Sheffield, England – 7 October 2023 – Promoter Izzy Asif, CEO of GBM Sports, set the bar high with his Clash On The Court event for the grand opening of the brand new Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield last night.

Asif promised that his sixth Championship Boxing event would be his biggest and best to date and he delivered a spectacular night of action and entertainment in the inaugural event at the stunning arena.

Boxing royalty and stars were in attendance at ringside, including reigning World Champions Ebanie Bridges and Sunny Edwards, Former Two-Weight World Champion Billy Joe Saunders, Sheffield icon Johnny Nelson and MC David Diamante.

Despite the early disappointment of the Reece Mould-Martin McDonagh title fight falling through, it didn’t dissuade the fans’ turning out in their droves to pack out the arena and create an electric atmosphere as they stayed to watch all the fight action.

In the main event, Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Champion Emma Dolan, from Newark, successfully defended her title in a pulsating, all-action, fight against the tough and game Worksop challenger Nicola Hopewell to win by wide margins on all three judges’ scorecards.

Red-hot GBM Sports’ Sheffield talents Faraqat ‘Frak’ Ali, Nohman Hussain, Naphtali Nembhard and Conisbrough Joe Hayden, all signed to and guided by Asif, showcased their skill and extended their winning records to highlight themselves as exciting future stars of the company.

Super-featherweight ace Ali took his record to 8-0 by winning every round against Mexican Christian Lopez Flores and is knocking on the door for his first title fight in the near future.

Welterweight prospect Hayden took his record to 11-0 with a four rounds points victory over MJ Hall.

A real star in the making, super-featherweight Hussain erupted the arena with a first round stoppage of Caine Singh.  That was the third stoppage for ‘Stormin Nohman’ in four fights as he continues on his road towards a first title challenge.

In his pro debut, flash middleweight Nembhard, who previously played for the Sheffield Sharks, made a seamless transition from basketball to boxing with a shut-out points victory over hard Russian Vasif Mamedov to show he means business in his new career.

Boxing in Yorkshire and Sheffield in particular is seeing a strong resurgence thanks to GBM Sports’ events in the region and the talented prospects under its banner.

An exciting new name will soon feature alongside Ali, Hussain and Nembhard in the six-time national champion MyKyle Ahmed who was unveiled as its latest star signing.  Ahmed will be jointly-managed by Asif and Billy Joe Saunders who both have extremely high hopes for the precocious talent and he will make his pro debut on a GBM Sports card very soon.

Further Sheffield fight favourites featured on the card with Liam Cameron, Red Johnson and Sam O’maison all in action.

Making an incredible return to the ring after 5 years out following a ban for failing a post fight drugs test and overcoming personal issues and a family tragedy, former Commonwealth Middleweight Champion Cameron defeated Robbie Connor on points over six rounds.

Brash light-heavyweight Johnson put on a show for his fans as he won every round against Ben Thomas as he took his record to unbeaten in four fights.

Former English Super-Lightweight Champion O’maison got back in the winning column with a four round points victory over Jake Smith and looks to return into the title mix again.

Worksop welterweight Declan Cairns completed the card who defeated Rustem Fatkhullin on points over four rounds.

Asif was delighted with his centre piece event and promises that this is still early days for GBM Sports and the best is yet to come.

He said, “We’re just getting better and better with each event and look how far GBM Sports has come in a very short space of time.  We’ve completed our first arena event with a first class production and we’ve got so much more to come, we’ve still really only just started.  Sadly we lost Reece Mould v Martin McDonagh earlier in the morning, but what a great fight it was between Emma and Nicola who both really stepped up to make it top of the bill.  Nicole showed real grit and skill and will come again, but Emma is a quality fighter.  We had a fantastic undercard with Naphtali starting his pro boxing career with a victory in his pro debut, Frak getting another win and then Nohman’s explosive finish to his fight.  Congratulations to all the lads’ on their wins, Liam, Red, Sam, Declan and Joe and I look forward to getting them back on soon.  To further add to the depth and quality of the GBM Sports stable and Sheffield boxing, I’m thrilled to have signed MyKyle Ahmed with Billy Joe and he’s going to be a real star in the future.  As the famous saying goes, You haven’t seen nothing yet!”

