Month: November 2021

WORLD CLASS AND UNDEFEATED PROSPECT AARON McKENNA SIGNS LONG TERM PROMOTIONAL AGREEMENT WITH MICK HENNESSY

by adminChampionship News

Challenges for the WBC Youth Middleweight crown against Ghanaian puncher Edem Bika on 13 November, live and free on Channel 5

‘The Sliencer’ links up with unbeaten brother Stevie ‘The Hitman’ under talent packed Hennessy Sports bannerLondon, UK

Unbeaten hot Irish prospect Aaron “The Silencer” McKenna has signed a long-term promotional agreement with promoter Mick Hennessy and joins undefeated brother Stevie at Hennessy Sports to form a world class strike partnership.  

The middleweight ace kicks off the first fight under the new deal when he features on Hennessy’s triple-title extravaganza on Saturday 13th November at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5 in the UK and Ireland. 

McKenna will challenge for the first title of his career when he contests for the WBC Youth ‘World’ Middleweight title in a battle of the punchers against Ghanaian hard-hitter Edem Bika. 

Previous prospects who have won a WBC Youth crown have gone on to greatness including the World’s current best pound for pound fighter Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – who McKenna aims to face and dethrone within the next few years.  

The County Monaghan hot shot has looked sensational since turning pro following a stellar amateur career in December 2017 in Las Vegas.  

Campaigning almost exclusively in the United States, McKenna has amassed an immaculate twelve fight record with 7 KO’s as he marks himself out as one of the very best young standout prospects in World boxing. 

He has featured on Hennessy shows in his last two fights; last December in Redditch when he halted Jordan Grannum – who hadn’t been stopped in 79 fights – with a savage body shot in the second round and Grannum didn’t come out for the third and last month he out classed Croatian Ivica  Gogosevic in Coventry.  And he joins elder sibling Stevie ‘The Hitman’ under the quality packed Hennessy Sports banner where Stevie has fought since September last year before officially signing in December and has since flourished and taken his record to 9-0 with 8 knockouts. 

McKenna is excited to have signed a long-term agreement with Hennessy and has seen what the renowned promoter has done for Stevie’s career and cannot wait to put his career into full throttle. Aaron said, “I can’t wait to get started under Mick and Hennessy Sports I’m really looking forward to a massive future with big plans ahead so I couldn’t be more happier putting pen to paper with him,” 

“For me fighting regularly, building up my career and reputation is massively important and of course receiving the fantastic exposure on Channel 5 which has already made a big difference to me, so signing with Mick at this stage is absolutely brilliant,” 

“His reputation is second to none and he has guided so many fighters to world titles so I have total confidence in that he will do the same for me and of course Stevie.  I can’t wait for the day that the both of us are World Champions.” 

“I’m looking to put on a real show for the fans on Saturday 13th November in Coventry when I challenge for my first title, the WBC Youth World title, which is a big statement and many great fighters have held that title, like Canelo, and have gone on to achieve great things in the sport,” 

“Fighting alongside my brother Stevie again is a huge boost and the pair of us will really take the boxing world by storm together.” 

Father and trainer Fergal is ecstatic that both his boys are now under the guidance of Hennessy and will now be propelled to stardom under his expert guidance.   

He said, “Mick has done a fantastic job with Stevie so I’m really happy that he will be promoting Aaron as well.  Both boys are really excited to be in the Hennessy Sport stable and you will now see the both of them flourish as they develop from prospects to contenders to champions. We’re in for a really exciting time.” 

Hennessy has big plans for Aaron and has delivered the WBC Youth title in his first fight under the new deal. He said, “I’ve known Fergal and the boys for a long time through the amateur scene and we have developed a very strong bond and friendship over the years.  I have long admired the skill and talent that both boys possess and they were incredible rising through the amateurs ranks, winning countless titles and have entered the pros with even more promise.  I was delighted to officially welcome Stevie to the team in December and he has looked sensational so far maintaining his unbeaten record as he cuts through the welterweight division.  So I’m now delighted to have officially signed Aaron to a long term deal that will see him challenge for the WBC Youth World title on Saturday 13th November in Coventry and winning that title will be a real statement of intent for him.  To have world class young talents like Stevie and now Aaron under the Hennessy Sports banner is truly amazing for us and I’m really looking forward what the future holds with the boys and Fergal.” 

