| JOE JOYCE VISITED the scene of Sunday’s Italian Job on Wednesday and stated his intention to land the knockout finish the gallant England team failed to apply when he takes on Carlos Takam in a heavyweight shootout on July 24. Joyce will be performing at the adjacent SSE Arena and he spent the day sampling the Wembley surrounds ahead of his date with the formidable Frenchman, who will be seeking to put a first dent in the perfect 12-0 professional record of the 2016 Olympic silver medallist. “I’ll be going for the knockout finish and that is what I am planning to do,” insisted Joyce, who has stopped 11 of his 12 opponents via KO. Joyce knows the route to heavyweight glory that has been plotted for him. Take out Takam and he will be made mandatory challenger for the WBO world title soon to be contested between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk. So the stakes are mighty high for the 35-year-old known as ‘The Juggernaut’. “I will happily take on whoever wins, but I would love the opportunity to fight Joshua. I think he will want to fight (Tyson) Fury so we will have to see what happens there, but I am on the WBO track and looking to be made mandatory. “I think Usyk could be a tricky fight for Joshua, but he should knock him out sooner or later you would think. It is heavyweight boxing, so you never know, but Usyk is no joke. He is an Olympic gold medallist, a very skilled southpaw, so he will probably pose Joshua problems with his good footwork and ringcraft. “I do think Joshua will get to him, sooner or later,” added the Putney native who, given the delays involving the other leading heavies, will be bidding to put an early marker down in the division with an impressive and eye-catching display against Takam. “Yeah and that is why I chose Takam as a good move for me. It is all about getting the right fights and I think this is one to get people talking. It will keep me ready too for when I get my turn to fight for the world title. “He is a respected opponent who has been in with the best, like Joshua and also Chisora, who has been mentioned to fight me but I don’t think he wants it. It is going to be a great fight,” he added, pointing out that both versions of The Juggernaut could be required – the one who ploughs forward and the more nimble and skilful one we witness against Daniel Dubois. “Maybe you will see a bit of both, depending on which Takam turns up, although I think I know what kind of style he will have. Whatever works to get me the win is what you will see. It is going to be a tough test and a real hard fight, also good stylistically to watch. So tune in!” Pt. 2 of Joe’s trip to Wembley, featuring a visit to BOXPARK and Meetspace VR, to follow tomorrow… Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor |
Category: Championship News
TAKAM SAYS HE’LL KO JOYCE AND SETTLE SCORE WITH JOSHUA
| CARLOS TAKAM is gunning for Anthony Joshua once he has sorted out Joe Joyce at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT Sport.The French powerhouse stepped in at just over one week’s notice to challenge AJ for his WBA and IBF World Heavyweight titles in October 2017. He went down fighting in Cardiff, losing in ten rounds to the defending champion with many fans insisting that the stoppage was premature. And there wont just be Joyce’s WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth titles on the line at Wembley. KO King Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is ranked number two by the WBO and will be elevated into the mandatory position after Joshua has defended that title against current top contender Oleksandr Usyk. “The story between Joshua and me is not finished,” roared Las Vegas based Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs) who is confident of snatching Joyce’s ranking and booking a Joshua rematch. Speaking on a digital Press Conference hosted by Dev Sahni, Takam added: “There is unfinished business with Joshua. That fight still hurts me. “I took that fight at ten days’ notice. The referee stopped the fight and I don’t know why. Nobody ever told me. “I was also meant to fight Usyk twice, but it never happened and he didn’t want me.” Putney’s Joyce could have looked at easier options especially as he’s assured of a WBO World title challenge next year providing he remains unbeaten. But the man who is also rated in the top ten by the WBC and IBF says: “I have had tough tests throughout my career so why stop? “This is a great fight. Takam brings an all-action fight and it is going to be a good one. I want to give the fans what they want to see. “This will lead on to some better fights, but I am not overlooking him.” Three further title clashes will take place on the undercard of Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor To watch Dev Sahni’s full interview click here |
TAKAM FIRES WARNING SHOTS ACROSS JOYCE’S BOW