Sheffield, England – 6 October 2023 – WBA Continental Lightweight Title Challenger Martin McDonagh has withdrawn from his title fight with Reece Mould tonight at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield following last minute medical advice.

Doncaster star Mould was due to make the first defence of the title against McDonagh, from Kent, in the headline attraction of the inaugural event at the opening of the brand new arena.

Beyond the BBBofC’s deadline to get a suitable replacement opponent approved for the title and, understandably, Mould not wanting to take part in an eight-round contest after preparing mentally and physically for a Championship contest, Mould took the decision to withdraw from the card tonight.

Emma Dolan’s Commonwealth Super-Flyweight title defence against Nicola Hopewell, that was chief supporting contest to Mould-McDonagh on the show, will now be the main event with the rest of the undercard remaining the same.

Promoter Izzy Asif, CEO of GBM Sports, understand’s the importance and confidentiality of McDonagh’s medical condition and fully supports his decision.

Despite investing substantially in tonight’s event, Asif was insistent that despite the main event falling through that the show continue with Dolan-Hopewell placed top of the bill.

He said, “Our first thought, of course, is with Martin and for his health and safety. It’s disappointing to lose what would have been a great fight between Reece and Martin but a boxer’s health is paramount in our sport. In the Commonwealth Title showdown between Emma and Nicola we had a show topper in it’s own right and that will be the headliner for tonight and the rest of the lads’ on the undercard still get to fight.”

The GBM Sports show ‘Clash On The Courts’ will be streamed LIVE on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube Channel commencing at 1815hrs. Go to

Sheffield, England – 5 October 2023 – The official weigh-in for GBM Sports ‘Clash On The Court’ event took place earlier today at Sheffield United’s stadium ahead of tomorrow night’s show to be held at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.

Doncaster’s Reece Mould’s headlines the card with the first defence of his WBA Continental Lightweight Championship against Kent challenger Martin McDonagh.

Chief support features Newark’s Emma Dolan defending her Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship against Worksop’s Nicola Hopewell in an East Midlands derby showdown.

Also on the card will be a host of up-and-coming talents: Naphtali Nembhard, Nohmaan Hussain, Faraqat Ali, Red Johnson, Joe Hayden, Sam O’Mason, Adam Mohammed, Liam Cameron and Declan Cairns.

WBA Continental Europe Lightweight Championship

12 X 3 Minute Rounds at 135lb

Reece Mould 134.4lb vs. Martin McDonagh 135lb

Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship

10 X 2 Minute Rounds at 115lb

Emma Dolan 113.8lb vs. Nicola Hopewell 113.4lb

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest

Naphtali Nembhard 164lb vs. Vasif Mamedov 169lb

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Featherweight Contest

Faraqat Ali 134lb vs. Christian Lopes Flores 138lb

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Welterweight Contest

Sam O’Mason 151lb vs. Jake Smith 149lb

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Welterweight Contest

Declan Cairns 151lb vs. Rustem Fatkhullin 147lb

Joe Hayden-MJ Hall, Nohmaan Hussain-Caine Singh, Liam Cameron-Robbie Connor, Red Johnson (171lb)-Ben Thomas will all weigh-in tomorrow.

The GBM Sports show ‘Clash On The Courts’ will be streamed LIVE on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube Channel commencing at 1815hrs. Go to

https://www.youtube.com/@talkSPORTBoxing

Sheffield, England – 3 October 2023 – GBM Sports today announced that talkSPORT will exclusively Livestream the huge Sheffield fight card ‘Clash On The Court’, headlined by Reece Mould’s Championship Title defence, this Friday (6 October) LIVE and FREE on its dedicated YouTube channel talkSPORT Boxing.

