The Undisputed

The UK boxing year got off to an excellent start with a star studded event at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff on Saturday (5th) promoted by BOXXER and shown live on Sky Sports.

Top of the bill in front of a partisan Welsh crowd, complete with a rendition of Tom Jones’ Delilah, was the middleweight contest between Chris Eubank Jr. and hometown favourite Liam Williams. The 32 year old Englishman dominated the contest scoring four knockdowns en-route to a convincing points victory (116-109, 116-108, 117-109).

Williams showed great heart and bravery repeatedly picking himself off the canvas and trying to take the fight to Eubank. The 29 year old Welshman had boasted of his better boxing IQ in the build up to the fight, but on the night was out thought and out fought.

After dominating the fight through the first five rounds, Eubank then frustratingly chose to coast and showboat his way to victory, losing a number of rounds over the second half of the fight but ended the clear winner. Williams bothered by a nasty bruising under his right eye simply couldn’t evade Eubank’s advances or make any lasting impact on his opponent.

It was a contest deemed as ‘must win’ for both boxers going in and Eubank (32-2, 23 KO’s) now sits on the cusp of marquee fights, either domestically against former conqueror Billy Joe Saunders, or on the world stage against one of the 11st,6lb (160lb) champions or main contenders. His immediate desire is to fight Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin but that will depend on the want of the 40 year old champion.

There’s also website gossip of a ‘catchweight’ contest between the Brighton man and top welterweight Conor Benn which would be a throwback to the epic 1990’s contests between their respective fathers. That may be some way off as Benn has immediate business at 10st,7lbs (147lbs) but it’s a mouthwatering prospect.

Williams dropped to 23-4-1, 18 KO’s and will re-build domestically before possibly competing at world level again.

Much of the hype and attention Saturday night was focussed on the appearance and excellent performance of double Olympic champion and multiple world professional champion Claressa Shields. The GWOAT – Greatest Woman of All Time acronym she promotes gained some friction with another dominant performance. Shields (12-0, 2 KO’s) defended her middleweight titles with an emphatic and at times bludgeoning of brave Slovenian Ema Kozin. Scores of 100-90 on all three judges cards confirmed her dominance.

Post fight there was a heated exchange between Shields and former amateur conqueror Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9 KO’s) which was both entertaining and fuels interest for an intended match up later in the year. This is a genuine grudge match and could sell out a number of large indoor arenas in the UK when it happens. The only potential obstacle to this will be Marshall ensuring she successfully defends her WBO ‘world’ middleweight title against Femke Hermans in Newcastle next month.

Women’s boxing is on an unprecedented high with news of a groundbreaking contest at Madison Square Garden, New York to be held on April 30 between Ring magazine #1 pound-for-pounder Katie Taylor (20-0, 6 KO’s) and multiple champion Amanda Serrano (42-1-1, 30 KO’s). A stateside announcement was made last week and the contest for the undisputed lightweight title will be officially launched in the UK by Matchroom Boxing today.

The successful debut of 21 year old British Olympian Caroline Dubois over eight rounds against Vaida Masiokaite in Cardiff on Saturday further showed the current and increasing strength of women’s boxing in the UK and worldwide. A bright future is planned and expected of the London lightweight and it will be interesting to see her develop. She has charisma, a boxing pedigree and undoubted ability.

Main stateside news over the weekend was the upset victory by late substitute Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KO’s) to win the WBC junior bantamweight (8st,3lbs/115lbs) title from Mexico’s Carlos Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KO’s). Rodriguez became the youngest ‘world’ title holder in boxing at age 22 and another bright future is expected from the Texan southpaw.

Boxing is back in the UK ! And with a bang.

Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff sees the much awaited contest between world ranked middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams. This is a genuine grudge match following months of animosity exchanged on social media and a number of postponements fanning the flames further.

Eubank Jr (31-2, 23 KO’s) from Brighton, England will enter the dragons den of the Welsh capital against the hometown hero. On the surface he seems unfazed by this citing his previous experiences of fighting overseas and with supreme confidence in his own abilities. Williams (23-3-1, 18 KO’s) whilst having the advantages of home recognises the pressure might be on him greater due to the expectations and passion of his compatriots.

The atmosphere is sure to be electric in a contest promoted by BOXXER and being shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.

