It’s the one the Cobra has been wanting for the best part of three years.
The Nottingham man, 35, will get his chance to avenge the tighter of his two career losses after he and Dane, Mikkel Kessler agreed terms for a rematch.
The fight will likely be on 25th May at a London venue to be confirmed in the next few days.
The two first faced off in the early stages of the Super Six tournament in April 2010. It was held in Kessler back yard, with Froch’s WBC super-middleweight strap on the line.
It was a true war, one of the most entertaining fights of that year with Froch on the wrong end of a unanimous decision that many felt had been closer.
Froch made it further in the tournament than Kessler despite this, losing to Andre Ward in the showcase’s final.
But ever since the tournament was concluded, Froch has been chasing a rematch with the Dane.
Now that is has been agreed, it provides a chance for us to begin thinking about what kind of fight it will be.
Froch has faced the stronger opposition, of that there is no dispute, two of his last three fights coming against fighters seen as the best in the super-middleweight, regardless of what happened to Lucian Bute when they met last summer.
This fact could help or hinder a normal fighter, but I can only see it helping Froch because, at 35, he looks in as good shape as he ever has been and will not be suffering from ring-rust.
Kessler, on the other hand, has had a mixed three years in the intervening period.
He has knocked out Mehdi Bouadla, Allan Green and Brian Magee, none of whom – with the greatest respect – will go down as greats of the division.
Like Froch, the Viking Warrior has only been bested twice, by the two men many – myself included – see as the greatest super-middleweights of this millennium; Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward, neither of whom have been beaten.
But I see Froch’s recent fights setting him up as pre-fight favourite. One thing is for sure; if you are a boxing fan, you will not want to be missing this one!
Adam’s top 10 Super-Middleweights of the Millennium (judged purely on performances during this time-scale:
1. Joe Calzaghe (46-0)
2. Andre Ward (26-0)
3. Carl Froch (32-2)
4. Mikkel Kessler (42-2)
5. Arthur Abraham (36-3)
6. Jean Pascal (30-2-1)
7. Lucian Bute (32-1)
8. Jeff Lacy (25-4-1)
9. Andre Dirrell (20-1)
10. Sakio Bika (30-5-2)
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Monday, 26 November 2012
Heartbreak for heroic Hitman
He wasn’t meant to lose. Ricky Hatton gave another of his trademark valiant and dogged performances, but he wasn’t meant to lose.
He came out all guns blazing, winning four of the first five rounds. But whilst he was catching Vyacheslav Senchenko with many decent shots, he was also missing many more and getting caught by return punches.
As the rounds went by, the Hitman was visibly starting to tire and Senchenko’s ring craft began to take over.
But the devastating body punch that ended the bout was one that would have chopped down most fighters.
Perhaps if he had taken on Senchenko three years ago, five months after his fight against Pacquiao, he would most likely have won.
It was his ring rust, mixed with questionable fight fitness that cost him the bout, two elements he would not have been lacking if it wasn’t for his retirement.
It was crushing to hear him – in his post-match press conference – say: “I am not a failure.”
This sadly showcased the fragile mind state that led so many to adore him, but also left him vulnerable.
Those who have followed Hatton’s career know that he not a failure, he is a champion, a champion that had one of the most Cinderella-like careers his sport has ever seen.
He is also a hero to millions, proof of which lies in the fact that he took 20,000 fans across to Las Vegas for his fights with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, taking over the city. It is also more than Amir Khan, Nasim Hamed and Lennox Lewis ever managed.
Another theory is that Hatton could have taken a tune-up fight before taking on a fighter of Senchenko – who was a world champion until his last bout against Paulie Malignaggi – but this is Ricky Hatton, a tune-up fight would not be good enough for him and he would have felt he was doing his beloved fans a disservice if he took the easy way.
