European Silver Medalist Iain Weaver Ready For Pro Debut On 27th April

Following a frustrating few months, outstanding Team GB star Iain Weaver finally makes his most welcome professional debut at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday 27^th April, on the Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event, headlined by Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight title clash.

Weaver, who was an integral part of the Team GB podium squad throughout Rob McCracken’s preparations for the London 2012 Olympics, has enjoyed a highly successful amateur career, culminating in both Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold and European Silver Medals.

Even though he had been enjoying excellent form, in the pre Olympics build up, Weaver unfortunately wasn’t selected for a London 2012 slot, losing out to eventual Gold medalist Luke Campbell.

Following a full on sparring session at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, Weaver spoke briefly about his upcoming professional debut.

“Yeah, my pro debut is on the 27^th April at York Hall. It’s gonna be great night for me and my fans.

It’s been a longtime coming, I’ve been waiting nearly a year. I’m just gonna get out there and enjoy every minute.

On the 27^th I’m gonna make a real statement. It’s been a long time coming, but I’ve been training hard and I can’t wait, I’m so ready to fight.

I had a very good amateur career, I was in the Team GB squad four and half years, won the European Silver medal and the Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold medal, so had a good amateur career.

I thought I should have gone to the Olympic Games, I didn’t, which is a bit of a sore subject, but can’t moan had a good amateur career and fought at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

I fought all over the World, been to more countries than I can remember, which is something I’m hoping to do as a pro.

I didn’t get an Olympic medal as an amateur, so now I want to put that behind me and see what I can achieve as a pro, as I really want to win a World title, I want to win as many titles as I can.

Finally I’d like to say to all my fans, as well as all boxing fans, it’s gonna be a great night of boxing. I’ve waited a long time for this and I’m gonna put on a great show for the fans.

You’re not gonna want to miss this, so get down to York Hall on the 27th.”

Iain Weaver will be making his debut, against a yet to be named opponent, on the undercard of the Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight Championship clash that headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27^th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from Iain himself or alternatively at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA - www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

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Amateur Star Iain Weaver To Pro Debut On Apr 27th York Hall Event

2010 Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold Medalist and European Silver Medalist Iain Weaver has been added to the Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event, headlined by Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight title clash, at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 27^th April.

Weaver, who was a pivotal member of Team GB Podium squad in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, sensationally became the 2009 ABA Champion, with a 19-14 points win over Blain Younis, on his first Senior outing.

 

The following year Weaver won gold at the Commonwealth Boxing Championships in New Delhi.

On his way to the Gold Medal position, Weaver beat Olympic bronze medalist Bruno Julie, India’s Akhil Kumar and in the final Sri Lanka’s MDK Wanniarachchi.

With the Commonwealth Gold secured next up was the European Championships, which in 2010 were held in Moscow.

Weaver defeated the Spaniard Rodrigues Molina 11-3 in the 1st round, then beat Sweden's Bashir Hassan-Salad 8-3 in the second and then Frenchman Oualid Belaoura in the quarter finals.

He then went on to beat Ireland's Tyrone McCullagh in the semi-final to earn the right to face Germany'sDenis Makarov in the final.

The first round was an edgy affair, neither Weaver nor Makarov seemed to want to give anything away. There was more action in the second round, after which Weaver was mightily unlucky to be trailing 3-2.

In the final round, Weaver fought hard in his attempt to overcome the deficit, however the judges continued to score points only for the German. At the end of the contest the scorecard read 7-2, in favour of Makarov.

There was little surprise, that with Commonwealth Boxing Championships Gold and European Silver firmly in his possession, that Weaver was selected, ahead of London 2012 Gold Medalist Luke Campbell, to contest the main Commonwealth Games in 2010, which were again held in Delhi.

In the first round Weaver defeated Vusie Simelane of Swaziland 10-1, to set up a quarter final clash against home town favourite Kumar. Some good old fashioned ‘home cooking’ proved to much for the Englishman to overcome, leaving eventual Gold Medalist Kumar the 11-6 winner in front of the highly vocal home crowd.

After failing to be selected for the London 2012 Olympics Weaver announced his intention to turn professional.

Weaver will be making his debut, against a yet to be named opponent, on the undercard of the Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight Championship clash that headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27^th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com and www.mariannemarston.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA - www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.tkoboxoffice.com

Byrne Sends Message To Morris - I’ve Never Lost A Title Fight, I’m Not Starting Now!

On Saturday, 27^th April at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, former Australian Light Welterweight Champion, Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne, is set to challenge for his first domestic title, when he faces Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris for the vacant International Masters Welterweight crown on the Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event.

Globe trotting Byrne started his pro career in Australia, where he won the New South Wales State Light Welter title on just his fourth outing, before going on to secure the Australian title, with a convincing points win over Chris McCullen, on his next fight.

The chirpy Irishman successfully defended the Aussie crown, with an equally impressive points win over Brad Crookey, before setting sail in an attempt to conquer America.

Linking up with none other than Freddie Roach, Byrne racked up an impressive 12-0 record before returning home to the Emerald Isles and adding two further impressive wins to his record, stopping Konstantins Sakara in four and a shut out points win over Sergejs Volodins.

In 2011 Byrne crossed the Irish Sea intent on making his mark on the British scene. With a tidy points win over Michael Frontin on the 21^st October, Byrne looked on target to conquer a fourth country.

