Amir Khan vs. Paul McCloskey, Segura vs. Calderon II To Be Announced for April
April is looking to be one of the hottest and busiest months in boxing this year.
First, a pair of big fights have been signed as reported by Ring Magazine.
Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO's) Vs. Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO's)
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WBA world junior welterweight (140 lbs) champion Amir Khan has finally signed to fight undefeated Irishman Paul McCloskey.
The undefeated Irishman spoke to Khan's people earlier in the year, but had complaints over the small amount of pay offered by Golden Boy, the promotional company behind Khan.
Apparently, those issues have been settled as the fight has been signed. The date is set for April, 16 2011 with an official announcement to be made this Tuesday at noon at Lowry Hotel, less than a mile from the site of the fight at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.
Amir Khan last competed this past December in the BWAA's (Boxing Writer's Association of America) "Fight of the Year" 2010 against rhino-fisted Argentine fighter Marcos Rene Maidana (29-2, 27 KO's).
The two best junior flyweights (108 lbs) have signed to fight again April, 02 2011, after delivering Ring Magazine's 2010 "Fight of the Year" last August.
The 28 year old Segura scored an exciting eighth round knockout of the previous undefeated 36 year old legend Ivan Calderon with a massive attack to the body during their first fight.
Segura was anointed the best fighter at 108 lbs by Ring Magazine. Fan reaction sparked negotiations into immediate fruition.
While the legendary Calderon enjoyed the hometown advantage of Puerto Rico and big slice of the money pie the first time around, Segura will instead enjoy the hometown advantage of Mexico, as well as a 50/50 slice right down the middle of the money pie.
One more big matchup that was signed over the weekend is the tune-up fight for Polish heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek.
Adamek Vs. McBride is set to take place April 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center.
Kevin McBride is mostly known for retiring Mike Tyson when he was generally believed to be past his prime. The 37 year old Irishman is considered to be a nonthreatening opponent for the Polish heavyweight.
Should Adamek win, he'll be all set for an agreed clash with one of the Klitschko brothers in September pending the two heavyweight kings defeat their undefeated opposition.
34 year old Wladmir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO's) is set to defend his WBO, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight world titles against 27 year old Zimbabwe-born British challenger Derek Chisora (14-0, 9 KO's) on April 30, 2011 in the SAP Arena in Germany.
39-year-old Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 38 KO's) is set to defend his WBC heavyweight world titles against 30 year old Cuban challenger Odlanier Solis (17-0, 12 KO's) on March 19, 2011 at the Lanxess Arena also in Germany.
Andre Berto Vs. Victor Ortiz For April 16 2011?
A war between undefeated WBC welterweight (147 lbs) world champion Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KO's) and junior welterweight contender Victor Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KO's) is "almost there" says the Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions according to boxingscene.com's recent article on the matter.
The proposed date for the match is April, 16 2011, same date as Khan-McCloskey. If Berto-Ortiz becomes a reality, HBO has made known their intentions to air a double-bill of the two matchups.
Looks like April's boxing schedule will be a very pleasing one for the fans.
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