Birmingham, UK (24 September 2021) Sam Eggington and Bilel Jkitou’s brutal Fight of the Year epic will be show again at an exclusive select audience screening on Monday 4th October at The Mockingbird Cinema in Birmingham’s iconic Custard Factory.

WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Eggington went to war with French rival Jkitou earlier this month at the Coventry SkyDome Arena and from the opening bell it was an unbelievable encounter that has been hailed as the best fight seen in this country in the last decade.

After an exhilarating twelve-rounds that left the crowd and viewers watching live on Channel 5 in shock at the sheer ferocity, relentless pace and pure brutality, Eggington’s hand was raised after winning on the judges scorecards by split decision to retain his crown.

Seen on the small screen by millions, promoter Mick Hennessy and Eggington’s manager Jon Pegg have now ensured that the fight receives its big screen premiere in the Birmingham hero’s home city plus the highlights from the action packed undercard on the night.

Eggington will attend the screening with the other Midland stars of the Eastside Gym, including Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent and some of the other boxers that featured on the card, plus Michelin starred chef and boxing fanatic Glynn Purnell.

“I’m a big fan of the Rocky films and I’ve always fancied myself to be on the big screen one day and now that’s come true!” Said Eggington.

“At the time you don’t think how great it’s looking on TV because you’re so involved and focused on the fight and making sure you’re on top and winning and landing the better and harder shots. Only afterwards after watching it again did I think ‘You know, that was something a bit more special than usual’.

“The fight went out to a massive live audience on Channel 5 that received fantastic exposure and now I’m thrilled it will be replayed at the Mockingbird Cinema in my home City.”

London, England (13 September 2021) Birmingham hero Sam Eggington threw a staggering total of 1317 punches – an incredible average of 109 punches per round – in his absolute barnstormer of a fight with Bilel Jkitou at the Coventry Skydome Arena last Friday night.

WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Eggington defended his title on a split decision in what promoter Mick Hennessy and many in the fight trade have hailed as worldwide Fight of the Year that was broadcast live and free in the UK on Channel 5.

British great Joe Calzaghe famously threw 1006 punches in his legendary showdown with rival champion Jeff Lacy in their epic 2006 encounter, but Eggington has left that in the shade with his punch output beating the fire-fisted Calzaghe by a wide 311 punches.

More unbelievable stats from the fight reveal that Eggington’s best round was the thrilling second when he threw 125 punches and in the championship rounds he recorded his second and third best tallies by landing 117 in the eleventh and 115 in the twelfth and final round.

Incredibly not once throughout the whole fight did the referee Mark Lyson have to separate the pair for clinching or holding, or to speak or warn either man as the warriors were left to get on with their own brutal business as they exchanged heavy shots on each other.

The pair have received high praise from most importantly the fight fans and media pundits as they went above and beyond in their twelve round thriller that has taken the boxing world by storm.

Renowned Midlands fight figure Jon Pegg, Eggington’s career long manager who worked the corner on the night, religiously watches every fight again in half speed to record the number of punches thrown to aid Eggington in his fight performances.

The average boxer throws 50-60 punches per round, in comparison Eggington routinely throws 80-90, but even he outperformed himself on that magical night.

Pegg said, “Sam throws 80-90 punches per round and this is even when opponents are moving away or holding. Because he had such a willing dance partner in Jkitou in front of him, his punch stats have gone through the roof. Sam standing in front of someone is really hard man to beat. His engine is flawless, you can’t throw that many punches without your engine being tip top. Sam doesn’t usually get that kind of guy and fair play to Jkitou, it takes two to make a fight, but hats off to the pair of them for giving the fans and viewers something really special to remember for years to come.”

Promoter Mick Hennessy, who’s now in his 20th year as a TV promoter under the Hennessy Sports banner, said he has never seen anything on par with that fight before.

