Leigh Wood scored yet another shocking knockout. This time he stopped former world champion Josh Warrington in the seventh round to retain the WBA Featherweight title in Sheffield, England.

Warringtom started to seize control by working on the inside and landing some crisp punches that seemed to briefly stun Wood on several occasions.

In round five, Wood began to bleed around his right eye.

In round seven, Warrington was deducted a point for hitting behind the head. At the end of the round, Wood landed a crusging right hook to the chin that set off a five punch flurry that was punctuated by another perfect right hook to the chin that was followed by a left that sent Warrington to the deck and the fight was stopped at the bell.

Wood, 125.7 lbs of Nottingham, ENG is 28-3 with 17 knockouts. Warrington, 125.3 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 31-3-1.

Harper and Braekhus Battle to Draw in Junior Middle Title bout

Terri Harper retained the WBA Super Welterweight title as she and former Pound-For-Pound queen Cecilia Braekhus battled to a 10-round draw.

Harper landed 77 of 233 punches. Braekhus was 82 of 307.

Harper won a scorecard 97-93, while two cards were even at 95-95.

Harper, 150.4 lbs of Denaby, ENG is 14-1-2. Braekhus, 153.9 lbs of Bergen. NOR is 37-2-1.

Conway Stops Udofia Due to Eye Closure

Kieron Conway stopped Linus Udofia in the sixth round due to the right eye of Udofia being closed in a scheduled 12-round middleweight bout.

Conway landed a big left hook that started closing Udofia’s eye in round five and the fight was stopped by the referee stopped the bout at two seconds of round six.

Conway, 159.6 lbs of Northampton, ENG is now 20-3-1 with five knockouts. Udofia, 159.4 lbs of Luton, ENG is now 18-2.

Price Stops Coghill in 12th

Hopey Price remained undefeated and stopped Connor Coghill in the 12th and final round of their featherweight fight.

At the end of round six, Price landed a perfect right hook to the jaw that was followed by a short left to the same spot that put Coghill on the canvas.

In round 11, Price landed a perfect straight left to the jaw that sent Coghill to the canvas. In round 12, Price came out fast and landed some hard body shots that crumpled Coghill to a knee and the bout was stopped at 1:29.

Price, 125.3 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 12-0 with five knockouts. Coghill, 125.4 lbs of Hull, ENG is 14-1.

Bostan Stops McCullough in 6

Junaid Bostan remained undefeated with a sixth-round stoppage over Corey McCoullugh in an eight-round super welterweight. bout.

Bostan dominated the action and opened up a big flurry in round six that forced a stoppage at 2:07

Bostan, 155.7 lbs of Rotherham, ENG is 7-0 with six knockouts. McCoullough, 154.9 lbs of Arbroath, SCO is 7-4-1.

Nico Leivars won an eight-round decision over Ryan Walker in super bantamweight contest.

Leivars, 123.5 lbs of Mansfield, ENG is 5-0-1. Walker, 123.1 lbs of Newham, ENG is 12-6.

Cameron Vuong made a successful pro debut with a fourth-round stoppage over Engel Gomez in a six-round lightweight bout.

In round four, Vuong dropped Gomez with a right to the body and the fight was stopped at 1:19.

Vuong, 137.4 lbs of Bluth, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Gomez, 138.1 lbs of Chinandega, NIC is 8-19-1/

Koby McNamara remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Francisco Rodriguez in a bantamweight fight.

In the final round, McNamara dropped Rodriguez with a right hook.

McNamara, 117.8 lbs of Leeds, ENG won by a score of 60-53 and is mow 6-0. Rodriguez, 118.8 lbs of Alfacar. SPA is 1-18.

Kieron Conway won an eight round decision over Jorge Silva in a super middleweight contest.

Conway, 168 lbs of Northampton, Eng won by an 80-72 score. Silva, 167 lbs of Matosinhos, POR is 21-8.

Sam Maxwell won a six-round decision over Shaun Cooper in a super lightweight fight.

Maxwell, 144 lbs of Liverpool, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 17-1. Cooper, 143 lbs of Millenhall, ENG is 13-5.

LAS VEGAS — Only the argument continues.

A third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena was supposed to settle it, once and for all. The third fight was way past its due date. Still, fans screamed for an answer. History begged for something definitive.

That didn’t happen.

Instead, it was more of the same. Twelve more rounds of no knockdowns. Twelve more rounds and three more scorecards. There have been 36 rounds in all. There was a controversial draw in the first one. There was a controversial majority decision won by Canelo in the second one.

In the third, not much changed. The scorecard margins were bigger. Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) won again, this time by two points on two cards (Steve Weisfeld and David Sutherland) and by four on the third (Dave Moretti).

The decision was unanimous for the first time. Yet, the margins were still close enough to argue some more. But that argument figures to out-live the rivalry. Time is putting an end to it. Don’t expect a fourth fight. For the record, Canelo had the edge, winning two-thirds of the trilogy

If there was any momentum in the rivalry, Canelo had it. At 32, however, he had time on his side.

At 40, GGG did not. For him, retirement is near. He had his moments in the third fight, especially in the later rounds. He backed up Canelo with solid jabs in the ninth and again in the 10th. But even that was almost predictable.

Canelo, the aggressor in the opening rounds, started to show some fatigue midway through the bout. His feet quit moving. GGG knew that would happen. The crowd expected it. It had already seen Canelo tire, especially in his loss by decision to light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol last May.

A subtle, yet significant, difference this time was that Canelo responded, fought back his fatigue, with a burst of energy and a couple of head-rocking combinations.

This time, he prevailed exactly at the same time he failed in May.

“The loss was good for me,’’ said Canelo, still the undisputed super-middleweight champion. “It made me humble. “I’m going to move forward. I’m going to get back at work on my legacy.’’

It was evident that the move forward will not include GGG (42-2-1, 37 KOs). After years of angry exchanges and insults, the two hugged after the scorecards were announced Saturday. It was as if they were saying goodbye.

“Thank you so much, I said to him,’’ said Canelo, who collected the lion’s share of a $65-million total purse.

When asked if there was finally peace between Golovkin and Canelo, GGG said: “Yes, 100-percent.’’

GGG, still the middleweight champion, also seemed ready to move on. There’s been talk of a retirement fight in Kazakhstan, his home country. There’s also a likely place in the Hall of Fame.

“I have a great plan,’’ GGG said. “I have a lot of appointments. Congrats today Canelo, congrats fans. Remember, I’m still champion at 160. I come back guys, I’m still champion. I want to shake hands with Canelo. If you don’t understand, you don’t understand anything.”

He shook hands. He also gained some hard-earned appreciation from a crowd that sounded hostile before the bout and throughout the early rounds

The chants started early. Ca-nel-o, Ca-nel-o. Me-he-co, Me-he-co. One sounded like the other. A man and his country, in sync in song and purpose.

Canelo started early, too, energized by a roaring crowd seemingly attached to him like the green, white and red on the Mexican flag

The opening bell sounded not long after some in the crowd booed the Kazakhstan anthem. Golovkin had to hear it. The echoes shook the building. But it was impossible to detect if they had any impact on GGG, a somewhat enigmatic edifice throughout his long career at the top of the middleweight division.

He made his ring walk through hostility, looking very much like prey headed to slaughter. But he endured Canelo’s early assaults and countered with some of his own late.

In the end, he survived and kept himself in an argument without an answer.

Or a clear-cut winner.

Jesse Rodriguez struggles, yet wins unanimous decision

Jesse Rodriguez promised super-stardom. The promise is still there. But for one night it went unfulfilled.

Nothing super about Rodriguez Saturday night.

He struggled throughout  a dull performance in a 115-pound title defense against Israel Gonzalez in the last fight before Canelo Alvarez-Gennediy Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena.

Put it this way: The super-fly champion was a super disappointment. Rodriguez survived, winning a unanimous decision over Israel Gonzalez by some questionable scores. It was 118-100 on one card. It was 117-110 on another. Only a 114-113 card appeared to be accurate.

Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KOs), a likable little guy from San Antonio and a leading contender Fighter of the Year, never had any of the stuff indicated by his nickname.There was no Bam. 

For a while, there was more bum than bam. 

Rodriguez was warned for one blow. He then was penalized one point for one that put Gonzalez on his hands and knees. In the eleventh, Rodriguez put Gonzalez (28-5-1, 11 KOs), of Mexico, down again. Video showed it was another low. But referee Kenny Bayless didn’t see it on a night when a couple of judges didn’t see much either.

Ali Akhmedov scores shutout decision over Rosado

Ali Akhmedov had it all.  There was precision. There was power. Put them together, and the result was a shutout.

Akhmedov (19-1, 14 KOs), Gennadiy Golovkin’s fellow Kazak, had all the points, too, winning every round in a one-sided decision over Gabe Rosado (26-16-1, 15 KOs) in the second fight on the DAZN pay-per-view card featuring Canelo-GGG 3. Rosado’s counter was only his toughness. It allowed the Philadelphia fighter to go the distance, 10 rounds. But there was nothing on his side of the judges’ cards.  

Austin Williams wins unanimous decision

Houston middleweight Austin Williams calls himself Ammo. He had just enough of it to score a unanimous decision over Kieron Conway to open the DAZ pay-per-view card featuring the third Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin fight Saturday night.

