EDWARDS BRANDS MILES "A COWARD" BUT GETS TITLE OPPORTUNITY

London cruiserweight Menay 'The Emperor' Edwards had frustration turn to excitement following a very eventful scenario in the lead up to his first title fight on 29^th June. 

Edwards was scheduled to fight defending champion Hari Miles for the British Masters title on the Steve Goodwin promoted 'Trail of Destruction' show at York Hall.

Edwards, who has beaten Miles before, was suffering abuse and insults on twitter from his rival. Fed up with the insults, Edwards asked promoter Goodwin to make the fight. Goodwin arranged the fight and agreed terms with Miles’ manager Carl Greaves only for the boxer to announce on Twitter he was not going through with the fight, claiming he was not being paid enough.

“Total bull****!" raged Edwards. “I have found out that Miles was being paid more than he got when defeating [Jon] Ibbotson for the title. It's just a lame excuse from a boxer that spends his life insulting other boxers and calling them out claiming he is the most avoided cruiserweight in Britain. 

"He spent months insulting Tony Conquest, others and me. I want the boxing world to know this Miles is a total fraud and a coward. I don’t ever want to read or hear him disrespecting other boxers again. He is a disgrace to the profession and he is the one running and doing the avoiding. What warrior vacates the only thing he has ever won or is ever likely to? I want nothing to do with Miles again, as he would just pull out and run again.”

What was frustrating for Miles turned to joy when Goodwin secured a Southern Area cruiserweight title shot on the same day against former light-heavyweight champion JJ Ojuederie. 

“Miles being a coward has turned to my advantage,” said Edwards “JJ is a credit to the sport unlike Miles and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

There is also a quality undercard featuring some well know boxers and some exciting up and coming fighters.

Controversial Heavyweight “The War Machine” Larry Olubamiwo makes his return after having his 4 year drugs ban reduced. Larry takes part in a 6 round International contest.

'The Rematch' features former British title challenger Michael Lomax against former Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce over eight rounds. Pryce won their first encounter in Wales and Lomax wants revenge.

What could be fight of the night sees 'Smoking' Joe Mullender (4-0) take on former Southern Area champion Gary Boulden over eight rounds. This will be one all out war and not to be missed.

The undercard features the debut of former professional footballer Leon McKenzie who competes at super-middleweight and the debut of two exciting prospects in heavyweight Dominic Akinlade and light-welterweight, 'Showstar' Sohail Ahmad who has been working with Yassine el Maachi.

There are also many other fights on the undercard.

The Edwards v Ojuederie, Mullender v Boulden and Lomax v Pryce clashes are all well-matched fights where predicting the winner is not easy. This is what the Goodwin shows are about bringing top quality fights where you do not know who is going to win, value and excitement.

Tickets are available at £100 VIP Reserved ringside (including free private bar) £60 reserved ringside and £35 unreserved.

Tickets at www.goodwinpromotions.co.uk or 01525 851150.

Lee Aims to Make his Mark

Grays’ exciting middleweight Lee Markham is three weeks away from his first title shot. On 5th April, Markham takes on the tough 'Pocklington Rocket' Harry Matthews for the British Masters middleweight title at his hometown venue of Grays Civic Hall, in a show which is already virtually sold out.

The show, promoted by Steve Goodwin for Goodwin Promotions, will be shown live on Eurosport and features three title fights.

Markham warmed up for the contest with a two round demolition of Jamie Boness and since signing with Goodwin the 24 year-old has recorded three back-to-back stoppage victories.

Markham is clearly improving. “I was offered a Southern Area title fight with John Ryder last December and whilst excited about the opportunity my manager Steve persuaded me it was a fight for us in the future and he was right," said Markham. "He is guiding me the right way.”

Matthews is one tough customer. It is ironic that the Yorkshireman was promoted by Markham’s now manager Steve Goodwin when he moved to 9-0 in March 2010, after defeating Terry Carruthers by knockout. Since leaving Goodwin, Matthews results deteriorated, though his record stands at a still-impressive 12-6-1. Matthews has been mixing in decent class - his last fight was a points loss to Chris Eubank Jr.

In the joint main event, Chester livewire Chris Goodwin, who has won 16 from 19 fights, takes on Irishman Oisin Fagan for the International Masters lightweight title. Fagan (26-8) at the age of 39 is certainly at the veteran stage of his career but he has mixed in world class company against the likes of Amir Khan and Paul Spadafora and he'll still be a stiff test for Goodwin.

'The Tornado' Tyler Goodjohn came close to winning his first title in 2012 when he lost a close decision to now Southern Area champion Danny Connor. Tyler looks to make amends as he takes on Dave 'Dezzy O’Connor from Plymouth for the British Masters light-welterweight strap.

'Lay 'Em Out' Ian Lewison, fresh from his controversial Prizefighter semi-final exit, has an International heavyweight clash with a soon to be named opponent.

Another heavyweight from Brixton, the exciting AJ Carter, makes his debut.

Jimmy Coyle, former national amateur champion, has his first fight under the Goodwin banner since signing a long term deal. Jimmy defeated current world champion Nathan Cleverly as an amateur and fights in a four-threes middleweight contest.

Cruiserweight Menay 'The Emperor' Edwards re-appears after his comprehensive defeat last weekend of former British champion Shane McPhilbin. Light-middleweight Billy Cayzer has his first fight since losing his unbeaten professional record against Bulgarian Cchampion Stillian Kostov.

The by now traditional bumper Goodwin card is completed by middleweight Miley Cash and super-middleweight Mike Evans.

There are a limited amount of tickets available at www.goodwinpromotions.co.uk