| FRANK WARREN has delivered a spectacular undercard to support Joe Joyce’s big Heavyweight clash against Carlos Takam at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT. Beside’s Joyce’s WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth Heavyweight championships being on the line, the Hall of Fame promoter has added three further title clashes. There will be plenty of attention on Hamzah Sheeraz after former two-weight World champion Carl Frampton branded him Britain’s best prospect and added: “If he doesn’t go on and win a world title, I’ll eat my hat.” Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Ilford’s Sheeraz, who is highly rated in the WBO rankings for Brian Castano’s World title, will be bidding for a seventh consecutive inside-the-distance win. He won his title stopping Ryan Kelly in November 2019 and followed that up with impressive defences against Paul Kean and Guido Nicolas Pitto. 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. They were due to meet back in March, but Jenkins who hasn’t boxed since a technical draw against Liam Taylor in November 2019 pulled out because of a perforated eardrum. Essuman last fought in September 2020 when he outpointed Cedrick Peynaud to claim the IBF European crown. 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). Streatham’s Bourke has a reputation as a damaging puncher. His title winning performance when he hammered Michael Ramabeletsa inside two rounds last December is proof. Beech isn’t an easy first defence. Beech Jnr pushed Brad Foster all the way in a British and Commonwealth title challenge 12 months ago before losing on points. Warren said: “I am delighted with the undercard. All of the boys have a chance to make statements that show they are headline acts of the future. “Hamzah is now training in California and from what I am told he is impressing everyone out there. He is a real sleeper in the Super-Welterweight division, and I am with Carl Frampton in believing he reaches the very top. “Chris Bourke is a threat to any of the domestic Super-Bantamweights and I’m sure he would like to do better than Brad Foster did against James. “I am relieved that Chris Jenkins will finally get another defence after a long layoff, and am delighted to get Ekow Essuman out again. Whoever wins this fight, be it Chris or Ekow, will be well placed to kick on and start looking at World level fights. “It is a 50-50 fight and few will tip either with great conviction.” There is also Heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), who’s opponent is TBC. Elsewhere on the card, Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut, whilst Reading Super-Featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill. ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) 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 |
Category: Press Releases
BACK STRONGER PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
| FRANK WARREN today hosted the final press conference ahead of Queensberry’s big card at Telford International Centre on Saturday (June 5), live on BT Sport 1 from 7pm. Top of the bill sees Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) return after his injury defeat against Joe Joyce last November. The Londoner challenges Romanian Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title. Also on the card is Light-Heavyweight hope Tommy Fury (5-0, 4 KOs) who boxes Hamilton’s Jordan Grant (2-0) over four rounds. Here are a selection of quotes from today’s event: FRANK WARREN: There is a lot on the line. It was very unfortunate how it panned out for Daniel against Joe Joyce, but he is a young man and still has a lot to give. It is for Daniel to show he is the man coming through and we will find out more on Saturday. He is up against a very tough opponent and looking at Bogdan he appears as fit as a butcher’s dog. We have two big, very fit and hard-hitting heavyweights here and you will see something special. I hope it goes the way we want and Daniel re-establishes himself. The winner will be in good stead to fight for the WBA title fight at some time next year. Although we’re only allowed 1000 fans in the atmosphere will be great and it is brilliant that they’re back. FRANK ON TOMMY FURY: You can play sport, but not boxing and Tommy has the dedication, but he is still a novice and needs to learn his craft. If he keeps moving forward he will get into a good position. He is not going to be rushed. His Dad won’t let me rush Tommy and I’m not going to argue with him. We will make the right moves at the right time. I appreciate what Jake Paul has done with no amateur experience and all these followers. He has monetised that through boxing and good luck to him, but if he wants to fight Tommy that fight is there every day of the week. The level Tommy is at now is a level above Jake. If Jake wants that fight, he isn’t even pushing an open door. The hinges are off and he just needs to walk in and