Dodd: I won’t let Cardle off the hook this time
Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd came close to a dream British title win in November – and says he’s going to get it right in his rematch with Lightweight champion Scotty Cardle at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night.
Dodd was ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards heading into the final round of Cardle’s first defence in November, but the Lytham St Annes man piled on the pressure in a desperate attempt to hold onto his title, and a barrage of shots breached the Birkenhead man’s defences sufficiently for the referee to wave the fight off with a minute to go in the pulsating contest.
‘Masher’ came close to completing a fairy tale story last time out having landed the shot at Cardle after replacing him in a clash with Gary Buckland and defeating the Welshman in September, and casting the disappointment of the stoppage to one side, the 31 year old believes he’s learnt enough from their first encounter to get the job done on Saturday.
“The first fight was a great experience,” said Dodd. “I learnt a lot from it and enjoyed the limelight at British level boxing. I had a little taste, it tasted nice and now I have had a good 12-week camp to come in fresh and eat the whole table.
“I have been there, done it and felt it now. So I’m going back to doing the same ring walk, at the same venue, with a big smile on my face and I am looking forward to it. I feel a lot better, a lot fitter, and stronger, I am more experienced, I am fresh and I’m looking forward to it, I cannot wait to get in there.
“I thought that if I had stuck to the boxing then I would’ve taken the win, but excitement overtook me and once that had taken over I couldn’t get myself back out of that.
“When it was waved off it just drained me. When I look back, he waved it off before I had even got up, which I didn’t see at the time – he waved it off and that was it but that took it out of me. There is nothing I can say or do about it, there is no point in moaning about it, the referee did his job.
“Referees are in there to do a job and look after your health. Look at Nick Blackwell, I have nothing against the referee, it was just one of those things.
“I felt like I was able to tag him a lot easier than I had anticipated. I didn’t think I would be able to hit him as easily as I did and when I did I think I got a bit excited from doing that, so I need to be a bit cleverer and use my experience from the last fight to my advantage this time around.”
Dodd’s second crack at Cardle is part of a huge night of action in Merseyside as Callum Smit meets European Super-Middleweight champion Hadillah Mohoumadi in a final eliminator for the WBC World title.
Conlan Confident Ahead of April 30th Clash
Belfast super-flyweight Jamie Conlan will take on South Shields’ Anthony Nelson on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders first world title defense against Max Bursak at the Copper Box Arena on April 30.
Conlan, 29, is a former WBO European Champion and currently holds the WBO Intercontinental title along with a number five world ranking in the organisation. The Irish hero will be looking to prise the Commonwealth belt from the undefeated Nelson on his quest to become a world champion.
“I grew up watching a local guy from my area called Eamonn Magee become Commonwealth Champion and it’s always been a title that has stood out for me. I’ve always wanted to get it around my waist before moving onto bigger things,” said Conlan.
He added: “The Commonwealth belt seems to propel fighters onto bigger things as we’ve seen with Billy Joe Saunders. It’s a prestigious belt and another step on the road towards a world title. Everything is moving steadily in the right direction. Each fight is another step up the ladder and a box ticked on my journey towards a world title.”
Known as ‘The Mexican’ for his thrilling, all-action, style, Conlan has established himself as a fan favourite and is promising another knockout performance against Commonwealth Champion Nelson.
He said: “Our styles are going to make for a cracking fight. Anthony is a fighter who likes to come forward a lot and everyone knows I’m one of the most exciting fighters in the division so it’s bound to be a belter while it lasts. Fans can expect a war between us but I don’t envisage it going the distance because I’m hitting harder and I’m bigger and stronger than I’ve ever been.”
All-action Conlan is undefeated in 15 fights with 9 knockout wins and is putting in the hours out in Spain ahead of his debut fight at Stratford’s impressive Copper Box Arena.
“We’re out in Marbella at the minute and we’re deep into the training camp. I’m loving everything, the weather is ideal and the training is brilliant. I’m sparring with Charlie Edwards and then hopefully bringing in the European Bantamweight Champion Ryan Farrag. It’s all looking good and we’re pushing pretty hard now as the fight draws closer.”
Knockout merchant Conlan was ringside at the Liverpool Echo Arena earlier this month to witness rival super-flyweight Paul Butler beat Mexico’s Sebastian Sanchez inside nine rounds to claim the Vacant WBO Intercontinental Super-Flyweight Championship. A blockbuster showdown with the Ellesmere Port start is still on the wish list for Conlan.
He said: “It’s a fight that has to happen. We both want it and it’s a fight that makes sense. I’ve always seen myself as the winner; I believe in my ability. He’s a great fighter and you don’t become a world champion for no reason but I 100% believe in everything I do and I believe that I’ll have an answer for everything he brings.
“I see myself winning. I don’t know how it’ll go I just know I’m the better man. Everything he does I can do better and he won’t have an answer for the things I bring.”
MATCHROOM BOXING FOUNDATION NAMED OFFICIAL PARTNER OF ENGLAND BOXING ELITE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHPS 2016
The Matchroom Boxing Foundation has been named the official partner of the England Boxing Elite National Championships 2016.
The Foundation will be the title sponsor of the England Boxing Elite National Championships Finals which will be held at the Echo Arena Liverpool over the weekend of April 29 to May 1.
The finals weekend is the culmination of the domestic calendar for boxing clubs in England when 10 male and female champions will be crowned after three days of boxing which begins with the quarter-finals on Friday, semis on Saturday and 10 men’s and 10 women’s finals on Sunday May 1.
Eddie Hearn, Managing Director, Matchroom Sport and founder of the Matchroom Boxing Foundation said: “I am delighted that our Foundation is able to support the England Boxing Elite National Championships on April 29-May 1. The Matchroom Boxing Foundation is committed to supporting the vital work that amateur boxing clubs do all over Britain, and these championships are as much a celebration of the hard work and dedication put in by everyone involved in the clubs as well as finding the next big stars for British boxing.”
Paul Porter, Chief Executive, England Boxing, added: “The Matchroom Boxing Foundation has done some excellent work to support boxing clubs and we are delighted that it has come on board as the official partner of the Elite National Championships which is the big event in the boxing calendar for grassroots boxing clubs in England.
“The Finals weekend is always a great showcase of the fantastic talent we have in this country and provides an opportunity for up-and-coming boxers to showcase their skills and progress their careers in a way that may one day see them go on to compete at major International championships and the Olympic Games.”
Hearn launched the Matchroom Boxing Foundation to offer money and support to the amateur clubs, with set ups in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham all benefiting from the Foundation’s support so far.
Callum Smith pens sponsorship deal with AMC Prestige Cars
Callum Smith has signed a sponsorship deal with AMC Prestige Cars.
AMC Prestige Cars have penned a one-year deal with the Liverpool ace ahead of his WBC World Super-Middleweight title eliminator and European title clash with Hadillah Mohoumadi at the Echo Arena on April 2, live on Sky Sports.
The 25 year old has received a brand new Mercedes GLE and the company are delighted to be associated with ‘Mundo’ ahead of a huge year for the unbeaten star.
“AMC Prestige Cars are proud to announce they will be teaming up with Matchroom boxing Super Middleweight star Callum Smith in a Sponsorship for the Forthcoming year and hopefully beyond,” said Adam Miller, founder and of AMC Prestige Cars
“We are massive boxing fans at AMC and this is an exciting partnership, especially at a time when British boxing is in the best shape it’s ever been!
“We have followed Callum’s career since he first turned pro and are looking forward to supporting his World title charge by providing him with a sponsored vehicle.
“Thank you to Callum for letting us be involved and also to Matchroom Boxing for working with us to create this partnership.”
