LONDON, UK (February 14, 2024) – Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic takes on Steve Robinson and rising super middleweight star Callum Simpson is back in action on the undercard of the ‘Bad Blood’ showdown between unbeaten heavyweight rivals Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke on Sunday, March 31st at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Babic (11-1, 10 KOs) returns to The O2 where he has previously recorded wins over Morgan Dessaux, former World Title challenger Eric Molina and Adam Balski. The popular Croatian heavyweight has built a cult following in the UK where he has amassed a series of impressive KO wins. His unbeaten run was cut short when challenging Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC Bridgerweight World Title in Poland last April. The 33-year-old will be looking to get back to winning ways when faces Newcastle’s Steve ‘Drago’ Robinson (6-2, 4 KOs) as part of a huge night of boxing in the capital.

Simpson (13-0, 9 KOs) was ringside to watch Zak Chelli capture the British Super Middleweight Title from Jack Cullen at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in January. The Barnsley man is mandatory challenger for the British Title but before he has his crack at the Lonsdale belt, the 27-year-old will look to extend his unbeaten streak as he returns to London following a unanimous points win over Jose de Jesus Macias at York Hall in September.

Unbeaten heavyweights Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke collide in a ‘Bad Blood’ showdown for the British and Commonwealth Titles on Sunday, March 31st at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Florian Marku and Chris Kongo will settle their simmering welterweight rivalry following an explosive press conference altercation last year with more major undercard announcements coming soon.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Integritas Property Group and VOW Nutrition.

Tickets, starting from just £30, go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday, February 15th) at midday. For more details visit: https://www.boxxer.com

RZESZÓW, POLAND – (April 21, 2023) – A procession of power-punchers hit the scales in Poland today to officially make weight for tomorrow night’s bouts on the BOXXER Fight Night event taking place in at the G2A Arena in the historic city of Rzeszów, live on Sky Sports and presented in association with local partners Knockout Promotions.

In the main event, crowd-pleasing Croatian Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (11-0, 10 KO’s) competes for the inaugural WBC Bridgerweight Championship against hometown hero ?ukasz Roza?ski (14-0, 13 KO’s).

The chief support slot sees heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (18-1 13 KO’s) make his BOXXER debut. He faces Ukrainian standout Igor ‘Hulk’ Shevadzutskiy (10-0 8 KO’s) and will be going in search of his opponent’s countryman Oleksandr Usyk if victorious tomorrow night.

Also on the card from the BOXXER heavyweight stable is Jeamie TKV (4-0 2 KO’s), who faces Poland’s Micha? Bo?oz (5-4-2 5 KO’s), joined by light-heavyweights Steed Woodall (17-1-1 11 KO’s) vs Boris Crighton (10-2 7 KO’s). 

Today’s official weigh-in results are below. Watch live this Saturday night on Sky Sports.

WBC Bridgerweight World Title Fight 

?ukasz Roza?ski (100.8kg // 15st 12 lbs 3oz) vs Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (95.6kg // 5st 13oz) 

Heavyweight Bout (10 Rounds)

Martin Bakole (127.3kg // 20st 10oz)  vs Igor Hulk Shevadzutskiy (125.6kg-19st 10 lbs 14 oz) 

Heavyweight Bout (8 Rounds)

Jeamie TKV (117.7kg // 18st 7lbs 8oz) vs Micha? Bo?oz (101.2kg // 15st 13lbs 2oz) 

Light-Heavyweight Bout (8 Rounds)

Steed Woodall (78.4kg // 12st 4lbs 13oz) vs Boris Crighton (77.3kg // 12st 2lbs 6oz) 

RZESZÓW, POLAND – (April 20, 2023) – Some of the biggest hitters in the BOXXER stable were on deck in Poland today for open workouts ahead of this Saturday night’s event at the G2A Arena in the historic city of Rzeszów, live on Sky Sports.

Big opportunities await the winners, with Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois on the radar for Bakole and Richard Riakporhe on the radar for Babic.

<CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PHOTOS>Credit to Boxxer / Lawrence Lustig

With a history of strategic importance stretching back to the mediaeval era and beyond, Rzeszów has witnessed many a major battle during its long history and at the weekend will witness several more as BOXXER makes its first visit to Poland in association with regional partners Knockout Promotions.

The WBC World Bridgerweight Championship is on the line in the main event when Croatian wildman Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (11-0, 10 KO’s) steps up to face Polish counterpart ?ukasz Ró?a?ski (14-0, 13 KO’s) in what is sure to be an incredible firefight – for as long as it lasts.

With a combined record of 23 knockouts from 25 wins, both fighters have a deserved reputation for finishing fights early and throwing caution to the wind in pursuit of a crowd-pleasing conclusion.

The winner will become the inaugural WBC Bridgerweight Champion and reign over a newly-created division named in honour of American schoolboy Bridger Walker, who survived severe damage while protecting his 4-year-old sister from a wild dog attack.

Created by the WBC to “bridge” the gap between cruiserweight and heavyweight, the holder of the division’s championship will open himself up to opportunities in both of those weight classes. 

BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom sees potential opportunities for Babic against the likes of Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and even Lawrence Okolie – if he wins on Saturday night.

“It’s a tough fight for Babic against a home fighter but he’s a huge fan favourite that brings numbers, so if he can win this belt then that’s going to open up big opportunities for him. Holding a WBC belt opens doors for you and I think he’ll have cruiserweights and heavyweights looking for him,” he says.

“Richard Riakporhe is interested in him. Frazer Clarke, Fabio Wardley and even Lawrence Okolie could all be possible. So let’s see what happens Saturday. Whichever way it goes, it’s going to be a war and someone is getting knocked out without a doubt. I expect it to be crazy.”

Saturday night also marks the BOXXER debut of newly-signed heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (18-1 13 KO’s), who has been in the headlines recently after being linked with potential marquee showdowns against Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. 

First though he must face Ukrainian slugger Igor ‘Hulk’ Shevadzutskiy (10-0 8 KO’s), who is fighting just a few miles from the Ukrainian border and looking to take out a big name and open up opportunities of his own.

“If [Dubois’] fight against Usyk is not happening, after Saturday’s fight the only person I will call out is Daniel Dubois because he’s got the belt. I want to be No 1 for Usyk or anybody,” says Bakole.

“He’s No 1 regular in the WBA and I’m No 2 ranking so that is an easy fight to make so we don’t need to talk too much.

“People are avoiding me now, I have been calling them out, mentioning everybody and nobody has mentioned me or responded. I’ll work hard to be No 1 challenger, so no more avoiding.”

Shalom said, “He’s got to make a statement Saturday night, put him away in six rounds or less then look to see what happens with Usyk, Dubois, Joyce or Zhang. He also wants the Dillian Whyte fight, he wants the Anthony Joshua fight… he’s ready to go!”

Also competing from the BOXXER stable on Saturday night are rising heavyweight prospect Jeamie TKV (4-0, 2 KO’s), who faces Poland’s Micha? Bo?oz (5-4-2 5 KO’s), and an all-British showdown between Steed Woodall (17-1-1 11 KO’s) and Boris Crighton (10-2 7 KO’s). 

Watch live on Sky Sports this Saturday, April 22nd:

WBC Bridgerweight World Title Fight 

?ukasz Ró?a?ski (14-0, 13 KO’s) vs Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (11-0, 10 KO’s) 

Heavyweight Bout (10 Rounds)

Martin Bakole (18-1 13 KO’s)  vs Igor Hulk Shevadzutskiy (10-0 8 KO’s) 

Heavyweight Bout (8 Rounds)

Jeamie TKV (4-0 2 KO’s) vs Micha? Bo?oz (5-4-2 5 KO’s) Polska 

Light-Heavyweight Bout (8 Rounds)

Steed Woodall (17-1-1 11 KO’s) vs Boris Crighton (10-2 7 KO’s) 

London, UK – (March 15, 2023) – BOXXER heads to Poland next month for its second international event of 2023, presenting a world title fight and a stacked card of elite championship boxing on Saturday, April 22, in association with Knockout Promotions.

Fresh from a successful event in Paris last weekend, where Dan Azeez captured the EBU light-heavyweight title and Lauren Price extended her unbeaten professional record, another huge trip to the continent is in the reckoning.

Caroline Dubois leads the star-studded travelling party to Rzeszów, along with brand new BOXXER signing Martin Bakole and fellow heavyweight Jeamie TKV – with Alen Babic headlining, live and exclusively in the UK & Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports, when he faces Lukasz Rozanski for the vacant WBC World Bridgerweight title. 

