London, England (Jan 13, 2023) – Zak is back! Super-middleweight Zak Chelli will return to action on February 11 at the OVO Arena in London when he takes on the ‘Magician’ Anthony Sims Jr.

This hugely-exciting international ‘Wild Card’ contest – in association with headline event partners bet365 – joins an action-packed card in the capital, headlined by Adam Azim.

English super-middleweight champion Chelli (12-1-1, 6 KOs) celebrated a unanimous points victory over Germaine Brown on his last outing at Wembley in June 2022.

He was set to defend his title last November at Alexandra Palace before his opponent Lerrone Richards was forced to withdraw at the 11th hour.

Now Londoner Chelli, who has high aspirations of making big strides in the 168lb division this year, faces a huge step up against the tough American knockout specialist. 

Sims Jr (23-1-0, 20 KOs), stands at 6ft 1in, has stopped 20 of his 24 opponents,  won the WBA Inter-Continental super-middleweight title in 2021 and he is a cousin of the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The 27-year-old from Indiana is renowned for his destructive and devastating power with an impressive 20 KOs on his resume. And Chelli insists this is a fight fans in London will not want to miss.

Chelli said: “After the disappointment of not fighting last November, it’s great to be back at the OVO Arena in Wembley.

“This will be a really good fight for me. I’m training hard and I want to make a big impact on the division this year.

“I’m looking forward to taking on an experienced man from overseas in Sims Jr and stealing the show!”

Hassan Azim is back too – and is on a mission to underline his incredible talent this year.

Elder brother of Adam, undefeated Azim (5-0, 2 KOs) put on a brilliant performance last November when he outclassed Nestor Amukoto at Alexandra Palace with a comfortable points victory to cap a hugely successful 2022.

The popular welterweight prospect won all four of his fights last year and he’ll be keen to create his own headlines when he launches his campaign in London – live in the UK & Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports Boxing. An opponent will be named in due course.

Joining the bill is the ‘Wanderer’, Jordan Reynolds. The Luton-based super-welterweight (4-0, 1 KO) was successful on his most recent visit to Wembley’s iconic arena when he outclassed Jose Manuel Lopez Clavero in a majority points victory last October.

And Iranian featherweight prospect ‘Razor Ali’ (6-0) will be keen to showcase his sharp skills in the capital too. Ali – full name Alireza Ghadiri – is unbeaten in six previous fights and will be keen to add his first stoppage in what will be his seventh professional fight.

Adam ‘The Assassin’ Azim headlines against undefeated Santos Reyes (12-0, 3 KO’s).

With six consecutive stoppage victories – including November’s stunning two-round demolition of the highly-regarded Rylan Charlton – BBC Young Fighter of the Year, Azim has now established himself as the world’s leading lightweight prospect and considered by many as a future world champion after his breakthrough year in 2022. 

Azim’s McGuigan’s Gym stablemate ‘Sweet’ Caroline Dubois (5-0, 4 KO’s) takes a big step up on February 11 when she faces the highly-experienced Argentinian national champion Yamila Belen Abellaneda (15-5-1, 3 KO’s).

Best known to British fight fans for her WBA Intercontinental title battle with Natasha Jonas’ arch-rival Terri Harper in March last year, Abellaneda – who has successfully defended her Argentina national title four times since winning it in December 2020 – is making her second visit to the UK next month.

The English Middleweight Championship will be on the line when newly-crowned champion Tyler Denny (15-2-3) makes his first defence against undefeated Cornwall man Brad Pauls (16-0, 9 KO’s). 

Viddal Riley (7-0, 4 KOs) marked himself out as a rising threat in the stacked cruiserweight division in 2022. On February 11, he turns his attention to Anees Taj (7-2-0, 5 KOs).

London, England – (October 2, 2021) – The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) having raised concerns over Anatoli Muratov’s pre-fight medicals, he is now unable to fight in tonight’s bout with Chris Eubank Jr. at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

With the health and safety of our boxers being of paramount concern and the remaining time frame allowing no possibility of finding a replacement opponent of suitable quality, the bout has been cancelled and Eubank will not be appearing on tonight’s card.

The highly anticipated European Welterweight Championship fight between David Avanesyan and Manchester’s Liam Taylor has been elevated to the top of the stacked card which includes the English Super-Middleweight title eliminator between Germaine Brown and Jamal Le Doux; the exciting return of Britain’s most exciting cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe; the pro-debut of elite amateur Ebonie Jones; the return of cruiserweight talent Mikael Lawal; dynamite-punching Joe Pigford; rising middleweight star Linus Udofia; hotly-tipped super bantamweight prospect Alireza Ghadiri and undefeated flyweight Harvey Horn.