He has never taken things the easy way, in or out of the ring, having to lose five stone to make the weight, just as he always used to. Unfortunately on this occasion, it was one bridge too far and Hatton has re-retired saying: “I go the answers I was looking for. I needed to see if I still had it in me, and I don’t.”
He said afterwards that he was “heartbroken”. We knew, our hearts had broken too.
Adam Appleton
He came out all guns blazing, winning four of the first five rounds. But whilst he was catching Vyacheslav Senchenko with many decent shots, he was also missing many more and getting caught by return punches.
As the rounds went by, the Hitman was visibly starting to tire and Senchenko’s ring craft began to take over.
But the devastating body punch that ended the bout was one that would have chopped down most fighters.
Perhaps if he had taken on Senchenko three years ago, five months after his fight against Pacquiao, he would most likely have won.
It was his ring rust, mixed with questionable fight fitness that cost him the bout, two elements he would not have been lacking if it wasn’t for his retirement.
It was crushing to hear him – in his post-match press conference – say: “I am not a failure.”
This sadly showcased the fragile mind state that led so many to adore him, but also left him vulnerable.
Those who have followed Hatton’s career know that he not a failure, he is a champion, a champion that had one of the most Cinderella-like careers his sport has ever seen.
He is also a hero to millions, proof of which lies in the fact that he took 20,000 fans across to Las Vegas for his fights with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, taking over the city. It is also more than Amir Khan, Nasim Hamed and Lennox Lewis ever managed.
Another theory is that Hatton could have taken a tune-up fight before taking on a fighter of Senchenko – who was a world champion until his last bout against Paulie Malignaggi – but this is Ricky Hatton, a tune-up fight would not be good enough for him and he would have felt he was doing his beloved fans a disservice if he took the easy way.
He has never taken things the easy way, in or out of the ring, having to lose five stone to make the weight, just as he always used to. Unfortunately on this occasion, it was one bridge too far and Hatton has re-retired saying: “I go the answers I was looking for. I needed to see if I still had it in me, and I don’t.”
He said afterwards that he was “heartbroken”. We knew, our hearts had broken too.
Adam Appleton
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Khan must pass Garcia test before 147 schemes
Amir Khan is set to meet WBC light-welterweight Champion Danny Garcia at the Mandalay Bay on the 14th July.
This came after Khan’s original opponent Lamont Peterson failed a drugs test seeing their rematch cancelled.
But again, Khan has been looking past this next fight and weighing up his plans to move up to the welterweight division.
This proved a grave error before the first Peterson fight, which saw the Washington man defeat Khan in the upset of the year to take Khan’s belts to America.
It is imperative that Khan stays focussed on the task at hand this time so that he doesn’t get caught out in another fight he is favourite going in to.
Danny Garcia is unbeaten and fresh from winning the WBC strap of boxing legend Erik Morales via unanimous decision in March.
He will be eager to show his pedigree as this is his first defence and he will be looking to truly announce himself on the world scene.
But whilst he has all these attributes, Khan is still the more skilled, quicker technician.
Garcia could not vanquish an aged Morales with a knockout, showing that he will probably not knock out a fresher-legged Khan either.
Khan however has knockout victories over the likes of Zab Judah, Paulie Malignaggi and Marco Antonio Barrera.
Although it must be taken into consideration that Khan’s spirits will be down, having trained as hard as he did for his Peterson rematch only to have it cancelled.
Be that as it may, Khan should still have the tools to see off Garcia, likely by decision.
Should he do so, what is next for the boy from Bolton?
He constantly says that he will move up to 147lbs, but it isn’t as easy as that.
Firstly, he must ingratiate himself to the division with an impressive victory over a good, but not necessary great opponent.
Fortunately for Amir, welterweight is about the most talent-diluted division going right now.
Victor Ortiz could be an option if can wants to go for a live, active fighter and southpaw at that.
Sugar Shane Mosley could provide a nice stepping stone as Saul Alvarez showed last month.