Trained by Shane McGuigan, rising superstar Dubois (6-0, 5 KOs) blasted her way through Feriche Mashaury at the OVO Wembley Arena in February to make another emphatic stride in her burgeoning career.

Mashaury has fought the likes of Chantelle Cameron and Terri Harper and took recently crowned British Boxer of the Year Natasha Jonas the distance in 2019.

But former Team GB hero Dubois, 22, made light work of her Tanzania rival and dispatched her inside two destructive rounds. An opponent for April 22 will be named in due course.

The ‘Next King of Scotland’ Martin Bakole (18-1-0, 13 KOs) will make his highly-anticipated BOXXER debut when he takes on unbeaten Ukrainian, Ihor Shevadzutskyi (10-0, 8 KOs) in a battle of the behemoths. 

Bakole signed a long-term deal with BOXXER back in February. And the Ayrshire-based heavyweight, who is ranked highly by the WBA, will be out to make a major statement when he collides with a man nicknamed ‘the Hulk’, who has wins over Kevin Johnson and Kamil Sokolowski on his CV.

Standing at a menacing 6ft 6in, Bakole hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he was born a prince to the son of the ruler of the Kananga province. His brother is former WBC World Cruiserweight king, Ilunga Makabu.

His record is as impressive as his stature, having won 18 professional fights including his last in May 2022 when he celebrated a majority decision victory over Tony Yoka in the Rio 2016 Olympic champion’s homeland in Paris, France.

Bakole’s only defeat was in 2018 to American heavyweight Michael Hunter. But he has responded with seven successive wins since – five of which were knockouts, including triumphs against Kevin Johnson and Mariusz Wach.

Another impressive heavyweight on the fight card in Rzeszów is Jeamie TKV (4-0, 2 KOs).

The undefeated Londoner has made a great impression with BOXXER, enjoying four wins – including his breathtaking points victory over Harry Armstrong last month.

The 29-year-old has been training in Texas and can now look forward to his first fight outside of his capital city when he travels to Poland next month.

Completing the line-up will be a hotly-contested main event which sees the popular Croatian knockout artist, Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (11-0, 10 KOs) battle Poland’s own Lukasz Rozanski (14-0, 13 KOS) for the vacant WBC World Bridgerweight Championship.

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom said: “Another significant European adventure awaits. Paris was an incredible success and we believe that this fight night in Poland will be hugely impactful in the world of boxing. 

“Caroline Dubois has proved unstoppable and this will be a brilliant test for her overseas. Jeamie TKV has lit up our screens with some hugely impressive heavyweight performances and you will not want to blink when the ‘Next King of Scotland’ Martin Bakole stands toe-to-toe with the ‘Ukrainian Hulk’, Ihor Shevadzutskyi in chief support.

“Topped by a huge world title fight with Alan Babic, we are looking forward to another showcase for our world class roster on the global stage with Sky Sports.”

Further news on tickets and media accreditation will be released in due course.

This event is presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

Joshua Buatsi remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Craig Richards at The O2 Arena in London.

Buatsi, 174.75 lbs of Croydon, ENG won by scores of 116-112 and 115-113 twice and is now 16-0. Richards, 174.25 lbs of Crystal Palace, ENG is 17-3-1.

Cameron Decisions Bustos; Retains Unified 140 lb. Titles

Chantelle Cameron defended the WBC/IBG Super Lightweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Victoria Bustos.

Cameron, 140 lbs of Northamptonm ENG won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 16-0. Bustos, 137.3 lbs of Rosario, ARG is now 23-.

Babic Decisions Balski

Alen Babic went the distance for the first time and won a 10-round unanimous decision over Adam Balski in a bridgerweight fight.

In round one, Balski dropped Babic with a left hook to the top of the head.

Balski was deducted a point for clocking and hurting Babic after hitting after the ninth round bell.

Babic, 208.4 lbs of Zagreb, CRO won by scores of 97-91 twice and 95-93 and is now 11-0. Balski, 210.2 lbs of Warsaw, POL is 16-2.

Scotney Decisions Roman

Ellie Scotney won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Cecilla Roman in a super bantamweight bout.

Scotney, 121.7 lbs of Catford, ENG won by scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice and is now 5-0. Roman, 121.7 lbs of San Juan, ARG is 16-7-1.

Davies Jr. Decisions Javier Molina

Robbie Davies Jr. won a 10-round split-decision over former United States Olympian Javier Molina in a super lightweight fight.

Davies Jr., 139.75 lbs of Liverpool, ENG won by scores of 96-94 twice while Molina took a card 97-94.

Davies Jr. is 23-3. Molina, 139.75 lbs of Norwalk, CA is 22-5.

Cheavon Clarke remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Paweil Martyniuk in a scheduled six-round cruiserweight bout.

In round three, Clarke dropped Martyniuk with a body shot. Seconds later, it was another body shot that put Martyniyuk down and the fight was stopped at 1:10.

Clarke, 199 lbs of Gravesend, ENG is 2-0 with two knockouts.

Cyrus Pattinson remained undefeated with a third-round stoppage over Dimitri Trenel in a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

In round three, Pattinson dropped Trenel with a left to the body. Seconds later, a flurry of shots that were mostly to the body had the corner throw in the towel at 2:21

Pattinson, 150 lbs of Alnwick, ENG is 4-0 with two knockouts. Trenel, 149.9 lbs of Dainville, FRA is 8-1.

John Hedges stopped Robert Baltrau in round three of a six-round light heavyweight contest.

In round three, Hedges landed a perfect left that sent Baltaru to the canvas. Baltaru got to his feet but the fight was stopped at 2:24.

Hedges, 182.7 lbs of Talkaley, ENG is now 6-0 with two knockouts. Baltaru, 181.2 lbs of Braga, PR is 2-1-1.

Shiloh DeFreitas remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Iliyan Markov in a super lightweight contest.

In round three, Markov began to bleed from his mouth. In round six, DeFreitas with a right to the body.

DeFreitas, 146.75 lbs of London won by a score of 60-54 and is now 4-0. Markov, 146 lbs of Sofia, Bulgaria is 6-20-2.

Alen Babic will look to keep his destructive knockout streak going when he takes on Adam Balski for the vacant WBC Silver Bridgerweight Title on the undercard of Joshua Buatsi’s huge domestic Light-Heavyweight clash with Craig Richards at The O2 in London on Saturday May 21, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).
 
The big-hitting Croat took six rounds to take out Frenchman David Spilmont on the undercard of Joseph Parker’s rematch with Derek Chisora last time out in December – taking ‘The Savage’s’ record to ten knockouts from ten fights since turning pro in July 2019.
 
Northampton’s WBC and IBF Super-Lightweight World Champion Chantelle Cameron (15-0, 8 KOs) defends her crowns against Argentina’s former World Champion Victoria Noelia Bustos (23-6) as she waits for a date for her huge Undisputed clash with WBA and WBO ruler Kali Reis.
 
Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr (22-3, 15 KOs) looks to build on his impressive stoppage win over Henry Lundy back in December when he puts his WBA Continental Super-Lightweight Title on the line against another American Javier Molina (22-4, 9 KOs).
 
Catford’s Ellie Scotney (4-0) was made to work hard as she battled past Jorgelina Guanini to earn the WBA Intercontinental Super-Bantamweight crown at the famous Alexandra Palace in February – she puts that belt on the line against Argentina’s former World Champion Maria Cecilia Roman (16-6-1).
 
Elsewhere on the card there’s action for Takeley Light-Heavyweight youngster ‘The Gentleman’ John Hedges (5-0, 1 KO), former Team GB Olympian turned Cruiserweight prospect Cheavon Clarke (1-0, 1 KO) and London Super-Lightweight talent Shiloh ‘Sugar Shy’ Defreitas (3-0, 2 KOs).

Joseph Parker won a 12-round unanimous decision over Derek Chisora in a spirited heavyweight rematch in Manchester, England.

In round two, Parker started to batter Chisora on the ropes, and badly hurt Chisora in round three with a hard right hand followed by a combination. In round four, Parker landed a booming right that sent Chisora into the ropes that was ruled a knockdown. Chisora tried to mount a serious rally at the end of the round.

In round seven, Parker dropped Chisora with a right uppercut. Just like in round three, Chisora rallied with a big flurry at the end of the frame. In round eight, it was another uppercut that sent Chisora into the corner for a knockdown. Parker was not able to finish Chisora, but he won by scores of 115-110, 115-111 and 114-112.