He said, “I’ve promoted some of the best fights and boxers in the world and I knew that this was going to be a great fight, but it totally eclipsed that and developed into a classic. I was sat at ringside and was absolutely amazed by what I was witnessing and got so involved in the edge-of-your seat action that I lost my voice through shouting. We’re in an era of easy pay day prima donna boxers in non-PPV worthy fights and broadcasters and media who are more attracted by YouTubers and social media celebrities fighting each other. Sam is a throwback to a time of real fighting men and has been seriously overlooked by the mainstream broadcasters and media. I believed in Sam and knew what he could do in the right fights with the right backing and that has been proved beyond doubt. I will get Sam what he deserves and that will be a World title fight on our terms. I would ask everyone to please now get behind the most exciting fighter in World boxing and he hails from Birmingham, England, Sam Eggington”

Download all the fight night images from the whole show HERE
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Coventry, England (11 September 2021) On a busy night of boxing shows that were all left in the shade, Hennessy Sports promoted a sensational event featuring the Fight of the Year between proud warriors Sam Eggington and Bilel Jkitou at the Coventry Skydome Arena last night with the Savage coming out the winner by split decision in a tremendous all-action battle that left fans’ breathless.

Eggington put his WBC Silver Middleweight title on the line for the first time, whilst Frenchman Jkitou bravely risked his 15 fight unbeaten record to come to England and face Eggington, but has now seen his stock rise considerably after last night and present himself as a new star.

The humble yet consummate pro Eggington is now on the cusp of challenging for a World title and with that epic performance he has left some so called PPV stars to shame.

Jkitou started the aggressor taking the fight to Sam in the opening early session of the first, with the Birmingham man looking to feel his way in but he quickly stamped his own brutal brand by going toe-to-toe.

Sticking close to each other and planting their feet, the pair traded big hooks, uppercuts and ripping in body shots with each other as neither man wanted to give way. Jkitou was cheered on by a large group of loud supporters who had made the journey to England and Eggington had his own band of loyal followers making their noise.

With the intense action going back and forth in the early rounds and both men having their moments of success, in the fourth Bilel landed a good left hook with Eggington feeling it, but coming straight back with his own punches.

Eggington looked the busier man with his straight-punching and landed the more decisive and heavier shots. His eyes started to swell midway in the fight and his right eye picked up some small cuts with their heads rubbing closely, but expert cuts man Kerry Kayes in the corner worked his magic which did not affect Eggington’s vision in the fight.

Still just 27, Eggington, Britain’s most exciting fighter, looked to be getting ahead from sixth round landing more shots and bringing in his extensive championship title experience but Jkitou was still dangerous getting success with his own punches.

At the start of the eighth, Eggington looked to use some distance and box, but Jkitou unleashed some big shots starting with a big left hook and unloading with Eggington on the ropes. Sam quickly firing back and later in the round landed his own perfect five-punch combo close up.

With the crowd on their feet, the final three rounds were fought at a ferocious pace just like the opening rounds with broadcaster Channel 5 having Eggington three rounds up going into the ninth. With pride now on the line and neither man willing to relent, they dug deep and carried on their fierce exchanges until the final bell.

It went to the judges scorecards and they were split, with one scoring it 116-112 for Jkitou, but the other two both had it 117-112 in favour of Eggington.

Eggington, who wears his heart on sleeve every time and often doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves, said modestly afterwards, “I was fit and ready but I made harder work of it than I should have. I should have boxed a bit more early on in the fight and I gave him ground a bit and I enjoy it most of the time, but when you do that it’s hard to get out of it so I slipped into trying to box and reverted back into going in and having a war. He caught me in the eye with jabs a few times and a lot of heads, I thought the split was a bit harsh. I thought he won a few rounds, more rounds than he should have done, than [the judges] should have given him. But it is what it is, it’s tough, he’s 15-0 and he can dig and he caught me a few times so it is what it is and I should have made easier work of it, but I got the win.”

The live opener on Channel 5 saw Irish dynamo Stevie ‘The Hitman’ McKenna extended for the first time in his career as he won every round against tough Moussa Gary and took his record to unbeaten in nine. McKenna looked to blow away Frenchman Gary with his big and heavy shots, but Gary, a quality operator with a granite chin, was an awkward customer and the Country Monaghan ace couldn’t nail him, but going the extra rounds at full pace would have given him vital career experience.