It is wise that Khan stays away from Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto and possibly Marquez this time around as he will need to get used to the weight and make adjustments.
That said, Amir does not balloon up in between fights, he keeps himself trim and walks around about half a stone heavier than his fight weight which will stand in his favour.
He should not lose much speed in his fists as it is his legs that will need bulking up to take the slightly heavier shots as well as his shoulders and neck.
To me, his best options lie with three fighters; former WBC champion Devon Alexander, current NABA and NABO holder Mike Jones, and Timothy Bradley.
Of this opponents, a Bradley fight is the most attractive as there is history from the light-welterweight so as to who is the better combatant.
But Bradley must get past Manny Pacquiao with his fighting dignity intact to keep this fight viable.
Alexander is coming off a resounding victory over Marcos Maidana, who took Amir Khan all the way 18 months ago.
Mike Jones, much like Danny Garcia is fairly untested, but unbeaten and a fight with Khan would be a great acid test.
Many critics are asking whether he will be able to handle himself at the heavier weight.
There should be no problem, his only knockout loss is far, far behind him and he learned from it that he needed better conditioning.
If he can increase his leg mass slightly that should stand him in good stead.
As for how far he can go, Khan should be looking to have one fight and then setting his sights firmly on the top of the division to take on Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto or Marquez.
Either of these opponents would be great for Khan as victories over Cotto and Marquez would heavily increase his stock, whilst proving he looks to face the best.
Wins over Pacquiao and/or Mayweather would be on another level though and would see Khan right up there with Britain’s best ever boxers, having competed in two divisions saturated with the best talents in world boxing.
One thing is for sure, Amir “King” Khan is looking to become just that, a king, a legend of boxing.
And in order to achieve that he must move up to welterweight, force his way through the politics of match-making to ensure himself the biggest fights before his planned “retirement” when he turns 28.
This came after Khan’s original opponent Lamont Peterson failed a drugs test seeing their rematch cancelled.
But again, Khan has been looking past this next fight and weighing up his plans to move up to the welterweight division.
This proved a grave error before the first Peterson fight, which saw the Washington man defeat Khan in the upset of the year to take Khan’s belts to America.
It is imperative that Khan stays focussed on the task at hand this time so that he doesn’t get caught out in another fight he is favourite going in to.
Danny Garcia is unbeaten and fresh from winning the WBC strap of boxing legend Erik Morales via unanimous decision in March.
He will be eager to show his pedigree as this is his first defence and he will be looking to truly announce himself on the world scene.
But whilst he has all these attributes, Khan is still the more skilled, quicker technician.
Garcia could not vanquish an aged Morales with a knockout, showing that he will probably not knock out a fresher-legged Khan either.
Khan however has knockout victories over the likes of Zab Judah, Paulie Malignaggi and Marco Antonio Barrera.
Although it must be taken into consideration that Khan’s spirits will be down, having trained as hard as he did for his Peterson rematch only to have it cancelled.
Be that as it may, Khan should still have the tools to see off Garcia, likely by decision.
Should he do so, what is next for the boy from Bolton?
He constantly says that he will move up to 147lbs, but it isn’t as easy as that.
Firstly, he must ingratiate himself to the division with an impressive victory over a good, but not necessary great opponent.
Fortunately for Amir, welterweight is about the most talent-diluted division going right now.
Victor Ortiz could be an option if can wants to go for a live, active fighter and southpaw at that.
Sugar Shane Mosley could provide a nice stepping stone as Saul Alvarez showed last month.
It is wise that Khan stays away from Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto and possibly Marquez this time around as he will need to get used to the weight and make adjustments.
That said, Amir does not balloon up in between fights, he keeps himself trim and walks around about half a stone heavier than his fight weight which will stand in his favour.
He should not lose much speed in his fists as it is his legs that will need bulking up to take the slightly heavier shots as well as his shoulders and neck.