Parker landed 144 of 464 punches; Chisora was 122 of 468.

Parker, 251 lbs of Auckland, NZ is 30-2. Chisora, 248.8 lbs of Finchley, ENG is 32-12.

Lelesadjo stops Cullen in 6

Kevin Lelesadjo stopped Jack Cullen in round six of their 12-round super middleweight bout.

The left eye of Cullen began to bleed in round five. In round six, Lelesadjo dropped Cullen with a hard left to the body and Cullen could not beat the count at 1;11

Lelesadjo, 167.8 lbs of Saint-Maur, FRA is 17-0 with 15 knockouts. Cullen, 167.8 lbs of Little Leaver, ENG is 20-3-1.

Barrett Decisions Tarimo

Zelfa Barrett won a 12-round unanimous decision over Bruno Tarimo in a super featherweight bout.

In round three, Barrett dropped Tarimo with a hard right hand.

Barrett landed 148 of 577 punches; Tarmio was 84 of 520.

Barrett, 129.8 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by scores of 117-110 twice and 116-111 and is now 27-1. Tarimo, 128.8 lbs of Southport, AUS is 26-3-2.

Richards Decisions Gongora

In a battle of undefeated super middleweight, Lerrone Richards won a 12-round split decision over Carlos Gongora.

Richards, 167.2 lbs of New Malden, ENG won by scores of 115-113 twice. Gongora won a card 116-112.

Richards landed 114 of 484 punches; Gongora was just 95 of 443.

Richards is now 16-0. Gongora, 168 lbs of Esmeraldes, ECU is 20-1.

Babic Stops Spilmont in 6

Alen Babic remained perfect by stopping David Spilmont in round six of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Babic rocked Spilmont several times. Spilmont hurt badly with a hard left hook in round three. In round fourm, Babic dropped Spilmont with an overhand left.

In round six, Babic landed a big left hook that set off a six-punch flurry that folded Spilmont down to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 53 seconds.

Babic, 216 lbs of Zegreb, CRO is 10-0 with 10 knockouts, Spilmont, 252 lbs of Saint-Michel, FRA is 11-8-1.

Nyika Stops Carpin in 1

David Nyika stopped Anthony Carpin in round one of their scheduled four-round cruiserweight bout.

Nyika, 199.3 lbs of Hamilton, NZ is 2-0 with two knockouts. Carpin, 203 lbs of France is 5-7-1.

Eric Molina has confidently predicted that he will become the first man to defeat fast-rising Croatian Heavyweight contender Alen Babic when they collide in a scheduled eight-round contest on the undercard of Chantelle Cameron vs. Mary McGee at The O2 in London this Saturday October 30, live worldwide on DAZN. 

‘Drummer Boy’ (28-7, 20 KOs) gave Fabio Wardley the toughest test of his career at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar earlier this year and heads into his clash with Babic on the back of a third-round knockout win over Alejandro de la Torre in August. 

The two-time World Title challenger from Texas, USA has shared the ring with a who’s who in the Heavyweight division, including losses to Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and insists that he isn’t intimidated in the slightest by ‘The Savage’s’ threats and warnings. 

“It’s really not easy to travel as far as we do at short notice, but I firmly believe that I have what it takes to knock this guy out on Saturday,” said Molina. “I look at him as a reckless fighter. I look at him as somebody that has no respect for the Heavyweight division. This Heavyweight division has a very brutal way of humbling fighters at different times. 

“It’s a tough lesson that a lot of fighters have to learn. I’ve learnt it, Anthony Joshua has learnt it, Deontay Wilder has learnt it, the best of the best have learnt it. Babic is going to have to learn that one day to respect this division. 

“He could throw 100 punches in one round. He’s going to need to throw 100 punches to get me out of there in one round. I’ve just got to thrown one punch. One punch and I will devastatingly knock him out. Whatever he thinks in his mind is up to him, I just focus on my energy and my short camp. I know exactly that I’ve got to do.

“I’m not here to talk and I’m not here to prove anything. My resume speaks for itself. I’ve been in with the best. This guy doesn’t intimidate me. I don’t lose any sleep about this fight at all. We’re working on a specific technique to really knock this guy out. I think he gives me every opportunity to do that. 

“I want him to be as confident as possible. I want him to be as cocky as possible. I don’t even want to warn him with what I’m coming with. It’s pointless. I’ve been that guy in the division. I want him to feel it on Saturday, and then I want him to understand. He has never been hit by somebody like me. He is going to get hit really hard on Saturday. We’re going to see what he’s really got.”

Babic vs. Molina is part of a big night of action Greenwich, Chantelle Cameron’s (14-0, 8 KOs) WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine Super-Lightweight Unification clash with the USA’s Mary McGee (27-3, 15 KOs) tops the bill, Craig Richards (16-2-1, 9 KOs) returns to the ring against Poland’s Marek Matyja (20-2-2, 9 KOs) after pushing WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol all the way in May, Youssef Khoumari (13-0-1, 5 KOs) takes on Jorge David Castaneda (14-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight Title, ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher (3-0, 3 KOs) faces Spain’s Alvaro Terrero (5-13-2, 3 KOs) in front of over 1,000 of his fans, Catford Super-Bantamweight Ellie Scotney (2-0) squares off against Eva Cantos (2-1) in her first fight with new trainer Shane McGuigan, Manchester Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson (10-0, 8 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut against Poland’s Piotr Podlucki (6-5, 2 KOs), Takeley Light-Heavyweight prospect John Hedges (3-0) meets Ben Thomas (2-7-3, 1 KO) over four rounds and Dublin Heavyweight Thomas Carty (1-0) has his second professional fight. 

Alen Babic will battle former World Title challenger Eric Molina in a scheduled eight-round contest on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s huge showdown with Otto Wallin at The O2 in London on Saturday October 30, live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Savage’ (8-0, 8 KOs) continued his destructive run of form when he retired Mark Bennett in five rounds on the undercard of Kid Galahad’s IBF Featherweight World Title win over Jazza Dickens on the second week of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex. 

‘Drummer Boy’ (28-7, 20 KOs) gave Fabio Wardley the toughest test of his career at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar earlier this year and heads into his clash with Babic on the back of a third-round knockout win over Alejandro de la Torre in August. 

“The Savage calls upon his army once again,” said Babic. “The stage is The O2 Arena, the opponent is Eric Molina. The Savage is coming home. Pain is on the menu that night, let us embrace it. I don’t want a normal fight, I want a painful one. Eric Molina – I hope you are ready because it is going to be a painful fight. Happy Halloween, Eric.”

“The Heavyweight division is on fire,” said Molina. “These are the explosive fights that people want to see. I plan to use my size and experience to my advantage. This is a very very dangerous fight for Babic.”

Babic vs. Molina is part of a huge night of boxing in the capital, Dillian Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) puts his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title on the line against Sweden’s Otto Wallin (21-1-0-1, 14 KOs), Northampton’s Chantelle Cameron (14-0, 8 KOs) meets the USA’s Mary McGee (27-3, 15 KOs) in a unification clash for the WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine Super-Lightweight World Titles, Craig Richards (16-2-1, 9 KOs) returns to the ring against Poland’s Marek Matyja (20-2-2, 9 KOs) after pushing WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol all the way in May, Youssef Khoumari (13-0-1, 5 KOs) takes on Jorge David Castaneda (14-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight Title, ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher (3-0, 3 KOs) faces Spain’s Alvaro Terrero (5-13-2, 3 KOs) in front of over 1,000 of his fans, Catford Super-Bantamweight Ellie Scotney (2-0) squares off against Eva Cantos (2-1) in her first fight with new trainer Shane McGuigan, Takeley Light-Heavyweight prospect John Hedges (3-0) meets Antony Woolery (2-7) over four rounds and Dublin Heavyweight Thomas Carty (1-0) has his second professional fight. 

Tickets for Whyte vs. Wallin priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £250 and £500 (VIP) are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

Kid Galahad won the vacant IBF Featherweight Title after stopping Jazza Dickens in a rematch from eight-years ago, at the Matchroom HQ in Essex, England.

Galahad beat up Dickens throughout the bout as he cut Dickens over the left eye as early as round two. Galahad continued to win rounds, as the cut worsened on Dickens. Dickens was deducted a point in round ten for stepping on the foot of Galahad. With the face of Dickens looking like a bloody mess, the fight was halted in the corner after round 11.

Galahad, 125 4/4 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is now 28-1 with 17 knockouts. Dickens, 125 1/4 lbs of Liverpool. ENG is 30-4.

