John Ryder scored the biggest win of his career with a 12-round split decision over former middleweight beltholder Daniel Jacobs in a super middleweight fight at Alexandra Palace in London, England.

Jacobs controlled the first half of the fight with is boxing. Ryder came on strong over the final half of the contest and won most of the inside battles by landing small combinations to the head.

Jacobs landed 123 of 651 punches; Ryder was 135 of 448.

Ryder, 167 lbs of Islington, ENG won two cards 115-113 and Jacobs took a card 115-113.

Ryder is now 31-5. Jacobs, 166.9 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 37-4.

Fisher Decisions Enguema

Johnny Fisher went the distance for the first time and won a six-round decision over Gabriel Enguema in a heavyweight bout.

In round one, Fisher was cut over his left eye.

Fisher landed 66 of 319 punches; Enguema was 36 of 158.

Fisher, 237 lbs of Romford, ENG, sold over 2,600 tickets for the fight, and won by score of 59-55 and is now 5-0. Enguema, 231.7 lbs of Madrid, SPA is 10-12.

Cash Survives Two Knockdowns; Decisions Madiev

Felix Cash had to get off the deck twice and a point deduction, but he was able to overcome those and won a razor thin 10-round unanimous decision over Magomed Madiev in a battle of undefeated middleweights.

In round two, Madiev dropped Cash with a left hook.

In round 10, Madiev dropped Cash again with a left Cash was bleeding over his left eye. Later in the round, Cash was deducted a point for holding. In between all of that, Cash was able to bank rounds and get the victory by scores of 95-92 twice and 94-93.

Cash landed 118 of 519 punches; Madiev was 131 of 417.

Cash, 159.6 lbs of Workingham, ENG is now 15-0. Madiev, 159.1 lbs of Russia is 15-1-2.

Scotney Decisions Guanini

Ellie Scotney remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jorgelina Guanini in a super bantamweight fight.

Scotney was cut over her left eye in round three from a clash of heads.

In round 10, Scotney was deducted a point for an elbow.

Scotney, 121.2 lbs of Catford, ENG won by scores of 96-94 twice and 95-94 and is now 4-0. Guanini, 119.6 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 9-4-2.

Williams Stops Maciel in 6

Austin Williams remained undefeated with a 6th round stoppage over Javier Maciel in a scheduled eight-round middleweight fight

In round one, Williams dropped Maciel with a left on the ropes.

In round six, Williams dropped Maciel with a straight left to the body. Seconds later, he dropped him again with a combination to the body. Williams ended things with some more hard body work and the fight was stopped at 1:02.

Williams, 161.4 lbs of Houston, TX is now 10-0 with eight knockouts. Maciel, 166.3 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 33-16.

Hopey Price remained undefeated with a 4th round stoppage over Ricardo Roman in a super bantamweight contest.

In round one, Price dropped Ramon with a left hand. In round two Ramon’s face started to swell up badly.

In round four, the onslaught continued as Price dropped Roman with another left. Price had Roman in trouble in the corner and the bout was stopped at 1:09.

Price, 125 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 7-0 with three knockouts. Roman, 124.6 lbs of Durno, MEX is 14-13.

Pattinson, 150.2 lbs of Ashtington, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 3-0. Vazem, 150.9 lbs of Russia is 9-22.

Shiloh DeFreitas remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Alexey Tukhtarov in a welterweight bout.

DeFreitas, 143.6 lbs of London, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 3-0. Tukhtarov, 143.6 lbs of Russia is 4-24-6.

17:15 GMT LIVE ON BEFORE THE BELL

6 x 3 mins International Welterweight contest
SHILOH DEFREITAS 143.6lbs v ALEXEY TUKHTAROV 143.4lbs
(London, England)                    (Kamensk-Uralsky, Russia)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Welterweight contest
CYRUS PATTINSON 150.2lbs v EVGENII VAZEM 150.9lbs
(Ashtington, England)                (Stary Oskol, Russian)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Super-Bantamweight contest
HOPEY PRICE 125lbs v RICADO ROMAN 124.6lbs
(Leeds, England)             (Durango, Mexico)

followed by

19:00 GMT LIVE ON DAZN

8 x 3 mins International Middleweight contest
AUSTIN WILLIAMS 161.4lbs v JAVIER FRANCISCO MACIEL 166.3lbs
(Texas, USA)                              (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

followed by

10 x 2 mins vacant WBA Intercontinental Super-Bantamwieght Title 
ELLIE SCOTNEY 121.2lbs v JORGELINA GUANINI 119.6lbs
(Catford, England)                 (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant WBC International Middleweight Title
FELIX CASH 159.6lbs v MAGOMED MADIEV 159.1lbs   
(Wokingham, England)  (Makhachkala, Russia)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
JOHNNY FISHER 237lbs v GABRIEL ENGUEMA 231.7lbs     
(Romford, England)             (Madrid, Spain)

followed by

12 x 3 mins WBA Super-Middleweight World Title Eliminator
DANIEL JACOBS 166.9lbs v JOHN RYDER 167lbs       
(Brooklyn, USA)                     (Islington, England)

The USA’s two-time Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs will collide with Britain’s word rated Super-Middleweight contender John Ryder at the famous Alexandra Palace in London on Saturday February 12, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Former WBA and IBF 160lbs king Jacobs (37-3, 30 KOs) earned a split decision win over two-time World Title challenger Gabriel Rosado last time out in November 2020 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, just under a year on from his fifth round stoppage win against Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 

‘Miracle Man’, who hails from Brooklyn, New York, fell short in his WBC, IBF and WBA Middleweight World Title unification clash with pound-for-pound star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May 2019, losing out on all three of the judges’ scorecards, but three years on the 34-year-old still has a burning desire to mix it with the best in the world.

Islington’s Ryder (30-5, 17 KOs) suffered a controversial points loss to former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith in his one and only World Title challenge at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in November 2019, but the 33-year-old Tony Sims trained-southpaw returned with wins over Mike Guy and Jozef Jurko in 2019 and 2020.

