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m a i n e v e n t NE W S
looks set to return to boxing and eyes another shot at a world championship. He may or
may not get that opportunity again, but what we do know is that money talks and if Hearn
was to approach Haye with a lucrative offer to fight Joshua, it could well materialise. The
fight would without a shadow of a doubt be a massive event and has all the ingredients to
be explosive as both heavyweights pack a punch.
Joshua is next out on October 11 in London where he faces Russian, Denis Bakhtov, in what
will be Joshua’s first scheduled 12-round contest.
If he comes through that unscathed, which he is expected to, he will face fellow-Brit, Michael
Sprott, on November 22 in Manchester in a British title eliminator.
JAMES McKNIGHT
Burns Unimpressive Again: Battle lines
Date: 7//10/14
Matchroom Sport promoter, Eddie Hearn, believes rising star, Anthony Joshua,
could be on a collision course with fellow British heavyweight, David Haye.
Joshua, 24, has demolished all those who have been put before him, which has led to the Watford-born pro accumulating a perfect 8(8)-0 record. It’s still early days in Joshua’s career, but at the
rate he is demolishing his opponents at, a potential domestic showdown with Haye, 33, could come
to fruition next year.
“In the world of boxing and particularly in this country, a fight between David Haye and Anthony
Joshua in 2015 is a stadium event,” said Hearn.
“It’s a huge, huge fight with massive potential and I think again the rate that Anthony is progressing
- by the time the winter comes round in 2015 - these are the guys that Anthony is going to be facing.
“If he wants to win world titles, these are the guys he has got to demolish on the way and I’m sure
that he will demolish these guys as well. I don’t think anything is going to stop him.”
Haye has not fought since July 14, 2012, and took a leave of absence from the sport after pulling out
of two scheduled fights with Tyson Fury in 2013. As we approach the end of 2014, the ‘Hayemaker’
04
NOVEMBER 2014
issue #14
Former two-weight world champion Ricky Burns aged 31 made his debut at light
welterweight on the undercard last night and to be perfectly honest it was just more of the
same from his last few fights. Burns has looked out of sorts for a good few fights now and he
appears to have lost much of what made him a solid world champion. Last night was no different
as Burns was unimpressive and unimaginative with his work. It is not for want of will or
determination as Burns has proved himself to be a true professional over the years and he is a
very likable individual. Burns faced off with 32 year old Frenchman Alexandre Lepelley who only
had one loss on his record coming into the fight but also only had 3 knock outs on his 17 win
record showing that he isn’t the biggest puncher around. Burns was expected to come and put
on a big performance to prove that he does have what it takes to progress back to higher levels
of the sport but he failed to do so. Instead of using his height to his advantage and using his solid
jab he chose to stand up close and trade with Lepelley. Burns looked vulnerable to counters
and took a good few body shots in the fight. Lepelley had a point taken away in the seventh round
for use of the head which seemed a bit harsh but that wasn’t to make a big difference to the
outcome of the fight as despite Burns being unconvincing he was winning the fight clearly. Burns
claimed the win but yet again more questions than answers remain. Is he moving back down to
lightweight? Can he ever get back up to world level?
SAM C COULTER
IMAGE lawrence lustig/MATCHROOM BOXING X2
issue #14 NOVEMBER 2014
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