Fighting Chance Promotions agree exclusive deal with Made Television

Fighting Chance Promotions are delighted to announce an exclusive partnership with Made Television, which will see four live boxing events air in 2016 on the free-to air channel.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fighting Chance Promotions will broadcast shows live and exclusive across all four MADE Television channels: Made in Bristol, Made in Cardiff, Made in Leeds and Made in Tyne & Wear.

The deal includes pre-fight build-up, exclusive interviews and the non-televised undercard fights will be screened on delay as part of a highlights show.

With the move, Fighting Chance Promotions are aiming to raise the profile of North East boxing and provide opportunities for some of the region’s most talented fighters.

Fighting Chance director, Lewis Pendleton, said: “I am delighted that through our teams hard work we have been able to secure an exclusive deal with Made Television which will see Fighting Chance become their official boxing partner.

“We would like to thank Made Television for sharing in our vision to promote and raise the profile of professional boxing.”

Tony Hazell, Station Manager at Made in Tyne & Wear adds: “We’re very excited about our new partnership with Fighting Chance. Here at Made, we pride ourselves on showcasing exclusive and entertaining content. With over 1.9 million viewers tuning in monthly across all four stations, this is an amazing platform for professional boxing to reach a whole new audience.”  

Fighting Chance’s first televised boxing show under the new deal will be March 26. Follow Fighting Chance on twitter at @fcpromotions1 for an upcoming announcement on the venue, and the line-up for the bill.

If you, or your company would like to get involved with this exciting partnership please contact Lesley Watt sales@madeintyneandwear.tv for sponsorship opportunities.

Fighting Chance Promotions are a boxing management and promotion company based in the North East of England and currently manage Jon-Lewis Dickinson, Craig Dixon, Lewis Scott, Jone TK and Mark White.

Made Television broadcast on Freeview channel 8, Virgin 159 and Sky Guide 117 for Made in Bristol, Made in Leeds and Made in Tyne & Wear, and Made in Cardiff on Freeview 134, Virgin 159 and Sky Guide 23.

Fighting Chance Foundation hosts England Boxing development workshops

(Pictured above: Gateshead Victoria Boxing Club)

The Fighting Chance Foundation hosted two England boxing talent development workshops last week, and Steve Cranston, who led the session and is head coach of Gateshead Victoria Boxing Club, hailed the event as a great success.

The development workshops are designed to provide a talent pathway system for boxers all over the country that may have not met the criteria to attend the England Open Talent Day.

Boxers from across the UK travelled to the gym in Felling to take part in a junior men workshop for those aged between 14-16, and a women workshop for those of all ages.

Cranston was delighted with the talent on-show and is confident that a number of boxers who attended, will go on to represent England.

“Without a doubt some of those that attended will go far. Of course they will still need to go for the open talent day and pass the assessments, but after this workshop they will be better prepared for that.

“The attitude, behaviour and the concentration in the session was fantastic.”

Nicola Adams and Savannah Marshall were crowned gold medalists at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and Cranston believes women’s boxing is only getting stronger. 

He added: “The girls session was second to none. The age range went from the youngest at 12 years old, to the oldest at 32 years old.

“The younger ones normally don’t get individual coaching, but I coached a couple of them last week and they were brilliant. Overall the two sessions were very successful.”

Travis Dickinson steps away from professional boxing

Fighting Chance light-heavyweight Travis Dickinson has called time on his professional boxing career after deciding to pursue interests elsewhere.

After 19 professional fights, Dickinson leaves the professional boxing scene with a collection of achievements, including winning and defending the English title, lifting the Prizefighter trophy and being a finalist in Channel 5’s MaxiNutrition Tournament.

Speaking on his decision to retire, Dickinson said on social media: “After a long hard think I've decided to retire from professional boxing. It’s too tiring and I just can’t make 12-and a half stone anymore.”

Following an impressive amateur career, Travis followed older brother Jon-Lewis by turning professional in 2009, and won his first seven fights before entering and winning Prizefighter in 2011.

