Over the past two decades, esteemed fight face Mick Hennessy navigated stars such as Froch, Witter, Barker, Eastman and the Fury cousins (Tyson and Hughie) through the fistic jungle and on to international acclaim. Now the innovative promoter’s son Michael Junior is poised to enrich the family’s fighting legacy…between the ropes!

The 19 year old 6ft 1in middleweight is an amateur centurion who served a quality ring apprenticeship on both sides of the Irish Sea and as a spar hand within several of the capital’s most revered pro academies.

Now the angel-faced action man intends utilising dad’s influence to take the outside lane to the top in the paid sphere.

While licences and medicals are due to be issued, the intention is to unleash Michael into the profession on his dad’s show at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on May 25th headlined by Hughie Fury’s return to the ring against Chris Norrard, exclusively live on Channel 5.

‘I’ve got a very exciting, TV friendly style. I love to fight and, in future, when I need to, the public will enjoy seeing me go toe-to-toe. Once people see me in action they’ll begin to realise I’ve served a very hard apprenticeship and I belong at this level.” quips Junior in a soft tone that belies the spite and aggression for which he is lauded once his boxing gloves are laced.

The Noble Art has been a fundamental factor in Michael Jr’s existence since before he could recite his alphabet.

‘Boxing’s my life,’ states bright boy Michael, who attained five A Stars and five A grades at GCSE level whilst also competing at the highest level of amateur boxing.

‘I’ve been attending my dad’s shows since I was as young as four or five. Dad’s biggest stars from fighters, to trainers to managers and promoters, were always around. During my teens, Dad paid me to work part-time in his office, where I got a behind the scenes look of how the game really works! I’ve been surrounded by the fight game my whole life.

‘My Dad never wanted me to box but it was inevitable. I started badgering him as young as six or seven but, initially, he always told me: ‘No’. He said if I still wanted to do it when I was 11, he’d take me to the gym and we shook hands on the deal.

‘True to his word, on my 11th birthday, I was taken to the local Sevenoaks ABC gym and also when in Ireland the St. Monica’s club in Newry (where Michael remained for the whole of his amateur career under Owen Murphy). I had my first bout just two months later and was fast tracked. I’d attend the gym on Monday and Wednesdays, then practise on the pads at home with Dad, every other night.’

Over time, the teen terror – who subsequently joined Body Shots Academy later on as his English club, but was coached from the off by his father – evolved into one of the most seasoned starlets on the unpaid circuit, scouring the seas in search of the trials and tests that could accelerate his development.

‘I had well over 100 amateur bouts but at least 60% were in Ireland where my dad’s family are from. I must have won well over three quarters,’ recalls the eldest of Hennessy Senior’s three children.

‘As an amateur, I won multiple Box Cups, and multiple London, Ulster, Antrim and Nine Counties titles. Having got to the semi-finals and finals of a few different prestigious national tournaments, I believe that if there was fair play involved, I would also have national titles on my record.

‘But, truthfully, as an amateur, it was always just about learning and gathering experience to succeed later in the pros.’

Encased in a boxing bubble from birth was always going to bring advantages but Papa Mick, himself a useful amateur during his youth around the Old Kent Road, disclosed that, from his formative years in the sport, young Michael rejected any notion of being ‘silver spooned’ through the sport.

‘As Michael was lying in bed after his third win, aged 11, I complemented him on a brilliant performance. As I went to leave the room, he said with this huge smile ‘Dad, 3 and 0!’ recalls Mick the promoter turned teacher.

‘I returned to his bedside and told him: ‘Son, in amateur boxing, there’ll be a lot of heartbreak; politics and bad decisions. Sure, I can keep you on home shows, where you won’t fight as much and we can go on a long unbeaten run or I can take you on the road where sometimes you’ll lose, other times you’ll get shafted but you’ll certainly learn to fight. What’s it to be?’ Without blinking, he replied: ‘The road, dad!’

‘Consequently, Michael has been boxing at an elite level since the beginning. He’s been very competitive his whole career against National, Commonwealth, European and World medalists, and also holds some notable wins over some of them.

‘For the pros, he’ll definitely need to tighten his defence, mind. He’s very, very aggressive if left to his own devices but I intend for Michael to have a long and successful career.’

Despite his tender years, slender frame and cherubic features, Hennessy Jr is adamant that he possesses the hardware required to flourish within The Hardest Game.