The contest is the epitome of a crossroads fight with the loser having nowhere to go other than step back down to domestic level. Williams (29) is coming off a loss to Demetrius Andrade for the WBO ‘world’ middleweight title, whereas Eubank (32) has knocked on the door of the elite fighters, but is yet to secure that marquee fight. His two losses have come at domestic level to former ‘world’ champions Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves. The Brighton man quite simply has to win to remain relevant at world level.

In yesterday’s final press conference Eubank Jr. said “I’m going to take him out. All that matters is what’s going to happen on the night and that’s me standing over him and looking down and raising my fists as he gets counted out. It’s going to be a hell of a fight”.

Williams equally confident replied “It’s an unbelievable opportunity to fight here in Cardiff in such a high level fight against Chris. I’m just so excited to put an end to this guy, drop him down a few levels. You’ll realise his level after this fight”.

It promises to be a humdinger with the rough-tough Williams looking to take the fight to Eubank from the opening bell and the Englishman boasting the same. Both predict knockouts, but The Undisputed sees a frenetic opening, leading to a boxing match in the mid rounds before Williams is stopped around the eighth on cuts, as Eubank picks him off.

The main event is supported by an excellent card featuring women’s double Olympic gold medalist and professional world champion Claressa Shields of the USA against Slovenia’s Ema Kozin.

Shields (11-0, 2 KO’s) although rated pound-for-pound #2 by The Ring magazine (behind Ireland’s Katie Taylor) refers to herself as the GWOAT ‘Greatest Woman of All Time’ on the basis of her substantial ring accomplishments. She is a three-weight world champion and currently undisputed in two divisions (middleweight and junior-middleweight).

Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KO’s) cannot boast that pedigree but would appear to be the bigger puncher of the two, although the quality of her opposition is inferior.

Saturday’s contest is an opportunity to showcase Shields’ skills in the UK before setting up a blockbuster contest with Britain’s former Olympian Savannah Marshall; the only woman to beat her in the World Amateur Boxing Championships back in 2012.

There has been a lot exchanged between the two on social media over the last few months. The American summed up her approach and immediate future “I’ll break it down for you quick: one, beat up Ema Kozin and then beat up your [UK] favourite Savannah Marshall and go home. That’s why I’m here. So February 5 is the beginning”.

Shields (26) has all the pedigree and, although Kozin (23) is to be respected and will come to fight, we see the American putting on a boxing masterclass and winning the contest on points to set up that big date later in the year.

The card also sees the much anticipated professional debut of London’s Caroline Dubois, coming quickly off the back of her disappointment at early elimination from the Tokyo Olympics. Dubois is a quality act and expected to suit the professional code and, as sister of world ranked heavyweight Daniel, has the boxing DNA to match. She will be a bright addition to the professional ranks and will be looking to impress from the off. She faces Lithuania’s experienced Vaida Masiokaite (2-14-4, 1 KO).

Transmission starts in the UK on Sky Sports main event at 19:30 GMT and will also be available on Talksport radio.

It’s on !

Well, not quite. Not quite the fight we were all hoping for to unify the heavyweight championship of the world for the first time since Lennox Lewis in the early 2000’s.

What we did get though, as result of Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions record breaking purse bid in Mexico City to stage the Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury mandatory WBC world title defence against London’s Dillian Whyte, is a heavyweight fight that brings interest and some jeopardy to the ultimate destination of the plethora of titles. We now know the potential route to unification.

Finally, the smoke has lifted and there is now clarity on former two-times sanctioning body champion and fellow Brit Anthony Joshua now going through with his rematch with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in an attempt to regain the IBF, WBA and WBO titles, and unification from there. However, recent boxing history has shown to always expect the unexpected. Shock defeats and rematch clauses aside the route to unification can be a perilous one.

The rumoured date set for the Fury-Whyte contest is April 23, likely staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. To attempt to recoup any of the eye-watering $41M (£30.6M) bid the co-promotion by Queensberry and US based Top Rank Inc. will need to fill the 85,000 Cardiff venue and sell bucket loads of Box Office/pay per view. The fight will be televised on BT Box Office in the UK and ESPN stateside and should safely be the most lucrative fight to be staged in the British Isles, surpassing the recent blockbuster events featuring Anthony Joshua and promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

The champion Fury will receive 80% of the purse ($32M/£24.5) and Whyte a minimum 20% ($8M/£6.1M).

