NATASHA JONAS AND DALTON SMITH TOP THE BILL IN BLOCKBUSTER BOXXER: MANCHESTER EVENT ON SATURDAY, 12th NOVEMBER AT THE AO ARENA

Manchester, England – (September 28, 2022) – Natasha Jonas, Dalton Smith, Frazer Clarke and many more will light up a blockbuster night of boxing on Saturday, 12th November.

The unified world WBC, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine super-welterweight titles will all be on the line at the AO Arena in Manchester, England when Natasha ‘Miss GB’ Jonas faces defending Marie-Eve Dicaire.

Jonas (12-2-1, 8 KOs) conquered Patricia Berghult for the WBC belt earlier this month in her home city of Liverpool. The coveted green strap joined her pink WBO belt in her trophy cabinet – and now the former Olympian wants to add Dicaire’s IBF belt and Ring Magazine titles to her collection and write herself another glorious chapter in boxing’s history books.

Her quest for global domination takes Jonas into a clash with Canada’s two-time world champion Dicaire (18-1-0, 1 KO) in what promises to be a momentous world championship encounter with all three titles on the line.

Coming just weeks after a historic night of celebration for women’s boxing takes place on October 15th at The O2 in London – when Savannah Marshall faces Claressa Shields for the undisputed middleweight world titles – the contest further highlights the strength of the women’s sport in what has been a gala year for female boxing.

Southpaw Dicaire suffered her only professional defeat to date to Shields back in March 2021 following a unanimous decision. But she reclaimed her then vacant IBF title when she produced a stunning stoppage win over Cynthia Lozano last December in Montreal.

The main event between Jonas and Diclaire in Manchester tops the bill in what promises to be an unmissable BOXXER bill screened live and exclusively in the UK and Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports Boxing.

It includes a tantalising domestic co-main event between two of the country’s hottest super-lightweight prospects as champion Dalton ‘Thunder’ Smith (12-0, 10 KO’s) defends his British title against challenger Kaisee Benjamin (16-1-1, 6 KOs).

BOXXER earned the right to promote the mandated British championship bout between the two rivals when it won the purse bid earlier this month.

Former Team GB sensation Smith scored an impressive sixth-round stoppage win when he headlined in Sheffield last month – his third consecutive win inside the distance – to win the vacant title and take his number of professional stoppage wins to ten, including a 2021 TKO of BOXXER Series tournament semi-finalist Lee Appleyard.

Benjamin, from Birmingham, has 16 wins from 17 professional appearances and is undefeated in his last 13 fights. In June, he celebrated a unanimous decision win over Serge Ambomo at the Coventry Skydome to maintain his status as Smith’s mandatory opponent.

And Frazer ‘Big Fraze’ Clarke (3-0, 3 KO’s) will bid to continue his impressive and rapid rise up the heavyweight rankings as he takes on his toughest professional challenge to date in the form of experienced veteran Kamil Sokolowski (11-26-3, 4 KOs).

Clarke has won all three of his professional bouts thus far with three devastating knockouts – and the Tokyo 2020 Team GB Olympic bronze medalist will be hungry to add another stoppage to his burgeoning highlight reel in front of a packed crowd at the AO Arena – just a stone’s throw away from the home of his beloved football club, Manchester United.

Earlier in the evening, Manchester’s own Bradley ‘The Sting’ Rea (14-0, 6 KO’s) will put his unbeaten record on the line when he takes on English middleweight champion Tyler Denny (14-2-3). Rea has developed a reputation for an all-action style and will look to make this another crowd-pleasing contest for his hometown fans.

BOXXER CEO & Founder Ben Shalom, said: “This will be a massive night of boxing in Manchester.

“Tasha Jonas can etch her name in the history books by winning the WBC, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles if she beats Marie-Eve Dicaire. I think this is Tash’s toughest test to date and it promises to be a spectacular women’s fight, just weeks after the iconic all-female card in London, on 15th October.

