Nathan Gorman powered his way to the IBF International Heavyweight Championship as he twice downed his opponent in a punishing first-round stoppage of Tomas Salek at the M&S Bank Arena on Friday June 17, live on Channel 5. Stoppages were the theme of the main card as ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly reminded everyone of his class and technical ability in a fourth-round TKO victory over the Hungary’s Peter Kramer.

With his name upon the banners, Nathan Gorman did not disappoint the Channel 5 audience and all those in attendance at the M&S Bank Arena on a fantastic Wasserman Boxing fight night. Gorman had a job to do after 15 months out of the ring, but had clearly been working on all the physical and technical aspects of his game to overwhelm is Czech opponent.

The pressure on Gorman intensified as his cousin and WBC Heavyweight king, Tyson Fury, entered the arena in typically flamboyant style. ‘The Gypsy King’ would not be left disappointed, as all of the improvements made by Gorman left Tomas Salek stunned once the first heavy blow had been thrown.

After applying pressure from the first bell, Salek got caught with a heavy shot to meet the canvas a little earlier than planned. The referees count was reluctantly met by the Czech Heavyweight champion, only for Gorman to scythe him down once more with another brutal punch.

“It’s been a fantastic night,” said Gorman. “What a way to come back to the boxing ring.”

“Tomas Salek has only lost to good fighters, but I think I’m the only one to do it in that impressive style. I’m really happy and really pleased with it, live on Channel 5 as well so hopefully there were plenty of happy people watching.”

“It’s now about being active. I’m only 25-years-old, but I want to keep pushing on and hunting for them titles. There’s a hell of a long career ahead of me yet, and there’s big things to come.”

The wait was finally over as the Liverpool crowd stood to cheer Josh Kelly back to the squared circle for the first time in over a year. The fluid and natural boxing that Kelly has been renowned for showed no sign of rust as the Sunderland man looked even more focused and spiteful than he had previously.

His opponent, Peter Kramer, had shown up to become a banana skin and use his durability and experience to spoil the party. This was not the case, as Kelly wore the Hungarian down with a blend of speed, movement and some hard-hitting uppercuts that inevitably saw the referee wave off proceedings in the fourth round.

“Nothing ever replicates fight night – training for it, travelling away to arenas, preparing in the changing rooms. Nothing replicates it,” said Kelly.

“Round after round, I could feel myself getting sharper and I started reading him a lot better. I wanted to put a statement out there with my jab, and it worked well tonight to break him down to the point he started taking a few too many shots.”

“I was saying to Adam (Booth) that I’m going to land a right-uppercut on this guy. When they started landing and doing the job, I thought if he’s going to just sit there and take it then I’m just going to keep giving it to him.”

“He goes the distance with heavier guys normally, like Super-Middleweights. To hurt him, and make him physically shaken, shows what strength and power I carry at 154lbs.”

Chloe Watson avoided any slip-up in her homecoming fight, as the city of Liverpool cheered her on to victory. Watson’s opponent, El Bousairi, had been described as a very game opponent all week and someone to push the young fighter. It was an accomplished performance that saw Watson get over the line with a 59-56 points win.

Elsewhere on the card, it was a successful debut for Aaron Chalmers as he passed the test with a 39-37 points victory over Alexander Zeledon. There were plenty of signs to show the potential of Chalmers and his entry into the sport, with the former Geordie Shore star looking comfortable in heavier gloves having swapped the cage for ropes.

Undercard Results

Mason Cartwright def.  Angel Emilov via points, 80-72

Matty Harris def. Pawel Strykowski via first-round KO

Paddy Lacey def. Ryan Broten via first-round TKO

Tom Farrell def. Olaide Fijabi via points, 58-57

Tom Aitchison def. Ezequiel Gregores via fourth-round TKO

Gadatamen Taylor def. Marcos Molloy via points, 48-47

John Edwardson def. Stefan Nicolae via points, 42-36

IBF INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
NATHAN GORMAN – 19 Stone, 3 Pounds, 2 Ounces
TOMAS SALEK – 16 Stone, 8 Pounds, 2 Ounces

Super-Welterweight Bout – 10 X 3 Minute Rounds
JOSH KELLY – 11 Stone, 2 Ounces
PETER KRAMER – 11 Stone, 1 Ounce

Flyweight Bout – 6 X 2 Minute Rounds
CHLOE WATSON – 8 Stone, 4 Ounces
FARA EL BOUSAIRI – 7 Stone, 12 Pounds, 7 Ounces

