Kid Galahad won the vacant IBF Featherweight Title after stopping Jazza Dickens in a rematch from eight-years ago, at the Matchroom HQ in Essex, England.

Galahad beat up Dickens throughout the bout as he cut Dickens over the left eye as early as round two. Galahad continued to win rounds, as the cut worsened on Dickens. Dickens was deducted a point in round ten for stepping on the foot of Galahad. With the face of Dickens looking like a bloody mess, the fight was halted in the corner after round 11.

Galahad, 125 4/4 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is now 28-1 with 17 knockouts. Dickens, 125 1/4 lbs of Liverpool. ENG is 30-4.

“I’ve been waiting 19 years for this and it’s finally here, I’ve finally got it – IBF Champion of the World,” Galahad told DAZN. “Not a little bit, the whole world. This doesn’t say regular champion, this says World Champion. People can think what they want. I come to fight. I’m a full time professional, I don’t take no days off. Jazza Dickens will become a World Champion 100%. Without a doubt, he’ll become a World Champion. I’m just over the moon.
 
“Thank you Eddie Hearn. If it weren’t for Eddie Hearn I wouldn’t be in this position right now. Thank you to DAZN. I’m just over the moon man. Brendan Ingle told me that I’m going to win everything from Super-Bantamweight up to Lightweight. Nobody believed me and everyone doubted me when I said I’d become Word Champion. Before I met Brendan, I would have probably been locked up in jail. He was the only person that gave me hope. If it wasn’t for boxing, Eddie Hearn, DAZN, Brendan Ingle, my mum I’d probably be locked up or dead. 
 
“Naseem Hamed, I met him at the local mosque. I said to him, ‘Naz, I want to be a World Champion like you’. He told me if I wanted to become a World Champion I needed to go and find Brendan Ingle at the St Thomas’ Boxing Club. The rest is history. I went and met Brendan and that’s it. 
 
“Every single day two busses. 45 minutes. I used to get up at 5.45 to get in for 6.45. Every single day from the age of 12-years-old. When I was 15 I moved out of my area. Brendan told me I’d end up locked up or dead if I stayed in that area. I lived in a crappy house at the bottom of the road with about five other boxers. There were rats and everything. I used to have a mattress on the floor. I lived there from the age of 15 until I was 20 and I got enough money to get my own house. 
 
“My mum is over there somewhere. She’s over the moon. We’ve come from nothing. Hopefully I make a few quid out of this and get her a nice house, and get out of the area. I’m going to dominate the division. I always told Eddie I was going to dominate this division. I will make sure that I clean up this division. Nobody is going to beat me. I just beat the guy who beat Leigh Wood. This says IBF Champion of the whole World. This is not a regular title.”

Wardley stops Webb in 1

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated with a 1st round stoppage over Nick Webb scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

Wardley hurt Webb with a hard right hand that backed Webb into the corner. Wardley landed a couple more punches that sent Webb down, and the fight was stopped at 2:30.

Wardley is now 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Webb is 17-3.

“It was a big one for me because this was a good test,” Wardley told Matchroom. “He was coming off a good win and we had to just make a bit of an impact, make a bit of a statement. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t the cleanest performance but sometimes you’ve just got to grit these ones out and get it done. I proved the difference. I proved that I can take a shot and keep moving like I proved against Molina. You can hit me and I’ll still come back at you with full force. He caught me a few times but it doesn’t faze me, I keep moving and I’ll move to take you out. 
 
“I wasn’t going to let him off the hook. That’s something that we’ve been building on, that killer instinct – to notice and pay attention to when you’ve got someone going. I think in my last few fights I’ve been getting that going. When I hit someone and I see that little chink in their armour, I’m going in and I’m getting the kill. 
 
“I respect every fighter that’s ever stepped in the ring because it’s a dangerous sport and anything can happen. I had to do what I did to get Nick in the ring in the first place because I’ve been chasing Nick for a year. I had to switch up my approach and go for the more aggressive stance and call him out and call him a few names. It’s all for the love of the sport at the end of the day. I respect everyone that gets in there. 
 