The livestream commences at 1815hrs and will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@talkSPORTBoxing and will cover the whole action-packed evening featuring two Championship title fights and raft of rising domestic prospects.

Exciting Doncaster star Mould makes the first defence of his WBA Continental Lightweight Championship against the tough Kent challenger Martin McDonagh in a potential thriller.  Chief support sees a fiery East Midlands derby showdown between Newark’s Emma Dolan who defends Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship against Worksop’s Nicola Hopewell.  A bumper undercard features a host of up-and-coming talents: Naphtali Nembhard, Nohmaan Hussain, Faraqat Ali, Red Johnson, Joe Hayden, Sam O’Mason, Adam Mohammed and Liam Cameron.

The show takes centre stage at the stunning, brand new, Park Community Arena, the new home of the Sheffield Sharks and Hatters (basketball), as the doors officially open to host GBM Sports’ Championship Boxing as the inaugural event at the venue.

This is the sixth sold-out event staged by GBM Sports – Britain’s fastest growing boxing promotions company – and by far the biggest and best fight card yet, as they continue to expand at a relentless pace.

Izzy Asif, CEO of GBM Sports, said, “To partner with talkSPORT this Friday who will livestream the show on it’s dedicated YouTube channel is absolutely huge for the event, boxers and for the GBM Sports brand.  We’re thrilled to link up with talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sports radio station, and to have the event live-streamed to it’s enormous subscriber base on YouTube.  It’s the biggest night in GBM Sports’ history and demonstrates how far we have come in a short space of time and we’ve only just started.”

Jamie Sanderson, talkSPORT’s Director of Video & Social Media, said, “We’re delighted to partner with GBM Sports to bring this huge clash from Sheffield to our boxing-mad audience on YouTube. talkSPORT has become the home of boxing in the last 18 months, and our channel has led the way with heavyweight content, becoming one of the fastest growing channels in the UK. Supporting Izzy and the team on this mammoth night will mean knockout action for our followers and subscribers.”

Sheffield, England – 31 August 2023 – GBM Sports promoter Izzy Asif is delighted to announce that Reece Mould’s WBA Continental Lightweight Championship title defence against Martin McDonagh will be the inaugural event at the brand new Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield on Friday 6th October.

Doncaster star Mould headlines the double-title event billed as the Clash On The Court that also features a fiery Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship showdown between rivals Emma Dolan and Nicola Hopewell, Sheffield talents Naphtali Nembhard and Nohmaan Hussain, and many more.

Based at the heart of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, the Canon Medical Arena is the UK’s first carbon-neutral build community arena with multi-purpose sports facility and integrated Medical Diagnostics Centre to improve health and wellbeing in South Yorkshire.

The new built arena will offer a flexible sporting facility, featuring three full-size basketball courts, and designed to hold 2500 spectators. It will be the new home for the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks and the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters (women) professional basketball teams and the arena will be available to wider sporting, education, and community organisations.

In the first ever event to be staged at the Canon Medical Arena, all-action Mould (18-1-0, 6 KO’s) makes the first defence of his WBA Continental Title when he collides with hard domestic rival McDonagh (12-2-0, 1 KO) from Sheerness, Kent.  The exciting all-British clash puts everything on the line and the winner move a step closer to World title honours. 

Chief support on the card sees a big East Midlands derby clash between fierce rivals Emma Dolan (5-0-0, 1 KO) and Nicola ‘Hurricane’ Hopewell (3-0-0, 1 KO).  Dolan from Newark makes the first defence of the Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship against Worksop’s unbeaten Hopewell with plenty of pride and ‘bragging rights’ at stake.

On the undercard former star Sheffield Sharks small forward Naphtali Nembhard transitions from basketball to make his professional boxing debut in the middleweight division.

Undefeated Sheffield bantamweight prospect Nohmaan Hussain (3-0-0), who also works as an NHS cardiac intensive care practitioner, aims to continue his winning record.