Middleweight Bout – 4 X 3 Minute Rounds
AARON CHALMERS – 11 Stone, 7 Pounds, 1 Ounces
ALEXANDER ZELEDON – 11 Stone, 3 Pounds, 2 Ounces

Super-Welterweight Bout – 8 X 3 Minute Rounds
MASON CARTWRIGHT – 11 Stone, 3 Pounds, 5 Ounces
ANGEL EMILOV – 11 Stone, 2 Pounds, 4 Ounces

Heavyweight Bout – 4 X 3 Minute Rounds
MATTY HARRIS – 19 Stone, 7 Pounds, 5 Ounces
PAWEL STRYKOWSKI – 15 Stone, 6 Pounds, 8 Ounces

Middleweight Bout – 6 X 3 Minute Rounds
PADDY LACEY – Weigh-In Scheduled Tomorrow
RYAN BROTEN – Weigh-In Scheduled Tomorrow

Super-Lightweight Bout – 6 X 3 Minute Rounds
TOM FARRELL –  10 Stone, 6 Pounds, 9 Ounces
OLAIDE FIJABI –  Weigh-In Scheduled Tomorrow

Super-Lightweight Bout – 6 X 3 Minute Rounds
TOM AITCHISON – 10 Stone, 3 Ounces
EZEQUIEL GREGORES – 10 Stone, 1 Pound, 5 Ounces

Super-Featherweight Bout – 6 X 3 Minute Rounds
MARCOS MOLLOY – 9 Stone, 11 Pounds
GADATAMEN TAYLOR – 9 Stone, 10 Pounds, 3 Ounces

Featherweight Bout – 4 X 3 Minute Rounds
JOHN EDWARDSON – 9 Stone, 5 Pounds
STEFAN NICOLAE – 9 Stone, 2 Pounds, 1 Ounce

For full image gallery please click here. Mandatory photo credit: Wasserman Boxing. Editorial use only.

If prompted, please use password: GormanSalek

Heavyweights collide as Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) takes on Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs) as part of a huge night of free-to-air boxing on Friday June 17 at the M&S Bank Arena. ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) also features alongside the professional debut of Aaron Chalmers and former Team GB fighter Chloe Watson (2-0) as she continues her undefeated start as a professional under the tutelage of Ricky Hatton, fighting over 6 rounds in the Flyweight division against Fara El Bousairi (5-2, 1 KO). The undefeated Paddy Lacey (2-0) and John Edwardson (2-0) will both be looking for wins in front of their home crowd, with Mason ‘Nutty’ Cartwright (17-3, 7 KOs) and heavyweight giant ‘Magic’ Matty Harris (2-0, 1 KO) also promising to provide Liverpool with more highlight moments. Promoted by Wasserman Boxing, live on Channel 5, in association with William Hill, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment.

Limited tickets are available via https://www.ticketquarter.co.uk/

The final pre-fight words have been exchanged ahead of a huge night of free-to-air boxing live from the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Friday night on Channel 5

Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) and Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) have both promised statement wins as they return to action as part of a huge night of free-to-air boxing on Friday night at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool live from 9pm on Channel 5.

The IBF International Heavyweight Championship will be the incentive for both fighters, as Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) faces the Heavyweight king of the Czech Republic, Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs) on Friday June 17. The winner can also claim a one-way ticket to the top 15 of this division, and take this opportunity to make new waves amongst the most dangerous men on the planet.  

Nathan Gorman

“I’m feeling great to be honest, one of the best camps I’ve ever had. There’s no excuses, I’ve left no stone unturned for this one. I walk through the press conference doors today and could see my big face everywhere on the backdrops, live on Channel 5, I’m living the dream. An unbelievable feeling really, and I’m just excited for Friday night.”

“I believe this is Nathan Gorman’s time. I can go back 300 or 400 years of fighting heritage within my family. I believe I’m here fighting for a reason, and everyone will be able to see that reason come Friday night.”

“I have had a brief period away from the ring, but I’m only 25 years old and I have a long career ahead of me. It has been 15 months out of the ring, but I’ve spent those 15 months grafting hard, perfecting my boxing skills day in, day out. Like I said before, there’s no excuses. When I walk out of the M&S Bank Arena come Friday, every box has been ticked.”

“To me, boxing is my job and it’s a job that needs doing. I’m calm now, but come fight time I become a different person. I speak for all the fighters here when I say we all have our different routines of how they approach the fight, but I just like to relax with my team up until we hit that arena. It’s game on when we arrive, hands wrapped, and it’s go time.”