| THE HUGELY POPULAR heavyweight Carlos Takam has sounded a warning to Joe Joyce ahead of their collision at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. The Las Vegas-based Frenchman, 39-5-1, landed on Friday ahead of his fourth assignment on British soil against the unbeaten 12-0, 2016 Olympic silver medallist who is on the cusp of being put forward as mandatory challenger by the WBO for the world title held by Anthony Joshua – and soon likely to be defended against Oleksandr Usyk. The upbeat Joyce, 35, known as the Juggernaut, has promised to ‘run over’ the two-time world title challenger in the sequel to his memorable derailing of Daniel Dubois at the end of November. Takam responded by questioning if Joyce possesses the experience to be making such bold predictions. Takam was greeted at Heathrow Airport by interviewer Dev Sahni, who got the experienced Takam’s thoughts about his upcoming bout. “He said he is going to run me over?” said the 40-year-old with a hearty chuckle. “I say good luck and I will see you on 24th July! I don’t think he is experienced enough to take out someone like me and this is going to be a big fight for him. “I don’t want to say it is a small fight or an easy fight because every fight I treat the same. I am here because I am prepared and ready for this fight and I am coming to win. Everybody says he is a tough guy so I am here and ready for that.” Takam was also bemused, rather than concerned, over claims from Joyce’s manager Sam Jones that he has been keeping tabs on his sparring sessions in Las Vegas. “Really! He said that? So he’s been seeing my sparring – what the hell! That is good but, for me, I am not going to speak about what they say. I don’t care what a manager says about me because I am just focused for the fight. “The only thing I want to say is ‘let’s do the job on 24th July. I am ready for then. Joe Joyce, I am coming’. “I don’t want to say they have made a mistake picking me. This is a good opportunity for Joe Joyce and a good opportunity for me to fight in the UK, where they have made a good thing out of boxing. “Joe Joyce, I am ready for you and I am a problem.” Three further title clashes will take place on the undercard of Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor £300 VIP Hospitality To watch the full interview with Carlos Takam, click here |
ARTHUR VS FARACI WEIGH-IN RESULTS
| Official results can be found below: 10 Rnds WBO Intercontinental Light-heavyweight Title LYNDON ARTHUR – 12st 6lbs 10oz v DAVIDE FARACI – 12st 6lbs 12oz 10 Rnds WBO International Super-middleweight Title ZACHARY PARKER – 11st 13lbs 7oz v SHERZOD KHUSANOV – 11st 13lbs 12oz 10 Rnds Vacant WBO Global Super-featherweight Title ARCHIE SHARP – 9st 3lbs 4oz v DIEGO ANDRADE – 9st 3lbs 11oz 8 Rnds Bantamweights DENNIS McCANN – 8st 8lbs 4oz v JOHN CHUWA – 8st 8lbs 9oz 6 Rnds Lightweights SAM NOAKES – 9st 12lbs 9oz v LEE CONNELLY – 9st 12lbs 1oz 6 Rnds Featherweights MUHAMMAD ALI – 9st 6lbs 1oz v LEE GLOVER – 9st 5lbs 7oz 4 Rnds Light-heavyweights KAROL ITAUMA – 12st 6lbs 10oz v TIM VENTRELLA – 12st 7lbs 6oz |
FURY v WILDER 3 OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED FOR JULY 24
| Chapter III: Undefeated Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury Meets Former Champion Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas For Epic Summer Showdown Saturday, July 24 at T-Mobile Arena Live on Pay-Per-View Fury vs. Wilder III Tickets Go on Sale TODAY, June 15 at 12 p.m. PT! LAS VEGAS (June 15, 2021) — Two heavyweight kings are set for a third world title showdown as undefeated WBC world champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Furyputs his title on the line against former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder Saturday, July 24 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tickets go on sale TODAY, June 15 at 12 p.m. PT and can be purchased at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by Top Rank, BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation. “I’m excited to once again be fighting in Las Vegas, the home of The Gypsy King,” Fury said. “For the last 18 months, I’ve been living rent free in Wilder’s head. He got smashed to pieces in our last fight, and for some reason, he wants it again. Let’s go. The Big Dosser is getting knocked spark out.” Wilder said, “Nothing has changed. It’s still one face, one name, one champion – Deontay Wilder. I’m in the best shape of my life. July 24, I’m going to show the people why I’m still the baddest man on the planet.” Hall-Of-Fame Promoter Frank Warren said: “I’m delighted to see Tyson Fury have an opportunity to defend his prestigious WBC Heavyweight Championship of the world. Since making his comeback with Queensberry in 2018, Tyson has showed the remarkable character he has and cemented himself as the best heavyweight of his generation. “Make no mistake though, this is no easy fight. Deontay Wilder is an incredibly dangerous puncher and clearly has tremendous self-belief for invoking this rematch. “I’m sure this will be another absolute classic and I remain confident Tyson will prevail again and we can hopefully look forward to an Undisputed fight in the future.” Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs), from Manchester, England, has held the lineal heavyweight crown since dethroning Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015. His comeback from substance abuse and mental health issues inspired millions, and it was the two fights against Wilder that propelled him back to the top of the heavyweight heap. Their December 2018 draw — with Fury rising off the deck in the climactic 12th round — elevated both men to the forefront of the boxing world. Fury knocked out Wilder in the seventh round of their one-sided February 2020 rematch; however, Wilder wanted an immediate third crack at his 6’9, 270-pound adversary. Wilder (42-1, 41 KOs), a 2008 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, won the heavyweight title in January 2015 and re-energized the heavyweight division, captivating fans with his electrifying power and charisma. Wilder held the WBC heavyweight world title for more than five years, notching 10 consecutive successful defenses, more than all-time greats Mike Tyson, Joe Frazier and Lennox Lewis, while earning a reputation as one of the most devastating punchers in boxing history. Nine of his 10 title defenses ended via knockout, including a pair of come-from-behind victories over Cuban star Luis Ortiz and a one-punch, first-round demolition over 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic Breazeale. Wilder’s knockout ratio of more than 93 percent still stands as the highest for any heavyweight champion, past or present. |