“I’m super excited to be returning to the ring,” said Jacobs. “It has always been a dream of mine to fight in London as a professional, and I’m looking forward to fighting in front of a great crowd. I’m putting my best foot forward on February 12.”

“This is the fight I need to really bring the best out in me,” said Ryder. “Jacobs is a great fighter but he has had his time and now it’s my time to shine! My dreams are at stake on February 12 and destiny awaits. It’s time to get right back to where I need to be.”

Tickets for Jacobs vs. Ryder are priced £40, £80, £120 and £250 (VIP).

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Monday January 10. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) from midday on Tuesday January 11.

Undercard details will be announced soon. 

Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic dominated and stopped Mark Radonjic in round three of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout in Austria.

Hrgovic dropped Radojic four-times in round two and once again in round three, and the bout was stopped.

Hrgovic of Croatia is now 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Radonjic of Montenegro is 22-1.

Dalton Smith remained undefeated with 10-round unanimous decision over Brian Pelaez in a junior welterweight bout.

Smith of England wo by scores of 99-91 on all cards and is now 9-0. Pelaez of Madrid, SPA is 10-6.

Abass Baraou stopped Jay Harris in the opening round of their eight-round super welterweight fight.

Baraou landed two hard rights that froze Harris and the fight was stopped at 2:43.

Baraou of Berlin, Germany is 10-1 with seven knockouts. Harris of Dusseldorf, GER is 11-3.

Former belt holder, John Ryder stopped Jozef Jurrko in a scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout

In round four, Jurko began to bleed from his nose. In round five, Ryder continued to pound away at an overmatched Jurko and the fight was stopped at 1:29.

Ryder of England is now 30-5 with 17 knockouts. Jurko of Slovenia is 7-3.

John Hedges remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Frane Radnic.

Hedges won by a 60-54 score and is 3-0.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (January 19, 2021) – Undefeated David O. Morrell Jr. has been elevated to WBA Regular Super Middleweight World Champion.

That distinction was made today by WBA President Gilberto Mendoza.

Morrell, 23 of Santa Clara, Cuba, and now residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota won the interim title on August 8, 2020 with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Lennox Allen.

Morrell is coming off 3rd round stoppage over Mike Gavronski on December 26th in Los Angeles. The bout headlined a card that was televised by FOX.

With the victory, the former World Youth Amateur champion pushed his record to 4-0 with three knockouts.

“The first time I laid eyes on David Morrell Jr. I saw a bigger and better Vasilliy Lomachenko with power in both hands,” Said Warriors Boxing Promotions COO Luis DeCubas.

With the new status of regular champion, Morrell’s representatives, Warriors Boxing Promotions and Ural Boxing Promotions have 30 days to make a deal with former world title challenger John Ryder and his representatives with Matchroom Boxing.

Today’s ruling also further solidified Morrell’s status as one of the top super middleweights in the world, and following his mandatory assignment, Morrell would be in line to face any of the top 168-pound fighters such as the winner of next Saturday’s Caleb Plant – Caleb Truax fight, Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez

Gennady Golovkin stopped mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta after round seven of their IBF Middleweight championship bout at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Resort in Hollywood, Florida.

Golovkin dropped Szeremeta at the end of round one with a left hook to the chin. Golovkin sent Szeremta to the deck in round two with a overhand right to the side of the head. In round four, Golovkin landed an overhand right that was followed by a little left hook on the inside that put Szeremeta down again.

In round seven, Golovkin dropped Szeremeta with a jab. The fight was halted after that round.

Golovkin who made the 1st defense of his IBF title, and 21st middleweight title defense is now 41-1-1 with 36 knockouts. Szeremeta of Poland is 21-1.

Choi Decisions Silgado

WBA Super Featherweight champion Hyun Mi Choi won a 10-round unanimous decision over Calista Silgado.

Choi landed 163 of 552 Punches; Silgado was 89 of 364.

Choi, 131 lbs of North Korea won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 18-0-1. Silgado, 131 lbs is 19-12-3.

Ryder Decisions Guy

Former world title challenger John Ryder won a 10-round unanimous decision over Mike Guy in a super middleweight bout.

Ryder landed 103 of 401 punches; Guy was 66 of 284.

Ryder, 170.2 lbs of London, ENG won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 96-94 and is now 29-5. Guy, 168.2 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 12-6-1.

\Gongora shocks Akhmedov with 12th round stoppage

Carlos Gongora stunned Ali Akhmedov with a 12th round stoppage in a battle of undefeated super middeweights.

Akhmedov had the advantage early as he hurt Gongora in round two,

In round seven, Akhmedov was cut over his right eye. In round 12, Gongora knocked down Akhmedov with a uppercut. Later in the round, it was another left uppercut that plummeted Akhmedov to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 1:57.

Gongora of Boston via Ecuador is 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Akhmedov of Kazakhstan is 16-1.

Reshat Mati stopped Dennis Okoth in round six of their six-round welterweight bout.

Mati dominated the action and then landed a big flurry that had the referee stopped the fight with Okoth hurting his foot at 1:17.

Mati of New York is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Okoth of Silver Spring, MD is 4-5-1.

John Ryder says a win over former IBF Middleweight ruler Danny Jacobs in New York would fire him back in line for another shot at WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith as he spoke to Chris Lloyd in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s podcast ‘The Lockdown Tapes’.
THE LOCKDOWN TAPES WITH JOHN RYDER IS ALSO ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!
Ryder (28-5, 16 KOs) pushed Smith all the way at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool in November but lost out in what many thought was a controversial decision. A rematch with ‘Mundo’ is at the top of Ryder’s wish-list but the Islington man accepts he may have to earn another shot.

“The fight that I really want is the rematch with Callum but I know that Chudinov is now in the mandatory position,” said Ryder. “In order to get myself back there then why not someone like Danny Jacobs in New York. He’s a great fighter and I want to test myself against the best.

“It took me a couple of weeks to watch it back and when I did I still had it to myself by a few rounds even being ultra favourable to Callum Smith in the close rounds. I still feel that at worst it was a draw.

