Heavyweight Nathan Gorman would relish a showdown with David Adeleye, as he makes his return live and free-to-air on Channel 5 tomorrow night.

The 27-year-old makes his comeback after over a year out of the ring, on the Wasserman Boxing show at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, in Bolton, live and free-to-air from 10pm.

Brought to fight fans in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum, Gorman takes on the confident Ukrainian Bohdan Myronets, who is fresh from an upset victory over Kash Ali in the summer.

Gorman returns to the ring for the first time since his three-round shoot-out for the British heavyweight title against Fabio Wardley last year, and says a statement victory on Friday night should put him back in title contention.

And the cousin of Tyson Fury, says a clash with London’s David Adeleye, who was stopped by Wardely in Saudi Arabia recently, is a perfect fight to make next.

BIG FIGHT ODDS WITH LADBROKES
Gorman 1/4
Myronets 3/1
Draw 16/1
“I’m not the type of person to call other fighters out but Adeleye was calling me out and never left me alone.” Gorman told Wasserman Boxing.

“We’ve both lost fights for the British title to the same opponent, so why can’t we fight each other?

“How about a British title eliminator or a Commonwealth title fight?  Let’s get it on in February.  I think I beat him convincingly.  For three or four rounds he would be game but then I would take over.  He’s a good fighter, but very, very beatable.”

He added: “Myronets is a big test.  He might be looking at me and thinking that, mentally, I’m not right and he’s coming off that win over Kash Ali, which he would convincingly in my opinion.  He is no stranger to coming over here and causing an upset.  But he needs to know that I’m not Kash Ali.”

Roman Fury has been forced to withdraw from Friday’s show through illness.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
First bell scheduled for 1730

4 rounds Featherweight contest
Immad Naseeb (weighing in tomorrow)
Jake Pollard (weighing in tomorrow)

6 rounds Bantamweight contest
Samir Atab (weighing in tomorrow)
Nabil Ahmed (weighing in tomorrow)

4 rounds Featherweight contest
Adbul Khan 130lbs
Eddy Lopez 130.8lbs

6 rounds Super Featherweight contest
Isaac Lowe 127.4lbs
Jonatas Rodgrigo 130.4lbs

4 rounds Lightweight contest
Nelson Birchall 129.6lbs
Eliecer Quezada 130.9lbs

6 rounds Featherweight contest
Codie Smith 129.2lbs
Darryl Tapfuma 128.1lbs

8 rounds Welterweight contest
James Moorcroft 147.6lbs
Mathew Rennie 147.6lbs

8 rounds Heavyweight contest
Nathan Gorman 296.3lbs
Bohdan Myronets 217.4lbs

EBU flyweight title
10 x 2 minute rounds
Chloe Watson 111.6lbs
Justine Lallemand 110.6lbs

6 rounds Super Welterweight contest
Dan Toward 154.5lbs
Fabrizio Rubino 163.3lbs

ONE OF THE most highly-anticipated fights of the year, the British heavyweight title showdown between Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye, takes place in Riyadh on October 28 on the undercard of the Battle of the Baddest event, featuring Tyson Fury against MMA king Francis Ngannou, live on TNT Sports Box Office in the UK & Ireland.

Today, in London, the chief support participants came together in front of the media ahead of departure for Saudi Arabia and below are a selection of key quotes from the top-table section of proceedings.

Frank Warren: “I think this is a fabulous fight and it is the first time I have met Fabio, other than speaking to him briefly on the telephone. This is what it is all about, undefeated heavyweights, two rising stars of boxing in a main support bout to a unique event, which will be broadcast all over the world. Whoever wins this fight is going to establish himself around the world, with lots of eyeballs watching. This is a huge opportunity and you can just feel the buzz about this and the event. This fight is going to be special. We had that unfortunate incident last time and hopefully that has been dealt with and is done. I hope we can put that behind us now and focus on the fight. Make no bones about it, this fight will be exciting.”

David Adeleye: “I learned nothing about him last time because I know what sort of man he is anyway, so it didn’t really show me much. He is not the same as me, he ain’t built from the same cloth. I kind of knew that already. We haven’t got to talk about the situation, but I match energy. I don’t go in there with no malice. I am always smiling and always good, I just match energy. I am pretty good at doing it. You walked towards me and got dealt with. It was jittery, I just pushed you back. When I am arguing with team members I am not going to let someone of 17 stone walk towards me. I don’t get nervous, I don’t know what it is, it is hard to explain, but nerves ain’t it. Someone like Fabio Wardley could never bring on those sort of nerve in me. What does he do for me to be nervous?”

“I am getting paid to beat him up, it is easy money. Eddie Hearn doesn’t put his money on you, what are you talking about?”

