Nina Hughes set for highly-anticipated professional debut

Nina Hughes will become the latest talented female star to join the paid ranks on Friday – and she’s relishing every moment of it ahead of this week’s action-packed #MTKFightNight event

Hughes faces experienced Claudia Ferenczi as part of a huge card at York Hall in London, which is headlined by an IBF featherweight title final eliminator between Isaac Lowe and Luis Alberto Lopez, and will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

Hughes achieved great success as an amateur, winning four ABA national titles and becoming part of the GB Boxing set-up, and she is ready to now take the professional game by storm when she makes her debut later this week.

Hughes said:“I’m really excited to finally be making my professional debut. I’ve been training really hard and waiting patiently for this day.

“I have had some great sparring against some really good girls. Training has gone well and we have been working on a lot of things and practicing them in sparring, so it’s all coming together and I’m feeling good and ready.

“I’m really happy my debut is at York Hall. You only get one professional debut so I’m glad to be having it at such a historic venue. I boxed here a couple of times as an amateur and now I’m looking forward to boxing here as a professional.

“I don’t really know too much about my opponent, but I know she’s tricky and can try to hold a lot. My fans will see some good boxing skills from me and will see what I’ve been learning in the gym.

“I can be aggressive and fight on the front foot, or I can fight on the back foot too so you’ll see a lot of different things. Hopefully over the next year I’ll get a few more fights, and then we’ll push on to box for titles.”

Elsewhere on Friday’s card, Charlie Edwards makes his highly-anticipated return against Jacob Barreto, Jordan Reynolds faces Blaise Paka Mukia, Elliot Whale takes on Miroslav Serban, Shiloh Defritas squares off with Dario Barrosa, Carl Fail meets Juan Carlos Clavero, Inder Bassi goes up against Vasif Mamedov, and Arnold Obodai makes his professional debut.

Stay up to date by subscribing to our weekly newsletter HERE and on social media @mtkglobal

Tagged : /

Noakes Faces Cooper for WBC Silver Honours this Saturday

THE TOWN OF Maidstone in Kent will see a significant decrease in population numbers on Saturday evening when young resident Sam Noakes gets to challenge for a first title in just his eighth fight as a pro.

The 24-year-old lightweight will compete for the WBC International Silver title against Shaun Cooper (11-2) at the Copper Box Arena in Stratford, live on BT Sport.

He will be far from alone in East London because he has personally sold over 450 tickets for the event headed up by the blockbuster rematch between Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde. The Maidstone contingent will be swelled even further by the considerable support attracted by fellow Kent folk Dennis McCann and Karol Itauma, who also feature on the card.

“The Maidstone Massive will be out in force,” said Noakes at an undercard media event staged at the old Peacock Gym in Canning Town. “I can’t wait to get in there and I’m very excited.”

Noakes admits that a title being on the line has raised the stakes and also upped his game during preparations at the Queensberry iBox Gym in Bromley.

“It’s different and you are more focused on it, you train that little bit harder and your focus is definitely better.

“What I do know is that I get a nice little green belt at the end of it.

“He (Cooper) is tough and I don’t think I will have to go looking for him, which is unusual for me, so it will be nice to be honest. It is going to be a brilliant fight,” he added, before stating his devout intention to keep his run of stoppage finishes moving towards 10 out of 10..

“If I can stop him in under eight, that would be nice. It would make it eight in eight for me and I want that 10. I’ve got a longer time to do it with 10 rounds.”

In other news, Noakes on Monday signed a new contract to extend his promotional agreement with Queensberry, as well as his management association with Francis Warren.

“I am very happy with the way my career has been dealt with so far,” he explained. “I’ve got a good connection with Francis and I am happy where I am. If it isn’t broken don’t fix it and we will keep doing what we’re doing.

“I have been told I will be back out again in February and that is all I know really. Tell me when and I will fight and train, that is all I do really, just keep it simple.

“It has all been sweet for me, seven KOs and getting a little title fight before the end of the year!”
 
 

In the bill topper Manchester’s Lyndon Arthur (19-0, 13 KOs) defends his Commonwealth and WBO International Light-Heavyweight title against Ilford’s Anthony Yarde (21-2, 20 KOs) in a rematch of last December’s controversial clash that he won on points. 

 Ilford’s Hamzah Sheeraz (13-0, 9 KOs) puts his WBO European Super-Welterweight title on the line against Penge’s former British champion Bradley Skeete (29-3, 14 KOs).

In a third title fight the vacant WBC International Silver Lightweight crown is up for grabs when Maidstone puncher Sam Noakes (7-0, 7 KOs) meets Willenhall’s Shaun Cooper (11-2).