To me, his best options lie with three fighters; former WBC champion Devon Alexander, current NABA and NABO holder Mike Jones, and Timothy Bradley.
Of this opponents, a Bradley fight is the most attractive as there is history from the light-welterweight so as to who is the better combatant.
But Bradley must get past Manny Pacquiao with his fighting dignity intact to keep this fight viable.
Alexander is coming off a resounding victory over Marcos Maidana, who took Amir Khan all the way 18 months ago.
Mike Jones, much like Danny Garcia is fairly untested, but unbeaten and a fight with Khan would be a great acid test.
Many critics are asking whether he will be able to handle himself at the heavier weight.
There should be no problem, his only knockout loss is far, far behind him and he learned from it that he needed better conditioning.
If he can increase his leg mass slightly that should stand him in good stead.
As for how far he can go, Khan should be looking to have one fight and then setting his sights firmly on the top of the division to take on Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto or Marquez.
Either of these opponents would be great for Khan as victories over Cotto and Marquez would heavily increase his stock, whilst proving he looks to face the best.
Wins over Pacquiao and/or Mayweather would be on another level though and would see Khan right up there with Britain’s best ever boxers, having competed in two divisions saturated with the best talents in world boxing.
One thing is for sure, Amir “King” Khan is looking to become just that, a king, a legend of boxing.
And in order to achieve that he must move up to welterweight, force his way through the politics of match-making to ensure himself the biggest fights before his planned “retirement” when he turns 28.
Early bath likely for not so great Danes
By Adam Appleton
In 1992 they came off the beach ten days before the tournament having failed to qualify to replace an errant Yugoslavia team.
Twenty years later, they are still the most unlikely, unfancied and unbelievable European champions ever.
They saw off the likes of England, France, Holland and Germany along the way to glory to win 2-0 in the final with goals from Vilfort and Jensen in front of a packed Ullevi stadium, Gothenburg.
What made it all the more surprising was that they did it without star players Michael Laudrup and Jan Molby.
Oh how they could do with such talents in their 2012 squad.
They have been given a hellish draw, the tournament’s group of death versus Holland, Germany and Portugal.
Whilst it is unlikely that they will win any of these games, let alone get out of the group, it is still interesting to look into their squad.
Defence must be the first priority for them, which is why Daniel Agger looks set to be their most important player.
The Liverpool defender had a superb season and has truly become a senior player for both of his red teams.
He will have to marshal the defence with Simon Kjaer, who is also a high quality player.
Meanwhile, their up-and-coming star is undoubtedly Christian Eriksen.
The Ajax man will be the creative force in their midfield, playing just behind the strikers.
He will be hoping that main forward Nicklas Bendtner can play as well as he talks, because you feel as though there will not be many goal-scoring opportunities, but one worries he is more image than substance.
Utilising their experienced players will also be vital, Christian Poulsen will be anchoring the midfield, the perfect foil for Christian Eriksen, while 115-cap Dennis Rommedahl will be roaming the wings just as he always has done.
He may been heavily experienced, but Rommedahl has not lost much of his pace over the years and can still give any wing-back trouble.
They could not ask for a more knowledgeable, learned manager in Morten Olsen.
And they will need every inch of that knowledge, as collectively they are very inexperienced, with only 618 caps to their names, 206 of which belong to Poulsen and Rommedahl.
But this will not faze Olsen, who has been in charge of the national side for 12 years now, having made 102 appearances for them in his playing days; a true patriot.
Through the nineties he worked for Brondby, Koln and Ajax before accepting the national job in 2000.
He will face a tough task to get any points from this tournament.
In 1992 they came off the beach ten days before the tournament having failed to qualify to replace an errant Yugoslavia team.
Twenty years later, they are still the most unlikely, unfancied and unbelievable European champions ever.
They saw off the likes of England, France, Holland and Germany along the way to glory to win 2-0 in the final with goals from Vilfort and Jensen in front of a packed Ullevi stadium, Gothenburg.