Fabio Wardley: “I don’t know if I particularly learned anything, nothing that I hadn’t seen already, in other situations and other circumstances, that he is a bit jittery. When the cameras are on, it is a big stage and a big event, people’s personality shows through. Nervous, jittery and on edge, twitchy – all things we had assessed already. It was nothing new, but funny to see up close, that is all. All I did was turn and look at you and you jittered. Do you push everyone who walks towards you and approaches you? So it is just me you are jittery around then? I’ve had people I’ve had issues with walk towards me and I’m not on edge or nervous, I’m cool. I walked to you to calm things down. We had met before and that is why I came over to say there was no need for this. Play your role, we are here to be professionals at the end of the day. I am used to having a mature interaction with someone where you can walk over. There was no need for that.”

“I don’t think it is easy money. I am getting paid to be whatever because Frank realises that you are not what they thought you were, you are not what he thought you was, so he has brought me over to do a job, get rid of you. I think Frank is betting his money on me.”

“I am a free guy, I can go wherever I want.”

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Sept. 28, 2023) — Unbeaten British heavyweight standouts Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye will meet in a high-stakes clash Saturday, Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 12-round battle of emerging stars will serve as the chief support contest to the historic showdown between WBC & lineal heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson Fury and lineal MMA heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou.
 
The premier combat sports event of the year, which marks the opening of Riyadh Season – the world’s biggest entertainment event – features a night of action delivered by boxing’s marquee division, the heavyweights.
 
Former WBO world champion Joseph Parker (32-3, 22 KOs), from Auckland, New Zealand, goes up against Canada’s Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs), and bone-crunching puncher Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0, 16 KOs), also residing in Canada, takes on Croatian veteran Agron Smakici (19-2, 17 KOs). Both fights are scheduled for 10 rounds.
 
And, in a special six-round special attraction, 18-year-old heavyweight phenomenon Moses Itauma (5-0, 3 KOs) will face an opponent to be named.
 
This unprecedented heavyweight spectacular is promoted by Queensberry, Top Rank and GIMIK Fight Promotions, along with Eye Of The Tiger, promoter of Kean and Makhmudov.
 
Fury-Ngannou and the heavyweight undercard will be available on pay-per-view in the United States.
  
Ipswich’s Wardley (16-0, 15 KOs) became English champion in 2021 with a first-round stoppage of Nick Webb before capturing British honors with a third-round TKO of Nathan Gorman last November. He is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Michael Coffie in April.
 
Adeleye (12-0, 11 KOs), from London, is the current WBO European champion, having won his maiden professional title by defeating the previously unbeaten Dmytro Bezus at York Hall in February and subsequently stopping Emir Ahmatovic in June.
 
The Adeleye-Wardley rivalry hit new heights at the Fury-Ngannou press conference in London earlier this month, as the fighters and their camps brawled on the red carpet. The melee left Wardley with cuts above his left eye and under his chin.
 
“I’ve got a clean bill of health,” Wardley said. “Nothing has changed. I am still feeling strong, moving hard, and hitting new numbers.
 
“I don’t know how to quantify how my desire to win by knockout has increased after what happened but, yes, substantially. Massively, because I am a professional person and I like to act like a professional, but if you want to go early, then that’s fine, and I am ready to go at any minute.
 
“When those situations occur, all it does is fuel the fire more. All you have done is made it worse for yourself. You’ve made me train harder, you’ve made me work for it more, you’ve made me want it more.”
 
Adeleye said, “I’m really looking forward to competing on the global stage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Everywhere I go, people are talking about this fight. I intend to put on a show and display why I’m the best young heavyweight out there.”
 
Parker captured the WBO crown in 2016 with a points triumph over future champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in Auckland. He made two title defenses before an unsuccessful unification fight against Anthony Joshua in 2018. He won the WBO Intercontinental championship in May 2021 with a decision victory over Derek Chisora, making a successful defense against the Chisora seven months later.  
 
Parker lost a bid for the WBO Interim world title against Joe Joyce last September, but he has enjoyed a successful 2023 with wins over Jack Massey and Faiga Opelu.  Kean won the WBC International Silver championship in 2019 with a defeat of former world champion Siarhei Liakhovich, making a successful defense against Daniel Martz the following year. He has won eight straight via the short route, most recently notching a seventh-round stoppage over Eric Molina in March.
 
Parker said, “I’m looking forward to being back in Saudi Arabia. It was great the last time I was there to support another fighter and boxing event. This time I’m going to take care of business in my own fight against a tough challenge in Simon Kean. It is fantastic to be on this card and to be part of this major event. My preparations are on point. There is not long to go now.”
 
Kean said, “This is the moment all fighters dream of their whole career. This is what I’ve been working for and asking for. It’s time to deliver.”
 