“In the co-main, Dalton Smith will be hoping to win the British super-lightweight title outright in what is a very, very tough challenge against Kaisee Benjamin. It’s a big fight and it will have huge consequences for the winner.

“Dalton is one of the finest young fighters in the country. We saw recently in Sheffield how his popularity continues to grow. Kaisee is a brilliant talent too and he’ll be hungry to pull off a major upset

“Frazer Clarke will go right to the top of this very exciting heavyweight division. He has a huge personality and the talent and commitment to go all the way. This fight against Kamil Sokolowski will offer a sterner test against experienced competition that fans will look forward to seeing

“Bradley Rea against Tyler Denny is a great fight. I saw Tyler in one of the fights of the year when he won the English title against River Wilson-Bent. This will be a huge test for Brad early on in his career. It is a compelling fight and possibly it could be the fight of the night. Brad has the chance to make a real statement in front of his home crowd on the big stage.”

Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development, added: “Remember, remember the 12th of November, because this Fight Night will deliver more fireworks just a week after Bonfire Night.

“This truly is a great card, taking place in the iconic big fight city of Manchester, and it will be a night which promises to be a historic occasion with Tasha fighting for the unified world titles, just weeks after our iconic evening of women’s boxing at The O2 in London.

“And we’ll have a real spectacle in store with Kaisee Benjamin challenging Dalton Smith for the British title. Both men are hot prospects, who have huge futures ahead of them. This fight has all the makings of a domestic classic.

“Plus, after the controversy of his last outing in Liverpool, I’m delighted to see Frazer Clarke stepping it up against Kamil Sokolowski. A big man for a big night of boxing, live on Sky Sports – including the legendary Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton versus Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera, which takes place in an unmissable separate show by Europa Combat on the same evening, following the BOXXER card.”

To register for pre-sale tickets for 12th November, go to Boxxer.com.

BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON VENUE-SHARE WITH RICKY HATTON vs MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA & DAN HARDY vs DIEGO SANCHEZ EXHIBITION MATCHES, PROMOTED EXCLUSIVELY BY EUROPA COMBAT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th

BOXXER ticket holders

Ticket holders for the Sky Sports BOXXER event will be able to access the AO Arena from 16:45pm.

These tickets will also grant free access to the Hatton v Barrera exhibition match, promoted by Europa Combat, which is expected to begin around 10:30pm after the BOXXER main event and show has concluded.

Europa Combat ticket holders:

Tickets for the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show will also enable free access to the Sky Sports BOXXER event taking place in the AO Arena from 16:45pm to around 10pm on 12th November. The Hatton v Barrera show will take place after the BOXXER event finishes.

FAQs

  1. If I’ve got a ticket to the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show, can I also attend the Sky Sport BOXXER event?

Absolutely, your ticket gives you free access to the BOXXER event and you can arrive at any time from 4:45pm onwards.

  1. If I leave the AO Arena, will I be able to come back in?

Apologies but you will not be allowed to leave the venue and come back in. This is standard venue policy.

  1. Can I transfer my ticket to a friend or family, so I can watch the BOXXER event and then they can watch the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show?

We are sorry but all tickets are non-transferrable.

  1. Why are there two separate events?

They are two separate events, which have been organised by two separate promoters, with Europa Combat taking over the venue when the BOXXER event has concluded. But purchasing a single ticket for either event will give access to both events.

  1. Do I sit in the same seat for both events?

Yes, your seat will be the same for both events.




TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HENNESSY ALL-STARS HUGE NIGHT OF BOXING AT THE COVENTRY SKYDOME ARENA ON 10 SEPTEMBER

London, UK (9 August 2021) Tickets from just £40* are on sale now for promoter Mick Hennessy’s show Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the best in British and Irish boxing talents on one huge night of boxing at the Coventry Skydome Arena on Friday 10th September.