What made it all the more surprising was that they did it without star players Michael Laudrup and Jan Molby.
Oh how they could do with such talents in their 2012 squad.
They have been given a hellish draw, the tournament’s group of death versus Holland, Germany and Portugal.
Whilst it is unlikely that they will win any of these games, let alone get out of the group, it is still interesting to look into their squad.
Defence must be the first priority for them, which is why Daniel Agger looks set to be their most important player.
The Liverpool defender had a superb season and has truly become a senior player for both of his red teams.
He will have to marshal the defence with Simon Kjaer, who is also a high quality player.
Meanwhile, their up-and-coming star is undoubtedly Christian Eriksen.
The Ajax man will be the creative force in their midfield, playing just behind the strikers.
He will be hoping that main forward Nicklas Bendtner can play as well as he talks, because you feel as though there will not be many goal-scoring opportunities, but one worries he is more image than substance.
Utilising their experienced players will also be vital, Christian Poulsen will be anchoring the midfield, the perfect foil for Christian Eriksen, while 115-cap Dennis Rommedahl will be roaming the wings just as he always has done.
He may been heavily experienced, but Rommedahl has not lost much of his pace over the years and can still give any wing-back trouble.
They could not ask for a more knowledgeable, learned manager in Morten Olsen.
And they will need every inch of that knowledge, as collectively they are very inexperienced, with only 618 caps to their names, 206 of which belong to Poulsen and Rommedahl.
But this will not faze Olsen, who has been in charge of the national side for 12 years now, having made 102 appearances for them in his playing days; a true patriot.
Through the nineties he worked for Brondby, Koln and Ajax before accepting the national job in 2000.
He will face a tough task to get any points from this tournament.
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Not carefree but Chelsea take the Wembley spoils
By Adam Appleton
A Didier Drogba winner proved the difference between Chelsea and Liverpool as the South London club extended their superb recent FA Cup record with a 2-1 victory over the Reds.
The Blues claimed their fourth FA Cup since 2007 and their seventh in all while their Ivorian hit man became the first ever player to score in four FA Cup finals.
History, character, romance, these are but a few choice adjectives that surround the phenomenon that is the FA Cup, therefore it was fitting that the final’s participants graced Wembley’s turf in the colours of red and blue to allow a true throwback experience to final’s of the past.
Chelsea’s goal came after 11 minutes, with Mata sliding Ramires in down the right channel. The Brazilian then expertly brushed Enrique aside before wrong-footing Pepe Reina at his near-post.
In spite of this early goal, the first half proceeded to be a fairly tame affair, with the teams simply not seeing enough chances to create an entertaining atmosphere.
The second half started more briskly with Liverpool looking to press their way back into the game, leaving themselves more open at the back.
These gaps were then exposed when Didier Drogba broke free of Skrtel and fired across goal into the far corner, giving Reina no chance to put his side two ahead.
If there is a positive that Liverpool can take from this game, it is that Andy Carroll seems to have not only started scoring, but also began imposing his considerable physicality once more.
He showed great footwork to shake off John Terry and a forceful finish after Stewart Downing dispossessed Bosingwa, putting his team right back in the game only minutes after he was brought on.
The ex-Newcastle forward also scored the winner in the semi final against Everton as well as at Ewood Park a few days prior.
The higher tempo was there for all to see as Liverpool hounded an equaliser and pressed Chelsea’s midfielders with added aggression and intensity.
It reached it climax when – with ten minutes remaining – Luis Suarez crossed to Andy Carroll who, at point blanc range, arrowed a header towards goal only for Peter Cech to pull off what must be one of the greatest saves in FA Cup history.
Liverpool were appealing for a goal, sure that the ball had crossed the white line but the linesman was having none of it as replays showed the ball to only be half over, preventing its legitimacy.
