Manchester, England – 25th March 2023 –  WBO Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie returned to Sky Sports to retain his World Championship in a confident unanimous decision victory over the previously-undefeated New Zealand champion and WBO #1 contender David Light at the AO Arena, Manchester.

Despite having been out of the ring for over a year, Okolie dominated the fight with scorecards of: 119-108, 117-110, and 116-112, showing class and skill under his new trainer SugarHill Steward, a relationship looking likely to bear even richer fruit in future.

The North London native controlled the range of the fight very successfully with a pawing jab that stopped Light from getting into position to land any damaging shots. When Light did get close, Okolie used effective short hooks from within the clinch.

While the jab did most of the work for Okolie in the early rounds, the right hand did find its mark at an increasing frequency as the fight went on. The resulting damage accumulated to the point Light was running on fumes by the end of the fight and the scorecards remained lopsided despite a point deduction for Okolie in the 11th round. 

With Okolie a proven one-shot fight-finisher, Light showed he has a genuinely world-class chin by not being knocked down in the 10th and 11th rounds, but he could do little else than try to remain standing as the fight went on.

Lawrence Okolie said to Sky Sports after the fight: “David Light was extremely tough, but there’s no excuses and we use it to get better. I hurt him in the second half of the fight, and he was dancing round the ring away from me, but he had strong defenses and was able to survive. I’ll fight anyone, if you think you’re good enough to beat me, meet me in the ring and let’s fight.”

Britain is teeming with cruiserweight talent in the form of fighters like Richard Riakporhe and Chris Billam-Smith, but Lawrence Okolie has the right to claim to be at the very top of the pile, having made multiple defenses of his world championship against top opposition, and looking set to keep getting better after ending his period of inactivity and finding a new world-class trainer.

Who of the exciting Brits in the division will end up on top in the end is still to be seen, but it is undeniable Lawrence Okolie is right at the centre of a golden era of British boxing at 200lbs, and has huge fights with BOXXER coming for him very soon.

Televised Card Results:

Lawrence Okolie def. David Light – UD (119-109, 117-110, 116-112)

Frazer Clarke def. Bogdan Dinu – RTD Rd 2 (3:00)

Michael Gomez Jr def. Levi Giles – SD (97-93, 97-94, 95-96)

Karriss Artingstall def. Linzi Buczynski – PTS (60-54)

Callum Simpson def. Celso Neves – KO Rd 3 (1:36)

Full Undercard Results

Frazer Clarke def. Bogdan Dinu – RTD Rd 2 (3:00)

Olympic bronze medalist and top domestic heavyweight, Frazer Clarke, took the fifth stoppage of his six-fight career, forcing an opponent that has never quit before in Bogdan Dinu to end the fight on his stool with broken ribs, despite Clarke getting cut from a clash of heads.

Clarke switched up his offense effectively to the head and the body throughout the two rounds of the fight, and counter-punched well when Dinu tried to clinch and make the fight ugly. 

Frazer Clarke has again staked himself at the top of the British Heavyweight scene, and will be hungry to have big fights against top opposition in the next 12 months.

Frazer Clarke said to Sky Sports after the fight: “Bogdan Dinu saved the show, so respect to him and his family. I knew I’d hurt him to the body a few times in the fight, but I rushed in and didn’t give myself the space to hit him on the other side, and at points I was throwing shots from too far out. I’m always improving and I hope I can get out again soon.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO & founder, said: “Frazer Clarke is in the best physical shape of his career so far. I think he’s really enjoying himself right now and he’s going from strength to strength. We’re aiming for the British title by the end of the year.”

Michael Gomez Jr def. Levi Giles – SD (97-93, 97-94, 95-96)

Son of a boxing legend, Michael Gomez Jr can now call himself a champion in his own right after winning a razor-tight, action-packed fight for the English Super Featherweight Championship. 

Gomez Jr never stopped coming forward for the whole 30 minutes of action, showing impeccable fitness to keep a pace up that won him the fight. Gomez Jr had to come through adversity to take victory, with Giles dominating the start of the fight, showing his grit and determination to win.

Giles has significant success by targeting Gomez Jr’s body with jabs in the first half of the fight especially, forcing Gomez Jr to back-up and reset without Giles having to take any damage. 

