Zelfa Barrett Stops Jordan Gill in 10

Zelfa Barrett boxed very well and then scored a 10th round stoppage over Jordan Gill in a 12-round WBA International Super Featherweight title bout at The AO Arena in Manchester, England.

Barrett used a pinpoint jabs that set up body shots. In round 10, Barrett landed a hard body shot that put Gill to the canvas. Gill was hurt, and Barrett landed hard combinations that forced a referee stoppage at 2:44.

Barrett, 129.6 lbs of Manchester. ENG is 31-2 with 17 knockouts. Gill, 129.5 lbs of Chatteris, ENG is 29-3-1.

Scotney Defeats Lefbvre to become Unified Super Bantamweight Champion

Ellie Scotney retained her IBF and won the WBO Super Bantamweight Title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Segolene Lefbvre.

Scotney, 121.8 lbs of Carford, ENG won by scores of 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 9-0. Lefbvre, 119.3 lbs of Douai, FRA is 18-1.

Dixon Decisions Carabajal; Wins Lightweight Title

Rhiannon Dixon won the WBO Lightweight championship with a 10-round unanimous decision over Karen Elizabeth Carabajal.

In round three, Dixon dropped Carabajal with a left hand. Later in the round, Dixon was cut over her right eye due to an accidental clash of heads. Carabajal was cut over her right eye.

Dixon, 134.5 lbs of Warrington, ENG won by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93 and is now 10-0. Carabajal, 134.5 lbs of Buenos Airies, ARG

Flynn Decisions Maharusi

Jordan Flynn won a six-round decision over Tampela Maharusi in a lightweight bout.

In round three, Maharusi was docked a point for holding.

Flynn, 134.3 lbs of Oxford, ENG won by a 59-54 score and is now 10-0-1. Maharusi, 134.5 lbs of Dar-Es-Salaam, TAN is 10-5-4.

The win by Flynn sets up a showdown with Cameron Vuong. Flynn shoved Vuong in the ring after the fight, and promoter Eddie Hearn said that fight will take place in June.

Gomez Jr. Stops Baker in 6

In a high contact fight, Michael Gomez Jr. stopped Kane Baker in round six of a scheduled 10-round super featherweight bout.

In round three, Baker was cut ever the right eye which looked to be caused by a head clash.

In round six, Gomez dropped Baker with a right hand. With Baker hurt, Gomez landed a hard right that put Baker on his back and the fight was stopped at 36 seconds.

Gomez, 129.1 lbs of Manchester, ENG is 21-1 with six knockouts. Baker, 129.4 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 19-11-2.

Jack Turner stopped Abdul Kesi Ngaoma in round one of their six-round super flyweight bout.

In round round one, Turner landed a perfect right to the jaw that put Ngaoma on his back and the fight was stopped at 1:14.

Turner, 117.6 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 6-0 with six first round knockouts. Ngaoma, 116.1 lbs of Dar-Es-Salaam, TAN is 7-6-1.

Jimmy Sains remained perfect with a fourth round stoppage over Mateusz Kalecki in a six-round middleweight contest.

In round one, Kalecki was cut under his rigt eye. A cut then opened up over his left eye.

In round four, Sains was battering a bloodies Kalecki and the fight was stopped after a perfect right from Sains at

Sains, 162.3 lbs of Brentwood, ENG is 4-0 with four knockouts. Kalecki, 161.6 lbs of Brezno, POL is 2-2.

William Crolla remained undefeated with a first-round stoppage over Fabio Cascone in a six-round super welterweight contest.

In round one, Crolla dropped Cascone with a left to body that was followed up by a left to the head and he did not beat the count at 1:11.

Crolla, 154.1 lbs of Manchester, ENG is 4-0 with three knockouts. Cascone, 152.9 lbs of Latina, ITA is 4-10.

Brandon Scott won a six-round decision over Rodrigo Matias Areco in a bantamweight contest.

Scott, 135 lbs of Swansea, ENG won by a 58-56 score and is 7-0. Areco, 125.8 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 5-6-2.