All-action Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington headlines the show in a big championship contest to be announced shortly, supported by the return of big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch and the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

Attendance will be subject to following government guidelines that can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae

Terms and Conditions can be viewed here:

Code of conduct https://iceaccount.co.uk/legal/coventry/code-of-conduct

Plan your visit https://iceaccount.co.uk/legal/coventry/plan-your-visit

For further information please visit www.planet-ice.co.uk and Hennessy Sports social media platforms.

*Subject to booking fee

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports




HENNESSY ALL STARS IN ACTION AT THE COVENTRY SKYDOME ARENA ON ONE HUGE NIGHT!

London, UK (30 July 2021) Promoter Mick Hennessy will showcase the brightest boxing talents of his quality packed stable in one mega night of boxing at the Coventry Skydome Arena on Friday 10th September, live and free in the UK and Ireland on Channel 5.

Hennessy’s biggest stars, champions and prospects will get to show off their skills and dynamite punching in front of a live crowd and viewing TV audience as they aim to become British boxing’s next big thing.

Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan and Everlast, tickets will start at £40 and go on sale on general sale shortly.

The action packed line up features:

Sam Eggington: Multi-tilted, all-action Eggington won the WBC Silver Middleweight title in a thrilling battle with Carlos Molina in May and picked up a World ranking as he closes in fast on a World title.

Isaac Chamberlain: The Brixton banger makes his highly anticipated return to the ring following career enhancing shoulder surgery which will make him better than ever and is now ready to rock and is back to his big-punching best again.

Stevie McKenna: The Irish dynamo has TNT packed in his fists with all eight out of eight of his opponents KO’d within five rounds. The County Monaghan welterweight terror is gunning for a showdown with English rival Conor Benn next year as he continues leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Shakan Pitters: The charismatic Birmingham giant signalled his explosive return to the ring earlier this year with a KO of Jermaine Springer and now looks to regain his mantle as British Light-Heavyweight Champion.

River Wilson Bent: The fast-rising Coventry middleweight hot shot has been hailed as the new Ricky Hatton with his exhilarating knockout style and lifted the roof off the Planet Ice Arena with his KO of George Farrell last time out.

Kaisee Benjamin: Thrilled in his last fight when he floored rival Martin Harkin with a searing body shot in the sixth round and Harkin didn’t come out for the next round. Super skilled Benjamin is shaping up to be a serious threat in the welterweight division.

Idris Virgo: The Love Island star is proving to be the real deal as he continues on the road to his first title fight. With a physique carved out of rock, the flash and brash Birmingham super- middleweight ace has backed everything up so far.

Brett McGinty: The sensational Ricky Hatton trained, Donegal super-welterweight, and former amateur standout talent is unbeaten in two fights and is showing signs of becoming a force to be reckoned with as he developes.

Tommy Welch: The Brighton heavyweight star and former amateur sensation brings hell every time he fights and he doesn’t hang about with all three of his fights ending by KO inside two rounds.

Michael Hennessy Jr.: A former top amateur with a wealth of experience, the stylish Sevenoaks super-welterweight is looking better and better each time with some eye-catching combinations to head and body as looks to stamp his mark in the pro game.

Hennessy was the first boxing promoter to open the doors to the public in May at the Coventry Skydome Arena and the allocated tickets – put on sale just five days before the show – sold out within minutes and the action starved fight fans were given to a fistic treat.

This time the Coventry Skydome Arena will be open to full capacity on Friday 10th September and Hennessy is promising a night of entertainment that they won’t forget.

He said, “This is a real boxing bonanza of a card for the fight fans. After a very tough time that everyone has had, this is a show for the fans where they can come out and enjoy the fights, see the Hennessy Sports stable of champions from Sam, Kaisee, River, the return of Isaac, Shakan on his comeback, and our exciting future of young talents like Stevie, Idris, Brett, Tommy and Michael all showcasing their skills. The breadth of talent across the weight divisions is just incredible and shows the strength of British and Irish boxing as they look to shine on this massive night. There will be real entertaining, fifty-fifty, fights throughout the card to savour so don’t miss this one.”