“I think I’ve made the most out of every opportunity that’s been put in front of me. I’ve never said no to an opportunity that Ed has given me. I’m becoming increasingly more difficult to match because me, Dill and the team, we don’t say no. If you want to meet me in the ring I’m happy to go there, let’s go. It feels like a dream, it feels like a weird rollercoaster and I’m just running with it. I’m just loving what I’m doing and I’m staying focused. 
 
“I’ve won the English and I’ve defended it; I think that’s me done with it now. Moving forwards for the British, Commonwealth, European – those types of belts are what I’ve got my eyes set on next and obviously Joe (Joyce) is holding onto them. He’s going to be moving on, he’s trying to move to that world level and he’s going to want to drop them sooner or later. I’ll be there ready and waiting.”

Babic Stops Bennett After 5

Alen Babic remained perfect by stopping Mark Bennett after five rounds of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

Over the course of the fight, Babic beat up Bennett by landing many heay shots. Bennett was competitive early, but after round three, Babic hurt Bennett repeatedly and the fight could have been stopped any time over rounds three, four or five. Bennett’s corner mercifully pulled the plug on the contest after round five.

Babic, 210 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 8-0 with eight knockouts. Bennett, 272 1/2 lbs of Duncanville, ENG is 7-2.

After the fight, Babic successfully proposed to his girlfriend.

“I feel great,” Babic told DAZN. “Thank you for having me, it was a very very tough fight. I didn’t expect that – I’ve got to say that. All kudos to him. He’s a very very tough warrior, a legit warrior. I threw maybe 100 power punches at his head, and I have knockout punches, so it was a very tough and competitive fight. I thank him for that. 
 
“Left, right and I was like, ‘fall, it’s your time to fall’, but he just didn’t want to fall. He really caught me with a few ones. He didn’t catch me flush because I always bob and weave but he’s a very tough man and I respect him. 
 
“This guy was 30kg heavier than me and you saw what happened, he wasn’t stronger in that ring. I can do everything. I’m here to represent the little people who can’t do nothing. I am just little like them – the smallest Heavyweight alive! You can do it if I can do it, I’m nothing special. I just put my mind to it. If you put your mind to it, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Fisher Stops Whitaker in 2

Johnny Fisher remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Danny Whitaker in a scheduled four-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Fisher dropped Whitaker with a right hand. Seconds later, it was another right that put Whitaker down to a knee. Fisher jumped on Whitaker and landed a barrage of punches that forced a referee stoppage at 1:08.

Fisher, 238 1/4 lbs of Rpmford, ENG is 3-0 with three knockouts. Whitaker, 259 1/2 lbs of Silsden, ENG is 4-4.

“It felt fantastic, especially in front of some of my supporters here,” Fisher told Matchroom. “In the future we’ll get a lot more in. It was great to have that little taste of what the future can hold. Respect to Danny Whitaker, a great man and a great opponent. I’m ready for the next step. I feel like I prepared better for this fight than any of my previous fights – especially with Mark being back. I’ve got a great assistant trainer in Steve Andrews. We’ve got a long way to go but I’m in a good place. 

“My mum and dad are here, and my brothers are here. It’s brilliant. My little sister is at home. We’re going to have a nice Chinese now and celebrate. I think it’s the confidence that you can take from knowing that you have prepared well. Lennox Lewis sent me a message before my debut, ‘the more I prepare, the less I worry’, and that was testament to the work that we’ve been doing in the gym. 

“I’ve definitely calmed down from the second fight. I think it’s different when you’ve got someone with a winning record in there. I’ve got a long long way to go to calm myself down and box on the back foot, but I know I can box on the back foot because I’ve showed it before in sparring. Doing it in the ring is another thing and that’s why we have a process. I’m only 22-years-old and I’ve got to build. You’ve got to stay humble and you’ve got to stay ready. 

