Fast-rising light heavyweight star Gradus Kraus will lead an action-packed undercard for Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson II as he takes on American Sean Hemphill on Saturday, August 8 at the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds, presented by BOXXER and broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN worldwide.
The KO sensation (11-0, 10 KOs) returns to British soil following a triumphant homecoming fight against Theo Brooks at the Topsportcentrum in Rotterdam on May 9, where he retained his perfect record with a spectacular second-round stoppage win.
Rapidly building a reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in world boxing, the dynamite fisted 24-year-old has floored every opponent he has faced so far in the professional ranks, with only one man making it beyond the second round.
Hemphill (19-3, 11 KOs), from New Orleans, USA, will be looking to halt Kraus’ devastating KO streak and improve his own record when the pair meet in a ten-round international contest.
Known as ‘Silky’, the 30-year-old has shared the ring with former world champion William Scull and has also served as a sparring partner for pound-for-pound superstar Canelo Alvarez.
The American returns to Yorkshire, where he enjoyed the biggest win of his career last June by handing the previously unbeaten Mark Jeffers his first professional defeat. Hemphill claimed a majority decision over Jeffers at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley to capture the WBA Gold Continental title. He also faced Ty Mitchell at Manchester’s AO Arena last August, finding himself on the wrong end of a split decision verdict that could have gone either way.
“We’re delighted to have Gradus Kraus back in action and boxing live on DAZN worldwide on Saturday, August 8 in Leeds,” said BOXXER Founder & CEO Ben Shalom.
“Sean Hemphill is a slick operator with plenty of experience and has already shown in the UK that he can upset the odds, so this is exactly the type of test Gradus needs at this stage of his career. It’s a dangerous fight, but these are the challenges that create future world champions.
“Gradus has all the ingredients to become a global mega star and August 8 is another massive opportunity for him to showcase his talent to fans watching around the world on DAZN.”
Adding further firepower to the highly anticipated rematch between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson are two eight-round contests featuring four unbeaten fighters. Slough super welterweight Hassan Azim (9-0, 5 KOs) takes on Portugal’s Ruben Torres (8-0, 4 KOs), while Manchester middleweight Mauro Silva (9-0, 4 KOs) faces Birmingham-based Bermudan Tyler Christopher (12-0, 2 KOs).
Further down the card, Leeds super lightweight Billy Pickles (18-1, 1 KO) meets Accrington’s Max Curtis (10-1, 1 KO) over six rounds. Hull’s unbeaten Ted Jackson (7-0) returns in a six-round super welterweight contest. Droylsden’s Billy Deniz (15-0, 5 KOs) faces Littleborough’s Alex Carter (5-2) in a six-round super middleweight bout. York’s rising cruiserweight talent Brad Casey (5-0, 2 KOs) returns in a four-round cruiserweight contest against Ross McGuigan (7-12-1, 1 KO).
This event is presented in association with BOXXER’s official partners Betfred, Riyadh Season, That Prize Guy, Champion and IFX Payments.
Tickets are available now via Tixr at BOXXER.com.