Further top talents from Sheffield also appear, including: cruiserweight Sheldon McDonald (6-1-0, 2 KO’s), super-featherweight Faraqat Ali (7-0-0), welterweight Bree Burbeary (3-0-0, 1 KO) and super-middleweight Red Johnson (3-0-0)

Completing the card will be the latest protege under top trainer Ben Davison the unbeaten Oldham Bantamweight Will Cawley (3-0-0, 1 KO) plus, Conisborough welterweight Joe Hayden (10-0-0) and Worksop welterweight Declan Cairns (6-1-0, 1 KO).

With five highly successful and sold-out shows staged under the GMB Sports banner, Asif believes that this will be his most impressive and stunning event to date and fitting to open the new arena with.

Asif, CEO of GBM Sports, said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be the first promoter to stage an event in the fantastic new Canon Medical Arena and I’m counting down the days until we can open the doors of this incredible new venue for Sheffield.  Not only is it a major boost for the city but also for boxing in the UK with another great venue to showcase our sport.  This is a major statement of intent for GBM Sports in our short history as we continue to break new ground and grow our business.  We look forward to staging regular top class shows here with even bigger and better to come.  I’d like to thank Yuri Matischen, Mazher Iqbal and MP Richard Caborn for all their hard work in helping to put this tremendous deal together.”

Yuri Matischen, Managing Director of the Canon Medical Arena, said, “We look forward to welcoming GBM Sports as our first ever boxing event in the Canon Medical Arena.  One of the main reasons we built this venue was to be able to offer a venue of this size to local sporting hubs as an outlet and means by which to showcase. Boxing is such a popular, and important sport here in South Yorkshire and is ingrained into the local culture, we are excited to be able to put it on display here in Sheffield.”

Sheffield, England – 16 August 2023 – Promoter Izzy Asif of GBM Sports invites all media to attend a special lunch this Saturday (19 August) to officially announce the all-British clash for the WBA Continental Lightweight Championship between the title holder Reece Mould and challenger Martin McDonagh.

Mould v McDonagh will headline a stacked 12-fight card in the sixth Championship Boxing event presented by GBM Sports – the UK’s fastest growing boxing promotions company – and it’s set to be the biggest and best card yet to take place on Friday 6th October in Sheffield (venue to be announced).

Joining Reece and Mould at the media event will be the Chief-Support on the show between the Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Champion Emma Dolan and her challenger Nicola Hopewell who come face-to-face to discuss their big East Midlands derby clash.

Plus two of the prospects from the GBM Sports stable: unbeaten super-bantamweight and NHS Cardiac Intensive Care Practitioner Nohmaan Hussain, and former Sheffield Sharks star basketball player Naphtali Nembhard transitions to boxing to make his pro-debut in the middleweight division.

Also attending the Media Lunch will be Former WBO World Cruiserweight Champion and TV boxing presenter Johnny Nelson and Reigning IBF World Bantamweight Champion Ebanie Bridges.

Interview and photos opportunities will be available with all the talent in attendance.

Sheffield, England – 9 August 2023 – All-action Doncaster star Reece Mould will make the first defence of his WBA Continental Lightweight Championship against Kent rival Martin McDonagh on Friday 6th October in Sheffield.

Mould versus McDonagh headlines a double-title GBM Sports show that also features the fiery Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship showdown between Emma Dolan and Nicola Hopewell.

The venue for the GBM Sports show will be officially announced on Monday.

It’s set to be real 50-50 clash between Mould and McDonagh as the pair are expected to trade some serious leather with the winner going on to pursue bigger honours.

Mould (18-1-0, 6 KO’s) won the title in style against the previously unbeaten Hamed Ghaz in February on a unanimous decision and then defeated the hard Mexican Christian Lopez Flores in June, but now arguably faces the toughest test of his 19-fight career.

World rated Mould is out to prove that he’s the real deal and is on a mission to become World Champion.   A victory against McDonagh is crucial to remain on course towards challenging for a World title.