“I don’t want to harp on about it and my problem isn’t with Callum or any of his brothers, they’re all lovely people, it’s the judges and the scorecards. It half makes a mockery of the sport. Sometimes you get a dodgy scorecard but I feel that three was a bit wrong. 

“Are judges in the best position to score a fight? Should they be behind the scenes watching on a screen so they’re not influenced by the crowd? 

“Part of the plan was to build into the fight as we knew he would be dangerous early on so the plan was to take control in the second half. I thought we executed that plan perfectly. The first round I hadn’t planned on throwing a shot but they were there so I ended up throwing a couple. 

“Sometimes you can sense a script with commentary teams who are so pro for the puncher or the champion that even if the fight isn’t going a certain way the challenger just gets neglected. I think I won, he thinks he won but the scorecards don’t tell the story of the fight which was close. 

As well as speaking about Jacobs and Smith, Ryder talks about losing a close friend at a young age, life in lockdown, fatherhood, fighting behind closed doors and much more. 

Fans can find Ryder’s episode plus previous episodes with Joshua Buatsi, Devin Haney, Joe Cordina, Joseph Parker, Josh Warrington, Daniel Jacobds, Liam Smith and Demetrius Andrade here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-matchroom-boxing-podcast/id1506174562

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YRAWQS5JXB0OvM8vCqZxq

Matchroom Website: https://www.matchroomboxing.com/lockdown-tapes-podcast/

Callum Smith defended his WBA Super Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over gritty challenger John Ryder at The Echo Arena in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool. England.

Smith had to dig down as Ryder made it a dog-fight and fought with a cut over his right eye.

Ryder, 167.4 lbs of Liverpool won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice to raise his mark to 27-0. Ryder, 167.4 lbs of London is 28-5.

“I want the best names in the division and I’m not disrespecting John Ryder but there was no fear tonight,” Smith told Sky Sports afterwards.

“I didn’t believe John Ryder was good enough to beat me. There are fighters that I believe are good enough to beat me that don’t perform and that’s going to bring out the best in me. That’s what I want, I want the big names.

“I just want a big name, where if I turn up like tonight I’ll lose. That fear brings out the best performance in me, I feel I need that.”

“I thought that was harsh,” said Ryder. “I thought I forced the fight, he was just nicking rounds, if that. I thought I done enough to win that.

“I’ve lost for the British title three times, I’ve come back and fought for a world title against the world No 1. I think I’ve done more than enough to show I’m credible for this and I will come again.”

Chris Billam-Smith stopped Craig Glover in round five of their scheduled 12-round cruiserweight bout.

In round one, Glover was cut around the right eye. In round four, Billam-Smith dropped Glover with a combination to the head. In round five, it was a left from Billam-Smith that sent Glove down again. Seconds later, Billam-Smith continued to pound away on Glover and the fight was stopped just as Billam-Smith sent Glover down with a right hand at 1:45.

Billam-Smith, 198.7 lbs of Bournemouth is 10-1 with nine knockouts. Glover, 198.3 lbs of Liverpool is 10-3.

“Craig is a very good fighter. I was scared going into that fight,” said Billam-Smith afterwards. “I’d love that fight next [Richard Riakporhe vs Jack Massey].”

Anthony Fowler won a 10-round unanimous decision over Harry Scarff in a super welterweight bout.

In round nine, Fowler landed a right hand that put Scarff down.

Fowler, 153.8 lbs of Liverpool won by scores of 98-91 on all cards, and is now 11-0. Scarff, 152.9 lbs of Derby is 8-1.

“His nickname is ‘Horrible’, he didn’t want to fight. That was a horrible, frustrating fight,” Fowler told Sky Sports afterwards. “As long as I win, that’s my main priority.”

Sean Dodd won a technical majority decision over Tom Farrell in a super lightweight bout.

In round one, Farrell suffered a bloody nose. In round four, Farrell was cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt. The blood covered his face, and he said he could not see following the round and the bout was stopped.

Since four rounds were completed they went to the scorecards, and Dodd was ahead 39-38, 39-37 and 38-38.

Dodd is now 16-5-1. Farrell is 17-3.

Thomas Whittaker-Hart stopped Josp Perkovic in a scheduled six-round cruiserweight bout.

Hart, 178.4 lbs of Liverpool is 4-0 with two knockouts. Perkovic, 180.6 lbs of Croatia is now 9-2.

17:00 FIRST BELL

4 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
MARCUS MOLLOY 9st 11lbs v JAMIE QUINN 9st 10lbs 8oz
(Liverpool)                                  (Stockport)

6 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest
STEPHEN SMITH 10st v JONNY PHILLIPS 10st
(Liverpool)                       (Surrey)

18:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK

12 x 3 mins Final Eliminator for British Lightweight Title
JAMES TENNYSON 9st 8lbs 12oz v CRAIG EVANS 9st 8lbs
(Belfast)                                              (Newport)

19:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

10 x 3 mins Eliminator for British Super-Lightweight Title
TOM FARRELL 10st v SEAN DODD 9st 13lbs 14oz
(Liverpool)                   (Birkenhead)

10 x 3 mins vacant WBA International Super-Welterweight Title
ANTHONY FOWLER 10st 13lbs 13oz v HARRY SCARFF 10st 12lbs 15oz
(Liverpool)                                               (Derby)

12 x 3 mins vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title
CRAIG GLOVER 14st 2lbs 5oz v CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH 14st 2lbs 11oz
(Liverpool)                                     (Bournemouth)

12 x 3 mins WBA World, WBC Diamond & Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight Titles
CALLUM SMITH 11st 13lbs 7oz v JOHN RYDER 11st 13lbs 7oz
(Liverpool)                                      (Islington)

FLOATS

4 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest
TOM AITCHISON 10st 2lbs 7oz v MATIJA PETRINIC 9st 13lbs 9oz
(Skelmersdale)                              (Croatia)

6 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest
THOMAS WHITTAKER-HART 12st 10lbs 7oz v JOSIP PERKOVIC 12st 12lbs 10oz
(Liverpool)                                                            (Croatia)

John Ryder has warned Callum Smith that he is ready to rip his WBA Super-Middleweight World title away from him and shatter his Anfield dream when they collide at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Despite heading into this weekend’s all-British showdown coming off the back of four big knockout wins that secured him the No 1 ranking in the WBA and earned him the interim World title, Ryder believes he is being overlooked by Liverpool’s Smith.

