Prizefighter series

The Prizefighter series was created by Matchroom Sports head Barry Hearn. The format is a knock-out compeition, with three rounds, the quarter-final, semi-final and final. Each bout has three rounds of 3 minutes. All fights take place on the same evening and the winning prize is £25,000. When speaking of his idea for the tournament, Hearn said "We’re always trying to do different things in boxing to keep it exciting. It’s a proper knockout tournament and it takes a brave man to come up to the plate. They are all heroes. But this idea of the Prizefighter series is without doubt the best idea that has come into boxing in the 25 years I’ve been promoting boxing" [ [http://theprizefighterseries.com/interview-4/ Prizefighter Series | Prizefighter is the best boxing idea in 25 years] ]

Prizefighter 1 The Heavyweights- April 2008

The first Prizefighter took place at York Hall in Bethnal Green. The event was televised live on Sky Sports and saw 8 heavyweight fighters compete for the title. The bouts were all 3 rounds in length, with 3 minutes for each round. There were quarter finals, semi-finals and a final. Competitors for the first series were Martin Rogan, David Dolan, Dave Ferguson, Billy Bessey, Alex Ibbs, Darren Morgan, Paul Butlin and Colin Kenna. [ [http://www.saddoboxing.com/7161-martin-rogan-prizefighter.html Eastside Boxing | Prizefighter Ringside report] ]

Martin Rogan and David Dolan met in the final each boasting records of 9-0. Rogan won after three rounds in which Dolan had been knocked down twice. [ [http://theprizefighterseries.com/rogan-wins-first-ever-prizefighter-tournament/ Prizefighter Series | Rogan wins first ever tournament] ] Dolan was possibly still feeling the effects of a gruelling first round in which a punishing left hook from Darren Morgan had him out on his feet and holding on. [ [http://www.secondsout.com/UK/news.cfm?ccs=228&cs=24364 Seconds Out | Prizefighter report] ] Afterwards, Dolan decided to continue his career at the cruiserweight weight as he was giving a lot of weight away to the other heavyweights. [ [http://theprizefighterseries.com/betting-test/ Prizefighter Series | Cruiserweight future for runner-up Dolan] ]

Rogan's popularity rose and was lined up for a fight with Audley Harrison, until injury forced him to pull out of a proposed bout. He also announced that following his win his aim was to fight for the full British title. [ [http://theprizefighterseries.com/features-story-2/ Prizefighter Series | Life after Prizefighter for winner Rogan] ]

Prizefighter 2 The Heavyweights - September 2008

The second tournament was held in Gateshead, and involved Sam Sexton, Pele Reid, Luke Simpkin, Dave Ferguson, Chris Burton, David Ingleby, Lee Swaby and Darren Morgan. The draw for the first round of fights was made by reigning British champion Danny Williams. [ [http://theprizefighterseries.com/the-draw-for-prizefighter-heavyweights-2-announced/ Prizefighter Series | Draw for Prizefighter Heavyweights announced] ] Speaking before the tournament, competitor Luke Simpkin said "This could change my life if I win it", initially a substitute he was brought in to replace Ian Millarvie who had sustained an injury. Of his tactics for the tournament Simpkin said "There’s no tactics involved in my game and attack is the best form of defence so I will just attack. You haven’t got much time to plan anything so I will just go out there, have a good time and try my best". [ [http://theprizefighterseries.com/simpkin-delight-at-prizefighter-opportunity/ Prizefighter Series | Simpkin delight at Prizefighter opportunity] ]

On the night it was the Norwich heavyweight Sam Sexton who came out on top with wins over Pele Reid in the quarter-final, Luke Simpkin in the semi-finals and the hometown favourite Chris Burton in the final. It was a great tournament for Sexton who was coming off a loss coming into the fight to fellow British fighter Derek Chisora. After the win Sexton claimed his tactics were spot on saying "The night went exactly how we planned it, we had a gameplan for each fight worked out before we came tonight". On his future aspirations he added "At 24-years-old I still haven't got my man strength as yet, and I know I can keep improving, hopefully next year I can get a shot at British title, I will keep getting stronger and stronger." [ [http://www.britishboxing.net/news_3804-Sexton-claims-second-Prizefighter-title.html British Boxing.net | Sexton claims 2nd Prizefighter title] ]

Prizefighter 3 The Welterweights

Prizefighter 3 will take place on 23 October 2008 and will feature a different weight class to the previous two events. It was announced at the end of Prizefighter 2 and the format will return to the York Hall in London. [ [http://www.britishboxing.net/news_3837-Prizefighter-The-Welterweights.html Britishboxing.net | Prizefighter - The Welterweights] ]

Winners

*Prizefighter 1: The Heavyweights
**Winner: Martin Rogan
**Runner-up: David Dolan

*Prizefighter 2: The Heavyweights
**Winner: Sam Sexton
**Runner-up: Chris Burton

*Prizefighter 3: The Welterweights
**Winner: TBA
**Runner-up: TBA

*Prizefighter 4: The Middleweights
**Winner: TBA
**Runner-up: TBA

References

External links