Three more victories led Dickinson to his first shot at a major title, as he challenged Bob Ajisafe for the English light-heavyweight title.  However, the Birtley boxer fell short and was on the receiving end of a points decision loss.

Dickinson entered Channel 5’s Max-Nutrition tournament in 2014, and his all-action style led him to become a fan-favourite, as he stopped Danny McIntosh in the third round to lift the English title.

In his first defence of the coveted belt against Matty Clarkson, fans were treated to one of the ‘fights of 2014’, and the all-action affair urged Showtime’s Al Bernstein to say that the fight represented the best of boxing.

Both boxers were knocked down on three occasions, before Dickinson booked his place in the Maxi-Nutrition final when Clarkson’s cheek injury deemed him in no position to continue.

In unfortunate circumstances, Dickinson never got the chance to avenge his defeat to Ajiisafe in the tournament’s finale, due to suffering a leg injury only days before the fight.

In his last appearance he returned on Matchroom Sport’s Newcastle bill in April, but suffered a damaging blow as Mustafa Chadlioui sent him crashing to the canvas in the first round.

Fighting Chance Promotions would like to thank Travis for his hard work, and wish him all the best for the future.

Craig Dixon lands British title eliminator against Mike Towell

Fighting Chance Promotions are delighted to announce that Craig Dixon has been granted a British title eliminator against Mike Towell.

The welterweight contest is subject to purse bids on the 9^th of December, with the eliminator set to take place before the end of March 2016.

Only last month, ‘The Birtley Bullet’ returned after an 11-month layoff and showed little signs of ring-rust as he stopped Duane Grimes within two rounds to earn the first stoppage victory of his career.

Dixon will be keen to build on momentum by forging a shot for the coveted British strap, but in order to earn a title opportunity, will have to come past a tough opponent in the form of Towell.

The 24-year-old Scot holds an unbeaten record in nine fights, and was steered to a Scottish Area title in December 2014 by manager, Tommy Gilmour. 

On paper little separates Dixon and Towell, as they both comfortably defeated the two opponents they have in common (Kevin McAuley and Rhys Pagan).

But Fighting Chance head coach, Ron Rowe MBE, believes that now is the right time for Dixon to campaign for major honours.

He said: “Craig can beat anyone on his day, he’s a really good talent. He’s come through the right way and now is the time for him to be let off the leash.

"For anyone going into professional boxing, even getting near a British title is absolutely fantastic. Fighting Chance have been pushing him in the right direction, and he has done the business in the ring.”

"He’s been given the opportunity by the board on merit, and we are going to do everything in our power to prepare Craig in the best possible way.”

Sam Eggington, who is managed by Matchroom Sport, is the current holder of the British Welterweight title, but Rowe is eager to concentrate on one fight at a time before targeting the British champion.

He added: “We need to take one step at a time. The priority is to get past Towell first. He’s a tough fighter and it will be an exciting fight between him and Craig.”

If you would like to sponsor Craig Dixon in his bid for title glory, please email fighting.chance@mail.com or personal message Fighting Chance's official facebook page, and we will get back to you.

Mark White eager to follow-up impressive debut performance

As he approaches his second professional outing, Fighting Chance super featherweight Mark White is hoping to build on his impressive debut performance.

White, 24, was part of Steve Wraith’s three-fight bill in Morpeth last month, and received plaudits after a composed and disciplined display against Russ Midgley led him to win every round on the referee’s scorecard.

Following the victory, the Birtley boxer only had three days rest before returning to the gym for preparation for his next scheduled fight, on Oct 17 at the Lancastarian Suite, Dunston.

Prior to his debut in the paid ranks, White had not fought in a competitive contest for three years, and believes that now the ring-rust is gone there are no excuses to not improve in each and every fight.

He said: “I’m still buzzing from my professional debut. It was all-new as I hadn’t fought without headguards before.

“In the first round I suffered from ring rust, but after that I got into my rhythm and I was really happy with my performance.

“Now I’ve got back in the ring, it’s about improving each time. It kept me motivated to know that I had this fight so soon after my professional debut.

“I’ve been straight back into the gym and that’s made it easier, as my fitness is already there and my weight is on target.”