Ste Clarke won a four-round decision over Jensen Irving in a middleweight contest.

In round two, Clarke dropped Irving with a left to the body.

Clarke, 161.5 lbs of Liverpool won by a 40-35 score and is 2-0. Irving, 163.1 lbs of Swindon is 4-10.




Anthony Joshua Decisions Franklin

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin at The 02 Arena in London.

Joshua landed 117 of 376 punches. Franklin was 58 of 426.

Joshua won by scores of 118-111 and 117-111 twice and is now 25-3. Frankilin of Saginaw, MI is 21-2.

Fabio Wardley Stops Coffie in 4

Fabio Wardley stopped Michael Coffie in round four of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Wardley was bleeding from his nose. In round four, Wardley landed a hard right that backed Coffie up on the ropes. Wardley landed a big assault in the ropes and the referee stopped the bout (maybe a punch or two prematurely) at 45 seconds.

Wardley, 242.9 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 16-0 with 15 knockouts. Coffie, 269.4 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 13-4.

Gala Yafai Stops Calleros in 4

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai stopped former world title challenger Moises Calleros in round four of a 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai dropped Calleros in round four, and the fight was stopped by the referee at

Yafai, 113.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 4-0 with three knockouts. Calleros, 114.2 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 36-11-1.

Campbell Hatton Stops Fielding in 1

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Louis Fielding in a scheduled eight-round super lightweight contest.

Hatton landed a perfect left hook to the rib area that put Fielding on the deck for the 10-count at 1:29. Fielding, 138.8 lb of Tamworth, ENG is 10-8.

Hatton, 139.12 lbs of Hyde, ENG is 11-0 with four knockouts.

Ammo Williams Stops Wilson-Bent in 8

Austin Williams remained undefeated with an eighth round stoppage over River Wilson-Bent in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.

In round seven, Williams dropped Wilson-Bent with a straight left Wilson-Bent began to bleed over his right eye. In round eight, Williams continued the assault and the towel was thrown in at 1:01.

Williams, 162.3 lbs of Houston, TX is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Wilson-Bent, 162.7 lbs of Coventry, ENG is 14-3-1.

John Hedges won a eight-round unanimous decision over Daniel Bocianski in a light heavyweight bou

Hedges, 189.14 lbs of Takely, ENG won by an 80-72 and is now 8-0. Bocianski, 186.4 lbs of Nowy Saczm POL is 11-3.

Ziyad Almaayouf won a four-round decision over Georgi Velichkov in a welterweight bout.

Almaayouf, 145.14 lbs of Saudi Arabia won by a 39-37 score and is now 3-0. Velchkov, 142.7 lbs of Sofia, BUL is 3-12.

Jordan Flynn remained undefeated with a hard fought eight-round decision over Kane Baker in a super featherweight bout.

Flynn, 129.10 lbs of Oxford, ENG won by a 77-75 score and is now 9-0. Baker, 129.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 18-10-1.

In a mild upset, Benoit Huber won a eight-round decision over Juergen Uldedaj in a heavyweight bout.

Huber, 200 lbs of Sjon, SWI won by a score of 77-75 and is now 9-3. Uldedaj, 203.8 lbs of Lezhe, ALB is 15-1.

Peter Kadiru stopped Alen Lauriolle after the opening round of their six-round heavyweight bout.

Kadiru’s body work hurt Lauriolle’s ribs and the bout was stopped in between rounds.

kadiru, 239.3 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 15-1 with eight knockouts. Lauriolle, 273.2 lbs of Skopie, MAC is 6-2.




Zucco stops Nikolic in 2

Ivan Zucco remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Marko Nicolic in a super middleweight fight in Verbania, Italy

In round two, Zucco dropped Nikolic with a big left. Zucco finished off Nikolic with a left and the fight was stopped at 1:30.

Zucco of Verbania, ITA is 16-0 with 14 knockouts. Nikolic of Belgrade, SER is 28-2.