PONCE STOPS RITSON IN IBF SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FINAL ELIMINATOR
| 12 x 3 mins IBF Super-Lightweight World Title Final Eliminator LEWIS RITSON v JEREMIAS PONCE WTKO10 (1:24) (Forest Hall, England) (Buenos Aires, Argentina)Lewis Ritson’s World Title hopes were wrecked by a punishing 10th-round stoppage loss to Jeremias Ponce at the Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.Ritson was floored on three occasions by the relentless Argentine, who became the IBF Mandatory Challenger for Scotland’s Undisputed World Super-Lightweight Champion Josh Taylor.”Thanks very much for wishing me well after my fight,” Ponce told Chris Lloyd. “It was a very tough fight, a lot tougher than I expected it to be. I expected a war with Ritson and he’s a tough fighter – tougher than I expected. “Yes I did think it was over in the first round – it was a great body shot that I hit him with. Any other boxer would have gone down.I hit him right on the button and it would have hurt him. He showed his toughness that he was able to recover from that. “It was a bit confusing when we were in the ring because I thought the fight was over as soon as I saw the towel come in. Then I saw the ref throw it out – to be honest it was a bit of a shock. He’s probably hurt in the rib area now and he wouldn’t have been if he stopped the fight when we saw the towel come in. “It’s one step closer to my dream. It’s the dream that you always have as a fighter. I’m one step away from that now. Thank you very much, I’m sorry it didn’t turn out as your expected, but thank you very much.” 10 x 3 mins International Featherweight contest THOMAS PATRICK WARD WUD10 (97-93, 98-92, 98-92) v EDY VALENCIA MERCADO (West Rainton, England) (Culiacan, Mexico)Thomas Patrick Ward picked up the 30th win of his professional career, thanks to a stylish unanimous decision victory over Edy Valencia Mercado.Ward (30-0-1, 4 KOs) came out on top thanks to scorecards of 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93, seeing him get back in the win column following his technical draw with Thomas Essomba last October.“I hadn’t boxed for nearly a year before Essomba,” Ward told Sky Sports. “It was a bad year, and that wasn’t me on that night. We’re only humans and not machines, but tonight was a better night. It was a great fight for the fans, and I’m so happy to have them back. I really enjoyed it in there.“At Super-Bantamweight I had a great ranking with the WBO, IBF and WBC. This fight was at 128lbs, but I’ve been chasing Emanuel Navarrete for a while. “He’s a great fighter, and I got close to fighting him at Super-Bantamweight and thought I would have got my shot. We have both moved up now, and I want to fight him.” 6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest ALEN BABIC WTKO3 (1:30) v DAMIAM CHAMBERS (Zagreb, Croatia) (Dukinfield, England)Alen Babic blasted aside Damian Chambers with a huge left hook as the Croatian Heavyweight contender added another knockout to his destructive record.’The Savage’ Babic produced a dramatic one-punch knockout of Chambers, sealing his seventh straight stoppage, as he returned to the ring following shoulder surgery.“The third time I’ve gone into the third round, but it’s good it’s only another half a minute probably,” Babic told Matchroom. “All kudos to Damian Chambers, I love him, he’s a very tough guy. I have the power to knock guys out who are 130 kilos, he was like 89 and took those shots. I thought, ‘what is this guy made of?’. I love Damian Chambers. “That’s why I didn’t do any trash talk, the guy took a fight on six days’ notice against ‘The Savage’ and he saw my knockouts. I have nothing but respect for the guy, I’ll never disrespect guys like that. “I saw the whole arena, they’re on my side, my heart is so full, I love Newcastle. I’m going to come back and drink brown ale tonight. I just feel so blessed to be here, I sense the synergy between Newcastle and me since day one. I’m so grateful. “I want to involve the fans as much as I can in my fights, that’s why I do these kinds of things so they can participate. “Yesterday I wrote a post on Facebook saying, I’m just waiting for a dream, this is all a big dream, seeing myself on big billboards, trending on Twitter. I can’t believe it, I’m a simple and humble guy so this is all just a pure blessing to me – every day and every minute. “This fight gets me closer to that, when I get Matchroom in Croatia that is my goal. I’d give all my money from the tickets to the children so they can see the real sportsmanship. I really want that, and this is just one step closer to fulfilling my dream which is to involve people in boxing. I can’t just hold it to myself, that’s selfish. “We were supposed to announce that fight (Nick Webb) for Fight Camp but of course we won’t do that people he b*tched out, he’s just a little b*tch. I have no respect for him no more, he avoided Fabio Wardley for three years, me for two, it’s getting silly – I must move on to bigger and better guys. “Okolie is a great guy, a great champion, he’s done a lot more than I have. Don’t get me wrong, I’m never going to