It can only be hoped the whoever comes through victorious in both contests will finally meet and give us an undisputed heavyweight champion. The public have waited long enough.

Claressa Shields is a double Olympic champion (London 2012 and Rio 2016).

Claressa Shields is an undefeated professional boxer. She is The Ring magazine 160lbs middleweight champion, holds four world sanctioning belts, is an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter and, in her opinion, is the GWOAT – the Greatest Woman Of All Time, in a fistic sense.

Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KO’s) is undoubtedly a boxing superstar.

Next Saturday (5th Feb) she returns to the UK, her first visit since the London Olympics, to defend her professional world titles and legacy. She will meet Slovenia’s Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KO’s) as chief support on the big BOXXER card from Cardiff, Wales and shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. The main event features world middleweight contenders Chris Eubank Jr versus Liam Williams.

Claressa Shields is from Flint, Michigan, USA – Floyd Mayweather country – she has a back story that includes overcoming child abuse and prejudice to achieve her goals. She has traveled the world as an elite amateur, she currently trains in ‘The Money Team’ gym in Las Vegas and is the epitome of an American sporting success story.

She is held in the highest regard among both male and female elite level boxers. She bows to no one, knows her worth and what she wants to achieve. She plans to win world titles from 10st,7/147lbs (welterweight) up to 12st,7/175lbs (light-heavyweight) and seal her claim as the GWOAT.

On Wednesday she dialled in from the US to a video press conference on the BOXXER media platform joined by her Salita Promotions team. Her opponent Ema Kozin also dialled in.

Claressa was eloquent, confident and determined. “I’m excited to come back to the UK to show my skills. You have great fans and great crowds. I’m really looking forward to experiencing that”. With regards to the fight ahead and responding to her detractors she continued “I mean business – anyone who talks trash to me, I wanna punch them in the face”.

Claressa Shields is a fighter, and a damn good one at that.

She is also a student of the game, a role model and advocate for female boxing. “All the women in boxing – Katie (Taylor), Amanda Serrano are all playing a big part (in promoting women’s boxing) by taking big fights…every boxing card needs to have women on it”.

When questioned on her opposition Saturday week she showed respect, but was circumspect with it. She recognised the good KO record Kozin brings to the ring but questioned the quality of the opposition faced, compared to her own. “She hasn’t fought those great challengers…I’ve been (in) with the top”. Expanding “She’s gonna have to deal with the new power and speed I bring”.

The quietly spoken but equally confident Slovenian responded “She doesn’t know me as she thinks she does”. Concluding, Kozin said “I wish Claressa good luck – I think the world will want to know me after this fight – I expect a brutal fight, a tough ten rounds”.

Shields in closing responded “I’m gonna destroy you on February 5th…I’m gonna make you call me the GWOAT !”

After my first 45 minutes in Claressa Shields company I was impressed. Her knowledge of the sport and her contemporaries was exemplary. She is rightly confident in her ability and the legacy she has already created, but also recognises the challenges to her throne and ambitions.

The main challenger in her immediate cross-hairs is former GB Olympian Savannah Marshall (10-0, 8 KO’s). That is the dream fight in the middleweight division and her showcasing in Cardiff is to build for that mega-fight. There has been much recent exchange between the two on social media, mainly derogatory, and there is unfinished business from the amateur days.

Marshall fights again shortly after to likely leave the two standing alone. Shields put on record “I win, she wins, we fight”. Provided the expected happens a week Saturday that is the one to look out for.

Ema Kozin meanwhile aims to spoil the party. On February 5th watch her try. It should be interesting.

Despite the enforced suspension of boxing in the UK by the British Boxing Board of Control until February to relieve the draw on COVID medical response resources, there’s been plenty of activity this week to whet the appetite for the coming months.

Top of the tree was the BOXXER promotional company media link (Weds) with Kell Brook and Amir Khan in advance of their February 19 showdown in Manchester. Both fighters are deep in camp just four weeks out from the bout in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands and Colorado Springs, USA respectively. Both were open about their mutual dislike of each other, their motivation for the fight and, supreme confidence of being victorious on the night.

