SHAWNEE, OK (July 20, 2023) — Former unified and lineal lightweight king George Kambosos Jr. is eager to reclaim his throne, but English southpaw Maxi Hughes stands in his way.

Kambosos (20-2, 10 KOs) will fight Hughes (26-5-2, 5 KOs) in a 12-round IBF world title eliminator this Saturday at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Kambosos will be making his Top Rank debut as he sets his sights toward once again becoming champion. 

In the 10-round co-feature, U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (8-0, 6 KOs) takes a seismic step up in class against Belgian contender and former European champion Francesco Patera (28-3, 10 KOs).

Kambosos-Hughes and Davis-Patera will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard (6:15 p.m ET/3:15 p.m. PT) will feature the ring returns of welterweight contender Giovani Santillan, Oklahoma-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton and middleweight prospect Troy Isley.

Santillan (30-0, 16 KOs) will face Ecuadorian contender Erick Bone (27-6, 14 KOs) in a 10-round battle, and Milton (9-0, 6 KOs) will make his second appearance of 2023 in an eight-round tilt against Willie Harvey (4-2-2, 3 KOs).

Isley (9-0, 4 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympian, will fight in an eight-rounder against Antonio Todd (14-8, 8 KOs).

Two competitive eight-round heavyweight matchups will also be featured on the ESPN+-streamed portion.

Orlando, Florida’s Amron Sands (12-2, 9 KOs) returns against New Zealand’s Hemi Ahio (20-1, 15 KOs), and once-beaten contender Stephan Shaw looks to bounce back against Australia’s Joe Goodall (9-1-1, 8 KOs).

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Ferocious Promotions, tickets starting at $39 are on sale at www.stubwire.com.

At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

George Kambosos
 
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be here in Oklahoma. I’m very excited. I’m very refreshed because I had three massive fights within 11 months. Big fights take a toll. But I was able to step back, refresh my body, and continue my training. I’m here right now. I’m very excited. I feel fantastic. And we can’t wait to handle business.” 
 
“I’ve never been the kind of fighter who says, ‘Oh, I’ve got a loss. It’s taken my confidence away.’ I lost to Devin Haney. I think the boxing world has forgotten that he’s the only guy I’ve lost to. I’ve got to remind them again. We have learned a lot. And we have worked on a lot. But the biggest thing is that I’ve become a greedy motherf***er now. I’m going to take advantage of every hole there is.”
 
“I’m only focused on Maxi Hughes. We give him the utmost respect. He’s here. We know what he’s going to bring. Whatever there is to come, that will be spoken about after Saturday. But for now, there is only man in front of me.”
 
“I’m going to take his head off. That’s what’s going through my mind. I’m ready. I’m looking to absolutely destroy this man in my path.”
 
Maxi Hughes
 
“It’s been one of my dreams to fight in the U.S. When you turn professional, you see all the big fights in America and you want to be a part of that. I’ve had my tough times in boxing, and I’ve shown a lot of mental strength. I’ve come through that. I’ve earned my right to be on this stage as the main event.”
 
“The preparation has gone very well. My training team has been together for five years. After my last fight in September, I gave myself a week off and went back to the gym. I’m a full-time professional. That’s my job. I don’t just train for fights. I train and learn all the time. And then in February, we got the deal done with George. Since then, George’s face and name has been imprinted in my brain. Preparation went well and I’m very confident.”
 
Keyshawn Davis 
 
“You’re going to see something new. You can watch me fight. You can study me. But you got to really know boxing to know the type of fighter that you’re getting in the ring with when you fight me. I’m 8-0. Ya’ll haven’t even seen the best of me yet. Ya’ll will see something new.”
 
“Every time somebody fights me, it could be a life-changing moment for them. But when they get in the ring, it’s a different story. Just expect the same of what you’ve been seeing out of me.”
 
Francesco Patera
 
“I am very happy to be here and fight in the U.S. This means a lot. I am ready. This can change my life, so I’m going to give it my all on Saturday.”
 
