Valentine Pulls Out Of Ochieng Rematch - Randell Replaces On Oct 16th

Curtis Valentine has pulled out of the planned rematch with sensational Light Middleweight prospect Erick æThe EagleÆ Ochieng on SaturdayÆs æTrue British FightersÆ, double title event, headlined by Sam Webb vs Martin Concepcion British Light Middleweight title fight, at The Troxy, London E1.

ValentineÆs withdrawal has firmly shut the door on the mouthwatering prospect of an early repeat of their full scale war, back in may, in a bout billed as æThe Battle Of The UndefeatedÆ. On that occasion the stylish Ochieng emerged victorious over the heavy hitting Valentine by a tidy 39-37 points margin.

With Valentine out of the frame promoter Frank Maloney has drafted in Tony æTNTÆ Randell, an experienced domestic championship campaigner, having previously held both the British Masters Middleweight title and the BBBofC Midlands Area Middleweight title, which he lost to Matt Hainy on his third defense just ten days ago.

Following a training session, at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, the ever smiling Ochieng gave his view on ValentineÆs withdrawing, ôIt doesnÆt matter, ThereÆs another opponent already arranged. He pulled out of the fight, I donÆt know why, but he was gonna lose anyway. I mean IÆm in top condition and IÆve improved a lot from my last fight.

I put on a good performance against Alex Spitko (Editors note: 4th round stoppage and voted Fight of the Night) You know, everyone liked the fight and you know what not a lot of people want to fight me now.

So I say itÆs all good, although the next fight is just a four rounder not the six I had planned for.

I donÆt know much about Tony Randell, but that doesnÆt matter IÆm prepared. I leave no stone unturned. IÆm ready, IÆm ready. The Eagle is ready.

IÆm gonna win it, if I stop him itÆs additional credit, if I put him away I put him away. I donÆt get paid for extra time. If he goes before four rounds so be it. Either way itÆs gonna be a win and IÆm gonna make sure my supporters get their moneyÆs worth.

The Eagle is rising and IÆm coming to rule.ö
Ochieng's manager/coach Brian Lawrence then added, ôYeah, they said itÆs because of work commitments.

I watched the fight again on DVD I thought he wouldnÆt be up for this fight. ItÆs a hard match for him. I just couldnÆt see him taking Erick on in a six rounder.

Now weÆve got Tony Randell, you know heÆs a durable Middleweight. WeÆre fighting at Light Middle. HeÆs a good opponent for Erick and IÆm expecting a good fight.

The downside is that itÆll be four threes, whereas we wanted to push him up to six threes. On the night though weÆll just take care of the business.ö

Erick æThe EagleÆ Ochieng versus Tony æTNTÆ Randell will be on the under card of the Frank Maloney promoted æTrue British FightersÆ double title show headlined by Sam WebbÆs defense of his British Light Middleweight title against Martin Concepcion.

Co-feature on the October 16th at The Troxy, Commercial Road, London E1, show is Jamie Arthur and Kris Matthew Hughes who will be battling for the vacant Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title.

The loaded undercard features, in addition to Erick æThe EagleÆ Ochieng versus Tony Rendell, a heavyweight triple bill starring David Price, Tom Dallas and Damian Campbell plus Joe Hughes, Shane Enright, Lewis Pettitt, Ashley Sexton and Martin Welsh all against yet to be named opponents. The æTrue British FightersÆ card also features a Middleweight clash between Tony Hill and Kevin Concepcion.

Tickets for æTrue British FightersÆ at The Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, Limehouse, London E1 on Saturday 16th October 2010 are priced ú35 (Unreserved) or ú85 (Ringside).

For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.