Many say the contest is five years too late with both past their primes but it remains a quality match-up with some jeopardy and interest. This was reflected in it becoming the quickest fight in UK boxing history to sell out at the ticket outlets and with the hype building will lead to large numbers tuning into Sky Sports Box Office on the night.

It pits two elite British fighters of recent years and former world sanctioning body champions in a big domestic dust-up. Both have shown class in the past but also considerable vulnerabilities.

Brook (39-3,27 KO’s) dialling in from the sunshine of the Canary Islands spoke of his animosity towards the Bolton man “It’s a fight I’ve wanted for a long time – better late than never as they say”. He expressed his desire “To prove to Amir and the world that I’m the better fighter…it’s personal”. Looking relaxed and trimmed he explained that camp had gone well over Christmas and he would “Go out and deliver what I’m supposed to do”.

Asked by The Undisputed on his strategy on the night, he replied “I’m training for every different situation… he might want to prove to the fans he can come out (and meet me ring centre)… he might get on his bike”. The Sheffield southpaw summed up, “So long as I’m 100% I’ve got no problem”.

The fight is effectively a welterweight contest but has been made at the higher 149lbs, much to Khan’s disappointment but the purse negotiated was likely too hard to resist. It was also revealed that a rematch clause had been included in the contracts. This contest will dictate the likelihood of that but we may even see Khan-Brook II.

A few hours later Khan (34-5, 21 KO’s) dialled in from the US, and referring to his primary motivation said “I wanna just shut him up and put a beating on him”. He explained Brook’s perceived “bitterness and jealousy” for Amir’s stateside success and earnings, and further emphasized his disdain for him by saying “He’s always had that chip on his shoulder”.

When asked about his gameplan on the night he failed to provide a clear answer and may wisely not be willing to share it at this juncture, but agreed they have a similar style. His response was more a comparison than a clear strategy “I don’t think he has the same workrate and speed…his punch resistance is literally gone”. Summing up, he said “Kell has no chance of winning this fight, on the 19th I am going to destroy him”.

It may indeed be five years too late, but as Brook said “Better late than never” !

On the same day Matchroom Boxing held a press conference in Nottingham for the upcoming WBA world featherweight (9st/126lb) contest between hometown champion Leigh Wood (25-2, 15 KO’s) and former elite amateur Michael Conlan (16-0, 8 KO’s) of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Possibly following in the steps of Irish hero Barry McGuigan this is the challenger’s big opportunity to fulfill the promise since turning professional amid much fanfare on St.Patrick’s Day in New York in 2017. The contest will be on March 12 and shown on the DAZN streaming platform.

Preparations also continue for the oft delayed Chris Eubank Jr. v Liam Williams middleweight (11st,6lb/160lbs) contest in Cardiff on February 5, the first major event once battles recommence next month.

February also sees the Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall contest for the undisputed world junior welterweight (10st/140lb) title in Glasgow on February 26. Both events are promoted by BOXXER in association with Sky Sports, with the latter having the Top Rank brand added for stateside interest. A busy month ahead no doubt.

Top of the rumour mill in the week was WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury possibly swerving his mandatory obligation with Dillian Whyte and going immediately to a unification fight with Oleksandr Usyk, the IBF, WBA and WBO champion. This would take significant negotiation and step aside money for Whyte and Anthony Joshua, but in boxing never rule anything out !

So, despite little of note to preview this weekend, a lot to look forward to. Watch this space over the coming weeks.

Today Muhammad Ali would have been 80 years old.

We spend a moment to reflect on his greatness; firstly as a compassionate and giving human being, secondly an unrelentingly strong advocate of civil rights, and lastly one of the finest boxers and athletes to grace this planet.

So much has been written about the self proclaimed, but generally universally accepted ‘Greatest’, that it would be foolhardy to even attempt to do his legend further justice.

We sadly lost Muhammad on 3 June 2016 and his contribution to the sport of boxing is largely the reason it still exists in the mainstream today.

A simple summary of his ring achievements start as an amateur becoming the 1960 Olympic heavyweight champion in Rome, and after entering the professional ranks winning the Heavyweight Championship of the World in February 1964 aged 22.