Williams (12-0, 10 KOs) scored a quick knockdown in the ninth round. It put him in control of an otherwise dull bout. Conway (10-3-1, 4 KOs), of the UK, didn’t have enough power to hurt Williams.He also lacked the kind of power he needed to keep Williams off of him.

Diego Pacheco scored fifth-round TKO

Call it the boom before the pay-per-view.

Los Angeles super-middleweight Diego Pacheco (16-0, 13 KOs) closed the non-televised portion of the Canelo-GGG3  show with the kind of finish that begged for an encore. 

Canelo promised a knockout. 

Pacheco delivered one.

He dropped Puerto Rican Enrigue Collazo (16-3-1, 11 KOs) onto the canvas in a knockdown that echoed throughout a mostly-empty T-Mobile Arena.  Seconds later at 2:29 of the fifth round, it was over, a fight stopped after it was evident that Collazo  had been left dazed and defenseless.. 

Lightweight Marc Castro scores scary KO

It was beautiful. Scary, too

Fresno lightweight Marc Castro (8-0, 6 KOs) delivered it — a right-uppercut — precisely and powerfully, knocking Kevin Montiel Mendoza (6-2-2, 3 KOs) flat on his back in dramatic a fifth-round KO in the third fight on the non-televised portion of the Canelo Alvarez-Gennadiy Golvkin 3 card.

Mendoza remained motionless for several long moments as the ringside physician and his cornermen stood over him. Finally, he was helped to his feet and on to a stool, where he sat, also for several long moments. Then, Castro walked across the ring to make sure he was KO. That’s when Mendoza climbed to his feet and congratulated his powerful foe, a stoppage winner at 1:40 of the fifth.

Aaron Aponte and Fernando Molina battled to an eight-round split draw in a super lightweight contest.

In round two, Aponte dropped Molina with a left hook to the head. In round four, it was a combination that was finished off by a right to the head that put Molina on the deck.

Aponte is now 6-0-1. Molina is 8-0-1

Anthony Herrera won a five-round technical unanimous decision over Delvin Mckinney in a six-round super flyweight bout.

McKinney was cut and could not continue. Herrera won by scores of 50-45 on all cards.

Herrera is 3-0-1. McKinney is 4-4-1.

Austin Williams has got his career back on track and targeting the big guns at Middleweight – but first, must see off Kieron Conway as he looks to claim back-to-back vacant titles on the undercard of the epic trilogy clash between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night (September 17).
 
The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan). 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA AXS.COM
Williams (11-0 9 KOs) picked up his first title in his last outing in April, blasting Chordale Booker away inside the opening round to pick up the WBA Continental Americas title at Madison Square Garden in New York.

‘Ammo’ now meets Conway for the WBA International title and should improve on his #6 rating with the WBA if he can see off the Briton who appears on his second Canelo Alvarez undercard.

Victory for Williams would be the latest step in a positive return to the ring for the Houston talent after he took time out from the sport in April 2021 to concentrate on his mental health. The 26 year old has made some changes to his training team ahead of, but believes he’s in a great frame of mind in and out of the ring and will seize the chance to impress on a huge platform.

“It is my honor and a dream come true to open up the Canelo vs. GGG III Pay-Per-View telecast,” said Williams. “I will deliver an unforgettable experience and capture my second consecutive title in the most sophisticated way imaginable.

“I fought on a Canelo card before and I got a brilliant reaction to my performance that night, so Eddie Hearn knows that the more energy that is in the place, the more I can use it and give it back to the fans.

“Eddie signed me as a young kid, I was just 22, and they introduced me to the world. Everyone has seen my maturation into a man, and the team understand that you sign kids, and you are watching them grow. You learn every day and you learn what you go through and become a man from it.

“I decided to make a change and go back to my regular team. I learned so much from Kevin Cunningham, it was a great place for me to be at the time with the struggles I went through with my mental health, to be with someone that is very structured.

“Kevin was in the military and a police officer; he’s lived in harsh environments and was the right man to polish me up and taught me a lot about the business. He saw I had the boxing ability and talent, he took another route and taught me the game, how much of boxing is in the mind, because he’s been there, and I was receptive to listening to it.

“I’ve had to prove my loyalty back to me team and show that I wanted to keep my ball rolling at a great pace. I was given the chance to go to south Florida and I always said the best thing for me is a great environment to keep me right in mind, body, and soul. So that was a real blessing, and he came into my life at the right time, and it was a mutual understanding to part ways. 

“We all have stuff going on. The brain is so complex you don’t really take time to sit with it and understand it. Boxing is the loneliest sport in the world so we’re dealing with something that’s so high level, putting your life on the line for a living. You are out there to be judged in front of a crowd, your heart on your sleeve and showing your art to the world, and your physical health is attached to that. 

“If you don’t learn how to manage that it’s so easy to fall into depression and things like that, so I love when athletes, especially boxers, open up and talk about it because acceptance is the first step to heal anything. People can think pushing things to one side and acting like nothing is wrong is the way to go, but it’s not at all and it pushes you to breaking point. 

“It can be liberating, that’s how I feel now, because everybody knows me, to say ‘I’m not perfect’. I’m myself, I trust myself. I know what I need to do next, and I feel the confidence and courage to follow your dreams and be the author of your own book is the scariest thing to do, but the most fulfilling.”

Williams’ clash with Conway is part of a huge night of action in Vegas, topped by the epic trilogy battle between Canelo and Golovkin.

The co-main fight stars Super-Flyweight sensation Jesse Rodriguez defending his WBC World title against Israel Gonzalez, there’s fireworks promised as Ali Akhmedov and Gabriel Rosado will clash for the IBF North American Super-Middleweight title and Diego Pacheco fights for his first belt as he meets EnriqueCollazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title. 

Three more young talents complete the stacked card, as Marc Castro appears on his fifth Canelo undercard against Kevin Montiel Mendoza, Aaron Aponte mixes it up against Canelo Promotions’ unbeaten prospect Fernando Molina also over eight and Anthony Herrera gets the chance to bounce back to winning ways on the biggest stage as he takes on Delvin McKinley.

All that action leads into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

Dalton Smith stopped Sam O’Maison in round six of their 12-round junior welterweight bout in Sheffield, England.

In round three, Smith dropped O’Maison with a quick right hand. In round five, O’Maison was bleeding on his forehead,

In round six, It was a left that was followed by a right Smith ended things with another booming right that put O’Maison down for a third and final time and the fight was stopped at 2:52.

Smith, 139.2 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. O’Maison, 139.1 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 17-4-1.

Ryan Avenges Defeat; Decisions Farias

Sandy Ryan avenged her lone professional blemish by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Erica Farias in a super lightweight bout.

Ryan, 139.25 lbs of Derby, ENG won by scores of 98-92 and 96-94 twice and is now 4-1. Farias, 138.5 lbs of Escobar, ARG is 27-6

Fisher Takes Out Reissinger in 2

Fan-favorite Johnny Fisher remained undefeated with a second round stoppage over Michal Reissinger in round two of a scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Fisher landed a booming right that put Reissinger down and the fight was stopped at 39 seconds.

Fisher, 241.4 lbs of Romford, ENG is 6-0 with five knockouts. Reissinger, 249.5 lbs of Kozomin, CZE is 3-2.

Jordan Thompson Hangs on to Decision Ducar

Jordan Thompson barely remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Vasil Ducar in a cruiserweight bout.

In round 10, Ducar landed a right and left that was followed by two more right hands to send Thompson to the deck. Thompson was able to get to his feet and beat the bell count and final bell.

Thompson, 198.1 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93 twice and is now 14-0. Ducar, 197.4 lbs of Brno, CZE is now 11-6-1.

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with an six-round decision over Michal Dufek in a lightweight fight.

Hatton, 137.4 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 8-0.  Dufek, 136.1 lbs of Prague, CZE is 34-24-2.

Hopey Price remained undefeated with an eight-round decision over Alexander Mejia in a featherweight fight.

Price, 125.25 lbs of Leeds, ENG won by a 80-72 score and is now 8-0. Mejia, 124.25 lbs of Managua, NIC is 18-4.

Aqib Fiaz won a six-round decision over Jordan Ellison in a lightweight bout.

Fiaz, 137.2 lbs of Oldham, ENG won by a 59-55 score and is now 9-0.

Nico Leivars and Angel Gabriel Chavez fought to a no-contest after Chavez could not continue due to a cut over his left eye in the second round of their six-round bantamweight fight.

In round two, Chavez was cut over his left eye from a headbutt.

Leivars, 123.1 lbs of Mansfield, ENG is 2-0. Chavez, 121.25 lbs of Barcelona, SPA is 3-3.

Junaid Bostan stopped Jose Manuel Lopez Clavero in the sixth and final round of their super welterweight contest.

In round six, Bostan dropped a bloodies Clavero with a straight left on the ropes and the bout was stopped at 1:33.

Bostan, 155.4 lbs Rotherham, ENG is now 2-0 with two knockouts. Clavero, 155.2 lbs of Granada, SPA is 16-18-1.

Kieron Conway tuned up for a Las Vegas showdown with Austin Williams with a fifth round stoppage over Gregory Trenol un a scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

Conway dominated the action and landed a hard flurry of punches that forced a referee stoppage at 2:22 of round five.

Conway, 167.4 lbs of Northampton, ENG is now 18-2-1 with four knockouts. Tremol, 166.6 lbs of Dainville, FRA is 16-9-2.

