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SPORT by Dan Black
HARD-HITTING boxer Luke Blackledge has hailed his forthcoming contest with Rudy Markussen as the big gest fight of his career. The 22-year-oId, recently International
crowned
I Nord, Frederikshavn, on March 16 th. “I can’t wait, I’ve got a big
fight and I’m buzzing,” said I Blackledge. “It’s definitely the
training camp in preparation for the fight so I’ve got a lot of hard work to put in yet. 1 I’ll be put up against some
I j i 'i
good, cruiserweight sparring partners ready for my big moment.”
biggest fight of my career. This is the one. This could lead to big things for me. It’s a mas sive opportunity. “I’ve got a seven-week
Masters super-middleweight champion after victory over Nathan King, believes big things beckon should he dent the Dane’s record at Arena
knocked out 25 of his oppo nents with just three losses,” Blackledge said. “Mads Lhrsen was a different fighter, a southpaw who moved about on the back foot while coun ter-punching. Rudy is a for ward fighter, aggressive and he’s a big puncher. “He’s won a European title
confident that he can repeat the outcome of his fight with Mads Larsen who he sent sprawling to the canvas in the fourth round back in June. “He’s had 42 contests and
which he lost to Brian Magee. However, Blackledge is
weight titles and has fought for IBF, and WBA World super-middleweight
titles,
in 13 outings but Markussen’s seasoned career screams suc cess. The 35-year-old has a record that boasts 38 wins from 42 bouts, including 25 by knockout. The Copenhagen- born fighter has claimed WBO Inter-Continental and EBU (European)
Blackledge may be unbeaten super-middle
I believe I will knock him out,” he declared. “I don’t think the fight will go the 10 rounds. I will be 110 per cent ready for this fight. “With him being the home
first round KO against Daniel Regi last month, has vowed to do the same to' Kevin Maree’s talented student. But Blackledge is ready to over whelm his potent foe, ada mant of causing an upset in Scandanavia, in a bid to give the ringside judges a simple verdict.- Blackledge claimed that judges had controversially backed home fighter Larsen in the rounds leading up to his knockout, which has left hirn determined not to let this con test go to the card. “Tm going there to win and
and fought for world titles. He’s obviously a decent fighter and his record speaks for itself.. He’s got a lot of experi ence but I’ve got youth on my side. I’m confident and I don’t believe he’ll knock me out.” Markussen, who earned a
Clitheroe go down against Ashton Page 71
fighter it means I’ll have to go there and completely outbox him or KO him. I stopped Mads Larsen in the fourth round but up to that point the ringside judges had scored every round to him. There’s no chance that was the case so I need to make sure. This fight with Markussen could pave the way to the top.”
95p ISSN 1355-3658 9771355365489
03
9 771355 36548 The Clitheroc Advertiser and Times is published by East Lancashire Newspapers Limited at Bull Street. Burnley,BBll IDP(Tel:01282 426161, classified 01282 422331). and printed by Broughton Printers Ltd. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Reproduction of the contents of this newspaper in any manner is not permitted without* prior consent of the Publisher. East Lancashire Newspapers Ltd.
by Dan Black
BLUES boss Paul Moore believes that fresh faces will help the club kick on.
With Moore’s ambition of securing
a play-off spot burning brightly, the Clitheroe chief has moved to bring in Kendal Town midfielder Adam Birchall, AFC Fylde’s Isaac Kusaloka, and Dean Canning fi-om Welsh Premier League side GAP Connah’s Quay.
Both Zambian-bom Kusaloka and Canning can operate up front or out wide and will add pace to the squad.
Kusaloka has also represented
Kendal Town and Squire Gate, while Salfordian Canning has played for Colwyn Bay, Ashton United, Leek Town, Curzon Ashton and Trafford. And Moore believes his latest coups
will help fill the void of departed lead ing scorer Alex Johnson, who joined Halifax Town earlier in the campaign.
“Negotiations are still undergoing to
bring a new face in to Shawbridge,” he said.
“We’ve managed to bring in Issac
and Dean and they’re e.xactly what we’ve needed.
“They’re both rapid and definitely
offer something we’ve been missing since the departure of AJ.
“We’ve fireshened things up, which makes people at the club aware that
we need to kick on.” But Moore’s tinkering doesn’t end
there. Talks are still ongoing with Blackburn Rovers .to bring in another player on loan.
Moore insists the calibre of his tar gets will help contribute to a top five
finish in the Evo-Stik First Division North. “If we can land our remaining target, then I think we’ll be up there,” he said.
“We xvill certainly be there or there
abouts come the end of the season. “We need to start winning games
again and gnnding outTesuh^ium^! fixtures. It’s going to be interesting from now, the league will start to take shape, and it’ll be interesting to see who stays in there.”
A 2-1 triumph over struggling Goole AFC saw the Blues retain fourth
CiS
spot, though teams below, includ ing New Mills, Cammell Laird and Ramsbottom United, could climb above them if they make the most of games in hand.
However, Clitheroe have points in
the bag and Moore is adamant there’ll be more to come after a spirited per formance against the 'Vikings which was capped off with goals from Simon Nangle and Marcus Calvert. “It was definitely good to get back to
xvinning ways,” beamed Moore. “It was a hard-fought victory in what
turned out to be a very tough game. “We got the second goal, which we
needed, but then they made it even more difficult for us. They scored a penalty to get back in to the game and . we had to dig in. I was delisted with
the performance and the character of the team.” After ending a run of four games
without a win, Moore added: “It doesn’t really feel like a weight has . been lifted because I don’t think things were that drastic. We just needed to ( cut out silly mistakes and work hard to i win again. We weren’t worried at all, but we got the result we needed.” The Blues entertain Ossett Albion
(
on Saturday, kick-off 3 p.m. • A full report and picture from
Saturday’s win at Goole is on page 69. ^ PICTURE: Clitheroe keeper Hakan . Burton takes charge at Goole (s).
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