“I’m being overlooked but he is the World Champion and the city’s big dream of a show at Anfield,” said Ryder. “He is the front-runner but I’m coming to cause the upset and, if I beat Smith, there will be no Anfield show. They might need to find a new headliner.”

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, the four-weight World Champion, is expected to return in May and ‘Mundo’ is hoping to be on the shortlist of his opponents. Billy Joe Saunders and Gennadiy Golovkin also count among Smith’s options if he retains his belt, but Ryder is ready to derail those plans and secure a mega-fight for himself.

“There have been a lot of highs and lows in my career so even fighting for a World title would have been a dream not so long ago. But now it’s here. In reality, without taking your eye off the ball, you do look at the carrot that’s being dangled. There are super-fights with big, massive names in America and you can’t help but to get excited.

“Winning would make be No 1 in the division and Canelo has proved that he likes to take on the top dogs, so you never know. But Smith is No 1 for a reason and I can’t take my eye off the ball with him.

“He hasn’t put a foot wrong, looked good in beating George Groves and Hassan N’Dam, but I just believe I can exploit him. I’m a different kettle of fish to what he’s faced before.”

Smith vs. Ryder tops a huge night of action in Liverpool.

Craig Glover (10-2, 8 KOs) takes on Chris Billam-Smith (9-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight title, Anthony Fowler (10-1, 8 KOs) meets Harry Scarff (8-0, 1 KO) for the WBA International Super-Welterweight title, James Tennyson (25-3, 21 KOs) and Craig Evans (20-2-2, 3 KOs) square-off in a final eliminator for the British Lightweight title, Tom Farrell (17-2, 5 KOs) clashes with Sean Dodd (16-5-1, 3 KOs) in a must-win encounter for both men, Liverpool Light-Heavyweight talent Thomas Whittaker-Hart (3-0, 1 KO) aims to end his first year as a pro in style, former World title challenger Stephen Smith (27-4, 15 KOs) returns, Liverpool Super-Lightweight Marcus Molloy (1-0) and Skelmersdale Welterweight Tom Aitchson (1-0) both go for their second win in the pro ranks.

John Ryder is hoping to prove that size isn’t everything when he challenges Liverpool’s giant Super-Middleweight king Callum Smith for his WBA World, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine titles at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday November 23, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Smith towered over Ryder at their launch press conference ‘face-to-face’ photographs back in September and will be the much bigger man on the night, but ‘The Gorilla’ isn’t fazed by the significant size difference in the slightest and even thinks he will be able to use it to his advantage as he bids to lay waste to Smith’s ambitious plans for 2020.

“I just think that it’s a fight of two styles isn’t it,” said Ryder. “It’s like the little and large show. You’ve got me, 5′ 9″ and you’ve got him, 6′ 3”. He’s going to try and do what he does best and I’m going to try and do what I do best and get in close. It’s just about who can get their game plan off better on the night.

“He’s an absolute unit. He’s a massive man mountain and he’s barely put a foot wrong. He’s had such a good career so far, but I believe that I can derail that. He’s beat good fighters but I believe now is my time and timing is everything in boxing.

“I’m going to bring something that he’s probably seen in the amateurs but as a pro I don’t think he’s had the pleasure of. I’m a slick southpaw and I can punch hard with both hands. Height is his advantage but I believe that being shorter is sometimes an advantage as well, getting under the shots and working the body and over to the head, so I believe that will play into my hands as well.”

Ryder (28-4, 16 KOs) earned the number-one ranking with the WBA with a seventh round technical knockout win against previously undefeated Russian Andrey Sirotkin in their final eliminator clash at the Copper Box Arena in London last October.

He then continued his red-hot form by stopping Bilal Akkawy to win the vacant interim WBA Super-Middleweight title last time out on the undercard of Saul Alvarez-Daniel Jacobs at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and in doing so kept himself in line for an all-British showdown for Smith’s crown.

“He’s the champion and he deserves to be the champion, he’s beaten a champion and a good fighter to win it and I’ve earned this shot. Many people said that I was trying to avoid him and I was looking for an easier route – no chance. I fought an eliminator for this title, I even fought in another eliminator in Vegas to get this title. I’ve earned this shot now and I deserve to be here.

“I feel like I’ve developed all round as a man and a boxer. I just feel so physically and mentally strong. I feel like I’ve become a man over the last couple of years and I’m in the best position that I could possibly be in. Winning a World title would be 19 years of hard work, grit, smiles, tears and heartache all coming together on one big night and a dream come true.”

Smith vs. Ryder tops a huge night of action in Liverpool. 

Craig Glover (10-2, 8 KOs) takes on Chris Billam-Smith (9-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight title, Anthony Fowler (10-1, 8 KOs) meets Harry Scarff (8-0, 1 KO) for the WBA International Super-Welterweight title, James Tennyson (25-3, 21 KOs) and Craig Evans (20-2-2, 3 KOs) square-off in a final eliminator for the British Lightweight title, Tom Farrell (17-2, 5 KOs) clashes with Sean Dodd (16-5-1, 3 KOs) in a must-win encounter for both men, Liverpool Light-Heavyweight talent Thomas Whittaker-Hart (3-0, 1 KO) aims to end his first year as a pro in style and Liverpool Super-Lightweight Marcus Molloy (1-0) and Skelmersdale Welterweight Tom Aitchson (1-0) both go for their second win in the pro ranks. 

Callum Smith has admitted that his 2020 Anfield dream would disappear if he were to surrender his WBA World, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles to mandatory challenger John Ryder at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday November 23, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

‘Mundo’ returns home to fight in his native Liverpool for the first time since outpointing Sweden’s Erik Skoglund in September 2017 knowing that a win over his fellow Brit Ryder is vital if he is to secure a mega-fight against the likes of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez or Billy Joe Saunders next summer. 