Conway and Williams will meet on September 17th as part of the Canelo Alvarez – Gennadiy Golovkin 3 undercard.

Former world title challenger Liam Smith stopped crosstown rival Anthony Fowler in round eight of their scheduled 12-round super welterweight contest in Liverpool, England.

In round one, Smith was cut around the left eye. In round four, Fower started to bleed from around his left eye, In round five, Smith dropped Fowler with a hard right to the head.

In round eight, Smith ended things with a powerful left hook that sent Fowler down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:04.

Smith, 154 lbs of Liverpool is 30-3-1 with 17 knockouts. Fowler, 153.1 lbs of Liverpool is 15-2.

Williamson Stops Cheeseman in 10

Troy Williamson stopped Ted Cheeseman in round 10 of a scheduled 12-round junior middleweight fight.

It was a back and forth brawl that saw Williams drop Cheeseman in the 10th frame with a vicious left hook to the jaw, and the bout was stopped at

Williamson, 153.1 lbs of Darlington, ENG is 17-0-1 with 13 knockouts. Cheesman, 153 lbs of Bermondsey, ENG is 17-3-1.

McGrail Wins Pro Debut with Decision over Harrison

Peter McGrail made a successful pro debut with a six-round decision over Ed Harrison in a super bantamweight fight.

McgRail, 127.1 lbs of Liverpool won by a 60-54 score and is now 1-0. Harrison, 128.5 lbs of Blackpool, ENG is 2-9.

Mitchell wins WBA Bantamweight Title with Unanimous Decision over Courtenay

Jamie Mitchell wrestled the WBA Bantamweight title with a 10-round majority decision over Shannon Courtenay

Mitchell, 117.5 lbs of California, won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 and now is a world champion with a record of 7-0-2. Courtenay, who lost her title before the fight was she weighed in at 120.5 lbs is now 7-2.

Conway Decisions Metcalf

Kieron Conway won a 10-round unanimous decision over James Metcalf in a super welterweight bout.

Conway, 156.1 lbs ogf Northampton, ENG won by scores of 96-94 and 96-95 twice and is now 17-2-1. Metcalf, 156 1/2 lbs of Liverpool is 21-2.

Luke Wills remained undefeatd with a 10-round majotity decision over Rylan Charlton in a lightweight fight.

Wills, 134.6 lbs of Liverpool won by scores of 95-94 twice and 95-95 and is now 11-0. Charlton, 134.6 lbs of Norwich, ENG is 6-2-1.

Solomon Dacres remained undefeated with an eight-round decision over Kamil Sokoloweski in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres, 227.6 lbs of Brirmingham, ENG win by a 78-74 score and is now 3-0. Sokolowski, 239.6 lbs of Poland is 10-23-2.

Robbie Davies Jr. stopped Jonny Phillips in round four of their scheduled six-round super lightweight fiht.

The time of the stoppage was 2:28 of round four for Davies, 143 1/2 lbs of Liverpool, who ups his record to 21-3 with 14 knockouts. Phillips, 140 lbs of Sandhurst, ENG is 5-8.

Blane Hyland won a four-round decision over Santiago San Euseebio in a super flyeright contest.

Hyland, 117 lbs of Liverpool won by a 39-37 score and is now 5-1. Eusebio, 118 1/2 lbs of Lyon, FRA is 3-2-2.

Kieron Conway says he will be too big and too strong for James Metcalf when they clash in a must-win Super-Welterweight showdown this Saturday October 9 at the sold-out M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, live worldwide on DAZN.

Both men will be hoping to return to winning ways after suffering losses in their last fights – Conway at the hands of Frenchman Souleymane Cissokho on the huge Canelo vs. Saunders card in Texas and Metcalf at the hands of Ted Cheeseman in a brilliant British Title clash in Gibraltar. 

‘Too Class’ (16-2-1, 3 KOs), who fought to a draw with Cheeseman when they met at Bethnal Green’s York Hall back in June 2019, wasn’t overawed when he stepped out to box in front of 70,000 fans at the AT&T Stadium and is relishing facing Liverpudlian Metcalf on away territory. 

“He likes to move his feet in and out and side to side,” said Conway. “He’ll try to make it hard for me. Those things aren’t going to matter. We’ve all been hit hard, and I’ve been hit harder than James Metcalf can hit. I’m going to be ready for anything that he throws at me.

“I’m a big guy for the weight and he’s a small guy. He should be a weight below. Physical attributes are going to play a big part in this fight from the get-go. My boxing skills, knowledge and experience is going to come in to play as the fight goes on. 

“I can see a stoppage happening around midway. I’m going to hit him a lot of times. I see me taking centre of the ring and him trying to push me back. I’ll do whatever I’ve got to do, not necessarily pushing him back, but I’ll take the centre of the ring and I’ll keep it. 

“He’ll try and rough up, make it a mess, swing and try to knock me out. At the end of the day, his only chance is to knock me out. JJ’s fight with Ted Cheeseman was an outstanding fight, but you don’t need to be in those fights, especially when you’re getting on a bit in your career. 

“I’m not sure who has more pressure on their shoulders. I do know that there’s pressure on me to win this fight. It’s not affecting me, because what will be will be. What will be is a Kieron Conway win. British level isn’t all that Conway will be, and I’m ready to prove that now.”

Conway vs. Metcalf is part of a stacked night of action in Liverpool, former WBO Super-Welterweight Word Champion Liam Smith (29-3-1, 16 KOs) meets 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Rio 2016 Olympian Anthony Fowler (15-1, 12 KOs) in a massive all-Liverpool clash for local bragging rights, Ted Cheeseman (17-2-1, 10 KOs) puts his British Super-Welterweight Title on the line against Troy Williamson (16-0-1, 12 KOs) following his brilliant stoppage win over James Metcalf in Gibraltar, WBA Bantamweight World Champion Shannon Courtenay (7-1, 3 KOs) defends her crown for the first time against the USA’s Jamie Mitchell (6-0-2, 4 KOs), decorated amateur star Peter McGrail makes his highly anticipated professional debut, Tony Bellew-managed Lightweight Luke Willis (10-0, 1 KO) clashes with Norwich’s Rylan Charlton (6-1-1, 3 KOs), two-time World Title challenger Natasha Jonas (9-2-1, 7 KOs) returns after her thrilling fight with Katie Taylor in May, Birmingham Heavyweight hope Solomon Dacres (2-0, 1 KO) steps up against the experienced Kamil Sokolowski (10-22-2, 4 KOs) in just his third fight, Wigan Lightweight Rhiannon Dixon (3-0) takes on Anaelle Angerville (1-1-1) over four rounds and Blane Hyland (4-1) meets Santiago San Eusebio (3-1-2, 2 KOs) in a four round Super-Flyweight contest. 

Canelo Alvarez looked befuddled at times, but he turned it on in round eight, and stopped Billy Joe Saunders after that frame to retain the WBA/WBC and win the WBO Super Middleweight title from Billy Joe Saunders in front of an American indoor record of 73, 126 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Alvarez came out landing thudding power shots against the slick jabbing Saunders. Saunders found a rhythm in the middle frames as he was able to get his jab and uppercuts working he began to give the Mexican icon problems.

With the fight seemingly close, Alvarez stepped on the gas in round eight, as he got back to landing hard punches, which included a uppercut that caused the right eye to close. After the round, Saunders was distressed by the eye and his corner pulled the plug on the fight.

Alvarez, 167.4 lbs of Guasalajara, Mexico now owns three of the four recognized titles and will to become undisputed with a proposed Fall showdown with Caleb Plant. Alvarez is now 56-1-2 with 38 knockouts. Saunders, 167.8 lbs of Hatfield, UK is 30-1.

Soto stops Takayama; Retains Light Flyweight title

Elwin Soto made the third defense of the WBO Light Flyweight title with a controversial ninth-round stoppage of former world champion Katsunari Takayama.

Soto dominated by landing the harder punches; Takayama kept himself in the bout by landing some nice flurries throughout.

In round nine, Soto was landing some good power shots, but Takayama was throwing back, but for some reason, referee Laurence Cole stepped in and stopped the bout with both guys in mid-flurry at 2:44.

Soto, 107.8 lbs of Baja California, MEX is 19-1 with 13 knockouts. Takayama, 107.6 lbs of Osake, JAP is 32-9.

Cissokho survives knockdown; Decisions Conway

Souleymane Cissokho won a 10-round split decision over Kieron Conway in a super welterweight fight.

In round four, Conway began leaking blood from his nose.

In round nine, Conway dropped Cissokho with hard uppercut to the face.

Cissokho landed 115 of 539 punches; Conway was 84 of 403.

Cissokho won by scores of 96-93 and 95-94 while Conway somehow got a card 97-92.

Cissokho, 153.6 lbs of Bagnolet, FRA is now 13-0. Conway, 154 lbs of Northampton, UK is 16-2.

Sanchez wins Technical Decision over Aguilera

Frank Sanchez remained undefeated with a technical unanimous decision over Nagy Aguilera when Aguilera could not continue after getting hit behind the head in the 6th round of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

Sanchez dominated the fight, and in round six, Sanchez landed a shot that scraped the back of Aguilera’s head that sent him down. He could not continue and the fight went to the judges scorecards, which all read 60-54 in favor of Sanchez.

Sanchez landed 81 of 240 punches; Aguilera was 32 of 181.