disrespect guys like that, he is my friend. I want to fight him. Of course, I do, for the title, he’s a f****ng beast. I would fight him and all of the Bridgerweights, Rivas, Hooker. “I don’t care about belts; I just want a good fight for the fans. I want to bring stadiums to life, I want to bring energy, that’s my goal. Just give me whoever you want, don’t tell me who it is, I don’t care.” 6 x 3 mins International Super-Welterweight contest CYRUS PATTINSON WKO2 (1:47) v YONCHO MARKOV (Alnwick, England) (Sofia, Bulgaria) Cyrus Pattinson shined on his highly-anticipated professional debut – stopping Bulgaria’s Yoncho Markov in two rounds. The former Team GB talent dropped Markov to the canvas twice before referee Victor Loughlin waved off the contest. “I was really happy with my performance, it was a bit cagey early on, we knew he was eager – he’s been game as a badger all week,” Pattinson told Matchroom. “It was a bit unorthodox, stepping through his shots sometimes, couldn’t judge the distance but after the first round I started settling down. I told Graham in the corner that this was only going to go one way from there. “I put my shots together well, I know that I dug them in – head and body. I was really happy with where we went in the second round. “This was better than I ever could have imagined it, the support I got tonight was overwhelming, I didn’t realise it was going to be like that. I’ve always said that the atmosphere in Newcastle is second to none so what a way to start your debut. “Last year we were lining up for the show and everything happened, so it got put on the back burner. A couple dates come up, they were elsewhere but we couldn’t get the medicals or licences through on time, when everything came together it was Newcastle and spectators were back – it was like someone was looking out for me. “I want to be tested, I don’t want to be taking any backwards steps, I’m taking each fight as they come. I’m enjoying the ride and soaking it up because it’s soon over and you wish you were back in the moment. “In the tunnel when everyone was chanting and my ring walk kicked in, I started getting hairs up on the back of my neck. I just remember Graham telling me to be calm, calculated and stay sharp. That got a bit cloudy first round, which it does, but take a bit from it – I’m happy. “I feel like I’m a lot more suited for the professionals, certain shot selections are hard to get off in the amateurs – a lot of people are flighty and don’t hold their feet as much. I’m definitely more suited for this game. “I’ve been over the moon for them (Team GB), I’ve been supporting them all last week and this week, I’ve been sharing all their stuff, messaging them, watching them, I’m just really happy – I know how hard they’ve worked. Especially the big man Frazer Clarke, he’s waited a long time, 11 years, I was really happy for him”. 6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest SOLOMON DACRES WTKO4 (1:36) v ALVARO TERRERO (Birmingham, England) (Cadiz, Spain) Former Team GB standout Solomon Dacres took Alvaro Terrero out in four rounds to earn his first stoppage win in the pros and progress to 2-0. ‘The Real Deal’ was taken the distance in his pro debut against Mladen Manev at Manchester Arena last month and was keen to earn his first win inside the distance in Newcastle. “I took my time the first couple of rounds, I got a few clean shots off but when I stepped up in the fourth and the ref jumped in it was fair because I was starting to land clean on him then,” Dacres told Matchroom. “As a Heavyweight you want to get the knockouts, that’s getting my first one out the way and now hopefully many more to come. “When you’re starting off in the game you need to keep yourself active and keep your face in the game as well – build your profile and all the other stuff that happens behind the fight. “It was a mini three-week training camp from the last one but yeah at times I did sit down on a few instead of 4’s and 5’s. I was putting 2’s and 3’s together and trying to put a bit more venom behind them. “They’ve (GB Boxing) had great success in the qualifiers, 11 boxers through, going to the games they’ve got a great chance of getting a whole heap of medals out there – they’ve got some quality boxers in the squad that I was a part of. “I’ve got the platform, I’ve got Matchroom behind me and everything that comes with that. I’m putting the extremely hard graft in the gym so hopefully I keep my head down, keep progressing and get to where we want to get to. “Getting a Heavyweight Champion from Birmingham would be absolutely huge, we’re a huge city and hopefully we can get a huge following behind myself and build my profile. Build myself in Birmingham, get the shows in Brum and get some great nights there. “I say I’ll fight anybody and they [Solomon’s team] say okay we’ll just take it steady, that’s their job in the management. I’m just going to be there to fight anybody, put the work in and get ready. “That sort of sparring [Joy Joyce] where the guys I’m sparring are ahead of the level of the competitors in the ring is important to keep improving, otherwise I wouldn’t get a taste of that higher level of boxing – that sparring is crucial. “We’ll be looking to get a British Title, something along those lines, to kick start things and more to come.” 4 x 2 mins International Super-Welterweight contest APRIL HUNTER WPTS4 (40-37) v KLAUDIA VIGH (Wallsend, England) (Budapest, Hungary) April Hunter progressed to 4-0 with a comfortable points win over Hungary’s Klaudia Vigh in the first televised fight of