Exciting Super-Bantamweight prospect Dennis McCann (10-0, 6 KOs) is in eight round action.

Mill Hill Heavyweight George Fox (4-0) faces a tough eight rounder against Pole Kamil Sokolowki (10-23-2, 4 KOs).

Chatham Light-Heavyweight Karol Itauma (4-0, 2 KOs), Reading Super-Featherweight Charles Frankham (3-0, 1 KO) and Islington Super-Featherweight Masood Abdullah (2-0, 2 KOs) are in six rounders.

Two four rounders complete the bill and feature Ilford Super-Bantamweight Umar Khan (2-0) and Upminster’s Super-Welterweight debutant Sonny Liston Ali.

Tickets for the event can be purchased here

Upper Bowl Seat – £77
Lower Bowl Seat – £55

Tagged : /

SHEERAZ OUT TO SILENCE DOUBTERS

HAMZAH SHEERAZ REVEALS that he is inspired by the idea people are doubting him ahead of the biggest test of his career against Bradley Skeete at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, live on BT Sport.

The unbeaten 22-year-old spent Monday afternoon at the old Peacock Gym along with the home fighters from the undercard for a media event ahead of the traditional formalities of the final press conference and weigh-in at the back end of the week.

Despite his suspicions over people harbouring reservations over his prospects against the 34-year-old Skeete, Sheeraz cut a confident figure in Canning Town – typically sporting his Arsenal winter coat – although he acknowledged that the former outright British champion and WBO European title holder at welterweight is a step or two up on the ladder for him.

“It is a great fight, I am looking forward to it and it is definitely the biggest fight of my career,” said the WBO European champion at super welterweight. “Experience-wise, in terms of rounds, knockouts, titles – he has ticked all the boxes. If you compare my record to his, I’ve ticked barely anything and he has ticked nearly everything.

“It is going to be an amazing fight and I am more than confident that I am going to get the job done. I’ve had a great camp and I am honestly buzzing,” he continued, before answering whether this should be considered a 50-50 fight.

“I’d say so. If anything it is probably more a 60-40 in his favour on paper. In terms of how I look at it personally it is 100% my way, but obviously I’ve got to prove that come Saturday night.

“It is kind of refreshing to hear people doubting me. I know it sounds a bit weird, but I am kind of enjoying it as this is better than jumping in the ring with someone you expect to get out of there in six rounds.

“If I was to knock him out between three and six, or even the 10th, it would be a great achievement.”

‘Super’ Skeete will present a puzzle for Sheeraz even before a punch is thrown because he won’t know whether to expect the tricky and defensive version of old or a more aggressive newer model.

“We have prepared for both and he says he is going to smash my face in. From interviews and how he is portraying himself, it seems like he is going to come all guns blazing, so hopefully he will meet me in the middle and make it an exciting fight. Although, to be honest, I don’t really see that happening.

“I can just see him boxing, switch-hitting and just being sharp as he always has been. I am kind of expecting the best version of him because it is his last chance.”

In the bill topper Manchester’s Lyndon Arthur (19-0, 13 KOs) defends his Commonwealth and WBO International Light-Heavyweight title against Ilford’s Anthony Yarde (21-2, 20 KOs) in a rematch of last December’s controversial clash that he won on points.  

Ilford’s Hamzah Sheeraz (13-0, 9 KOs) puts his WBO European Super-Welterweight title on the line against Penge’s former British champion Bradley Skeete (29-3, 14 KOs).

In a third title fight the vacant WBC International Silver Lightweight crown is up for grabs when Maidstone puncher Sam Noakes (7-0, 7 KOs) meets Willenhall’s Shaun Cooper (11-2).

Exciting Super-Bantamweight prospect Dennis McCann (10-0, 6 KOs) is in eight round action.Mill Hill Heavyweight George Fox (4-0) faces a tough eight rounder against Pole Kamil Sokolowki (10-23-2, 4 KOs).

Chatham Light-Heavyweight Karol Itauma (4-0, 2 KOs), Reading Super-Featherweight Charles Frankham (3-0, 1 KO) and Islington Super-Featherweight Masood Abdullah (2-0, 2 KOs) are in six rounders.

Two four rounders complete the bill and feature Ilford Super-Bantamweight Umar Khan (2-0) and Upminster’s Super-Welterweight debutant Sonny Liston Ali.

Tickets for the event can be purchased here

Upper Bowl Seat – £77
Lower Bowl Seat – £55
Tagged : /
error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)