Sanchez, 237 lbs of Guantanamo, CUB is 18-0. Aguilera, 238.2 lbs of Houston, TX is 21-11.

Marc Castro remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Irving Castillo in a lightweight bout.

In round one, Castillo began to bleed from the nose. In round four, Castro dropped Castillo, and the fight was stopped at 2:04.

Castro, 132 1/4 lbs is 3-0 with three knockouts. Castillo is 9-2.

Keyshawn Davis remained perfect with a six-round unanimous decision over Jose Antonio Meza in a junior welterweight bout.

Davis, 138 lbs of Norfolk, VA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 3-0. Meza, 138 lbs of Gomez Palico, MEX is 6-5.

Christian Gomez Duran stopped Xavier Wilson in round two of their scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Duran dropped Wilson with a hard over rand fight and the fight was stopped.

Duran, 147 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 20-2-1 with 18 knockouts. Wilson, 147.8 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 11-3-1.

Kelvin Davis survived a last minute knockdown, but still hung on to win a four-round unanimous decision over Jan Marsalek in a welterweight bout.

Davis was breezing along until he ate a overhand right that sent him to the canvas. Davis was hurt, but time ran out for Marsalek.

Davis, 143.8 lbs of Norfolk, VA won by scores of 38-37 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Marsalek, 144.4 lbs of Czech Reoublic is 8-3.

Kieron Conway says fighting in front of 70,000 fans in Dallas will be ‘surreal’ but he’s ready to turn on the style against Souleymane Cissokho on the undercard of the unification blockbuster between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders at AT&T Stadium on Saturday May 8, live worldwide on DAZN and on TV Azteca in Mexico. 

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Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) fights on the biggest stage of his career just under two years since the Northampton man boxed in front of a tiny crowd in his hometown over four rounds. Since that night, the 24 year old has gone to a whole new level; a war with Ted Cheeseman for the British Super-Welterweight title in London in June 2019 ending in a split draw but also a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.

‘Too Class’ has won four fights since that barnburner with ‘The Big Cheese’, with wins over Nav Mansouri at the Matchroom Fight Camp in Essex, UK in August and a shut-out over Macaulay Magowan in London in December standing out in that run.

Magowan stepped in to replace Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs) on the Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev undercard after administrative reasons forced the Frenchman out of the bout on the bill of his manager Joshua, but that frustration for Conway has been replaced by excitement now that he gets to defend the WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title on the biggest platform possible.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me, coming off the AJ card last time out, that was a big stage and now this has come up,” said Conway. “It feels a bit surreal but I’m really looking forward to it and it’s a big stage and a good fight.

“I came up the hard way in the small hall shows where sometimes you are not even getting paid, so to be where I am at now it mad and I need to keep winning, keep entertaining and keep performing so people keep wanting to watch me.

“When I boxed at the Deco Theater in Northampton in front of about 1,000 people not being paid, I told people that I would be boxing on the biggest stages one day and in the space of about two years, i am. AJ cards, Canelo card in front of 70,000 in America – that’s unreal.

“I can’t wait to be in there with such a massive crowd, reacting to your punches and cheering, it makes it feel less like a sparring session. It’s back to big things, this is the biggest stage I’ve ever been on, I’ve got a good spot on the show so there will be a big crowd already in the stadium, so I can’t wait.”

Conway and Cissokho clash on a huge night in the Lone Star State, topped by the unification showdown between Alvarez and Saunders.

There’s more World title action on the card as Hearn’s latest Mexican World ruler added to the roster, Elwin Soto (18-1 12 KOs) fights under the Matchroom banner for the first time, defending his WBO World Light-Flyweight title against Katsunari Takayama (32-8 12 KOs).

Eddy Reynoso trained Cuban Heavyweight Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) meets Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs), Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) fights on his third Canelo undercard, Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) faces Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds and it’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks, with Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) celebrating Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

Anthony Joshua retained the IBF/WBA?WBC Heavyweight titles with an emphatic 9th round knockout over mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in front of 1,000 fans at the SSE Arena Webley in London, England.

After two rounds of boxing from distance, Joshua landed a huge right in round three that hurt Pulev. Joshua jumped on Pulev and landed a couple of bug uppercuts that sent Pulev into the corner. Pulev turned his back and the referee ruled a knockdown. Joshua seeked the knockout and landed a huge uppercut that sent Pulev down for a 2nd time.

Joshua continued to beat Pulev down, and in round nine, Joshua landed a huge uppercut down for a 3rd time. Joshua finished things up seconds later, and he landed a laser right hand to the end that sent Pulev down for the count of 10 at 2:58.

Joshua, 241 lbs of Walford, ENG is now 24-1 with 22 knockouts. Pulev, 239 lbs of Sofia, BUL is 28-2.

Joshua told Sky Sports afterwards: “I started this game in 2013. I’ve been chasing all the belts. I’ve been dealing with mandatories.

“Of course I want the challenge. It’s not about the opponent, it’s about the legacy and the belt. Whoever has got the belt, I would love to compete with them. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. It’s no big deal.

“It’s one fight at a time, picking them off one by one. That’s all it’s about for me. I’ve got to stay focused.”

Okolie destroys Jezewski in 2

Lawrence Okolie destroyed Nikodem Jezewski in round two of their scheduled 10-round cruiserweight bout.

Okolie dropped Jezewski twice in the opening round, first with a body shot and then a with a right hand as Jezewski was wobbling all over the ring.

Okolie ended things in the next round as he sent Jezewski down again and the fight was stopped at 1:45.

Okolie, 200 lbs of Hackney, ENG is 15-0 with 12 knockouts. Jezewski, 200 lbs of Poland is 19-1.

Speaking to Matchroom afterwards Okolie said: “I’m really happy. I was in the back room thinking I’m really calm and chilled. I just went out there to try and execute what I do every day in the gym. I really came out of the cage. I’m happy to get the win. I’ll have to watch it back, but from the reaction ringside, it seems like it was good. It’s what we’ve been working on. I do it every day in training. It’s about taking it from training to the fight. If I’m able to do what I’m doing in training in my next fight, I’ll be a World Champion. I’m excited. 

“He was undefeated and he was in shape preparing to fight. It was a risk, he had the world at this feet. It felt like a normal show, even with everyone spread out. It felt good. I’m really excited to watch it all back. That’s five stoppages on the trot. I’m feeling good and I want to keep the KO run going. It was good to shake out and make the weight. I had a good training camp and we’ll just build off that for the next one.”

Fury Decisions Wach

In a battle of former world title challengers, Hughie Fury won a 10-round unanimous decision over Mariusz Wach in a heavyweight bour.

In round four, Fury was cut over his right eye from a clash of heads.

Fury was able to dominate the 2nd half of the fight with jabs and body shots, and won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Fury, 247.5 lbs of Manchester, ENG is 25-3. Wach, 274.6 lbs of Krakow, POL is 36-7.

“Everything is moving in the right direction,” Fury told Matchroom afterwards. “I did rush my work a little bit. I was hurting Wach with the right hand. I was getting to him. As I threw the right hand in the fourth there was a clash of the heads as he came in. I couldn’t see out of the eye at all. I went back into the corner and my dad told me to get back to my boxing. Wach is a tough man. We just relaxed and flowed back into it, and picked him off. 

“I don’t have any doubt in Kerry Kayes. He’s a guardian angel. As soon as I got back to my corner he got to work. He deserves all of the credit in the world. I’ve been in with everyone, and to be honest with you, I was like a boy against men. Now I’m a man people can see a big difference, and I’m coming. This is just the start. People will see a lot more to come from me.”

Bakole Decisions Kuzmin

Martin Bakole won a 10-round unanimous decision over Sergey Kuzmin in a heavyweight bout.

Bakole, 251.6 lbs of Kananga, CON won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 and is now 16-1. Kuzmin, 258.7 lbs of Saint Petersburg, RUS is 15-2.

“I want to thank god for this big victory,” Bakole told Matchroom. “To be honest, I’m not happy. I didn’t work the way I was supposed to work. I did three weeks in the gym. We kept that a secret. I was not 100% fit. I won the belt and I’m now WBC International Champion. It was a tough fight. if you look at round 2, I was close to knocking him. He survived because he’s a big guy. I needed to win this belt for my baby. I’m ready now. I’m in the top 10. I’m ready to face anybody. I’m going to see my family and then come back quickly to get in the gym to prepare for next year. 

“I want anyone. I’m ready to face anyone. I’m not in this business to play around. I’m in this business to win and I have a belt now. I told Michael Hunter to watch this fight. My next one is going to be him! Michael Hunter, look at my eyes; let’s do it again. This time I will beat him, believe me. I made a mistake, and now I’ve fixed my mistakes. I’m improving, and he can see that himself. Anthony Joshua is going to beat Kubrat Pulev, believe me!”

Conway Decisions McGowan

Kieron Conway won a 10-round unanimous decision over Macaulay McGowan in a super welterweight contest.

In round eight, Conway dropped McGowan with a left hook to the jaw.

Conway, 160 lbs of Northampton, ENG won by scores of 100-90, 100-89 twice and is now 16-1-1. McGowan, 158.7 lbs of Longton, ENG is 14-2-1.