“I’ve been waiting 19 years for this and it’s finally here, I’ve finally got it – IBF Champion of the World,” Galahad told DAZN. “Not a little bit, the whole world. This doesn’t say regular champion, this says World Champion. People can think what they want. I come to fight. I’m a full time professional, I don’t take no days off. Jazza Dickens will become a World Champion 100%. Without a doubt, he’ll become a World Champion. I’m just over the moon.
 
“Thank you Eddie Hearn. If it weren’t for Eddie Hearn I wouldn’t be in this position right now. Thank you to DAZN. I’m just over the moon man. Brendan Ingle told me that I’m going to win everything from Super-Bantamweight up to Lightweight. Nobody believed me and everyone doubted me when I said I’d become Word Champion. Before I met Brendan, I would have probably been locked up in jail. He was the only person that gave me hope. If it wasn’t for boxing, Eddie Hearn, DAZN, Brendan Ingle, my mum I’d probably be locked up or dead. 
 
“Naseem Hamed, I met him at the local mosque. I said to him, ‘Naz, I want to be a World Champion like you’. He told me if I wanted to become a World Champion I needed to go and find Brendan Ingle at the St Thomas’ Boxing Club. The rest is history. I went and met Brendan and that’s it. 
 
“Every single day two busses. 45 minutes. I used to get up at 5.45 to get in for 6.45. Every single day from the age of 12-years-old. When I was 15 I moved out of my area. Brendan told me I’d end up locked up or dead if I stayed in that area. I lived in a crappy house at the bottom of the road with about five other boxers. There were rats and everything. I used to have a mattress on the floor. I lived there from the age of 15 until I was 20 and I got enough money to get my own house. 
 
“My mum is over there somewhere. She’s over the moon. We’ve come from nothing. Hopefully I make a few quid out of this and get her a nice house, and get out of the area. I’m going to dominate the division. I always told Eddie I was going to dominate this division. I will make sure that I clean up this division. Nobody is going to beat me. I just beat the guy who beat Leigh Wood. This says IBF Champion of the whole World. This is not a regular title.”

Wardley stops Webb in 1

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated with a 1st round stoppage over Nick Webb scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

Wardley hurt Webb with a hard right hand that backed Webb into the corner. Wardley landed a couple more punches that sent Webb down, and the fight was stopped at 2:30.

Wardley is now 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Webb is 17-3.

“It was a big one for me because this was a good test,” Wardley told Matchroom. “He was coming off a good win and we had to just make a bit of an impact, make a bit of a statement. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t the cleanest performance but sometimes you’ve just got to grit these ones out and get it done. I proved the difference. I proved that I can take a shot and keep moving like I proved against Molina. You can hit me and I’ll still come back at you with full force. He caught me a few times but it doesn’t faze me, I keep moving and I’ll move to take you out. 
 
“I wasn’t going to let him off the hook. That’s something that we’ve been building on, that killer instinct – to notice and pay attention to when you’ve got someone going. I think in my last few fights I’ve been getting that going. When I hit someone and I see that little chink in their armour, I’m going in and I’m getting the kill. 
 
“I respect every fighter that’s ever stepped in the ring because it’s a dangerous sport and anything can happen. I had to do what I did to get Nick in the ring in the first place because I’ve been chasing Nick for a year. I had to switch up my approach and go for the more aggressive stance and call him out and call him a few names. It’s all for the love of the sport at the end of the day. I respect everyone that gets in there. 
 
“I think I’ve made the most out of every opportunity that’s been put in front of me. I’ve never said no to an opportunity that Ed has given me. I’m becoming increasingly more difficult to match because me, Dill and the team, we don’t say no. If you want to meet me in the ring I’m happy to go there, let’s go. It feels like a dream, it feels like a weird rollercoaster and I’m just running with it. I’m just loving what I’m doing and I’m staying focused. 
 
“I’ve won the English and I’ve defended it; I think that’s me done with it now. Moving forwards for the British, Commonwealth, European – those types of belts are what I’ve got my eyes set on next and obviously Joe (Joyce) is holding onto them. He’s going to be moving on, he’s trying to move to that world level and he’s going to want to drop them sooner or later. I’ll be there ready and waiting.”

Babic Stops Bennett After 5

Alen Babic remained perfect by stopping Mark Bennett after five rounds of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

Over the course of the fight, Babic beat up Bennett by landing many heay shots. Bennett was competitive early, but after round three, Babic hurt Bennett repeatedly and the fight could have been stopped any time over rounds three, four or five. Bennett’s corner mercifully pulled the plug on the contest after round five.

Babic, 210 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 8-0 with eight knockouts. Bennett, 272 1/2 lbs of Duncanville, ENG is 7-2.

After the fight, Babic successfully proposed to his girlfriend.

“I feel great,” Babic told DAZN. “Thank you for having me, it was a very very tough fight. I didn’t expect that – I’ve got to say that. All kudos to him. He’s a very very tough warrior, a legit warrior. I threw maybe 100 power punches at his head, and I have knockout punches, so it was a very tough and competitive fight. I thank him for that. 
 
“Left, right and I was like, ‘fall, it’s your time to fall’, but he just didn’t want to fall. He really caught me with a few ones. He didn’t catch me flush because I always bob and weave but he’s a very tough man and I respect him. 
 
“This guy was 30kg heavier than me and you saw what happened, he wasn’t stronger in that ring. I can do everything. I’m here to represent the little people who can’t do nothing. I am just little like them – the smallest Heavyweight alive! You can do it if I can do it, I’m nothing special. I just put my mind to it. If you put your mind to it, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Fisher Stops Whitaker in 2

Johnny Fisher remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Danny Whitaker in a scheduled four-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Fisher dropped Whitaker with a right hand. Seconds later, it was another right that put Whitaker down to a knee. Fisher jumped on Whitaker and landed a barrage of punches that forced a referee stoppage at 1:08.

Fisher, 238 1/4 lbs of Rpmford, ENG is 3-0 with three knockouts. Whitaker, 259 1/2 lbs of Silsden, ENG is 4-4.

“It felt fantastic, especially in front of some of my supporters here,” Fisher told Matchroom. “In the future we’ll get a lot more in. It was great to have that little taste of what the future can hold. Respect to Danny Whitaker, a great man and a great opponent. I’m ready for the next step. I feel like I prepared better for this fight than any of my previous fights – especially with Mark being back. I’ve got a great assistant trainer in Steve Andrews. We’ve got a long way to go but I’m in a good place. 

“My mum and dad are here, and my brothers are here. It’s brilliant. My little sister is at home. We’re going to have a nice Chinese now and celebrate. I think it’s the confidence that you can take from knowing that you have prepared well. Lennox Lewis sent me a message before my debut, ‘the more I prepare, the less I worry’, and that was testament to the work that we’ve been doing in the gym. 

“I’ve definitely calmed down from the second fight. I think it’s different when you’ve got someone with a winning record in there. I’ve got a long long way to go to calm myself down and box on the back foot, but I know I can box on the back foot because I’ve showed it before in sparring. Doing it in the ring is another thing and that’s why we have a process. I’m only 22-years-old and I’ve got to build. You’ve got to stay humble and you’ve got to stay ready. 

“We all know in our area about Mark Tibbs and his dad and how great they are. It’s not just that he’s my boxing trainer, we’re good friends and we get on really well. He said to me once that it’s like we’ve known each other forever and it is. It’s brilliant to be working with someone who is such a legend in the sport. Boxing is a very brutal sport and it can end at any time for anyone, especially at Heavyweight. You’ve got to have respect for all of your opponents. You’ve got to be ready for anything, and the best way to be is to be honest.” 

Bridges Stops Connolly in 3

Former world title challenger Ebanie Bridges was impressive in stopping Bec Connolly in round three of a scheduled eight-round bantamweight bout.

In round three, Bridges landed a hard uppercut that was followed by a flurry to the head that sent Connolly to the deck. Bridges then landed a hard overhand right that was followed by a left to the jaw that forced a referee stoppage at 1:22.

Bridges, 118 3/4 lbs of New South Wales, AUS is now 6-1 with three knockouts. Connolly, 118 lbs of Swindon, ENG is 3-10.

“To be back here in the UK, and to win and get my hand raised is amazing,” Bridges told DAZN. “Las time I was unlucky, although I still got a good reception. It was good to get in here and get my hand raised for my fans. I had a few people here supporting me so shout out to everyone that came. I saw you there with your Aussie flags and I appreciate you. It feels great.
 
