Anthony Fowler will return to the ring for the first time since his loss to Scott Fitzgerald when he fights on the bumper July 6 card at Manchester Arena, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Fowler endured his first professional defeat at the hands of bitter rival and former GB teammate Fitzgerald at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool in March after being dropped in the final round en-route to a thrilling split decision loss. 

The Liverpudlian looks to get back to winning ways when he fights at Middleweight next month and is already targeting a huge rematch with the ‘Mad Man’ by the end of the year, and ‘The Machine’ hopes that the British title will be on the line this time. 

“I’m itching to get back out there,” said Fowler. “I had two weeks off and then I was straight back in the gym. I want that rematch badly. I’m just channelling all of the negative feelings that I’ve got into my training. I knew about this fight 6 weeks out, Dave weighed me and decided that I’ll be fighting at Middleweight. I’m very big for Light-Middle so I’m going to have a trial run at Middleweight and see how I feel. I don’t struggle to make 154lbs, but I’ll look a million dollars in sparring, feel strong and fit, and then on fight night I’ll feel flat. We’ll see how I get on but there’s still massive fights ahead for me at 154lbs.

“I didn’t give Scott the credit he deserved heading into our fight. I genuinely thought it was going to be an easy night. I went into the ring with the mentality that the fight would be easy and I paid the price dearly. It affected me mentally and my performance dropped massively because of that. I should have been more composed and calculated, I went in there trying to knock him out early. The second half of the fight really got to me because of that approach. I won’t be making that mistake again. 

“Obviously I just do what I’m told, I’m not the boss, but the ideal scenario for me is to get a good win on July 6 and then fight again at Light-Middleweight against a good opponent. Hopefully Scott will get past Brian Rose and beat Ted Cheeseman for the British title in September. I’d love the rematch in November or December if Scott will give me the opportunity. I hope he wants it too because the fans want it and it will be a decent pay day. The British public want to see it and I think it will definitely happen.”

Fowler returns on a huge night of boxing in Manchester where Lawrence Okolie (12-0, 9 KOs) puts his British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles on the line against Jack Massey (16-0, 8 KOs), Scott Fitzgerald (13-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBA International Super-Welterweight title against former World title challenger Brian Rose (31-5-1, 8 KOs) in a huge Preston vs. Blackpool Lancashire derby and Felix Cash (11-0, 7 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Middleweight crown against Bolton’s Jack Cullen (16-1, 7 KOs), with more exciting additions to the card to follow.

Tickets priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 (VIP) are available to purchase now via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), Manchester Arena via ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

Anthony Fowler has promised to prove he is a level above Scott Fitzgerald by taking him out in five rounds when the bitter rivals clash for the WBA International Super-Welterweight title at The M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Preston’s Fitzgerald will be aiming to avenge an amateur defeat at the hands of ‘The Machine’ but the 9-0 Liverpudlian, now trained by Dave Coldwell in Rotherham, is determined to finish their rivalry off in style to set-up another huge domestic showdown with British Champion Ted Cheeseman in the summer.

“He’s a dangerous opponent,” admitted Fowler. “He’s had twelve fights and knocked nine of his opponents out. He’s powerful and he’s coming to win. He wants to win this fight more than anything, same as myself. It has all of the makings of a great fight and it’s a fight where I show who Anthony Fowler really is and just how good I am.

“Scott was a hard trainer in the GB squad. We used to spar and I was always that much better than him. I’d win every round of our spars, they were never close. When we fought each other I destroyed him in two rounds. Even though he was a top fighter, I was always an elite fighter.

“As a pro I’ve gone to a great coach and I’ve gone onto that next level again. Now I’m a lot more conditioned, tougher and experienced. I feel like Scott has stagnated a bit. He’s turned pro and he’s had easier fights than myself. He’s stagnated to his level and lowered his standards. He’s going to try and raise it for this fight but it’ll be too little too late.”

Fowler hopes that an emphatic win over his fellow Commonwealth Games gold medallist will earn him further title shots at 140lbs, and a fight with Spain’s European Champion Sergio Garcia, who inflicted a first career defeat on Cheeseman last month, is high up on his wish list.

“This fight is a very winnable fight for me and this is the fight where people will give me the respect that I deserve. I’ve boxed two unbeaten kids and knocked them both out and I’ll do the same to Scott. After this fight people are going to say ‘wow, that Anthony Fowler is the real deal’.