“I’m content with the performance to be fair,” Conway told Matchroom afterwards. “I just did what I had to do. He was tough as anything. I hit him with everything that I possibly could have. I thank him a lot for stepping in at such short notice. He gave it everything and made it a good fight. As soon as these sharp, accurate and hard punches land, people go on the defensive. It make it a hell of a hard night for them. They just don’t want to keep taking them all night. I was really frustrated about the Cissokho fight, but I’m happy I still got to fight in the end on such a big stage. Job done now and we move on.

“I’m very grateful to get out twice this year. I feel like I’m one of the privileged ones. Especially this kind of opportunity on the big stage. Hopefully there was a good bit of exposure there for me. It was actually quite refreshing having people there shouting. It was nice to have them back. I’m very confident. People underestimate me. As soon as they take one or two stiff shots they just want to make it a hard night and survive. Hopefully I get the winner of Ted Cheeseman vs. James Metcalf. We’re all shouting for that though. I guess we’ll all have to wait our turn. I’m coming, and I’m not going anywhere. I want anyone who wants it. I’m not ducking or avoiding anyone.”

Marku and Stewart to very controversial draw

In a battle of undefeated welterweights Florian Marku and Jamie Stewart fought to a very controversial draw

Marku dropped Stewart with a left to the body, and dominated the fight yet somehow referee Marcus McDonnell ruled the fight 76-76.

Marku, 147 lbs of Lushnje, ALB is now 7-0-1. Stewart, 146 lbs of Longton, ENG is 2-0-1.

A disappointed Marku told Matchroom: “This is my life. They give a draw on my record. I didn’t deserve it. I was beating this guy every round. Congratulations to him, he accepted the fight on four days’ notice. He had a tough head. This wasn’t a draw. I put him down in the second or third round. I was outboxing him. He was running sometimes and he was making the jab. What else did he do? He punched me in my guard, nothing else.

“He can take many punches. He is a tough opponent. This is a shame, a shame for the referee that gave me this draw. I don’t know what I can say. It’s a shame for the sport. They are trying to ruin my career. I feel so disappointed with this decision. The referee doesn’t like me. That is the only justification for this. Maybe because I am from Albania and my opponent was from England? This is my life. He couldn’t handle the pressure and he took many shots to the head. This wasn’t my best performance. I wasn’t as powerful as usual but I was beating him.”

Follow all the action as Anthony Joshua defends the IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight Titles against Mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.  The action begins at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT /6 PM in England  and 8 PM in Bulgaria.  Undercard fights will feature Lawrence Okolie, Hughie Fury and Martin Bakole

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Round 1: Jab from Joshua…

Round 2 Jab from Joshua…Combination…Long Jab…

Round 3 Long right from Joshua…Joshua boxing from Distance..Huge counter right from Joshua, Hurts Pulev..2 big uppercuts…PULEV TURNS HIS BACK AND RULED A KNOCKDOWN….Right and left from Joshua…UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES PULEV..Uppercut on the inside

Round 4  Sharp jab and right hand from Joshua…Pulev lands a jab and right hand

Round 5 Jab and hard right from Joshua…Right from Pulev..

Round 6 Good jab from Pulev..2 jabs from Joshua..Good jab from Joshua..

Round 7 3 Uppercuts in a row from Joshua..Uppercut from Pulev…Joshua Jabbing to the body..Nice right from Pulev

Round 8 Good right from Pulev

Round 9 Stiff jab from Joshua…4 uppercuts land..2 big uppercuts AN DOWN GOES PULEV…Pulev wobbling…HUGE RIGHT AND DOWN GOES PULEV…PULEV DOES NOT BEAT THE COUNT…FIGHT OVER

Round 1 RIGHT TO THE BODY AND DOWN GOES JEZEWSKI…JEZEWSKI IS WOBBLING AND GOES DOWN AGAIN

Round 2  Left hook from Jezewski…BODY SHOT AND DOWN GEZ JEZEWSKI…FIGHT STOPPED

Round 1: Body shot from Wach..Fury lands a right..Jab and right..Right…body combination from Fury
Round 2 Right from Fury…Good uppercut from Wach…Fury pressuring Wach…Good right from Wach
Round 3 Right from Fury
Round 4 Big right from Fury..Right..Fury cut over his right eye (clash of heads)
Round 5 Wach lands a hook and right…Left from Fury…Right at the bell from Wach
Round 6 Ringside doctor looks at the cut…Good right from Fury…
Round 7 Jab from Fury…
Round 8 2 Jabs from Fury..Right
Round 9 Body shot from Fury…Nice Jab
Round 10 Good right from Fury…Jab..Clubbing Right

100-90 twice and 99-91 for FURY

Round 1 Good right from Bakole..Jab…Body and head shots…2 jabs from Juzmin..right
Round 2 Good hard right from Kuzmin..Good uppercut…Good uppercut from Bakole…Right and exchanging of good hook…Good right from Bakole..Uppercut..Right from Kuzmin..Jab snaps Bakole’s head back..Right from Kuzmin
Round 3 Long jab from Bakole to body and head..Double jab…
Round 4 1-2 from Kuzmin…
Round 5 Hard hook from Kuzmin…Combinatiom…Good right and another..Hook to the head…Combunation and jab from Bakole
Round 6 Jab from Bakole..Hook from Kuzmin
Round 7 Good jab from Bakole…Body shot
Round 8 Kuzmin lands a hook…Good uppercut…Body shot from Bakole..Good work on the inside from Bakole
Round 9 Good hook from Kuzmin
Round 10  Nice snapping right hand from Kuzmin…Combination…

98-92, 97-93, 96-94 BAKOLE

Round 1: Right from Conway
Round 2 Conway landing a jab…Good right..Jab..
Round 3 Sharp jab from Conway…Sharp right…Hook to the body
Round 4 1-2 From Cinway..Uppercut..Good body work from McGowan..Right from Conwat,,Hard right
Round 5 Good work from Conway…Right to the head..3 punch combination..Good body shots from McGowan,..Hard jab from Conway
Round 6 Jab from Conway..Good combination..Body shot from McGowan..Counter right from Conway…
Round 7 Hook and jab from Conway
Round 8 LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES MCGOWAN..Conway landing body shots…Snapping right hand..Body shot..Right to body and head..Nice Combination
Round 9 Good uppercut from Conway…Jab..McGowan face is bleeding..Hook from McGowan..jab and right hand from Conway..Body and head combination McGowan
Round 10 Double uppercut from Conway..Bosy work..Jab…Combination

100-89; 99-90 TWICE FOR CONWAY

Round 1 Hook to body from Marku…Combination..Hard left and left to body
Round 2 Jab from Stewart..Body shots from Marku..Nice Uppercut…Uppercut and hook from Southpaw stance..LEFT TO THE BODY AND DOWN GOES STEWART…
Round 3
Round 4 Good Body shot from Stewart…Left to body from Marku..Combination..Right to the body…Uppercut..Stewart lands a body shot…Jab…
Round 5 Nice body shot to head and body from Stewart…Body shot from Marku..Leaping left hook…
Round 6 Left from Marku…Right hand lands..
Round 7 Marku landing on the ropes…Combination from Stewart..Good body shot
Round 8 Good body work from Marku..Stiff left..Stewart fighting out of the corner..Right knockouts out Stewart’s mouthpiece

SCORE WAS RULED 76-76 …TERRIBLE DECISION

Kieron Conway is out to stamp his mark on the red-hot domestic 154lbs division – starting with an eye-catching win over late stand-in Macaulay McGowan on the blockbuster Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev card this Saturday at The SSE Arena, Wembley. 

‘Too Class’ (15-1-1, 3 KOs), who was originally slated to fight Souleymane Cissokho this weekend before the Frenchman was forced to pullout, sealed a wide points win to claim the WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight Title against Nav Mansouri last time out. 

After picking up the first Title of his professional career, the Northampton contender, who is trained by his father James, has a hunger for more belts, and already has Matchroom stablemates Scott Fitzgerald, Ted Cheeseman and Anthony Fowler in his sights for 2021. 

“I’m really pleased that Matchroom and MTK found an opponent and a good fighter coming to take an opportunity,” said Conway. “When I found out Cissokho had pulled out I was very frustrated. The whole build-up was frustrating. I’m still up for taking the opportunity against Cissokho if it comes, I have no reason to avoid anyone. 

“I hadn’t seen too much about Macaulay before the fight was made so I will be using my time wisely and finding the inevitable patterns in his work and do what I must to get the win. In all honesty you couldn’t take much from his last fight as Kulakhmet is a great fighter and would make most look bad.

“If McGowan over commits – which will happen, I will land hard accurate punches which absolutely could end the night early. Being on this show is huge. There’s going to be massive viewing figures and I’m excited to still be part of the whole thing. After this fight I want more big fights.”

Conway vs. McGowan is part of a huge night of action in London, Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Titles against Mandatory Challenger KubratPulev (28-1, 14 KOs), Hackney Cruiserweight star Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) takes on Poland’s undefeated Nikodem Jezewski (19-0-1, 9 KOs), Manchester Heavyweight contender Hughie Fury (24-3, 14 KOs) returns against Poland’s Mariusz Wach (36-6, 19 KOs), Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) and Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) fight for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title, London-based Albanian Welterweight sensation Florian Marku (7-0, 5 KOs) makes his keenly anticipated Matchroom debut in an eight round contest with Derby’s Alex Fearon (9-2) and Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq (8-1, 3 KOs) looks to return to winning ways against Ashley Lane (14-9-2, 1 KO).