“Being Live on Channel 5 is amazing, especially off the back of the previous show pulling in one million viewers. It’s a heavyweight bout, we’re both big punchers representing this card, ideally we want to be bumping them figures up even more! Tomas Salek is a very credible opponent – he’s young, he’s ambitious, and he’s coming off two good wins. He’s here to win, and to win that title to push into the top 15 of the world rankings. If anything happens in the future for the world titles, we could be getting phone calls to step in. That’s how seriously I see this fight for me and for my opponent. I wish it was tonight so we could get it on.”

“Tune in and expect a big win.”

Tomas Salek

“I feel amazing, and I hope you’re all looking forward to this fight. I’m looking forward to fighting for this title.”

“I’m not solely reliant on my punching power. I’ve prepared for all the ways this fight could go, and the focus will be on me performing to my best.”

“This fight will end however it is supposed to end on Friday night.”

Liverpool hosts the return of “Pretty Boy” Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs), and the Sunderland man will face the 32-year-old Hungarian Peter Kramer (12-5-3, 8 KOs) in Liverpool on June 17 as Wasserman Boxing presents another huge night of free-to-air terrestrial television action.

Josh Kelly

“I can’t wait to be live on Channel 5 and competing in the city of Liverpool. The arena is somewhere where I’ve boxed before, I know how good the Liverpool crowd are, so I can’t wait to put a performance on and show off my skills.”

“After the disappointing issue with my opponent in London, I just locked in to this one. I just told myself that there’s 5 weeks until the Liverpool card so just keep working hard in the gym, keep sparring, and keep everything ready – that’s exactly what I did. I believe in myself and I believe that I am one of the best, so I just need to prove it on the night and I’m sure I will.”

“Peter is a good, experienced operator. I believe I’m going to be too fit, too strong, too prepared and too fast for him. I’m going to put him in deep water before he even realises.”

“My prediction? A big win, that’s it.”

Peter Kramer

“First of all, I’d like to greet everyone who is here today. I know of Josh Kelly, and I’m very happy to be here in the UK, this is my fifth time fighting here. I’m very appreciative for this opportunity and very aware of the opportunity. I respect that this fight will be against a very prominent opponent that Josh Kelly is, but I’ll be doing everything I can in the ring to win. We’ll see what happens on fight night.”

“Like any fighter, I’ll be relying on my heart first and foremost. I’ve been preparing hard for this, and I’m fit and ready to perform. If I combine my heart, my preparation and my conditioning – I give myself a good chance of taking a big win back to Hungary.”

An action packed undercard features the homecoming for one of Liverpool’s hottest young prospects as Chloe Watson (2-0) steps up in competition to face Fara El Bousairi (4-2, 1 KO) in front of her home fans. This stacked card also features the professional debut of former reality television and MMA star Aaron Chalmers, who will be looking to enter the boxing scene with a bang at the M&S Bank Arena this Friday, June 17.

Chloe Watson

“I feel nerves and excitement coming in to any fight – even more so when it’s going to be in Liverpool. It’s good though. It was mentioned before, what makes Liverpool such a great fighting city? I can say first hand that it is the people. The amount of people that support me and get behind me is the reason I am where I am today. The reason why I’ve pushed to get where I’m going to get to is because of people like my dad and all those who back me. The fighting city of Liverpool pushes me to get to where I want to be.”

“It’s going to be a competitive fight, but it’s what I’m used to. I boxed with Team GB for 3 years, and ever since I was 15 I have been boxing for England. I’m used to competitive fights, they excite me. This is one of them fights, I’m excited and look forward to putting on a good performance.“

“Working with Ricky (Hatton) has been great. I’ve been lucky enough to be alongside him as he goes on this new journey. It’s very inspirational as he did just flick the switch, and you can see from the weight loss that he’s not messing about. He has been in the gym, he has been dieting, he has been training. It’s good to see that winning mentality, it never goes, it’s always with him.”

“It’s definitely inspired me for this camp for sure. Being in his presence, even before him getting back into training, it’s just a great environment to be in and everything is on the up.”

Aaron Chalmers

“I’ve been excited mate. It has been a long time coming. I’ve had a few setbacks with injuries and other things – but now feels like the right time and what better place to start than Liverpool. It’s like Newcastle; they like football, drinking and boxing. So it’s a great place to start.”