Natalizi Decisions Mueller

Mirko Natalizi won a 10-round unanimous decision over Rico Mueller in a super welterweight bout.

Natalizi of Roma, ITA won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 12-0. Mueller of Eberswalde, GER is 28-5-1.

Grandelli Decisions Baker

Franchesco Grandelli won a 10-round unanimous decision over Kane Baker in a featherweight contest.

In round One, Grandelli dropped Baker with an overhand right hand. In round two, Baker turned to tables with a right that sent Grandelli to the canvas

In round 10, Baker was bleeding from his nose.

Grandelli of Italy won by scores of 98-90 twice and 96-92 and is now 14-1-2. Baker of Birmingham, ENG is 17-9-1.

Nmomah Decisions El Massoudi

Samuel Nmomah won a eight-round unanimous decision over Fouad El Massoudi in a super welterweight bout.

With Nmomah battering El Massoudi, the referee administered a standing eight-round in round five.

Nmomah of Italy won by scores of 78-73 twice and 79-72 and is 17-0. El Massoudi of Lyon, FRA is 17-18-1.




Ritson Decisions Vazquez

Lewis Ritson won a dubious 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Miguel Vazquez in a junior welterweight bout in Peterborough, England/

Vazquez landed 193 of 1001 punches. Ritson was 141 of 544.

Ritosn, 139.3 lbs of Forest Hall won by scores of 117-111, 115-113 and Vazquez won a card 116-113 to go to 21-1. Vazquez, 139.3 lbs of Mexico is 42-10.

“It just depends what you like doesn’t it,” Ritson told Matchroom afterwards. “He was tapping me and running away. I was hitting him with the cleaner jabs. It was very frustrating being out the gym a year and then facing that style.

It was probably more awkward than I thought it was going to be. The more the fight went on the more frustrated I got. It was a big eye opener. We’ve been mentioning the Prograis fight, tonight was a bit of an eye opener that we’re a million miles off that fight.

“We need a couple more fights like Vazquez, maybe not his style. That’s what you get when you step up. We had a hard job doing it. I’m improving as a fighter but I’ve got a lot more improving to do.”

Leach Decisions Ashfaq

Marc Leach won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Qais Ashfaq in a super bantamweight fight.

In round four, Leach dropped Ashfaq with a hard right off the clinch.

In round seven, Ashfaq was dropped with counter left that was followed by a left inside.

Leach, 121 lbs of Salford won by scores of 96-92, 95-92 and 95-93 and is now 15-1-1. Asfaq, 121.7 lbs is 9-1.

“I’m feeling over the moon,” Leach told Matchroom afterwards. “I’ve said before in previous interviews, the underdog tag means I’ve got nothing to lose and lots to gain. I felt good in there. Mine, Jamie’s and Nigel’s tactics worked to a T. Happy days.

“I felt like I had had him in trouble. Nigel and Jamie know that I’ve got power behind me. We moved up a weight as well. I presume he didn’t know I had that power. I believe in myself and it worked. Even at my weight, Bantamweight, I’m supposed to be next in line for the British Title. Whichever one comes first, I’ll happily take.

“Hopefully after one or two more fights at this level I won’t have to work anymore. This is the life I have chosen. I work nights, six until two. It’s not ideal but I’ve got kids to feed and a family to look after. Hopefully this turns into more opportunities for me.

In a battle of undefeated super lightweights, Rylan Charlton stopped Joe Laws in round three of scheduled six-round super lightweight.

In round one, Charlton dropped Laws with a left hook to the chin. In round three, it was another left hook that sent Laws down again. Carlton finished Laws off with a combination that sent Laws down for the 10-count at 1:39.

Charlton, 144.4 lbs of Norwich is 6-0-1 with three knockouts. Laws, 146.9 lbs of Benwell is 9-1.

