Former World boxing champion Barerra coming to the Ribble Valley

FORMER two-time WBO Super Bantamweight, WBC, Lineal and The Ring Featherweight and WBC and IBF Super Featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera is coming to the Ribble Valley.

The Mexican boxer, nicknamed the Baby-Faced Assassin, is topping the bill for an exclusive dinner event to be held at the Stirk House Hotel and Restaurant in Gisburn, Clitheroe.

Kevin Maree, of Maree Promotions, is the man behind the lucrative capture of the 37-year-old boxing legend who boasted 67 wins and 44 knockouts from 75 professional contests.

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“It’s a strange one with Barrera coming to the area and it’s generating a lot of talk,” said Kevin. “We’ve brought them all over here though including Roberto Duran, Roy Jones Jnr, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe.

“We get a lot of big names coming to the gym as well, it’s like a hot bed for these kind of people. We’ve always had great success with these evenings. We always put on a good show and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to meet the speaker and have photos taken.”

Kevin added: “He’s a massive name. It’ll be a very interesting evening. A lot of people can’t believe that we’re able to attract these names. We’re like a little Mecca for boxing.”

Tickets for the event, which will be held on Tuesday, are priced at £60 and includes a three-course meal. Anybody wanting to purchase a ticket can do so at www.mareepromotions.co.uk.

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Elsewhere, the biggest fight of Kenny Anderson’s career is on the horizon.

The 29-year-old Scot, who fights out of Gisburn-based Maree Leisure Boxing, faces undefeated George Groves in a super-middleweight title challenge at Wembley Arena on Friday, March 16th.

Anderson will be looking to avenge defeat at the hands of Groves in November 2010, the only blemish on his record, after taking the fight at late notice. Groves was heavily floored in the third round, only to fight back and stop the Edinburgh hardman in the sixth.

But Anderson is much better prepared and in considerably greater shape than last time. “He’s in perfect condition,” said his trainer Kevin. “He’s done most of the hard graft now and the gameplan is in place. We just want to press the fast forward button to get to the fight now.

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“We don’t want to over train him and risk illness or injury. I think he’s going to take some beating. This time we are in a great place. He’s super fit and I know he’s going to be better. We are confident.”