“Winning is what it’s all about. It’s all good having the fanbase and the social media presence but if you’re not winning it can only go so far. Winning is important. It feels good. She was more difficult in the sense she was holding and a bit rough on the inside. That was new for me. I’m not used to people holding. 
 
“I thought I would finish it in the later rounds. I knew I would break her down. I was just aiming for her body for the first few rounds because I wanted to break her body down so I could open her up to the head, and that’s exactly what we did. That’s what our plan was. 
 
“By the third round I already had her hands dropping from going to the body and then that’s why that right hand was landing. That’s the one that stopped it. Obviously I want the rematch with ‘Shanny’. That’s what everyone wants, not just me. I know I want it, the fans want it, I’m pretty sure Eddie Hearn wants it. The only one that doesn’t want it is her. 
 
“Hopefully she wants it, but then again she’s on her journey and I’ve got to focus on mine. I don’t hold my breath. The ball is in her court, and if she doesn’t take it, I suppose it looks a bit like she’s running.
 
“To all my fans and everyone that supported me tonight – I hope you enjoyed it. I love being back in the UK and I love being on DAZN. It’s a great platform as well with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom so a big thank you to them. This is just the comeback.”

Aqib Fiaz remained undefeated with a eight-round decision over Kevin Baldospino in a super featherweight bout.

Fiaz, 131 3/4 lbs of Oldham, ENG won by a 77-76 score and is now 7-0. Baldpspino, 131 1/4 lbs of Miranda, de Ebro, SPA is 9-6-2.

“I’m just glad to be back after such a long layoff,” Fiaz told Matchroom. “It’s good to get back in there and get the win. It wasn’t my best performance, but I got the win most importantly. It was emotional to get back in there, especially here as well. It meant a lot to me. I had to come in and do my job no matter what.

“It wasn’t my best performance. We’re going to go away and look at the mistakes I made, then we’ll definitely work on them and be better next time. Even going into the last round, I felt I did enough to win. It was probably the right decision yeah. He was a tough man. I hurt him a couple of times and he stuck in there and dug in. Credit to him.

“I expected to be better than that, and I definitely am better than that. I need to be better than that. The fight didn’t go the way I wanted to. It’s about learning, and I feel like that’s a good learning fight. I’m definitely better than that, I just need activity. The more time I’m in the ring, the better I’ll be.

“I’ve had a lot going on, and my team have had my back. They’re like father figures to me. They’ve been there for me when I’ve been at my lowest. I’m here today because of them. Ten months is probably the longest layoff that I’ve ever had in my amateur career and pro. It’s good to be back, but let’s be back soon.”

Mark Bennett has refused to be drawn into any trash talk with Alen Babic ahead of their eight round Heavyweight clash on the undercard of Kid Galahad vs. Jazza Dickens this Saturday August 7 at Matchroom Fight Camp 2 in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN. 

‘Bad News’ Bennett (7-1, 1 KO) heads into this weekend’s bout with ‘The Savage’ coming off the back of a points loss to Nick Webb in the Ultimate Boxxer 6 final back in December 2019 – a fight that the 33-year-old would like to revisit if he makes it past Babic. 

Croatia’s Babic has been his usual vocal self in the build up to his latest challenge, questioning Bennett’s record and accusing the former soldier of being scared, but the Yorkshire hard man insists that he will let his fists do the talking when they collide at Matchroom HQ. 

“I do think that I’ve got a bit of an advantage over his previous opponents,” said Bennett. “For one, I’ve had seven weeks’ notice. I’ve been at it for the last seven weeks in the gym training hard. I’m bigger as well. I’ll tell you the truth – I’m there to fight. I’m turning up on Saturday night to actually have a fight. I’m not just turning up to take a payday. We’re going to have a good tear up. 

“I know he’s had seven fights. He’s doing alright. I don’t think he has given any of his opponents decent notice. I just think he’s been pulling people off the settee. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got good stock. When I win it will raise my stock massively. I want to be active. Hopefully I get signed to someone and we can go from there and get some bigger fights on a decent platform. That’s the dream.

“I’ll be honest with you; he can do him, and I’ll do me. If he wants to stand there and shout his mouth off and talk sh*t constantly then let him do it. He’s done that throughout the whole camp if I’m honest. I’ll just let him crack on with how he goes about it and I’ll just keep myself to myself. 

“I’m there to have a fight. We’ll have a scrap and then that will be it. I’ve got no hard feelings. I don’t dislike the bloke. Obviously he’s been talking a lot of sh*t about me but that’s just the way he wants to come across. It’s the way he wants to sell himself. That’s not how I do my business but obviously that’s how he does his. 

“If you’ve watched any of my fights, I’m probably the same type of fighter as Babic. We’re probably just going to meet in the middle and stand and trade. I’m not going to take a backwards step, and I say that with my hand on my heart. It will be a good fight. In his fights that I’ve seen he has been tagged a few times. I think that he’s got flaws.”

Babic vs. Bennett is part of a huge night of action, Sheffield’s Kid Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) and Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) meet in an all-British clash for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title at the top of the bill, Ipswich knockout artist Fabio Wardley (11-0, 10 KOs) defends his English Heavyweight Title against Nick Webb (17-2, 13 KOs), popular Australian Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) returns to the UK to face Bec Connolly (3-9) over eight rounds, Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher (2-0, 2 KOs) goes for another knockout against Danny Whitaker (4-3) and Oldham prospect Aqib Fiaz (6-0) takes on Kevin Baldospino (9-5-2, 1 KO) over eight rounds. 

Alen Babic has predicted that he will knockout Mark Bennett in “two or three rounds” when they collide in a scheduled eight round contest at Matchroom Fight Camp Week 2 this Saturday August 7 in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Savage’ (7-0, 7 KOs) blasted aside Damian Chambers with a huge left hook as the Croatian Heavyweight contender added another knockout to his destructive record last time out in June at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle.

Babic produced a dramatic one-punch knockout of Chambers in the third round, sealing his seventh straight stoppage, as he returned to the ring following a shoulder surgery that had kept him out of action since his KO victory over Tom Little in November 2020. 

This weekend’s clash with Bennett falls nearly a year on from Babic’s explosive two-round win over American Shawndell Winters on the first instalment of Matchroom Fight Camp – and the Dillian Whyte-managed terror is promising more fireworks as he attempts to become the first man to stop ‘Bad News’ Bennett. 

“Unfortunately for Mark Bennett I think it’s another fight that will last two or three rounds maximum,” said Babic. “I think I knock him out. He lost to Nick Webb, and Nick Webb doesn’t even want to hear my name. I don’t see any way he can beat me. 

“Seven knockouts in seven fights, all lasting three rounds maximum, you’re not going to see anything different. Mark Bennett is going to feel ‘The Savage’. I already know he fears ‘The Savage’. When he looks me in the eyes, he will know that he’s in a real fight. I don’t come to box. I know how to box. I don’t need to box – I destroy people. 

“That’s what I do in the ring – that’s what ‘The Savage’ does. I’m different. I’ve been telling people that for two years. I’m a different breed of fighter. It doesn’t matter how much I weigh. I can go Cruiserweight, Bridgerweight or Heavyweight – I don’t care. I’m a real fighting man and I want to be known as such. 

“I don’t know who that Bennett guy is, I really don’t. They told me he’s big. That’s all I need to know – another giant to slay. I hear he has six or seven victories but zero knockouts, or one knockout. How can you get into the ring with ‘The Savage’ with a record like that?”

Babic vs. Bennett is part of a huge night of action, Sheffield’s Kid Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) and Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) meet in an all-British clash for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title at the top of the bill, Ipswich knockout artist Fabio Wardley (11-0, 10 KOs) defends his English Heavyweight Title against Nick Webb (17-2, 13 KOs), popular Australian Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) returns to the UK to face Bec Connolly (3-9) over eight rounds, Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher (2-0, 2 KOs) goes for another knockout against Danny Whitaker (4-3) and Oldham prospect Aqib Fiaz (6-0) takes on Kevin Baldospino (9-5-2, 1 KO) over eight rounds. 

Conor Benn remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Sebastian Formella in a welterweight bout at the SSE Arena in London, England.

It was a solid performance out of Benn, who bloodied the left nostril of Formella as early was round two.

Benn, 147 lbs of Illford, Essex won by scores of 100-91, 99-91 and 99-92 and is now 17-0. Formella, 147 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 22-2.