Makhmudov won the WBC Continental Americas strap in 2019, becoming the first man to stop Jonnie Rice. He went on to win the NABF and NABO belts with a slew of wins over notable opponents, including Pavel Sour, Erkan Teper and Mariusz Wach. Makhmudov had a triumphant United States debut in July, obliterating Raphael Akpejiori in two rounds. Smakici challenged for the vacant European title in his last fight, but he suffered a loss to the undefeated Agit Kabayel. The Croatian’s only other setback came against then-unbeaten Zhan Kossobutskiy in 2019.
 
Makhmudov said, “Saudi Arabia is a very special place for me. It’s always been my goal to fight there, so I’m grateful to have this opportunity. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show.”

The WBO European Heavyweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
David Adeleye 235lbs
Emir Ahmatovic 254lbs

The IBF European Lightweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Mark Chamberlain 134lbs 2oz
Marvin Demollari 134lbs 9oz

The WBC International Silver Super-Lightweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Henry Turner 139.8lbs
Tom Farrell 140lbs

8 x 3 Minute Rounds International Light-Heavyweight Contest
Ezra Taylor 176lbs 3oz
Khalid Graidia 176lbs

8 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Welterweight Contest
Carl Fail 157lbs 3oz
Frank Masden 155lbs 3oz

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Featherweight Contest
Royston Barney-Smith 133lbs 7oz
Christian Lopez Flores 133lbs 6oz

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Cruiserweight Contest
Tommy Fletcher 200lbs
Pawel Strykowski 202lbs 2oz

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Welterweight Contest
Ben Fail 157lbs 3oz
Bartosz Glowacki 154lbs 4oz

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Welterweight Contest
Joshua Frankham – To weigh in Tomorrow
Eligio Palacios – To weigh in Tomorrow

BIG DAVID ADELEYE is back in the ring in just over a week in a first defence of his WBO European heavyweight title when he takes on the big-hitting Serbian Emir Ahmatovic on Friday, 9 June at York Hall, live on BT Sport.

Also in title action is undefeated lightweight Mark Chamberlain (12-0, 8 KOs), who makes a second defence of his IBF European title against the champion of Italy Marvin Demollari (12-4, 2).

The WBC International Silver super lightweight champion, Henry Turner (10-0, 3), is all set for a domestic war against Tom Farrell (21-6, 5) in what will be a second defence of his belt.

Unbeaten heavy Adeleye (11-0, 10), who is closing in on a shot at the British title, takes on the Germany-based Ahmatovic (12-1, 9) with a sole reverse coming against forthcoming IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic in December 2021.

In his last fight, the man known as ‘Atomic’ seized the WBC Mediterranean title with a second round blitz of the then 11-1 Hueseyin Akdemir in Germany.

Waterlooville southpaw Chamberlain is blazing a trail in the lightweight ranks, with the 24-year-old coming into the fight off the back of a destructive fifth round defeat of the tough Italian Vairo Lenti in February.

Demollari, 28, became national champion in late 2022 with a decision win over the 13-0 Daniel Spada, before making a successful defence against the 11-1 Francesco Santacroce in May.

The skilful Showman Turner, just 22, is on a run of three stoppage wins out of four and was last in action in February with a statement victory over Zeus de Armas at York Hall.

His experienced opponent Farrell, 33, from Liverpool, was also last in action in Bethnal Green, where he dropped a decision against Harlem Eubank, having previously taken part in the Boxxer super lightweight tournament, where he was edged out in the final against Cori Gibbs, having defeated Ben Fields and Kane Gardner to reach the last two.

Also back on a busy York Hall card is the brilliant teenage super featherweight Royston Barney-Smith (5-0, 3), who will take on the redoubtable Christian Lopez Flores over six rounds. The 19-year-old’s last three fights have resulted in first round stoppages.

The eye-catching light heavyweight star of the future Ezra Taylor (5-0, 4) from Nottingham goes up against Khalid Graidia, who recently took Karol Itauma the full eight rounds and rising super welterweight Carl Fail (8-0, 2) from Northampton takes on Frank Madsen, with both fights taking place over eight rounds.

In six round action is Carl’s twin brother Ben Fail (2-0, 1), also at super welterweight, along with exciting Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher (4-0, 3) and Reading super welterweight Joshua Frankham (7-0, 2).

Tickets for the show at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday, 9 June are available now from: Ticketmaster.co.uk.

DAVID ADELEYE IS the new WBO European heavyweight champion following a resounding stoppage victory over Dymtro Bezus at York Hall on Friday night, with both Mark Chamberlain and Henry Turner retaining their IBF and WBC belts respectively.

All the photos from last night’s action can be downloaded here.
Images are free to use, please credit Queensberry

The explosive Adeleye set about the Ukrainian from the first bell, with the previously unbeaten Bezus floored with a big, straight left in the opening round and rocked by an uppercut just before the bell.

Bezus did rally in the second, but his revival proved to be short-lived as a howitzer of a chopping left hook ended his night, with referee Bob Williams calling an end to proceedings after 1.48 of the round and a bouncing York Hall acknowledged a new champion.

Mark Chamberlain took his time to figure out the threat posed by a tough customer in Vairo Lenti, with the Italian challenger having not previously suffered defeat via stoppage.

Ultimately, the Waterlooville warrior was the more aggressive, but more importantly, accurate in his work and in the fifth round the jaw of Lenti was buckled by a hellacious left hook delivered by the 24-year-old, who moves to 12-0 and still the owner of the IBF European lightweight title.

The official time of the knockout was 53 seconds of round five. Marcus McDonnell officiated.

Henry Turner celebrated reaching double figures as a professional with a third stoppage victory in four fights over the Spaniard Zeus de Armas to retain his WBC International Silver super lightweight title.

The 22-year-old is a highly-skilled operator who doesn’t rely on power in any way, but he put his man down in the third round with a looping left and again in the fourth courtesy of a right hook to the body.

Turner’s attack to the body was to prove decisive and in round seven referee Mark Lyson had seen enough when de Armas again was put to the canvas and time was called with 1.20 of the round completed.

In the non-title fights, Chris Bourke got back in the groove after his unsuccessful tilt at the British super bantamweight title last year by dropping down to bantamweight and returning against the dangerous Darwin Martinez.

The record of Martinez is deceptive. While he has taken 10 losses, six of his seven wins have come via KO, so he clearly presents a threat. This was demonstrated in the first round when he rocked Bourke with a big right and the Streatham man appeared disorientated across the first three minutes after being out with injury for knocking on a year.

The Peacock Gym pupil regrouped impressively from the start of round two and put his man down with a vicious left to the body, repeating the trick a further two times in round three and referee Lee Every had seen enough after 2.53 of the round.

Blue Chip prospect Royston Barney-Smith again showed his class in his fifth professional fight against Lesther Lara. A right hand straight to the body accounted for the typically durable Nicaraguan and now the 19-year-old has three straight stoppages on his card, with the treble taking up less than three minutes of action.

At cruiserweight, Aloys Jr continued to shine and made short work of the Czech Jiri Krejci. An attack to the body folded Krejci after just 38 seconds and the 19-year-old moved to 3-1 as a pro, with all three coming via stoppage.

Two six-rounders opened the night, with 8-0 super welterweight Carl Fail enjoying a shutout victory over Serge Ambomo and 8-0 super bantamweight Adan Mohamed doing likewise against Francisco Rodriguez.

THE IBF EUROPEAN lightweight champion Mark Chamberlain and heavyweight contender David Adeleye are both in headline action when Queensberry makes a return to York Hall on Friday February 17, live on BT Sport.

The 24-year-old Chamberlain, 11-0 (7 KOs) won his title at Wembley with a shutout 10-round demolition of Marc Vidal in July of last year, before being forced to withdraw from a November defence due to a shoulder injury.

The Waterlooville puncher will go up against the Italian Vairo Lenti, 10-4-1 (1 KO), the former champion of Italy who has won his last three fights and last fought in July.

Adeleye, 10-0 (9 KOs), fought only twice last year due to injury, but managed to add two stoppages to his KO-count by extinguishing the threat of Chris Healey and Elvis Garcia.

The Ladbroke Grove heavy faces a fellow unbeaten fighter in the Ukrainian Dmytro Bezus, 10-0 (5 KOs), who resides in Liga, Latvia.

The 6ft 6″ 33-year-old last fought in October of last year, recording a fourth round stoppage over Lukas Wacker at the Arena Riga.

Stylish super lightweight Henry Turner (9-0, 2), who won the WBC International Silver title over in Dubai in November, will make a first defence of his belt at York Hall over 10 rounds.

Thrilling super featherweight prospect Royston Barney-Smith (4-0, 2 KOs) will be looking to make it a knockout treble in his fifth four-rounder after scoring quickfire stoppages in his last two fights, while Northampton super welterweight Carl Fail (7-0, 2) will have his second fight under the Queensberry banner, also over four.

Nottingham light heavyweight Ezra Taylor (4-0, 3) will have his second six-rounder after impressively stopping Mohamed Cherif Benchadi last time out in Telford, with Loughton super bantamweight Adan Mohamed (7-0, 2) also fighting over six. Batley super lightweight Amaar Akbar (4-0) and Penge cruiserweight Aloys Junior (2-1, 2) will both fight in four round contests.

“This is a great opportunity for Mark Chamberlain and David Adeleye to enjoy top billing at York Hall,” said promoter Frank Warren. “I expect both of them to really push on this year and reinforce their status as two of the leading prospects in the country and this will be an important night for them after missing out on fights last year due to injury.

“I believe it is a realistic aim for both Mark and David to be hunting down British titles in the near future and I am confident they would be successful in this.

“Henry Turner won his WBC belt on Middle East soil so I am looking forward to him stepping it up in what will be his 10th fight as a pro and it won’t be long before Carl Fail finds himself in the title mix.

“Royston Barney-Smith is now showing us his genuinely elite quality in the ring and this young man is going to be a big force in years to come. I cannot wait to see him back in action.

“I am also looking forward to checking out the progress of Ezra Taylor, Amaar Akbar, Adan Mohamed and Aloys Jr, who are all showing promising signs and are quickly becoming ones to watch. “

Tickets for the show at York Hall on Friday, 17 February are on sale now available from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Tyson Fury retained the WBC Heavyweight championship with an one=punch sixth round stoppage over Dillian Whyte in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London.

In round four, Whyte was cut over his right eye from a headbutt. There was a lot of grappling and both guys had trouble setting a pace.

That all changed in round six as Fury landed a monstrous right uppercut to the chin that knocked Whyte flat on his back. Whyte got to his feet, but wobbled all over the ring and the fight was 2:59.

Fury is now 32-0-1 with 23 knockouts. Whyte is now 28-3.

Fury said, “I’m overwhelmed with the support. I can’t believe that my 94,000 countrymen and women have come here tonight to see my perform. I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to every single person who bought a ticket here tonight or stayed up late to watch it on TV.
 
“Dillian Whyte is a warrior. And I believe that Dillian will be a world champion. But tonight, he met a great in the sport. I’m one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. And unfortunately for Dillian Whyte, he had to face me here tonight. There’s no disgrace. He’s a tough, game man. He’s as strong as a bull. He’s got the heart of a lion. But you’re not messing with a mediocre heavyweight. You’re messing with the best man on the planet. And you saw that tonight with what happened.
 
“I think Lennox Lewis could even be proud of the right uppercut tonight.”

Essuman Decisions Tetley

Ekow Essuman scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Darren Tetley in a welterweight bout.

Essuman landed 215 of 795 punches; Tetley was 144 of 691.

Essuman win by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice and is now 17-0. Tetley is 21-3.

Nick Ball Stops Isaac Lowe in 6

Nick Ball remained undefeated by stopping Tyson Fury-stablemate Isaac Lowe in round six of a 10-round featherweight bout.

In round two, Ball dropped Lowe with a big left hook. In round three, Ball was bleeding from the nose. In round four, Lowe was bleeding badly from his left eye.

In round six, with Lowe turned around, Ball drilled Lowe with two hard lefts and the bout was stopped at 1:45

Ball is 15-0 with eight knockouts. Lowe is 21-2-3.

Adeleye stops Healey in 4

David Adeleye stopped Chris Healey in round four of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round four, Adeleye landed a hard left and a big right that forced a referee stoppage at 52 seconds.

Adeleye, 232 lbs of London is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Healey, 282 lbs of England is 9-9.

Tommy Fury defeated Daniel Bocianski via six-round decision in a light heavyweight bout.

In round five, Bocianski was cut over the left eye. Later in the round, Fury landed a big right that put Bocianski on the canvas.

Fury landed 80 of 255 punches; Bocianski was 20 of 159.

Fury, 177 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 8-0. Bocianski, 175 lbs of Poland is 10-2.

Karol Itauma remained undefeated with a second round stoppage over Michael Ciach in a scheduled four-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Itauma sent Ciach to the canvas with a hard flurry on the ropes. In round two, Ituma dropped Ciach with an overhand left and the fight was stopped.

Itaima, 175 lbs of Kent, ENG is now 7-0 with five knockouts. Ciach, 175 lbs of Poland is 2-12.

Royston Barney-Smith remained perfect with a four-round decision over Constantin Radoi in a super featherweight bout.

Barney-Smith, 132 lbs of Southampton, ENG won by a 40-36 tally and is now 2-0. Radoi, 132 lbs of Swinton, ENG is 0-11.

Kurt Walker remained undefeated with a four-round decision over Stefan Nicolae in a junior lightweight bout.

Walker of Lisburn, Northern Ireland won by a 40-35 score and is now 2-0. Nicolae is 3-32-2.

DAVID ADELEYE would be forgiven for doing a double take on his ring walk when he sees several thousand fans this weekend.

The Notting Hill banger was Britain’s most active boxer during lockdown, fighting FIVE times behind closed doors.

When Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs) boxes at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday (July 24) it will be the first time he has fought in front of a live crowd since his professional debut in December 2019.

Excited Adeleye, 24, said: “It’s going to be electric fighting in front of a few thousand fans. I am going to thrive off the atmosphere.

“I am not used to a crowd anyway. When I was an amateur I was always last on when people were going home, so the behind closed doors shows were like being back in the amateurs in that respect.

“Now, I have to get used to fighting in front of crowd and I am going to love every minute of it.

“I will go out there enjoy it, have fun. A lot of fighters don’t enjoy big nights. They look back on it when they retire and regret not enjoying these big Wembley nights.

“I heard I was the busiest boxer in Britain when there were no fans in. Credit to Frank Warren. He kept me active and I am grateful.

“I would love to be 10-0 by the end of the year. Then, we can start looking at some of these boys and start fighting for some titles.”

When he boxed before fans on his debut, Dmitrij Kalinovskij was blown away inside a round and Adeleye predict’s an explosive performance, live on BT Sport this weekend.

Kamil Sokolowski took him the distance in his last fight and Adeleye brushed off unfair criticism after his six round points win against a solid opponent.

Adeleye who is trained by Frank Greaves added: “I am looking at getting back to knockout ways. That is in my nature.

“My brother was at the last fight and he said afterwards that it was the worst he has seen me perform amateur or professional.

“There were some underlying problems, but that is no excuse. This week, I will show my skillset and go from there.

“A lot of things have gone better. We hit a few brick walls but we got through it. It was tough getting sparring partners as the country was locked, but we got the good work in and I’m raring to go.

“Heavyweights knock someone out and people moan, ‘You aren’t learning,’ or go the distance, and critics say, ‘You’re no good.’

“Heavyweights get ridiculed, but I do not let it get to me.”
 

Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24.

Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs).
 
Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury.
 
In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs).
 
There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year.

Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets.

£50 Tier
£70 Floor/Tier
£100 Floor
£150 Floor

DAVID ADELEYE reckons Heavyweight rivals will quickly realise he’s the “real deal,” when they feel the power of his punches.

The Londoner dismissed criticism he received after his points win against Polish star Kamil Soko?owski last month.

Matchmakers had found it tough to match Adeleye (6-0, 5KOs), but the Londoner believes opponents might now be more willing to face him after that narrow points win.

He said: “A lot of fighters who were turning me down before will be getting confidence, but reality will hit then when they get in there with me.

“It might be the best thing that has happened.

“When I get in there and when they see what I do to them people will say, ‘Wow, David Adeleye is the real deal.’”

Adeleye insists he wasn’t stung by the knockers after being taken the distance for the first time as a professional.

“The flak is part of the game to be fair,” added Adeleye. “I am thick skinned so it doesn’t even affect me. If people watch that fight in silence they will see I was the rightful winner.

“The commentators are used to seeing me on my front foot but being on the back foot was part of the game plan.

“My corner thought I won clearly. I thought I won. If I had any fear that it wasn’t going to go my way I would have put my foot on the gas and stepped it up.

“The commentators are doing their job as they see it and I am not here to knock them.”

Adeleye, 24, is hoping to return to action this Summer after recovering from a shoulder problem and he would love Sokolowski again to be in the opposite corner.

He says: “If it was to down to me I would have the rematch right away, but that isn’t down to me. Who I fight is down the people who are good at doing their job.

“Everything is analysed these days. We live in a world where everyone has an opinion and some just give negative feedback which is part of the world we live in.

“If I bang someone out I am hammering them too soon. I go the distance,  instead of looking at positives they say; ‘David should have knocked him out.’

“If I drank a Pepsi, someone would ask, ‘Why aren’t you drinking Coca Cola?’ You can’t win.

“The thick skin helps because I can brush it off.”

HEAVYWEIGHT banger David Adeleye insists he is ready to let Dave Allen and Nathan Gorman feel his power.

Adeleye has shown he can pack a punch and knocked out his first five professional opponents in style.

The Notting Hill man is back in action on Saturday (April 24), live on BT Sport.

Adeleye, 24, has oozed potential in his string of wins and is happy to be pushed by promoter Frank Warren who is matching the former ABA Junior and Senior Novices champion well.

Allen is returning to boxing following a short retirement and Gorman is closing in on a second British title shot after suffering his only career defeat against Daniel Dubois.

Adeleye said: “Dave Allen and Nathan Gorman are fights I think I can take. I am confident in myself, I believe in myself and I can beat them.

“Dave would be a good contest for me. He has been in there with some great fighters.

“It would be a good fight and it is one I would take.