White is facing a much more experienced opponent this time round in the form of Harvey Hemsley, who has only won three of his twenty contests but has a reputation of providing stern opposition for upcoming prospects.

White insists that despite the step-up in opponent, it is key he concentrates on imposing his own strengths as opposed to worrying what his competitor can do.  

He added: “I don’t know anything about my opponent, but it doesn’t bother me. I’ll just keep putting the training in, and apply my hard work when it comes to fight night.

“I’m always looking to improve and hopefully I can do that on the 17^th of October.”

Tickets for Sudden Impact on Oct 17, at the Lancastrian Suite, Dunston can be purchased from any fighters on the bill, or from www.relentlesspromotions.co.uk. Tickets from £35. 

Andrew Buchanan retires from boxing after eye injury

Andrew Buchanan has been forced to call time on his boxing career after suffering a serious eye injury.

The 35-year-old picked up the injury during sparring, and after seeking specialist help has been advised to retire to avoid further health implications.

The career-ending injury comes after a promising spell for Buchanan, in which he was unbeaten in six fights (two draws), and had progressed up the super middleweight rankings to earn an eliminator for the English title.

Speaking on the decision to retire, he said:

“The injury is constantly giving me bother, and the doctors have advised me to not take any risks with it. If I was young, I could get surgery, but at my age I think it is time to take a step-back from boxing.

“I have to put my health first. It has been a tough decision, but I need to do what is best for my family. They are always going to be number one, and I want to make sure I can be there for them.

“I would like to thank anyone who has seen me fight or supported me. I’ve really appreciated the support I have got over the years.”

Buchanan held a prestigious amateur record and boxed for England, but upon turning professional was often plagued with misfortune and inactivity.

The Newcastle boxer fought 11 times in a stop-start career, recording eight wins, two draws and just one defeat.

North East fight fans will hold Buchanan’s draw against Jonson McClumpha in high regard, as the six-round bout that featured on Phil Jeffries’ 2013 Summer Rumble was hailed as a contender for regional fight of the year.

Only five months later, Buchanan solidified his reputation as a technically sound operator by outpointing Gary Boulden over ten rounds to lift the International Masters title. 

But in a bid to box more regularly and aim for major titles, ‘El Cannon’ joined Fighting Chance’s stable in January 2015.

Although he only fought once under the Fighting Chance banner, Buchanan is extremely grateful for the opportunities provided at the Felling-based gym.

“I would have liked more fights under the Fighting Chance stable.

“Ron Rowe (FC chief coach) and Lewis Pendleton (FC director) have done everything they have said they would do when I originally signed. I really can’t fault them.

“They showed a lot of faith in me, and got me a lot of good opportunities. They pushed me towards a Northern Area title, and an English title eliminator."

Buchanan insists he will continue to support the Fighting Chance stable, and is hopeful that in the future he can step into a coaching role and pass on guidance to the rising crop.

He added: “I want some time with my family first, but I’ve spoke to Ron and Lewis about helping out in the future with Fighting Chance in a coaching role.

“It would be great to put something back into the sport. I still have a lot of boxing knowledge that I can pass on.

“I like picking up on certain techniques, and hopefully I can do that at the Fighting Chance gym.”

Fighting Chance chief coach, Ronnie Rowe worked with Buchanan as an amateur, before they re-united in the professional ranks.

Speaking on Buchanan’s decision to retire, he said:

“He has been a great part of the team. Unfortunately boxing is a tough sport and these things happen. We wish him all the best for the future.

“In the short period he has been with us, it has been a brilliant experience. We would love to have him back to help with coaching. He still has a lot to give to boxing, and will remain part of the Fighting Chance organisation."

Fighting Chance director, Lewis Pendleton added: “I’m incredibly disappointed that due to Andy’s serious eye injury, we will not be able to get him the title we promised.

“He is a model professional and a fantastic ambassador for the sport. He is probably the most gifted boxer to not win a major title.

“Everyone at Fighting Chance wishes Andy every success in the future. Ultimately he has made the right decision, as family and health is far more important than any boxing title.”