we will do it. I will carry Tommy there for the fight. It’s a no brainer and the general public will watch it. Tommy also has a big following, is Tyson’s brother and brings a lot to the table. DANIEL DUBOIS: I have teamed up with Shane and I believe I am better than before. I wanted to train with Shane. I believe he is a top trainer, one of the best and has had World champions. I wanted someone with that experience. This is the fight I needed to come back with where I can perform and get the devastating win that I need to show I am back. I needed a test and didn’t want to come back with a soft touch. I have had that experience. It’s now the next step in my journey. BOGDAN DINU: My experience will be the difference. I am happy to fight in the UK because it is the best place for boxing right now. I am happy to be here for a big fight. I have the opportunity to fight for this belt. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. I am coming to win, take the belt and go home. TOMMY FURY: Miami was unbelievable with Tyson. Whatever he does is big and huge. The real reason I went was to gain world class experience. It was a great experience because you would walk in a gym and be surrounded by world class. It has benefitted me as a fighter. Being with Tyson is motivation and if I apply myself I can get to that level. No one puts a gun to my head saying I have to box on Saturday. I do it because I love it. I set myself a goal as a very young lad and I will see that goal out. It is going to be a long hard road. You’re going to get hit harder than anyone else can hit you, but I am ready to get back up and keep going. If Jake Paul gets in the ring with me it will be dangerous for him, but keep fighting these clowns he’s fighting and it’s not going to be dangerous for him. He is a cunning man. He has earned a lot of money and if there was any chance of Tyron Woodley beating Jake Paul that contract wouldn’t have got signed. Why would Jake Paul put himself in a position where he is going to get knocked spark out? He is not going to fight anybody who will test him because he doesn’t need to. He is making a fortune from YouTube. Why is he going to get his teeth knocked out for nothing? These MMA guys will fight him all day. They earn £300,000 for MMA and can get three or four million for fighting him. If it comes it comes because it is easy money. I am not going to focus on Jake Paul. Saturday night is where my mind is and I have a job to do. I want to show improvement and that is what you are going to see on Saturday. I put my heart and soul into this. As long as I get the W and show even 0.01 per-cent of improvement in each fight I’m happy. Why? Because I’m learning. I am going to dedicate myself to get there. I have a burning desire to do it. It is great to be back in front of fans and even if there was only five people it would make a difference. Other fights on the bill. Belfast’s Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win when he boxes Mexican Ernesto Olvera (11-6-1, 3 KOs) Stoke-on-Trent’s hugely popular Middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs). Unbeaten English Bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs) faces Bulgaria’s Stefan Slavchev (11-38-2, 4 KOs). Featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) boxes a four rounder against Luke Fash (2-59-2). Also on the show is 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry. |
WARD: I’LL BE TOO SLICK FOR FUZILE
| Briton can close in on World title shot on ‘dream’ Vegas night |
| Martin J. Ward thinks he has all the answers for Azinga Fuzile as he prepares to travel to Las Vegas to meet the South African in a final eliminator for the IBF World Super-Featherweight title on Saturday May 29 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Mandalay Bay, live worldwide on DAZN. Ward (24-1-2 11 KOs) fulfills a childhood dream making his American debut in the bright lights of Sin City, but the Briton will not let the glitz and glamour distract him from taking a massive step in becoming a World champion. The 29 year old knows that Fuzile (14-1 8 KOs) presents a dangerous obstacle to that dream, but the Tony Sims trained talent is not fazed by having to face a southpaw to land a World title shot, and wants to emulate the impact that one of his heroes, Prince Naseem Hamed, had when he would wow crowds in America. “I was a big Naz fan and stayed up to watch him fight Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas and in all his fights all over the States,” said Ward. “It has been a childhood dream of mine to fight in Vegas on the big stage, and here it is, and I am not going to let this slip through my fingers, I’ve trained too hard and put too much of my life into this to let it go. “Motivation has not been an issue at all in this camp, I’ve been training so hard, and I’ve been flying, smashing it in the gym and on the track, it’s all coming together at the right time and