As the fight went on, Gomez Jr was able to close the distance more often and have the success that his more front-foot, close-brawling style can bring. Giles remained the neater fighter, but Gomez Jr was able to find the target more often.

Both men will have gained fans and improved as boxers from tonight’s 10 round war, and both will come back again much stronger in future.

Michael Gomez Jr said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I was confident I’d done enough to win the fight. There’s no way I lost more than four rounds. He deserves a rematch though, hopefully down the line we can do it again for a bigger title.”

Levi Giles said to Sky Sports after the fight: “It’s a learning curve. I thought I did enough to win the fight, but we learn from these experiences and we’ll come again strong in future.”

Karriss Artingstall def. Linzi Buczynski – PTS (60-55)

Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalist and fast-moving professional prospect, Karriss Artingstall, gave a confident, intelligent performance to move to 3-0 as a professional and dominate a talented opponent in Linzi Buczynski. 

Artingstall was happy to stand in her opponent’s range, making her miss and making her pay, or even being willing to take a few shots to give a few back, backing her boxing intelligence and punch power to be able to do more damage than she would take.

Artingstall looks supremely confident as a professional, and gained invaluable experience in this fight, she looks set to climb through the ranks quickly in the fast-moving world of women’s boxing, and no-one has been able to slow her down in her professional career so far.

Karriss Artingstall said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I had a great camp, I think I could have easily done a few more rounds. My opponent gave me a lot to think about, I didn’t have it all my own way, so it’s a good bout to have under my belt for the future.”

Callum Simpson def. Celso Neves – KO Rd 3 (1:36)

Barnsley’s new superstar, Callum Simpson, made a sensational Sky Sports debut with a cold-blooded knockout in the third round. Simpson came close to a stoppage victory in the first two minutes of the fight, sending Celso Neves to the canvas with a powerful right hand. 

Neves was able to beat the referee’s count and boxed smartly to survive the rest of the first two rounds. 

Simpson threw an inch-perfect right hook, just a fraction of a second faster than Neves threw an identical one, around half way through the third round that clattered into Neves’s jaw and collapsed him onto the floor of the ring, with the referee deeming him unable to continue despite stumbling to his feet before the count of 10.

Callum Simpson showed he deserves the hype surrounding him on his BOXXER debut, earning the ninth knockout of his undefeated 11 fight career, and catching a lot of eyes who may have never seen him fight before tonight, but will make sure never to miss any of his fights from now on.

Callum Simpson said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I’ve been working towards this since I was nine, since my dad brought me into a boxing gym at age nine. I wanted the stoppage in the first round, but I’m happy to have got it. I want to be fighting for titles by the end of the year.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO & Founder, said: “We’ve been quietly excited about this man for a long time. He’s the sleeping giant of British boxing. He’s already operating at a very high level and now we want to go all the way with him.”

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Rhys Edwards took a huge step towards following in the footsteps of his World Champion stablemate Joe Cordina by handily winning an evenly-matched fight against Brian Phillips that many thought could be a serious challenge for the Welshman. 

Edwards managed the range of the fight with veteran-like skill, making sure that Phillips’s high output was totally unable to do any damage to him, while Edwards could move into range, land powerful shots, and move back out again.

Edwards is now 14-0 as a professional, and gained a huge amount of fight-experience from these six rounds. He looks set for massive fights from now on in his career, and to keep moving up to the top of the boxing world.

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Ireland’s impressive 23-year-old prospect at 147lbs, Aaron McKenna, moved to 16-0 as a professional in dazzling fashion, smashing a tough opponent in Jordan Grant in a fight where McKenna came within moments of a stoppage on multiple occasions. 

Grant showed tremendous grit to see the final bell under a constant barrage from McKenna, who didn’t drop from his rapid pace of output for the whole six rounds of the fight.

Grant even found a few opportunities to fire back while facing McKenna’s whirlwind, occasionally landing shots that kept McKenna on his toes, but the fight’s overall direction is shown by McKenna’s perfect showing on the referee’s scorecard.