The full card will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets will go on sale shortly and are expected to sell out fast so keep a close eye on Hennessy Sports social media accounts for more announcements.

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports




BIRMINGHAM ACE BENJAMIN THE LATEST TO JOIN HENNESSY SPORTS’ EXCLUSIVE TEAM AFTER SIGNING NEW LONG TERM PROMOTIONAL DEAL

London, UK (9 June 2021) Promoter Mick Hennessy is delighted to announce that he has signed the fast-rising Birmingham hot-shot Kaisee Benjamin to a long-term promotional agreement as he closes in on a British Welterweight title shot.

The 25-year-old is primed and ready for his opportunity at the Lonsdale belt following his career best win over rugged Scotsman Martin Harkin last month in their official eliminator showdown at the Coventry Skydome Arena.

Benjamin heavily dropped Harkin with a searing right hook to the ribs in the final seconds of the seventh round that sent him to one knee, but no count was given. Harkin wisely remained on his stool and didn’t come out for the eighth round.

Harkin’s sole loss on his record was on points in his previous fight to the now WBO #4 world ranked and WBO Global Champion Michael McKinson last October which shows the sheer quality of Benjamin to force Harkin to quit.

Renowned for his silky skills and boxing ability, Benjamin knows that he can outbox his opponents easily, but his manager Jon Pegg and trainer Louie Counihan have been heavily stressing on him the need to inject more spitefulness in his punches and start knocking opponents out.

The words have sunk in and Benjamin showed just what he can do when he flicks on the nasty switch which impressed Hennessy and the huge viewing audience on free-to-air Channel 5.

Benjamin, who has 12 wins under his belt, holds the Midlands Area title, but now with Hennessy’s promotional power behind him he will be thrusted towards challenging for the British title currently held by Chris Jenkins, who is due to defend against Ekow Essuman shortly.

“It’s fantastic to sign a promotional deal with Mick and to finally graduate from the small hall shows to now featuring on the big arena shows,” Said Benjamin.

“It’s a big step up for me and means more terrestrial TV exposure on Channel 5, but I’m ready to impress and the next step for me is challenging for the British title. I want that beautiful Lonsdale belt around my waist,”

“I knew that the Harkin fight was a massive opportunity to show just what I can do in front of Mick and the Channel 5 audience and I went out a proved it,”

“Harkin had only lost once previously on points to Michael McKinson, who’s now ranked number four in the world by the WBO, and for me to go out and stop Harkin was a real turning point in my career, it’s a huge win and big statement,”

“I needed the pressure of stepping up to perform and I feel that I showed that, but there is so much more to come from me, just wait and see,”

“With Mick now fully behind me and backing me, my great training team of Jon and Louie, I feel that I can go on and fully achieve my potential and dreams.”

Welcoming Benjamin to the prestigious, talent packed Hennessy Sports team, Hennessy said, “I’ve been really impressed with Kaisee, especially with his win over Harkin last time out, and I’m thrilled to have him fighting under our banner,”

“Jon and Louie have worked very hard bringing Kaisee through and the way he stepped up and dealt with Harkin, who had never been stopped, was a real eye opener for me and showed me that he is a top quality fighter,”

“Here’s a guy who has been the B-side on other promoters shows, has fought in the away corner, yet he’s picked up some very big wins and I really admire that in him,”

“He’s in line to fight for the British title and we’ll see what the outcome is between Jenkins and Essuman, but in the meantime he could look to challenge for the English title,”

Pegg added “I’m over the moon for Kaisee to take his career to the next level with Mick. He knew the importance of the Harkin fight and what it would mean if he won in style and subsequently, he went out a did a number on him. He knows what he needs to do now and we’ll be seeing a new, more devastating Kaisee, who’ll be a real threat to any welters out there.”

