World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Picture by Damien Acevedo for WBN Irishman baffled by Canadian rumours Former world middleweight title challenger Matthew Macklin has denied any truth to the current rumours swirling that the highly-ranked contender could face David Lemieux in Montreal on December 14. World Boxing News contacted the 30 year-old earlier today and Macklin made a swift response: “It’s the first I’ve heard,” after being asked whether there was anything to the whispers of a pre-Christmas Canadian trip. Macklin is currently awaiting news of a possible world title shot or eliminator on the back of his awesome first round KO victory over Joachim Alcine in September and as of now, has no plans to square up to Lemieux. The Quebec-born protégé, 23, has won 27 of 29 with 26 knockouts and is 2-0 (2 KO’s) after a recent slump that saw him loses back-to-back bouts against Macklin's latest foe Alcine and Mexican Marco Antonio Rubio.

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Mack the Knife’ ready to challenge after one round knockout Former world middleweight title challenger Matthew Macklin produced a career-best performance last night on his Las Vegas debut as he destroyed Joachim Alcine in just shy of three minutes. The 30 year-old is now in prime position for another shot at a world champion later this year and after losing to Sergio Martinez, the Irishman is hungrier than ever to prove that he belongs in the elite class at 160lbs. "I felt great going into this fight,” Macklin told Frank Stea of World Bxoing News at the Thomas and Mack Center. “We had been working on that shot (the right hand) a lot in training. Stepping to the side and creating an angle to shoot it and that's what I did. I knew it would come. “I'm thrilled with my performance and I want another shot at a title which I believe I definitely deserve." The one-time champion of Europe has been linked with several oppo...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor (Picture by Damien Acevedo) Drugs threatening the sport, says fighter Former world middleweight title challenger Matthew Macklin has expressed his worry in the wake of months of scandals surrounding drug-test failures in the sport in Britain and abroad. Macklin, 30, has watched in amazement as fighter after fighter gets caught out in 2012 and believes that the authorities should take a hard line on anyone caught attempting to gain an advantage over their opponent. “I think that if the powers that be in boxing don’t clampdown hard and fast on PED's (performance enhancing drugs), then there’s a real danger that it’s going to get completely out of hand!” Macklin told World Boxing News. “There’s a danger that it could get to the stage where more and more boxers are using them, not because they're trying to cheat, but because they fear everyone else is and therefore just want a level playing field. “I think the only answer is random...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor (Picture by Damien Acevedo) Middleweight ready for September return Matthew Macklin is in negotiations for a return against Joachim Alcine on September 15th as the middleweight contender returns from his gallant effort against the formidable Sergio Martinez in March. The former European champion pushed ‘Maravilla’ for ten rounds at Madison Square Garden on St. Patricks Day before losing out in the eleventh and has told WBN that a return against the Canadian veteran is in the pipeline. “Alcine on September 15 is looking almost definite so far as I know and I am hoping to have it confirmed in next few days,” Macklin told World Boxing News. 36 year-old Alcine is coming off an impressive victory over highly-rated compatriot David Lemieux in December and Macklin hopes a win over ‘Ti-Joa’ can lead to a fight against the winner of the upcoming title bout between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez. “Martinez-Chavez is a very intere...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor (Picture by Damien Acevedo for WBN) Murray deal not right for middleweight contender Former European middleweight champion Matthew Macklin is set to return in September after his eleventh round defeat to Sergio Martinez following the breakdown in talks to fight compatriot Martin Murray. Macklin told WBN that he favours a fight in the US this fall, rather than a domestic meeting with Murray and is eyeing a world title shot at the back end of the year with a first victory on American soil. “There were talks between a member of my team and Murray’s manager and we were close to agreeing a deal, but to be honest, it’s not so much about the money, but more the fact that Lou (Dibella, Macklin’s Promoter) and Brian (Peters, his manager) want me to fight in New York this September on American TV to keep the momentum going there as that’s where my next world title shot will take place,” Macklin told World Boxing News. “Although I lost to Sergio ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Maravilla’ on course for Chavez Jr. Argentinian Sergio Martinez ended a game Matthew Macklin’s chances of scoring a huge upset with an eleventh round stoppage win at Madison Square Garden in New York. The 37 year-old looked far from his age as he survived a rally by the Irishman between rounds three to seven, to come away with yet another win inside schedule, his fourth in a row since stopping Paul Williams. Martinez started brightly as Macklin began to try and workout his southpaw stance and took the opening two rounds, before allowing the former European champion to gain a foothold over the next three. Macklin, 29, then scored a suspect knockdown in the seventh when a punch-come-shove had Martinez touching down and referee Eddie Cotton gave him a standing eight-count. All that did was incense the former unified champion into a dominant spell in the fight that culminated in two knockdowns in the eleventh round and Buddy McGirt in M...

Sergio Martinez v Matthew Macklin (middleweight) Madison Square Garden, New York, USA 12x3                                                   Martinez                     Macklin                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  Round 1                         10                                  9              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------           ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor St Patrick’s Day meeting in mind for DiBella Middleweight contender Matthew Macklin has explained the reasons surrounding his delayed American debut to World Boxing News and admits that even if he is offered a fight in the New Year, he may not risk injury, as he harbours hope of a spring meeting with Sergio Martinez. The 29 year-old, who was mooted to fight for the first time in the US this month, is now playing a waiting game as he attempts to negotiate a huge St Patrick’s Day showdown with the pound for pound 160lb king and won’t let a fight in the interim scupper his plans. “I was meant to fight in November but the Visa processing dragged on longer than we thought and all the TV dates are gone for December,” Macklin told World Boxing News. “I could fight in January if a date can be found, although it now looks likely that I'll fight (Sergio) Martinez in March. “If Lou (DiBella) can get this fight made soon, then I wouldn’t risk ...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor German takes split decision in ‘Fight of the Year’ contender WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm clung to his title tonight in a close battle with Irishman Matthew Macklin in Cologne. The 32 year-old scored his 36th career win with a split decision to defend his belt for the twelfth time since claiming the title in 2006. Macklin, the younger man by three years started fast, throwing over 80 punches in the first round and kept up the pressure on the champion for the first six rounds. The challenger focused on Sturm’s body for the majority of his attacks and noticeably reddened Sturm’s midriff through the early part of the fight. ‘Leonidas’ was still catching Macklin with classy counters and some of the rounds could easily be scored either way, although Macklin did pressure the home fighter relentlessly throughout the twelve rounds. Sturm changed tactics midway through the fight and tried to take the fight to the outside after the first six rounds were...

Felix Sturm v Matthew Macklin (WBA 'super' world middleweight title) Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany 12x3 rounds                                                     Sturm                           Macklin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            Round 1                                 9                                 10  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            Round 2     ...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Challenger confident in ability to take German's belt Former European middleweight champion Matthew Macklin is under no illusions about the size of the task in front of him when the Irishman tackles WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm on June 25th in Cologne and will be looking to add to his winning record against German opposition. The 28 year-old, who faces the three-time world champion in his first shot at a version of the world title, is expecting a tough fight against the man four years his senior and aims to become the first boxer to beat the titleholder since July 2006 when Javier Castillejo stopped him in ten rounds. “I rate Sturm highly,” Macklin told World Boxing News. “Apart from [Sergio] Martinez, who leads the pack because of his win against [Kelly] Pavlik, if u looked at the top ten middleweights in the world, Sturm is the name that jumps out at you as he has been a dominant force for almost eight years or so.” The Birmingham b...