“I want the big fights, I want the superstar names and the only chance of me getting them is by having a World title, so I’ve got to keep my belt for as long as I can,” said Smith. “John Ryder poses a big threat. He wants to take what I’ve worked so hard for. I worked hard to win my World title and I’ve got to work even harder to keep it now.

“I’m expecting a tough fight from John Ryder, he’s in good shape and it’s a big opportunity for him. I just think the best version of me beats any Super-Middleweight on the planet. With the way I’ve been performing in the gym, I think I’m going to put in a big performance. You’ve got to respect him because he’s in good form. He’s won fights where he was the underdog and he wasn’t supposed to win.

“He deserves a lot of respect. He hasn’t just been picked out of a hat, he earnt the mandatory position with good wins. I respect every fighter and John especially, but like I said before I think the best version of me beats any Super-Middleweight in the World and as long as I turn up and perform the way I know I can then I think I’ll be too much for him.”

Smith (26-0, KOs 19), rated as the No 1 fighter in the 168lbs division, will fight for the first time as World Champion on home turf after blowing away Hassan N’Dam in three rounds last time out on the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Jr undercard in New York in June.

Ambitious plans are in place for Smith to fight at the home of his beloved Liverpool FC in May next year, potentially a unification clash against fellow Matchroom man Billy Joe Saunders who successfully defended his WBO title in LA last week, but Smith isn’t getting carried away and insists his focus is firmly on Ryder next week. 

“This fight is like every other fight in my career, they’ve always been must-win. I always wanted to be where I am now so any loss along the way would have derailed those plans. Now people are talking about 2020 and the massive names and the thought of Anfield. All of that disappears if I lose to John Ryder.

“It’s the same motivation that I’ve always had. I always want more and I’m always wanting to see what’s next. This fight is no different, a win over Ryder opens the door for possible huge fights in 2020. A loss to Ryder and they all disappear and I become a challenger again and I join the queue. It’s a must-win fight for me and that’s all I need. As long as I’ve got a World title I’m in a very good position.”

Smith vs. Ryder tops a huge night of action in Liverpool. 

Craig Glover (10-2, 8 KOs) takes on Chris Billam-Smith (9-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight title, Anthony Fowler (10-1, 8 KOs) meets Harry Scarff (8-0, 1 KO) for the WBA International Super-Welterweight title, James Tennyson (25-3, 21 KOs) and Craig Evans (20-2-2, 3 KOs) square-off in a final eliminator for the British Lightweight title, Tom Farrell (17-2, 5 KOs) clashes with Sean Dodd (16-5-1, 3 KOs) in a must-win encounter for both men, Liverpool Light-Heavyweight talent Thomas Whittaker-Hart (3-0, 1 KO) aims to end his first year as a pro in style and Liverpool Super-Lightweight Marcus Molloy (1-0) and Skelmersdale Welterweight Tom Aitchson (1-0) both go for their second win in the pro ranks. 

Eddie Hearn:

“It’s always great to be in Liverpool and even better when we’re bringing World Championship boxing to the city and even better when you’ve got one of your own defending his World Championship. It’s also not just any one of your own, the number one In the division, Callum Smith – the reigning WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight Champion of the World. 

“I am delighted to confirm his opponent, his mandatory challenger John Ryder, of course on one of the hottest spells in the division right now. Stoppages, four of them on the bounce against Jamie Cox, Patrick Nielsen, Andrey Sirotkin and Bilal Akkawy on the Canelo card recently in Las Vegas. He’s on a great run of form and it is so good to have a domestic fight for the World Championship like I said, I was talking to Callum about the top 15 and looking at voluntary defences and sometimes it’s difficult when you have achieved what he’s achieved to really get your teeth into one of those and I know that you lot want to see a good fight. You want to see someone who is coming to fight, coming to win and achieve their dream of becoming a World Champion and Callum Smith knows that this is a very real test and challenge and he’s dealing with his mandatory at the right time.

“We talk about the Anfield fight and there is a lot of people on this card, who will be part of that Anfield dream if you like. Talks with Liverpool FC are ongoing about a fight in May and I know that Callum Smith and John Ryder aren’t thinking about this but as a city there is a massive opportunity. I think that everybody on this card, from the Scouse side who wins then they’re going to be coming along for the ride at Anfield as well. John Ryder has different ideas, he’s here to gatecrash that party and here to become World Champion and win those three belts. This is a great main event on November 23, live on Sky Sports and DAZN. 

“Adam Smith is delighted with this fight. For Sky Sports to have a big domestic World Championship fight on Saturday night Fight Night is very important for Sky, us and Callum Smith who is coming back from boxing on the road, in the WBSS, winning the titles in Saudi Arabia and defending them at Madison Square Garden, now getting the chance to defend his World Championships in Liverpool and I think that you guys are going to get behind him. Tickets go on sale to Fight Pass members today at 2pm and general sale tomorrow.

“As usual, we are focusing on the city and making sure that we have all the best fighters from Liverpool on the card. This is going to be a great fight, we look forward to a great night in this great city on November 23 at the M&S Bank Arena, great undercard as well with plenty more to be added moving forward.”

Callum Smith – Liverpool, England – 26-0, 19 KOs – defending his WBA World, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against John Ryder:

“It’s good to be back in Liverpool, I said that when I turned professional I was good enough to win a World title and bring it home to the city and this is my chance to perform in front of my own fans. I thought that winning a World title was the top of the mountain but when I won it I realised it wasn’t. There is a lot more boxes I want to tick, Madison Square Garden was one, defending my World title in Liverpool is definitely one and there is talk of a massive 2020 for me. All of that disappears if I slip up on November 23 so I am fully motivated. I worked hard to become a World Champion and I am going to work even harder to keep it – That all starts on November 23.

“Every fight in my career has been a must-win from my debut until now, I’ve always thought that if I want to get to where I want to be then I can’t lose. I need to keep winning and see how good I am by challenging myself against the biggest names in the division and the best names in boxing and I can’t go on and do that if I lose against John Ryder. He is a good fighter on a good run of form but so am I, I am number one in the world for a reason and the best version of me beats every Super-Middleweight on the planet and that includes John Ryder.