I’m just so excited. Over the last year there have been a few opportunities that have come up, so I didn’t want to get too excited as a couple of them fell through and I had started to get my weight down for them. I was chomping at the bit for them, so it was frustrating, so I took this one with a pinch of salt really, I just wanted a date to be sorted, and when it was cemented in place it was great. “He’s a slick southpaw, has some impressive wins on the record and only has one loss and he was winning that fight until he got chinned. He looks a good fighter, and hopefully our styles will gel, and we’ll put on a good fight for the fans. I haven’t fought in over a year, but it’s been over 18 months for him, but it depends how you live outside the gym, I live the life, I keep a healthy lifestyle and training makes me happy, it’s part of me. “I won the British title in 2016 and then won it outright in the space of ten months against three southpaws so it’s funny how I’m now facing another southpaw in this massive fight. All those fights have built up my experience and it’s all fallen into place; I just need to put it all together on the night. “He’s elusive, sharp, counters well and has good defense with the shoulder roll, but I am going to nullify all that and take him out of his comfort zone and do a job on him. I’ll be too smart, and I think I’ll be too big and strong for the guy. I’m so close to where I want to be.” Ward’s clash with Fuzile is part of a huge night of action in Las Vegas, topped by unbeaten WBC World Lightweight champion Devin Haney (25-0 15 KOs) defending his title against former World ruler Jorge Linares (47-5 29 KOs). There’s more World title action on the card as Chantelle Cameron (13-0 7 KOs) defends her WBC World Super-Lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez (23-7-3 7 KOs), and there’s a fascinating battle between two Golden Boy Promotions stablemates as Jason Quigley (18-1 14 KOs) and Shane Mosley Jr (17-3 10 KOs) go toe-to-toe for the WBO NABO Middleweight title. There’s a professional debut on the card for Eddie Hearn’s latest American signing, Khalil Coe, Reshat Mati (9-0 7 KOs) enters double figures in the pro game on the night, Ramla Ali (2-0) has been impressive in her two fights since turning pro in October and the first pro female fighter from Somalia gets an introduction to American fight fans on the bill, a card that is rounded off by Devin Haney Promotions’ Darren Cunningham (13-0 7 KOs) continuing his pro rise. |
‘THE EAGLE’ CHARLIE EDWARDS FEELS REVITALISED AFTER MIGRATION TO PORTUGAL
| ‘THE EAGLE’ Charlie Edwards has migrated to Portugal and believes his new nest in the Algarve is the ideal base as he plots his flight to the top of the super-flyweight division. The former WBC World Flyweight champion Edwards, 28, moved to Vilamoura with his wife Kristin and their baby daughter Sofia last month.Charlie jumped two weights to Bantamweight for his Queensberry debut last September when he outpointed Kyle Williams but is planning an attack on the 115lb Super-flyweight division when he returns to action. Charlie said: “This is the first time in 17 years that I have taken two months off completely. It has given me a new drive, new hunger and new ambition. “I am training now and going to start more boxing training so I can get my flow back. “This journey is going to excite me even more. Right now, I am in a very good place and I’m looking forward to getting back in. “My plan is to have a tough ten or twelve rounder for an International title when I return and then kick on. “I have been back punching, doing little bits, strength work and feel revitalised. I have lost nothing. “It has been nice to reset myself and move to a country where I feel happy and confident in myself again. “The plan is to stay here in Portugal. My Missus and I have decided to move the family here. We want our daughter to grow up in a nice environment. “Becoming a Dad has been challenging. Being locked down in England wasn’t the best thing for us so coming out here has me happy and thriving. “Once our house has been sorted, which will be sooner rather than later, I can push on with my career.” Edwards revealed he has left the Steel City gym in Sheffield where he was trained by Grant Smith and will do most of his training in Portugal. He will either base himself in England or the United States for the final eight weeks of camp. He explained: “I have a number of ideas and thoughts in my head and I am not going to rush. I have a friend who trains coming out here to get me fight fit. “I have achieved all that I have set out to achieve on my career bucket list in the UK so I would like to train here, set up my own gym and eight weeks before a fight I may go to America. “I also have another British coach in mind who I do want to try out in the UK but I don’t want to go into details yet.” Edwards (16-1, 6KOs) admits he suffered mentally with the stresses of getting down