As it was, the soulful Reds could not find their goal leaving Chelsea to celebrate another FA Cup win, lengthening their reign of dominance in the competition.
Having only been in charge for four months, Roberto Di Matteo already has his first trophy as Chelsea manager, although Andre Villas Boas is likely to feel aggrieved that he was not allowed to take the credit for what is arguably his team.
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Chastening Chelsea bemuse broken Barca
Adam Appleton
“Quitters never win, and winners never quit”. That, or a variant on Vince Lombardi’s famous quote must have been re-articulated in Roberto Di Matteo’s half-time team-talk last night.
Sky commentator, Gary Neville’s ejaculatory “oooooh” at the sight of Fernando Torres’ eventual tie-clincher summed up perfectly the disbelief and hysteria that surrounded the downing of this Catalan juggernaut.
The Blues produced an astonishing rearguard performance to keep out a team hailed as one of the greatest in football’s long history.
A performance that interim boss, Di Matteo, would herald as: “an incredible achievement by this group of players.”
The first half saw Sergio Busquets put the Catalan giants 1-0 ahead after 35 minutes as Chelsea failed to locate the Spaniard from a low cross.
Minutes later it went from bad to worse for the Londoner’s as captain, John Terry, was inexplicably dismissed for sticking a knee in Alexis Sanchez’s back.
Now it is very difficult to estimate just how steep a task playing Barcelona with ten men must be, but it is likely akin to David taking on Goliath without his slingshot.
With this in mind, going 2-0 behind was not high on Chelsea’s wish-list, but that’s precisely what happened as Messi slid in Andres Iniesta to double the advantage and put his team ahead in the tie.
At this stage, many teams would have battened down the hatches and gone for damage limitations, but not Chelsea, whose typical English grit shone through like a beacon all night long.
This determination was rewarded when, seconds before the half time whistle, Frank Lampard played Ramires through down the inside-right channel.
What happened next was pure artistry, with Ramires’ first touch lofting the ball millimetres over Victor Valdes’ outstretched paw, and then dipping to caress the back of the net.
Chelsea were back in it, with their goal turning the game into a chess match, with Barcelona hammering at Chelsea’s pawns, trying their damnedest to find the checkmate.
When Fabregas was brought down by Drogba and a penalty given, Chelsea fans must have thought the writing was on the wall.
Lionel Messi, scorer of 63 goals this season, and serial-terroriser of defences stepped up to take the kick, and cannoned the ball off the crossbar.
As the minutes ticked by, Barcelona were growing increasingly desperate, anxious to work an opening, but master-class displays from all in a white shirt kept them at bay.
With one minute of injury time already played, Fernando Torres found himself in and through on the half way line after a well-guided hook from Ashley Cole, arguably Chelsea’s man of the match.
With Valdes advancing, Torres scooped the ball round him and slotted the ball into the open net to secure not only Chelsea’s spot in the final, but perhaps also a reprieve for himself, repaying much if not all of that £50million transfer fee.
Messi was reduced to crouching, staring blankly at the Nou Camp turf for answers, but none came. At the final whistle, Chelsea fans, players and staff went into realms of happiness hitherto unseen, jumping around yelling like a cat when its tail is trodden on.
In a dignified acceptance of defeat, Barca players stood up, looked Chelsea in the eyes and shook their hands, with many of the home supporters respectfully applauding the Blues’ effort.
But for all their flair, flamboyance and tiki-taka poetry, Barcelona’s prowess could not match Chelsea’s grit, determination and sheer will to see that 19th May date in Munich. Unfortunately, though all will see, not all will play.
Terry’s red card, along with the yellow’s of Meireles, Ramires and Ivanovic will see them play no part in the biggest stage of club football in Europe. But this will not force them to concede the game because winners never quit, and quitters never win.
“Quitters never win, and winners never quit”. That, or a variant on Vince Lombardi’s famous quote must have been re-articulated in Roberto Di Matteo’s half-time team-talk last night.