“I just stuck to my boxing,” Benn told Matchroom. “I was hitting him with some hard shots. The guy just went 12 rounds with Shawn Porter and I think I beat him more convincingly. I didn’t lose a round. It was an okay night’s work. I’ve had harder spars than that. I’m not being funny. I’ve been sparring with Middleweights and Super-Middleweights in 18oz gloves. They wear 14oz gloves and I wear 18oz gloves. When it comes to punching power, if I’m not going to bang them out, I’ll wear them down.

“He’s a former World Champion and I expected nothing less. I stayed cool and composed the whole ten rounds. I could have done 15. I’m barely breaking a sweat now. He tried it on the inside and I beat him to the punches on the inside. He tried it at range and I beat him to the punches at range. I was quicker, faster and stronger. People think their experience is going to get to me, what experience? Jussi Koivula got banged out in two rounds and if they want to go ten or twelve I’ll outbox them for ten or twelve. 

“People will always question me because of my vulnerability. I’m hungry like I come from the ends. I’m hungry like I came from nothing. I fight like a starving man. You don’t need to come form poverty, come from having nothing, to be a great fighter. I have a great life. I live such a blessed life, but I still fight like a starving man because of that championship mindset, that hunger and will to win. 

“I’ve just beaten No.23 in the world, a former IBO World Champion. I’m pushing on. The only domestic fight I’m interested in, the only domestic fight that the public keep talking about, not Instagram, is the Josh Kelly fight. That’s the only fight I’m interested in. If not, get me Samuel Vargas. Get me some of these top Yanks, I’ll have a bit of them. The only domestic fight I’m interested in is Josh Kelly. Let’s have it.”

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated by stopping Richard Lartey in round two of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

Wardley pawed with a left and then landing a booming right that sent Lartey down and the fight was stopped at 1:22.

Lartey needed some oxygyn, but seemed alright.

Wardley, 230 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Lartey, 258.1 lbs of Accra, GHA is 14-4.

“The first round took some adjusting,” said Wardley afterwards. “I like to use that first round to gather information, figure out my opponent, see where gaps are, see what’s going on. Just analyse the whole situation. I did that, took a few shots doing it but that’s all part of the game. A bit of that chin check thing was ticked off for me. I can take a bang and it’s not going to give me too much bother. We got through that first round and I figured out what I was going to do from then onwards. 

“I stung him with a few jabs and I always saw that those gloves came straight up in front of him. I fought sting him with one and come around the side. That was the plan and it came off perfectly. Nobody is ever going to grumble at an early night’s work. I get to go back and chill out now. I need to start getting those rounds in and get tougher tests. I’ve ticked that box of ‘do I have one punch power?’. 

“The comparisons are always going to come. Does me knocking out Lartey quicker than Daniel Dubois mean I’m better than him? Does it mean I’d do the same to Daniel? Boxing isn’t that cut and dry. There’s a lot more to it. I take it for what it is. I beat Richard Lartey in two round and I’m happy with that performance. I did well and that’s all you take from it. We keep moving and we keep working.”

Alen Babic kept his perfect knockout streak alive by taking out Tom Little in round three of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

Babic had a tremendous unrelenting workrate. In round three, Babic put Little down with a right hand, but Little went down more from exhaustion. Later in the round, Babic landed a chopping right that put Little down flat on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:38.

Babic, 213.8 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 6-0 with six knockouts. Little, 235 lbs of Hatfield, ENG is 10-9.

“My Savage Army, I never lie to you,” Babic told Matchroom. “If I tell them I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it. I said I would do it in the first round and it should have been in the first round, he was well prepared. He could take a punch. I think I broke both of my knuckles on his head. I can feel it. He can take a punch. “Nobody can go three rounds with me. I had fuel in my tank for twenty like that. Filip Hrgovic bet against me, I’m so glad he lost money on me. He is my fellow Croat, we live like 2km away from each other. He bet against me. That just shows he doesn’t know shit about boxing. He doesn’t know the history of boxing. He’s just a technical guy, a very good technical guy. As soon as the fans come back, I want him. 

“I’m going to take Tom back to my Savage Army because he’s a good guy. He’s a good fighter but he’s not even close to my level. He’s two stone heavier than me. and I want you to write that down. I box every day. I don’t do anything out of the ring. My training is old school, boxing, sparring and pads. Just that. I didn’t do a single push up or pull up. 

“I’m not faking anything. Hrgovic is a fake. I’m real and I want to fight. I like fist fights. I think it was a beautiful fight. I want to give people entertainment. That’s who I am and I’m always going to be like that. Unless somebody tests me I’m going to keep knocking them out. Give me a strong puncher, a knockout artist. You’re going to see the sweet science. I can do it. I can punch and I have stamina. I have a strong head, you can’t beat that with muscles.”

Jez Smith won a decision over previously undefeated Ben Ridings in a six-round super middleweight contest.

Smith, 166 lbs of Harrow Weald, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 12-2-1. Ridings, 165 lbs of Bury, ENG is 3-1.

“I’m over the moon,” Smith said afterwards. “I can’t put it into words. I had a game plan and I knew what I was going to do. I knew I had a good game plan so I stuck to my boxing. I think it was a dominant performance. The referee didn’t give him a round. If I can box like that and do that when I’m not even 30% fit,  imagine what I can do when I’m fully fit. I took this fight on five days’ notice, I’m not taking anything away from Ben, I knew I was levels above him. I’ve hardly been in the gym. I’m going to dedicate myself to this craft. I’m going to be back with another win on my record. 

“I’m a fighting man. As soon as I got the call to fight live on Sky Sports on a massive bill like this I jumped at the chance. I’ll fight anyone. I’m going to get back down to Light-Middleweight. Me and Ted Cheeseman have unfinished business from the amateurs. Me and him had a fight called off after one round as there was fighting in the arena. That would be an electric fight with fireworks. If he wants it he can have it. I’ve put myself on the map so hopefully I can start being used on these big shows more. 

“I knew tonight was my night. I knew I had to go in there and put on a boxing performance. I believe that’s what I did. He hardly touched me. I claimed every round. I think this is the biggest arena that I’ve fought in so far in my career. I’m ecstatic and over the moon. I just want to say a massive thank yo to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for giving me this opportunity. I’ll be ready for the call when it comes again.”

Liam Davies stopped Sean Cairns after round six of their scheduled 10-round bantamweight bout.

Davies battered Cairns over the six-round battle.

In round five, Cairns began to bleed from the nose, and his right started to swell. After the 6th, the corner stopped the bout.

Davies, 118 lbs of Telford, ENG is 8-0 with three stoppages. Cairns, 118 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 7-3.

“And the new English Bantamweight Champion sounds good,” Davies told Matchroom afterwards. “It is music to my ears. I’m just happy. I knew I could do it. It was just about getting in there and getting the job done, making sure that everything went to plan. I felt like it did tonight.

“I still had a lot left in the tank. I wasn’t slowing down for nothing. I was building up the pressure and putting my punches together. You’ve got to give it to him, he’s as tough as anything. He kept coming and coming! That’s why I didn’t go mad with it. I respected how tough he was and how game he was. Full respect to Sean and I wish him all the best in the future. 

“I’d give myself an eight out of ten. I know there’s still more to come from me. I just hope I get the chance to come again and show another level because this is just the start for me. I’m looking to build and get more belts around my waist. 

“The show in Telford didn’t go ahead but I landed on my feet fighting live on Sky Sports here wining my first title. This is a memory that I will never forget and hopefully something that we can build on. I don’t fold under pressure. If anything, I rise to it. I rise to the occasion and next time I’ll rise again with a bigger and better performance for another belt hopefully. That’s the plan. 

“I’m here to impress and I felt like I did tonight. I did what I intended to do. I won in style. Most people would have gone over. I hit him hard and you’ve got to respect him for taking those shots. I don’t think most Bantamweights could have taken that power. Roll on whoever is next because I’m coming now.”

Tom Little has promised to “tear lumps” out of Alen Babic when they collide over eight rounds on the Conor Benn vs. Sebastian Formella undercard at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday November 21, shown live on Sky Sports and DAZN. 

The Hatfield native (10-8, 3 KOs) has shared the ring with some huge punchers including Filip Hrgovic, David Price and Daniel Dubois, and insists that he has nothing to fear from ‘The Savage’, who heads into this weekend’s clash with five knockouts from five fight. 

Little was last seen losing to former amateur standout Mahammadrasul Majidov on the Ruiz vs. Joshua 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia last December, but the 33-year-old wants to be more than just an opponent for rising contenders, and plans on making his own statement against Croatia’s Babic.