to Flyweight and the Croydon man relinquished his World title shortly after a no-contest against Julio Cesar Martinez in August 2019. He said: “I have left the dark days behind me. I suffered a little bit especially around the Martinez fight – making Flyweight and putting my health on the line. “I wasn’t enjoying it and fell into a bit of depression with the boxing side of things through having to make that light weight. “I came out of the other side and it was still a challenge getting through to my next fight which was my Frank Warren debut. “I got through that, won every round, jumping two weights to Bantamweight and now I’m in Portugal I feel happy, revitalised and like the old Charlie Edwards where I can dedicate myself. “When I do get back I will go away, focus and reach the top levels again.” |
EGGINGTON GUNNING TO KO MOLINA AND DELIVER A STATEMENT TO 160 POUND DIVISION
| Sam Eggington believes a knockout or stoppage of former World Champion ‘King’ Carlos Molina will send a big statement to the middleweight division that he is ready to challenge for a World title next. The Birmingham puncher is fired up like never before as he heads into battle with the Mexican hardman, who has never been stopped in 50 fights, on Saturday 22nd May at the Coventry Skydome Arena, exclusively live and free on Channel 5. With the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship on the line, Eggington aims to grab the title with both hands to ensure a high ranking in the WBC that will place him in prime position to challenge for a World title. Iron-fisted Eggington knows that a devastating performance – similar to his six round brutal destruction of Ashley Theophane last December – will send a red warning to the elite 160 pound operators that he is hammering on the door.It’s been a long-time coming for the British, Commonwealth, European and International Champion in his near decade in the sport, but Eggington can sense that his moment at ultimate glory is near. The 27-year-old aims to do what former hard-hitting World Champions Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Mike Alvarado and Cornelius Bundrage couldn’t do and be the first man to stop the granite-chinned warrior from Patzcuaro, Michoacán de Ocampo. Eggington said, “The plan is to stop him. That’s plan A, I want the stoppage without a doubt. Plan B, I’m trained and ready to go twelve with him if I need to. They are the two eventualities I’m prepared for. With the way I fight I can’t see this going the distance. He comes to fight also and he’ll come straight to me so that will be perfect,” “I haven’t watched too much of Molina, I leave that to my trainer Jon Pegg and my team, I’ve watched maybe 20 or 30 seconds of him here or there during the camp. I’m not a fan of studying fights intently, I just like to go in and do the business on the night. All I know is that he’s a Mexican, he’s a former World Champion, he’s fought some very good names and he’s got a solid chin, that’s all I need to know to get me fired up and I’ve got to be at my very best,” “It will be real statement to the other middleweight champions, without a doubt. You don’t get to 50 fights against the level Molina’s been in with and not get stopped for no reason. So I definitely hope to change that. I believe it sends a message to rest of division, but one things for sure it will definitely make me feel better knowing that I was the first. The World title is in my thoughts but the most important thought right now is that I have to beat Molina otherwise it won’t happen. Simple.” |
| Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan, Everlast and King Carlos Promotions, Eggington v Molina will headline the exciting nine-fight card exclusively live and free-to-air across the UK and Ireland on Channel 5. Main event features Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington (29-7-0, 17 KO’s) against Mexico’s hard-as-nails Carlos Molina (37-11-2, 12 KO’s) for the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship. Chief support features a cracking showdown between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin (11-1-1, 2 KO’s) and Dumbarton’s Martin Harkin (13-1-0, 5 KO’s) in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship (Subject to BBBofC approval). Also on the card, Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) makes the first defence of his Midlands Area Middleweight title against Derby’s George Farrell (5-0-0, 1 KO). Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters (14-1-0, 4 KO’s) has his first back against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-2-0, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder since losing his title to Craig Richards last December. County Monaghan super-lightweight dynamo Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna (7-0-0, 7 KO’s) features in a six-rounder, but the undefeated red-hot 24-year-old prospect has not needed to go the distance yet with all his fights ending inside. Birmingham middleweight bombshell Idris ‘The Bodybreaker’ Virgo (9-0-1, 1 KO) goes in over six-rounds. Sevenoaks all-action super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr. (5-1-1) is in a six-rounder against Warminster’s Paul Cummings. Irish super-welterweight ace Brett McGinty (1-0) follows up his thrilling pro debut last December when he features in a four-rounder against Islington’s Jordan Grannum. Brighton heavyweight talent Tommy Welch (1-0-0, 1 KO), son of the former British, Commonwealth and World Heavyweight title challenger Scott, follow’s up his explosive debut last December when he stopped Matt Gordon in the second round and features in a four-round contest. For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports |
I’M COMING TO MAKE MY MARK ON THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION SAYS DACRES
| Former Team GB standout makes pro debut in Manchester |
| Birmingham Heavyweight debutant Solomon Dacres is promising an explosive performance when he takes on Mladen Manev over six rounds at the AO Arena, Manchester this Saturday May 15, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories. The 6ft 5ins 27-year-old, who is managed by Adam Morallee and Sam Jones of S-JAM Boxing, has been a regular sparring partner of Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua, and shared sparring with Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois ahead of their November clash. In an impressive stint in the amateurs, Dacres won gold in the 2017 National Championships, before joining the Team GB squad in April 2017 and representing the British Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing during a successful spell in Sheffield. Trained by Max McCracken alongside former WBA Super-Flyweight World Champion Kal Yafai and European Super-Bantamweight Champion Gamal Yafai – who puts his Title on the line against Jason Cunningham on the same bill – ‘The Real Deal’ plans on using his brute power and strength to make a mark in the thriving domestic Heavyweight scene. “I’m looking forward to some solid performances and hopefully some big knockouts,” said Dacres. “I’m in the fight game to have good fights at the end of the day. The main thing for me is progression. I need to make sure that I’m learning and improving with each fight. I want to look good as well. “I’m not delusional, I know there’s a lot of hard work to go, but when you’ve got that grounding and experience from the amateurs – it gives you a great platform to push forwards from. I know there’s a lot of hard work to be done and lots to learn but I’m confident I can go all of the way. “You’ve got to stay grounded. When you’re sparring guys like Joshua who’s a unified World Champion, Joyce and Dubois, they’re having big high-profile fights. You’re sparring with them and you haven’t even had your pro debut. You’re rubbing shoulders with guys that are at that top level and you’re thinking, ‘that’s where I want to get to’. I want to do the best that I can. Seeing that firsthand gives you that hunger to get there. “I want to make a statement when I turn over and put on a good performance. I’m not messing around in the Heavyweight division. You want to put the guys out and move onto the next one. That’s how it’s going to be really. You’ve got to put your head down and work very hard. When you get to the top of the Heavyweight division, you’re there for a reason. The rewards are huge, but you’ve got to put the work in. “I’m coming to make my mark on the Heavyweight division. I’m an educated boxer. Being from the Team GB squad, I can box. I can move a bit on the backfoot, but I like going on the front foot. I will look to go forwards, be explosive and let my hands go. I’m looking for an explosive fight and an explosive finish.” Dacres vs. Manev is part of a huge night of boxing in Manchester, Joshua Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) fights under Virgil Hunter for the first time against unbeaten Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos (15-0, 8 KOs),three European Title fights feature on the bill with Gamal Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) defending his Super-Bantamweight Title for the first time against Jason Cunningham (28-6, 6 KOs), Tommy McCarthy (17-2, 18 KOs) defending his Cruiserweight crown against Romania’s Alexandru Jur (19-4, 7 KOs) and Lerrone Richards (14-0, 3 KOs) taking on Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis (28-9-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant Super-Middleweight strap, Dalton Smith (7-0, 6 KOs) takes on Lee Appleyard (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant English Super-Lightweight Title and Ellis Hopkins makes history when she becomes the first female from the traveller community to turn professional. |
BUATSI MEETS DOS SANTOS ON MAY 15
| ‘JB’ takes on unbeaten contender in Manchester |
