Volatile, Erick Ochieng-Curtis Valentine, Rematch Set For October 16th
photo – Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
Promoter Frank Maloney obviously wants Guy Fawkes Night to come early this year. There couldn’t be any other explanation for him lighting the blue touch paper by announcing that an early rematch between the sensational Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng and the big hitting Curtis Valentine will take place on his October 16th ‘True British Fighters’ title double header event at The Troxy, London E1.
At their last meeting, at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham back in May, Ochieng and Valentine, both unbeaten at the time, put on a highly explosive display where neither gave, or expected, any quarter for four hard fought rounds after which the super slick Ochieng was deservedly declared the victor by a 39-37 point margin.
The bout, billed as “The Battle Of The The Undefeated”, broke the normal protocol, where highly talented young fighters are heavily protected by their promoters and management, learning their trade against journeymen and other less talented fighters before facing someone of equal stature.
Back in May both were willing to risk losing their precious hard earned ‘0’ record, this time it will be even more personal and it seems reasonable to assume that the heavy hitting Valentine will be looking to avenge the previous loss to Ochieng with a stoppage finish. ‘The Eagle’ on the other hand will be aiming at retaining his unblemished record with exceptional boxing skills whilst utilising his arsenal of punches to maximum effect.
Following yet another exhilarating sparring session with the British Light Middleweight Champion Sam Webb, at the Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, ‘The Eagle’ said, “Yeah, it’s Curtis Valentine again and obviously this time I’m gonna take him back to school.
Looking back at my fight when I fought him I have way improved. I’m a totally different fighter from the last fight I had with him. It’s gonna be a win, win situation for me.
I’m gonna be smart, out box him and swoop in for the big finish. I don’t see it ever going the full six rounds. I’m gonna out box him for a few rounds and then gonna stop him. It’s not going six rounds.”
Ochieng’s manager/coach Brian Lawrence, who had just sat smiling whilst ‘The Eagle’ spoke added, “We really couldn’t get another opponent for Erick. A lot of people turned him down after his last performance (Stoppage victory over Alex Spitko and clear Fight of the Night at the Goodwin Promotions ‘It’s Personal’ event).
So we got Mr Valentine again and he’ll deal with him the same way. I think Erick has come on a lot since their last fight and I can only see another victory for the Eagle.”
The unmissable rematch between Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng and Curtis Valentine will be on the under card of the Frank Maloney promoted ‘True British Fighters’ double title show headlined by Sam Webb’s 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 ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng versus Curtis Valentine, a heavyweight triple bill starring David Price, Tom Dallas and Larry Olubamiwo plus Joe Hughes, Shane Enright, Lewis Pettitt, Ashley Sexton and Martin Welsh all against yet to be named opponents. The ‘True British Fighters’ card also features a Middleweight clash between Tony Hill and Kevin Concepcion.
Tickets for ‘True British Fighters’ at The Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, Limehouse, London E1 on Saturday 16th October 2010 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £85 (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.