the evening. The 26-year-old from Wallsend was bumped up to the televised segment of the show after Ellie Scotney’s opponent Vanesa Caballero test positive for COVID-19 – resulting in their fight being cancelled. ‘The Hunter’ was fighting in her home city for the second time as a professional following a hard-fought win against Elsa Hemat in Barcelona – and sent her fans home happy with a 40-37 decision. “I’m leaving feeling happy, the support is amazing,” Hunter told Matchroom. “I’m never going to be too happy; I’ll always be critiquing myself because I’m a baby in the game. 15 fights, that’s my fourth professional fight – I’m just learning the job. I think I dropped the ball a bit in the first round, she came swinging, I was just getting into it in the fourth and I think if I had six rounds, I would have stopped her. “She [Savannah Marshall] was bang on, she told me she’d come for the first twenty seconds, and she did. 1000 fans, I haven’t boxed in front of fans for ages. My ring walk was electric, and I was all hyped up. My experience and all this stuff comes, staying calm and collected, couldn’t really hear my coaches voice through his mask – it was just one of them. “Really proud moment for me, I don’t know what come over me, I wasn’t planning on coming out and singing like that, but I just felt it and went with it. None of that was planned. “I’m sparring Savannah every Wednesday and Thursday, I’m learning every week, she can see the improvements and if she can see them then everybody can. I’m learning on the job, every single time. “The fight game is all about taking it from the gym and putting it in the ring, it was little things in there tonight that I did wrong, probably lots, but there’s also things that we’ve worked on that I got off. I do believe if I had the six it would be a different story, but you live and you learn. “Perfect time, women’s boxing is booming. Like you say, Savannah Marshall vs. Clarissa Shields is the biggest fight in women’s boxing if you ask me, after that fight the opportunities are going to be endless.” 6 x 3 mins Welterweight contest JOE LAWS WPTS6 (60-54) v CHRIS ADAWAY (Benwell, England) (Plymouth, England) ‘The Benwell Bomber’ Joe Laws put the disappointment of his first defeat in the pro ranks behind him by widely outpointing Plymouth’s Chris Adaway 60-54 in the opening bout of the night at the Vertu Arena, Newcastle. Laws was sent crashing to the canvas three times in a third-round knockout loss at the hands of Rylan Charlton last October – but the 26-year-old Geordie favourite was in complete control as he made a winning return in front of his local support – taking every round on the referee’s scorecard. “I can see he hasn’t been stopped much, he’s tough,” Laws told Matchroom. “I’m glad to be back, knock the ring rust off. At times it felt good, at times it felt bad but I’ve been trying a lot since Christmas. “I was 26 years of age, 9 fights, 9 wins, 5 knockouts, the best thing that could have happened to me is getting knocked out. I’ve signed with MTK, I’m rebuilding again, I’m starting from fresh. I’m never going to be a world beater, but I’ve got a big set of balls, a good heart, I train hard, and I know there’s good fights out there where I can pack arenas out and win belts. “It felt great, I was never going to be at my peak, I got too heavy at Christmas but now I can build on this. I’ve signed with MTK and I’m starting afresh again. I’m young enough and I’ve got the best sponsors in the world who are going to support us, I’m not going to start calling out stupid names. “I’ve got loads to learn, I learnt loads in the ring tonight but I’m willing to put in the hard work in through the years to get to where I want to be. “Hopefully I can get 2/3 more fights, 2/3 more wins, step up the rounds to 8 and keep learning and improving.” |
RITSON VS. PONCE WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
| 18:15 (BST) LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK 6 x 3 mins Welterweight contest JOE LAWS 10st 9lbs 3oz v CHRIS ADAWAY 10st 6lbs 0oz (Benwell, England) (Plymouth, England) Followed by 19:00 (BST) LIVE ON SKY SPORTS/DAZN 4 x 2 mins International Super-Welterweight contest APRIL HUNTER 10st 12lbs 4oz v KLAUDIA VIGH 10st 9lbs 5oz (Wallsend, England) (Budapest, Hungary) Followed by 6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest SOLOMON DACRES 16st 1lb 8oz v ALVARO TERRERO 15st 5lbs 10oz (Birmingham, England) (Cadiz, Spain) Followed by 6 x 3 mins International Super-Welterweight contest CYRUS PATTINSON 10st 11lbs 5oz v YONCHO MARKOV 10st 12lbs 11oz (Alnwick, England) (Sofia, Bulgaria) Followed by 6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest ALEN BABIC 14st 13lbs 0oz v DAMIAM CHAMBERS 14st 2lbs 12oz (Zagreb, Croatia) (Dukinfield, England) Followed by 10 x 3 mins International Featherweight contest THOMAS PATRICK WARD 9st 2lbs 12oz v EDY VALENCIA MERCADO 9st 0lbs 13oz (West Rainton, England) (Culiacan, Mexico) Followed by 12 x 3 mins IBF Super-Lightweight World Title Final Eliminator LEWIS RITSON 9st 13lbs 13oz v JEREMIAS PONCE 9st 13lbs 11oz (Forest Hall, England) (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
RITSON VS. PONCE PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
| Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport: “We’re back in Newcastle and what a place to return with fans. Although we only have 1,000 people in there on Saturday it will feel like the normal eight, nine or ten thousand we have up here. A massive moment in the career of Lewis Ritson against Jeremias Ponce in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Lightweight World Title which will of course lead to a shot at the Undisputed Lightweight World Championship against Josh Taylor. This is a fight to position themselves as Mandatory to that belt. Live on Sky Sports and live on DAZN around the world. It’s a big card in Newcastle.” Lewis Ritson – Forest Hall, England – 21-1, 12 KOs – fighting Jeremias Ponce in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Lightweight World Title: “Getting past Ponce is what every kid dreams of, I feel nice and relaxed and I can’t wat for Saturday in front of 1000 fans. “I think being back with the fans we’ll see the best of Lewis Ritson, it’s the best and most relaxed I’ve felt for a good while. No fans in the bubble is a bit flat, but we’re expecting an explosive performance on Saturday. “I’ve had about 11/12 fights for Matchroom, I feel like a bit of veteran, I’m already 27, but still young and fresh and not took much punishment. Now the time the apprenticeship is over, we’re ready for the big fights. “I don’t think we’re going to have go looking for each other, I think it’s going to be a very hard fight – a tough night on Saturday night. But one I think we can get through. Jeremias Ponce – Buenos Aires, Argentina – 27-0, 17 KOs – fighting Lewis Ritson in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Lightweight World Title: “Without doubt this is the biggest fight of my life. “It’s going to be very entertaining fight; I’m going looking for the knockout. If that doesn’t happen so be it, but that’s the aim. “It’ll be a dream for me personally, in Argentina we don’t have many champions, but it’ll be huge to get a shot at the World Title.” Thomas Patrick Ward – West Rainton, England – 29-0-1, 4 KOs – fighting Edy Valencia Mecado in a ten round Featherweight clash: “Last time out wasn’t my best performance but this Saturday night you’re going to see a different Thomas Ward. It was a bad cut, but we got it stitched up, it healed up and we’re ready to go. “Edy’s a good fighter, the Mexican’s come and give it all they’ve got. I’m definitely looking to put on a good show, a good statement, move forward and smash up some of these World Champions that don’t want to fight. “I’m not looking past Saturday night; I’ve got a tough opponent in front of me who’s going to be coming and giving it his all. I’ve been rated quite highly for quite some time; I’m pushing on for those World Title fights. I want to fight them; do they want to fight me? Let’s see, let’s get it on.” Edy Valencia Mecado – Culiacan, Mexico – 17-5-6, 5 KOs – fighting Thomas Patrick Ward in a ten round Featherweight clash: “It’s a very proud moment for me to be coming here and I really do want to add to that list of Mexican’s that have caused an upset here. It’s a proud moment to be alongside you Eddie and my rival. I think for the fight I have the tools and mentality to be able to make this work, I think the only winner in this fight are the people watching. “Hopefully, finally everyone can enjoy a good show. Mexican fighters come on the front foot and trade. I’ll wait to see what happens in the fight, I’m able to adapt my style, I have many different styles I can accommodate. Hopefully we can look forward to a great fight on Saturday night.” Alen Babic – Zagreb, Croatia – 6-0, 6 KOs – fighting Damian Chambers in a six round Heavyweight contest: “I feel blessed every time I’m here. The surgery was bad, I didn’t want to say it to myself, but I knew it was going to go down because that shoulder had been bad for the whole of the last year. I was talking to my inner self just hold on for a few more fights. I’ve done that now and my hand is feeling stronger than ever, I’m finally 150% back. “I did some things with the recovery which were different, I’ve been sending savage to my shoulder to recover it. I’ve been doing things differently, they told me I’d be out for ten months, and I was back in two months. I’m so much better than before and I’m going to show it. “I want to be a fighter in three weights, Cruiserweight, Bridgerweight and Heavyweight. I don’t care about the weight, that doesn’t been I don’t want to fight other weights, it means I don’t care where I’m fighting. My heart will always be in Heavyweight, but I can fight Light-Heavyweight if you make me angry enough. I don’t care about weights; I want to fight. “They offered me so many tournaments and I said no I don’t want someone who’s going to fall because they know they can’t beat me. This is a guy [Chambers] who has a lot of knockouts, 11-1, he’s a very good guy. It’s going to be tremendous battle and I think it’s going to over inside 1-2. He’s a puncher but not much of a mover, this guy may be faster or stronger, I don’t know but we’re going to find out.” Damian Chambers – Dukinfield, England – 11-1, 7 KOs – fighting Alen Babic in a six round Heavyweight contest: “I know it’s going to be a tough night’s work; I’ve watched him before on shows and he is a tough fighter, he comes forward just throwing punches. We got the call on Sunday, by coach said we’ve got a fight do you want to take it it’s against Babic, he’s a tough guy I’ve watched before. He’s a Heavweight and I’m usually at Cruiserweight, he’s got the advantage but straight away I said I think it’s a good opportunity for me to showcase my skills. “I can’t wait, I’ve been in the gym anyway training, over the last six days I’ve been in the gym training – sparring Monday and Tuesday. I had a tough session yesterday, we had a fight coming up anyway at the end of July, I’ve not fought in 