Then, after an enforced layoff of three and a half years for his stance opposing American military presence in Vietnam, returning to box and narrowly lose to new champion ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier in what is regarded in sports as the fight of the twentieth century. Going on to regain his title from George Foreman in ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ in October 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, one of the most iconic fights in boxing history. Then, later in a trilogy fight defeat his nemesis Frazier in the epic ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in October 1975.

Not done yet, he lost and regained his title from Leon Spinks in September 1978 to become the first three-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. His impact on boxing and sport in general was seismic. His impact on the human race during the 1960’s and 70’s was much more. He became arguably the most famous person on the planet.

Today, we remember the life and legacy he left, bourne of his humanity and compassion.

Sleep well ‘The Greatest’ our sport has been richer for your presence. Muhammad R.I.P.

Saturday sees the return of ‘The Matrix’.

Ukrainian superstar Vasiliy Lomachenko, the double Olympic champion and former three-weight world champion meets Ghana’s Richard Commey in a non-title bout at lightweight (135lbs). The contest will be held in the ‘big room’ at Madison Square Garden, New York, and the fact it’s the first time in two years boxing has returned to the larger arena shows the draw of ‘Loma’.

A number of his famous victories have been held there in recent years and promoters Top Rank Inc. have returned him to his favourite venue where he’s a big draw.

In Commey (30-3, 27 KO’s), Lomachenko faces a former IBF world lightweight champion coming off a sole victory since he lost his title to Teofimo Lopez at the same venue in 2019. The Honduran New Yorker is the shared form line, with Loma losing his unified titles to Lopez in a seismic October 2020 defeat. Commey was stopped inside two rounds by Lopez prior to this.

Lomachenko (15-2, 11 KO’s), now 33 years old, is reaching the back end of his career but still has the undoubted class and motivational opportunities to progress. The unexpected victory by new undisputed lightweight champ Aussie, George Kambosos, over previously undefeated Lopez two weeks ago has given every 9st,9lb fighter a new target and king to topple.

Loma is looking ahead to this title opportunity but will have to perform well against the dangerous Commey to seal it. He remains The Ring magazine’s #8 in the pound-for-pound listings and will be looking to impress to retain that status and his marquee value.

The 34 year old Ghanaian is naturally bigger with Lomachenko moving up from featherweight over the last few years but the Ukrainian has the pedigree and class to gain a convincing points victory.

In the UK the big event of the weekend is the Matchroom promotion at the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena. Top of the bill is Conor Benn (19-0, 12 KO’s) facing former WBO super-lightweight ‘world’ champion Chris Algieri (25-3, 9 KO’s)at welterweight (147lbs). Equally sharing the billing is Ireland’s female pound-for-pound #1 Katie Taylor (19-0, 6 KO’s) who meets Kazakhstan’s Firuza Sharipova (14-8-1, 8 KO’s) at lightweight.

The 25 year old Benn is on an upward trajectory and has looked impressive in recent performances. His two outings this year resulted in a one round blow out of Samuel Vargas in April and recently outpointing world level Adrian Granados. Look for the Londoner to be extended by the 37 year old Algieri who’s fought in good class, but the busier and explosive Benn should get a late rounds stoppage.

In the female contest, any Kazakh fighter is worthy of respect but the main ace in Sharipova’s pack is her sole defeat to, and training with Taylor’s foe and Olympic nemesis Russian Sofya Ochigava, who will know the Irish lady well. All Taylor’s undisputed titles will be on the line and look for her to prevail in a tough contest over ten two minute rounds.

The card also features quality prospects Joe Cordina (13-0, 8 KO’s) at super-featherweight (130lbs) and Tokyo Olympian Peter McGrail (1-0, 0 KO’s) at featherweight (126lbs). The latter fighting in his hometown.

In Dubai, UAE skillful Londoner Sunny Edwards (16-0, 4 KO’s) will be making a first defence of his IBF ‘world’ flyweight title against Filipino Jayson Mama (16-0, 9 KO’s) on Probellum promotions card. As with the Kazakh’s, any man from the Philippines deserves respect and although his previous opposition is limited, he will give the champion a tough fight. The confident and slick boxing Edwards should though win on points.

Another Brit contesting a ‘world’ title on the Dubai bill is Liverpool’s Paul Butler (33-2, 15 KO’s) who looks ‘in deep’ with elite WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero (31-4, 21 KO’s). The Englishman has fought at a good level and will give the usual good account of himself but, is unlikely to take the title. It will be some achievement should he do so against a quality champion. We wish him well.