“I’m massively motivated for this fight,” said Little. “No disrespect to Alen. He’s a great fighter. At this particular moment in time I don’t see him as a level above anyone I’ve boxed already. I’ve had a look at him. I’ve promised him a proper fight. Me and him are going to meet in the middle and knock absolute lumps out of each other, and then we’ll drink the minibar dry. 

“I’m enjoying everything about training. I’ve never worked this hard in my career. I’m excited to see what I  bring at the lower weight I’m going to be coming in at. This isn’t just a coming out party for my opponent. This is an opportunity for me to showcase what I’m about and what I’m capable of. I feel like I can make my own statement. 

“There’s no way you can say that you dislike Alen. If you do then you’re just out to dislike people and you’ve got no intensions of liking anyone. Everything about him is likeable. He’s a character. He’s what the sport needs. We get on very well. I’ve assured him that the moment that bell goes he will be public enemy number one. 

‘I’ll be in there to tear absolute lumps out of him. Alen is ‘The Savage’ and I’m the ‘Gypopotamus’. We’re both fighting men and this is what we live for. We’re going to meet in the middle and I’ve planned for nothing but fireworks. I plan on giving a fight that is going to be remembered. I implore anyone to run forward at me and let me smash them on the chin. I won’t be running from anybody. I haven’t got a cowardly bone inside my body. I predict a bloodbath on November 21. 

“I know that a top version of Tom Little beats the top version of Alen Babic. He won’t have to look too far for me. He’ll have to try and push me back. He’s going to bring all of the fire of hell with him, I know he is. I’m not worried about a bully. I don’t worry about being pushed back. His work rate is phenomenal. I know I’m in for a hard night. I feel that I’ll wear him down and knock him out. I genuinely do. I’m going to have to weather a very hard storm. I will take him out. I think I’ll be too clinical.”

Little vs. Babic is part of a big night of action in London, ‘The Destroyer’ Conor Benn (16-0, 11 KOs) takes a big step up against Germany’s former IBO Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Formella (22-1, 10 KOs), fresh from winning the English Heavyweight Title at Fight Camp, Fabio Wardley (9-0, 8 KOs) takes on Ghana’s Richard Lartey (14-3, 11 KOs), Donnington’s Liam Davies (7-0, 2 KOs) battles Liverpool’s Sean Cairns (7-2, 1 KO) for the English Bantamweight Title and BenRidings (3-0) meets Jez Smith (11-2-1, 5 KOs) over six rounds in a Middleweight contest. 

Alexander Povetkin survived two knockdowns to comeback and stop Dillian Whyte to win the WBC Interim Heavyweight Title at Matchroom HQ in Essex, England.

In round four, Whyte dropped Povetkin with a left hook to the side of he head. Late in the round, Whyte sent Povetkin to the deck for a 2nd time with a left uppercut.

In round five, Povetkin landed a booming left uppercut on the jaw to sent Whyte crashing to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 30 seconds.

Povetkin, 224 lbs of Russia is 36-2-1 with 25 knockouts. Whyte, 256.6 lbs of Brixton is 27-2.

Alexander Povetkin

On being knocked down twice: “I didn’t feel that I would finish the fight like this. I was pretty confident in the 4th round that, even though I went down twice, it was OK. It wasn’t too much damage.”

On the knockout punch: “I was watching his fights and taking into account that he was missing uppercuts from the left and from the right. During my training, I was training on putting combinations around those shots.” 

On a rematch clause: “First of all, my future plans don’t depend on me, it’s more a question for my promoter and for Eddie Hearn. So we will see what they decide. At the same time, I want to thank Andrei Ryabinski and Eddie Hearn for everything they do for me.” 

On everyone who doubted him: “I don’t have anything to respond to those people. I just want to box more. I want to thank all of the fans who believe in me.”

Whether this was the best punch of his career: “Yes, definitely.”

Dillian Whyte

Speaking to Eddie Hearn: “Can we get the rematch in December? I’m good, I’m good. It’s just one of those things where it just landed didn’t it. I was bossing it. It is what it is. Rematch. It’s cool, it’s all good. That’s what boxing is about. Cheers Eddie.”

Taylor Decisions Persoon Again; Retains Undisputed Lightweight Title

In a rematch of a terrific fight from last June 1st, Katie Taylor made it two in a row over Delfine Persoon to retain the Undisputed Lightweight Title.

In round two, Persoon’s right eye began to swell. It was a grueling fight that saw Taylor win by scores of 98-93 and 96-94 twice.

Interesting enough it was Persoon who landed 107 of 735 punches while Taylor was 95 of 308.

Taylor, 134.3 lbs of Ireland is 16-0. Persoon, 132.7 lbs of Belgium is 44-3.

Katie Taylor 

On if she thought she did enough to win: “I think so. I knew it was going to be a tough battle going into this fight. It’s never going to be an easy fight against Delfine. I knew I had to dig deep at some stage during the fight but I thought I boxed a lot better than last time. I still could’ve boxed a bit more.”

On facing a relentless opponent like Delfine Persoon: It’s always going to be tough. You can’t relax at all in there against someone like that. She’s going to come and come and come. Even though I am hitting her with clean shots, she is just on the attack all the time. That’s why it is such a tough fight against someone like Delfine. But congratulations on two fantastic fights. They were an amazing two fights for women’s boxing.” 

On if she silenced the critics of the first fight’s decision: “yeah, I think it was a lot more convincing tonight even though it was a tough fight. But as I said, it’s always going to be a tough fight against someone like that and you’re going to have to dig deep and show a lot of heart at some stage during the fight. But I think I did that well, I boxed well.”  

On a trilogy: “C’mon, give me a break!”

Delfine Persoon

On accepting the result: “Yes, this time I respect the result. For me this time, the weight was a little too much. I didn’t feel like I had enough power to hurt her this time. I tried to get my weight up but I could not hurt her this time. And if you don’t hurt her, it’s technical and she’s good at moving around. You have to hurt her otherwise she gets away. The power was not enough. I’ve got no problem with this decision and my respect she deserves. 

On a trilogy: “In the second round, I think I broke my nose so it was eight rounds boxing with my nose broken. First I must repair my nose and then I think super featherweight is better for me than lightweight. My trainer pushes me to eat, eat, eat but when you train a lot, it’s too much to gain the weight. My respect to her. She deserved to win today.

Chris Kongo remained undefeated with a 9th round stoppage over Luther Clay in a welterweight bout.

Kongo hurt Clay in round five, and then dropped him with a left hook in the 9th. Clay’s corner stopped the bout at 2:44.

Kongo, 145.5 lbs of Bermondsey is now 12-0 with seven knockouts. Clay, 145.8 lbs of Bracknell is 13-2.

“First of all I want to thank god for this victory,” said Kongo afterwards. “It has been 16 months since I last boxed. I’ve waited for the opportunity and here I am. There was no way I was leaving that ring without this belt around my waist. I was willing to die in there, I’m telling you. There was no way I was leaving that ring without the belt. 

“100%. I knew I had the speed, I had the power, I just had to go in there and pace myself. Like I said, it has been 16 months since I last got in the ring so it felt kind of new to me. In the first rounds I was trying to feel him out but then when it got into the middle rounds I hurt him. I knew before the fight ended I was going to get him out of there and that’s what I did. 

“We’e been working on a lot of things. Power was one of the attributes I have been working closely on. I’ve been working closely with my strength and conditioning coaches Nathan and Tyrone, but also when we’re in the boxing gym it is all boxing based with Jim. I want to defend the belt next. Look what I did there with 16 months out of the ring. Imagine when I’m fighting regularly what I’m going to do to these guys. I have full confidence in myself. I believe that I can be one of the best contenders in the world at Welterweight. I believe that I am the best Welterweight in the division in the UK.”

Alen Babic stopped Shawndell Wintera in round two of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Babic dropped Winters with a left hook to the jaw. In round two, Babic kept up the onslaught by dropping Winters with a right that was follwed by a left hook that sent Winters don in the corner, and the fight was stopped at 2:20.

Babic, 205 lbs of Croatia is now 4-0 with all wins coming early. Winters, 194 lbs is 13-3.

“That was ‘The Savage’, be afraid of him,” said Babic afterwards. “That’s my alter-ego, when I go into that mental state I can do damage. I will fight these giants. Give me the biggest one you have. I knew it in the locker room. I know when I land. Every coach told me I have bombs in my hands. It is natural. This is my approach. One or two rounds. My fights won’t go past three rounds. I am different. I have a guy in mind, he’s from my country. Filip Hrgovic! He was calling me out. I don’t like him. I want to fight him.