“I think early on, Scott is going to get a shock when he realises how hard I hit and how hard I am to hit. His confidence is going to drain away round-by-round and as soon as I start hitting him downstairs and on the chin he’s going to feel the pace.

“I think it’s going to be over within five rounds. I think he’ll be brave and he’ll come to win but there’s only so many shots you can take with those little gloves. After this win everyone knows who I want next, I want Ted Cheeseman for the British. This time next year I want to be a European Champion.”

Fowler vs. Fitzgerald is part of a huge night of action in Liverpool.

Main event sees former WBO Super-Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith make his long-awaited Liverpool homecoming against Sam Eggington.

Domestic Super-Lightweight rivals Joe Hughes and Robbie Davies Jr meet with the European and British titles on the line.

Popular Heavyweight David Price takes on the unbeaten Kash Ali in his first fight in Liverpool for nearly there years as he looks to make a fresh charge on the Heavyweight division.

Liverpool’s Tom Farrell challenges Leytonstone’s Philip Bowes for the Commonwealth Super-Lightweight crown.

There’s also action for rising Liverpool Cruiserweight talent Craig Glover, ‘Miss GB’ Natasha Jonas and undefeated Super-Lightweight Ged ‘G-Man’ Carroll.

Fierce Super-Welterweight rivals Anthony Fowler and Scott Fitzgerald put their unbeaten records on the line when they meet in one of the most eagerly-anticipated domestic clashes of the year at The M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on March 30, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

As well as bragging rights, both fighters will now have the opportunity to claim the first pro title of their careers, with the vacant WBA International title also up for grabs, and with it a top 15 World ranking with the governing body.

Preston’s Fitzgerald says he is a “different level” to Fowler’s previous opponents but ‘The Machine’ has vowed to “go through” his former teammate to set-up a mouth-watering summer showdown with British Champion Ted Cheeseman after the BBBofC ordered the Bermondsey man to defend his belt against Fowler next.

“I am a level above Scott, I know that for a fact,” said Fowler. “I always have been. As soon as I was an amateur I was better than Scott and under Dave Coldwell I have just gone to the next level again. I will be ready, 11st on the dot. I’ll be fully prepared and whatever Scott does I’ve got an answer for. I am just a bigger, better, stronger fighter. I’ll finish him in five.

“It’s just over a week until the talking stops and the fists do the talking. As well as taking Scott’s unbeaten record I’ll now be taking home my first belt and a top 15 World ranking with the WBA. There’s a lot on the line, after I take care of Scott, Ted Cheeseman and the British title is next.”

“I’m really happy there’s a decent title on the line,” Said Fitzgerald. “What comes with this title is a top 15 World ranking and that’s another big motivation for me. I feel like the fittest man on the planet and the most focused man on the planet. I can’t wait to get my hands on him and put some hurt on him.

“I’m a crazy underdog and that gives me even more motivation. I feel like the fight will go exactly as I want it to go. I can do it any way I want to. Up until a few weeks ago I’d only ever thought about winning the British title and nothing else, but now I believe I can become a World Champion. I’ll get the British title in the summer and then go for the European belt by the end of the year.”

Fowler vs. Fitzgerald is part of a huge night of action in Liverpool.

Main event sees former WBO Super-Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith take on all-action Brummie Sam Eggington.

Domestic Super-Lightweight rivals Joe Hughes and Robbie Davies Jr meet with the European and British titles on the line.

Popular Heavyweight David Price takes on the unbeaten Kash Ali in his first fight in Liverpool for nearly there years as he looks to make a fresh charge on the Heavyweight division.

Liverpool’s Tom Farrell challenges Leytonstone’s Philip Bowes for the Commonwealth Super-Lightweight crown.

There’s also action for rising Liverpool Cruiserweight talent Craig Glover, ‘Miss GB’ Natasha Jonas and undefeated Super-Lightweight Ged ‘G-Man’ Carroll.

Ted Cheeseman says Super-Welterweight rivals Anthony Fowler and Scott Fitzgerald must “step up to the plate” and “earn the right” to face him as he prepares for the biggest test of his career next week in London.

The Bermondsey star jumps up in class again when he challenges undefeated Spaniard Sergio Garcia for the EBU European crown at The O2 on February 2, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Former GB teammates Fowler and Fitzgerald put their unbeaten records on the line when they clash in one of the most highly-anticipated domestic showdowns of the year in March, with a potential shot at Cheeseman’s British title on the line, but the champ is looking to step up again once he wins the European title.