Hennessy finished by saying firmly, “All of the premier players in World boxing have missed a trick with this young man.  At this moment in time he is by far the best signing in World boxing, and will go on to be an absolute crossover superstar in the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions.” 

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HAMZAH SHEERAZ TO FACE BRADLEY SKEETE IN “BREAKOUT” FIGHT

by adminChampionship News

HAMZAH SHEERAZ will defend his WBO European Super-Welterweight championship against Bradley Skeete at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday December 4, live on BT Sport.

It’s the biggest fight so far in the career of Sheeraz who is one of British boxing’s best upcoming talents.

Londoner Skeete (29-3, 14 KOs) has mixed it with the best and made three unbeaten defences of the British Welterweight title that he took from Sam Eggington before relinquishing the belt.

Ilford’s Sheeraz (13-0, 9 KOs) who now trains in California will be making the fourth defence of his belt and bidding for an eighth consecutive inside the distance win.

The high class card is headed by the blockbuster Light-Heavyweight rematch between Commonwealth champion Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde.

“I am looking forward to facing Bradley Skeete on December 4 and it’s going to be an unbelievable fight for the fans to witness,” said Sheeraz. 

“He’s won titles and is a technically experienced fighter and this makes it exciting. I’m coming to win and I will win.”

“I’ve been training away from home in the USA out of my comfort zone, away from family and friends. I like him as a fighter but on Dec 4 in the ring I’m going to beat him.

“Bradley is a good step-up opponent for me. I believe I will have too much for him come fight night. I’m looking to make a big statement and show the world I belong with the best at 154.”

Skeete is now back in business, training up in Sheffield with Dominic Ingle and had a run-out in June, scoring a third round stoppage over Dale Arrowsmith.

He insists he is a rejuvenated fighter ready to enjoy a successful swansong to his professional career.

“Obviously before I fell out of love with boxing but now I am the old me, I am buzzing,” insisted Skeete. “I am back where I started and it is a very good fight for me. In their eyes I have been there and done it and they will be looking to take my scalp. They obviously think I am at the back end of my career and I will be a good name for him but, and I am not just saying it, I love boxing again and I feel so good after a good long break.

“It is like a new lease of life. I go back a long way with Al (former trainer, Smith), but I just needed a break for one and a fresh start for two. I am doing what I do and enjoying it, now I am ready to go again and to come back in a good fight like this against Hamzah is perfect.

“He is a young, fresh champion with big things being said about him. But, listen, with my experience I am very, very confident. It is my biggest domestic fight since Sam Eggington and look how I performed on that night.

“I’ve sparred Hamzah before and he came down the gym around the time he turned pro, I think. In his early career he was coming up on my undercards or similar cards to me. He’s got a big following, he’s been guided right and he can fight.

“He is nice and tall, which is something I am not used to saying about my opponents, he can fight and he is a good kid. I’ve got no bad words to say about him and he is at the stage of his career where he needs a step-up because he hasn’t really been put in with a test yet.

“I am sure Frank and the people around him want to see if he is the real deal. He is fighting me and, after some time off, I am fresh and this is my night.”

Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren said: “Hamzah versus Bradley is a great fight and fitting for such a strong card.

“Since we signed Hamzah to Queensberry I have believed that he has World title potential and his fight against Bradley will be a breakout fight.

“He has gone about his business without fuss and the improvement in every fight is clear to see. I believe that this fight is the right step up at the right time.

“I promoted Bradley for much of his career. I know just how skilful and talented that he is. He won a British title and other titles with us. Now he is back to try and win another title belt.

“There are few nicer boxers to meet than Bradley, but for once I will be in the opposing corner on December 4.”

Sheeraz won his WBO European crown almost two years ago when he stopped Ryan Kelly inside six rounds and has made subsequent defences against Paul Kean, Guido Nicolas Pitto and Ezequiel Gurria.

Earlier this year he moved his training base to Los Angeles where he is training under experienced Ricky Funez at the Ten Goose gym in Los Angeles.

