too strong and hit way too hard.’
BBBofC grants Johnny Greaves his manager’s license
After 100 professional boxing fights, earning the title of ‘King of the Journeyman, East-Ender Johnny Greaves has begun the next chapter of his boxing story.
The 36-year-old, who bowed out from the paid ranks with a win over Dan Carr in September 2013, has recently received his Manager’s licence from the British Boxing Board of Control.
Hailing from East Ham, Greaves has been spending his time out of the ring training the next generation of professional boxers at his home away from home – the Peacock Gym in Canning Town.
“It’s the second page of my professional boxing journey,” said Greaves in his cockney burr. “The first steps are for me to get established, attract new boxers, and to start putting on my own shows.
“I’ve been in the Peacock Gym since I was 10-years-old and I’ve rubbed shoulders with a lot of people and managers like Dean Powell.”
Johnny’s career, which commenced on the unlicensed scene, was guided by his brother Frank as his trainer and Carl Greaves in the role of manager. Although his namesake, there’s no relation but share a close bond after over six years of working together.
“I was very close to Carl Greaves when I turned over, he’s an inspiration to me, he changes a lot of boys’ lives,” said Johnny, who operated between lightweight and welterweight when punching for pay.
“I just want to get the best out of my boys, fighters don’t get paid enough and it’s good for them to have someone like me in their corner, fighting for them.
“It’ll be nice to make a living from boxing but it would be out of love rather than for money and it’ll be for the good of the fighters.”
With approximately 100 managers currently active in the UK, Manager’s licences are notoriously difficult to obtain.
“You need to be a BBBofC licence holder for at least three years, have to know the ins and outs of the rule book, they don’t give them out like Smarties,” Greaves explained.
“I liaised a lot with some of the board members over the years and I like to think that I come across as a nice guy and they helped me out as much as they could.”
Greaves has already begun recruiting fighters, starting with 21-year-old welterweight prospect George Hennon (1-0) from Kent.
He confirmed, “At the moment, I’m working solely with George Hennon, but my goal really is to start working with just a few to start with, keep it small for a year or two, I don’t want to take loads on and not do a good job.
“I’ve had one or two lads been in contact but until I get established its steady-steady, it’s a bit of a process of getting your name out there.”
Greaves shared his plans for the immediate future, “I’ll push George [Hennon], keep him fighting regular, at least four or five times a year.
“I’m confident he’s got the ability to push on for titles, I know he has, and when his career goes from strength to strength, then other lads will want to come on board.”
The likeable Londoner, who still keeps himself in very good shape despite retirement, is already thinking of the professional boxing shows that he would like to host in the country’s capital.
“I’d definitely like to get London shows, maybe the York Hall or local leisure centres, I’m a London-based trainer and manager so I’d like to keep things around here, really.”