‘Most of the other amateurs boxed pretty much the same, darting in and out, picking points but, from day dot, I had a pro style that distinguished me, set me apart,’ states Michael who now studies Business and Property Development through open study.

‘I’ve been moving around with pros and doing the long rounds, from a young age. I won’t need to make many adjustments for the pros.

‘Despite being tall and slim, I like to work inside, I love the body shots and working up close. Lee Wilkins, trainer and owner of Body Shots gym nicknamed me ‘Miguel Hernandez’ at 14 due to my initials and because I fought like a Mexican. It caught on with all the lads and the nickname Miguel seems to have stuck.’

And this most engaging of young men is intent on making quite a splash when he debuts sans singlet and with the free-to-air Channel Five cameras rolling, in Manchester on Saturday week.

‘I’m not at all nervous about this; just relaxed and excited,’ concludes Michael.

‘I’m going straight into six-threes. Four-threes would be too similar to an amateur fight. We’re unsure on the opponent at the moment,”

‘But whoever it is, I’m looking to put on a spectacular performance and, hopefully get, a kayo victory. It’s going to be the start of an epic journey to the top!

You can follow Michael’s journey on social media: @mhennessyjr

Tickets priced at £40 & £70 are available from http://vipboxing.tv/shop/vip-tickets/hughie-fury-saturday-25th-may-victoria-warehouse/ and 01942 874 241

London, UK (8 May 2019) Hennessy Sports, Channel 5 and Infinitum, in association with VIP Promotions, are delighted to announce that former World Heavyweight title challenger Hughie Fury will make his long awaited return to the ring on Saturday 25th May at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5.

In the headline attraction the Manchester star will take on the undefeated Canadian Chris “The Natural” Norrad in a twelve round International Heavyweight contest, supported by rising star Alex Dilmaghani in an International Super-Featherweight contest and undefeated female sensation Savannah Marshall.

Fury has his first fight since his loss to Kubrat Pulev last October when he pushed the Bulgarian the full twelve rounds in Sofia – despite not been able to see out of his left eye from a cut in the second round – but lost on the judges scorecards. He will be aiming to return to the same destructive form that took him to the British title in May last year when he smashed Sam Sexton in five rounds.

This will be Fury’s first fight back in his home city of Manchester since his WBO World title challenge against Joseph Parker in September 2017 that ended controversially when many felt that Fury had beaten the New Zealander.

The 24-year-old, trained by father Peter, still has plenty of time on his side and aims to get back into World title contention, but first he must deal with Norrad from Boiestown, New Brunswick, who has amassed a perfect record of 17 wins, no losses and eight knockouts.

Fury said, “I can’t wait to get back into the ring in my home city of Manchester, I’ve missed fighting there and you can’t beat home support. It’s back to the drawing board, I know what I’ve got to do. The ambition to become World Champion is still burning fiercer than ever inside me and I believe that I will get there. It all starts again on the 25th May when I take on the unbeaten Norrad from Canada. It’s a crucial fight for me live on Channel 5 with millions watching and I know that a knockout performance will get the ball rolling again.”

Peter Fury added, “This is Hughie’s opportunity to show that he’s back and means business. We’ve been working very hard in the gym since the Pulev fight and we’re ready to go again. We need Hughie back to his best like he was against Sexton to really get his feet back on the comeback trail and banging on the door for a world title shot.”

Chief support on the card features the exciting and highly-avoided Alex Dilmaghani from Worthing, Sussex, who takes on the Czech Republic’s hardened Martin Parlagi. The 27-year-old southpaw has 18 wins and just one very early career points loss on his record and for the last five years has been plying his trade in Canada and Mexico – where he was Juan Manuel Marquez’s sparring partner for the Manny Pacquiao fights. He’s now ready to show just what he can do back on home soil as he pushes to get himself in contention for a world title opportunity.

One of the most exciting female boxers on the scene, the hard-hitting Savannah Marshall, makes her return to the ring as she edges closer to challenge for a World title. Marshall created history when in 2012 she become the first ever British female to win gold at the World Championship in China.

Also trained by Peter Fury, the 27-year-old from Hartlepool captured her first pro title last October when she defeated Yanina Orozco in Sofia to capture the Vacant WBA Intercontinental Super-Middleweight crown. Then in November she destroyed Klaudia Vigh in two rounds in Manchester to take her record to a perfect 5-0 with three knockouts.

A cracking trade fight on the card sees Skelsmerdale’s Steve Brogan defend his Central Area Lightweight Championship when he collides with Glossop rival Adam Hague.