All of the action will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories on its just-launched Global platform.

Macaulay McGowan has promised to go to war with MTK Global stablemate Kieron Conway when the Super-Welterweights meet over ten rounds on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday December 12, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland and on DAZN in the U.S. and more than 200 countries and territories on its just-launched Global platform.

McGowan (14-1-1, 3 KOs) suffered the first loss of his professional career last month when he was outpointed by rising Kazakh star Tursynbay Kulakhmet for the vacant WBC International Title in South Kirby, Yorkshire. 

Undeterred by his first taste of defeat, the 26-year-old Mancunian, who is trained by Gary Booth, jumped at the chance to face Northampton’s Conway (15-1-1, 3 KOs), after his original opponent Souleymane Cissokho was forced to pull out of their fight.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” said McGowan. “I want to be involved in good fights, so to be in a good fight on probably the biggest show of the year is great.

“I got punched from pillar to post in my last fight with Kulakhmet. It wasn’t my night. It is what it is. Boxing and life is about being resilient. There’s no time to moan about it, I was straight back training and now it’s time to bounce back and get a good win.

“One thing I learned from going into that Kulakhmet fight and how it all played out was that I was thinking about it too much and what the opponent was going to do. I don’t care about what Conway is coming with, I just worry about me. I’m going to war, that is that.

“I had all these ideas of how the fight was going to go and he came out totally different and better to how I expected him to. He didn’t do what I thought he’d do. Boxing is all about learning and I’m coming back stronger and hungrier than ever.

“A busy fighter is a happy fighter. My career has always been stop-start, so to be fighting straight away, and having a tough tough ten rounds in the bank will only help bring out the best in me. I will never shy away from competition. I’m coming for war and war only!”

Conway vs. McGowan is part of a huge night of action in London, Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Titles against Mandatory Challenger KubratPulev (28-1, 14 KOs), Hackney Cruiserweight star Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) takes on Poland’s undefeated Nikodem Jezewski (19-0-1, 9 KOs), Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) and Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) fight for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title, London-based Albanian Welterweight sensation Florian Marku (7-0, 5 KOs) makes his keenly anticipated Matchroom debut in an eight round contest with Derby’s Alex Fearon (9-2) and Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq (8-1, 3 KOs) looks to return to winning ways against Ashley Lane (14-9-2, 1 KO).

Souleymane Cissoko will take on Kieron Conway in a ten round Super-Welterweight clash on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s Unified Heavyweight World Title defence against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday December 12, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Frenchman Cissokho (11-0, 7 KOs) won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games at 69kg before joining the professional ranks in 2017 where he is now undefeated in eleven fights – with seven of those victories coming by way of knockout – and signed to Joshua’s 258 MGT and Matchroom Boxing. 

Northampton’s Conway (15-1-1, 3 KOs) overcame a spirited start from Navid Mansouri to seal a wide points victory and claim the vacant WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight Title, the first belt of his professional career, last time out at Fight Camp.  

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring as part of a huge card on December 12,” said Cissokho. “It has been a difficult year for everyone and I am itching to fight. I cant wait to put on a show and showcase my skills in the UK for the first time. It’s a dream come true to be able to perform for the British public. 

“Thank you to my team at 258 Management and Matchroom for working to get me this opportunity. Training camp has been tough but I am ready to go 100%.”

“I’m looking forward to this fight massively,” said Conway. “It’s another big fight for me, another big challenge and another big win. Being on this show is huge. There’s going to be massive viewing figures and I’m excited to be part of the whole thing.

“I know Cissokho was a very good amateur, and I know he’s skilful but I’m looking forward to showcasing my own skills and showing more of what I’m about.

“He hasn’t fought for a while, so it could be an advantage for me. Being out the ring for a year does nobody any favours but we will see on fight night, either way I’m looking to dominate. After this fight I’d expect more big fights and for people to not overlook me anymore.”

Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles against Mandatory Challenger KubratPulev (28-1, 14 KOs) on a huge night of action that sees Lawrence Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) take on Krzysztof Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title, Manchester Heavyweight Hughie Fury (24-3, 14 KOs) returns against Poland’s Mariusz Wach (36-6, 19 KOs) and Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) and Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) fight for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title.

Felix Cash remained undefeated by stopping former world title challenger Jason Welborn in round five of a scheduled 12-round middleweight bout in Essex, England

In round five, Cash dropped Welborn with a right to the head. About 45 seconds later, Cash ended things when he landed another right to the head that put Welborn down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:48.

Cash, 160 lbs of Wokingham is 13-0 with nine knockouts. Welborn, 159 lbs of Tividale is 24-9.

“It was a good performance,” said Cash. “It took me a round or a round and a half to get my distance on him and see where he was at and see his reactions. I went to work on him. It was a decent enough performance. He wanted me to stand there and start trading with him, but then you’re giving him a chance aren’t you. I took him on the jab, broke him down, down to the body and up to the head.

“I broke him down nice and slowly. Round by round he was getting weaker and getting tired. I knew it was just a matter of time before I got him out of there. He’s a tough lad. There was no point in rushing it and trying to get him out of there early. What a stage to be on. It was unbelievable. The week has been unbelievable. I’ve really enjoyed it. Overall it was a good week. I’m 27 and I’m in the prime of my life. I’m ready for the step ups now. The ring walk was something else! Topping the bill was a bit of history for me.”

Barrett Stops Donovan in 8!

Zelfa Barrett stopped previously undefeated Eric Donovan in round eight of their scheduled 10-round super featherweight bout.

In round seven, Barrett dropped Donovan with a huge left hook to the chin.. Later in the round, Barrett dropped Donovan again after absorbing a hard left-right-left combination. In round eight, Barrett landed another booming left hook hat put Donovan on his back, and the fight was stopped at 1:35.

Barrett, 129.9 lbs of Manchester is now 24-1 with 15 knockouts. Donovan, 129.9 lbs of Altay is 12-1.

“He was catching me with some big shots,” said Barrett. “I was just trying to get my rhythm at first. He was pinging me and catching me with some good quality shots and then I could hear my Uncle Pat say, ‘change up the game plan and put it on him now’. Block, throw and look where the openings are. I pulled it out of the bag. This is what champions do, they find something and pull it out of the bag.

“I had to find it in the bag because he was hitting me with some good shots and I thought, ‘you know what, I’m not letting this guy beat me’. It was just war mode. I timed it perfectly and I couldn’t have asked for anything else. I caught him. Credit to Eric Donovan. I’ve just defeated an undefeated fighter. As soon as I put him down I thought, ‘that’s it, I’m getting you out of here’. He’s a good fighter but I’m going to pull myself together, go back to the drawing board and do what I’ve got to do.

“I knew I was going to catch him, it was just a matter of time. I didn’t want it to be round nine because that would have been too late. I done what I had to do. In myself as a fighter I’m a bit disappointed with my performance. He was catching me a lot but I done what I had to do. I’ve just shown character. I’ve shown I’m a fighter.”

Rachel Ball won a eight-round decision over previously undefeated Shannon Courtnay in a super bantamweight bout.

Ball dropped Courtney with a left hook to the chin in the opening round.

Ball had some swelling under her left eye in round seven, but she was able to hold on for the victory by a 77-75 score.

Ball, 123.8 lbs of Aldridge is 6-1. Courtenay, 126.9 lbs of Watford is 5-1.

“I’m just so happy,” an emotional Ball told Sky Sports. “This means everything to me. It was a closer fight than I would have wanted it to be, but I got the win and I want to move on to big things. I want Eddie to sign me up and put me in front of whoever. I want to be at the top and I want to be at the World Title level and get a World Title. That’s where I want to be more than anything.

“To be honest, when I was in the corner and I threw the shot, she dazed me a bit so I didn’t know what had hit her. I thought, ‘fantastic, this fight isn’t going to last’. She does hit hard. There is a reason why she has been knocking these girls out. I’m happy I got through the fight.

“I’m pleased with myself. I knew I landed the shots because I can feel it in my knuckles. I was just glad to get through it. I don’t think I used all of my technical ability to be honest, but it’s all progress isn’t it. I’ve just got to get back to the gym and progress even further now.”

Kieron Conway won a 10-round unanimus decision over Navid Mansouri in a super welterweight bout.

Conway had Mansouri hurt several times during the bout, and was close to getting the stoppage in round seven.

Conway, 153.9 lbs of Northampton won by scores of 99-92 and 98-92 twice and is now 15-1-1. Mansouri, 153.4 lbs of Ritherham is 20-4-2.

“I loved it,” Conway told Matchroom Boxing afterwards. “Apart from having no crowd, I think the whole setup is how all boxing shows should be. The week has been really nice. It’s been really good to be around. Everything just ran so smoothly. Out there it’s unbelievable. Even without thousands of fans, it’s wicked out there. I knew that he would come out fast and I knew that after a few rounds my size and my strength would come out on top. I’m a big lad now. I’m refuelled and everything. I’m big for the weight. It drains people.

“I planned to have a slower first few rounds. The whole fight went exactly how I’d planned, except it went ten rounds. He did really well to get through it to be fair. I was landing a lot of shots with a lot of spite behind them. It was good. I didn’t expect the flicky jab, I expected him to come for me a bit more and really try and stick it on me a bit more. After a few rounds I knew he’d starting messing, trying to smother me because I am stronger than I look.