“When I went to Adam (Booth) about 22 months ago I started fresh. For the first 6 months I was just jabbing so I’ve got the perfect jab. I’ve spent the time grafting my arse off away from my family and my mrs to chase the dream. It’s been 22 months in the making so come fight night I’ll be excited to go out there and put on a show.”

“Lets take care of Friday first before I start making future plans. It’s going to be a quick two years for me – but I want to try and succeed and do everything I can. Lets get the job done Friday and we can go again.”

Promoter Kalle Sauerland has praised Liverpool in the build up to this fight on more than one occasion. The Head of Global Boxing had expressed his delight at the successes of the London show, and cannot wait to see what this great fighting city has to offer.

Kalle Sauerland

“There’s always a spring in my step coming off the train when I arrive in Liverpool. I’ve got more friends in Liverpool than I have in London, that’s not saying much but it speaks volumes of the people here. It’s a fantastic city to promote in, it’s a fantastic fight town. A true fight town. It’s been a few years since we’ve had a fight here, the last time was with the Boxing Super Series, and now we’re bringing the heavyweights. Headlining this time is Nathan Gorman, with Josh Kelly out to make a statement on his return too.”

“For us at Wasserman Boxing it’s all about the boxing, we’re in Australia next week and we’re looking to push for 25 or 30 events this year. The most fantastic thing was that last show. After all the effort that went into the fights, with some true warrior performances on show, it was truly satisfying to get a message from the Head of Sport from Channel 5 messaging to inform me that we’d cracked the million-viewer figure on the Friday night. That’s what we want to be doing. All the girls and guys have gone through terrific camps, they go through blood, sweat and tears, as well as their fantastic teams and trainers; it’s exceptional. To have that rewarded with, not just a few thousand viewers, but with a million viewers is something very special.”

“Linus and Denzel were not yet household names when they fought in London, but people saw the quality on show and opted to stay tuned and watched the fight. We want to keep attracting new fans of the sport who are not yet opting to watch boxing on other platforms. Airing boxing here in the UK, it’s an opportunity we are grasping with both hands; it’s every promoter’s dream. We’re hoping Saturday night for the fighters to seize their chance and take full advantage of being seen.”

For full image gallery please click here. Mandatory photo credit: Wasserman Boxing. Editorial use only.

If prompted, please use password: GormanSalek

Heavyweights collide as Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) takes on Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs) as part of a huge night of free-to-air boxing on Friday June 17 at the M&S Bank Arena. ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) also features alongside the professional debut of Aaron Chalmers and former Team GB fighter Chloe Watson (2-0) as she continues her undefeated start as a professional under the tutelage of Ricky Hatton, fighting over 6 rounds in the Flyweight division against Fara El Bousairi (5-2, 1 KO). The undefeated Paddy Lacey (2-0) and John Edwardson (2-0) will both be looking for wins in front of their home crowd, with Mason ‘Nutty’ Cartwright (17-3, 7 KOs) and heavyweight’s Hosea Stewart (2-0) and giant ‘Magic’ Matty Harris (2-0, 1 KO) also promising to provide Liverpool with more highlight moments. Promoted by Wasserman Boxing, live on Channel 5, in association with William Hill, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment.