“We all know in our area about Mark Tibbs and his dad and how great they are. It’s not just that he’s my boxing trainer, we’re good friends and we get on really well. He said to me once that it’s like we’ve known each other forever and it is. It’s brilliant to be working with someone who is such a legend in the sport. Boxing is a very brutal sport and it can end at any time for anyone, especially at Heavyweight. You’ve got to have respect for all of your opponents. You’ve got to be ready for anything, and the best way to be is to be honest.” 

Bridges Stops Connolly in 3

Former world title challenger Ebanie Bridges was impressive in stopping Bec Connolly in round three of a scheduled eight-round bantamweight bout.

In round three, Bridges landed a hard uppercut that was followed by a flurry to the head that sent Connolly to the deck. Bridges then landed a hard overhand right that was followed by a left to the jaw that forced a referee stoppage at 1:22.

Bridges, 118 3/4 lbs of New South Wales, AUS is now 6-1 with three knockouts. Connolly, 118 lbs of Swindon, ENG is 3-10.

“To be back here in the UK, and to win and get my hand raised is amazing,” Bridges told DAZN. “Las time I was unlucky, although I still got a good reception. It was good to get in here and get my hand raised for my fans. I had a few people here supporting me so shout out to everyone that came. I saw you there with your Aussie flags and I appreciate you. It feels great.
 
“Winning is what it’s all about. It’s all good having the fanbase and the social media presence but if you’re not winning it can only go so far. Winning is important. It feels good. She was more difficult in the sense she was holding and a bit rough on the inside. That was new for me. I’m not used to people holding. 
 
“I thought I would finish it in the later rounds. I knew I would break her down. I was just aiming for her body for the first few rounds because I wanted to break her body down so I could open her up to the head, and that’s exactly what we did. That’s what our plan was. 
 
“By the third round I already had her hands dropping from going to the body and then that’s why that right hand was landing. That’s the one that stopped it. Obviously I want the rematch with ‘Shanny’. That’s what everyone wants, not just me. I know I want it, the fans want it, I’m pretty sure Eddie Hearn wants it. The only one that doesn’t want it is her. 
 
“Hopefully she wants it, but then again she’s on her journey and I’ve got to focus on mine. I don’t hold my breath. The ball is in her court, and if she doesn’t take it, I suppose it looks a bit like she’s running.
 
“To all my fans and everyone that supported me tonight – I hope you enjoyed it. I love being back in the UK and I love being on DAZN. It’s a great platform as well with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom so a big thank you to them. This is just the comeback.”

Aqib Fiaz remained undefeated with a eight-round decision over Kevin Baldospino in a super featherweight bout.

Fiaz, 131 3/4 lbs of Oldham, ENG won by a 77-76 score and is now 7-0. Baldpspino, 131 1/4 lbs of Miranda, de Ebro, SPA is 9-6-2.

“I’m just glad to be back after such a long layoff,” Fiaz told Matchroom. “It’s good to get back in there and get the win. It wasn’t my best performance, but I got the win most importantly. It was emotional to get back in there, especially here as well. It meant a lot to me. I had to come in and do my job no matter what.

“It wasn’t my best performance. We’re going to go away and look at the mistakes I made, then we’ll definitely work on them and be better next time. Even going into the last round, I felt I did enough to win. It was probably the right decision yeah. He was a tough man. I hurt him a couple of times and he stuck in there and dug in. Credit to him.

“I expected to be better than that, and I definitely am better than that. I need to be better than that. The fight didn’t go the way I wanted to. It’s about learning, and I feel like that’s a good learning fight. I’m definitely better than that, I just need activity. The more time I’m in the ring, the better I’ll be.

“I’ve had a lot going on, and my team have had my back. They’re like father figures to me. They’ve been there for me when I’ve been at my lowest. I’m here today because of them. Ten months is probably the longest layoff that I’ve ever had in my amateur career and pro. It’s good to be back, but let’s be back soon.”