“It’s what I expected,” said Charlton afterwards. “I’ve been training my ass off for this. No disrespect to Joe, I think he’s a great guy, a great boxer, but he’s a ticket seller. He sells loads of tickets to get into the positions that he gets in. He’s a good fighter and he’s a very nice guy. I have been training my ass off. I can’t really sell that many tickets. I’m the fighter. I’m just pleased I got the opportunity to showcase my skills. 

“I felt like it got a little bit scrappy at some point. I was trying to stay as composed as possible. I saw the opening and I stuck it up there. That’s all she wrote. I always knew that this would be the result. I trained too hard for it not to be the result. My power was too much.

“Pint Size Powerhouse all the way! He’s got a massive following and this won’t be the end of Joe. He’ll be back. This has just rocketed my career in the right direction. Eddie get this contract, and let’s go! Get me out before Christmas.”

Thomas Patrick Ward and Thomas Essomba fought to split technical draw in a super bantamweight fight.

In round seven, Ward was cut over the left eye from a hard head clash The got was bad with the eyelid split open and the fight was called after eight.

Essomba won a card 88-85; Ward won a card 88-84 and a 3rd card was even at 86-86.

Ward, 123.3 lbs of West Rainton is 29-0-1. Essomba, 123.2 lbs is 10-6-1.

“To be honest, the fight was close, but I knew I was better than him,” Essomba said afterwards. “We had the accident, and then the judges decided the outcome, I have to respect their decision. I didn’t see the head clash. I don’t know who’s fault it was.

“I’ve had a really long and good camp since my last fight against Sunny Edwards. If I would have had two or three more weeks’ notice then I could have prepared more for Tommy. I had six days’ notice. I know if we fight again the fight will be totally different. I will give him a rematch, any time and anywhere.”

Kane Baker won a six-round decision over previously undefeated Meshech Speare in a super lightweight bout.

In round two, Baker was cut around the left eye.

Baker, 138 lbs of Birmingham won by a 5-56 score and is now 14-7. Speare, 138 lbs of Liverpool is 5-1.

“I’m floating,” said Baker afterwards. “It’s amazing. I’ve been here a few times. That winning feeling is something else. When I fought Fiaz two weeks ago my corner was quite confident in how I was doing. Tonight, they were telling me I was losing every round! I did think I’d won, but you just don’t know.

“When I heard Birmingham first, I knew then and it was amazing. He caught me twice to be fair. He caught me with two good shots. He’ll be back again, he’s a strong kid. I hope it was a good fight for the fans. It was a lot tougher this time than it was two weeks ago. The two weeks off didn’t recharge me as much as I’d have liked. It was tough but I was never going to say no to being here. I bit down on the gumshield and toughed it out.”

Ellie Scotney made a successful pro debut with a six-round decision over Bec Connolly in a super bantamweight bout.

In round three, Scotney put Connolly on the canvas from a right hand that was followed by a perfect left hook to the head.

In round five, Connolly started to bleed around the right eye.

Scotney, 125.9 lbs of Catford won by a score of and is now 1-0. Connolly, 125.2 lbs is 3-8.

“Bec is a tough person and she came to fight,” Scotney told Matchroom afterwards. “It was brilliant to share a ring with her. She gave it her all. She’s a nice woman. I feel like I’ve got a lot to work on still. I’m 22 and boxing at the weight above, so now I’ll be going down to the weight I should be at and I’m so looking forward to getting out again.

“I rushed it a little bit. I got a bit carried away when I landed a shot. I’ve got a lot to work on. I’m buzzing to get the first one out of the way. It’s been a long time coming. I’m going to get back in the gym on Monday if Adam lets me. I love boxing.”




BAKER TO FIAZ: PLEASE TURN UP!

Kane Baker has dispelled rumours that he is emotionally attached to Aqib Fiaz as the Super-Featherweight rivals prepare to collide in a spicy grudge match on the Joshua Buatsi vs. Marko Calic undercard on Sunday October 4, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Baker (13-6) was left bitterly disappointed after his golden opportunity on the big stage was ripped away from him at the last moment when Matchroom new boy Fiaz was pulled from their eight-round contest on the eve of the fight, with the 21-year-old’s team deeming him unfit to box. 