Limited tickets are available via https://www.ticketquarter.co.uk/

Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) will not only be fighting for the honour that his fighting heritage demands, but also for the IBF International Heavyweight Championship title when he faces Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs) on Friday June 17 as part of a huge night of free-to-air boxing at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, live on Channel 5. With his cousin Tyson Fury, and being great-nephew to the bare-knuckle fighting phenomenon Bartley Gorman, fighting is clearly in his blood. This does not act as pressure for Nathan Gorman, but a welcomed opportunity to continue the Gorman name being carried on to future successes. “I do come off a long bloodline of fighters. I can go back maybe two or three hundred years to my great great grandfather, all the way to me at this present time. The last bare knuckle in our family was Bartley Gorman which everyone already knows of, he’s very famous throughout Britain. “It’s good that his legacy lives on, and I’m happy to be a part of it and happy to have this surname. Hopefully I can bring it into the boxing ring and take it to the world title stage.” Not only is it the past of this fighting family that spurs him on, but the support of present-day members. After Gorman’s loss to Daniel Dubois in 2019 it was his cousin, the current WBC and The Ring magazine champion, Tyson Fury who came to his aid. “He (Tyson) rang me a day or two after the fight and said ‘It’s boxing, one punch can change everything in the heavyweight division. It’s not how you go down, it’s how you bounce back up and keep going forward and keep progressing – it’s all experience,’” said Gorman. “I took a long time out of the ring; I needed to find myself, regroup myself, and change a lot of things around me. Here we are today, I’m headlining my own show in the next few weeks so it doesn’t get any better.” The addition of the IBF International Heavyweight Championship title has welcomed a new level of incentive for both fighters. Gorman has never denied his ambitions when it comes to fighting for world titles, and this is a step in the right direction to make them dreams a reality. “I’m topping my own show, then I got this news confirmed that I’m fighting for the IBF belt, absolutely fantastic. Live on Channel 5, and fighting for a very well-known ranked belt. I imagine a few things have changed for both me and Tomas Salek now – there are more marbles on the line here now. “Winning the title and pushing within that top 10 in the world, and the way heavyweight boxing is booming at the minute excites me for the fantastic fights that can be made there. It’s following the right path to where I want to be, and hopefully fighting for a world title in the years to come.” Ahead of this huge heavyweight clash, made bigger now the IBF strap is on the line, this opportunity is not only big for Gorman but even bigger for his opponent Tomas Salek. It is a genuine chance for the Czech fighter to try an derail Gorman in his home nation. “Tomas Salek is a really good, really sound, boxer and is coming off the back of two good wins as well as being the champion of his country,” said Gorman. “He’ll be looking at this like he’s headlining a big show, on Channel 5 in front of a huge viewing audience, and potentially able to put himself in the driving seat to get another massive fight. I am expecting the best Tomas Salek, and I know I’ll get that, but he’s also getting the best Nathan Gorman.” With fight week commencing, it is all business. Gorman happy to acknowledge the abilities of the man standing in his way for title glory. Alongside this appreciation, it is still strictly business, with the English fighter ready to produce a performance to wow the Chanel 5 audience and all those in attendance. “Expect a boxing show, fireworks. Tomas Salek doesn’t take a backwards step, so I’m expecting a real good fight. This isn’t going the distance.” Heavyweights collide as Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) takes on Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs) as part of a huge night of free-to-air boxing on Friday June 17 at the M&S Bank Arena. ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) also features alongside the professional debut of Aaron Chalmers and former Team GB fighter Chloe Watson (2-0) as she continues her undefeated start as a professional under the tutelage of Ricky Hatton, fighting over 6 rounds in the Flyweight division against Fara El Bousairi (5-2, 1 KO). The undefeated Paddy Lacey (2-0) and John Edwardson (2-0) will both be looking for wins in front of their home crowd, with Mason ‘Nutty’ Cartwright (17-3, 7 KOs) and heavyweight’s Hosea Stewart (2-0) and giant ‘Magic’ Matty Harris (2-0, 1 KO) also promising to provide Liverpool with more highlight moments. Promoted by Wasserman Boxing, live on Channel 5, in association with William Hill, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment.   Tickets are available via https://www.ticketquarter.co.uk/

A must-see undercard will be shown LIVE from the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on June 17, as Wasserman Boxing returns with another fantastic free-to-air event. After over one million viewers previously during a hugely successful card, Liverpool will look to smash the numbers on what promises to be another night of elite fighting inside the squared circle.

Wasserman Boxing is pleased to announce that those in the UK and Ireland will have access to all the build up to the Liverpool card. Facebook users can view the undercard with SportBIBLE, whilst those watching on YouTube can get involved in the undercard action on the Boxing Social channel.

As the early fights reach their climax, head over to Channel 5 at 9pm to finish off Friday in style as Heavyweight Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) looks set to reignite is World Title ambitions as he prepares for a heavy-hitting head-to-head against KO specialist and Czech national champion Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs).

‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) also features on the card as he looks to get himself back into World Title contention, alongside fellow Northerner and former MMA and Reality TV star professional Aaron Chalmers on his professional boxing debut.

Elsewhere on the British Super Flyweight Title Eliminator between Liverpool’s Marcel Braithwaite (12-3) and Thomas Essomba (11-7-1, 4 KOs) is poised to set the M&S Bank Arena alight, as well as a homecoming for former Team GB fighter Chloe Watson (2-0) facing Fara El Bousairi (5-2, 1 KO),

The undefeated Paddy Lacey (2-0), Mason ‘Nutty’ Cartwright (17-3, 7 KOs) and heavyweight giant ‘Magic’ Matty Harris (2-0, 1 KO) promise to provide unforgettable moments in the fighting city, promoted by Wasserman Boxing, live on Channel 5 from 9pm, in association with William Hill, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment.

