Post by brizzle on Apr 27, 2015 14:59:47 GMT
From today's Bristol Post . . .
BIG-time boxing will return to Bristol when local hero Lee Haskins bids to become a world champion this summer.
The European bantamweight champion's Easton-based management team of Chris and Jamie Sanigar have pulled off a major coup by forcing rising Japanese star Ryosuke Iwasa to contest the Interim IBF title in the United Kingdom.
All of Iwasa's 20 professional fights have taken place in his home city of Tokyo, but the Sanigar's came out on top in negotiations after agreeing a big-money package with London promoter Mick Hennessey.
Haskins and Iwasa will enjoy main event billing at Bristol's Action Indoor Sports Centre in Whitchurch on Saturday, June 13 and the fight will be screened live on Channel 5.
Convinced he would have to travel to Japan to realise his lifelong ambition to box for a world championship, 31-year-old Haskins is understandably elated at being handed home advantage.
He said: "This is a dream come true for me. I've always wanted to fight for a world title in front of my fans in Bristol.
"I've had to wait so long for this opportunity, I could hardly believe it when I was told. I was mentally prepared to go to Japan, but Chris and Jamie (Sanigar) and Mick Hennessey have done a fantastic job.
"I cannot thank them enough and now I'm just looking forward to what will be the biggest night of my life on June 13."
The IBF ordered highest-rated contender Haskins and Iwasa to meet for the interim title when US-based champion Randy Caballero sustained a serious long-term ankle injury earlier this year and was unable to defend his belt.
The Sanigars were determined to land home advantage for their fighter and approached Hennessey last month. Having collaborated with the Bristol Boys team to stage a show in Clevedon two and a half years ago, Hennessey jumped at the chance to work with the Sanigars once more.
Jamie Sanigar told the Post: "There was a time a few weeks ago when I really did think we would all be going to Japan for this fight. But thanks to Mick and Channel 5, we were able to put together a very strong package.
"We were able to negotiate a deal without the fight having to go out to purse bids, but it has taken an awful lot of money."
Bristol's lack of a major indoor venue has hindered Haskins in his pursuit of a world championship belt and he has been forced to travel throughout the United Kingdom and to Europe and northern Africa in order to build a record than now stands at 31 wins and three defeats.
A switch-hitting southpaw and an awkward customer, the Lockleaze-based fighter had been shunned by the various world champions until IBF officials intervened and gave him a long-overdue break.
Sanigar added: "Lee thoroughly deserves this shot at the title and it is only fitting it should be here in Bristol.
"He has not ducked anyone of the flyweight and bantamweight divisions over the past decade and he has always been prepared to travel for big fights. It is about time he had an opportunity to fight for a major title in front of his own supporters.
"This will be a massive event for Bristol and we are all really excited about it. In what is probably going to be a real 50/50 fight, home advantage could prove crucial."
Formerly known as the Whitchurch Sports Centre, the Action Indoor Sports Arena boasts a capacity of 2,500 and ticket details will be announced in the coming days.
BIG-time boxing will return to Bristol when local hero Lee Haskins bids to become a world champion this summer.
The European bantamweight champion's Easton-based management team of Chris and Jamie Sanigar have pulled off a major coup by forcing rising Japanese star Ryosuke Iwasa to contest the Interim IBF title in the United Kingdom.
All of Iwasa's 20 professional fights have taken place in his home city of Tokyo, but the Sanigar's came out on top in negotiations after agreeing a big-money package with London promoter Mick Hennessey.
Haskins and Iwasa will enjoy main event billing at Bristol's Action Indoor Sports Centre in Whitchurch on Saturday, June 13 and the fight will be screened live on Channel 5.
Convinced he would have to travel to Japan to realise his lifelong ambition to box for a world championship, 31-year-old Haskins is understandably elated at being handed home advantage.
He said: "This is a dream come true for me. I've always wanted to fight for a world title in front of my fans in Bristol.
"I've had to wait so long for this opportunity, I could hardly believe it when I was told. I was mentally prepared to go to Japan, but Chris and Jamie (Sanigar) and Mick Hennessey have done a fantastic job.
"I cannot thank them enough and now I'm just looking forward to what will be the biggest night of my life on June 13."
The IBF ordered highest-rated contender Haskins and Iwasa to meet for the interim title when US-based champion Randy Caballero sustained a serious long-term ankle injury earlier this year and was unable to defend his belt.
The Sanigars were determined to land home advantage for their fighter and approached Hennessey last month. Having collaborated with the Bristol Boys team to stage a show in Clevedon two and a half years ago, Hennessey jumped at the chance to work with the Sanigars once more.
Jamie Sanigar told the Post: "There was a time a few weeks ago when I really did think we would all be going to Japan for this fight. But thanks to Mick and Channel 5, we were able to put together a very strong package.
"We were able to negotiate a deal without the fight having to go out to purse bids, but it has taken an awful lot of money."
Bristol's lack of a major indoor venue has hindered Haskins in his pursuit of a world championship belt and he has been forced to travel throughout the United Kingdom and to Europe and northern Africa in order to build a record than now stands at 31 wins and three defeats.
A switch-hitting southpaw and an awkward customer, the Lockleaze-based fighter had been shunned by the various world champions until IBF officials intervened and gave him a long-overdue break.
Sanigar added: "Lee thoroughly deserves this shot at the title and it is only fitting it should be here in Bristol.
"He has not ducked anyone of the flyweight and bantamweight divisions over the past decade and he has always been prepared to travel for big fights. It is about time he had an opportunity to fight for a major title in front of his own supporters.
"This will be a massive event for Bristol and we are all really excited about it. In what is probably going to be a real 50/50 fight, home advantage could prove crucial."
Formerly known as the Whitchurch Sports Centre, the Action Indoor Sports Arena boasts a capacity of 2,500 and ticket details will be announced in the coming days.