“Once you win a European title, there’s only one step up after that,” said Cheeseman. “When you turn pro, your goal is to become a World Champion. If I win this fight on February 2, and I’m very confident that I will after studying my opponent’s style, I’m basically in line for a World title shot.

“Garcia is ranked highly with the governing bodies. Once I win this European title I’m going to have a top five World ranking with most of them, or top ten at least. He’s number 4 in the WBC rankings so I’ll take that top five spot with them. When I win next week, the World will be my oyster and I’ll only be looking ahead of me.”

‘The Big Cheese’ is on an upward trajectory after outpointing Asinia Byfield in an all-action battle for the Lonsdale belt at the Copper Box Arena in October. A fight with Liverpool’s Fowler is in high demand with the British public, and Cheeseman has previously expressed his desire to settle his feud with ‘The Machine’, but the 23-year-old wants to keep his options open ahead of a huge 2019.

“There’s a lot of potential fights being talked about and I want them to happen, but all of my focus is on performing well against Garcia and getting the win. Fowler is small fry once I’ve got the European title. What does he bring to the table, a 9-0 record against journeymen? What has he actually done? Fowler needs me, not the other way round.

“Both him and Fitzgerald need to step up to the plate and do something to earn the right to face me. They’ve got to bring something to the table. I’ll be British and European Champion with top five World ranking. What do they bring to the table? I’d need to make sure that a fight with Fowler or Fitzgerald isn’t just good for them, it’s good for me as well.

“This game is all about opportunities. There’s some massive fights to be made but it’s got to be the right opportunity for me. Maybe the Fowler fight gets made, maybe it doesn’t. Liam Smith just signed with Matchroom, he’s another Super-Welterweight. Kell Brook is in my weight class now. They are looking for other British opponents and I’m the main man on the domestic scene. These are all fights that could happen later this year.”

Garcia vs. Cheeseman tops a huge night of action in London.

Unbeaten British Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie returns to action after his win over Matty Askin at Wembley Stadium in September.

Bitter Light-Heavyweight rivals Jake Ball and Craig Richards finally face-off in a highly-anticipated grudge match for the WBA Continental title.

Rising Wokingham Middleweight talent Felix Cash fights for his second professional title when he takes on Nigeria’s Abolaji Rasheed for the vacant Commonwealth title.

Scotland’s fast-rising Super-Middleweight talent John Docherty aims to make it three KO’s from three fights, Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley looks to go 6-0, decorated amateur Charles Frankham makes his debut at Super-Featherweight and Hammersmith Light-Heavyweight Dana Zaxo takes part in his fourth professional contest.

Tickets for February 2 priced at £30, £50, £80 and £150 are (VIP) available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Liam Smith will make his long-awaited Liverpool homecoming on March 30 when he takes on Sam Eggington at the M&S Bank Arena, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Smith became Liverpool’s first World Champion in over 20 years when he stopped American John Thompson to claim the WBO Super-Welterweight crown at the Merseyside arena in 2015 before making a second successful defence of the title against Predrag Radosevic at the same venue in 2016.

‘Beefy’ hasn’t fought in his home city since and is itching to get back under the lights as he sets about winning back a version of the World title he bravely lost against pound-for-pound star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Texas in 2016, and in doing so becoming the city’s first two-time World Champion.

Former European Welterweight Champion Eggington knows he is fighting for his career after suffering a shock stoppage defeat to Tanzania’s Hassan Mwakinyo at Arena Birmingham in September.

‘The Savage’ was preparing to face former World ruler Brandon Rios at Wembley Stadium when he was wiped out by the dangerous African, but the Stourbridge man believes a win against Smith would put his name back in the mix for title action at 154lbs.

“It’s a very good fight for me,” said Smith. “I’ve done a lot – and I mean a lot – of sparring with Sam. You know what you are going to get with him. He comes to fight. You aren’t sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what he’s going to bring. You know exactly what he’s bringing.

“It’s the same with me and you know this is going to gel into a good fight. We will meet in the middle. It’s what we both do. I do feel, though, I do everything better than him and beyond. I feel if I ‘turn up’, you will all see what I mean.

“I am a big way back into boxing for him. And as we’ve sparred a lot, whatever confidence he can draw, he will try and draw some from that.