“People always talk about 175 and it is an option, I would love to be a two-weight World Champion. I want to stay in boxing to achieve as much as I can and becoming a two-weight World Champion is something that I would like to do. I want to clear up at Super-Middle and unify the division and become undisputed. I am massive for the weight but I have got a great team and a great nutritionist and I am very dedicated. I do the weight well and my last few performances show that I can do the weight well and as long as that’s the case I will keep winning and clean up the division. 

“There is massive fights out there, I am in a division where there is four undefeated World Champions and I believe that I am the best. If you have got a belt at my weight then you’re part of my plans and they’re the fights that I want. They’re the fights that motivate me but like I said before, I am fully focused on November 23 and John Ryder and I don’t just want to win, I want to win well and put on a big performance.”

John Ryder – Islington, England – 28-4, 16 KOs – challenger Callum Smith for the WBA World, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles:

“The Akkawy fight was a box ticked, it’s a dream to fight in Vegas on such a prestigious card but this is the real dream now, a World title fight. I have got a great team around me, Tony is working hard on my boxing and I just believe that I am in the best place possible mentally and physically. I have worked hard, I have had four hard fights and beat the number one in Patrick Nielsen. It has taken me longer than expected to get here but I am here now and this is a fight that I believe I can win. He is a great champion, he beat a great champion to win the belts and he is the world number one – I want to test myself against the best.”

Charlie Sims, Manager of John Ryder:

“This is a huge moment for John Ryder. It’s an extremely proud moment for me being part of John’s team. Anyone who knows John’s career knows that he’s had all time lows. There’s been times in John’s career where we didn’t know where he was going to go. This is by far, not only the biggest fight John could get, but this is challenging for the number one spot in the Super-Middleweight division and I think the run of form that John’s on, he’ll be walking into this fight believing that he’s going to win on November 23, so we look forward to that fight.”

David Price – Liverpool, England – 25-6, 20 KO’s – defending his WBA Continental Heavyweight title:

“I am just enjoying the sport again, I think the Dave Allen fight was the first fight in years that I actually felt like I’d won. Even though I had won, I was analysing after it saying it wasn’t good enough and maybe being a bit too hard on myself but that one was a performance. I ticked a lot of boxes that fight and I’ve never really used proving people wrong as a motivation but that felt good and I was like this is f*****g great! I want people to keep doubting me but initially after the fight I thought I can get a big fight now and cash out but after a week or so, I realised its not the time to cash out yet.

“If I can play my cards right and continue to perform, I can go further and it adds to the story which is already quite interesting. I’ve had ups and downs and interesting things happening to me and you could write a book about it. I am just so happy that I have got the opportunity again to fight on a Matchroom show on Sky. The people seem to be getting behind me again and I just want to build on it and move onwards and upwards. 

“It is only now, when my confidence is up that I can truly recognise it was down. Everything is just flowing and feeling easier because I’m enjoying it and my confidence is back up. When I think back to the Povetkin fight my confidence wasn’t there and I was more just hopeful of winning, now I will be getting in the ring and believing that I’m going to do a job.”

Craig Glover – Liverpool, England – 10-2, 8 KO’s – facing Chris Billam-Smith in a Cruiserweight contest:

“I sort of echo what Chris says. Stylistically me and Chris is a really good fight. That spar we had, you can’t take too much from it, but I think everyone that watched it was like ‘wow’. It’s a must-win fight for the both of us so it’s all on the line. I think it’s going to gel and potentially be fight of the night. The only thing that matters is me winning this fight. There’s big fights out there but this is the only fight that I’m thinking of. This is the fight that I’ve got to win.”

Chris Billam-Smith – Bournemouth, England – 9-1, 8 KO’s – facing Chris Craig Glover in a Cruiserweight contest:

“Thanks for having me on the show. I’m looking forward to it. I boxed in the M&S Bank Arena as an amateur in the ABA’s so I’m familiar with he place and the city as well. Last time was a great experience, it was a good fight, one we thought that we won. We felt comfortable when the final bell went. That’s obviously a rematch that I’d like in the future. First off I’m fighting Craig, we’ve sparred before and Craig is a great lad but this is business and it can only be a cracking fight, I’m certain of that. We only sparred the once but it was a close spar, it was a good spar and a good one to watch. I knew then that we would meet at some point in the future. It’s a cracking fight and we’re both exciting to watch with come-forward styles. I believe that it will be an absolute barnburner.”

Anthony Fowler – Liverpool, England – 10-1, 8 KO’s – taking part in a Super-Welterweight contest:

“It’s great to be boxing in Liverpool. It’s my third fight of the year. I’m very grateful to have the chance to box in front of my home crowd which is great. I want to keep winning and get that rematch to make things right and then move onto bigger and better things. There’s no point in me fighting at catch weights when I’m not going to move up. I need to make 154, make it well, get used to it and then when I get the rematch eventually, I’ll be ready at the weight. I never lost that fight because of the weight, I’d love to make excuses but I lost it because of my own mental state. I’ve learnt my lesson from looking past people and being over confident and every fight now I’m treating as a World title fight. On November 23 I’ll be ready for anything. I’m hoping Fitzgerald comes through his fight with Cheeseman, I’ll be gutted if he loses but either way I don’t really care, I’m not bothered by the belt I just want the rematch.”

Tom Farrell – Liverpool, England – 16-2, 5 KO’s – facing Sean Dodd in a Super-Lightweight contest:

“I thought I was going to be earmarked for this show anyway to be honest. I had my eye on a decent fight to get the ball rolling and get me back in contention for 2020. I think Masher was the last person that I had on my mind. Like you said there, we are good mates and there isn’t going to be any animosity between us, we’re not going to be calling each-other all sorts, we’ll leave that to anyone else who wants to have a go.

“We’ll definitely be putting on a good show for the fans. I think there will be loads of us there. As you said, I always have a good crowd behind me and the Birkenhead faithful are always there for Masher. I’m one of the most liked lads in Liverpool fighting against one of the most liked lads in the UK in Masher Dodd. We’ll get in the ring on the night and put on a good fight for the fans. It’s a fight that we both had to take really. I’m coming off a defeat in March, 6 months ago. I just want to get active again and get the ball rolling. I want to get a good win to get the rust off and then it’s full steam ahead to November 23.