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Sheffield’s future superstar ‘Dr Steel’ Shakiel Thompson battered a 47-fight-veteran in Robert Talarek from pillar to post for six rounds in the 10th victory of his undefeated career. 

Somehow Talarek refused to be stopped despite the 18 minutes of punishment, with Thompson in the sixth round especially landing a number of brutal straight right hands that would have knocked out almost any other opponent. 

Thompson’s dominance was unaffected by a point being taken away from him in the final round, taking a clean sweep on the card otherwise.

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

Exciting 6’3” Super Welterweight prospect Harvey Lambert cruised to another victory in only the second fight of his professional career, consistently landing the better punches and doing the better work against a vastly more experienced opponent in Casey Brown. 

Lambert looked calm and collected across the four rounds of the fight, failing to lose a single one of them on the referee’s scorecard.

Full Card Results: 

Lawrence Okolie def. David Light – UD (119-108, 117-110, 116-112)

Frazer Clarke def. Bogdan Dinu – RTD Rd 2 (3:00)

Michael Gomez Jr def. Levi Giles – SD (97-93, 97-94, 95-96)

Karriss Artingstall def. Linzi Buczynski – PTS (60-54)

Callum Simpson def. Celso Neves – KO Rd 3 (1:36)

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

Prospects deliver on Okolie vs Light undercard

Tonight’s undercard action, live at the AO Arena, Manchester, and streamed live on the Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channel, kicked off in style.

A raft of massively exciting young fighters showing the world why they are so highly regarded and why BOXXER has the greatest stable of fighters in British boxing today.

22-year-old Welsh talent Rhys Edwards shone in a fight against a seriously formidable opponent, undoubtedly adding everyone in the arena to his already sizable list of fans, while devastating middleweight Shakiel Thompson once again showed his savage punch power. 

None of the electrifying BOXXER prospects on the undercard lost a round to their opponent in an unprecedented display of talent and skill against a raft of dangerous opponents who would have given a lesser set of fighters a lot of problems.

Full Undercard Results:

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

The event’s main card is live and exclusive in the UK on Sky Sports Action from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm.

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Rhys Edwards took a huge step towards following in the footsteps of his World Champion stablemate Joe Cordina by handily winning an evenly-matched fight against Brian Phillips that many thought could be a serious challenge for the Welshman. 

Edwards managed the range of the fight with veteran-like skill, making sure that Phillips’s high output was totally unable to do any damage to him, while Edwards could move into range, land powerful shots, and move back out again.

Edwards is now 14-0 as a professional, and gained a huge amount of fight-experience from these six rounds. He looks set for massive fights from now on in his career, and to keep moving up to the top of the boxing world.

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Ireland’s impressive 23-year-old prospect at 147lbs, Aaron McKenna, moved to 16-0 as a professional in dazzling fashion, smashing a tough opponent in Jordan Grant in a fight where McKenna came within moments of a stoppage on multiple occasions. 

Grant showed tremendous grit to see the final bell under a constant barrage from McKenna, who didn’t drop from his rapid pace of output for the whole six rounds of the fight.

Grant even found a few opportunities to fire back while facing McKenna’s whirlwind, occasionally landing shots that kept McKenna on his toes, but the fight’s overall direction is shown by McKenna’s perfect showing on the referee’s scorecard.

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Sheffield’s future superstar ‘Dr Steel’ Shakiel Thompson battered a 47-fight-veteran in Robert Talarek from pillar to post for six rounds in the 10th victory of his undefeated career. 

Somehow Talarek refused to be stopped despite the 18 minutes of punishment, with Thompson in the sixth round especially landing a number of brutal straight right hands that would have knocked out almost any other opponent. 

Thompson’s dominance was unaffected by a point being taken away from him in the final round, taking a clean sweep on the card otherwise.

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

Exciting 6’3” Super Welterweight prospect Harvey Lambert cruised to another victory in only the second fight of his professional career, consistently landing the better punches and doing the better work against a vastly more experienced opponent in Casey Brown. 

Lambert looked calm and collected across the four rounds of the fight, failing to lose a single one of them on the referee’s scorecard.

