Brian Rose to face Matthew Macklin on Anthony Joshua bill
Saturday 20 February 2016 16:13, UK
Brian Rose has revealed he will face Matthew Macklin on the undercard to Anthony Joshua's world title showdown with Charles Martin at The O2.
Former British super-welterweight champion Rose has announced on social media that he will battle the three-time world title challenger Macklin on the April 9 bill, which will see Joshua challenge IBF heavyweight champion Martin.
Rose tweeted: "Fighting Matt Macklin on 9th April. Great fight for the fans. The fight is made at middle weight. These are the kind of fights I want."
Rose made three defences of his British crown before he challenged Demetrius Andrade for the WBO belt in 2014, but was stopped in seven rounds.
The Blackpool boxer (28-3-1 KO8) suffered a controversial first round stoppage to Carson Jones 12 months ago, but claimed revenge over the American in the rematch in August.
He outpointed Latvian journeyman Ruslans Pojonisevs last time out in an eight rounder at super-middleweight in November.
"It is great fight for the fans," Rose added in the Blackpool Gazette about the clash with Macklin. "We are both in the same sort of situation - we both have to win to get to the next level, to try and win a world title.
"It will be devastating for me [if I lose].
"My whole career depended on that Carson Jones fight.
"I walked into the arena that night with so much pressure on my shoulders - it could have been my last big pay-day and my last fight, and I honestly believe I would have retired had I lost.
"The same applies in this fight in April, though it probably applies to Matthew more than it does to me."
Macklin (34-6 KO22) has suffered world title heartache against Felix Sturm, Sergio Martinez and Gennady Golovkin.
The former European middleweight champion fought at 154lbs in October for the first time since 2006 and secured a one-sided verdict over Jason Welborn.
