A fire damaged Fife Ice Arena means Kevin Anderson will now defend his British welterweight title against Northern Ireland’s former World champion Eamonn Magee at the Motherwell Concert Hall on the 11th of May.
It will be the 23 year-old Fifer’s first fight since losing his Commonwealth championship and unbeaten record to Namibia’s Ali Nuumbembe on a controversial split decision in February.
And he couldn’t have asked for a tougher comeback than mandatory challenger Magee.
The Belfast southpaw was the first man to floor Ricky Hatton, dropping the Mancunian in the first round of a WBU Light-Welterweight title challenge in 2002 before losing on points.
He became a World champion in his own right a year later, beating Jimmy Vincent to win the WBU Welterweight title, which he held for three years before losing a majority decision to Takaloo in 2006.
But the 35 year-old proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with by bouncing back with a win in February this year, taking his record to 27-5 (17 KOs). He has never been stopped in his 12 year pro career.
Anderson’s manager Tommy Gilmour, who co-promotes in Motherwell with Barry Hearn, said: “Kevin was really disappointed with his performance against Nuumbembe and was down about losing his unbeaten record and Commonwealth title.
“Magee is undoubtedly the toughest fight out there, but in a way it’s exactly what Kevin needs to get himself back on track for a European and World title. If he wins this fight then Nuumbembe will be forgotten about because Magee is still the biggest name Welterweight in the country.
“I believe Nuumbembe was simply a blip for Kevin. He had a bad night and was punished for it.
“It won’t be easy against Magee - he’s an awkward southpaw and as tough as they come - but Kevin has proven in the past with his wins over Joshua Okine and Young Muttley that he has what it takes to compete at the very highest level and I’m sure we’ll see him back at his best.”
It will be the first major title fight at Motherwell’s Concert Hall since Hamilton’s Scott Dixon stopped Charlie Kane of Clydebank in six rounds to retain his Commonwealth welterweight title in 2000.
And Gilmour is convinced that Anderson - 18-1 (11KOs) - will bring his own vociferous support to Lanarkshire after being unable to find a suitable venue in the Kingdom of Fife.
“Kevin’s fans are known as some of the most passionate around and have really raised the roof when he has fought in Kirkcaldy. Unfortunately, Fife Ice Arena was damaged by a fire a couple of months ago and repairs aren’™t yet complete and there simply wasn’t another suitable venue available in Fife, which is why we’ve brought the fight to Motherwell.
“But it’s a great venue with a real boxing pedigree and I’m sure Kevin’s fans will turn out in force, along with locals and true boxing fans as this is a top-class fight featuring one of Scotland’s best fighters.”
Heading up the undercard is former Scottish amateur light-heavyweight champion Stevie McGuire (undefeated in ten fights), who will be stepping up his bid to claim a British or Commonwealth title chance at super-middleweight during 2007.
And teenage South Queensferry featherweight prospect Paul Appleby (7-0, 4 KOs) will move a step closer to a British title after cracking the country’s top ten last time out with a sparkling win over Canning Town’s tough Buster Dennis.
Methil welterweight Willie Bilan and Dunfermline super-middleweight Gordon Brennan make up the rest of the bill.
“With Sky’s cameras beaming this event throughout Europe, this will give everyone on the bill a chance to showcase their talents to a huge audience.”
Tickets are priced at £50 Ringside (reserved seating) and £35 Arena (unreserved seating) and are available through Motherwell Concert Hall- 01698 302 999 Box Office: 0845 370 9703 Kevin Anderson: 01333 300 310 Steven McGuire: 07782 198 056 Paul Appleby: 0313 319 2339 Willie Bilan: 01333 300 432 Gordon Brennan: 07732 809 846 St Andrew’s Sporting Club: 0141 810 5700