Completing the card will be Ellesmere Port super-lightweight Matty Fagan, unbeaten Middleweight welterweight Connor Lynch and Liverpool featherweight Marcel Braithwaite.

Promoter Mick Hennessy said, “I’m delighted to partner with Channel 5, Infinitum and VIP Promotions for this show and it’s great to have Hughie back on the road towards the world title. I believe that he can be one of the very best heavyweights in the division and he has the tools, ability and youth on his side to become World Champion. He’s got an unbeaten fighter in Norrad in front of him and he’ll be coming over here up for the challenge and looking to cause an upset in defeating Hughie on his return. I’m really excited with the up-and-coming talent Alex Dilmaghani and believe that he could be a huge star and the talented and world class Savannah Marshall, is back in action and she is certainly one to watch. Finally, the show is backed up with Brogan versus Hague for the Central Area Lightweight title and Matty Fagan, Conor Lynch and Marcel Braithwaite on the undercard to make this a great night of boxing for the supporters.”

Tickets priced at £40 & £70 are available from http://vipboxing.tv/shop/vip-tickets/hughie-fury-saturday-25th-may-victoria-warehouse/ and 01942 874 241

Kubrat Pulev will once again fight for a heavyweight title. Pulev won a 12-round unanimous decision over Hughie Fury in Sofia, Bulgaria to earn the IBF Mandatory heavyweight title.

In round two, Fury was cut over the left eye. Each guy landed some good shots, but it was Pulev who was more active and landed more power shots to win by scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 115-113.

Pulev of Bulgaria is 26-1. Fury of England is 21-2.

For immediate release: British heavyweight boxer Hughie Fury tipped the scales at 16 stone 12lbs (107KG) ahead of his highly anticipated IBF heavyweight final eliminator against Kubrat Pulev this weekend.

The 24-year-old weighed in 4lbs lighter than his opponent, with Pulev registering 17 stone 2lbs (109 KG) in weight.

The heavyweight duo will battle it out at the Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria on Saturday night, live on free to air Channel 5 from 9pm. The winner will earn the right to challenge Anthony Joshua for his heavyweight world title.

Also weighing in for the Saturday’s event was Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall, who takes on Argentina’s Yanina Orozco. The 27-year-old weighed in at 11 stone 10lbs. Orozco weighed 11 stone 7lbs.

Hughie said: “It’s been a hard, hard training camp but I feel good. I feel ten times stronger now than I have in the build-up to previous fights. Now I just want to get in the ring and get the job done.”

Savannah said: “I’m focused and raring to go. I can’t wait to get in the ring and show everyone what I can do. This is a big opportunity for me, fighting for a title. Winning here would be incredibly special.”

For more information or current fight news, visit or www.hennessysports.com/ or follow @HennessySports on Twitter.

(Oct. 24, 2018) — From heavyweight to junior flyweight, a pair of world-class bouts with significant implications will be showcased in the coming days on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

In a 12-round heavyweight title elimination bout this Saturday, Oct. 27 from the Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria, hometown favorite Kubrat Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) will take on Hughie Fury (21-1, 11 KOs). The Pulev-Fury stream will begin at 4 p.m. ET.

The action continues from the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City, Philippines, on Monday, Oct. 29 at 7 a.m. ET when Felix Alvarado (33-2, 29 KOs) battles Randy Petalcorin (29-2-1, 22 KOs) for the vacant IBF junior flyweight world title. In the co-feature, Giemel Magramo (21-1, 17 KOs) will defend the WBO Oriental flyweight belt in a 12-rounder against Sebastian Sanchez (11-5, 8 KOs).

Pulev and Fury are both former world title challengers seeking a second shot at the brass ring. Fury lost a narrow majority decision to Joseph Parker for the WBO title in September of last year. He rebounded with a fifth-round TKO against countryman Sam Sexton for the British title. Pulev put forth a courageous effort versus Wladimir Klitschko in a 2014 bid for the unified title, falling short via fifth-round knockout. He has won five in a row since the Klitschko loss, including impressive showings against Kevin Johnson, Dereck Chisora, and former world champion Samuel Peter.

Alvarado, a two-time world title challenger, is one of the fiercest punchers in the lighter weight classes. He is 15-0 with 14 knockouts since dropping a unanimous decision in a bid for Juan Carlos Reveco’s WBA flyweight title on June 6, 2014. Five months before the Reveco loss, Alvarado fell via unanimous decision to Kazuto Ioka for the WBA 108-pound title. Petalcorin, who will have the home canvas advantage, has won six straight since a controversial split decision defeat to Omari Kimweri.