16 months so we might as well take the fight. It’s not an easy fight, he’s a tough man, I’m going to have to be on my A game and make no mistakes.” Cyrus Pattinson – Alnwick, England – Professional Debut – fighting Yoncho Markov in a six round Super-Welterweight contest: “It’s an amazing feeling, we’re finally here, we’ve been waiting for a year now with the COVID situation. I was devastated with COVID kicked in because that opportunity to make my debut in Newcastle last time out was taken away. It feels like the stars have aligned and we’re back here in Newcastle and the debut is still on. “The experience is second to none, all those times turning up to competitions and fighting these world ranked opponents and Olympic medallists. You can’t get that experience elsewhere in the world, obviously the training camps you’ve got to factor in as well. Going to Kazakhstan and sparring six rounds with fresh opponents, it’s matures you as a person and excels you experience as well. “It’s something that we’ve both discussed before the debut came about, we didn’t really want to take the four round fights which a lot of boxers usually take, usually with an opponent with a losing record. Instead, we wanted someone over six rounds, winning record, who’s going to bring the fight to us – that’s something I’m used to. I think that’s going to show the best out of me. I’m a humble person, I think that people can expect a good night and a good performance.” Solomon Dacres – Birmingham, England – 1-0 – fighting Alvaro Terrero in a six round Heavyweight contest: “I hadn’t even got my clothes off from the last one and you [Eddie] were asking me for the next one. I took it, I’m ready and it’s good to get out pretty quickly again. “That’s what boxing is about, I’m looking to progress to the highest level of the game, so I don’t want any easy touches. I want to be proven and having good fights I can learn from. “I’ve said in the next twelve to eighteen months I want to be looking at British Title level and then pushing on. It’s a quick projection but I feel like I’m there technically and boxing wise – I just need the experience. All I need to do is get the fights under my belt and I’ll be ready to go at the higher levels. But on Saturday I’ve got to get through Alvaro.” Alvaro Terrero – Cadiz, Spain – 5-11-2, 3 KOs – fighting Solomon Dacres in a six round Heavyweight contest: “I’m delighted to be here.” “Yes, I see him [Solomon] as a great opponent.” Joe Laws – Benwell, England – 9-1, 5 KOs – fighting Chris Adaway in a six round Welterweight contest: “I cannot wait. Chris Adaway, I know him personally, I’ve seen fight loads and he’s a game competitor. He’s as game as they come, he never gets soft, he goes in there and gives all his prospects one hell of a go. I’m feeling good myself, I’m back in the best city in the world, I can’t wait to go out there, put a show on and get back to winning ways. “I’ve learnt not to block shots with my forehead. No, what I’ve learnt is that I do want to box. Last Christmas I asked myself questions of do I want this, but I do. Here I am, come Saturday night I can’t wait to go out there. I might be nervous, but the crowds are back, but that nervous energy is what feeds me. “I got some stick about losing, but that’s just social media. It was a low point at Christmas but I’m a man, I picked myself up and I’m back. Mentally and physically, I feel great, I’m 26-years-old. I’m a young pup in this sport. The past 18 months have been hard for boxing but come Saturday it’ll be a clip of what’s to come. The show will be electric.” April Hunter – Wallsend, England – 3-0 – fighting Klaudia Vigh in a four round Welterweight contest: “I’m thrilled to be back, I’m home with my people, my city. I can’t wait to have a great performance Saturday night. “Strictly boxing Saturday night, I’m not going to get carried away. I’m going to show my skill, we’ll see Saturday night. “I think the pool of boxing is going to keep expanded. The next 18 months is pivotal for me, I’ve had Rick Ramos calling fights out that I’m interested in. I’ve got my eye more on Jessica, but if that’s the fight I’ve got to go through to get to her then I’ll be happy to do it.” Klaudia Vigh – Budapest, Hungary – 32-27-1, 2 KOs – fighting April Hunter in a four round Welterweight contest: “It’s a big chance and I’m very motivated. I like to box in the UK every time, it’s not my first time here. I’m waiting for Saturday night.” |
Harris Vs Sandoval Headlines MTK Fight Night June 25
MTK Fight Night will make its triumphant return later this month with a sensational event – featuring two title fights, three final eliminators, and some of the best fighters from the UK and Ireland.
The action-packed card will be held at the University of Bolton Stadium on Friday 25 June, and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank in the US, and worldwide on IFL TV.
Discussions are currently ongoing regarding having fans in attendance for the show, with an update expected early next week.
In the main event, Welsh hero Jay Harris (18-1, 9 KOs) will look to earn another crack at world honours when he goes up against hard-hitting Ricardo Sandoval (18-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round final eliminator for the IBF flyweight title, currently held by Sunny Edwards.
The bill also sees two former world champions collide as Paul Butler (32-2 15 KOs) meets Joseph Agbeko (38-5, 28 KOs) over 10 rounds for the vacant WBO International bantamweight title, with the fight serving as a final eliminator for the WBO bantamweight title too.
