Kotey is a no-show for King Davidson title fight (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Kotey is a no-show for King Davidson title fight

7:40am Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport By Adam Leitch, Chief Sports Writer

King Davidson is aiming to take his frustration out on Andrejs Loginovs after his WBO International light middleweight title fight against Philip Kotey was scrapped.

The Southampton based champion was due to be one of two local title defences on tonight’s show at Southampton Guildhall, but now faces durable Latvian scrapper Loginovs over eight rounds instead.

Ghanaian challenger Kotey had been expected to arrive in the UK earlier this week, and had signed a contract for the fight which was lodged with the WBO, but has not shown up with confusion reigning as to why.

“What’s happened with Philip Kotey has been very disappointing,” admitted Davidson’s trainer Wayne Batten.

“These things happen in boxing – not often, but they do happen.

“There is confusion as to what exactly has gone on and I shouldn’t say too much until we know for sure.

“What I can say is it’s very disappointing indeed.

“You arrange the fight, get the paperwork signed but then you are in the hands of other people and there is not much you can do.

“Contracts were signed and lodged with the WBO so we will see what happens.

“Right now though we are focussing on Loginovs.

“He took Tony Hill the distance at the Guildhall last time and we know from that experience that he is a very tough guy. Tony knocked out a couple of his teeth and not even that stopped him so King will still have to perform tonight.”

There are no such problems with the other title fight on tonight’s show where local favourite Matty Tew takes on Spaniard Santiago Bustos in a defence of his International Masters lightweight belt.

“Matty is really excited about this, and so am I,” said Batten.

“Bustos is certainly over here to win and so I think we could have a really good fight on our hands like we did last time out with Jon Fernandes.

“It will be top of the bill on a packed show and should round off a good night of action for local boxing fans.

“Matty just needs to stick to the game plan and he will beat this guy and move even further on in his career.”

Also in action on the Guildhall show will be Joe Pigford, who is following up his 37 second debut win.

Local lad Steve Lynch also has his second fight while Bournemouth duo Tommy Watson and Jake Gosling and Southampton born Stoke resident Wade Armour are also on the bill.

Last minute tickets are available from the Guildhall box office on 023 8063 2601 or online via their website.