| Joshua Buatsi continues his push for a World Title fight when he faces Daniel Blenda Dos Santos, a fellow unbeaten contender, for the WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title at the AO, Arena Manchester on Saturday May 15, live on Sky Sports in the UK andon DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.The explosive 178lbs contender, one of Britain’s hottest talents, stopped Marko Calic in October to continue his destructive rise up the rankings and has since travelled to America to team up with new trainer Virgil Hunter, who guided the career of pound-for-pound star Andre Ward. France’s Dos Santos is undefeated in 15 fights, with eight of his wins coming inside the distance, and the 30-year-old from Pont-Sainte-Maxence has been more active than Buatsi in recent months, fighting twice in 2021 and earning a first round stoppage last time out. “I’ve got an unbeaten opponent, that makes him ambitious,” said Buatsi. “Obviously it’s the first fight under Virgil, so it’s should be interesting. I’m looking forward to showing what I’ve been working on with Virgil. He’s going to want to hold onto his undefeated record, as I am. When that’s at stake you really dig deep.”It’s mainly the style that I like. Each of his fighters translate it differently. The public haven’t seen how good I can be, or I will be. I want to unlock the potential that I have got. This addition to the team will 100 per cent bring the best out of me.”Buatsi vs. Dos Santos is part of a huge night of boxing in Manchester, Terri Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) attempts to add Hyun-Mi Choi’s (18-0-1, 4 KOs) WBA belt to her WBC and IBO World Titles as she battles for supremacy at 130lbs, there is also a triple-header of European Title fights with Gamal Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) defending his Super-Bantamweight Title for the first time against Jason Cunningham (28-6, 6 KOs), Tommy McCarthy (17-2, 18 KOs) defending his Cruiserweight crown against Romania’s Alexandru Jur (19-4, 7 KOs) and Lerrone Richards (14-0, 3 KOs) taking on Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis (28-9-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant Super-Middleweight strap, Dalton Smith (7-0, 6 KOs) also takes on Lee Appleyard (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant English Super-Lightweight Title after their February clash fell through at short notice. |
FORMER BRITISH CHAMP PITTERS BACKS RICHARDS IN WORLD TITLE CHALLENGE
Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters will be backing old foe Craig Richards in his WBA World title challenge against Dmitry Bivol tomorrow night.
Pitters lost his British title to Richards last December when ahead on the judges’ scorecards he was stopped in the ninth round by the hard-hitting Londoner, but he wants to see his rival win the title which could set up future rematch between the pair.
‘Big Shak’ begins his comeback on Saturday 22nd May at the Coventry Skydome Arena, exclusively live and free on Channel 5, when he takes on Bradford’s Jermaine Springer in an eight-rounder on the undercard of the big showdown between Sam Eggington and Carlos Molina for the WBC Silver Middleweight Championship.
He said, “Anything can happen in boxing and he’s got a good chance tomorrow night. He’s stepped up to face Bivol who’s unbeaten and won the world title in just his seventh fight and he can punch. I’ve spoken to Richards since our fight and we’re cool, I wished him all the best and it’s great for British boxing if he wins.”
The 31-year-old from Birmingham is hungry to return to the ring and do a good job on Springer and then push his case for a championship title opportunity.
He added, “I’d like the rematch with Richards, but I’m not going to chase it, I’m going to focus on my own career and keep winning and get the belts coming in and then in time I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
“I’ve been working hard in the gym since the Richards fight with my trainer Jon Pegg and we’ve been focusing on ring generalship and aggression so you’ll be seeing a more attacking Shakan Pitters on his return,”
“I’m looking for a more clinical performance and do what I do best and show the skills and make a real statement.”
Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan, Everlast and King Carlos Promotions, Eggington v Molina will headline the exciting nine-fight card exclusively live and free-to-air across the UK and Ireland on Channel 5.
Main event features Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington (29-7-0, 17 KO’s) against Mexico’s hard-as-nails Carlos Molina (37-11-2, 12 KO’s) for the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship. Chief support features a cracking showdown between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin (11-1-1, 2 KO’s) and Dumbarton’s Martin Harkin (13-1-0, 5 KO’s) in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship (Subject to BBBofC approval).