“As soon as people realise I’m not going anywhere, they start holding. He’s highly-rated and he’s had a few title fights. He had the English title for a long time. Hopefully it pushed me a littler more up there. For my style, I think my size really helps. Over the years a lot of people have said I’m behind them, and then all of a sudden they’re behind me. I’m 24-years-old. Whether it’s now or later, I’m coming.”

John Docherty remained undefeated by stopping Anthony Fox in round seven of a scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

In round three, Docherty dropped Fox with a short right hook.

In round seven, Docherty hurt Fox badly with a hard three punch combination. Docherty followed that up with a flurry if punches and referee Howard Foster rescued Fox from further damage at 1:32.

Docherty, 1669.9 lbs of Montrose is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Fox, 166.4 lbs of Westbury is 8-13-4.

“I’m over the moon to have forced the stoppage,” said Docherty afterwards. “I started off a bit slow and I was throwing up my chin in the air, but I got there in the end. I felt him tiring in there in the third and fourth rounds with my body shots, and his power started to go. He was a lot stronger than I thought, and a lot more heavy-handed, but I got the job done.

“I thought he was going to come at me and have a go as he did in his last fight. I think he felt the power quite early on and then he was on the back foot. He was a lot better than I expected. I want titles now. The journeymen, I’m passed them already and my team knows that. Any title next. A British Title Eliminator or a Intercontinental Title, anything. I’d probably give myself an eight out of ten tonight.”

Navid Mansouri believes his ring craft will be too much for Kieron Conway when they meet over ten rounds for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight Title at Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, on Friday August 14, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Former English Champion Mansouri (20-3-2, 6 KOs) hasn’t fought in the UK since July 2017 when he decisioned Jordan Grannum over six rounds, his first fight in over two years after an Achilles injury ruled him out of his scheduled British and Commonwealth Title fight with Welshman Liam Williams. 

Rotherham’s Mansouri made the decision to base himself out of Marbella, Spain, where he began to rebuild his career with three wins in 2018. ‘Nav’ lost out in a close decision for the IBF Intercontinental Title to Jorge Fortea in February 2019 before travelling out to Rotterdam to face Stephen Danyo for the WBA Continental belt, where he fell short again.

Despite his losses, 31-year-old Mansouri is convinced he will have too much in the tank for Northampton’s rising star ‘Too Class’ Conway on his big return to UK soil. Since making his pro debut in 2017, Conway has boxed 87 rounds in 16 bouts, compared to Mansouri’s 143 rounds in 25 bouts. 

“I think they’re overlooking me,” said Mansouri. “They think Nav is done, but this fight just brought me back to life. I need this win. I’m desperate to get this win. It puts that little bit extra fire into it. I’m confident. I’m well-schooled and experienced in this game now. We never stop learning. I think I’ll have too much experience for Conway when it comes down to it. 

“We shared some rounds a few years ago in Marbella but I can’t take anything from that. I can’t remember too much from the spar. It was a long time ago and he’s come on loads, and I’ve come on loads since then too. I was injured back then as well. He’s a really nice kid but this is business and it’s my chance to shine again in the UK. 

“We kind of box in similar ways. We’ll set traps for each other and it will be an intelligent fight. That’s the way I see it going. It’s all about the timing and speed, and the work rate we’re going to put into it. He’s tough and slick, it will be a great fight to watch. I haven’t boxed in the UK for a few years, now is the time to make a statement.”

Conway vs. Mansouri lands on Week 3 of Matchroom Fight Camp, top of the bill sees Felix Cash (12-0, 8 KOs) put his Commonwealth Middleweight Title on the line for the second time against former World Title challenger Jason Welborn (24-8, 7 KOs), recent Matchroom signing Zelfa Barrett (23-1, 14 KOs) meets Ireland’s undefeated Eric Donovan (12-0, 7 KOs) for the IBF Intercontinental Super-Featherweight Title, Watford Super-Bantamweight Shannon Courtenay (5-0, 2 KOs) faces the toughest opponent of her career in Rachel Ball (5-1) and hard-hitting Super-Middleweight menace John Docherty (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on the tough and durable Anthony Fox (8-12-4).

British Light-Middleweight contender Kieron Conway has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

Conway, 23, turned in an impressive performance in his British title fight with reigning champion Ted Cheeseman at York Hall last month, but was left frustrated as the contest ended in a split draw. 

The Kings Heath Boxing Club product was aiming to create history by becoming Northampton’s first professional British boxing champion but had to settle for a hard-fought draw with scores of 116-113 Conway, 115-114 Cheeseman and 114-114 from the judges. 

It was the first time the MTK Global-managed talent had contested 12 rounds but he dug in to show his grit and last the distance while showcasing his slick boxing ability with some accurate counter-work along the way. 

Conway is excited to make his mark after announcing himself in the 154lbs scene and has already set his eyes on the winner of the slated Cheeseman vs. Scott Fitzgerald Lonsdale Belt clash later this year. 

“I’m over the moon to team up with Matchroom Boxing and showcase my skills on Sky Sports and DAZN,” said Conway. “I feel like my journey is only just beginning and still have so many improvements to make but this activity and experience on the big stage is going to lead me to major domestic fights that I will win in fashion and beyond.”

 Promoter Eddie Hearn commented: “I’m excited to welcome Kieron Conway and I’m excited to see where his potential could take him. We had him on our Birmingham shows when he began his career and he’s always looked like he had the talent but after watching his British title fight against Ted Cheeseman recently, I think there is bundles more to come. He has great support from Northampton and I’m looking forward to seeing him in the domestic mix in what is a very exciting division.”

Ted Cheeseman has admitted that his maiden British Super-Welterweight title defence against Northampton’s Kieron Conway at the legendary York Hall tomorrow night is must-win.

The Bermondsey star suffered the first defeat of his professional career last time out when he stepped up in class to face EBU European Champion Sergio Garcia in his first headline fight at The O2 in London. 

‘The Big Cheese’ is determined to bounce back with a bang by taking out ‘Too Class’ Conway (12-1, 3 KOs), live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US, to set-up a mouth-watering domestic clash with Scott Fitzgerald later in the year. 

“This is a very important fight for me, I’m not delusional, if I lose this then it’s finished for me really in boxing,” said Cheeseman. “There’s no point in fighting at a level below this. If I go below this then it’s over, you have to build up again. This is a build-up fight.

“I made my own mistakes and wasn’t successful in the last fight. Everyone forgets though, that my last opponent was No. 2 in the world, I stayed in there for 12 rounds, and he couldn’t hurt me.

“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, I have tunnel vision on boxing. I’m going in there to rip Conway’s head off, I’m not bad-mouthing him but that’s my plan. Sooner or later he gets stopped, the confidence is back. 

“The fight with Scott Fitzgerald is signed, sealed and delivered if I win on Friday night!”

Cheeseman vs. Conway features on a bumper card in East London, main event sees Conor Benn (14-0, 9 KOs) defend his WBA Continental Welterweight title against Jussi Koivula (24-6-1, 9 KOs), Crystal Palace Light-Heavyweight Craig Richards (14-1, 8 KOs) takes on undefeated former Southern Area champion Andre Sterling (10-0, 4 KOs) in an intriguing all-London Final Eliminator for the prestigious Lord Lonsdale Light-Heavyweight belt, undefeated London Light-Heavyweight Duane ‘Hotshot’ Sinclair (10-0, 4 KOs) meets Westbury’s Anthony Fox (7-12-4), Crowthorne Super-Featherweight Charles Frankham (1-0) looks to make if two wins from two fights, fast-rising Watford Bantamweight talent Shannon Courtenay (2-0) steps up to take part in her first six round contest, former Commonwealth Super-Featherweight champion Reece Bellotti (13-2, 11 KOs) steps through the ropes for the first time since his British title loss to Ryan Walsh and Ohio Lightweight prospect Otha Jones III (1-0) takes part in his second professional contest.

Kieron Conway says he is ready to make history in Northampton by becoming the town’s first British Champion when he clashes with current Super-Welterweight ruler Ted Cheeseman on this Friday’s JD NXTGEN show at Bethnal Green’s York Hall, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Conway, 23, raced to 10-0 before suffering a first career defeat in the semi-finals of the Ultimate Boxxer III Middleweight tournament to the eventual winner Derrick Osaze. The Cobblers fan is no stranger to the big stage having fought on the Amir Khan v Samuel Vargas card last October and is hungry for more more of the high-life. 

“The British title is the pinnacle of domestic boxing and every British fighter dreams of these opportunities,” said Conway. “Being a British champion has always been a big dream of mine as it would be great for me but also history for my town of Northampton. Winning the British title as an ‘away’ fighter would be a big statement. I believe that I belong on this stage. 

“I feel like a beast at Super-Welterweight and I’ll be looking to make my size count on the night. Fans can expect a new champion in this fight. I’m keeping my eyes on this bout on Friday, but a win here and there are big fights after this that excite me. Winning on a big platform like Sky Sports will open up a lot of doors for me so it’s a big opportunity.”

Cheeseman endured a gruelling defeat last time out in February when he stepped up in class to face EBU European Champion Sergio Garcia at The O2 in his first headliner. Conway believes the punishing manor of his opponent’s defeat will have an impact on their British title showdown.

“I’d say the amount of punches taken in his last fight will impact ours because I’d imagine he will be coming with a lot more head movement and less aggression, as the longer the fight goes the more his aggression will play into my hands.