Promoter Frank Warren must have thought so also, as a few days later after Frankie Gavin pulled out of his fight against Frank Haroche Horta, the astute Mr. Warren offered Byrne the fight.

So just one week later, on the 28^th October, Byrne was back in action, however his willingness to fight on such short notice blew up in his face, as he retired at the end of the eighth round.

Frank Warren showed his appreciation by offering Byrne the opportunity to fight on the historic April 2012 show, that heralded the return of professional boxing to the Royal Albert Hall, against unbeaten prospect Terry Holmes.

Unfortunately for Byrne, after eight all action rounds referee Robert Williams gave the nod to Holmes by a close 77-75 points margin.

It would be five months before Byrne would be back in action, but when he was he was clearly determined to get his career back on track, as he completely dominated Kevin McCauley to take a shut out points win.

Byrne rounded out the year with a barnstorming battle with America’s Carson Jones, the chirpy Irishman seemed well in control of the proceedings and looked set to add another high profile scalp to his belt, however the man that counts, referee Ian John-Lewis see it differently, scoring the bout a draw.

Which brings us nicely up to date and Byrne’s impending International Masters clash, against Jay Morris at York Hall in London on Saturday 27^th April.

Earlier Byrne spoke briefly about both the Carson Jones fight as well as the impending 27^th April date with Morris,

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to getting back in the ring, it’s been a while, four months since my last performance against Carson Jones.

That was a great fight, everyone tells me they thought I won it, I did too but can’t complain about the result, these things happen, I look at it as a draw is better than nothing.

It’s true, I threw more punches than him, landed more than he did and I made him miss often. I made him pay in the last round, so really thought I was going to get the decision, but in this boxing game you never know until the verdict is read.

Yeah, well so it goes, now I’m focusing on the 27^th, Jay Morris is a hard battler, his record may not be the greatest but he always comes to fight. He’s already been the British Masters Champion so you know he can deliver.

I’ll box clever, fight the way I did against Carson Jones but step the tempo up a bit more and make sure I get the decision.

It’s been a while since I fought for a title, have never lost a title fight and don’t intend to lose this one, I want this so much, it will be my first title here in the UK.”

Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris International Masters Welterweight Championship clash headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27^th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com andwww.mariannemarston.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA -www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB - www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.

www.tkoboxoffice.com

Byrne-Morris Headlines April 27th York Hall Event

Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris, for the International Masters Welterweight title, heads up the upcoming Dave Murphy promoted ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event, which takes place at York Hall in London on Saturday 27^th April 2013.

On paper globe trotting Irishman Byrne has to be the bookies favourite, especially following his sensational performance against former USBA Welterweight Champion Carson Jones back in December - where he was mightily unlucky to receive ‘a draw’ and not the clear win that most pundits thought he thoroughly deserved.

Saying that though, former British Masters Light Welterweight Champion Morris is no walk over. The fifty two fight veteran from the Isle Of Wight is as tough as they come.

One thing for sure is this will be a classic boxer versus puncher encounter, with Byrne utilizing his classy boxing skills to maximum effect to keep the ‘Isle of Wight Assassin’ on the outside, whilst Morris will be eager to close down Byrne, get inside and pound the body of the slick Irishman.

In keeping with the international theme of the event, main support for Byrne versus Morris sees Lithuanian knockout artist Virgilijus Stapulionis returning to the UK to once again thrill the fans - Don’t blink though, as in his previous two visits to the Capital the big punching Middleweight dispatched his opponents within one round.

Peckham’s Diego Burton makes a welcome return to York Hall, where he has previously won twice, as well as scored a credible draw on his debut.

TRAD TKO’s very own Marianne Marston makes her well overdue debut, against Latvia’s Aleksandra Jasjukevica.

Marston, the protégé of legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World Smokin’ Joe Frazier and two time Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, is a big punching Southpaw that learned her craft in the fighting City of Philadelphia, USA – ‘nuff said!

Bermondsey based Nigerian battler Ideh Ockuko will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Ockuko’s last fight, against unbeaten prospect Adam Dingsdale, was a fantastic barnstormer that could have gone either way, in the end though the decision went to Dingsdale by a very close 38-39 points margin.

Chris Rackley will be making his third professional outing. The 21 year old Welterweight from Slough in Berkshire will be keen to impress when he returns to York Hall, the scene of his hard fought draw against the highly experienced Liam Griffiths back in February.

Another youngster, 22 year old Scrappa Smith from West Drayton, makes his first visit to York Hall and will also be looking to build on his two great wins to date.

Local boy, Francis Maina from Limehouse, will be looking to get back to winning ways, having lost his last three outings – all away from home fights and against unbeaten prospects.

Last but not least Wokingham’s Mark Douglas makes his long awaited return to the ring, following a long, forced, sabbatical after he dislocated his shoulder whilst battling with Lee Purdy for the Southern Area strap back in 2009.

Dean ‘Irish Lightning’ Byrne versus Jay ‘IOW Assassin’ Morris, for the International Masters Welterweight Championship, headlines Dave Murphy’s Thunderdrome Promotions ‘Thunder & Lightning’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green in London on the 27^th April 2013.

Tickets, priced £65 (Ringside), £35 (Floor) and £30 (Balcony) are available on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London E16 4SA -www.tkoboxinggym.com - or the Ringtone Gym in Euston, London NW1 2PB -www.ringtonehealthandfitness.com - Tel: 07960 850645 or 07557 641597 for further information.