Nick Webb says he will knockout Fabio Wardley when he collides with the undefeated Ipswich Heavyweight for the English Title on the second week of Matchroom Fight Camp this Saturday August 7 in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN. Webb (17-2, 13 KOs) demolished Erik Pfeifer in two rounds on the huge Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte 2 show at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar earlier this year to breathe life back into his career.  ‘Wild’ Webb floored the accomplished German amateur on three occasions to secure victory – his first since winning the Ultimate Boxxer 6 tournament by outpointing Mark Bennett in Altrincham, Manchester back in December 2019.  The Surrey fighter is undefeated since December 2018 and has promised to make it five wins in a row in spectacular fashion when he takes on Dillian Whyte-managed prospect Wardley on the undercard of the all-British IBF Featherweight World Title clash between Kid Galahad and Jazza Dickens.  “Everything is going according to plan,” said Webb. “I never take any fight lightly and I’m not taking this fight lightly. I’m excited, confident and ready to go. Everyone looks back to my losses and they try to define me from that. I’m determined to show that you can’t define me from my losses. You can only define me from how I’ve come back.  “I think how I’ve come back has just built my confidence more and more. I’ll get in there with anyone. The whole occasion of being in Gibraltar was momentous. We were hanging around with boxers who I used to watch when I was younger and things like that. “To actually get that win, it was just the best feeling in the world. All of that hard work and all of that torture of putting myself through the losses and hearing all of the negative talk. To prove everyone wrong and come out of the other end was amazing.  “I think Fabio has had a great journey. I’m not the sort of person to bad mouth people and put them down. That isn’t me as a person and that’s not what I’m going to start doing now, but I feel like he’s a kid still. He’s not yet grown. I’ve been in the game quite a while now. I’ve had my losses and I’ve been humbled. He’s going to get humbled now.  “I will cause Fabio Wardley devastating problems. It doesn’t matter which fight I look at – he’s getting in the ring with me. He hasn’t been in the ring with anyone like me. He’s going to be upset after the fight but it’s okay, he can come back.  “We’re Heavyweights and we’re both knockout artists. That’s why it’s going to be exciting. I’m explosive and he’s explosive. It’s about whoever connects first. I win this fight by KO. Tune in on August 7th, there’s going to be some bombs landing and it’s going to be me winning. Let’s have it.” Wardley vs. Webb is part of a huge night of action, Sheffield’s Kid Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) and Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) meet in an all-British clash for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title at the top of the bill, ‘The Savage’ Alen Babic (7-0, 7 KOs) looks to extend his KO streak against Mark Bennett (7-1, 1 KO), popular Australian Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) returns to the UK to face Bec Connolly (3-9) over eight rounds, Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher (2-0, 2 KOs) goes for another knockout against Danny Whitaker (4-3) and Oldham prospect Aqib Fiaz (6-0) takes on Kevin Baldospino (9-5-2, 1 KO) over eight rounds.

Dillian Whyte got his revenge as he stopped former world champion Alexander Povetkin in round four of a scheduled 12-round fight and win the WBC Interim Heavyweight title at the island of Girbralter.

Whyte rocked Povetkin from the outset as the former champ looked unsteady on his legs in almost every round. In round four, Whyte landed a big right hand that sent Povetkin sprawling into the ropes, and a wicked left hook sent a prone Povetkin down to the canvas just as the towel from Povetkin’s corner came flying in and the fight was stopped at 2:39.

Whyte was knocked out by Povetkin last August, but now the Englishman is back in line to get a world title shot. The 247.2 pound native of Brixton, ENG is 28-2 with 19 knockouts. Povetkin, 228 lbs of Russia is 36-3.

“I’m happier for my team than I am for me because some of my staff missed Christmas with their families,” Whyte told Matchroom. “They stayed back to help me train. They did so much behind the scenes to get me into the position for a World Title fight.

“I was so close, and then one lapse in concentration and I made a mistake. Tonight, I was like ‘yo’, I’m looking to beat some a** tonight. I was trying to get it done in the first round but then I had to relax. Anybody on the planet that gets hit with that left hook, they’re going down. Some of them might get up but most will stay down. He was kind of badly hurt. Now I feel bad. I want him to go home to his family healthy. 