“I’m a different breed of fighter. Old school, I don’t care about touching. I go in there and I finish people. I finished him in the second round. Parker took five rounds, I don’t need that. They say I’m small. I’m bigger than Jack Dempsey, and Jack Dempsey was a killer! Nobody can box like me. I had almost 60 knockouts in the amateurs, that’s rare. I go all in. I’m bringing something new. I’m going to go in there and I’m going to get it finished as quickly as I can.

“I just want people to love me. I don’t care about money. I was working as a doorman for nothing, for scraps. I’ve broken my hands thousands of times. Fighting on the big stage means everything to me. Hrgovic insulted me, he really insulted me. I’ll never forget that. That’s a fight I definitely want in the future and I will win.”

Zak Chelli and Jack Cullen fought to a 10-round split draw in a super middleweight fight.

In round four, Chelli had swelling under her left eye.

In round seven. Cullen was cut under the left eye.

Chelli won a card 97-93; Cullen took a card 96-95 and a 3rd judge saw the fight even at 95-95.

Cullen, 164.6 lbs of Little Lever is 18-2-1. Chelli, 164.8 lbs of Fulham is 7-1-1.

“I’m disappointed with two of the judges,” said Chelli afterwards. “The first judge said it was 97-93, that was fair, and that’s how the fight should have gone. I’m very disappointed. It was my first fight after 11 months, so I’m happy with my performance. There was a little bit of ring rust at the start but I dominated the last half of the fight and I believe I won it.

“I’m very disappointed with the draw. I definitely deserved the win. I put all of it into it but we move on. I’m 22, as I always say. Hopefully I’ll get a Title fight in my next fight. I’m not going to lie, with 11 months out of the ring I felt the ring rust at the start, but I worked through it and I ripped him to the body, got him to the head, cut him and made him bleed.

“At least the fans enjoyed the fight, I hope they did. He took the punches, he did well. I rate him for his durability but I still believe I beat him. My dad knows the truth, he knows I won that fight. I’m not going to lose hope. I’m going to keep going and train hard. I look forward to the next fight. Hopefully it won’t be another 11 month wait. There’s a lot more to come from me.”

Heavyweight Shawndell Winters has told Alen Babic in no uncertain terms that he’s bitten off more than he can chew for just his fourth pro fight this evening, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Winters arrived from Chicago to meet the Dillian Whyte managed Babic at the final installment of Matchroom Fight Camp, and their eight round Heavyweight battle has become one of the most talked about fights on the card following a spicy press conference on Thursday.

Babic has yet to hit the third round in his three fights to date, but Winters represents a huge step up in class, as the American enters the bout on the back of tackling former World Champion Joseph Parker in Texas in February, and as the 39-year-old enters his 17^th pro bout, he believes experience will be key.

“He ain’t the first person in the gym or on the streets to say he’s gonna knock me out,” said Winters. “I’m still alive! Am I mad? No, he’s supposed to say that. They made a mistake bringing me over here because it will propel me. When I beat him, when I show him how to fight, he will understand. I was 3-0 with three KOs once. I’m 13-3 now. I was where he was, I understand. I’m known for bringing the smoke! He has fought three cab drivers and has never been hit by a punch.

“The integrity, the moral compass I have? If I say to a man ‘I will knock him out’ then when I see him, that’s my energy. He plans on coming forwards. That’s what I love. He’s a kickboxer, an MMA fighter. All he can do is come forwards. He doesn’t know anything about establishing a jab.

“I found out about the fight a while ago, but I knew it was a possibility and the reality is I’ve been in the gym. I don’t have a 9-to-5 job, this is my job, so I’ve been training all the time, so you are never going to pop up and catch me off guard, that’s never going to happen.

“I expect him to come forward and try to do what he said, he wants to KO me, so I expect him to come forward with pressure and throw a lot of punches, and try to break me down. He can expect me to bring my speed, fast hands, it’s different to be fast AND quick, and strong. That’s what he’s getting from me.

“I feel that this is destiny for me. I’ve had three losses in my career and I’ve come back stronger from each one. The purpose for me fighting and winning and moving on is far greater than just beating my opponent. What I can do with winning these fights on these platforms is change where I am from. 

“I don’t know where a win takes me because I don’t know what people feel about this fight, but I will fight anybody, it doesn’t matter. Winning cures all, if you lose bad but come back with a better win, people forget the loss and just say ‘he just knocked him out!’ The loss is gone.

“I will fight King Kong or Godzilla. The Joseph Parker fight? I wasn’t 100 per cent. Babic will get a rude awakening. The reality is that I like to fight – that’s what I’m known for in Chicago. I was an 180lbs amateur beating up World Champions in the gym in Chicago. I’ve got more knockouts than Babic has had fights! It will definitely be about the experience. My skills are certified. He thinks he will beat me but that ain’t gonna happen.”

Babic vs. Winters lands on a huge night of action that sees Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) defend his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), Irish legend Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) puts her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against Belgium’s Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) in the biggest rematch in women’s boxing, Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs), Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs)  Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs) and Zak Chelli (7-1, 3 KOs) meet over eight rounds.

Croatia’s explosive Heavyweight contender Alen Babic lit a fire under his clash with Shawndell Winters – and he’s ready to back up his fiery words with another big KO when they meet live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Babic (3-0, 3 KOs) can enhance his growing reputation as ‘The Savage’ when he faces American Winters, and the 29-year-old has had the best possible preparation sparring with his manager and headline attraction Dillian Whyte in Portugal.

The pair may only be fighting over eight rounds but there will be huge interest following a tense press conference between the pair that almost spilled over – but now Babic wants to focus on the business at hand, proving that he can become a major force in the Heavyweight division.

“There’s no way he doesn’t get KO’d by me,” said Babic. “I don’t want to sound too cocky, but I’m too good, fast and strong for him. Joseph Parker did him in five rounds so I am going to try and do it in three or four rounds. This means a lot to me, to be on a big stage like this is huge, so many people will get to see me, they hadn’t heard of me before but now they will see me

 “I am not here by accident, I trained for ten years for this, I’m ready now for everything so I don’t need to wait. Dillian is a very good manager and he understands that I don’t need ten easy fights to start with, I will just knock them out with in 50 seconds, it’s not worth it.

“I know Shawndell is tough and that’s why I like it. My last three fights have been over fast, I know that Shawndell will come to beat me and that’s why I like this fight, we’re going to entertain the fans. It’s critical for me to put on a good show, not just beat him up and KO him, but to entertain. I want to show people that I know how to box too.

“I love sparring with Dillian, it’s pure joy. I do my rounds with him and just enjoy it, we know what each other can do and we just go for it. He is harder with me in sparring than anyone else! I love that – I tell him to go all out because I am a sparring partner for him, so I want him to be at full power, I would be upset if he wasn’t, I’d have to punch him in the throat or something to make him angry!

“I think he’ll KO Povetkin – I have a lot of respect for him as a great professional and an Olympian, but I don’t see him beating Dillian much like Shawndell won’t beat me. I’m only in my first year as a pro and I spar with the best amateurs and of course with Dillian, but in the amateurs you never know who you are going to fight so this is nothing new to me, it’s a walk in the park.”

Babic vs. Winters lands on a huge night of action that sees Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) defend his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), Irish legend Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) puts her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against Belgium’s Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) in the biggest rematch in women’s boxing, Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs), Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs)  Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs) and Zak Chelli (7-1, 3 KOs) meet over eight rounds.

Croatia’s explosive Heavyweight contender Alen Babic will battle Shawndell Winters over eight rounds on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s defence of his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title against Alexander Povetkin at Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, on Saturday August 22.

Babic (3-0, 3 KOs) can enhance his growing reputation as ‘The Savage’ when he faces American Winters, live on Sky Sports Box Office, as Fight Camp reaches a finale with Katie Taylor’s eagerly awaited rematch with Delfine Persoon and Whyte’s crucial clash against Povetkin.

Whyte has spent the last few weeks in punishing sparring sessions with Babic, who is yet to be extended beyond the third round in his professional career. But Winters has proven his toughness in 13 victories, with just three defeats, and he ruined the unbeaten record of Oleksandr Teslenko last September.

Babic vs. Winters lands on a huge night of action that sees Irish legend Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) put her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against Belgium’s Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) in the biggest rematch in women’s boxing, Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs) and Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs) and Zak Chelli (7-1, 3 KOs) meet over eight rounds.