The Eddie Smith story

POWER SHIFT

As D-Day looms for plans to stage Eubank Jnr-Benn in February, the promoters turn to another governing body for help

‘THIS IS MY HARDEST FIGHT TO DATE’

My life is changing since I won the title in May - they call it the ‘delay ef fect’ - but my desire to win remains exactly the same

HARMEY LEAVES A HUGE HOLE BEHIND

LETTER OF THE WEEK

ARE THE PROMOTERS RIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EUBANK-BENN DESPITE THE BBBoC’S RULING?

Gavin Gwynne (European champion) As long as Conor

PROGRAIS-HANEY: WHO WINS AND HOW?

Gavin Gwynne That’s a proper 50/50 fight .

SIMPLY INSPIRATIONAL

Examining the best and worst of the sport’s weekly coverage

WHO WAS THE GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT IN HISTORY?

@SweetD001 Ex-EBU champ I AM The Greatest!” was

The Perfect Foil

Fans will be hoping Prograis not only brings the best out of Haney, but also his inner entertainer

Young veteran

Devin Haney is only 25 and already one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport. Regis Prograis ain’t got nothing on him, he tells Declan Taylor

“EUBANK?” I BLEW A KISS AT HIM

REWIND TO LATE 1988 AND CARDIFF CRAFTSMAN WINSTON BURNETT WAS ON THE BRINK OF BECOMING THE FIRST BRITISH BOXER TO ACHIEVE THE DISTINCTION OF COMPETING IN 100 PROFESSIONAL FIGHTS SINCE SOUTH LONDON WELTER RAY FALLONE REACHED THE MILESTONE IN NOVEMBER 1975. THEN 29, WILY WINSTON AVERAGED ALMOST A FIGHT A MONTH AGAINST THE CREAM OF THE NATION’S MIDDLE-CUM-LIGHT-HEAVIES, INCLUDING NIGEL BENN AND CHRIS EUBANK, SINCE DEBUTING IN FEBRUARY 1980. THOUGH HIS CV LISTED JUST 19 WINS AND TWO DRAWS, HE FEATURED JUST ONCE IN HIS HOME CITY AND 38 OF HIS OPPONENTS WERE UNDEFEATED WHEN WINSTON ACCOMMODATED THEM. HOWEVER, WITH A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR HIS SERVICE SCHEDULED, FATE DEALT A BLOW FAR HARDER THAN HE’D EVER RECEIVED BETWEEN THE ROPES

A MAN LIKE GIL CLANCY

Distinguished and ef fortlessly authoritative, the great trainer knew when to place a hand of support on the shoulder of a boxer

The 47-Year-Old Virgin

Unbeaten for 20 years, Emiliano Marsili has at last discovered the pain of defeat at the age of 47

Paper cuts

What’s been going on in the boxing world over the last seven days

King Ry me a river

NOT SHY: Garcia made his presence known during

Monster mandatory

EL PRESIDENTE: Sulaiman never misses the chance for

Thriller nights

BIG FIGHT COMING: Ryder will tackle Munguia in

Natural born gorilla

AFTER actionpacked Saturdays at the fights, Sundays can

Sky’s the limit

REBEL WITH A CAUSE: Serrano has ditched her

Serrano: WB-see ya

THIS rainy old December Tuesday emerged as a

Stay alert

Billam-Smith must be switched on to the threat of Masternak, writes Matt Christie

CARIBBEAN DREAMS

A Brummie and a Yorkshiremen set to battle for Commonwealth title in the Cayman Islands,writes Matt Bozeat

Genuine test

Martin and Challenger collide in an intriguing 10-rounder

Stunner

Gill upsets the odds to leave Conlan contemplating his future, writes Steve Wellings  from ringside

Lionheart roars

Parker wins European title in thriller

TRIPLE CROWN

A shoulder injury thwarts Marsili’s hopes of making history as Gwynne picks up another title, writes Matt Bozeat

COMING ON STRONG

Garcia turns on the style suddenly and emphatically, writes Matt Christie

EUROPEAN GLORY

Watson wins a scrappy but worthwhile test while Gorman disappoints, writes ringsider Gary Shaw

Flawless

Starlet Farrell gets a late call and does not disappoint, writes Mike Lockley from ringside

A MIXED BAG

Two very dif ferent title fights crown two new champions, writes Charlie Tymon

Same again

Stevens completes a quick double over Stewart, writes Andy Whittle

NEAR PUNCH-PERFECT

Gary Shaw watches Daord claim English title to set up potential Merseyside derby

Double figures

Andy Whittle watches Collins cruise to 10-0, by beating Latin opposition

Sunday stroll

Not a lot of fireworks on offer as the home corner coasts to a clean sweep

One to watch

Mike Lockley sees Goldsmith, trained by the Ingles, notch another victory

EIGHTH TIME LUCKY

AM ATEUR SCENE

FIREWORKS

Nick Bond watches youths and veterans alike deliver an exciting mix of styles

SUNDAY BEST

Charity begins at home as fabled Fitzroy Lodge stage an entertaining fundraiser

A WELCOME REMINDER

Small hall shows were once so much more than a load of 40-36 type fights

GIORGIO VISIOLI

Nick Bond meets a confident young prospect who is ‘an all round top boxer’