“Everyone says a lot of things about me like I’m not this and I’m not that. These guys don’t know me. These guys don’t know what I’m capable of and what I can do. When I read the comments about me, I just laugh. I just laugh at these guys because I’m as strong as steel.

“One loss, two loss so what. It was a good learning fight for me because I had to think in there. I was rushing him but I had to think also. He’s still very heavy-handed and he’s still very good. I’m going to spend some time with my family and just relax. I’ll probably call Eddie tomorrow and ask him what we’re doing next. I want to make the most of it now and retire good and healthy.”

Wardley Stops Molina in 5

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over former two-time-world title challenger Eric Molina in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round five, it was actually Molina who was pushing Wardley back by landing some good right hands. Molina was on the offensive when Wardley landed a short left that was followed by a right that put Molina on his back for the 10-count at 52 seconds.

Wardley, 232 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Molina, 251.5 lbs of Texas is 27-7.

“My corner weren’t too happy because sometimes I get a little bit, not lose my head, but I get a little bit bored of playing the long game and waiting it through in the tactics side,” Wardley told Sky Sports. “My heart won over a bit and I got stuck into a little bit of a war.

“I’m by no means the finished article. I’ve still got a lot to learn and that’s why we need fights like that because in other fights I’ve had where I’ve hit people, I’ve stuck it on them and they’ve gone missing. Molina didn’t go missing until we really had to dig it out.

“There was a few lessons there for us to watch back and for us to tick off. We’ll go back to the drawing board and figure them out. I needed this type of fight at this stage of my career. You can do it as much as you want in sparring and all of those type of things but it’s different when you get here under the bright lights.

“You need to test yourself in different ways and that’s what tonight was all about. I don’t go hunting for names, that’s not my style. I don’t go calling people out. I’m going for Titles, belts and accolades. That’s where we’re going next. We’re still trying to build and get those good level of opponents. At the same time, I’m now looking for that next step up. European, Commonwealth or British, something like that.”

Cheeseman stops Metcalf in 11

In a terrific back and forth brawl, Ted Cheeseman stopped previously undefeated James Metcalf in round 11 of their scheduled 12-round junior middleweight fight.

Both guys were hurt during the entertaining fight. Cheeseman seemed to have the fight in hand on several occasions, yet Metcalf would fight back with heart and desire each time. In round 11, Cheeseman landed a perfect left hook just as the bell sounded that sent Metcalf to the deck. Metcalf got to his feet, but stumbled forward, and the fight was stopped at 3:10.

Cheeseman, 154 lbs of Bernmondsey, ENG is 17-2-1 with 10 knockouts. Metcalf, 154 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 21-1.

“Again and again I’m in exciting fights,” said Cheeseman. “I’m always in entertaining fights. I’m improving and maturing. I’m working hard in the gym. Everyone doubted me and thought that I had a lot of miles on the clock. I’m still fresh as a daisy, and again I’ve cemented myself as the number one domestic Super-Welterweight.

“I felt I won the first five or six rounds. I nearly had him out of there in the fourth. I thought to myself, ‘I’m not going to waste too much energy’. I used my experience and had a couple of rounds off. I don’t think he’d ever done the 12 rounds. Then it was time for me to step it up, bully him and push him back.

“It’s great to be in these fights because they’re entertaining. I’m looking forward to the future now. For a long while I was down, and everyone thought I was out. Now I’m flying again. The bookies had me as an underdog and a lot of people thought that I was going to get beat. I outboxed him, I outfought him and I knocked him out. I showed how good I am, and I showed how much I’ve improved.”

Campbell Hatton wins Pro Debut

Campbell Hatton made his pro debut and won a decision over Jesus Ruiz in a four-round lightweight bout.

Hatton, who is the son of former two-division world champion Ricky Hatton and is trained by uncle and former world title challenger Matthew Hatton won by a score of 40-36. Ruiz of Spain is 0-11.