Mould said, “I can’t wait for this one! McDonagh is the type of test I want and need at this stage of my career.  When it’s an all British clash with a title on the line it makes it that bit more special and adds an extra edge to it.  I believe he’ll be coming to win and take the title and I know that I’ll have to be at my very best and I’ll be more hungrier and determined to keep hold of the belt and everything it means for my future.”

Hard-as-nails McDonagh (12-2-0, 1 KO) from Sheerness is the reining Southern Area Lightweight Champion and will provide a stern test for the ambitious Mould.

The 28-year-old southpaw defeated Connor Marsden by tenth round stoppage in September last year to claim the title and then made first defence in a hard fought, tense, battle against Ben Smith in April this year to retain the title on a points victory.

McDonagh said, “I’m really looking forward to the fight with Reece it’s a very tough fight but one I’m confident in winning.   A win gets my his world ranking and puts me in the place I feel like I deserve. Thank you to Izzy of GBM Sports and my manager Lee Eaton for getting me the opportunity and I look forward to putting on a career best performance.”

The remaining boxers to feature on the undercard have also been confirmed.

It was announced on Monday that rising prospects Naphtali Nembhard, Adam Mohammed, Will Cawley and Nohmaan Hussain will all feature in the line up.

GBM Sports have now announced that up-and-coming prospects Bree Wright, Faraqat Ali, Joe Hayden, Sheldon McDonald, Red Johnson and Declan Cairns have all been added to the show to complete an action-packed 12-fight card.

Sheffield’s only female professional boxer, welterweight Wright (3-0-0, 1 KO) has built an unbeaten record as she looks towards challenging for her first title shortly.  Burbeary has battled through mental health and weight issues to start her pro boxing career and counts her friend and World Champion Terri Harper as her inspiration.

Sheffield Super-Featherweight ‘El Frako’ Ali (7-0-0) will have domestic titles in his sights with a victory on the night.  The rising talent is unbeaten in seven and has featured on all GBM Sports’ card to date.

Dave Allen protege Hayden (10-0-0) from Coinsborough has been billed as ‘Doncaster’s busiest and brightest boxing prospect’.  The 23-year-old southpaw has amassed a ten-fight unbeaten record in just over a year of turning pro and his quality has been recognised by World Title contender Jack Catterall who insists on using Hayden for sparring.  Hayden was also a former semi-professional player with Maltby Main and Frickley Athletic.

Sheffield Cruiserweight McDonald (6-1-0, 2 KO’s) is another former semi-professional footballer having played for Sheffield FC, Handsworth and Clipstone.  He was studying Accountancy at Sheffield’s Hallam University and boxing in the amateur code when his friend and mentor former World Cruiserweight Champion Johnny Nelson noticed his boxing talent and advised him to drop football.  McDonald followed his advice and turned professional and has also completed his successfully completed his Accountancy degree.

Completing the card will be unbeaten Sheffield Super-Middleweight prospect Johnson (3-0-0) and Worksop Welterweight Cairns (6-1-0, 1 KO).

Promoter Izzy Asif, CEO of GBM Sports, commented, “What a fight it’s going to be between Mould and McDonagh.  This has the makings of a great fight between these two proud warriors.  Full credit to McDonagh for challenging Mould in his Yorkshire strong hold and I know he’ll give it everything he’s got.  Reece is really riled up for this fight and knows that everything he has worked for is on the line so he knows that there are no two ways about it – he must win.  I’m delighted to add the remaining names to the show and it will be GBM Sports’ biggest and best fight night to date.  I’m really looking forward to seeing all these boxers’ in action on the night and it’s quality from the top to the bottom on the card.  With Reece headlining and Dolan versus Hopewell in the chief support, all the way through to Nembhard, Mohammed, Cawley, Hussain, plus our announcement today of Wright, Ali, Hayden McDonald, Johnson and Cairns.  It’s going to be an amazing night to show the depth and talent in GBM Sports and how far we’ve come in a short space of time.

Sheffield, England – 7 August 2023 – GBM Sports is delighted to announce that the all-action Doncaster boxing star Reece Mould will make the first defence of his WBA Continental Lightweight Championship on Friday 6th October in Sheffield.