Main Card Running Order:

Callum Simpson vs Celso Neves – 8 x 3 minute rounds at Super Middleweight

Karriss Artingstall vs Linzi Buczynski – 6 x 2 minute rounds at Featherweight

Michael Gomez Jr vs Levi Giles – 10 x 3 minute rounds for the English Super Featherweight Championship

Frazer Clarke vs Bogdan Dinu – 8 x 3 minute rounds at Heavyweight

Lawrence Okolie vs David Light – 12 x 3 minute rounds for the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – (March 23, 2023) – World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie came face to face with David Light in Manchester today at the pre-fight press conference ahead of this Saturday’s clash at the AO Arena Manchester, which will air live on Sky Sports.

<CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PHOTOS>Credit to BOXXER / Lawrence Lustig

Light has battled his way to the mandatory challenger position for this shot at Okolie’s WBO title. Both fighters are undefeated, which means one of them will lose his ‘0’ this weekend.

Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) says the loser of the bout will become “irrelevant” and confidently expects that to be New Zealand man Light, while Light (20-0, 12 KO’s) is revelling in his underdog status and promising the upset.

Olympic standouts Karriss Artingstall (2-0) and Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KO’s) – both of whom won bronze medals at the 2020 Olympics – also compete this weekend in the next bouts of their nascent professional careers.

Clarke had been due to face American veteran Rydell Booker but now has a late change of opponent due to Booker falling ill. 

The slot has gone to towering Romanian special forces soldier Bogdan Dinu (20-4, 16 KO’s), who challenged for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title last year and has also faced former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019.

Also facing off at today’s press conference were local favourite Michael Gomez Jr (18-1, 5 KO’s) son of Manchester boxing legend Michael Gomez, and his undefeated rival Levi Giles (13-0, 3 KO’s). The two are competing for the vacant English Super-Featherweight Championship.

Here’s what today’s press conference participants had to say:

LAWRENCE OKOLIE

“He’s coming to win, [which] sets you up for a lot of openings. But you don’t get to this position by overlooking people, ever.

“It’s a nice safe place to hide behind being the underdog. When I see him I know what he really is. I’m prepared for what he may bring and will do what I need to do.

“I am going to be matching him and overmatching him for pressure and power from round one.

“Saturday’s going to come. One of us is going to win and the other one’s going to become irrelevant. So I’m looking forward to it.”

DAVID LIGHT

“I’m not here on somebody’s else’s terms… I’ve earned the shot. I’m coming to win. I know he’s a proud man and he’s going to defend with everything he’s got.

“I could have taken this fight a few years ago, for the money, but I am not here for the money – I’m here for the title.”

BEN SHALOM, BOXXER PROMOTER + CEO

“This is a serious fight, a proper world-title fight. It’s someone who has earned his position, not someone we have chosen and not necessarily someone we would choose for [Okolie’s] first fight after a year out, with a new trainer on a new platform. 

“We know David Light is tough, durable and can punch. We know he’s always fighting on the front foot and he’s going to stick it on Lawrence on Saturday night. There’s a lot of pressure on Lawrence to prove to everyone who he is, why we believe he’s the best cruiserweight in the world.

“He’s got to be able to deal with David Light. I’m very excited for it, I think we’re in for an absolute treat and we’re certainly not overlooking David Light.” 

MATT ROSE, DAVID LIGHT’S PROMOTER 

“He knows how to go into people’s backyards and win, that’s one thing he’s really good at. He’s based in New Zealand, he comes to Australia and wins, he goes to the US and wins. I know his trainer Isaac Peach has put a great game-plan together and I’ve told Ben Shalom we’re here to spoil the party.”

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR 

“I’ll punch you up now,” Gomez told Giles directly.

“I don’t know anything about him. Saturday night we’ll find out who he is. 

“I’m just going to punch his face in. I’m just going to go in there, stick it on him and see how good he is.

LEVI GILES

“I do my talking in the ring. It’s a good test for me, see where I’m at.

“We know what he brings. Forward, one dimensional. We know what he’s going to bring and we know how to deal with it.”

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL

“Her throwing her shots is going to leave more openings for me so I’m going to find my shots as well.”

“I am a level above [her] – two levels, if anything! – and I’ll show that on Saturday.”

LINZI BUCZYNSKYJ

“I just wanted the opportunity to show everyone on a big stage what I can actually do. I’m not scared to take any fight. I’ll fight anyone at any time on any stage.

