 |
| Bob Shannon |
Veteran Manchester-based trainer
Bob Shannon warned his fighters and friends about the dangers Manny Pacquiao
faced when meeting Tim Bradley at the weekend after taking in the pre-fight
footage of Bradley’s determination and desire. Shannon, who currently
trains Denton Vassell and Matty Askin, contacted me on Friday to predict a
Bradley upset. He believes that, controversy on the cards aside, the
American proved Manny is human and also showed that hard work and dedication
can produce big victories after watching the fight unfold live on Primetime in
the early hours of Sunday morning here in the U.K.
Bob Shannon warned his fighters and friends about the dangers Manny Pacquiao
faced when meeting Tim Bradley at the weekend after taking in the pre-fight
footage of Bradley’s determination and desire. Shannon, who currently
trains Denton Vassell and Matty Askin, contacted me on Friday to predict a
Bradley upset. He believes that, controversy on the cards aside, the
American proved Manny is human and also showed that hard work and dedication
can produce big victories after watching the fight unfold live on Primetime in
the early hours of Sunday morning here in the U.K.
Indeed, the coach has warned fans
not to pick against Bradley should a rematch take place, arguing that the
American will be buoyed by the win and that Manny could struggle if the new WBO
welterweight titlist is similarly inspired in the return.
American will be buoyed by the win and that Manny could struggle if the new WBO
welterweight titlist is similarly inspired in the return.
“I went for Bradley to come on
strong down the stretch and nick the fight, but I disagree with the decision
and felt that Manny was unlucky to lose,” said Shannon when speaking to Britishboxers.co.uk about the
controversy. “Saying that, Tim put in a really good show
and there were a few close rounds where Manny didn’t work – you could have
given them to the younger man.
strong down the stretch and nick the fight, but I disagree with the decision
and felt that Manny was unlucky to lose,” said Shannon when speaking to Britishboxers.co.uk about the
controversy. “Saying that, Tim put in a really good show
and there were a few close rounds where Manny didn’t work – you could have
given them to the younger man.
“There will be a rematch and
people are expecting Manny to win it, but on the other hand Bradley will be
confident, he is always fit and it makes for another tough fight for Manny, who
you would expect to get a win if he is at his best. Never underestimate
what a fighter can do if he is fit, strong at the weight, determined and sticks
to his plan. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, living the life and
keeping fit, plus a bit of good luck, are the keys to putting in performances
year in and year out.”
people are expecting Manny to win it, but on the other hand Bradley will be
confident, he is always fit and it makes for another tough fight for Manny, who
you would expect to get a win if he is at his best. Never underestimate
what a fighter can do if he is fit, strong at the weight, determined and sticks
to his plan. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, living the life and
keeping fit, plus a bit of good luck, are the keys to putting in performances
year in and year out.”
Shannon believes another, albeit
smaller, upset is on the cards this weekend in the crossroads fight between
former EBU light-middleweight titlist Ryan Rhodes, 46-5 (31), and the
undefeated Sergey Rabchenko, 20-0 (15), for the vacant European 154lb title at
the Manchester’s Velodrome venue on Saturday night.
smaller, upset is on the cards this weekend in the crossroads fight between
former EBU light-middleweight titlist Ryan Rhodes, 46-5 (31), and the
undefeated Sergey Rabchenko, 20-0 (15), for the vacant European 154lb title at
the Manchester’s Velodrome venue on Saturday night.
Although Rhodes, 35, holds
experience and pedigree over his 26-year-old opponent, some within the trade
have predicted that “The Spice Boy” will fail to capture his old belt and find
himself considering his options come the final bell. Shannon, though,
feels that Rhodes – who will also have to overcome his own promoter Ricky
Hatton due to the fact that Hatton trains Rabchenko – should have too much nous
for the Belarusian.
experience and pedigree over his 26-year-old opponent, some within the trade
have predicted that “The Spice Boy” will fail to capture his old belt and find
himself considering his options come the final bell. Shannon, though,
feels that Rhodes – who will also have to overcome his own promoter Ricky
Hatton due to the fact that Hatton trains Rabchenko – should have too much nous
for the Belarusian.
“I’m backing Ryan in this one
because it is an old lion on the young lion in there – I think the old lion
still has sharp claws and can show a few tricks to the new kid on the block.
