Chev Clarke is ready to end a breakout 2024 in style by taking out Leonardo Mosquea to win the vacant EBU European Cruiserweight Title tomorrow night at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo. British Champion Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) wants to make a statement when he squares off with the first unbeaten opponent of his career in France’s Mosquea (15-0, 9 KO’s), live on DAZN, and the big-hitting Gravesend southpaw has been in a bullish mood since arriving in Monaco on Wednesday.  “I ain’t here to laugh and joke,” said Clarke. “I just enjoy putting pain on people. I just want to inflict as much pain as possible. Come fight night it’s going to be something different.  “You want to test yourself against the best there is to offer. The European belt is at stake. He’s a good operator. 15-0 but he’s never faced Chev Clarke. “An emphatic win. Chev Clarke – European Champion. It was written. When I win the European Title, it’s another achievement, and next year we’re just going to keep on pushing the boundaries.” ‘C4’ put his name on the Cruiserweight map by stopping Belfast’s former European ruler Tommy McCarthy at Ulster Hall back in January, taking out Ellis Zorro in eight rounds to claim the famous Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt at the First Direct Arena in Leeds in May and decisioning Efetobor Apochi over ten hard rounds in Los Angeles in August. “It’s been a successful year,” Clarke reflected. “We levelled up and took the challenges that came. Tommy McCarthy, Belfast, knockout, job done. Ellis Zorro, Leeds, explosive, British Title. Becoming British Champion, I added my name to a list of classy, high achievers. I’m there on the list and my name can never be rubbed out now. “Then we took it Stateside. Efetobar Apochi, US debut, the King, slayed. This journey or any journey in life ain’t ever going to be plain sailing, and it’s what happens in those moments and how you handle it that determines the type of person you are and the type of results you get. “Mosquea is another level up. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to bring violence to Monaco. You’ve always got to try and level up, and we’ve done that this camp. I’ll have another belt wrapped around my waist come fight night.” Clarke vs. Mosquea is part of a huge World Title double-header in Monte-Carlo, Uzbekistan’s former IBF and WBA Super-Bantamweight World Champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) attempts to become a two-time World Champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA Super-Bantamweight World Title, Brazilian amateur star turned 5-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira makes the first defence of her IBF Lightweight World Title against France’s former European Champion Licia Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs), rish Lightweight contender Gary Cully (18-1, 10 KOs) puts his WBA Continental Title on the line against Rossington’s Maxi Hughes (27-7-2, 6 KOs) in an intriguing Ireland vs. England match-up and Australian Heavyweight star Teremoana Teremoana (4-0, 4 KOs) makes his debut under the Matchroom banner against Ukraine’s Volodymyr Katsuk (5-1, 2 KOs).

A thrilling World Title double-header will top the latest instalment of the Monte-Carlo Showdown at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday December 14, shown live worldwide on DAZN. 

Uzbekistan’s former IBF and WBA Super-Bantamweight World Champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) attempts to become a two-time World Champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA Super-Bantamweight World Title.

‘MJ’ made three defences of the IBF and WBA World Titles he landed against Daniel Roman in Miami in January 2020 before losing them in a split decision points loss to Marlon Tapales on the undercard of Jesse Rodriguez vs. Cristian Gonzalez at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas last year.

Brazilian amateur star turned 5-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira makes the first defence of her IBF Lightweight World Title against France’s former European Champion Licia Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs) after capturing the vacant crown against Yanina del Carmen Lescano in Liverpool earlier this year.

‘The Beast’, a former amateur World Champion, won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games before putting pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in 2022. The 31-year-old attempted to go one better by winning gold in Paris this summer but ultimately fell short to eventual champion Kellie Harrington in the semi-final.

British Cruiserweight Champion Chev Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) looks to build on his successful American debut last time out in August when he clashes with unbeaten Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea (15-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Cruiserweight Title in what will be his biggest test to date.

Big hitting ‘C4’ looks to end a breakout 2024 on a high after stopping Belfast’s former European ruler Tommy McCarthy at Ulster Hall back in January, taking out Ellis Zorro in eight rounds to claim the famous Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt at the First Direct Arena in Leeds in May and decisioning Efetobor Apochi over ten hard rounds in Los Angeles in August.

Irish Lightweight contender Gary Cully (18-1, 10 KOs) puts his WBA Continental Title on the line against Rossington’s Maxi Hughes (27-7-2, 6 KOs) in an intriguing Ireland vs. England match-up. ‘The Diva’ outpointed Belgium’s former European Champion Francesco Patera in Leeds last time out in May while ‘Maximus’ earned an impressive stoppage win over Efstathios Antonas in Sheffield last month. 

