Bring on Bennett v Lucas Matthysse in Australia ***.theherald.com.au/story/1558058/promoter-sizes-up-big-target-for-hollywood/?cs=306 Promoter sizes up big target for 'Hollywood' By BRETT KEEBLE June 7, 2013, 10:30 p.m PROMOTER Vlad Warton said he would bid to bring one of the biggest names in world boxing to Newcastle to fight Chad "Hollywood" Bennett if he beats Ghana's Ebenezer Lamptey at Newcastle Entertainment Centre later this month. Las Vegas-based Warton, the head of Millennium Events and former manager of Kostya Tszyu, said Bennett had all but earned a shot at a current or former world champion the calibre of Juan Manuel Marquez, Amir Khan or Lucas Matthysse. But Bennett must first beat Lamptey in the "Day of Reckoning" promotion at the NEC on June 29 and secure the World Boxing Organisation Asia-Pacific and World Boxing Association Pan-African junior welterweight titles. Warton set up the fight with Lamptey, the WBO African junior welterweight champion, after seeing Bennett register a third-round knock-out of Ben Ankrah at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Australia Day. "Given the level of performance Chad produced in the United States, he really needs to cross the line with a big 'W' this time around so we can provide him with an opportunity to fight against one of the genuine champions like a Matthysse, an Amir Khan or a Marquez," Warton said. "Provided he passes the test in Newcastle, I think he's really ready to fight one of these big names. He's always been very thankful to the people of Newcastle for supporting him throughout his career and he wants to give back, so we're working on bringing in that type of fighter." Lamptey has won 22 of 23 professional fights, including 17 by knock-out. Bennett, whose record from 38 fights includes 31 wins and three draws, has been unbeaten for more than three years and in that time has climbed to seventh (WBO) and 14th (WBA) in the world rankings. "This is a pretty tough fight coming up, but in the event that Chad is successful, we will look at staging a world title fight for him in Newcastle," he said. "I think Chad is ready to fight any of these top guys, I really do." Marquez is the WBO world champion and a winner of seven world titles in four different weight divisions. English boxer Khan is a four-time former WBA and International Boxing Federation world champion and Matthysse is the World Boxing Council world champion. Bennett began his preparation for Lamptey with a training camp in Thailand two months ago and said he felt strong and fit with three weeks to go. "My training is on track and everything is where it needs to be," Bennett said. "Vlad has some exciting plans in place for me but first things first and I have to beat Lamptey here on June 29. I don't care how I win, I just want to win the fight and move on." "Newcastle Nightmare" Kirk Lawton will fight fellow heavyweight Eric "Butterbean" Esch, the American mixed martial arts and reality television star, in what should be a furious and frantic main preliminary. The undercard will include a 10-round welterweight bout between Sydney's former IBF world lightweight champion Lenny Zappavigna and two-time former Commonwealth champion James Armah, who Bennett twice defeated last year. Newcastle boxers Will Sands and debutant Ben Forbes will also feature on the undercard.
Ticket sales must be slow Nafe. Trying to talk up a Bennett card is like flogging a dead horse. Vlad Warton obviously has a serious reality problem. Marquez, Khan and Matthysse would all be arrested for brutal premeditated murder. Ebenezer must have one of the most padded records in the history of boxing.atsch:-(
Fast Hands, What has surprised me is that he took this fight to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre rather than his Usual Haunt of Newcastle Panthers. He hasn't sold out Panthers, what makes him think he can sell out the Entertainment Centre. Not sure how ticket sales are going but i couldn't imagine them moving too fast.
****ing dreamer . he wouldnt go 3 rounds with jmm , khan and matthysse and thats combining the rounds .