Also on the card: Birmingham Welterweight Kaisee Benjamin KO’d Jarkko Putkonen in the third round (1:09); Coventry Middleweight star River Wilson-Bent outpointed Gabor Gorbics over 10 rounds (100-90); Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters beat Farouk Daku over eight (80-70); Brighton heavyweight Tommy Welch won every round against Alvaro Terrero (40-36); Brixton light-heavyweight Isaac Chamberlain won by RTD1 against Ben Thomas; Sevenoaks Michael Hennessy Jr. won by first round KO (2:15) against Maksims Dembovskis; County Monaghan middleweight Aaron McKenna outpointed Ivica Gogosevic over six rounds (60-52) and finally show opener County Donegal super-welterweight Brett McGinty won by third round KO (1:17) against Teodor Nikolov.

Coventry, UK (10 September 2021) Irish star Aaron ‘The Silencer’ McKenna will now feature on promoter Mick Hennessy’s show tonight at the Coventry Skydome Arena on the Sam Eggington-Bilel Jkitou WBC Silver Middleweight title clash.

The undefeated 22-year-old middleweight from County Monaghan takes on Croatian Ivica Gogosevic over six rounds as he aims to extend his record to 12-0.

McKenna likes to get the job done quickly with seven of his eleven wins coming by KO – and seven of those have come inside three rounds.

Aaron joins older sibling Stevie ‘The Hitman’, the explosive hitting unbeaten welterweight contender, who takes on Frenchman Moussa Gary, on the card.

It’s the first time the brothers have featured together on a show since December 11 last year on the Eggington-Ashley Theophane undercard in Redditch.

Aaron retired the tough Jordan Grannum – who hadn’t been stopped in 79 fights – with a savage body shot in the second round and Grannum didn’t come out for the third.

While Stevie blitzed Des Newton with powerful shots throughout the fight until he was finally stopped in the fifth round.

Aaron is looking to put on a real show tonight for the fans’ and a live stream is available on the SunSport website starting at 1715hrs with Aaron’s fight starting at 2000hrs with the best of the action on Channel 5 from 2200hrs.

He said, “I’m just raring to go and I can’t wait to get back in the ring again and fight. I don’t like to hang about and I want to get my business done quickly so it could end early once the big punches start landing. It’s fantastic to fight on the same card with Stevie again and we both bring the same brand of entertainment when we fight: KO’s.”

Hennessy added, “It’s fantastic to welcome such an exciting talent like Aaron back on my show again and I’m really looking forward to seeing him back in action. Like his brother Stevie he’s an awesome prospect and the two of them together will bring dynamite tonight in Coventry.”

Remaining tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Coventry, UK (9 September 2021) Hennessy Sports are delighted to announce that SunSport will stream exclusively LIVE and FREE the whole undercard of Friday night’s big show at the Coventry Skydome Arena, headlined by WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Sam Eggington and challenger Bilel Jkitou clash.

In a massive night of boxing with almost four hours of live action on SunSport, red hot Irish super-welterweight prospect Brett McGinty opens the exciting show at 1715; then at 1735 Sevenoaks ace Michael Hennessy Jr; 1805 Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters; 1845 Brighton’s undefeated heavyweight destroyer Scott Welch; 1905 Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin; 2000 unbeaten middleweight sensation Aaron McKenna; 2025 Coventry’s dynamite punching middleweight River Wilson-Bent; 2115 the return of cruiserweight star Isaac Chamberlain.

Go to the SunSport website at www.thesun.co.uk

The action then switches LIVE and FREE to Channel 5 in the UK and Ireland at 22:00 with the show opened by the explosive-punching Irish KO sensation Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna who’s unbeaten in 8 fights with 8 KO’s and looks to continue his perfect run.

Then it’s the big one between Birmingham hero Eggington, who has the world title in his sights, and risks his title against the hard-hitting and undefeated challenger from France, Jkitou.