A superb domestic battle takes place as Hosea Burton (25-2, 11 KOs) and Liam Conroy (18-6-1, 9 KOs) square off in a final eliminator for the British light-heavyweight title, plus undefeated Irish star Gary Cully (12-0, 6 KOs) will defend his WBO European lightweight title.
Elsewhere at the event, Dublin sensation Pierce O’Leary (6-0, 2 KOs) returns, Jordan Reynolds (1-0) takes part in his second professional contest, and Tyrone McCullagh (14-1, 6 KOs) makes his long-awaited comeback after 16 months out of the ring.
Rounding up the card, Liverpool’s Blane Hyland (3-1) collides with Reiss Taylor over four rounds at flyweight, and Inder Bassi (2-1) faces MJ Hall in a four-round welterweight contest.
MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said:“We are delighted to be back with a tremendous card later this month which is full of competitive 50-50 fights.
“Jay Harris has been desperate for this fight with Ricardo Sandoval for a while so we are thrilled to be working with Golden Boy so that it is finally here. It is certain to be non-stop action from start to finish and we’re hopeful that Jay can get the win and move a step closer to another world title shot.
“The same can be said for Paul Butler. He is on the cusp of another world title shot but knows he can’t look past Joseph Agbeko, who has shared the ring with Guillermo Rigondeaux and Abner Mares in his career, and heads into this fight on the back of nine straight victories.
“The fantastic fight between Hosea Burton and Liam Conroy could steal the show, and it’s great to see Gary Cully back defending his title after his blistering stoppage win last time out.
“We have some of the best rising stars in action too with Pierce O’Leary and Jordan Reynolds both on the card, plus extremely talented fighters like Tyrone McCullagh, Blane Hyland and Inder Bassi, so it’s certain to be a brilliant event on June 25.”
Further news on the upcoming MTK Fight Night on June 25 will be released in due course.
Stay up to date by subscribing to our weekly newsletter HERE and on social media @mtkglobal
ARTHUR VS FARACI HEADLINES ROYAL ALBERT HALL ON JULY 10
| Light-Heavyweight rivals Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde both return to action on Saturday July 10 at the Royal Albert Hall, ahead of a contracted rematch later this year. Arthur narrowly outpointed Yarde in December and they will get a close up of each other once again on Queensberry’s summer special live on BT Sport. In the main event, Arthur (18-0, 12 KOs) defends his WBO Inter-Continental title against Italian champion Davide Faraci (15-0, 7 KOs). The Mancunian became the number one ranked contender for Joe Smith Jr’s WBO World title after his split decision win against Yarde and can afford no mistakes against Swiss born Faraci. As well as his lofty WBO ranking, Arthur is ranked number four by the IBF and nine by the WBC. Artur Beterbiev holds the IBF and WBC belts. KO King Yarde (20-2, 19 KOs) aims to be back with a bang when he meets unbeaten German Emin Atra (17-0, 12 KOs) in a non-title ten rounder. Yarde had been due to meet Atra in April, but was sidelined because of a dental problem which forced the delay. Yarde showed he belonged at world level when he came close to toppling then WBO World champion Sergey Kovalev in August 2019 before losing in the 11th round. Ilford’s big hitter returned with wins against Diego Jair Ramirez and Dec Spelman before running into Arthur who he will be desperate to meet in a rematch. Despite the setback against his bitter British rival, Yarde has remained in the world ratings and is ranked high by the IBF, WBC and WBO. Promoter Frank Warren said: “Of course, the rematch is what everyone wants and it will happen at some stage. “It is fantastic to get them on the same bill. Both of them have a point to prove and BT Sport viewers can look forward to them both impressing. “Lyndon has leapt to number one with the WBO and will want to show the champion Joe Smith Jr how much of a threat he is. “Anthony will still feel aggrieved that the decision went Lyndon’s way and has vowed never to trust judges again so he will go for it against Atra, for sure.” Also on the bill, WBO ranked number one Super-Middleweight Zach Parker (20-0, 14 KO’s) returns with his opponent yet to be confirmed. Zach is looking to defend his position ahead of hopefully being made mandatory to the World title held by P4P King Canelo Alvarez. WBO ranked number four Super-Featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) faces Nicaragua’s Marcio Soza (21-6-2, 12 KOs) with the vacant WBO Global championship on the line. They had been due to meet at the weekend, but a COVID-19 issue involving Soza meant a short postponement. Warren added: “Archie is another Queensberry fighter high in the world rankings and providing he keeps winning and remains patient his chance will come.” “Zach Parker was hugely impressive in his last fight, seeing off Vaughan Alexander – who hadn’t previously been finished – in just 2 rounds. “I believe he has the power to knockout anyone in his division and look forward to another exciting performance from him.” More big fights will be added to the bill in the coming days. Tickets will go on pre-sale with the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow and on general sale Thursday. Ticket prices as follows: Grand Tier & Loggia boxes – £100 2nd Tier boxes – £75 Front Stalls – £75 Rear Stalls – £50 Rausing Circle – £50 |