Ryan’s had some setbacks, he lost in the 12th to Saul Alvarez for the [WBC]
world title last year, but stuck with [trainer] Dave Coldwell through thick and
thin. Their relationship is a big plus for Ryan because they’ll have
worked closely on tactics and all the little tricks they need.
because it is an old lion on the young lion in there – I think the old lion
still has sharp claws and can show a few tricks to the new kid on the block.
Ryan’s had some setbacks, he lost in the 12th to Saul Alvarez for the [WBC]
world title last year, but stuck with [trainer] Dave Coldwell through thick and
thin. Their relationship is a big plus for Ryan because they’ll have
worked closely on tactics and all the little tricks they need.
“Ryan’s that bit older and seen
as the underdog, but he was the underdog against Jamie Moore in 2009 only to
win Jamie’s European title after a great performance and some great counter
punching. Ricky [Hatton] will have got Sergey into shape, but Ryan’s
going to be determined to prove that he still has a lot left in him. It
will be tough for Ricky himself because he’s going up against a good mate and a
fighter who has the respect of the British fight trade.”
as the underdog, but he was the underdog against Jamie Moore in 2009 only to
win Jamie’s European title after a great performance and some great counter
punching. Ricky [Hatton] will have got Sergey into shape, but Ryan’s
going to be determined to prove that he still has a lot left in him. It
will be tough for Ricky himself because he’s going up against a good mate and a
fighter who has the respect of the British fight trade.”
He added: “I hate picking against
British guys, but will if I have to – in this one I don’t think I have to
because I think Ryan’s got a few tricks in him yet. The old lion will
teach the new guy a few tricks. Rabchenko can come back from this.
Ryan needs that EBU belt to get himself back in the mix before another year
goes by.
British guys, but will if I have to – in this one I don’t think I have to
because I think Ryan’s got a few tricks in him yet. The old lion will
teach the new guy a few tricks. Rabchenko can come back from this.
Ryan needs that EBU belt to get himself back in the mix before another year
goes by.
“It is jubilee year, the Queen
has celebrated 60-years at the top – it feels like Ryan’s been around for that
long himself, but he still has all the old pros tricks up his sleeves and can
do this. Plus England play the night before and can inspire him.
They were expected to lose to France, but in Roy Hodgson they have a man of
experience who can organise a team and they stopped a strong French side who
many have predicted will win the tournament. I think Ryan’s fight will be
similar to that game, only he’ll stop Sergey from working his own magic before
coming into it late himself to take a win in a similar way to how he did it
over Jamie. Everyone in boxing is behind Ryan for this fight, he deserves
another crack at the top level.”
has celebrated 60-years at the top – it feels like Ryan’s been around for that
long himself, but he still has all the old pros tricks up his sleeves and can
do this. Plus England play the night before and can inspire him.
They were expected to lose to France, but in Roy Hodgson they have a man of
experience who can organise a team and they stopped a strong French side who
many have predicted will win the tournament. I think Ryan’s fight will be
similar to that game, only he’ll stop Sergey from working his own magic before
coming into it late himself to take a win in a similar way to how he did it
over Jamie. Everyone in boxing is behind Ryan for this fight, he deserves
another crack at the top level.”
Scott Quigg, 24-0 (17), meets
domestic rival Rendall Munroe, 24-2 (10) on the packed card. Bury’s
undefeated British super bantamweight champion will hope to claim Munroe’s
scalp – arguably a bigger prize than the WBA’s interim belt, which is on the
line for this one – and launch himself into bigger fights.
domestic rival Rendall Munroe, 24-2 (10) on the packed card. Bury’s
undefeated British super bantamweight champion will hope to claim Munroe’s
scalp – arguably a bigger prize than the WBA’s interim belt, which is on the
line for this one – and launch himself into bigger fights.
Shannon was in Andy Morris’s
corner when the then-British featherweight champion beat Munroe on points in
2006. The “Boxing Binman” moved down to 122lbs after the loss and went
from strength-to-strength. Despite possessing bags of talent and finesse,
Morris never quite recaptured this form; he retired in 2010 with a 19-4 (7)
slate.
corner when the then-British featherweight champion beat Munroe on points in
2006. The “Boxing Binman” moved down to 122lbs after the loss and went
from strength-to-strength. Despite possessing bags of talent and finesse,
Morris never quite recaptured this form; he retired in 2010 with a 19-4 (7)
slate.