To subscribe to ESPN+, visit www.plus.espn.com.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusives, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to exclusive Top Rank boxing content, programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

London, UK – Fire & Fury” takes place this Saturday at the Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ahead of the highly anticipated event, here is what Hughie Fury and Kubrat Pulev had to say:

Hughie Fury:

“Thank you to the people of Bulgaria for welcoming me. I’ve had a great reception – it’s a pleasure to be here again. It’s a country that I’ve been coming to since I was a teenager and I hope to come again soon.

“I can’t wait for the fight on Saturday. Camp’s been tough but all the hard work’s done now, now’s the easy bit. – the fight. It’s not long now, it’s only three days away. I’ve come over here to win. I’m prepared for whatever he [Pulev] throws at me, and if I have to go the distance to do that so be it. Believe me when I say it’s going to be one hell of a fight.

“I watched him [Pulev] in action at yesterday’s open workout and I don’t see anything to be worried about. I’ve done my preparation and I’ve got Plans A through to Z ready for whatever he comes at me with.”

Kubrat Pulev:

“This is the first time such a high profile fight has been held in Bulgaria. It’s never happened before. My opponent is very strong and It’s a very serious fight at world level.

“Camp has gone well and I’m well prepared. I’m in a concentrated place. I believe my years of experience has led me to this day where I have the maturity to manage fights to the end. I work very hard and this is what I’ve been doing the last three months with my coach and team. I have developed my strength this past year, not just physically but also mentally. I’m in the best shape I can.

“The arena will be full on Saturday night. I have to win to make the home ground proud. They are incredibly supportive of me.

Peter Fury:

”I watched the trailer video for this fight and saw Pulev as a young boy coming through the ranks and it’s the same story with our family. These men are warrior of this sport. I don’t like trash talking because I respect all fighters particularly ones at this level. These are fighting men and may the best man win.

“I want my son to face the best boxers. He’ll fight the best fighters anywhere on the planet because what I see today is plastic fighters in positions they shouldn’t be in because they don’t take proper challenges. My son will out it all on the line, believe me. He is a fighting man and has more heart than anyone.

Savannah Marshall:

“This is a great match up for me and for the travelling fans. Like me, she [Yanina] is my opponent is unbeaten so I’m excited to get out there, give it all I’ve got and get the win. I’m fighting for a belt so there’s a lot at stake.

“I’ve been in camp now for 14 weeks which has felt like a long time. But I’m looking forward to finally getting in the ring and showing what I’ve learnt in that time. All the training will be worth it.”

Yanine Orozco:

“I don’t know too much about Savannah but that doesn’t concern me. I’ve spent the time in the gym and I’m well prepared. On Saturday night you will see what I’m all about.”

Hennessy Sports CEO Mick Hennessy, promoter of the Fire & Fury event:

“This is an incredible fight. I think this is a fight worthy of a genuine world heavyweight title. I’d like to congratulate both fighters for taking this fight. It’s a great fight for everyone, especially the fans. This is broadcasting to a terrestrial audience in the UK, live on Channel 5 at 9pm on Saturday. It’s going out to a huge audience. It’s the kind of show that makes stars.

“For Hughie to be operating at this level at 24-years-old is phenomenal. Believe he’s the future of the heavyweight division and we should enjoy his journey to becoming heavyweight champion.

“The reception Hughie’s had in Bulgaria has also been phenomenal. The locals have given this young fighter a warm reception. We really do appreciate the how he’s received here in Sofia, in Plovdiv. The Bulgarian fans have really thrown their support behind Hughie.”

Having landed in Sofia on Saturday evening, British boxers Hughie Fury and Savannah Marshall took in the sights and sounds of Plovdiv- some 150km away in Southern Bulgaria on Monday afternoon, as they took time out from their preparations for Saturday’s ‘Fire & Fury’ event, which is live at 9pm on free to air Channel 5.

British heavyweight champion Fury, 24, and women’s super-middleweight sensation Marshall, 27, visited the ancient city- the second largest city in Bulgaria, taking in some of the cultural landmarks that reflect more than 2,000 years of history including the Roman Antique Theatre, Saint Ludvik Cathedral, Alyosha Monument and the Plovdiv Roman stadium.

After visiting the famous landmarks, the British pair turned their attention to how they could make their own history on Saturday night.