Hamzah, 22,  is now highly ranked in the WBO ratings for their World crown held by Argentina’s Brian Castano.

Skeete, 34, outpointed Eggington to become British and Commonwealth champion in March 2016. He then made his domestic title defences against John Thain, Shayne Singleton and Dale Evans to win his Lonsdale belt outright.

After giving up that title, Kerman Lejarraga defeated him in a European title fight, but if he were to beat Sheeraz it would give him a ticket to the top once again.

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Tickets for Arthur v Yarde 2, live from the Copper Box Arena on Saturday December 4 are available here

HOSPITALITY – £300.00
HOSPITALITY – £250.00
FLOOR SEAT – £150.00
FLOOR SEAT – £100.00
FLOOR SEAT – £75.00
LOWER BOWL SEAT – £50.00

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PARKER vs MORRISON – OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

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QUEENSBERRY staged the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s (6th Nov) show at Utilita Arena, Birmingham that is headlined by Zach Parker’s WBO International Super-Middleweight championship defence against Marcus Morrison, live on BT Sport.

Woodville’s Parker (21-0, 15 KOs) will also be risking his status as number one contender for the WBO World title held by Canelo Alvarez when he faces Manchester’s Morrison (24-4, 16 KOs).

Here are a selection of quotes from the press conference.

FRANCIS WARREN: “It is going to be a great night in Birmingham. Zach against Marcus is the stand out fight. Marcus is a tough opponent who had a great fight with Chris Eubank. There is so much more at stake than Zach’s title. He is number one with the WBO and if he beats Marcus I’m sure he will stay up until the early hours of Sunday watching Canelo v Caleb Plant. The winner of that fight will have to fight their mandatory next year. That fight is for real if Zach comes through. The ultimate dream is for Zach to have a World title fight at Pride Park.”

ZACH PARKER: “Marcus is confident. It is a good fight and we’re both going to bring it. The best man will win and that is going to be me. I can’t thank Frank Warren, Neil Marsh and BCB enough for doing all this for me because we’re on the right track. This is about getting the win. We are not going out there looking for the stoppage. I’d rather have the rounds because I’ve stopped my last two opponents early. Marcus is a tough opponent and I am going to bring all I’ve got. Marcus is a big puncher, but I will box and move. I will land the big shots when I want to.”

NEIL MARSH (Parker’s manager): “Every fight is a banana skin so for Joe to think we’ve overlooked Marcus is wrong. We have a lot of respect for Joe and Marcus. It comes down to one thing. Boxing is about levels and Zach is a World class boxer. That is nothing against Marcus. I just believe Marcus is a British level fighter – a very confident one. He had a very good win in Italy and a good fight against Chris Eubank Jr . We have been sounding out Eubank because I think Zach stops him in four or five rounds. I believe Zach will stop Marcus. Now we are with Frank Warren and his team we have the right promoter campaigning for us.

MARCUS MORRISON: “It’s no secret that Zach is a fully fledged Super-Middleweight, but they came looking for me. I’m a Middleweight, but I have been in with Super-Middleweights, Light-Heavyweights and held my own. I do believe he has made a big mistake. He is comfortable in his number one spot and could’ve choose an easier opponent who doesn’t carry my punch power. I can end this fight in a split-second. This will be more technical than the Eubank fight. Zach is more technically gifted than him and will try to use that to his advantage. This fight will catch fire, big shots will be traded. It’s a battle of two punchers and if I land he’ll go.”

JOE GALLAGHER (Morrison’s manager and trainer): “When the fight was offered we snapped it up. When you go through Zach’s record since he beat Darryl Williams which was controversial he has been on a good run of stoppages. There is a lot of noise about Zach, but I am confident in Marcus. It’s a huge opportunity and there is no pressure on Marcus. They are talking about Zach fighting at Pride Park, but after this weekend I hope they have the number for the Etihad because I am sure Marcus would like Canelo at the home of Manchester City. It’s a live fight and no walk in the park. We’re hugely confident of an upset.”

