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Ref justice in the Midlands

Two nights in the Midlands, two bits of controversy surrounding middleweight title fights, which cost two boxers their unbeaten records. First there was Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Friday, when Wayne Elcock retained his British  title on a two-round cuts stoppage against Darren McDermott. Then there was the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, on Saturday, where Steve Bendall got the benefit of a very surprising decision to take the English title from Paul Smith (pictured).

Amir Khan could be starting a Birmingham revival

Birmingham was traditionally a regular big fight stop. I remember Tony Sibson winning a world title final eliminator there, Pat Cowdell boxing Azumah Nelson in 1985 and Chris Eubank's classic first fight with Nigel Benn in 1990. But for the past decade, the big fights haven't come to England's second city. That is, until this weekend when Amir Khan, pictured, faces Michael Gomez at the National Indoor Arena. It could be the start of a whole new golden age for boxing in the city.

Bob Arum: Kelly Pavlik will not be robbed if he goes to Britain

No sooner had Gary Lockett been dispatched by Kelly Pavlik, thoughts turned to a potential meeting between Pavlik and Joe Calzaghe. Lockett was picked as Pavlik's opponent largely to create interest in a Calzaghe-Pavlik match and, afterwards, interest in such a clash had soared.
Should such a bout go ahead, Las Vegas would provide a huge potential site fee, but a larger live gate would be obtained at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Pavlik: I hope they think we have under-estimated Lockett

If Kelly Pavlik, the world middleweight champion, has faced any kind of tough questioning this week, it's the accusation that he has under-estimated Gary Lockett, his challenger at the Boardwalk Hall here tonight. It's an accusation he totally denies. And his relaxed nature does not reveal a boxer who has any worries. "If they are thinking that I haven't taken him seriously, I'm glad," Pavlik said. "That's a good sign because I know I have taken him very seriously.
"I think America has under-estimated Gary Lockett, but I haven't and I am expected to be facing the best Gary Lockett ever. This is my first defence, it's very important and I'm not going to let my title go."

Lockett wanted to box for British title

Gary Lockett has taken a long and winding route to get to Atlantic City. Aged 31, with only one defeat (avenged five years ago) on his record, many will blame his fringe WBU title for condemning him to a career of fringe fights. While the WBU title came with a string of hometown defences against opponents of varying standards, had he boxed for the British title it is likely he would have mixed it with the likes of Howard Eastman, Scott Dann and Wayne Elcock. Lockett did box an Eastman, but it was Howard's little brother Gilbert.

All quiet on the Eastern seafront

A good old dust-up at a press conference or weigh-in traditionally is always good for business, but they remain outside the norm. Indeed one of the lessons that boxing should be learning these days is that respect and good behaviour should be a good thing - no one wants to see anyone get hurt.
It was a theme that Bob Arum, the promoter, touched on at the first of two press conferences in two days to promote Saturday's world middleweight title bout between Kelly Pavlik and Gary Lockett. "It's good to see two fighters not act like they are on the Jerry Springer Show," he said.

Not all rosy with the amateur code

Two months away from the Olympic Games in Beijing, one would be hoping that all was rosy in British amateur boxing. But despite the fact that eight boxers are being sent to China, three more than have represented Britain at the past three Games combined, everything is far from happy.

Duddy - a star from Londonderry to New York

Never under-estimate the power of a ticket-seller in boxing. Five years ago, John Duddy left Londonderry to try his hand at being a professional in New York, now he is on the verge of a shot at the world middleweight title. Duddy boxes Walid Smichet in the chief support to tonight’s IBF-WBO heavyweight title eliminator between Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden – if he wins he could be back in June facing Kelly Pavlik for the world middleweight title.

Enzo honoured in America

It is getting to the stage where Joe Calzaghe (left in picture) could have fewer awards than his dad, Enzo (right in picture). Coach of the year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, voted trainer of the year by The Ring magazine, he has now been voted trainer of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. I only hope the timing works out for him.

Pavlik looks to Duddy and Calzaghe

Bob Arum, the promoter, has a busy year in mind for Kelly Pavlik, which could involve both John Duddy, the unbeaten Ulsterman, and Joe Calzaghe.

Pavlik, the WBC and WBO middleweight champion, has an overweight rematch with Jermain Taylor, the man he won the titles from, in February in Las Vegas and, should he win, Duddy, who beat Howard Eastman at King's Hall, Belfast, on Saturday, may be next in line.

Murray grinds out win

Manchester got a successful start to the weekend when John Murray won his lightweight bout at the MGM Grand conference centre on Friday night, but it was a tougher than expected night's work.

Khan-Earl sells out

The Floyd Mayweather Jr-Ricky Hatton fight in Las Vegas is not the only hot ticket on December 8. In humble old Bolton, Amir Khan's biggest bout so far as a professional has also sold out.

Barker's emotional win

In this job, I suppose you are not meant to have favourites, but it was wonderful to see Darren Barker win the Commonwealth middleweight title at York Hall with a one-sided unanimous points decision over Ben Crampton.

Pavlik given OK for February 16

Stitches ain't what they used to be. Despite having a reported 108 stitches in his hands and forearms, Kelly Pavlik, the world middleweight champion, is, according to official sources, OK for his rematch with Jermain Taylor on February 16.

Barker backing no one

Darren Barker, who boxes for the Commonwealth middleweight title on November 16 at York Hall, was one of three British sparring partners that Mikkel Kessler used in the run-up to Saturday night's fight against Joe Calzaghe.