“If you make a name for yourself in the U.S., you make a name for yourself worldwide. So, a victory will give me a good name.”
 
“A win will put me in a world title spot. So, this means a lot. I’ve done it before, and I’m sure I can do it again on Saturday.”
 
Jeremiah Milton 
 
“This is my home state. I’m carrying that weight for the whole state when it comes to boxing. I represent wherever I go. Whether it’s across the sea or whatever, they always know I’m from Tulsa.”
 
“I started late in boxing. I’ve come a long way really fast. I only had about 22 or 23 amateur fights. Now I’m coming through among the best in the game right now. No matter what, if you have people doubting you in the past, and you’ve ended up on this stage, they can now watch me perform on this stage.”
 
Giovani Santillan
 
“I feel good. I’ve just been training for those 11 months that I’ve been away. I’ve been staying ready, and I’ve been waiting for that call. I’m ready, and I feel good. I’m ready for Saturday.”
 
“After this Saturday, I can get a big shot. It depends on how I perform. I’m not taking this fight lightly. Erick Bone has fought a lot of good fighters. And I plan on showing that I’m ready for big fights against the big names.” 
 

Saturday, July 22

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
 

George Kambosos Jr. vs. Maxi Hughes, 12 rounds, IBF Lightweight World Title Eliminator 

Keyshawn Davis vs. Francesco Patera, 10 rounds, Lightweights 

 
ESPN+ (6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT)

Giovani Santillan vs. Erick Bone, 10 rounds, Welterweights 

Stephan Shaw vs. Joe Goodall, 8 rounds, Heavyweights  

Former unified and lineal lightweight world champion George Kambosos Jr. (20-2, 10 KOs) makes his Top Rank debut in a 12-round IBF world title eliminator against English southpaw Maxi Hughes (26-5-2, 5 KOs).

Kambosos is a 10-year pro who has traveled the globe in his efforts to conquer the lightweight division. In a triumph that was named ESPN’s 2021 Upset of the Year, Kambosos toppled Teofimo Lopez via split decision and captured three lightweight world titles. Following his first career setbacks in 2022, Kambosos has ambitions of reclaiming his throne, but he’ll first need to get past Hughes.

Hughes, a 33-year-old veteran hailing from the United Kingdom, debuted in the paid ranks in 2010. He lost a November 2019 showdown for the WBO European title against Liam Walsh, but rebounded impressively, winning all seven of his subsequent fights, including a 10-round decision win against then-unbeaten Kazakh standout Viktor Kotochigov in 2020. Hughes is coming off a 12-round majority decision win against former world champion Kid Galahad last September.

In the 10-round co-feature, U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis (8-0, 6 KOs) takes a seismic step up in class against Belgian contender and former European champion Francesco Patera (28-3, 10 KOs).

Davis, from Norfolk, Virginia, went 3-0 in the pro ranks before capturing a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In his most recent outing, the 24-year-old outclassed Anthony Yigit en route to a ninth-round TKO. Davis looks to continue his rapid lightweight ascent against his stiffest test to date.

Patera is an eight-year pro from Belgium. Since 2017, the 30-year-old has won 10 straight fights and is coming off a first-round knockout against Irakli Shariashvili in April.

The undercard streams exclusively on ESPN+.

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will call the action with Hall of Famer, Timothy Bradley, Jr. Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna?will serve as reporters.

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Kambosos, Jr. vs. Hughes (all times ET)

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Daniele Scardina stopped Juegen Doberstein after round four of a scheduled 10-round super middleweight fight in n Milan, Italy.

Scardina dominated the fight and beat up and bloodied the nose of Doberstein until the fight was halted in the corner after four-rounds.

Scardina of Italy is 20-0 with 16 knockouts. Doberstein of Germany is 26-5-2.

Patera stops Boschiero in 3 on cuts

Francesco Patera stopped Devis Boschiero in rounds three of a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout

In round two, Boischiero began to bleed around his right eye from a punch, and the bout was stopped at 1:32 of round three.

