World Title Shot For Boxing Big Brother Star Angel McKenzie

           

Angel McKenzie Steps In To Face Jennifer Retzke, After Mikaela Laurén Pulls Out Of Historic 5^th July Title Clash At York Hall.

Former Big Brother star Angel McKenzie is set to replace Sweden’s Mikaela Laurén, who unexpectedly pulled out of the planned July 5^th World title fight against Germany’s Jennifer Retzke, which takes place on the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ extravaganza at York Hall.

McKenzie, who is also an artist and singer, shot to fame, in 2009, after being selected as one of the housemates for Big Brother series 10. Whilst not making it to the finale of the series, McKenzie was a popular contestant, a large part due to her quirky sense of humour.

Big Brother wasn’t the only TV show McKenzie appeared on, a year or so later she also made it through to final eight of Noel Edmund’s Red or Black show.

In July 2009, shortly after being evicted from the Big Brother house, McKenzie made history, by taking part in the first Female boxing match to be broadcast live on network TV in the UK.

With many of her former Big Brother housemates ringside, McKenzie put on a solid performance to beat seriously tough Welsh lass Lana Cooper by a 39-37 points margin.

In the past four years since, McKenzie has fought a succession of the sports biggest stars, German GBU/WIBA Welterweight World Champion Jessica Balogun, twice, France’s former #1 Pound for Pound ranked, multi division WBA/WBF/WBC/WIBF/WIBA World Champion Anne Sophie Mathis, Italian WBF/WIBA/WIBF/GBU Lightweight World Champion Lucia Morelli, Belgium IBF/WIBF Lightweight World Champion Delfine Persoon, German WIBF Light Welterweight World Champion Marie Riederer as well as twice fought the girl she is replacing on July 5^th, WBA/WBC/WBO title challenger Mikaela Laurén.

Speaking from the studio, where she has been recording her latest album, a clearly pleased McKenzie spoke briefly on the ‘golden opportunity’ she has been presented.

“I’m just one of a handful of female boxers that represent the UK on the world stage. I’ve fought in Italy, France, Denmark, Ireland and so on, but it’s been over three years since I last fought in England.

To get to fight again in my home city really is special for me, to be fighting for a World title makes it even more special.

Jennifer (Retzke) is one of the top boxers in the World, she’s ranked number one with the IBF, so it will be a hard fight, but I’m used to hard fights.

I’ve fought World Champions before, in fact I fought most of the top girls in my career, but usually in their own country. For once I will have the advantage of fighting in front of my home fans.

York Hall is a very special place to box and when the home fans get behind you they really lift you to another level.

I think this is the first time a Women’s World Title fight has headlined an event in the UK, knowing I am one of those making history on July 5th is going to make me even more determined to fight at my very best.

It would be a dream come true to win a World title.”

Jennifer Rezke versus Angel McKenzie, for Light Middleweight World Championship honors, headlines the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ event, which takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 5^th July 2013.

Tickets, priced £30 (Gallery), £35 (Ground floor standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com - www.mariannemarston.com - www.acourtier.com - or in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town – www.tkoboxinggym.com - and Ringtone Gym in Euston - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - or from any of the boxers taking part in the event, or call – 07960 850645, 07809 499896 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.acourtier.com

RETZKE-LAUREN WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN AT YORK HALL, LONDON 5th JULY

Germany’s Jennifer Retzke and Sweden’s Mikaela Laurén are set to face each other, for the IBF Light Middleweight World title, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Friday 5th July 2013.

Retzka, who won the IBF crown on her second attempt, has had a stellar career that has seen her capture not only the IBF World title but also the German Welterweight title.

One of the truly exciting female fighters, Retzka has a fearsome right hand, as is clear by her stellar record of twelve wins, nine by way of stoppage, with just the single loss to Daniella Smith, when they fought for the vacant IBF Welterweight title back November 2010.

Laurén, who has a record of eighteen wins, six by way of stoppage, and two losses, is a stylish boxer who has proved she can hold her own with the best boxers around, with losses only to World #1 Cecelia Braekhus and Loli Munoz.

This historic World Championship battle will headline the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ event at the famous home of Boxing in the capital, as part of an international
spectacular featuring some of the most exciting young prospects in Europe.

Main support sees Dublin, Ireland, via New York, USA, newly crowned WBU International Lightweight Champion Stephen Ormond back in UK action. Ormond has a record of thirteen wins and just the single - highly controversial - loss, to Paul Appleby, will be looking to build his fan base in the UK as he targets both Kevin Mitchell and reigning WBO King Ricky Burns as future ‘victims’.

Woolwich, London, via Philadelphia USA, Featherweight Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston returns to York Hall, the scene of her sensational debut, which see the highly praised protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of
the World, Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time Cruiserweight King Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, stop Hungarian #1 ranked Gabriella Roman in just one minute and forty seven seconds of the first round back in April.

Another sensational South Londoner with American connections is Streatham Light Heavyweight Jovan Young, who makes his first trip to the York Hall as a pro.

The highly decorated former amateur star has a record of four wins, three by way of stoppage, and a single draw as a pro. Not a bad start considering Young has yet to fight in the UK as a pro, instead preferring to do things the hard way and fight overseas.

Another explosive big hitting young star taking part in this historic event is Denmark’s Osama Hadifi. The 27 year old Light Welterweight from Copenhagen possesses a perfect six wins – all by first round stoppage finish  – and no losses.

‘Independence Day’ also sees the debut of two highly decorated young amateur stars making their professional debut.

Turkish teenager Shiya Ozgul has fought over a hundred times and has represented his country in many international amateur competitions.

Ozgul, who has been describes as a ‘natural’ by his manager and coaching team, is already being touted as a future World Champion – big talk you may think, but no this youngster has more than held his own in sparring
with some of the country’s top prospects already.

Highly rated Birmingham amateur, Antonio Counihan, makes his pro debut on the 5th July.  Couniham didn’t just represent his country, he was the Captain and a clear favourite to secure a Team GB berth for the Rio 2016
Olympics, before turning his attention to the professional ranks.

During his stellar amateur career Counihan was Midland area ABA,  junior ABA and World Youth Champion and in his last amateur season reached the semi-finals of the National ABAs, as well a being  an integral member of
the Team GB development squad.

At time of going to press Dave Murphy is close to securing another major name, with exceptional credentials, to debut on the 5th July event – so watch this space for more news on this.

Jennifer Rezke versus Mikaela Laurén, for the IBF Light Middleweight World Championship honors, headlines the Dave Murphy, in association with Acourtier Events, promoted ‘Independence Day’ event, which takes place at
York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 5th July 2013.

Tickets, priced £30 (Gallery), £35 (Ground floor standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com -www.mariannemarston.com - www.acourtier.com - or in person from the TRAD
TKO Boxing Gym in Canning town – www.tkoboxinggym.com - and Ringtone Gym in Euston - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - or from any of the boxers taking part in the event, or  call – 07960 850645, 07809 499896 or 07557 641597 for further information.