Umpire Paddy’s chance of a


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O O H U K I u y j j


Sabden lose out in |i a thriller at 9|


Nutter Barn Page 77


by Dan Black crowned


A NEW date has been set for powerhouse boxer Luke Blackledge’s Nordic Fight Night battle with Denmark’s Rudy Markussen. Th® 22-year-oId, recently International


Masters super-middleweight champion after victory over Nathan King, was due to lock horns with the Great Dane at


I Arena Nord, Frederikshavn, on March 16th but the contest has now been scheduled for


[ April 13th. I The event has been post­ poned due to an injury sus-


t-'f-


I tained by WBA, WBC and WBO female Welterweight


I champion Cecilia Braekhus who will be taking on American Mia St John on the


I undercard. “Unfortunately, Cecilia has I been unable to start her train­


ing camp due to the flu,” pro­ moter Nisse Sauerland said. “She won't be fit in time for the original date. With the ‘First Lady’ being an inte­ gral part of our international Nordic Fight Night series, we were left with no other choice but to move the entire event. “Cecilia just won the


■ Norwegian Sports Personality of the Year Award, she is Norway s most popular female athlete and we once again expect an army of Norwegian fans to take the ferry ride to Frederikshavn. Together with the Danish fans, they will make a lot of noise and hopefully lift Rudy and Cecilia to victory.” The Copenhagen-bom


fighter, who has claimed WBO Inter-Continental and EBU (European) super-middle- weight titles on top of fight­ ing for IBF and WBA World super-middleweight


belts.


and knocked out 25 of his opponents with just three losses. Rudy is a forward fighter, aggressive and he’s a big puncher. He’s won a Europe^ title arid fought for world titles. He’s obviously a-


burgeoning student, who defeated Mads Larsen in his last outing in Scandanavia, has other ideas. “It’s going to be a big fight,” he declared. “I can’t wait for it. It’s definitely the biggest fight of my career. This is the one'. This could lead to big things for me. It’s a mas­ sive opportunity. “He’s had 42 contests


which he lost to Brian Magee, said the new date suits him well. “I don't care when I defeat Blackledge,” he stated. “All I know is that I am going to win. I was ready to beat him.on March 16th and I will be ready to beat him on April 13th. I am in very good shape already, but this will give me four more weeks to prepare.” However, Kevin Maree’s


decent fighter and his record speaks for itself.


“But I’m confident, and I


don’t believe he’ll beat me. I’m going there to win and I believe that Til knock him out. I don’t think the fight will last the 10 rounds, I will be 110 per cent ready for this fight.”


95p ISSN 1355-3658 9771355365489


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The Clithcroe 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 coi^enl of the Publisher. East Lancashire Newspapers Ltd.


-


by Dan Black


b lu es boss Paul Moore is backing his side to produce the goods once normal service is resumed.


2-1 victory over Goole AFC almost three weel« ago, but Moore is con­ fident of picking up maximum points should Saturda/s fixture with Ossett Town at Shawbridge go ahead.


Clitheroe haven’t played since a


a 1-1 stalemate at Stade France in October, as Simon Baldi/s late lev­ eller cancelled out Alex Johnson’s opener. Victory would see the Blues reverse recent form at SJiawbridge, following defeats to Ramsbottom. United and Radcliffe Borough, and maintain their place in the First Division North play-off spots.


The two sides shared the points in


tive,” commented Moore after recent postponements. “We’re scheduled to play Ossett Town at home on Saturday and I think the weather will be okay, so that game should go ahead. My players are chomping at the bit to get back playing. They are desperate to get on the pitch but I guess eveiybody is in the same boat.


There wasn’t much we could do with all - that snow, it was horrendous. We’ve been training hvice a week, which we’ve had to do in order to keep ourselves in shape. We’ve just wanted to keep going but that’s just the way it is sometimes.' You can’t control the.elements.” ■


“I gave the lads the weekend off. “You’ve just got to remain posi­


Ossett Town away I was disap­ pointed that we didn’t get three points because we conceded late on. We had several chances to end the game as a contest in the first half but we didn’t take them. Their back four aren’t the quickest so I’m hopeful we can exploit that.


Moore added: “When we played


tling side. There’s nothing in particu­ lar that stands out about them, but in this league you don’t really need those individual traits. You need to approach games with the right men­ tality and fight for results. It will be a tough game for them because we’ve been strong at home so realistically speaking I’d like to think we can beat them. It depends how we react to this lengthy lay-off.” .


start the final run-in to the season in spectacular fashion, ivith 30 points from the remaining 17. fixtures the target; “We are in a good position because we’ve played a lot of games, we’ve got points on the board, and we’re in a healthy position in the table,” he said. “Once we start again I’m confident we will kick on. It’s imperative that we hit form as early as possible. We’re targeting 30 points which I think will be good enough for a play-off spot.”


Moore is confident of adding one new face to his Shawbridge squad


chest.-


ahead °f Saturday’s clash, though dadc nimMi-. r. he’s keeping his cards close to his


________


OUTING. Danny Mahoney takes on the Radcliffe Borough defence on played at home. The Blues haven’t played since theT2th at Goole'


..


January 5th - the last time-the Blues ® I #


Moore is urging his players to kick- “ They are a hard-working, bat­


U'Ai


I t


..... .


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