The Lomachenko v Commey fight will be shown live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Sunday morning and will be preceded by the big card from Liverpool on the DAZN streaming channel – Saturday start time 18:00.

The Probellum card will be shown on subscription channel Premier Sports2 and Boxnation available on the Sky platform. Start time Saturday 16:00. All timings GMT (UK time).

A new midweek magazine feature on The Undisputed.

Taylor v Catterall

The Josh Taylor-Jack Catterall roadshow hit London today with a press conference to launch their 26 February 2022 showdown in Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena for the undisputed super-lightweight championship of the world.

The presser followed hot on the heels of yesterday’s in Edinburgh, Scotland (Taylor’s home city) although he’ll proudly say he’s a Prestonpans man ! Catterall from Chorley, Lancashire will make this a classic Scotland v England encounter, which is fuelled by centuries of history and sporting confrontation.

The champion Taylor (18-0, 13 KO’s) will be defending his newly won array of 10st (140lb) sanctioning belts and The Ring magazine title against the undefeated Catterall (26-0, 13 KO’s). The English challenger has held WBO world mandatory contender status for some time and allowed Taylor to add the WBC & WBO titles to his earlier gained IBF & WBA straps, before securing his shot. Taylor is one of only a handful of undisputed champions in world boxing.

Similar to yesterday’s conference mutual respect was shown by both competitors early on the dais, and both were confident of an outcome in their favour.

Catterall said he gives Taylor “a lot of respect, but that goes out the window in February”. He continued “I think I’ve been denied the opportunities…I now have the opportunity to catapult myself onto the world stage”.

Taylor when questioned, replied “I believe I’m one of the best fighters on the planet” – (something endorsed by being The Ring magazine’s #5 pound-for-pounder), and continued “I believe I’m coming into my prime now…I feel almost unbeatable”.

On the task ahead Taylor further explained “It’s my job and duty to make sure I do everything in my power to make sure he doesn’t get these belts…I believe on the night he’s not getting anywhere near me”.

Caterall’s respected head trainer Nigel Travis later added “Preparation is gonna be the key to all this…This is a fight that Britain deserves, England v Scotland”. In response, equally respected Ben Davison replied from the Taylor camp saying “This is a legacy defining fight for Josh…we have real motivation to make this a real showcase performance…in front of a Scottish crowd”.

The contest pits an exceptional undefeated champion against an undefeated contender. Both arguably in their prime.

Taylor is very cautious not to look ahead of this contest, and substantiated by saying “When you overlook an opponent, the worst happens”. Big things are planned and expected from the slick Scottish southpaw, but first he must take care of domestic business.

As the questions in the presser were coming to a close, things got heated when Catterall told Adam Smith (Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development), he saw “several ways” to beat Taylor. The Scot snapped back “How ? …in what way ?”. The challenger responded “By turning up and being Jack Catterall. I’ll get in there and punch (his) head in!”. The champion smirked immediately, responded in the negative, and finished by shaking his head and laughed saying “Go back to bed”.

A tense, but cordial head to head then followed with the belts.

When Taylor was later asked by The Undisputed in a one-on-one what he needs to do to become the greatest Scottish fighter of all time ? He cautiously replied “That’s a tough one” and carefully reminded me of some of the great champions from north of the border (Buchanan, Ricky Burns et al). His parting words were though, to “win titles in two divisions”.

If the undefeated champion can take care of business in February, great fighters and fights await to enable him to achieve that, by moving up to join the 10st,7lbs (147lb) welterweights. That would appear his long term goal.

When we questioned Catterall on his approach to the fight and what he presented that Taylor had not seen before, he replied “Be me, he’s never boxed me and I will be a totally different threat to anything he’s ever faced”. It promises to be an excellent contrast of styles and experience, with the champion having fought at world level numerous times in recent years to the challenger’s relative inexperience, but the Lancashire man is an improving fighter and Taylor will know that and will need to prepare diligently.

The contest is being promoted by the new and excellent BOXXER franchise, in association with Top Rank Inc. and Sky Sports. The card will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and ESPN+ in the USA. Both fighters now step up their training camps and will home in on the late February date. One to watch out for.