Sky commentator, Gary Neville’s ejaculatory “oooooh” at the sight of Fernando Torres’ eventual tie-clincher summed up perfectly the disbelief and hysteria that surrounded the downing of this Catalan juggernaut.
The Blues produced an astonishing rearguard performance to keep out a team hailed as one of the greatest in football’s long history.
A performance that interim boss, Di Matteo, would herald as: “an incredible achievement by this group of players.”
The first half saw Sergio Busquets put the Catalan giants 1-0 ahead after 35 minutes as Chelsea failed to locate the Spaniard from a low cross.
Minutes later it went from bad to worse for the Londoner’s as captain, John Terry, was inexplicably dismissed for sticking a knee in Alexis Sanchez’s back.
Now it is very difficult to estimate just how steep a task playing Barcelona with ten men must be, but it is likely akin to David taking on Goliath without his slingshot.
With this in mind, going 2-0 behind was not high on Chelsea’s wish-list, but that’s precisely what happened as Messi slid in Andres Iniesta to double the advantage and put his team ahead in the tie.
At this stage, many teams would have battened down the hatches and gone for damage limitations, but not Chelsea, whose typical English grit shone through like a beacon all night long.
This determination was rewarded when, seconds before the half time whistle, Frank Lampard played Ramires through down the inside-right channel.
What happened next was pure artistry, with Ramires’ first touch lofting the ball millimetres over Victor Valdes’ outstretched paw, and then dipping to caress the back of the net.
Chelsea were back in it, with their goal turning the game into a chess match, with Barcelona hammering at Chelsea’s pawns, trying their damnedest to find the checkmate.
When Fabregas was brought down by Drogba and a penalty given, Chelsea fans must have thought the writing was on the wall.
Lionel Messi, scorer of 63 goals this season, and serial-terroriser of defences stepped up to take the kick, and cannoned the ball off the crossbar.
As the minutes ticked by, Barcelona were growing increasingly desperate, anxious to work an opening, but master-class displays from all in a white shirt kept them at bay.
With one minute of injury time already played, Fernando Torres found himself in and through on the half way line after a well-guided hook from Ashley Cole, arguably Chelsea’s man of the match.
With Valdes advancing, Torres scooped the ball round him and slotted the ball into the open net to secure not only Chelsea’s spot in the final, but perhaps also a reprieve for himself, repaying much if not all of that £50million transfer fee.
Messi was reduced to crouching, staring blankly at the Nou Camp turf for answers, but none came. At the final whistle, Chelsea fans, players and staff went into realms of happiness hitherto unseen, jumping around yelling like a cat when its tail is trodden on.
In a dignified acceptance of defeat, Barca players stood up, looked Chelsea in the eyes and shook their hands, with many of the home supporters respectfully applauding the Blues’ effort.
But for all their flair, flamboyance and tiki-taka poetry, Barcelona’s prowess could not match Chelsea’s grit, determination and sheer will to see that 19th May date in Munich. Unfortunately, though all will see, not all will play.
Terry’s red card, along with the yellow’s of Meireles, Ramires and Ivanovic will see them play no part in the biggest stage of club football in Europe. But this will not force them to concede the game because winners never quit, and quitters never win.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Mitchell expecting summer Burns bout
Essex fighter has schemes on British World title fight with two-weight Champ
By Adam Appleton
Kevin Mitchell is pursuing a summer fight with WBO lightweight champion, Ricky Burns, Appleton’s Edition can exclusively reveal.
The Dagenham Destroyer was at York Hall, Bethnal Green last night attending a Five Live radio special, “Future of Boxing”, hosted by Mark Chapman, Steve Bunce and Mike Costello.
He was joined there by the likes of Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, Darren Barker, Enzo Calzaghe, Spencer Oliver, Colin Hart as well as representatives of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA), British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) and BBC and ITV officials.
