The London 2012 Olympics is in full swing and Great Britain’s sports fans are well and truly enjoying the drama of the greatest show on earth unfold. For the fans of Boxing, and Football it has been quite a roller coaster ride watching the domestic squads in action.
There’s been some great victories, especially for the Team GB boxers, both male and female, as well as disappointment after the Team GB football team went out on penalties.
So with no Team GB football team to cheer on, or any footy at all for another few weeks yet, what better than to get down to Canvey Island this coming Sunday to support the boxers taking part in the 3rd Annual TRAD TKO Boxers & Celebrities Charity Football Tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust, which takes place at the Concord Rangers FC’s stadium in Canvey Island on Sunday, 12th August.
Over the past couple of years the tournament has attracted stars from the Worlds of Boxing, Music, TV and Film, such as Ricky Hatton, David Haye, Barry McGuigan, Nathan Cleverly, Ricky Burns, Kevin Mitchell, Paul Smith, Rendall Munroe, Iron Maiden, Johnny Borrell, Mark Whingett etc as well as cast members from Shameless and Eastenders.
This year’s event is going to be no different with teams and stars from all over the United Kingdom taking part.
Heading up the star studded list is the Welsh Warriors, lead by WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Nathan Cleverly and featuring in it’s lineup the legendary unbeaten, undisputed Super Middleweight Champion of the World Joe Calzaghe.
Keeping in theme WBU Lightweight World Champion Willie Limond’s Team Scotland, unfortunately not featuring WBO Lightweight World Champ Ricky Burns though, as he will be preparing for his upcoming battle against Kevin Mitchell in September – shame as Kevin will be there cheering on the TRAD TKO All Stars as usual.
Former Amateur star turned pro boxing coach Alio Wilton’s ’Irish Setters’ make their third appearance in the tournament, as usual Alio’s squad will be chock a block with both Pro and Amateur Irish boxing stars.
Former British and WBA International Super Middleweight Champion Paul ‘Smigga’ Smith will be bringing down a seriously strong squad – that includes his brothers, former British and Commonwealth and current WBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Champion Stephen, Liam, who is unbeaten in ten pro outings and last but not least Amateur star Callum, who just missed out on qualification for the London 2012 Olympics – in an attempt to become the first two time winner of the tournament, having won the inaugural event.
Paul and Stephen’s coach, Joe Gallagher, will again be bringing down his own squad of star boxers, including former British Lightweight Champion Anthony Crolla, former British and European Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin, 2010 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Callum Johnson, British and WBA Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight Champion Scott Quigg etc from his base at Amir Khan’s Gym in Bolton.
Former British Light Middleweight Champion Sam Webb and rising Welterweight star Bradley Skeet will be amongst the squad of London trainer Al Smith’s Sarf London/ iBox Gym team, which also, if the rumours are to be believed, features a host of ringers from the world of professional football.
The scribes from Boxing News Magazine, will be hoping to do much better than they have the past couple of years, and again if the boxing grapevine is to be believed they have signed up some big name boxers and a couple of ringers, they may be the dark horse of the tournament.
Hertfordshire Boxer Danny Chamberlain is fielding a team for the first time this year, not too sure who is in his team as the canny lad is keeping his cards close to his chest, about the only thing he has given away is that there’s a few local stars in his squad.
Making their second appearance is Ben Day and Scott Borthwick’s Ringtone Gym team, don’t be surprised if this year Ben’s mate, Razorlight front man Johnny Borrell, makes his second appearance, having missed last year’s tournament due to recording commitments.
Last year’s winners – TRAD TKO Clapton Rangers, will again be fielding a team chock a block with former Tottenham and West Ham United players, although this year, due to Johnny Eames making a slight rule change, there will be some of the TKO boxers in the squad.
Indee Rose’s father Russell Dopson will again be fielding a team drawn from the Essex area, not too sure who Russell has in his squad but can be sure they will be highly competitive.
Last but not least TRAD TKO All Stars will be back in action. Runners-up for the past two years, you can be sure that Johnny Eames and co-manager/Captain Commonwealth Middleweight Champ Billy Joe Saunders have a few tricks up their sleeves as they attempt to finally bring the trophy home to the magnificent Canning Town Fight Factory. However as last year’s star player, Nathan Cleverly is bringing his own team this year Johnny and Billy Joe have been busy recruiting some other big names they hope will get them that elusive victory.
This year’s TRAD TKO Boxing Gym organised Boxers and Celebrities Football Tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust, kicks off at 12:00pm at the Concord Rangers FC, Thames Road, Canvey Island, Essex on Sunday 12th August 2012.
Tickets for this very special event, priced: Standard: £10.00 and V.I.P. £20.00, are available on-line from www.tkoboxoffice.com – in person from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or on the gate on Sunday.
Children’s tickets, priced £5.00, will also be available on the day.
For further information either call the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym on 020 7474 3199 or see www.indeerosetrust.org – www.tkoboxinggym.com or facebook.com/theindeerosetrust