Kalle Sauerland, Head Of Global Boxing at Wasserman said: “We’re very passionate about making boxing accessible to a nation that loves this sport so much. Getting as many eyes as possible on these events helps birth new stars, and British boxing is rife with it. 

“After over a million television viewers last time out, we’ll be looking achieve massive figures again alongside a successful undercard being live streamed on SportBIBLE and Boxing Social.”

Tickets are available via https://www.ticketquarter.co.uk/

Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12 KOs) returns under the bright lights to headline an action-packed night of free-to-air boxing on June 17 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, promoted by Wasserman Boxing live on Channel 5 in association with William Hill, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment.

The hard-hitting heavyweight will face off against a confident Czech, Tomas Salek (17-3, 13 KOs), fresh from defending his national Heavyweight Title and looking to get into a firefight in this guaranteed earth shaker.

It has been over a year since Gorman last graced the ring, and the British power-puncher will be looking to pick up where he left off with a third straight win since his first career loss in 2019. A tremendous response since then, he will be looking to come back with a bang having missed a previous card due to illness.

“I’m coming there to throw the kitchen sink at him and put on a really good display,” said Gorman.

“I was due to fight on the Savannah Marshall show, but unfortunately, I came down with a bad illness. I believe things happen for a reason, and now I’m in a position to put on a good show with Channel 5. I’m just really looking forward to it.”

Standing in the way of a dream return for him will be 23-year-old Salek, who is coming to flex his greater knockout record on Gorman’s home turf. It will be an opportunity for Salek to right the wrongs from his previous appearance in the United Kingdom, and he’ll be insisting he puts on a spectacle to prove he has progressed.

“It is a big opportunity for me,” he said. “This will be my second fight in the United Kingdom, and I truly want to show that I am now much stronger physically, but mostly, much stronger mentally. I want to come back to the Czech Republic with Gorman’s scalp!”

Fans can also look forward to an electric British Super Flyweight Title Eliminator between two physically imposing fighters when ‘The Chosen One’ Marcel Braithwaite (12-3) will be aiming to get his fellow Liverpool faithful on side as he looks to get the better of the experienced former WBA Continental Bantemweight Champion Thomas Essomba (11-7-1, 4 KOs).

The M&S Bank Arena will be rocking when Braithwaite, the newly crowned WBC International Silver Super Flyweight champion, arrives to seize the spotlight and move towards ticking off more on his boxing bucket list.

“It’s a good fight. It’s perfect fight for where I’m at in my career and it feels like the stepping stone I need for me to get to the British title. That title is one of my ambitions, so I just need to put everything into my preparations to make sure I get there, which I will,” said Braithwaite.

“I’m really excited to have the chance to perform in front of my home crowd at such a great venue. I’ve always wanted to fight there, and that will be reflected in my performance. Everyone has Channel 5 too, I’ll be on two massive stages. It’s my time, and I’ll show that June 17.”

A rejuvenated Essomba comes to crash the Liverpool party off the back of necessary changes to his preparations. Singing all the right notes in the gym, he will be looking to control this fight as the older statesmen and kick on to a British Title.

“I’ve never had the training I have now. It’s the perfect time for me to show all the UK fans that I am a great fighter, and a great boxer. I have good people around me now and I believe in the work I’m putting in. People will see that Thomas Essomba deserves to be a British Champion, and maybe even more than that. For now, I’m only focused on the British Title. I know Marcel is a good fighter, and I respect him, but I am better.”

The card will also feature former Team GB fighter Chloe Watson, alongside the undefeated Paddy Lacey, Mason ‘Nutty’ Cartwright and heavyweight giant ‘Magic’Matty Harris. All live on Channel 5, as Wasserman Boxing presents yet another lively night of world-class boxing.

“The free-to-air revolution continues on June 17 as we head to the fantastic fight city of Liverpool for another outstanding night of boxing live on Channel 5,” said Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland. “This time we have the big boys in action. Nathan Gorman is from fighting stock. He is an exceptional talent who we believe can go all the way. He faces a tough test in what should be a fan friendly affair against the big punching Tomas Salek. Alongside this exciting heavyweight attraction we will have an abundance of local talent showcasing their skills in front of the what I expect will be a lively audience at M&S Bank Arena.”

For more information and to sign up for exclusive pre-sale tickets, pleaseclick here.