“I’ve got to do a proper job on Sam and a proper job is what I truly believe I will do. Having those little gloves on are so different to sparring and with those 10oz gloves on, I am massively confident I will find those gaps. Everything I throw will hit Sam and I just feel I have too good a variety for him to carry on going.”

Super-Welterweight rivals Anthony Fowler and Scott Fitzgerald put their unbeaten records on the line when they meet in one of the most eagerly-anticipated domestic clashes of the year. Preston’s Fitzgerald says he is a “different level” to Fowler’s previous opponents but ‘The Machine’ has vowed to “go through” his former teammate to set-up a mouth-watering clash with British Champion Ted Cheeseman.

Also on the bill, newly-crowned European Super-Lightweight Champion Joe Hughes clashes with Liverpool’s British Champion Robbie Davies Jnr in another tasty domestic showdown.

Malmesbury’s Hughes will be looking to build on a career-best win after he finally got his hands on the European title at the second time of asking after dominating Andrea Scarpa in Italy. Davies Jnr is looking to take another step up after claiming the British and Commonwealth titles in a bloody and bruising war with Glenn Foot at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle last October.

Popular Heavyweight David Price fights in Liverpool for the first time in nearly three years as he looks to make a fresh charge on the Heavyweight division following his recent win over Tom Little at The O2.

There’s also action for rising Liverpool Cruiserweight talent Craig Glover and ‘Miss GB’ Natasha Jonas, with Liverpool Super-Lightweight Tom ‘Fazza’ Farrell aiming to impress in front of his home crowd and undefeated Super-Lightweight Ged ‘G-Man’ Carroll looking to improve to 10-0.

“I can’t wait to be back in Liverpool on March 30, I love it there!” said Eddie Hearn. “This is one of the best all domestic cards we have put on in the city – Liam Smith returns from his World title defeat to face the all action Sam Eggington in what will be an absolute war and Anthony Fowler faces off against ex GB teammate Scott Fitzgerald in another crunch 154lb clash.

“The British and European Super-Lightweight titles are on the line for Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jnr and Joe Hughes and big David Price fights in Liverpool for the first time in nearly 3 years as he looks to make a charge in the Heavyweight division after his recent win at The O2. There’s plenty more action with rising Cruiserweight Craig Glover, Tom Farrell and Natasha Jonas – it’s going to be a busy night and a great event on March 30.”

Tickets for Smith vs. Eggington priced at £40, £60, £100 and £200 (Inner Ring VIP) are available to Fight Pass members via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) at midday on Tuesday January 22.

General Sale tickets are available to purchase via the M&S Bank Arena (www.mandsbankarena.com), Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com) and StubHub at midday on Wednesday January 23.

Jano Carroll and Guillaume Frenois battled to a 12-round split draw in an IBF Super Featherweight Elimination battle.

In round nine, Carroll began to bleed from around the right eye.

Scores were 115-113 each way, and 114-114.

Carroll, 129.6 lbs of Dublin is 16-0-1. Frenois, 129.5 lbs of France is 46-1-1.

Anthony Fowler remained perfect with a 1st round stoppage over Jose Carlos Paz in a scheduled 10-round super featherweight bout.

Fowler landed a perfect left the body that sent Paz to a knee. He did not beat the count at 1:33.

Fowler, 153.6 lbs of Liverpool is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Paz, 157.2 lbs of Argentina is 23-8-1.

Kid Galahad tuned up for a world title shot with a eight-round decision over Bryan Mairena in a super featherweight bout.

The referee score was 80-72 for Galahad, 132.1 lbs of Sheffield who is now 30-0. Mairena, 130.9 lbs of Nicaragua is 10-5-1.

Former British Olympian, Qais Ashfat stopped Jay Carney in round five of their scheduled six-round super bantamweight fight.

In round one, Ashfaq began to batter Carney, and caused a cut from the side of his nose. Ashfaq continued the beating with hard shots hat caused a cut over the right eye of Carney.

In round five, Ashfat continued to the onslaught on a game Carney. and Carney’s corner threw in the towel at 41 seconds.

Ashfaq, 126.3 lbs of Leeds is 4-0 with two knockouts. Carney, 124.7 lbs of Liverpool is 5-4-2.

Terry Harper stopped Fericge Mashury in round two if a scheduled six-round lightweight contest.

Harper landed an unanswered flurry of punches in round two, and the fight was stopped at 1:25.

Harper, 135.2 lbs of Denaby is now 5-0 with two knockouts. Mashaury, 133.5 lbs of Tanzania is now 6-2.