“It is an extremely unfortunate situation for Chris. However, the health and safety of boxers is always our number one concern and at this late stage it has not been possible to find a suitable replacement,” said Kalle Sauerland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman.

“I know Chris was looking forward to fighting tonight at the The SSE Arena, Wembley and starring as the new face of Sky Sports Boxing. We are already in discussions regarding a new date for Chris and fans can expect to see him back in the ring very soon.”

Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing, said, “I feel very strongly that first and foremost, the health and safety of all fighters is paramount.

“We’re hugely disappointed for Chris Eubank Jr, who has a big role to play in our new era on Sky Sports Boxing, and he will return on one of our shows in the coming weeks.

“David Avanesyan now tops tonight’s action-packed bill with his European title fight and we’ll bring you some of the most exciting talent in British boxing, with Richard Riakporhe, Ebonie Jones, and Germaine Brown all receiving their chance to shine on Sky Sports.”

“Obviously we are all disappointed that Chris Eubank Jr. can no longer compete on tonight’s card, but it is important to make the right decision in the interests of fighters’ health and safety. We’re grateful to the British Board of Boxing Control for the standards they employ to protect that,” said BOXXER’s Ben Shalom.

“My thoughts go out to Chris, who has had a very difficult time lately. He will come back stronger and remains a key figure in Sky Sports plans. Chris will be returning with a big fight in the next few weeks.

“Tonight’s card remains stacked with great fights from top to bottom, including the European Welterweight Championship bout in the main event, the English Super-Middleweight Title Eliminator bout between Germaine Brown and Jamal Ledoux and the return of top cruiserweight prospect Richard Riakporhe.”

Wasserman Boxing is delighted to announce the signing of a hat-trick of top UK talent as Hosea Stewart, Linus Udofia and Razor Ali ink promotional deals.  

Hosea Stewart, the explosive heavyweight handpicked by Anthony Joshua for sparring ahead his world title fight with Kubrat Pulev and proposed bout with Tyson Fury, will enter the professional ranks with Wasserman Boxing. 

Stewart hails from a family that has boxing running through its veins, and has already proven his pedigree as an amateur. The 24-year-old is a two-time Midlands champion, ABA finalist and GB Amateur Championship winner. 

“Let’s get to work,” said Stewart. “Throughout this whole pandemic, and even before it I told myself, keep working, keep doing what you do, keep making moves – and now I’m making moves with the biggest players in the game!”

On sparring with Anthony Joshua, Stewart says he believes the experience has teed him up perfectly for a move into the pro game.

“I know I’m ready for this. I wouldn’t let myself do it if I didn’t know 100% I was ready,” he said. “Sparring with AJ and other top class professionals has left no doubt in my mind that I can do this. I have a lot of work to do, I need to focus on my game, but that’s what I’ve been doing for years now. I’m here on the heavyweight scene and I’m here to cause some problems!”

English Champion ‘Lightning’ Linus Udofia (16-0, 8 KOs) has also put pen to paper as he looks to progress his already impressive career. The hard-hitting middleweight is hot off the back of a TKO win over John Harding Jr, and has his eyes set on moving up the ranks and challenging for more belts.

“My team are the best in the business and now we’ve joined Wasserman we will become a real force in the sport,” he said. “The idea of signing with Wasserman and working with the Sauerland brothers really excited me! 

“Look at the moves they’re making. They’re expanding and showcasing the very best talent in the country. The next generation as well as the most exciting fighters currently. This is what boxers dream of. It’s what I dreamed of and I’m excited and raring to go!”

Completing a hat-trick of signings is British Iranian Alireza ‘Razor Ali’ Ghadiri (3-0). The undefeated featherweight has overcome adversity and homelessness to become one of the most sought after young talents in the sport after arriving in the UK as a political refugee.

“I’ve been dreaming of this situation for years – I’ve worked every day for the last 5 years, no days off, to get into this position,” said Ali. “When I came to the UK, I had no money – I was literally penniless, couldn’t speak any English and was sleeping on the streets.

“I want to inspire people. When you’re Mr Nobody you can’t inspire people, but I feel now I can become someone who can share a story. Even if it’s just one person, I can say life tried to KO me, but I came back and I’m here.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland says today’s signings are a signal of intent from Wasserman Boxing as they look to deepen their stable by developing the best young talent alongside established stars. 

“We’re delighted to welcome Hosea, Linus and Ali to the team,” said Sauerland. “Today’s signings are statements of where we are moving with Wasserman Boxing. We want to work with the most exciting young talent who are hungry to develop. We will be continuing to grow our stable and will have more exciting announcement coming soon.”