Global boxing promotion Probellum will host its first UK show of 2022 in Newcastle in March, jointly headlined by local fighters Lewis Ritson, Troy Williamson and Thomas Patrick Ward, with the hugely talented duo Pat McCormack and Ben Rees set to make their professional debuts.
Taking place at the Utilita Arena, on Friday March 25, Probellum returns to the north-east following its sell out inaugural UK show in Sunderland in December.
The upcoming event features some of British boxing’s biggest and brightest talents, with tickets available to purchase via Ticketmaster from today (Friday January 28).
Newcastle-born Ritson (22-2, 13 knockouts) will be back in action after defeating Christian Uruzquieta with a brilliant performance in December. This time around he faces Dejan Zlaticanin (24-3, 16 knockouts), an experienced Serbian fighter.
Having signed to Probellum last month, Williamson (17-0-1, 13 knockouts), from Darlington, aims to maintain his unbeaten record in what will be the first defence of his British super-welterweight title, which he secured courtesy of an eye-catching knockout victory over British fighter Ted Cheeseman in October 2021.
The undefeated Ward (31-0-1, 4 knockouts), from County Durham, produced a dominant display against Venezuelan Leonardo Padilla in his most recent contest to move one step closer to a deserved world title shot.
The event will also see McCormack and Rees, both local fighters who recently signed to Probellum, make their hotly anticipated professional debuts following brilliant careers at amateur level, with McCormack winning a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Rees a five-time national champion.
Fellow Probellum fighter and rising star Dickinson (2-0, 1 knockout) will be looking to build on an impressive start to his professional career under the guidance of world-leading coach Ben Davison when he returns to the ring at the Utilita Arena.
Speaking about the event Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum, who has promoted some of the biggest names in world boxing including Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather, said:
“We are extremely pleased to be bringing our first UK show of the year to Newcastle, a city which boasts a huge passion for boxing, and home to many of Probellum’s most promising young fighters.
“December’s show in Sunderland was a big success, with a brilliant atmosphere, and we are really looking forward to returning to the north-east in March.
“As always, the card is packed full of talent with Troy Williamson joining a host of talented local fighters, including the likes of Lewis Ritson and Mark Dickinson, for what promises to be a fantastic night of boxing.”
Tickets, which go on sale today (Friday January 28), can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
Tag: Thomas Patrick Ward
MTK Fight Night returns to Newcastle next month
MTK Fight Night will head back to Newcastle for an action-packed event on November 13 – headlined by world-ranked Thomas Patrick Ward taking on WBA #5 Leonardo Padilla.
The card will be co-promoted alongside Phil Jeffries and be held at the Rainton Meadows Arena next month, and will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.
Undefeated Ward (30-0-1, 4 KOs) is back following his win over Edy Valencia Mercado in June, as he looks to build on his current rankings of #3 with the WBO, #8 with the IBF and #11 with the WBA and move a step closer to a world title shot.
Standing in his way is fellow highly-ranked fighter Padilla (20-3, 14 KOs), with the hard-hitting Venezuelan dangerman attempting to spoil the party and come out on top against the local favourite.
In the co-main event, unbeaten rising star Shabaz Masoud (8-0, 2 KOs) has a huge step up in competition, as he goes up against Diego Ruiz (23-3, 12 KOs), who previously fought Michael Conlan in Belfast back in 2019.
Popular favourite Joe Laws (10-1, 5 KOs) makes his return, plus an intriguing battle at super-lightweight sees Declan Geraghty (20-5, 5 KOs) square off with Kieran Gething (10-2-2, 2 KOs).
Rounding up the main card, Joe Maphosa (10-1, 1 KO) meets Adam Yahaya (21-7-2, 10 KOs), and undefeated Terry Wilkinson (8-0) clashes with Jordan Ellison for the vacant Northern Area super-lightweight title.
Some of the best local talent will also be on display on the undercard, as Jordan Barker-Porter (1-0), Adam Cope (1-0), Sam Menzies (2-0), and debutant Nathan Cumminsky all compete.
MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said:“We’re delighted to head back to Newcastle and work alongside Phil Jeffries to put on a stacked card next month. We’ve had some memorable nights in the North East in the past and I’m sure it will be more of the same in November.
“The main event sees two fighters with high world-rankings in Thomas Patrick Ward and Leonardo Padilla going head to head, and Ward will be looking to secure another impressive win that can potentially set up a world title shot in 2022.
“Shabaz Masoud is having a massive step up in just his ninth professional fight against Diego Ruiz, and it will be a clear sign to see just how talented he potentially is. It’s brilliant to have Joe Laws back as well, and we’re sure he’ll bring another passionate army of fans with him.
“Declan Geraghty vs. Kieran Gething is a great fight on the card, and with the likes of Joe Maphosa, Terry Wilkinson, Jordan Barker-Porter, Adam Cope and even more all fighting too, it’s certain to be a can’t miss event.”
Further news on the MTK Fight Night in Newcastle will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