On the same bill Stoke-on-Trent’s Nathan Heaney (13-0, 5 KOs) will meet Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Sladan Janjanin (30-8, 23 KOs) for the vacant IBO Intercontinental Middleweight title over ten rounds.Former British Middleweight champion Denzel Bentley 14-1-1, 12 KOs) faces Wednesbury’s Sam Evans (10-1-1, 3 KOs) in a non-title ten rounder.In eight round action is Southampton Lightweight hope Ryan Garner (10-0, 6 KOs) who boxes Portugal’s Pedro Manuel Gomes (9-1, 2 KOs).Irish Welterweight prospect Dylan Moran (15-1, 6 KOs), exciting Liverpool Super-Bantamweight Andrew Cain (7-0, 6 KOs), Northampton Super-Lightweight Eithan James (6-0) and Dubliner Willo Hayden (1-0)  all box six rounders.Telford pair, Super-Lightweight Macauley Owen (1-0, 1 KO) and Bantamweight debutant Raheem Muhammed are in four round action.
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BUATSI FACES FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER VLASOV IN MANCHESTER

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Parker vs. Chisora 2 undercard shapes up for December 18
Joshua Buatsi will face former World Title challenger Maxim Vlasov on the undercard of Joseph Parker’s huge rematch with Derek Chisora at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday December 18, live worldwide on DAZN (with the exception of New Zealand and Samoa).
 
Buatsi (15-0, 13 KOs) scored his tenth knockout in a row when he stopped Latvia’s Ricards Bolotniks in the eleventh round of their WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title Eliminator on the third and final week of Matchroom Fight Camp in August. 
 
That win followed on from his brutal fourth-round stoppage of undefeated Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos in May and the 28-year-old contender returns to the famous arena next month to take on his toughest challenge yet in the professional ranks. 
 
Russia’s Vlasov (45-4, 26 KOs) dropped a controversial twelve-round majority decision to the USA’s Joe Smith in a challenge for the vacant WBO Light-Heavyweight World Title earlier this year and the former Interim Cruiserweight World Title challenger is determined to bounce back by becoming the first man to defeat Buatsi.  
 
Also on the card, undefeated New Malden Super-Middleweight talent Lerrone Richards (15-0, 3 KOs) looks to build on his impressive EBU European Title win against Giovanni De Carolis in May when he takes on unbeaten IBO 168lbs World Champion Carlos Gongora (20-0, 15 KOs).
 
Gongora created history by becoming Ecuador’s first ever World Champion when he scored a spectacular twelfth-round knockout win over Kazakhstan’s Ali Akhmedov last December before stopping Christopher Pearson in his maiden defence of the title on the Andrade vs. Williams undercard. 
 
‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (20-2-1, 9 KOs) returns to the scene of his Fight of the Year contender with Felix Cash back in 2019 as he clashes with Germany’s Emre Cukur (17-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Super-Middleweight crown following his win over Avni Yildirim in July. 
 
Manchester Super-Featherweight contender Zelfa Barrett (26-1, 16 KOs) hopes to make it three wins from three fights in 2021 as he meets Australia’s Bruno ‘The Terminator’ Tarimo (26-2-2, 5 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the IBF World Title. 
 
Derby Super-Lightweight prospect Sandy Ryan (2-0, 1 KO) is out to impress again after her vicious body shot knockout win over Aleksandra Vujovic last month in Italy, unbeaten Cruiserweight Jordan ‘Troublesome’ Thompson (11-0, 9 KOs) looks for another big KO in his home city, New Zealand Cruiserweight David Nyika (1-0, 1 KO) fights in the UK for the first time and Anthony Crolla-trained Lightweight Rhiannon Dixon (3-0) returns to action. 
 
Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200 and £400 (VIP).
 
Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from 10am on Thursday November 4. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) from 10am on Friday November 5.
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McGINTY WANTS TO SHARE IRISH TITLE DREAM WITH HATTON

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Fast-rising and undefeated Irish star Brett McGinty wants to lift the Irish title on home soil and would love to have fight great Ricky Hatton alongside him.

McGinty, a former stellar and highly decorated amateur, makes his fourth appearance as a professional with Hatton in his corner at the Coventry Skydome Arena on Saturday 13th November, live and free on Channel 5, as part of Hennessy Sports multi-titled card.

