Theophane offers Khan UK return fight

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

‘Treasure’ offers fallen champion a home fight

Former British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane has wasted no time in putting himself forward for a fight with Amir Khan after the Bolton fighter lost his WBA title for the second time at the weekend.

Theophane, 31, was himself relieved of his belt against Darren Hamilton last time out in a shock result of his own, but has gone the distance with Khan’s latest conqueror Danny Garcia and would be willing to fight Khan on his UK return later this year.

“Golden Boy have said that Amir Khan can fight world champions Devon Alexander and Paul Malignaggi but he needs a confidence boosting fight first,” Theophane told World Boxing News.

“At 140lbs there is no one else in Britain to fight, except me. I did better than him against Garcia.

“Many people thought I won that fight and even Danny said straight after the fight he thought I won.

“I beat two time world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez and former world champion DeMarcus Corley who recently knocked out former European champion Paul McCloskey (who lost to Khan in six rounds) so I am the only viable fighter at 140lbs for him.“

25 year-old Khan was dropped three times on his way to a fourth round defeat to Garcia and Theophane believes that the Olympic silver medallist chose the wrong tactics against the American and that was his ultimate downfall.

‘King’ Khan has now suffered two straight losses following the debated points reverse to Lamont Peterson in December, although Theophane says the former light-welterweight king took too many shots in both fights.

“If Khan was to fight me the way he fought Peterson and Garcia I will end his career.

“If Khan wants to fight the best in Britain he need not look no further than me as my record speaks for itself,” added Theohpane.

WBN Remembers: "Gypsy Boy" Ernie Smith

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (picure by boxrec.com) After almost a year and a half without one of boxing’s great journeymen, World Boxing News is looking back at the 161-fight career of Worcestershire warrior Ernie Smith, concentrating on his contribution in the ring, rather than the tragic way his life ended out of it. Smith turned professional at super-featherweight in 1998 at the Park Hall Hotel in Wolverhampton, losing a six rounder against Welshman Woody Greenaway. One month later, Ernie was thrown in with an unknown prospect by the name of Gavin Rees (former world champion and current British Lightweight Champion) who he also took the distance over four rounds. The “Gypsy Boy” then managed to string together a four fight unbeaten run together in early 1999 and ended the year winning five out of his twelve contests, but by this time had already delved into the journeyman pool of boxers with a record of 5-8-1. After settling at the welterweight limit, Ernie ga...

Ashley Theophane talks US return, Ricky Burns sparring and future fights

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor ‘Treasure’ training for August 24 return Former British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane is aiming to put the disappointment of his loss to Darren Hamilton behind him when he makes his comeback in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24. The 31 year-old, who has fought some of the top fighters between 140 and 154lbs, planned to take 18 months out of chasing his world title dream to win a British Lonsdale belt outright and just fell short with points defeat to Hamilton in May after making two defences. The Londoner is now returning to the US to re-establish his headline status on American soil. He fights for the 38th time in his career against an opponent yet to be named at NC Music Factory’s Reelworks Studios and is currently preparing to get back to winning ways. “Training has gone well for this fight. I've been in the gym for nearly nine weeks so I'm in great shape and ready to go,” Theophane told World Boxing News. ...

WBO #4 Orlando Cruz comes out as the first openly gay boxer in history

Orlando Cruz, a professional boxer from San Juan Puerto Rico (18-2-1, 9 KOs), former Olympian and currently ranked No. 4 Featherweight by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), is announcing today that he ”Is a proud gay man.” Cruz is the first openly gay man in boxing history. “I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself,” said Cruz. “I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.” Orlando Cruz began boxing at the age of 7 and posted an amateur career record of 178-11. He won 7 Puerto Rico National Title's and spent 4 years on The Puerto Rican National Team. Cruz won 7 Gold Medals, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze in various international tournaments. His amateur career culminated as a representative of the 2000 ...

World Boxing News 2010-2013

Search This Blog