Mould will headlines a double-title show that also features a fiery Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship showdown between rivals Emma Dolan and Nicola Hopewell, rising prospects Naphtali Nembhard, Adam Mohammed, Will Cawley and Nohmaan Hussain, with even more talent to be added show.

The venue for the show will be announced shortly. 

Bringing excitement every time he fights, Mould inflicted the first defeat to Bradford rival Hamed Ghaz in a pulsating fight in February this year.  Mould wobbled Ghaz twice in the second round and almost stopped him, but Ghaz recovered and fought back hard to take the fight to the judges’ scorecards.  Mould’s work-rate and better punch output saw him win on all three cards to claim not only the WBA Continental belt, but also the Vacant English title.

He was last in action June against against Christian Lopez Flores in a gritty fight that saw Mould floor Flores in the fourth round and receive a count but the hard Mexican got up and took the fight the eight round distance with Mould winning with a dominant point victory of 80-71.

With a World title challenge in his sights, Mould is eager to put on a scintillating display and show the fans’ that he’s the next big name to emerge on the British scene.

Mould said, “I’m raring to get out and fight and I can’t wait for October 6 in Sheffield.  It’s an important fight for me and a big win set me up for a big fights next year.  My team are looking at potential names now and I’ll be in a position to confirm soon who will be in the opposite corner.  I won the title with a good win over Ghaz and then faced a tough Mexican last time out, I’ll be ready for whoever is put in front of me.”

To compliment the top of the bill, GBM Sports have assembled a top quality undercard that will see a fiery East Midlands clash between fierce rivals Emma Dolan (5-0-0, 1 KO) and Nicola ‘Hurricane’ Hopewell (3-0-0, 1 KO) in the chief-support.  

Dolan from Newark created a small piece of history when she became the first ever holder of the female Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship by defeating tough Tanzanian Halima Vunjabei on the judges’ scorecards.

She makes the first defence of the title against Worksop’s unbeaten Hopewell with plenty of pride and ‘bragging rights’ at stake in the hot derby showdown that has got the trade and fans’ excited.

On the undercard two talented Sheffield prospect with fascinating stories will feature.

What can be billed as a ‘homecoming’ of sorts, Naphtali Nembhard, who was a former basketball player with the Sheffield Sharks will make his professional boxing debut in the middleweight division over four rounds.  The 27-year-old played as a small forward for the Sharks and makes the transition from the court to the ring where he will see if his fast hands can make the change from scoring hoops to knockouts.

One of the biggest compliments a boxer can receive is when fans says ‘they have the heart’.  For undefeated bantamweight prospect Nohmaan Hussain (3-0-0), it also has another meaning as he also has a career as an NHS cardiac intensive care practitioner.  The Sheffield University graduate works in an Intensive Therapy Unit ITU monitoring and caring for Level 3 patients who are severely poorly from both pre and post cardiac surgery.  Hussain aims for his fourth victory in his four round contest.

Also on the card will be the unbeaten Oldham Bantamweight Will Cawley (3-0-0, 1 KO), the latest protege under top trainer Ben Davison, and Birmingham Super-Featherweight talent Adam Mohammed will make his professional debut.

Promoter Izzy Asif, CEO of GMB Sports, is looking forward to seeing Mould back in the ring and heading an action-packed show.  He said, “It’s fantastic to have Mould headline the show in Sheffield on October 6 and defending his belt.  He brings excitement and action whenever he fights and the fans’ love to watch him so it will be another electric night for GBM Sports.  The chief support on the card between Dolan and Hopewell is also set to be a red-hot match with plenty of East Midlands pride at stake for the winner and loser.  With two of our popular and exciting up-and-coming Sheffield talents on the card in Naphtali and Nohmaan plus the additions of Will and Adam, the card is nicely shaping up at this points.  We’ll have an announcement on the venue very shortly and further fighters who will feature on the card.”

An announcement will be made in due course for the official press conference with further fights to be added to the card.