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports




HENNESSY SPORTS PARTNERS WITH SUNSPORT TO LIVE STREAM BENT-FARRELL & BENJAMIN-HARKIN TITLE FIGHTS IN THE UK

Coventry, UK (22 May 2021) Hennessy Sports are delighted to announce that SunSport will stream exclusively LIVE and FREE from 20:00 this evening two of the undercard Championship fights that feature on the Coventry Skydome Arena show, headlined by Sam Eggington and Carlos Molina’s clash for the WBC Silver Middleweight Championship.

First up at 20:00 will be the dynamite-punching Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent who defends his Midlands Area Middleweight Championship against Derby rival George Farrell in a real 50-50 battle.

Followed at 21:00 when Birmingham talent Kaisee Benjamin squares off in a crucial showdown against Scottish hardman Martin Harkin in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship with the winner in prime position to challenge for the Lonsdale belt.

Click the link below or copy and paste to watch the action:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/15034515/watch-eggington-vs-molina-undercard-live-stream-free-hennessy-sports/

The action then switches LIVE and FREE to Channel 5 in the UK and Ireland at 22:00 with the show opened by the explosive-punching Irish KO sensation Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna who aims to extend his unbeaten record to eight fights with eight knockouts.

Then it’s the big one between Birmingham hero Sam Eggington, who has the World title in his sights, against the rock hard and granite-chinned Former World Champion from Mexico who has never been stopped in 50 fights, Carlos Molina, in a potential thriller.

The rest of the action-packed card will feature in some capacity on the Channel 5 programme: the return of Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters; Brighton’s big-hitting heavyweight Tommy Welch; red hot Irish Middleweight prospect Brett McGinty; Birmingham middleweight bombshell and Love Island star Idris Virgo and finally Sevenoaks middleweight star Michael Hennessy Jr.

Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan, Everlast and King Carlos Promotions, Eggington v Molina will headline the exciting nine-fight card exclusively live and free-to-air across the UK and Ireland on Channel 5.
Main event features Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington (29-7-0, 17 KO’s) against Mexico’s hard-as-nails Carlos Molina (37-11-2, 12 KO’s) for the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship. Chief support features a cracking showdown between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin (11-1-1, 2 KO’s) and Dumbarton’s Martin Harkin (13-1-0, 5 KO’s) in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship.
Also on the card, Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) makes the first defence of his Midlands Area Middleweight title against Derby’s George Farrell (5-0-0, 1 KO). Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters (14-1-0, 4 KO’s) has his first back against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-2-0, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder since losing his title to Craig Richards last December. County Monaghan super-lightweight dynamo Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna (7-0-0, 7 KO’s) features in a six-rounder against Poland’s Damian Haus, but the undefeated red-hot 24-year-old prospect has not needed to go the distance yet with all his fights ending inside. Birmingham middleweight bombshell Idris ‘The Bodybreaker’ Virgo (9-0-1, 1 KO) goes in over six-rounds against Lydney’s Lewis van Poetsch. Sevenoaks all-action super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr. (5-1-1) is in a six-rounder against Warminster’s Paul Cummings. Irish super-welterweight ace Brett McGinty (1-0) follows up his thrilling pro debut last December when he features in a four-rounder against Oldbury’s Dwain Grant. Brighton heavyweight talent Tommy Welch (1-0-0, 1 KO), son of the former British, Commonwealth and World Heavyweight title challenger Scott, follow’s up his explosive debut last December when he stopped Matt Gordon in the second round and features in a four-round contest against Lithuanian Dmitrij Kalinovskij.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports




WELTERWEIGHT WARRIORS BENJAMIN AND HARKIN AIM TO OUTSHINE EGGINGTON-MOLINA

London, UK (10 May 2021) Sam Eggington’s shootout against Carlos Molina for the WBC Silver Middleweight Championship headlines the Hennessy Sports show on Saturday 22nd May at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5, but chief-support Kaisee Benjamin and Martin Harkin are promising to eclipse that and deliver the fight of the night in their hotly anticipated British Welterweight Title Eliminator*.