“I think this is Masher’s last chance, he’s a bit older than me. I think he tried to blag Steve Wood before and say he’s only 31 but he’s not he’s 35. I’ll be 30 on November 23 so I want to be celebrating that night with all of my family and friends. It’s going to be a massive night and I’ve had plenty of big nights. Our careers have run sort of like parallel at the same sort of time but I think I’ll have enough experience and enough quality on the night to come out and springboard myself back into contention and get my career back on a good path. The last 12 months have been a bit difficult for me and my career has stalled a little bit so this is a big chance for me to push on and get a title.”

Thomas Whittaker Hart – Liverpool, England – 2-0, 1 KO – taking part in a Light-Heavyweight contest:

“I’m looking forward to fighting in Newcastle, I’ve just got to get the job done there and then hopefully come back here and do my first six rounder, put things together and hopefully get another knockout victory. I’ve got a lot of experience behind me from my time with Team GB so I’m not really worried about how fast I move. I’m just taking it all in and enjoying it at the minute.”

Callum Smith will defend his WBA World, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against WBA mandatory challenger John Ryder at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday November 23, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Smith (26-0, 19 KOs) landed the WBA World title and was crowned World Boxing Super Series Champion following a stunning seventh round knockout victory over British rival George Groves in Saudi Arabia last September – a win that also saw the Liverpudlian claim the vacant Ring Championship.

He put those titles on the line for the first time against two-time Olympian and former Middleweight World ruler Hassan N’Dam on his US debut at Madison Square Garden in New York earlier this year, flooring the French-Cameroonian three times in three rounds as he delivered a clinical display.

‘Mundo’ returns home to fight in his native Liverpool for the first time since outpointing Sweden’s Erik Skoglund in September 2017 knowing that a win over his fellow Brit Ryder is vital if he is to secure a dream fight at Anfield next year.  

Ryder (28-4, 16 KOs) earned the number-one ranking with the WBA with a seventh round technical knockout win against previously undefeated Russian Andrey Sirotkin in their final eliminator clash at the Copper Box Arena in London last October.

‘The Gorilla’ stopped Bilal Akkawy to win the vacant interim WBA Super-Middleweight title last time out on the undercard of Saul Alvarez-Daniel Jacobs at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and in doing so kept himself in line for Smith’s crown.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to return to Liverpool as World Champion to defend my titles,” said Smith. “It’s always been a dream of mine to bring World Championship boxing to the city and hopefully this is the first of a big run of fights here.

‘My last three fights have been on the road in Germany, Saudi Arabia and New York and whilst they have been incredible experiences, there is nothing quite like a big fight night in Liverpool. It’s also pleasing that I get to be involved in a domestic fight against a tough opponent in John Ryder.

“He has fought his way to mandatory challenger and is on a big run of knockout wins that make him full of confidence. I’m working hard in camp to be at my best and make a statement as we head into a huge 2020. Right now the focus is on Ryder and defending my belts in style in my city on November 23.”

“I’m buzzing to be fighting for the full World title,” said Ryder. “I’ve worked hard to get myself into the mandatory position and keep myself there. I feel like I’m in the form of my life and this opportunity has come at the perfect time. Callum Smith is a great opponent and a great champion but I feel unbeatable at the moment. 

“He’s an undefeated World Champion and he hasn’t put a foot out of line so far, so I know what I’m up against on November 23. With the form that I’m in now, I believe that I can beat anyone. I’m confident that I’ll get it right on the night and get the victory. 

“People will see me beating Callum as a big upset but I don’t see it like that. I believe that I’ve got the ability to win and that’s what I plan to do. This is the chance that I’ve taken. I’m heading into the lion’s den to get the win and shatter his Anfield dreams.”

“I always love coming to Liverpool but when one of their own headlines in a World title fight, there’s nothing quite like it,” said Eddie Hearn. “I’m so happy Callum gets this chance to return to the city as champion in a brilliant domestic fight. Callum has established himself as the number 1 Super-Middleweight on the planet right now and John Ryder is on a brilliant run that has seen him become the WBA interim champ and the mandatory challenger. It’s Liverpool vs. London in what I expect to be an intriguing fight for the 168 marbles.”

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “Callum Smith returns to Liverpool as the world’s best Super-Middleweight for an exciting domestic clash against John Ryder, who is in red-hot form.

“It’s brilliant to have Smith back on Sky Sports, in one of the pivotal nights in our stacked boxing schedule. An Anfield night could lie ahead for him, but Ryder has really transformed his fortunes in recent months and has earned his shot at a World title. 

“We’re expecting another electric atmosphere on November 23 in Smith’s home city, a thriving hotbed for sport as Liverpool target the Premier League title.”

After David Lemieux pulled out of his fight with John Ryder, Ryder will remain on the May 4 Canelo Alvarez – Daniel Jacobs card as he will face Bilal Akkawy for an interim super middleweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

MONTREAL (April 17, 2019): An unfortunate hand injury has forced David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) to withdraw from his 168-pound debut against London’s
John “The Gorilla” Ryder (27-4, 15 KOs) in what was going to be the scheduled 12-round co-main event of Canelo vs. Jacobs. Lemieux injured his right hand during a sparring session, and his doctor has recommended that he rest for eight weeks before returning to the gym.

Details for the new co-main event will be announced shortly. The Canelo vs. Jacobs will continue as planned on Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Lemieux, a 30-year-old native of Montreal, Canada, is disappointed at his injury, but promises to return stronger than ever.

”Training camp was going really great,” said David Lemieux.”I felt in tremendous shape, the strongest I’d ever felt in my entire career. But, I will be back soon. Hopefully, the fans will understand. I promise I will make it up to them once I’m healed.”

“I’m very disappointed since he was in the best shape of his life both in the gym and in the ring,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management. “We will take the time to heal his hand and get right back in the chase for a world title.”

“It’s very unfortunate that David Lemieux’s return has been postponed,” said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy. “But this is boxing, and these things happen. We wish David a speedy recovery and look forward to his return, so he can make big waves at 168 pounds.”