Top of the bill this weekend in the UK is the light-heavyweight rematch between British Commonwealth champion Lyndon Arthur and challenger Anthony Yarde.

Almost a year to the day they fought a highly competitive match which resulted in the Manchester man, Arthur winning by split decision. It took place behind closed doors in the midst of the COVID pandemic and on Saturday they’ll fight before a capacity crowd in the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London.

It’s a highly anticipated contest after the quality of the first encounter and has significance at world level. The 12st,7lb (175lb) division is hot right now with quality Russian operator Artur Beterbiev the recognised champion, closely backed up by compatriot Dmitry Bivol and class operators Joe Smith Jr and Gilberto Ramirez.

Domestically, this is the deepest division. Undefeated world ranked Joshua Buatsi, former 168lb world champion Callum Smith and world contender Callum Johnson are all leading lights. The latter has just secured a second title shot against WBO champion Joe Smith Jr in New York state in January 2022.

Saturday’s contest pits the excellent skills of Arthur (19-0, 13 KO’s) against the bigger punching Yarde (21-2, 20 KO’s). The Hackney challenger was on a hot winning streak until he came up against former WBO champion Sergey Kovalev back in 2019 and despite flooring the champion was eventually stopped himself in an excellent performance. Since then he’s been beset with family traumas related to the COVID pandemic which may have affected his performance in the first Arthur contest. He points to his mind being in the right place this time round.

That simple explanation may discredit Arthur who put in an excellent performance behind an almost impenetrable left jab to just about inch the first fight. Although close, he was a worthy winner on the night.

Yarde will again be looking to make his superior power count in the early rounds and hanging a lot on an early stoppage victory. Whilst there is mutual respect shown by both fighters, both believe they are the superior technician and will prevail. It’s a real north v south clash with the boxer against the banger.

Arthur was the underdog going into the first contest and the tables are turned now. He enters as favorite, albeit a slim one, and the outcome in most rematches is a repeat of the first. However, Yarde knows his boxing future is on the line in this one and a second defeat to a domestic rival will set him back a number of years, maybe indefinitely. So, he will give it his all without doubt.

The Mancunian champion has the confidence of knowing he can beat his opponent and will be looking to higher things. This is unlikely to be a distraction and if he can keep his chin tucked in during the early rounds we expect Arthur to eek out another close, and maybe again, contentious decision.

Also on a good card are two prospects from Maidstone, Kent in SE England. Bantamweight Dennis McCann (10-0, 6 KO’s) is tipped for great things by Tyson Fury no less, and faces Juan Jose Jurado in an international contest. Lightweight Sam Noakes (7-0, 7 KO’s) faces Shaun Cooper for the WBC International ‘Silver’ title. Both are excellent fighters with a bright future and will be looking to win impressively on a high profile televised show. Both should have little trouble.

Finally, there’s a crossroads fight at super-welterweight (11st/154lbs) between Hamzah Sheerez (13-0, 9 KO’s) and former British welterweight champion Bradley Skeete (29-3, 14 KO’s). The latter is 34 years old and unlikely to upset the much younger prospect. It should though be a good educational fight for the to date impressive Sheerez, and stand him in good stead for future championship challenges.

Enjoy your fight weekend.

The card is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and televised live on BT Sport 1 in the UK from 19:30 GMT.

Well, we did say that upsets happen !

In our Friday Faceup we suggested George Kambosos Jr. stood a chance against Teofimo Lopez but, it was slim. Whilst we were wide of the mark with our prediction, a first for a long time I must add, we did mention a few underdogs upsetting the ‘applecart’ in the past. The tough and talented Aussie sure did show up, ripping the lightweight crown from the Honduran New Yorker by a split, but convincing decision on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

We pointed lightly to Kambosos’ self-proclamation of a statue being erected in Sydney, Australia to honour his pending accomplishment. Well, he’s the one laughing now. The new champ was brilliant and, despite Lopez’ claim, was the boss on the night.

Kambosos (20-0, 10 KO’s) dealt with Lopez (16-1, 12 KO’s) intensity and wreckless abandonment in the opening minute to set his stall out for the fight, landing a booming overhand right flush on Lopez and registering the first knockdown. Lopez was caught cold and visibly shocked, but rose before the bell.