“It was an emotional week for me really,” said Baker. “My older brothers were on the phone to me while I was in the bubble. I had to say my goodbyes to their dad before he had his life support machine turned off which was weird, hard and very upsetting for me. He was looking forward to watching my fight. 

“There’s been a lot going around about me being emotional and emotionally attached to Fiaz. I was more emotionally attached to fighting in Eddie’s garden. I also had emotions in my personal life. I had a little rant after the fight was pulled and I don’t know how that came across because I was a bit emotional.

“I thought to myself, ‘shit, I hope I haven’t let myself down by being a bit emotional, upset and angry’. I had a bit of a rant at him which was all just in the heat of the moment. When Jamie Moore said I was emotionally attached to the Aqib Fiaz fight, he was wrong,  it was 100% was nothing to do with Fiaz.

“Fiaz has got the chance to come again, but I’ll tell you now, if I wasn’t well and I pulled out of the fight, I wouldn’t be sat here today getting my chance again. That’s a fact. I’ve had a lot of people message me, there’s more support for me out there now after what happened. 

“I’ve heard that he did a lot of that kind of thing in the amateurs, missing weight. He had things his own way in the amateurs and if he wasn’t ready to fight then the fights got pulled. He’s known for it. This is what I’ve been told. I know in my heart of hearts what I believe.”

Former Midlands Area Lightweight Champion Baker, trained by Paul Mann at the BCB Gym, is even more fired up following his Fight Camp heartache, and the 30-year-old is promising to inflict a first career defeat on Oldham prospect Fiaz.

“I’m absolutely buzzing it’s back on. Matchroom and Eddie Hearn stuck to their word. It was a hard wait waiting for the new date but they stuck to their word and I’m back out again. I’m in the same position, but there’s much more interest in the fight this time.

“I’m ready to go straight away. We know the tactics and the plan. It could all go out of the window, and I could just go back to all I know which is having a good tear up! Either way, this fight is going to get 110% of me. 

“I’m going to leave everything in that ring. I know the job at hand. I’m not going to lose sleep over it. I know what I’ve got to do. I know my strengths, and I’m going to show them on Sunday. That should be enough. Aqib, please turn up mate!”

Fiaz vs. Baker is part of a big night of action that sees Croydon’s rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi (12-0, 10 KOs) defend his WBA International Title against undefeated Croat Marko Calic (11-0, 6 KOs), Chantelle Cameron (12-0, 7 KOs) lands a World Title shot in her very first bout as a Matchroom fighter as she takes on Brazil’s Adriana Dos Santos Araujo (6-0, 1 KO) for the vacant WBC Super-Lightweight crown, ‘The Savage’ Alen Babic (4-0, 4 KOs) returns to the UK looking to impress again as he locks horns with Irishman Niall Kennedy (13-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight round Heavyweight contest, Luton’s Linus Udofia (15-0, 7 KOs) puts his English Middleweight Title on the line for the first time against Dillian Whyte-backed Brixton man John Harding Jr (8-1-1, 2 KOs) and recent Matchroom signing John Hedges make his pro debut at Super-Middleweight. 




FIAZ: BAKER – UNDERESTIMATE ME AT YOUR OWN PERIL

Aqib Fiaz is planning on beating Kane Baker “in style” when he meets the former Midlands Area Lightweight Champion over eight rounds in a Super-Featherweight clash at Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, on Friday August 7, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Trained by Jamie Moore alongside Ireland’s two-weight World Champion Carl Frampton at the V.I.P Gym in Astley, Fiaz inked a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing following a shutout points win over Dean Jones on the Quigg vs. Carroll undercard in Manchester earlier this year.

Since turning professional in March 2019, all but one of his fights has been scheduled for four rounds, but now the 20-year-old talent leaps up to eight rounds looking to make a big statement against experienced Brummie Baker on his big Matchroom debut.