“I sparred six rounds with him about two years ago, but two weeks can make huge differences in boxing let alone two years, so I can’t really take much from that. He’s fit and relentless in his work but I’m not sure how much his last fight will have taken out of him – he took a lot of damage for 12 rounds.”

Cheeseman vs. Conway features on a bumper card in East London, main event sees Conor Benn (14-0, 9 KOs) defend his WBA Continental Welterweight title against Jussi Koivula (24-6-1, 9 KOs), Crystal Palace Light-Heavyweight Craig Richards (14-1, 8 KOs) takes on undefeated former Southern Area champion Andre Sterling (10-0, 4 KOs) in an intriguing all-London Final Eliminator for the prestigious Lord Lonsdale Light-Heavyweight belt, undefeated London Light-Heavyweight Duane ‘Hotshot’ Sinclair (10-0, 4 KOs) meets Westbury’s Anthony Fox (7-12-4), Crowthorne Super-Featherweight Charles Frankham (1-0) looks to make if two wins from two fights, fast-rising Watford Bantamweight talent Shannon Courtenay (2-0) steps up to take part in her first six round contest, former Commonwealth Super-Featherweight champion Reece Bellotti (13-2, 11 KOs) steps through the ropes for the first time since his British title loss to Ryan Walsh and Ohio Lightweight prospect Otha Jones III (1-0) takes part in his second professional contest.
 
Very limited tickets priced £40, £70 and £130 VIP are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

Ted Cheeseman will make the first defence of his British Super-Welterweight title against Kieron Conway at London’s York Hall on Friday June 21, live in Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Cheeseman (15-1, 9 KOs) worked at a relentless pace to out-fight Asinia Byfield and land the vacant Lord Lonsdale belt at the Copper Box Arena last October before stepping up to challenge EBU European Champion Sergio Garcia in his first ever headline fight at The O2 in February.

The Bermondsey man endured his first professional loss as he failed in his bid to wrestle the European crown from Spain’s Garcia, suffering a wide unanimous points defeat. After a short rest ‘The Big Cheese’ is feeling refreshed and ready to return to winning ways against Northampton’s Conway (12-1, 3 KOs).

“I sparred Conway once a couple of years ago,” said Cheeseman. “He isn’t bad, he’s a good fighter and he’s busy, but he’s very inexperienced. I think he’s only lost one out of thirteen but the maximum he’s done is an eight rounder. Everyone knows that I can do 12 rounds at a very high pace. Even though I got beat and I never looked my best in my last fight, I still stuck it out for the full 12 rounds at a high pace – from the first bell to the last.

“I’ve learnt a lot of things from my first professional defeat and we’ve worked on a lot of things in the gym. Now I know what to do at that level. It’s all about beating Kieron Conway and getting back on a wining run. The first fight is Conway and I’m not looking past him. This is the biggest fight of my career as I’m coming off of a loss. I need to win to get back to where I want to be.”

“I’m massively looking forward to this and I cannot wait,” said Conway. “The British title is the pinnacle of domestic boxing and every British fighter dreams of these opportunities. I’m a beast at Super-Welterweight and it’s important for me to keep my momentum going.

“I really enjoy preparing for fights so it’s great that I’ve got another one so quickly since my last fight. I sparred six rounds with Cheeseman about two years ago, but two weeks can make huge differences in boxing let alone two years, so I can’t really take much from that.

“I’m really excited that it’s live on Sky Sports and DAZN too. It’s a huge platform and hopefully a lot of people will be watching us go at it. Being a British champion has always been a big dream of mine as it would be great for me but also history for my town of Northampton.”

Cheeseman vs. Conway is part of a bumper card in East London, Crystal Palace Light-Heavyweight Craig Richards (14-1, 8 KOs) takes on undefeated former Southern Area champion Andre Sterling (10-0, 4 KOs) in an intriguing all-London Final Eliminator for the prestigious Lord Lonsdale Light-Heavyweight belt, Crowthorne Super-Featherweight Charles Frankham (1-0) looks to make if two wins from two fights, fast-rising Watford Bantamweight talent Shannon Courtenay (2-0) steps up to take part in her first six round contest, former Commonwealth Super-Featherweight champion Reece Bellotti (13-2, 11 KOs) steps through the ropes for the first time since his British title loss to Ryan Walsh and Ohio Lightweight prospect Otha Jones III (1-0) takes part in his second professional contest.

Tickets priced £40, £70 and £130 VIP are available to purchase NOW via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

London, UK (6 May 2019) Northampton’s neat boxing Kieron Conway may be the early bookies’ favourite to lift the Ultimate Boxxer III trophy when eight top middleweight hopefuls convene at The Indigo at The O2 on Friday 10th May, but the cobbler hopeful endured his toughest battle simply to get started in the sport!

‘I’d been a big fan since getting up in the middle of the night to watch the big Ricky Hatton fights from America. But though my friend at primary school boxed, me dad, who’d boxed amateur, never allowed me to join him, said I ‘was too soft to be a boxer!’ disclosed ‘Too Class’ who, at 22, is the youngest entrant.

‘At school, I was a popular kid, never a scrapper but good at other sports. One day, dad’s old coach visited to buy some dogs and somehow convinced the old man to let me have a go.

‘I had the first of my 84 amateur bouts (69 wins) for the Kings Heath club, aged 12. It helped that I’d done a bit of karate (black belt by 11) because I did a lot of press-ups and there were transferable explosive movements.

‘I was a little skinny kid, there really wasn’t too much to me, and I’d win one, lose one. But after the age of 16, only Carl Fail in the Senior ABAs beat me, over a period spanning three years. I won eight Midland titles, two Haringey Cup gold medals and also boxed for England a handful of times.’

Since slinging his singlet in December 2017, the MTK Global starlet has steamed to 10 consecutive wins – predominantly adown at super-welter – conquering the useful Chris Monaghan (one loss in 8), Gino Kanters (one loss in 5) and 26-14 Gabor Gorbics along the way.

‘Today, I don’t work. I put everything into my boxing. The thought of losing makes me feel ill so I train morning, noon and night. I aim to be a superstar!’ claims Conway who, rather ironically, is now coached by Dad James (in tandem with Arthur Daly) at the KH gym.

‘Technically I’m pretty good and my strength is deceiving. I’m sharp and adaptable. I’ve two very different styles and can bring either out at any point of any round.’

Despite his apparent ability and application, classy Kieron has struggled for recognition, based in the boxing backwater of Northampton that also saw another local, Drew Brown, win the inaugural Ultimate Boxxer tournament last year.

‘They enjoy their combat sports here – we’ve one of Europe’s biggest MMA gyms – so it’s strange that more from the town haven’t made it as pros because, trust me, there’s plenty who enjoy a scrap!’ he quips.

‘But I believe that’s about to change, just with the fighters from our gym. Ethan James and Ben Vaughan both represented England at the recent Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas and Ethan won gold. There’s a few others here around national title level. Watch out for us!’

The young gun warns his seven UB competitors to expect an eggy face if they dismiss him lightly.

‘No doubt, the others will underestimate me because of my youth, where I come from, and that I usually box a weight beneath but that would be unwise!’ says the 5ft 11 ½ in stylist.

‘The bookies have got me favourite. I’ve boxed more rounds and I’ve been on bigger stages than the others. I’ve previously experienced boxing on Amir Khan and Kal Yafai undercards in Birmingham, plus a Jordan Gill undercard in Peterborough.

‘Though I’ve acclimatised to eight rounders in the pros, I’m the one with the amateur pedigree. And I’ve been sparring with the England amateur squad for this; everything sharp and pacy.

‘I’ve not seen a lot of the other entrants but I know I’ve boxed at a higher level, beaten guys with winning records and I’ve already been punched back. I’m not sure many of the others have. I’m ready for titles right now but can’t get opportunities. This can push me on.

‘Hopefully, the venue will be packed and plenty of armchair fans will tune in too. In my mindset, I can’t see how any of the others can beat me. I see all three of mine, ending by stoppage wins.’

But irrespective of what transpires between the strands at The Indigo, Conway, eldest of seven, has already converted his earliest critic.

He concludes: ‘Now, when he gets drunk, me dad confesses he’s very proud of me!’

Ultimate Boxxer III is on Friday 10th May at The Indigo at The O2 and starts off with the exciting showdowns:

Quarter-Final 1: Kaan Hawes v Kieron Conway
Quarter-Final 2: Tey Lynn Jones v Derrick Osaze
Quarter-Final 3: Sean Philips v Josh Groombridge
Quarter-Final 4: Joe Hurn v Grant Dennis

For Ultimate Boxxer III MansionBet odds CLICK HERE

An action packed undercard will see the return of the highly-rated and undefeated Light-Heavyweight talent and UB II winner Shakan Pitters and unbeaten super-middleweight prospect Idris Virgo who is out to prove to critics he is more than just a reality star.

Remaining tickets are available from ticketmaster.co.uk AXS.com and ultimateboxxer.com priced at:

£30 Balcony Standing (General Admission)
£35 Floor Standing (General Admission)
£55 Upper Balcony Seats
£70 Outer Ringside
£100 Inner Ringside
£200 Kings Row (Padded Balcony seats, separate bar, VIP entrance)

For all VIP & Corporate Packages please contact www.sportandmusic.co.uk