Birmingham talent Benjamin, 25, is known for his laid-back manner, but he’s fired up like never before for the biggest fight of his career against the granite Scotsman who is equally hyped up and intent on causing a major upset on the night.

Midland’s Area Champion Benjamin knows a victory over Harkin, the reigning Celtic Welterweight Champion, will put him within touching distance of the British title holder Chris Jenkins and a dream shot at the Lonsdale belt – and he’s going all out on the night.

It’s a ‘pick ‘em’ fight with both boxers quite evenly matched; both have 14 fights apiece, silky skilled Benjamin has slightly more Championship experience, whilst Harkin has a small edge in power with three more stoppages than Benjamin.

“I’ve been accused of being too ‘chilled’ in my fights, but this British Title Eliminator has got me really pumped up and you could see something special,” Said Benjamin.

“Maybe the fights before haven’t really excited me, don’t get me wrong, all fights are important but maybe I needed that something extra to lift me to the next level and knowing that a win over Harkin will lead to the British title has given me that extra ‘oomph’,”

“It’s a big show that I’m featuring on, Sam’s in the main event in a big fight and I’m the chief supporting bout with the Channel 5 cameras on me so the stakes are a lot higher this time. Maybe that has a lot to do with it, but I can feel the heat already and I really want to get out there and perform,”

“I can’t wait to get in there and start doing my thing. Let’s see what Harkin is like for real in the ring. I know that I’ve got a solid chin, great work-rate and skills, can he match that? I don’t believe he can,”

“Sam’s fight against Molina is going to be a cracker, but I believe that me and Harkin will also be a real fire fight, we both want it bad and the one who wants it most will come out on top.”

Harkin, 29, from Dumbarton, says he’s ready to go right now and has had ample time to prepare for Benjamin, with plenty of top quality sparring against O’Hara Davies, Lewis Ritson and Mason Cartwright in the build up.

He said, “This is a great opportunity on a massive platform on Channel 5 for me to break my way in and get in a prime position to get a British title shot and I’m not going to blow it,”

“I’ve had plenty of notice for this fight so I’ve prepared like never before. Usually fights get sprung on you a last minute to catch you off guard or not in full training, but I’m fight ready for Benjamin. I’ve had the best sparring with some of the leading names in Davies, Ritson and Cartwright so I’m leaving no stone unturned,”

“Benjamin is a good fighter, he’ll be ready and so will I, it will be real tasty, but I’m coming to win.”

*British Welterweight Title Eliminator awaiting approval by BBBofC.

Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with William Hill, Infinitum, Numan, Everlast and King Carlos Promotions, Eggington v Molina will headline the exciting nine-fight card exclusively live and free-to-air across the UK and Ireland on Channel 5.

Main event features Birmingham warrior Sam Eggington (29-7-0, 17 KO’s) against Mexico’s hard-as-nails Carlos Molina (37-11-2, 12 KO’s) for the Vacant WBC Silver Middleweight Championship. Chief support features a cracking showdown between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin (11-1-1, 2 KO’s) and Dumbarton’s Martin Harkin (13-1-0, 5 KO’s) in an Eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship (Subject to BBBofC approval).

Also on the card, Coventry sensation River Wilson-Bent (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) makes the first defence of his Midlands Area Middleweight title against Derby’s George Farrell (5-0-0, 1 KO). Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters (14-1-0, 4 KO’s) has his first back against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-2-0, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder since losing his title to Craig Richards last December. County Monaghan super-lightweight dynamo Stephen ‘The Hitman’ McKenna (7-0-0, 7 KO’s) features in a six-rounder, but the undefeated red-hot 24-year-old prospect has not needed to go the distance yet with all his fights ending inside. Birmingham middleweight bombshell Idris ‘The Bodybreaker’ Virgo (9-0-1, 1 KO) goes in over six-rounds. Sevenoaks all-action super-welterweight Michael Hennessy Jr. (5-1-1) is in a six-rounder against Warminster’s Paul Cummings. Irish super-welterweight ace Brett McGinty (1-0) follows up his thrilling pro debut last December when he features in a four-rounder against Birmingham’s Josh Hodgins. Brighton heavyweight talent Tommy Welch (1-0-0, 1 KO), son of the former British, Commonwealth and World Heavyweight title challenger Scott, follow’s up his explosive debut last December when he stopped Matt Gordon in the second round and features in a four-round contest.