Also on the card, Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) makes the first defence of his Midlands Area Middleweight title against Derby’s George Farrell (5-0-0, 1 KO). Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters (14-1-0, 4 KO’s) has his first back against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-2-0, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder since losing his title to Craig Richards last December. County Monaghan super-lightweight dynamo Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna (7-0-0, 7 KO’s) features in a six-rounder, but the undefeated red-hot 24-year-old prospect has not needed to go the distance yet with all his fights ending inside. Birmingham middleweight bombshell Idris ‘The Bodybreaker’ Virgo (9-0-1, 1 KO) goes in over six-rounds. Sevenoaks all-action super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr. (5-1-1) is in a six-rounder against Warminster’s Paul Cummings. Irish super-welterweight ace Brett McGinty (1-0) follows up his thrilling pro debut last December when he features in a four-rounder against Birmingham’s Josh Hodgins. Brighton heavyweight talent Tommy Welch (1-0-0, 1 KO), son of the former British, Commonwealth and World Heavyweight title challenger Scott, follow’s up his explosive debut last December when he stopped Matt Gordon in the second round and features in a four-round contest.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports
PARKER: I WANT TO BE WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
| Former WBO King meets ‘WAR’ Chisora in Manchester |
| Joseph Parker hopes that a win over Derek Chisora at the AO Arena, Manchester this Saturday May 1, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in all markets excluding the UK, Ireland, China, New Zealand and Samoa, will kickstart his route back to the top of the Heavyweight division. Former WBO World Champion Parker (28-2, 21 KOs) is fresh off a hard-fought 12-round decision over long-time amateur nemesis Junior Fa at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand that settled an 11-year old rivalry with his compatriot. Ranked at No.3 with the WBO, Parker recently teamed up with former Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee, and the 29-year-old knows an impressive stoppage of the teak-tough Chisora would propel him closer to his ambition of becoming a two-time World Champion. “I’m very prepared for this fight, I’ve had a great training camp with Andy in Ireland, then we moved over to Morecambe and got some great sparring under our belt, great pad work, bag, everything,” said Parker. “I feel like with this fight, physically and mentally, I’m in a great place – probably the best I’ve been in a while. “You will see some good changes. I’ll be sharper, with better movement and better footwork. I’ll be focused for the whole fight. If I execute the game-plan that Andy has put in place, it should be a good night for Team Parker. I expect Derek to be Derek – to apply pressure from the beginning, throwing punches and bombs. “Two totally different styles, Junior Fa’s style was move and hug, punch every now and then. With Derek it’s no secret, he’s going to come forward and apply the pressure, throw punches everywhere. My hands are going to have to be up, down and all around. “I’ve been a World Champion before and I want to be World champion again. In order to achieve that goal I have to get Derek out of the way first. Then set up the other fights that are out there. We’ve done everything we can to prepare for whatever he brings. “I think this is the perfect fight at the right time. We’re right there, get a good victory and there’s many other great fights out there to be made and to position yourself when the titles are free to fight for. This is a big card, not only the main event but the undercard fights are very exciting, I’m looking forward to Saturday.” Chisora vs. Parker tops a huge night of action in Manchester, Irish star Katie Taylor (17-0, 6 KOs) defends her Undisputed Lightweight crown against former amateur rival Natasha Jonas (9-1-1, 7 KOs), undefeated WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) puts his Title on the line against Craig Richards (16-1-1, 9 KOs), Chris Eubank Jr (29-2, 22 KOs) returns against Marcus Morrison (23-3, 16 KOs), Belfast’s James Tennyson (28-3, 24 KOs) faces Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (23-3-1, 16 KOs) for the IBO Lightweight World Title, Preston’s Scott Fitzgerald (14-0, 9 KOs) makes his long awaited return against Gregory Trenel (13-6-2, 3 KOs) and Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton (1-0) fights in his home city for the first time as a pro against Levi Dunn (0-4). |
