Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/635436
21 Wilfred Sultana It has been a sensational run for boxing in Malta, brought about by the thrilling series of displays and results achieved by Malta's top boxer Billy Corito in the course of a relatively short but impressive pe- riod of time. Now Billy Corito 'the Hit Man' is set to make his UK debut as he looks to make a name for himself away from his Maltese base. the island's number one-rated heavyweight has been added to the undercard of tasif Khan's va- cant WBU and vacant GBU super flyweight world title showdown against Isaac Quaye of Ghana at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. Corito, who ousted Matthew Ellis inside three rounds of a scheduled eight with a great combination of body shots in his last outing, ex- tended his record run to 10-1 (8 KOs). Definitely this will be his op- portunity to advance his ledger further when he takes on Reinis Porozovs (Latvia) 3-6-2 KOs over four rounds on Saturday February 6th transmitted exclusively live on GoFightLive. "I'm feeling ready for this great moment in my career. My coach will have me in top shape, the best I've ever been in, as usual. I'm honoured to have been chosen to fight abroad by promoter Stephen Vaughan." observed Corito, who is trained by former WBU world champion Shea Neary. George Scholfield and Shea Neary once did feature the Mal- tese boxer on the Liverpool Echo to give a shout out to any promoter putting Corito on a show and final- ly Vaughan responded - "He obvi- ously knows a good boxer when he sees one", remarked local trainer George Scholfield. Vaughan has given Corito the op- portunity to be noticed worldwide and for that the Maltese boxer feels most grateful. While being on the quest of more major honours, Corito is the reign- ing Malta Boxing Commission In- ternational champion, a title which he won with a five-round retire- ment victory over Latvia's Edgars Kalnars. "Shea Neary stopped coaching years back but took me on board three years ago and is always present for my fights and training programmes, as I go to Liverpool to be taken up by the master him- self, which says it all'", remarked Corito who believes that he can test himself against the best heavy- weights in UK under the guidance of Neary. Should the Maltese Champion come through unscathed, an agreement has been struck with World Boxing Federation president Howard Goldberg for Corito to challenge for the body's vacant In- ternational title over 10 rounds in April which will be held in Malta. the fight Billy Corito vs Reinis Porozovs (Latvia) may be watched live scheduled for 9pm UK time on Saturday 6th February by logging in to www.gfl.tv. for the price of 15$ - approximately €14.82. Billy Corito could enter into such a significant commitment thanks to the support he received from his sponsors, namely, Account- ing Services Ltd, EDA, Meets, Eu- rosport, the Londoner Pub and tex Mex, WiseGuys Gym, Bertu's Gym and BioX Supplements. Sport maltatoday, Wednesday, 3 February 2016 boxing Go to www.maltatoday.com.mt and get SMS alerts SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO RECEIVE BREAKING NEWS uK debut for billy Corito Billy Corito 'The Hit Man' so enthu- siastically followed and cheered in dramatic moments of his fights now moves to the UK for bigger chal- lenges and recognition. Photo: Lux Moments Frank Bruno's boxing comeback hopes dashed by licence denial FORMER heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno's hopes of returning to the ring have been dashed after he was told his application for a licence would be declined. the 54-year-old posted on twitter that the British Boxing Board of Control had informed his agent that "should I apply for a licence this would not be granted". His agent Dave Davies con- firmed the board had been in touch, saying: "Frank, like many other former sports stars, misses the good times when he was in the boxing ring and watching his son train has reignited his wish to return to the ring. "However we have had confir- mation today... that should an application for a boxing licence be received from Frank it would be declined. As agents for Frank we must respect and accept their decision." Bruno, who has bipolar disor- der, acknowledged he had "cer- tainly set twitter talking" after he announced on ItV's this Morning that he was "coming back into boxing" to help him cope with the effects of his medi- cation. Asked how drugs had affected him, he said: "they made me sui- cidal - mess up your head, mess up your clock - you can't sleep. "I'm walking around break- dancing I've got so much energy. "I feel like superman, I'm going to the gym all the time, working hard - that's why I've got to come into boxing... to get this out of my system, because I don't want to end up in Broadmoor hospi- tal." the former WBC heavyweight then repeated: "I'm coming back into boxing." Asked by co-presenter Phillip Schofield if the move was a good idea, he replied: "I haven't got no choice. I train every day. "I can't really sit down and let these so-called promoters say that their guy beat me in two rounds - and I'm alive and I've got to take that. "It's my job, it's my profession... you're good at your job, I'm good at my job." Bruno was recently pictured training with Ricky Hatton, an- other former world champion. Fans reacted to his surprise an- nouncement with trepidation. tV presenter Paddy McGuin- ness posted on twitter: "Back in the day me & my Dad watched all Frank Bruno's fights, we loved him. Hearing he's planning on fighting again makes me sad." Commonwealth featherweight champion Josh Warrington said: "I hope his comeback is just him joking around ... Don't do it Big Frank!", while novelist Irvine Welsh begged: "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FRANK, DON't DO tHIS."