Hughie Fury said: “Since we arrived here on Saturday we’ve had such a warm and friendly welcome from the people of Sofia. They’re genuinely excited about the fight on Saturday. I know the majority of the fans out here will be supporting Pulev but that doesn’t faze me. I’m just going to do my thing and show them what I’m all about.”

Savannah Marshall said: “Bulgaria is a beautiful place. I’d like to get out and see a little bit more but I can’t take anything for granted, my focus is 100% on taking down Yanina Orozco this Saturday night.”

Fury takes on Bulgarian native Kubrat Pulev in an IBF Heavyweight Final Eliminator at the Armeec Arena on October 27. Marshall will face Argentina’s Yanina Orozco in a 10-round bout on the undercard.

For more information or current fight news, visit or www.hennessysports.com/ or follow @HennessySports on Twitter.

London, UK – Super-middleweight powerhouse Savannah Marshall will take on the determined, unbeaten Yanina Orozco in a 10 round intercontinental championship bout on the undercard of the ‘Fire & Fury’ event at the Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria on Saturday 27 October.

The 27-year-old Hartlepool native heads into the fight with a perfect 3-0 record and occupying seventh place in the women’s super-middleweight standings. Her Argentinian opponent also boasts an unbeaten record, although three places separate them in the division’s rankings with Orozco currently in 10th place.

With one unbeaten record sure to fall on the night, Savannah predicts a great fight for the fans. Speaking about her opponent Savannah said: “This is a great match up for me and for the travelling fans. Like me, my opponent is unbeaten so I’m excited to get out there, give it all I’ve got and get the win. There’s a lot at stake.

“I’ve been in camp now for 14 weeks which has felt like a long time. But I’m looking forward to finally getting in the ring and showing what I’ve learnt in that time. All the training will be worth it.”

Savannah trains alongside event headliner Hughie Fury at the Team Fury gym in Bolton under the watchful eye of Hughie’s father and trainer Peter Fury.

“Peter has so much knowledge and I enjoy the way he approaches training us,” said Savannah. “The way we train is all about learning, progressing and constantly moving forward, which has filled me with confidence going into this fight.”

In the main event of the evening, IBF #2-rated heavyweight contender Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev will face Britain’s IBF #3-rated Hughie Fury in a 12-round final elimination bout at the Arena Armeec in Pulev’s hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria. The winner of this bout will become the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight title.

Fans in the UK will be able to watch the fight live on free to air Channel 5.

(October 18, 2018) Britain’s IBF #5-rated heavyweight contender Hughie Fury is putting the final touches on a “torturous” training camp and, with his team, will arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria, this Saturday.

On Saturday, October 27, Fury (21-1, 11 KOs) will face Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round elimination bout at the Arena Armeec in Pulev’s hometown of Sofia. The winner that night will become the first in line to face champion Anthony Joshua.

The event, entitled “Fire & Fury” will be presented by Ivaylo Gotzev and John Wirt’s Epic Sports and Entertainment, together with Fury’s promoter, Hennessey Sports, and will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5.

“I made a promise to beat Pulev in his own backyard and that’s what I’m going to do,” said a confident Fury. “Nobody else wanted this tough fight. That’s because they’re not future champions. I know what it takes and what you have to do to become the man. I don’t care if I fight Pulev in his own house. He’s in my way of what I want, and he’s got to go.”

Fury and father/trainer Peter Fury have been pushing it to the limit in their Manchester Gym, training twice a day, six days a week for up to three hours per session. But Fury, the current BBBofC British Heavyweight Champion, says all the work will soon be worth it.

“It will all be worth it when my hand is raised,” he continued. “There are no holes in my game right now. I’m at the top of my craft and once Pulev is eliminated, I’ll be coming for Anthony Joshua. He looked vulnerable in his last fight. I’m the one who will capitalize on those vulnerabilities!”

Despite his supreme confidence, defeating Pulev will be no easy feat for 24-year-old Fury. 37-year-old Pulev is one of the most popular athletes in all of Bulgaria, and a former two-time European and IBF International Heavyweight Champion. Pulev’s only career loss came in a challenge for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Britain’s Dillian Whyte and Americans Jarell Miller and Dominic Breazeale all declined to face Pulev before Fury accepted.

“After I walk right into Pulev’s hometown and take him out, something no other heavyweight would even dare to try, everyone is going to be talking about me and Anthony Joshua. I can’t wait to get this job done and move on to the world championship.”