Remaining tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

London, UK (9 September 2021) WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Sam Eggington and undefeated challenger Bilel Jkitou weighed in today at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport for their clash tomorrow night at the Coventry SkyDome Arena, exclusively LIVE and FREE on Channel 5.
WBC Silver Middleweight Championship
12 X 3 Minute Rounds
Sam Eggington 11st 4lbs 2oz vs. Bilel Jkitou 11st 3lbs 2oz

6 x 3 Super Lightweight
Stephen McKenna 10 7 9 vs. Moussa Gary 10 7 7

8 x 3 Light Heavyweight
Shakan Pitters 12 12 3 vs. Farouk Daku 12 8 3

10 x 3 Welterweight
Kaisee Benjamin 10 5 8 vs. Jarkko Putkonen 10 5 4

10 x 3 International Middleweight
River Wilson-Bent 11 5 3 vs. Gabor Gorbics 11 7 2

6 x 3 Super Welterweight
Michael Hennessy Jr. 11 4 2 vs. Maksims Dembovskis 10 13 3

4 x 3 Middleweight
Brett McGinty 11 3 4 vs. Teodor Nikolov 11 5 0

4 x 3 Heavyweight
Tommy Welch 16 10 0 vs. Alvaro Terrero 17 2 4

6 x 3 Middleweight
Aaron McKenna 11 7 3

Remaining tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

London, UK (6 September 2021) Former striker Bilel Jkitou has offered to play up front for Coventry City FC this Saturday after he has beaten WBC Silver Middleweight Champion Sam Eggington the night before.

And the unbeaten French hitman has the backing of his superstar friend the Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema.

Jkitou challenges Eggington for his crown at the Coventry Skydome Arena this Friday night, but the former Red Star forward is happy to swap his gloves for boots again and turn out at home for the Sky Blues, who are 7th in the Championship, against Middlesborough.

Before Jkitou switched to professional boxing he played as a striker for Red Star, the oldest league football club in Paris, and the sharpshooter scored 15 times in one season.

He has equalled his football prowess in the squared circle with an unbeaten 15-fight record and 6 knockouts and has captured the WBC Mediterranean Middleweight title as he heads into the biggest fight of his career against the Birmingham ‘Savage’ Eggington.

The 29-year-old has been in top form with back-to-back KO’s in his last three fights. In his last fight in March he destroyed Gyorgy Mizsei inside two rounds; prior to that in February last year he smashed Felice Moncelli in the opening round and Ernesto Olvera was despatched in eight rounds in October 2019.

Jkitou said, “It was a real pleasure for me to play and grow at Red Star, a club so prestigious in France for its level and its history. I scored about 15 goals in one season at Red Star. When I beat Eggington and take his title and while I’m still in the city before I go home I’d be happy to help out Coventry City against Middlesbrough

“Karim wanted to come to see the fight but with the Covid and the fact that he plays often complicates matters. Karim and I met on social networks he is passionate about boxing, he liked what I did and he wrote to me and since then our friendship is very healthy, we give advice to each other, we encourage each other. I also had to go see him in Madrid but the Covid has complicated all these trips, but it will be done very soon. Regarding the fight against Sam he encouraged me to win,”

He has also played alongside some other big French stars including former Spurs and Marseille winger Georges-Kévin Nkoudou.

He added, “I played with Nkoudou who played at Marseille and for Spurs in England, who now plays at Be?ikta?. Yacine Bammou who played in Nantes and with the national team of Morocco. I played with Abdoulaye Diaby who played in Lille, Bruges, Be?ikta?. Mario Lemina, he is also a friend, we come from the same neighbourhood.”

Jkitou says he has transferred all the qualities of a striker such as accuracy, speed, strength and confidence to being a boxer and will use them to defeat against Eggington. He finished, “Yes exactly I am a striker in football but also in boxing and you will see that on September 10 in Coventry.”

Remaining tickets are available to purchase from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. against Latvian Maksims Dembovskis.