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports




BENJAMIN-FIELDS MIDLANDS DERBY ALSO PITS BROTHER-IN-LAW TRAINERS HEAD-TO-HEAD

London, UK (19 November 2020) Promoter Mick Hennessy has added a fiery Birmingham derby title clash between Kaisee Benjamin and Ben Fields to his Friday 11th December fight night as chief support to the Sam Eggington-Ashley Theophane showdown, live on free-to-air Channel 5.

Chelmsley Wood’s Benjamin (10-1-1, 2 KO’s) defends his Midlands Area Welterweight title against Digbeth’s Fields (10-8-2) in a 10-round clash that has also pits their families head-to-head.

Benjamin is trained by father and son team Paul and Louie Counihan, while Fields is trained by Paul’s brother-in-law Shaun Cogan which will add even more spice to the fight.

The boxers are managed by renowned Birmingham fight figure Jon Pegg, who didn’t want to pit his two men against each other, but following some explosive and over-heated sparring sessions, both trainers then approached Pegg to make the fight.

Pegg, Hennessy Sports Matchmaker, said, “I don’t say it often, but I really believe it could be one of the Fights of the Year. I’ve seen them spar and they go at it hammer and tongs and then some more after the bell. It’s a real fierce local derby with plenty of animosity between them and bucket loads of pride and honour at stake. I manage both lads, but I won’t be cheering for either of them on 11th December. I didn’t want to make the fight, but both trainers came to me after a particularly heated session when they had to yanked apart and said they wanted it to happen. Throw in the family ties between Paul and Sean who are brothers-in-law and you’ve got a real barnstormer on your hands. I’m thrilled it’s on Mick’s show and I hope they settle it once and for all.”

Benjamin, 25, has made three defences of the Midlands title, but says he’ll deal with Fields in quick time to press his English title shot as he’s the mandatory challenger to Champion Ekow Essuman. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, Essuman has an impending British title shot, but won’t release the English title until that is confirmed.

“I’ll deal with Fields easily,” Said Benjamin. “He gives it large during sparring but lets see if he can do it for real in the ring. I’ll shut him up and then focus on bigger things like my English title which I’m long overdue a shot at. I’m not involved in the Paul and Sean situation, that’s between them. This is between me and Fields. It won’t go the distance with Fields, he’s getting taken out early.”

Fields, 31, has incredibly turned his life around through boxing. The former drug addict was down and out but found salvation in boxing at 23 and in his last fight defend the odds and won the Midlands Area Super-Lightweight title.

“I’ve dealt with harder stuff in life that Benjamin,” Said Fields. “I’ve fought my way back from rock bottom and I’m not letting anything get in my way. It’s been sparring up until now, lets see how he does for real. Remember, we spared with big gloves and headguards and now it will just be the little gloves.”

Sam Eggington versus Ashley Theophane headlines the Hennessy Sports card in an International Super-Welterweight Contest. Chief-support features the Vacant Midlands Area Welterweight Title between Birmingham derby between Kaisee Benjamin and Ben Fields. The undercard includes: undefeated super-lightweight and red-hot talent Stephen McKenna from Monaghan, Ireland, in a six-round contest; his equally talented brother Aaron McKenna (appearing courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions) an unbeaten light-middleweight in a six-round contest; Sevenoaks middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. and the flash, brash and exciting unbeaten Birmingham star Idris Virgo in a four-round middleweight contest.

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports