WHITTAKER ADDS STAR POWER TO BUATSI-AZEEZ UNDERCARD

LONDON, UK (January 16, 2024) – Future boxing superstar Ben Whittaker will look to steal the show as he returns to action on the undercard of the huge all-British showdown between unbeaten #1 and #2 world ranked light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez on Saturday, February 3rd at the OVO Arena Wembley in London, live and exclusive on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Whittaker closed the year in style with a highlight reel knockout of Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj in Bournemouth. Now 5-0, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver medallist is aiming to kick-start the New Year with another spectacular performance when he takes on Swiss-based French fighter Khalid Graidia over eight-rounds.

Graidia returns to British shores having previously shared the ring with Whittaker’s domestic rivals Zach Parker, Ezra Taylor and Karol Itauma in London. Graidia also took British and Commonwealth Champion Dan Azeez the distance when they squared off in Milan in July 2023.

“The Surgeon is back and ready to start 2024 with another clinical performance. I’m putting the whole light heavyweight division on notice. Another big year is on the way so don’t miss the start of it on February 3rd,” said Whittaker.

“This is the start to a huge year for Ben Whittaker,” said BOXXER CEO and Founder Ben Shalom. “He will bring his star power to an already massive night for the light heavyweight division on February 3rd in London. Ben is a special talent and we expect to see him headlining shows and fighting for major titles this year.”

Having dethroned Franck Petitjean in front of a capacity crowd in Wolverhampton last year, Adam Azim makes the first defence of his EBU European Super Lightweight Title against undefeated former champion Enock Poulsen.

Rising featherweight star Francesca Hennessy and heavyweight hope Jeamie TKV are also confirmed for action in the capital. Hennessy, who has wowed fans with her explosive style since joining the paid ranks last year, goes in search of her third professional victory, while TKV looks to get back to winning ways having suffered his first career defeat to Igor Macedo in September 2023.

This event is presented in association with official partners Bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Integritas Property Group and IFX Payments.

Tickets starting from £30 are available via BOXXER.com




BOXXER ADDS EXCITING YOUNG PROSPECT FRANCESCA HENNESSEY TO WORLD’S BEST STABLE OF FEMALE BOXERS 

LONDON, ENGLAND – (August 22nd, 2023) – Hotly-tipped prospect Francesca Hennessy was today unveiled as the latest addition to the BOXXER ranks, joining her brother Michael on the roster and becoming part of the world’s strongest stable of female boxers.

Entering the professional ranks following an accomplished amateur career which saw her win two national championships, the Women’s Winter Box Cup and Sweden’s Golden Girls Box Cup, the talented 18-year-old hopes to follow in the world championship footsteps of stablemates Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas.

Daughter of veteran boxing manager and promoter Mick Hennessy, head of Hennessy Sports, the young Hennessy has never been short of inspiration. Her childhood years were populated by some of boxing’s biggest names – including heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, who was long part of her father’s stable – and she has all but grown up in the ring.

“I’m turning professional now, signing with the best platform, best promotion – I’m more than ready, I’m ready to shake up boxing. My style is very unique. I like to move and groove. I’m a bit of a show-woman. You’re going to see some excitement for sure,” said Hennessy.

“I saw the way my dad and Peter Fury were looking after Savannah Marshall and I thought ‘This is something I can do and go to the top at’. It really inspired me, seeing Savannah, I have always looked up to her. Savannah’s such a massive role model.

“Women’s boxing has got massive recently. I was at the Savannah Marshall-Claressa Shields fight and obviously as a young girl who loves boxing standing in that arena, it was amazing. I never thought I’d see the day when an arena would be packed out like that with two women fighting. It’s so exciting for all us young girls who are coming on up.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO, said, “BOXXER and the Hennessy family have worked together for a long time, so we’ve watched Fran blaze a trail through the amateur ranks and now we’re delighted she will make her professional debut under the BOXXER banner. She’s grown up in the game – she was practically raised in the ring – and she’s got enormous potential, so we’re excited to start that journey with her on September 30th.”

In signing with BOXXER, Hennessy joins the world’s strongest stable of female boxers, lining up alongside world champions Marshall and Jonas plus Olympic medalists Lauren Price and Karriss Artingstall and the prodigious Caroline Dubois.

She will make her debut BOXXER and professional debut on Saturday, September 30th as part of the undercard for the BOXXER: Breakthrough event taking place at London’s historic York Hall.

Three centrepiece bouts were announced for that card yesterday, showcasing the top tier of British boxing’s rising stars and new talent. 

Caroline Dubois challenges for the IBO World Lightweight Championship, undefeated cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless contest the English Cruiserweight Title and super-middleweight standout Callum Simpson heads into a firefight with the always-aggressive Germaine ‘G-Man’ Brown

The event airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.