EUBANK JR: THE END GOAL IS TO GET GOLOVKIN
| Brighton star targets World Titles after Jones Jr link-up |
| Chris Eubank Jr has his sights firmly set on IBF Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin and believes 2021 could be the year that he finally gets to lock horns with the big-punching pound-for-pound star from Kazakhstan. The Brighton powerhouse returns to fight in the UK for the first time in over two years this Saturday May 1 when he takes on British rival Marcus Morrison at the AO Arena, Manchester, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all markets excluding the UK, Ireland, China, New Zealand and Samoa. Having previously campaigned at Super-Middleweight, Eubank Jr (29-2, 22 KOs) returned to the Middleweight division to claim the WBA Interim Middleweight World Title for the second time with a TKO win over former World Title challenger Matvey Korobov in December 2019, while making his US debut at the Barclays Centre in New York. Eubank Jr was in talks to fight Golovkin in 2016 but the opportunity instead went to Sheffield’s Kell Brook. The only blemishes on Golovkin’s fearsome record is a draw and a defeat in two fights with Canelo Alvarez, but Eubank Jr is confident he could become the first man to stop ‘GGG’. “Getting past Marcus Morrison sets me up for some big fights in the summer and winter of this year,” said Eubank Jr. “There’s a lot of interesting fights out there and a lot of big names in the Middleweight division, a lot of World Champions that fans want to see me go up against. “There’s even fighters that aren’t World Champions that could happen for me. You’ve got Kell Brook talking it up a lot and I know Eddie Hearn wants to make that fight, so that’s something that could possibly happen in the summer. “The end goal is to get Golovkin. The other World Champions in the Middleweight division, Ryota Murata is definitely up on my list. He has the full WBA World Title, I’m the Interim World Champion right now. There are some big names out there and some big fights. “I’ve wanted to fight Golovkin for years. I believe this is the year that I’m going to get him. I’m coming for all of the belts. That’s what I’m in the sport to do. It’s not that I have to look good in this fight to get to that stage. You’ve got to look good in every fight, and I do look good in every fight. “I really and truly believe I would stop him. My engine and his fight style? He doesn’t back down and goes to war regardless. An immovable force against an unstoppable object. When two warriors collide who put it all on the line, it would be an amazing fight. I don’t believe he could out-punch or out-perform me. “Win or lose I put it all on the line. That’s why I have a lot of fans. I don’t coast, I don’t quit, and I don’t give up. I don’t slack, I’m on it 100% of the time. This is my life, and once I get past Marcus Morrison the World Champions are in some serious trouble.”This weekend’s clash with Morrison will be Eubank Jr’s first fight since linking up with boxing legend Roy Jones Jr, who was once a rival of his father’s, and the 31-year-old believes Jones Jr will be a valuable addition to his team as he targets World Titles “COVID messed up a lot of plans for my career in 2020. I went away and I used that time to the best I could and that was training with Roy Jones Jr. Learning from him, as much as I could, perfecting the craft. Learning the teachings of Roy and trying to implement them as much as I could through sparring and training. I feel like I’m a better fighter for it. “I’ve looked up to Roy since I was a kid. He was one of my favourite fighters. To actually be able to spend the amount of time that I have with him and pick his brains and hear everything he has to say on the sport and how I should approach it has been a dream come true.” Eubank Jr vs. Morrison is part of a huge night of action in Manchester, Derek Chisora (32-10, 23 KOs) and Joseph Parker (28-2, 21 KOs) collide in a crunch Heavyweight clash, Irish star Katie Taylor (17-0, 6 KOs) defends her Undisputed Lightweight crown against former amateur rival Natasha Jonas (9-1-1, 7 KOs), undefeated WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) puts his Title on the line against Craig Richards (16-1-1, 9 KOs), Belfast’s James Tennyson (28-3, 24 KOs) faces Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (23-3-1, 16 KOs) for the IBO Lightweight World Title, Preston Super-Welterweight Scott Fitzgerald (14-0, 9 KOs) makes his long awaited return and Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton (1-0) fights in his home city for the first time as a pro. |