Patera of Belgium is 25-3 with nine knockouts. Bochiero of Italy is 49-7-2.

Esposito decisions Cavallucci

In an action-packed fight, Nicholas Esposito won a unanimous decision over Emanuele Cavallucci in a welterweight fight.

In round three, the right eye of Esposito began to swell.

Esposito of Italy won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 15-0. Cavallucci of Italy is 12-5-1.

Ryan Stops Vujovic in 4

Sandy Ryan stayed undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Aleksandra Vujovic in a scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout.

In round four, Ryan dropped Vujovic with a crushing left to the body. Ryan finished off Vujovic by landing a left hook to the head that was follwed by a left to the body that put Vujovic down and out at 1:47.

Ryan of Derby, ENG is 2-0 with one knockout. Vujovic of Montenegro is 4-15-2

Nmomah stops O’Brien in 4

Samuel Nmomah remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Craig O’Brien in a middleweight bout.

In round four, Nmohah rocked O’Brien with a right that backed him up to the ropes. Mmomah landed a 11-punch flurry on the ropes and the corner of O’Brien threw in the towel at 46 seconds.

Nmomah of Lagos, NIG is 16-0 with five knockouts. O’Brien is now 12-3.

La Femina stops Yegorov in 5

Vincenzo La Femina stopped Oleksandr Yegorov after round five of their scheduled eight-round super bantamweight bout.

In round five, La Femina dropped Yegorov with a right had. La Femina kept beating Yegorov, and the bout was stopped in the corner

La Femina of Italy is 10-0 with five knockouts. Yegorov of Ukraine is 20-7-1.

Reshat Mati remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Vladyslav Baranov in a welterweight bout.

Mati of Staten Island, NY won n by scores of 80-72 twice and 78-74 and is now 11-0. Baronov of Ukraine is 7-11-2.

Matchroom Boxing Italy and OPI Since 82 will close out a difficult year in style with a stacked night of championship boxing on Thursday December 17 at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, with all of the action shown live on DAZN. 

Former EBU European Lightweight Champion Francesco Patera (23-3, 8 KOs) looks to extend his five-fight winning streak against Italy’s Devis ‘Boom Boom’ Boschiero (48-6-2, 22 KOs) as they battle for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title previously held by rising star Ryan Garcia.

Caldogno’s  LucaRigoldi (22-1-2, 8 KOs) defends his European Super-Bantamweight Title against Birmingham’s Gamal Yafai (17-1, 10 KOs), who has bounced back with three straight wins following his first career loss to former World Title challenger Gavin McDonnell. 

Recent Matchroom and OPI signing Maiva Hamadouche (21-1, 17 KOs) defends her IBF Super-Featherweight World Title against Serbia’s Nina Pavlovic (6-3-1, 1 KO), with the Frenchwoman eyeing unification fights with Terri Harper and Hyun-Mi Choi if she is successful. 

Spain’s European Champion Sandor Martin (36-2, 13 KOs) clashes with Nestor Maradiaga (8-9-1, 4 KOs) in an eight round Super-Lightweight contest and Roma’s Mirko Natalizi (8-0, 5 KOs) meets Manuel Largacha (9-9-6, 4 KOs) over eight rounds in a Super-Welterweight contest. 

Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “This is a stacked night of title action and I’m pleased to end a difficult and challenging year out in Italy on a high. Francesco Patera has been in red-hot form since he claimed the European Lightweight crown against Lewis Ritson back in 2018 and he’ll be knocking on the door for a World Title shot in the brilliant Lightweight division should he get past Boschiero.

“Gamal Yafai gets his European Title shot but faces a tough task against reigning champion Luca Rigoldi. It’s great to see our recent signings Maiva Hamadouche and Sandor Martin out so soon, there’s some huge fights out there for the both of them in 2021 if they win on December 17. Don’t miss any of the action on DAZN.”