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.”The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505,
$1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305, and not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, and $305 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZN into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

LAS VEGAS (April 10, 2019): David Lemieux (40-4, 34 KOs) will make his 168-pound debut when he takes on John “The Gorilla” Ryder (27-4, 15 KOs) in the scheduled 12-round co-main event of Canelo vs. Jacobs. The card will also feature the returns of Vergil Ortiz Jr., Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr., Sadam “World Kid” Ali and Lamont Roach Jr., in separate bouts. The event will take place Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

“There comes a time when every fighter must move up in weight, and now is that time for David Lemieux,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Lemieux was the hardest-hitting puncher in the 160-pound division, and I’m absolutely certain he will be the biggest puncher at 168 pounds. John Ryder will be in for a tough fight on May 4. Also, this undercard will feature some of our brightest stars, including Vergil Ortiz Jr., who with only 12 fights will face a tough veteran in Mauricio Herrera. Golden Boy and DAZN have crafted an excellent night of action, so don’t miss out on this one!”

Lemieux, 30, was last seen on the televised pay-per-view undercard of Canelo vs. GGG 2 when he scored a first-round knockout victory against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan. The native of Montreal, Canada promises to be stronger than ever in his super middleweight debut.

“I’ve seen [John] Ryder fight,” said David Lemieux. “He’s a credible rival, but I’m going to make a statement out of what I’m going to do with him. At 168, I’m going to be the strongest that I’ve ever been.”

Ryder is a 30-year-old native of London who is the No. 1 contender for the WBA Super Middleweight Title. Ryder has faced tough opposition, including a close fight against Rocky Fielding and a tough battle against Billy Joe Saunders. The “Gorilla” is coming off a seventh-round technical knockout win against previously undefeated Andrey Sirotkin, and he’ll look to retain his shot at the title with a win against Lemieux.

“I’m fully focused on the fight with David Lemieux, but obviously there’s a massive pot of gold for the winner,” said John Ryder. “There’s the potential for a fight with Canelo or a fight with Callum Smith, which are both huge. Lemieux is a big puncher if you stand in front of him. I’m a boxer-fighter. I’ll box him at times and fight him at other times when it suits me. Our fighting styles are sure to gel for a great fight. I’m expecting to win and to win well. I’m there to keep my mandatory position.”

“We can’t wait for David to show that he can be a powerhouse in the super middleweight division. What better way to demonstrate this than by fighting the No. 1 contender in John Ryder!,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management.

“This is a great fight on a great night of boxing,” said Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport. “John Ryder has been on a tremendous run, and now takes to the big stage in Las Vegas with the dangerous David Lemieux. It’s a huge fight for both with the winner being mandatory challenger for Callum Smith, and I fully expect that to be John Ryder.”

The undercard for this explosive co-main event will be filled with Golden Boy’s current and future stars.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. (12-0, 12 KOs) will face the biggest test of his career when he takes on Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (24-8, 7 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight battle. Ortiz Jr. is moving to welterweight for this fight only, and if he’s successful in this tough challenge, he’ll be on the fast track to a world title at 140 pounds.

Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (32-7-1, 22 KOs) will defend his WBC International Silver Super Lightweight Title against Michael “The Artist” Perez (25-3-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Cano will return after his dominant knockout victory against former three-division world champion Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares.

Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (28-1, 14 KOs) of South El Monte, Calif. will fight against a soon-to-be-announced opponent in a 12-round battle for the vacant WBA Gold Super Featherweight Title. Diaz Jr. will return after a dominant victory against rugged warrior Charles Huerta.

Sadam “World Kid” Ali (27-2, 14 KOs) will return in a 10-round clash for the vacant USNBC Silver Welterweight Title against Anthony Young (20-2, 7 KOs) of Atlantic City, N.J.

Lamont Roach Jr. (18-0-1, 7 KOs) of Washington, D.C., will unify his WBO International Super Featherweight Title in a 10-round battle against NABO Super Featherweight Champion Jonathan Oquendo (30-5, 19 KOs) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The winner of this bout will earn the No. 1 spot for the WBO Super Featherweight World Title.

Alexis Espino (1-0, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada will participate in a four-round super middleweight fight against a soon-to-be announced opponent.

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. Lemieux vs. Ryder is a 12-round super middleweight battle presented by Golden Boy in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305, and not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, and $305 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy,
@Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZN into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

John Ryder stopped Andrey Sirotkin in round seven of their scheduled 12-round super middleweight bout at The Copper Box Arena in London.

In round six, Ryder was cut over his left eye.

In round seven, Ryder landed a right to the body that sent Sirotkin down for the count at 2:54.

Ryder is now 27-4 with 15 knockouts. Sirotkin of Russia is 15-1.

Jordan Gill stopped Ryan Doyle in round seven of their 12-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Gill landed a couple thunderous shots that hurt Doyle and made him start to bleed form his nostrils. In round six, Gill landed a big left hook that put Doyle on the canvas.

In round seven, Gill landed a big barrage of punches, and the bout was stopped 1:32.

Gill is 22-0 with six stoppages. Doyle is 17-3-1.

Ted Cheeseman won a 12-round unanimous decision over Asinia Byfield in a super welterweight clash.

In round five, Cheeseman dropped Byfield with a shirt right hand.

In round seven, Cheeseman started to bleed from his nose and also from around his left eye.

It was an exciting fight down the stretch, and Cheeseman won by scores of 117-110 and 117-111 twice.

Cheeseman is 15-0. Byfield is 14-2.

Isaac Chamberlain won a decision over Luke Watkins in a cruiserweight bout.

A huge combination from Chamberlain put Watkins down on his knee.

That was the difference as Chamberlain won by a 95-94 score, and is now 10-1. Watkins is 13-2.

Felix Cash won a 10-round unanimous decision over Stephen Danyo in a super middleweihght bout

In round three, Cash was cut over his right eye, but Cash was the more active fighter throughout the contest.

Cash won on all cards by 100-90 scores, and is now 10-0. Danyo is 14-2-3.