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Helping hand: Powell (left) is seen here with Ricky Burns (centre) and Billy Nelson after Burns beat Andreas Evensen for the WBO super-featherweight belt in 2010

 

By Riath Al-Samarrai and Jeff Powell –

The boxing community was in mourning on Tuesday evening after the shock death of Dean Powell.

The 47-year-old, who spent 25 years in the sport as a trainer, cornerman and matchmaker for Frank Warren, worked with some of the British greats, including Joe Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn and Amir Khan.

Frank Warren announced the tragic news via a statement last night. It read: ‘All of us are deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of our very close friend and colleague, Dean Powell.

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Involved: The 47-year-old spent 25 years as a trainer, cornerman and matchmaker for Frank Warren

‘Dean was a valued and popular member of our team and within the sport of boxing.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones for their tragic loss.’

The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. A spokesman for Warren declined to comment.

Figures from the world of boxing paid tribute to Powell on Twitter.

Calzaghe said: ‘Shocked and saddened to hear the news of Dean Powell. Was in my corner for many of my big fights. RIP Dean x.’

A post from Barry McGuigan read: ‘Shocking news about Dean Powell, God rest his soul. RIP.’

Former Olympic champion James DeGale said: ‘Shocked and devastated to hear about the passing of Dean Powell. A sad loss to British boxing. RIP x.’

Schaefer also expressed shock and sympathy at the sudden death yesterday of Dean Powell, fellow promoter Frank Warren’s top match-maker and a much-loved figure in world boxing.

Affer calling Warren he said: ‘This is tragic news.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2416995/Dean-Powell-dies-Joe-Calzaghe-boxing-world-pay-tribute.html

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47-year-old passed away on Tuesday

The boxing world has expressed its shock and sadness at the death of Dean Powell.

Powell, who died aged 47 on Tuesday, had been in the sport for 25 years, as trainer, cornerman and matchmaker. His death is not believed to be suspicious.

“All of us are deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of our very close friend and colleague, Dean Powell,” read a statement from Frank Warren promotions, who he most recently worked for.

“Dean was a valued and popular member of our team and within the sport of boxing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones for their tragic loss.”

British boxers past and present, many of whom worked with Powell, have paid tribute.

Amir Khan

Sorry to hear the loss of Dean Powell. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was close to team khan and trained me for 2 fights. You will be missed.

Ricky Burns

Cant believe what I heard bout @DeanPowell66 was speaking 2 him yesterday.some great nites with him in my corner. Thoughts r with his family

Lennox Lewis

RIP Dean Powell! #GoneTooSoon

Joe Calzaghe

Shocked and saddened to hear the news of Dean Powell. Was in my corner for many of my big fights. RIP Dean x

Ricky Hatton

Just found out the tragic news that Dean Powell sadly passed away. My thoughts are with his family.a great man & boxing will miss him.

Billy Joe Saunders

Sad times for the boxing world lost a true Professional and hard working man in @DeanPowell66 will be missed #rip x

Anthony Ogogo

Shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Dean Powell. Boxing has lost a great guy. RIP my friend.

Dereck Chisora

Rest in peace Dean Boxing will miss you

James DeGale

Shocked and devastated to hear about the passing of Dean Powell. A sad loss to British boxing. RIP x

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-world-pays-tribute-to-trainer-cornerman-and-matchmaker-dean-powell-8809738.html

James DeGale’s scheduled fight in Liverpool on Friday has been postponed.

 

 

The Olympic champion had been due to defend his WBO intercontinental super-middleweight title against Jose Guerrero, but on Tuesday promoter Frank Warren called the Echo Arena bill off.

No reason was given for the postponement, although Warren did say the event would be rescheduled for January 27.

The show had been beset by problems from the outset, with George Groves originally due to defend his British and Commonwealth titles in London.

However, when Groves pulled out injured, the bill was switched to Liverpool where European champion DeGale had been due to headline.

Another of Great Britain’s Olympic fighters from 2008, Billy Joe Saunders, had been due to fight on the undercard.

 

http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/7356821/DeGale-bill-postponed

JAMES DeGALE’S challenger Jose Maria Guerrero has told him he’d better finish him off early – or taste defeat.