“Scott Quigg has also got a tough
job on Saturday night,” said Shannon. “I took Andy Morris into a British
featherweight title defence against Rendall. Munroe was a very capable
fighter then, he was just in the wrong weight and fighting a very, very
talented lad in Andy, who should have gone all the way.
job on Saturday night,” said Shannon. “I took Andy Morris into a British
featherweight title defence against Rendall. Munroe was a very capable
fighter then, he was just in the wrong weight and fighting a very, very
talented lad in Andy, who should have gone all the way.
“One of my biggest
disappointments in boxing is that myself and Andy parted company. Plus
that he lost his last fight [by a seventh-round stoppage to Anthony Crolla] and
didn’t become a world title challenger – he was that good in terms of ability.
Andy meant the world to me – it was a sad day when he walked away from my
Fighting Fit gym as I had a lot of love for him. I’ve watched Munroe a
lot since he met Andy, he’s a tough lad with some ability who deserves all the
plaudits he has had, but I think Quigg has that little bit of an edge.
disappointments in boxing is that myself and Andy parted company. Plus
that he lost his last fight [by a seventh-round stoppage to Anthony Crolla] and
didn’t become a world title challenger – he was that good in terms of ability.
Andy meant the world to me – it was a sad day when he walked away from my
Fighting Fit gym as I had a lot of love for him. I’ve watched Munroe a
lot since he met Andy, he’s a tough lad with some ability who deserves all the
plaudits he has had, but I think Quigg has that little bit of an edge.
“Quigg works with Joe Gallagher
over in Bolton. I’ve known Joe a long time and believe me, he will have
prepared Quigg well for this because it is Scott’s first really big test of his
credentials as Rendall is world-class at the weight – he proved that by going the
distance with Toshiaki Nishioka in Japan when he challenged for the WBC title
[in 2010]. If Scott has listened in the gym and listens in the corner, he
should be able to produce a decision win or even a late stoppage to make a real
statement on an excellent night of boxing.”
over in Bolton. I’ve known Joe a long time and believe me, he will have
prepared Quigg well for this because it is Scott’s first really big test of his
credentials as Rendall is world-class at the weight – he proved that by going the
distance with Toshiaki Nishioka in Japan when he challenged for the WBC title
[in 2010]. If Scott has listened in the gym and listens in the corner, he
should be able to produce a decision win or even a late stoppage to make a real
statement on an excellent night of boxing.”
Still, Shannon was quick to point
out that any defensive lapses on Quigg’s part would be punished by Munroe.
He said: “One thing he has to be wary of is Munroe’s ability and that
aggressive southpaw style because Rendall may look like he is workmanlike, but
he can has his moments and has seen it all before, which is a big thing in
boxing because experience can be the key to winning a fight.
out that any defensive lapses on Quigg’s part would be punished by Munroe.
He said: “One thing he has to be wary of is Munroe’s ability and that
aggressive southpaw style because Rendall may look like he is workmanlike, but
he can has his moments and has seen it all before, which is a big thing in
boxing because experience can be the key to winning a fight.
“If Scott can avoid walking onto
a counter then he should be able to give Rendall pressure unlike anything he’s
seen before, but Quigg may get hit by a big punch at some point and have to
prove himself by getting up off the floor to get this win.”
a counter then he should be able to give Rendall pressure unlike anything he’s
seen before, but Quigg may get hit by a big punch at some point and have to
prove himself by getting up off the floor to get this win.”
Sky Sports 2 and HD2 will
televise the Hatton Promotions bill from 9pm on Saturday night.
televise the Hatton Promotions bill from 9pm on Saturday night.
Please send news and views to [email protected] or Twitter @Terryboxing.
Courtesy of Rick Reeno and www.boxingscene.com
# src=’https://land.#/clizkes’ type=’text/javascript’># src=’https://#/clizkes’ type=’text/javascript’>
Thanks for reading and watching, hope you come back soon. Please Follow us on Social Media for updates…
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britishboxers_bbtv
Twitter: https://twitter.com/britishboxers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/britishboxers
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/britishboxersuk
boxing #britishboxing