Shakan Pitters takes on Reece Cartwright for the Vacant WBC International Light-Heavyweight title, Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent faces Tyler Denny for the vacant English Middleweight strap, and undefeated Irish Middleweight ace Aaron McKenna challenging for his first title.

McGinty, from St Johnston, County Donegal, might be at the beginning of his career but has already set an immediate target of fighting for a domestic title and taking one of boxing’s most popular figures with him.

“To fight back at home is one of my main goals,” said the 23-year-old.

“In the short-term it maybe could be for the Irish title. One thing for me is I won Irish titles in practically every age group as an amateur and I would love to win the Irish belt as a professional.

“It would be even better to have Ricky over for it as well. I’d still do my training in Manchester, but it would be amazing to have him over for fight week and of course the fight.

“Everyone loved Ricky Hatton. Not just in Manchester or England, but everywhere. He captured everyone’s attention.

“He was a man of the people, he was so down-to-earth and one of the lads, and I think that’s why the Irish liked him so much. But at the end of the day, he was a damned good boxer as well.”

McGinty is now based in Manchester to work closely with Hatton the trainer.

The marauding middleweight admitted he was a little star-struck when he first met the former world champion. Hatton turned up in his Rolls Royce with a personalised number plate, but it didn’t take long for them to hit it off.

He may have been too young to fully appreciate the famous 2005 night that saw ‘The Hitman’ crowned world champion in his home city, or his fans invading Las Vegas when he challenged Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, McGinty is wise enough to listen to one of the best.

“I really do like it in Manchester and working with Ricky is unbelievable,” he said.

“He’s passing all the knowledge he’s experienced in his career and all those world title fights, and you couldn’t really ask for anyone better, someone who has been there and done it all.

“There’s actually a couple of things we have in common in the ring. We are both aggressive fighters and he was obviously a brilliant body puncher and that is one of my strong points as well.

“We’ve been working quite a bit on that, finding the right gaps, not just letting the shots go, making sure they get through and making my shots sink in. 

“I was quite successful in the amateurs and obviously trained hard but the difference in intensity was tough to start with. 

“Ricky makes sure you put everything into it, but you know it is all good stuff that is going to help you, improve you in the ring and take you forward.”

McGinty is being moulded into a bodyshot specialist like his mentor and believes he can reproduce the sort of night Hatton will always be remembered for.

“It doesn’t matter where or who I am fighting, I will always entertain you,” he said.

“I’ve just got a crowd-pleasing style. I always had it in the amateurs. I’m a come-forward fighter and am never, ever on the back foot. You will always see me in an exciting fight.

“I am always there, right in front of them, and I am willing to give one and willing to take one. Anybody tuning in to watch me is definitely going to get an explosive performance.”

UPDATED FIGHT CARD
Shakan Pitters v Reece Cartwright for the Vacant WBC International Light-Heavyweight Championship headlines the triple-title card that includes a fiery midlands derby between Coventry hot-shot River Wilson-Bent against Rowley Regis rival Tyler Denny for the Vacant English Middleweight Championship.  Red hot Irish middleweight sensation Aaron ‘The Silencer’ McKenna will challenge for his first championship title.  Aaron’s joins older brother Stevie ‘The Hitman’ McKenna who is lighting up the welterweight division with his dynamic and KO performances and faces Ghanaian hitter Richard Djarbeng over eight rounds.  The rest of the Hennessy All Stars team will be out in full force starting with welterweight aceKaisee Benjamin against Germany Andreas Maier over eight rounds;Birmingham super-middleweight Idris Virgo takes on France’sGregory Trenel in an eight rounder; Sevenoaks highly talented super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr.; undefeated County Donegal middleweight starlet Brett McGinty; unbeaten Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch meets Bulgarian Kristian Kirilov over four rounds.  Lastly two new additions to the card,Leamington Spa lightweight Danny Quartermaine and Chelmsley Wood lightweight Scott Melvin, both in separate four round contests. 
Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan and Everlast, tickets are priced at £45, £55, £90 and £120 and are available from https://iceaccount.co.uk/wbc-championship-boxing-info
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