We asked Mitchell whether he was eyeing up a fight with the Scottish World champion as he posed for a photograph.
He replied: “It’s a fight I’m very much looking at, probably for June or July, but there is still a lot of paperwork to get through first.”
Burns first has to negotiate Namibian, Paulus “The Hitman” Moses on the 10th March.
He was changed from interim to official WBO champion when Juan Manuel Marquez went up to light-welterweight. This will be his first defence.
Mitchell was devastatingly knocked out in 3 rounds by Australian Michael Katsidis, putting his hopes of superstardom on hold.
When he fought John Murray fourteen months later in a much-anticipated return, Mitchell triumphed in an exhilarating 8th round TKO.
After the fight, he told reporters he had suffered personally around the time he fought Katsidis.
Whether true or false, the same Katsidis was out-boxed by Ricky Burns in a unanimous 12-round decision in a title-eliminator.
However Mitchell has matured since his sole defeat in 33 fights, not only as a boxer, but as a man.
He is currently working in several inner-city schools, trying to encourage a re-introduction of boxing in school to infuse youths with the same discipline and goals that he had.
Oh, you Bute!
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn also announced that his new charge Carl
Froch has agreed to take on the much-untested, but undefeated IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute.
The Cobra will take on the 32 year old Canada-based Romanian in Nottingham on the 26th May.
Hearn was delighted that they had managed to get Bute to fight outside adopted home, saying: “I have to respect Lucian and his team for agreeing to enter the Lion's Den and face Carl in his hometown, but am fully confident that Carl can become a world champion again.”
Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2108900/Carl-Froch-fight-Lucian-Bute-Nottingham-May-26.html#ixzz1nzs8v9zE
By Adam Appleton
Kevin Mitchell is pursuing a summer fight with WBO lightweight champion, Ricky Burns, Appleton’s Edition can exclusively reveal.
The Dagenham Destroyer was at York Hall, Bethnal Green last night attending a Five Live radio special, “Future of Boxing”, hosted by Mark Chapman, Steve Bunce and Mike Costello.
He was joined there by the likes of Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, Darren Barker, Enzo Calzaghe, Spencer Oliver, Colin Hart as well as representatives of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA), British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) and BBC and ITV officials.
We asked Mitchell whether he was eyeing up a fight with the Scottish World champion as he posed for a photograph.
He replied: “It’s a fight I’m very much looking at, probably for June or July, but there is still a lot of paperwork to get through first.”
Burns first has to negotiate Namibian, Paulus “The Hitman” Moses on the 10th March.
He was changed from interim to official WBO champion when Juan Manuel Marquez went up to light-welterweight. This will be his first defence.
Mitchell was devastatingly knocked out in 3 rounds by Australian Michael Katsidis, putting his hopes of superstardom on hold.
When he fought John Murray fourteen months later in a much-anticipated return, Mitchell triumphed in an exhilarating 8th round TKO.
After the fight, he told reporters he had suffered personally around the time he fought Katsidis.
Whether true or false, the same Katsidis was out-boxed by Ricky Burns in a unanimous 12-round decision in a title-eliminator.
However Mitchell has matured since his sole defeat in 33 fights, not only as a boxer, but as a man.
He is currently working in several inner-city schools, trying to encourage a re-introduction of boxing in school to infuse youths with the same discipline and goals that he had.
Oh, you Bute!
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn also announced that his new charge Carl
Froch has agreed to take on the much-untested, but undefeated IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute.
The Cobra will take on the 32 year old Canada-based Romanian in Nottingham on the 26th May.
Hearn was delighted that they had managed to get Bute to fight outside adopted home, saying: “I have to respect Lucian and his team for agreeing to enter the Lion's Den and face Carl in his hometown, but am fully confident that Carl can become a world champion again.”
Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2108900/Carl-Froch-fight-Lucian-Bute-Nottingham-May-26.html#ixzz1nzs8v9zE
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