What then followed was a regaining of composure by the champion in the second round but the die had been cast. The heavily tattooed Aussie with ‘Never retreat, never surrender’ on his back, a mantra for his performance on the night, exuded supreme confidence boxing on the back foot but in the exchanges pot-shotting with his right hand over Lopez’ jab.

Lopez won some early rounds but the challenger took control mid fight and other than getting clipped with a big right in the ninth and subsequently dropped by a chopping right hand in the tenth, the Aussie stood his ground and dominated.

Both fighters were cut from the eighth in what was a bruising encounter, but two strong rounds by Kambosos in the eleventh convincingly, and twelfth sealed the deal. American TV punchstats showed Kambosos had landed 155 powerpunches to Lopez’ 115.

On the final bell the contrasting body language of both fighters showed Lopez title reign looked to have ended. Kambosos’ confidence was rewarded with a split decision victory by scores of 115-111, 113-114 and 115-112. It was highly debatable whether the second card told the story of the fight and a worthy new champ had been crowned.

Kambosos captured The Ring magazine lightweight championship and the multiple baubles of the sanctioning bodies. Devin Haney is the WBC ‘world’ champion, but the Aussie beat the man (Lopez) who beat the man (Vasiliy Lomachenko) and can rightly claim to be the lineal champion. As the fight went to purse bids there is no rematch clause so Lopez will have to wait in line, whilst the other 9st 9lb (135lb) contenders queue up to challenge the new champ.

An ecstatic Kambosos proclaimed post-fight ” You got the Four Kings, (but) I’m the Emperor !”. The result was one that sent shock waves through the sport. Lopez entered the contest 13-1 on to gain the victory, but boxing again showed us never underestimate an underdog. In many ways it has rejuvenated confidence in the sport.

Kambosos accepted he is now “the hunted” but big fights await him back in Australia, whoever he chooses to take on next. ‘The Emperor’ has deserved his place in the sun and we look forward to the next chapter.

Battle of Britain

Finally, two former ‘world’ welterweight champs and bitter domestic rivals Kell Brook and Amir Khan will settle their score in the ring. In London yesterday at a tense press conference it was announced they would meet on Saturday 19 February 2020 at the Manchester AO Arena.

The event will be promoted by BOXXER in association with Sky Sports who will televise the contest on their Box Office (pay per view) channel.

This is a genuine grudge match and although maybe coming a few years too late to have significance at world level, is an intriguing match up. Outside of Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury this is the biggest ‘name’ fight in the UK to be made. Both have operated for the last decade at the elite level and, although come up short in recent years, have bags of experience and pedigree. What makes the contest most intriguing is who has the most left ? They’ve both suffered KO defeats and bounced back to then be defeated again. They’re of a similar age (Brook 35 to Khan’s 34) and likely to put it all on line on the night.

Over the next few months there will be some cynicism towards the contest but it’s a fight that has a lot to offer. In a feisty press conference Brook (39-3, 27 KO’s) pointed to Khan (34-5, 21 KO’s) avoiding him for years. Khan responded with an explanation of being “on different paths” in the past but claimed he always wanted the fight. It will pit a man from Bolton NW England against one from over the Pennines (a local mountain range) in Sheffield. Therefore northern England bragging rights will also be at stake.

Both have been inactive – Khan last fighting in July 2019 and Brook in November 2020. Both have lost to elite fighters – sharing defeats to Terence Crawford in 2019 (Khan) and 2020 (Brook) respectively. Both have a back story to schoolboy level where their paths have crossed but never met in the ring. The animosity has been bubbling for many years and marinaded to this point.

It will pit a talented and historically quick orthodox fighter (Khan) against a slick southpaw (Brook). Over the next few months look for the hype to build towards their overdue, but still interesting showdown.

Finally, we build up this week towards Saturday’s (4th December) mouthwatering rematch between world ranked light-heavyweights Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde. Manchester’s Arthur (19-0, 13 KO’s) will attempt to repeat his defeating of Hackney’s Yarde (21-2, 20 KO’s) on split decision almost a year to the day. The big punching Yarde now has two recent defeats on his record and will attempt to get back on track. Arthur will be protecting his WBO world #1 ranking.

The fight is promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and will take place at the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. It will be televised live on BT Sport.

Look out for a full preview in the Friday Faceup.