Spanish hitman Guerrero challenges the Londoner for his WBO Intercontinental super-middleweight title on Friday night at the ECHO Arena.

“I will give him some advice: destroy me quickly, if not, you will have a big problem,” Guerrero told DeGale. “If he believes that he will knock out me quickly, he shows that he’s an ignoramus and if he thinks that this is the easiest fight of his career then he will have a big surprise.”

The ECHO has teamed up with promoter Frank Warren to offer readers the chance to win a pair of tickets for Friday evening’s boxing.

Merseyside boxers Stephen Smith, Joe Selkirk, Liam Smith and Paul Butler all feature on the undercard and to be in with a shot of winning one of the 10 pairs, just answer the following question.

James DeGale won the European super-middleweight title in his last fight – who did he beat?

Send your answers to either sport@liverpool.com or Boxing Competition, Sportsdesk, Level Three, Liverpool Echo, Old Hall Street, PO Box 48, Liverpool L69 3EB.

One entry per person and all usual Echo competition rules apply; for more details see our website.

Closing date for entries is 4pm on Wednesday, December 7.

LONG LANE ABC are celebrating their 40th birthday tonight.

To mark the amateur club’s milestone, an event is being held at the Valley Inn on Alt Road. The night kicks off at 7.30pm.

James DeGale will continue playing the pantomime villain if it sells tickets, but insists the act fails to reflect his true personality.

DeGale’s feud with super-middleweight rival and former amateur stablemate George Groves rages on with the fighters both renewing hostilities on Thursday.

They met at a press conference called to announce that they will both appear on Frank Warren’s bill at ExCeL London on December 9, facing as-yet unnamed opponents.

Eventually they are expected to meet for a second time in a professional ring – Warren wants to make the fight as soon as possible – when DeGale will seek to avenge the points defeat he suffered in May.

Groves won the popularity contest as well as prevailing in the ring and has seen his profile grow since that night at the O2 Arena.

Aware that he will always be cast as the bad guy, DeGale insists Groves brings out the worst in him.

“Anyone who’s not a boxing fan thinks I’m arrogant and too big for my boots,” said the European champion, who will be challenging for the WBO intercontinental title on December 9.

“It hurts me a little bit because everyone who meets and knows me sees that I’m a genuine and humble boy.

“But boxing needs this. It needs the rivalry and the personalities. People see me on TV and say ‘look at him, he’s arrogant’.

“But as long as people keep buying the tickets it doesn’t matter.

“It’s the role I’ll have to continue playing, especially with Groves, because I’ve been made out to be the villain.

“I read a letter in a magazine saying that I’m a control freak, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It was crazy.

“Sometimes part of me wants to go on a bit of a charm offensive. In my last fight I was humble and respectful.

“But with George…..I can’t do it.. He’s so smug and horrible. He winds me up.

“There’s real history there and it’s good for boxing. I feel confident around him, he doesn’t feel the same.

“You can feel the tension and it’s not coming from me, I’m cool with it.”

The enmity is based on personality as much as their rivalry in the ring.

The two are vastly different characters, DeGale noisy and self-assured yet affable in a way that is at odds with his public image, while the equally likeable Groves is more thoughtful and grounded, with a quick wit.

Groves believes their contrasting outlooks ensure friendship will always be impossible.

“I’m trying not to be the good guy. I reckon that if I went down the street kicking children I’d still be seen as the good guy!” he said.

“James is himself. You have to let him off the leash and be himself. Let people decide what sort of person he is.

“I just try to be myself, not a goody-two-shoes or a saint.

“I’m sarcastic and like to make fun of people and it’s easy to make fun of James DeGale.

“I don’t think we’ll ever be friends. He’s not my cup of tea. I don’t like who he is, the things he says, the way he acts.”

DeGale craves a rematch as early as possible, but Groves would rather wait to maximise the financial rewards.

“I want that cash cow (DeGale) to keep winning. He’ll be my pension fund one day,” said Groves.

“I got paid a reasonable amount for the first fight and I could get paid a life-changing amount for the second fight.”