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
MEDIA EVENTS
Wednesday 8th September: Press Conference

Samoan Joe’s
Spon Street
Coventry
CV1 3BB
Time: 1.30pm for a 2pm start

In attendance will be Sam Eggington-Bilel Jkitou and the undercard boxers’ will meet head-to-head with their opponents: River Wilson, Isaac Chamberlain, Stevie McKenna, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin, Idris Virgo, Michael Hennessy Jr., Brett McGinty and Tommy Welch.

One-one-interviews and photo opportunities will be available.

Thursday 9th September: Weigh-in

Samoan Joe’s
(Address as above)
Time: 12.30pm for a 1pm start

All boxers’ will officially weigh-in for their contests.

London, UK (30 August 2021) After marginally missing the boat at 147lbs, warlord Sam Eggington claims world honours await in the super-welter or middleweight divisions once he gets past undefeated French ace Bilel Jkitou on Friday 10th September at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5.

The 5ft 11in ‘Savage’ seemed a shoe-in to score a world title shot back in 2017 when, just 23, he sat proudly on the British, Commonwealth and European thrones, having just lifted the prestigious Boxing Writer’s Young Boxer of the Year award.

The humble but hardy father of three recently crowbarred his way into the WBC middleweight listings and still just 27 and with esteemed new promoter Mick Hennessy piloting his ship, the nine-year pro is as confident as he’s ever been that global glory awaits.

‘I still believe it’ll happen for me at world level or I’d not still be doing it and that’s the truth,’ says Eggington who, having previously scalped Paulie Malignaggi, conquered a second world champion when bagging the WBC Silver strap against Carlos Molina in Coventry last May.

‘Mick goes to hell and back for his fighters. He’ll take me where I need to go. I just have to play my part by winning the fights.

‘I’m so much happier now. My coaches will vouch that I’ve never enjoyed training as much ever and that obviously helps. Before boxing was just a job. After I’d done my two sessions, you couldn’t pay me to do another. Today, I gladly do my own additional training, even when I’m out of camp.’

The Smethwick-born fan favourite acknowledges that his ‘anyone, anywhere’ mindset has proven costly in the past. Most recently, he conceded an IBF rating after narrowly and controversially succumbing to Ted Cheeseman over 12 rounds last August, a decision that still rankles.

‘It’s a double-edged sword. The fans love that I’ll face anyone but now I have to get clever,’ concedes Sam has been trained and managed by Jon Pegg for his entire career.

‘I’ve never had a pathway before. My best chance of success would still probably be down at 154 because the biggest middleweights are seriously big lads. I know the type of confidence my size gave me at welter. But an opening came with the WBC at middle. It could be a risk fighting up at 160 but I’d not have a WBC belt if I didn’t take the gamble.

‘With hindsight, I should’ve vacated the European title in 2017 because making welter got too hard. But people place far too much value into wins and losses. One loss won’t ever spoil my career. You just get back on the horse and push on.

‘I don’t want to go through the eliminator process but if I was given a shot at Ted for the British (super-welter) I’d take it at a heartbeat.’

Though Eggington’s cabinet is overloaded with the bounty he acquired as a ‘rock’em, sock’em 147lber, the Stourbridge slugger insists he is a different, improved beast up at the higher poundage.

‘Experience brings you on and, technically, there’s a bit more about me now,’ says Eggington.

‘At welter, I always knew I was bigger and stronger than the other lads. Up at a higher weight, I have to box differently, worry more about what’s coming back.’

On Friday 10th September, headlining the show at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5, the world contender walks the tightrope against 15-0 French dangerman Bilel Jkitou, knowing that a stellar showing will vault him further up the WBC rankings.

‘I honestly know very little about him. He’s unbeaten, works the body shots, has got funny hair! That’s it,’ quips Sam.

‘I seldom watch even my own fights back but I’ve good coaches who take care of that part. He’s certainly not fought anyone at the level I’ve operated at.