“Kane Baker is a tough guy,” said Fiaz. “I respect him. He’s a good fighter and he’s an experienced professional. I believe I’m going all the way to the top though. He’s in my way and we’ve got to get him out of the way. In my opinion, he thinks this young kid is stepping up from four rounds and jumping into an eight rounder with him too soon.

“I’ve read some of his interviews. He’s underestimating me if he thinks he’s a huge banana skin. I’ve boxed at the highest level as an amateur. I represented my country. I’m in here sparring world class elite level fighters like Carl Frampton that have won numerous World Titles. I can’t see him brining anything to the table that I can’t handle.

“I respect him and he can say what he wants. He’s watched me. I know he has. If he thinks he’s a banana skin that’s fine. I can’t really say much more than that. I’m happy for him to think that. If he thinks I’m inexperienced then he’s got another thing coming.

“If he wants to take confidence from that then that’s up to him. I don’t think his experience will make the difference on the night. I’ve been matched tough from early on. It’s a good step up for me. It’s a fight that I can win and win looking good. I’ll do it in style.”

Fiaz vs. Baker lands on Week 2 of Matchroom Camp, Terri Harper’s (10-0, 5 KOs) defence of her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles against British rival Natasha Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs) headlines the show, Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith (10-1, 9 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Title against undefeated Cardiff man Nathan Thorley (14-0, 6 KOs), Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (12-1, 9 KOs) gets his second outing of the year against Adam Harper (9-1) and Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (2-0) takes on Jonny Phillips (5-4, 2 KOs).




BAKER – I’M A HUGE BANANA SKIN FOR FIAZ

Kane Baker is promising to inflict a first career defeat on Aqib Fiaz when he locks horns with the recent Matchroom signing over eight rounds in a Lightweight contest on the undercard of Terri Harper vs. Natasha Jonas on Friday August 7, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

In compiling 13 wins in 19 fights, Baker has faced top opposition, often at very short notice and on the other man’s turf. In only his fifth fight, Baker was halted by another Matchroom prospect, Conor Benn, the big-punching son of former WBC Super-Middleweight World Champion Nigel.

In his next fight, he agreed to meet heavy-handed Irish prospect Gary Cully at 24 hours’ notice and went the distance over four rounds in Belfast. Baker’s unquenchable, never-say-die spirit was rewarded last December when he outpointed unbeaten Ishmael Ellis for the Midlands Area Lightweight Title.

A granite toughness has seen Baker battle through a demanding professional baptism and the experienced 30-year-old believes he will be too big a test so early on in the career of Oldham’s Fiaz, who will be making his big debut as a Matchroom man.

“I was surprised they offered me this fight,” said Baker. “I wouldn’t fight me at the minute. No way. Definitely not. I can see why they did though. I’m a come forward fighter and I’ve got some decent names on my record. If he beats me then it’s a good name under his belt and he can progress quickly. I can see the logic behind it, but I’m going to be the biggest banana skin that they’ve ever put out there. 

“He hasn’t been past six rounds yet. I know he was a good amateur but it’s a different game in the pros. Normally I don’t know anything about my opponents, I don’t want to know, but I’ve gone the opposite way for this one because I’ve had time through lockdown to do my homework. I’ve looked into this one and this is my chance to win. 

“I don’t really watch my opponents but I’ve been told to watch him and from what I’ve seen of him, nothing really intimidates me. I’ve watched him and I’m going to keep watching him. I’m going to improve my game to beat his game. It’s a new totally different Kane Baker. I don’t think Matchroom are going to snatch me up when I beat him because I’m a bit older but he’ll come again, he’s young enough.”

Fiaz vs. Baker lands on Week 2 of Matchroom Fight CampTerri Harper’s (10-0, 5 KOs) defence of her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles against British rival Natasha Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs) headlines the show, Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith (10-1, 9 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Title against undefeated Cardiff man Nathan Thorley (14-0, 6 KOs), Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (12-1, 9 KOs) gets his second outing of the year against Adam Harper (9-1) and Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (2-0) fights on UK soil again following his win on the huge Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua 2 show in Saudi Arabia.