“Dave is talking only boxing four or six rounders so I could get to stage that I have gone passed him.

“Credit to Nathan. He is a good fighter and you can see that, but he is someone I believe I can take on.

“I don’t just ask for these fight to say it. If they got made there wouldn’t be a ‘no’ from me.

“My development has been perfect and I know there is no rush, but if it was down to me I would want these fights.”

Four of Adeleye’s wins have come inside two rounds, and usually durable Phil Williams was stopped in three.

“As fights get longer the opposition will be better. I will get more time to break opponents down and box instead of just trying to blast them out,” added Adeleye who studied at the University of Wolverhampton, where he graduated in 2018 with a degree in Business Management.

“There have been opponents who were meant to give me rounds, like Williams. He was tough and I had to do a few things different to get him out of there, but it came together.

“I am disciplined and an all year round fighter. I don’t train in seasons. I always stay ready. After each fight I have a week off and then I’m back in the gym, improving.

“Nothing comes easy. As long as I stay grounded and guided I know I can go all the way.”

He might be in a hurry to make his name in the boxing business, but trainer Frank Greaves ensures Adeleye remains focused.

Adeleye says: “It’s easy to get knocked off your high horse and why I always mention staying disciplined and grounded.

“It must be hard for fighters when they are suddenly earning big money and  having big fights. At the same time, it’s easy because if you want something you stay disciplined.

“I have good people around me who will keep me in check like my family and coach, Frank Greaves.

“I think Frank likes me saying these names. He doesn’t want be with a fighter who doesn’t believe in himself.

“He does the training and might say something on opponents because he knows where I am at, but doesn’t bother when I call someone out.”

Denzel Bentley (14-0-1) vs Felix Cash (13-0) for the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles headlines a bumper night of boxing, live on BT Sport on April 24.

 Also on the card, light heavyweight star Callum Johnson (18-1) marks his return to the ring with a battle against the experienced Emil Markic (32-2) for the WBO Global championship.

 Other Queensberry prospects besides Adeleye (5-0) on the show are George Davey (3-0), Henry Turner (4-0), James Heneghan (4-0) and Karol Itauma (1-0).

In a highly anticipated heavyweight battle of undefeated fighters, Joe Joyce scored a 10th round stoppage over Daniel Dubois at The Church House, Westminster in London, England.

It was a highly competitive and high quality scrap with DuBois getting the better early as he landed some hard right hands that Joyce showed a terrific chin by walking right through him. Joyce was very effective with his jab.

In round five, the effectiveness of the jabs showed as the left eye of Dubois began to swell. Dubois was still able to get in some good shots, but towards the end of the ninth round, you could feel the tide beginning to turn towards Joyce.

The eye of Dubois was getting worse and worse, and finally in round ten, Joyce landed another hard jab, that made Dubois first paw at his left eye and then take two steps back to take a knee and basically submitted as he watched the referee count to 10 and the fight was over at 36 seconds.

Joyce, 258 lbs of Puttney, London is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Dubois, 244.6 lbs of Greenwich, London is 15-1.

Sheeraz stops Pitto in 10th

Hamzah Sheeraz won stopped Guido Nicolas Pitto in the 10th and final round of their super welterweight bout.

Sheeraz rocked Pitto with a hard right. That set up a nine punch flurry and then three hard punches later, the fight was stopped at 1:11.

Sheeraz, 153.9 lbs of East London is 12-0 with eight knockouts. Pitto, 152.9 lbs of Barcelona, SPA is 26-8-2.

Number-one ranked junior welterweight Jack Catterall tuned up for a world title opportunity by winning a 10-round decision over Abderrazak Houya.

In round six, Catterall dropped Houya with a perfectly timed counter-left. In round nine, Catterall sent Houya down again with a hard left.

Catterall, 143.3 lbs won by a 99-90 score and is now 26-0. Houya, 141.9 lbs is 14-3.

David Adeleye stopped Danny Whitaker in round two of their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Adeleye landed a right that dropped Whitaker. Seconds later, Whitaker was sent to the canvas for a 2nd time, and the fight was stopped at 2:09.

Adeleye, 219.4 lbs of London is 4-0 with all wins coming early. Whitaker, 260.1 lbs is 4-2.

Jack Massey won an eight-round decision over Mohammad Ali Bayat in a cruiserweight bout.

In round eight, Massey was cut over the right eye.

Massey, 201.6 lbs of Manchester, UK won by a 79-74 score and is now 17-1. Bayat, 200.7 lbs of Dubai i 16-2-1.

Daniel DuBois tuned up for a Fall showdown with Joe Joyce as he stopped Ricardo Snijders in the 2nd round of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout in London, England.