“At first, I was a little bit disappointed in myself,” said Hatton. “I spoke to Matt and he’s always dead honest with me. A bit brutal at times. He said I could have done better but I definitely didn’t box badly. He said I boxed really well in patches and I should be pleased with it.

“There was a lot of pressure. I did the one thing I said all week that I didn’t want to do, I let the occasion get to me a bit. Now that occasion is out of the way, it can only get better. I’m pleased and I’m buzzing. It’s a dream come true. There’s no feeling like it. You always hear people say it on the telly. I didn’t realise how true it was.

“When the music started coming on, I think everyone could see how fired up I was. That’s probably what made me put the performance in that I did. I smothered myself a little bit, but I feel on top of the world. Eddie said there that I’d be out next on the Chisora undercard. I’ll have a couple of shandies tonight and then straight back into the gym next week. I think the second fight is going to be ten times better now I’ve got that first taste of things.”

McKinson Decisions Kongo

In a battle of undefeated welterweights, Michael McKinson won a 10-round unanimous decision over Chris Kongo.

In round one, McKinson dropped Kongo in round one with a left on the inside.

McKinson, 146.2 lbs of Portsmouth, ENG won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-94 to raise his mark to 20-0. Kongo, 147 lbs of Bermondsey, ENG is 12-1.

“I feel on top of the word,” said McKinson. “I’ve done things the hard way in my career. For many years I’ve been calling for my shot on the big stage and I never thought it would happen. I’ve been beating people for hardly anything to work my record up to 20-0.

“Fair play to Chris, Dillian and Eddie for giving me the opportunity. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen. A big shout out to my management team MTK Global and Lee Eaton for securing me this. I believe that my career starts tonight. There was a lot of people in the boxing world that didn’t have me down as the favourite. All of my mates have made money tonight! I’m happy. I’m bringing this belt back to Portsmouth.

“In the week we’ve had a lot of hype around this fight. Everyone has been talking about it. I know he’s a respectful lad deep down, and so am I. But it did get a bit heated and everyone was questioning if it was going to live up to the hype. I think it was a bit boring, but I did what I had to do to win. Great champions do what they have to do to win and I did that tonight.

“I hope Eddie can give me the opportunities; its winner stays on. I just hope I can get on one of these shows again. Like I said in all of my interviews before, Chris is the most dangerous Welterweight out there I the UK I believe but he has his weaknesses. I believe in myself. I’ve got a great team around me. I’ve given my life to this sport and it’s paid off tonight.

“I believe I’m top of the tree. There’s a lot of talk. I’ve got respect for all of the other Welterweights. Josh Kelly, Conor Benn and Florian Marku. It’s a great time to be a Welterweight domestically at the moment. I deserve the Conor Benn fight more than any other domestic fighter.”

Webb Stops Pfeifer in 2

Nick Webb stopped Paul Pfeifer in round two of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Webb sent Pfeifer down with a hard right hand. Webb dropped Pfeifer two more times, and the fight was stopped at 1:51.

Webb, 262 lbs of Surrey, ENG is 17-2 with 13 knockouts. Pfefier, 246.2 lbs of Germany is 7-1.

“I feel on top of the world,” said Webb..“Tonight before we went in we had a talk – start fast, get him out of there, we don’t get paid for overtime.  

“Everyone doubts me, but I have come here and made a statement. So, don’t doubt me no more. I want more belts, more Titles, get me out. I always believed in my self and my team believed in me too.

“It’s indescribable. I’m so happy. I’ve been through so much pain and hurt. I put everything into that. Everything into my training camp. To get a win like that is sending the right message. It’s a big win.

“Pfeifer is a great man; he was a great amateur and he had some great fights and great wins as an amateur. We knew what was in front of us, and we knew that we didn’t want to get involved with a boxing match. I just wanted to go in and destroy him.

“We said in the changing room to start fast and hit him quick, and that’s exactly what we did. Everyone overlooks me and everyone doubts me. It’s all about self-belief and mind games. When you’ve got bombs to back the mind games up, it’s all good.”