‘The Skydome was a decent venue with just half a crowd in May. At full capacity, it’ll be some atmosphere. I need to win well, look comfortable to improve my ranking. Win, lose or draw, I never disappoint.’

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.

London, UK (12 August 2021) Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington is ready to go to war with undefeated French ace Bilel Jkitou when they collide on Friday 10th September at the Coventry Skydome Arena, exclusively live in the UK and Ireland on free-to-air Channel 5.

The Savage puts his WBC Silver Middleweight title on the line for the first time and must repel the hard-hitting danger man to protect his position as World title contender as he closes in fast on a World title shot.

Eggington’s defence against Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch and the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

Egginton, the Former British, Commonwealth, European and International Champion, was last in action in May and returns to the Skydome Arena where he won the title with a punch perfect performance against the rugged Mexican former World Champion Carlos Molina to win widely on the scorecards by unanimous decision.

The 27-year-old has the advantage in big-fight experience from his 37 fights and 15 Championship contests to overcome the aggressive and highly confident Jkitou who is intent on pulling off a major shock in his first fight in England.

From Nanterre, Hauts-de-Seine, Jkitou is the former WBC Mediterranean Middleweight Champion and has amassed an unbeaten 15-fight record with 6 knockouts since turning professional in February 2015.

The 29-year-old is in fine recent form with back-to-back KO’s in his last three fights. Last time out in March this year he destroyed Gyorgy Mizsei in the second round in his hometown; prior to that in February last year he smashed Felice Moncelli in the opening round and Ernesto Olvera was despatched in eight rounds in October 2019.

Jkitou is well known in his homeland as he was previously a semi-professional player with Red Star, the oldest league football club in Paris, where he played as a striker.

All-action Eggington knows he has to be at the top of his game to see off Jkitou’s challenge and is prepared to dig deep and go beyond as he promises to retain his belt in style.

“I know that Jkitou will be coming into the ring as a hungry challenger looking to knock me out and take my crown, but there’s no way he’s going to do that,” Said Eggington.

“He’ll be going all out to beat me and make a name for himself but knowing that he wants to destroy my plans makes me train harder and makes me even more determined to smash him up. There’s no way he’s beating me or taking my belt,”

“I’ve worked too long and hard in my career and I’m at the point of challenging for a World title so I cannot let all that blood, sweat and tears be for nothing,”

“He’d better be prepared for a war in there on the night because I’m putting everything on the line.”

Fiercely determined Jkitou believes he can knockout Eggington and will return to France a hero.

He said, “I’m very confident, I feel good I’m ready all year round, it’s a big challenge to fight Sam with a good belt so I had to accept the fight,”

“He is a very good boxer with qualities and flaws, I think he has never boxed a boxer as smart as me. The tactics will make the difference in this fight.

“I think I would beat him by knockout or by stoppage in the 8th or 9th round. If he underestimates me that’s fine for me, it’s the truth in the ring,”

“If I beat Eggington I’ll come back as a hero in France and with a good position on my standings, it’s one of the most important fights of my career.”

Hennessy, who recently signed a long-term promotional agreement with Eggington, is excited by the Eggington-Jkitou showdown and is predicting fireworks on the night.

He said, “This is set to be a real fiery encounter between Eggington and Jkitou. Styles make fights and with Eggington’s solid and relentless punching, never taking a step back and iron resilience matched against Jkitou’s aggressive, attacking style and hard-hitting, plus the volatile English-French rivalry thrown in, I believe it will produce some real fireworks on the night.”

Hennessy also added that he has two further Championship Boxing dates confirmed on Saturday 13 November at the Coventry Skydome Arena and Saturday 11 December (venue TBC) – both live and free on Channel 5 – with the full show line-up to be announced shortly.

He continued, “I’m delighted to officially confirm our big fight dates for the last quarter of 2021 and we’re at the Coventry Skydome Arena on Saturday 13 November and the venue for final date on Saturday 11 December will be announced shortly. Our Champions and talented prospects will be out in action again as we close the year and get ready for a massive 2022.”

*Tickets subject to booking fee.