In round one, DuBois dropped Snijders three times, yet the Dutchman was allowed to continue. Early in round two, DuBois landed a body shot that put Snijders down, and the fight was stopped at 20 seconds.

DuBois, 244 lbs of London is 15-0 with 14 knockouts. Snijders, 215 lbs of the Netherlands is 18-2.

Sunny Edwards remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over Thomas Essomba in a super flyweight fight.

Edwards, 114.7 lbs won by scores of 116-112, 117-112 and 117-111 and is now 15-0. Essomba, 114.2 lbs is 10-6.

Sam Maxwell won a 10-round unanimous decision over Joe Hughes in a super lightweight fight.

Maxwell, 139.1 lbs of Liverpool won by scores of 98-92 twice and 97-94 and is now 14-0. Hughes, 139 lbs is 17-6-1.

David Adeleye stopped Phil Williams in round three of their scheduled four round heavyweight bout.

Adeleye hurt Williams with a left hook. Adeleye followed up with five shots, and the fight was stopped at 2:10.

Adeleye, 217.7 lbs is now 3-0 with three knockouts. Williams, 258.1 lbs is 3-26-1.

Willy Hutchinson remained udefeated by stopping Ben Thomas in the opening round of their eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Hutchinson dropped Thomas with a body shot that was followed by a left to the head. Hutchinson finished the fight with a huge uppercut that sent Thomas to the deck just at the fight was being stopped at 2:09.

Hutchinson, 173.4 lbs is 12-0 with eight knockouts. Thomas, 175.7 lbs is 2-3-3.

https://www.facebook.com/btsport/videos/2813383292094680/

AHEAD OF THE weekend when Frank Warren brings his ‘Heavy Duty’ card to the o2 Arena, the Hall of Fame promoter is ready to further add to the heavyweight mix with the signing of top prospect David Adeleye to his ranks.

Adeleye is set to turn professional having enjoyed a successful stint in the amateurs, which he combined with his studies at the University of Wolverhampton, from where he graduated last year with a degree in Business Management.

The Londoner was a Junior ABA champion in 2013 and won the Senior ABA Novices in 2017 before winning the Senior ABAs the following year. He also represented England in an international against Denmark in 2018, also winning gold at the British Universities and Colleges Sport Boxing Championships.

Adeleye firmly believes his professional career has been placed in the right hands following his alliance with Frank Warren, who already has top heavyweights Daniel Dubois, Nathan Gorman, Joe Joyce and Jonathan Palata on his books as well as, of course, lineal world champion Tyson Fury.

“I am humbled and grateful to join such a highly-ranked promotional team, which is one of the best in the world,” stated the 22-year-old with experience of 30-plus amateur fights. “Frank has got Tyson Fury, Anthony Yarde, Dubois and Gorman, so it is great time.

“English boxing is at an all-time high and joining this stable now is pretty much perfect timing,” he added, before taking up the story of how he combined left hooks with lectures.

“I was juggling boxing and Uni at the same time, but I got it done because I want to be the best I can be. It was very hard because you would wake up in the morning and go to your lecture, then you would have to train again and have to get up even earlier the next day to do the jogging.

“I lived in the Uni halls as well and there were a lot of students partying, but I knew when to do what and I got through it. The educational side of things I knew would only be temporary and my boxing would be a long term thing, so I got it out of the way so I could focus solely on the boxing afterwards.

“For the last year I have been preparing for this and working with Hughie Fury, who I helped for his fight with Sam Sexton and again for Kubrat Pulev. I also sparred with Dereck Chisora for his fight with Dillian Whyte in December, but I then picked up a small hand injury that set me back a few steps.

“I’ve carried on training and I boxed in February – stopping the kid in the second round – before visiting a hand specialist to see about my injury. Everything is good now and I will be back knocking everyone out as soon as.

“I would say I will be moved along at about the speed of Daniel Dubois. Although I am not fussed who I fight, I know my lane and I am not in a rush. Frank will know the best timing and has the most experience of anyone in this game.

“He will know from the way I box the progression I should be making. I like what they have done with the likes of Daniel Dubois and Nathan Gorman, so Frank knows what he is doing with heavyweights.

“It is a great time to be a British heavyweight and I can’t wait to be part of these rivalries and dust-ups.”

Frank Warren added on his new signing: “I was determined to add David to our squad of hugely talented young fighters. I’ve seen him, he is exciting, he can punch and I think he will be a fantastic addition to the heavyweight scene.

“David is another top young heavyweight coming through, so I am happy to have him with us and I am looking forward to him making his debut and seeing him become part of what is happening with the heavyweights now.

“In a couple of years, hopefully he will be up there and ready to be part of a fight like we have got this weekend between Daniel and Nathan.”