Christian Cherchi of OPI Since 82 said: “We are delighted to close out this difficult year with one of our best shows to date since our launch with Matchroom Boxing Italy back in November 2018. Patera vs. Boschiero at the top of the bill is a great fight in a red-hot Lightweight division. There’s great title action from the top of the bill to the bottom with Luca Rigoldi defending his European Title against Gamal Yafai and Maiva Hamadouche defending her Super-Featherweight crown, plus Sandor Martin and Mirko Natalizi! Watch all of the action live on DAZN!”

The World Championship boxing event scheduled for March 27 in Verona, Italy, at the AGSM Forum, has been postponed due to the recent ban by the Italian government of all sports events until April 3.
 
The show promoted by Opi Since 82, Matchroom Boxing Italy and DAZN will be rescheduled as soon as health regulations allow. The main event will remain the vacant Interim WBA World Lightweight Title clash between Francesco Patera and Devis Boschiero. Opi Since 82 and Matchroom Boxing Italy are also working to reschedule the show which should have taken place in Milan on February 28. Given the unprecedented nature of this now global issue, we are unable to offer more clarity on new dates.

Francesco Patera will face Devis Boschiero for the Interim WBA Lightweight World Title on the same night that Gamal Yafai challenges Luca Rigoldi for the EBU European Super-Bantamweight Title at the AGSM Forum in Verona, Italy on Friday March 27, live on DAZN.

Patera (23-3, 8 KOs) has been in red-hot form since he claimed the Vacant EBU European Lightweight crown against Lewis Ritson on away soil at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle back in October 2018.

The 26-year-old has made three successful defences of his title since, outpointing Marvin Petit in Belgium before stopping Paul Hyland Jnr in six rounds at The Allianz Cloud in Milan and most recently earning a unanimous decision against Domenico Valentino in October.

Boschiero (48-6-2, 22 KOs), a former European Super-Featherweight Champion, gets his second shot at world honours after falling short against Takahiro Ao for the WBC Super-Featherweight World Title in Tokyo, Japan back in 2011.

Yafai (17-1, 10 KOs) steps up to challenge Italy’s Rigoldi (22-1-2, 8 KOs) for the European Super-Bantamweight Title following three wins on the bounce since his first career loss to former World Title challenger Gavin McDonnell.

The Birmingham man, younger brother of undefeated WBA Super-Flyweight ruler Kal, can take a huge leap towards a World Title shot of his own should he get past Rigoldi, who is undefeated in 14 fights since March 2016.

Elsewhere on the card, Florence Cruiserweight Fabio ‘Stone Crusher’ Turchi (17-1, 13 KOs) returns following his first career loss to Tommy McCarthy in Trento, Serhiy Demchenko (22-15-1, 15 KOs) takes on Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep (10-0, 8 KOs) in an eight round Light-Heavyweight contest, Samuel Nmomah (13-0, 4 KOs) meets Christian Arvelo (12-4, 6 KOs) in an eight round Super-Welterweight contest and Roma’s unbeaten Super-Welterweight prospect Mirko Natalizi (7-0, 4 KOs) takes part in a six round contest.

Eddie Hearn said: “I’m delighted to promote the first World Title fight on a Matchroom Boxing Italy show as Franceso Patera and Devis Boschiero clash for the Interim WBA Lightweight crown. Patera has gone from strength to strength since beating Lewis Ritson in Newcastle and lands a golden opportunity against the experienced Boschiero. Gamal Yafai steps up to take on local favourite Luca Rigoldi for the European Super-Bantamweight title. Catch it all live on DAZN.”

Christian Cherchi of OPI Since 82 said: “We are proud to deliver a WBA World Title fight to the beautiful city of Verona – the first in a long time. Patera and Boschiero collide in an exciting main event, European Super-Bantamweight Champion Luca Rigoldi looks to impress against mandatory challenger Gamal Yafai and we see the return of Fabio Turchi. This is a must-watch evening on boxing shown live on DAZN.”

Tickets will be available today from ticketone.it