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring and making the first defence of my World Title in Monte-Carlo,” said Ferreira. “I am very proud to have finished my Olympic journey as a two-time medallist but from now on my focus is 100% on the professionals and I am excited about this next phase in my career and dedicating myself fully to professional boxing.

“My opponent is very experienced and has won many titles in the past so I’m looking forward to the challenge and then I hope to move into big unification fights and add more World Titles in 2025.”

“I’m happy to be going back to work,” said Akhmadaliev. “It looks like that p4p star is not ready for big challenges. He can continue running away, but I will get what should be mine anyway. ‘M’J in business again and December will be hot!”

“I can’t wait to return to breathtaking Monte-Carlo for a magnificent night of World Championship boxing on December 14,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two thrilling World Title clashes, a European Title showdown between two hungry undefeated contenders and a big Ireland vs. England match-up – Monte-Carlo Showdown V has something for everyone! Catch all of the action live worldwide on DAZN.”

“Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has been the essential partner of the Principality of Monaco greatest sports events for over a century,” said Albert Manzone. “We are delighted to welcoming the 2024 edition of the Monte-Carlo Showdown, presented by the Casino de Monte-Carlo, at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, in the prestigious Salle des Etoiles room.”

Tickets priced at €200 plus fees will be available to purchase via Stage Front from 10am tomorrow morning (Monday October 28). In addition, Hotel and Ticket Packages are available priced at £995 plus fees (for two people sharing).

About Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer embodies a new Art de Vivre that is unique in the world with a taste for what is beautiful, fine and good. Its Resort offers Luxury Gaming in its casinos, “haute couture” experiences in its iconic palace hotels and their Diamond Suites and gourmet dining at the cutting edge of modernity, combining Michelin-starred restaurants, international concepts and our own creations, as well as a topflight artistic and cultural selection. The Resort also offers a fantastic range of sport and well-being activities, shopping and partying. And because the new Art de Vivre Monte-Carlo must evolve towards increasingly ethical and responsible luxury, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has been committed since 2007 to a pro-active policy in terms of energy transition, consumption of resources and waste, local fine dining and preservation of the natural heritage. The number 1 private employer in the Principality of Monaco, in 2023 the Group launched its 4th ethics charter to uphold its values of integrity and responsibility in conducting its professional business.

Chev Clarke believes Diego Pacheco’s fans will become fans of him as he prepares face Efetobor Apochi for the IBF International and WBA Intercontinental Cruiserweight titles on Saturday night (August 31) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Los Angeles, live worldwide on DAZN.

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Clarke (9-0 7 KOs) fights in America for the first time as a pro against Apochi (12-2 12 KOs), with the big-hitting Brit taking his focus away from winning the British title outright to deal with the dangerous Nigerian first.

‘C4’ always wants to get business done early, but this time he has added incentives, to make use he’s back out to watch Pacheco face Sulecki in the main event, and to do so in devastating fashion to make Pacheco’s fans into his own.

“Diego Pacheco is a BAD MAN,” said Clarke. “When I see him fight, he is cold! To be sharing the card with him is great. I rate him very highly, he’s special. The way he puts his combinations together is class, he’s a quality operator. I’m excited to watch him in person applying his craft.

“He’s got a bright future no doubt. He’s a great boxer, I can see him at the top of the 168lbs division in time for sure.

“If you like Diego Pacheco, you’ll definitely like me. He’s explosive, he maneuvers around the ring well and puts his shots together nicely, we’re similar fighters! Diego’s fans are going to love me.

“We’re in a different weight class and our stature is different but as entertainers go, we’re similar. We’ll have you hooked! You will definitely want to tune in because you’re getting two for the price of one on Saturday.”

Clarke’s clash with Apochi is part of a big night of action in Los Angeles, topped by Super-Middleweight stud Pacheco locking horns with Sulecki.

Super-Featherweight KO artist Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez (27-1 27 KOs) faces former World title challenger Miguel Marriaga (31-7 26 KOs) in the co-main event, and there’s an all-Mexican war as Arturo Cardenas (14-0-1 8 KOs) defends his Continental Americas Super-Bantamweight title against Jesus Arechiga (21-1 15 KOs), and the action on DAZN begins with an interim World title clash, as Adelaida Ruiz (16-0-1 8 KOs) defends her WBC Super-Flyweight title against Ginny Fuchs (3-0 1 KOs).

Recent Matchroom signing Fabian ‘Zurdo’ Rojo (9-0 7 KOs) meets Alejandro Frias (15-10-2 7 KOs) over six rounds at Welterweight, Criztec Bazaldua (5-0 1 KOs) faces Kyle Erwin (7-2 3 KOs) over six rounds at Super-Lightweight, and Alex Gueche (5-0 5 KOs) kicking off the night over six rounds at Bantamweight against David Vargas (8-4-2 5 KOs).