“I have got the experience. She’s the one that’s got everything to prove.”

FRAZER CLARKE

“Unfortunately, Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He had a medical problem and best wishes to him, we hope he gets better soon. But we’ve got a new opponent, Bogdan Dinu, he’s a credible opponent, who’s boxed some great names. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.”

“This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. Especially this guy at short notice. It’s up to me to be professional, which I am, go in there and do my job. I’m looking forward to it.

“It doesn’t matter who’s getting in with me at the weekend. I feel confident, I’m fit and strong. I’m ready to do a job.”

MANCHESTER, England – Tuesday, March 21 – Frazer Clarke will face former WBA world interim heavyweight title challenger Bogdan Dinu this Saturday, March 25th at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The news comes as Clarke’s initial opponent Rydell Booker is sadly forced to withdraw through illness following a serious medical incident.

The American heavyweight was taken unwell last weekend. Booker had attended a boxing event in his hometown of Detroit, just days before he was due to travel to the UK, where he was taken ill with a serious medical emergency. He is now recuperating and everyone at BOXXER sincerely wishes Rydell Booker a full and swift recovery.

Undefeated Team GB Olympics hero Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs), who memorably won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, will now bid to take another scalp on his burgeoning resume when he faces off against his 6ft 5in Romanian rival. 

Dinu (20-4-0, 16 KOs) was beaten by Daniel Dubois the last time he fought in England when he was stopped for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title in June 2021.

Last year, he fell short in his challenge for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title after taking on Kevin Lerena.

Based in Bucharest, Dinu fought former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019 and has stood opposite American Jerrell Miller too during his 24-fight career since turning professional in 2008.

Outside of the ring, the 36-year-old has served as an Independent Special Actions and Intervention Service Agent (SIIAS), which is a Romanian police task force created in 1995 as part of the Counter-Organised crime squad. Its roles include seizing dangerous or armed criminals, handling hostage crises, disaster rescues, the protection of police, witnesses and others involved in criminal investigations.

Whether Dinu will be able to handle the might of ‘Big Fraze’ in Manchester remains to be seen, however. Standing at a mean 6ft 6in, Clarke has been triumphant in his last two successive fights at the AO Arena and will be looking to make it a hat-trick when he returns this Saturday.

“Unfortunately Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He’s had a medical problem, so I’m sending my best wishes to him and I hope he can get better soon,” said Clarke, speaking today on Sky Sports News.

“We’ve got a new opponent in Bogdan Dinu, who is a very credible opponent. He has boxed some great names including the likes of Daniel Dubois, Kubrat Pulev and Jerrell Miller. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.

“This is professional boxing – you can’t bank on anything. I’m accustomed to it now and throughout my career I am used to fighting people at a day’s notice. My job is to go out there and win. People can talk about looking fantastic and making a statement. But I’m a winner and that’s my job every time. If I can perform how I know I can then I will do that. I’m looking to go out there and make a statement.

“It’s been an up-and-down start to my career. Everytime I’ve got in there and I’ve won. This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. It’s up to me to be professional and do my job.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m getting in with this weekend, I’m ready to go and do my job.”

Final tickets are on sale now at BOXXER.com starting at just £25 – a bargain price for a blockbuster night of elite boxing, headlined by Lawrence Okolie defending his WBO world cruiserweight title against New Zealand’s David Light.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

– – – – – – – 

CONTACT BOXXER PR

Matty Lawless, Head of PR & Communications

+447393764765 | [email protected]

FULL CARD FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 25 AT THE AO ARENA IN MANCHESTER

*Please note: Below list is not the running order

12 x 3 mins  WBO World Cruiserweight Championship

LAWRENCE OKOLIE vs DAVID LIGHT

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

FRAZER CLARKE vs BOGDAN DINU  

10 x 3 mins Vacant English Super-Featherweight Contest 

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR vs LEVI GILES

6 x 2 mins  Featherweight Contest                                       

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL vs LINZI BUCZYNSKI

8 x 3 mins  Super-Middleweight Contest

CALLUM SIMPSON vs CELSO NEVES

6/8 x 3 mins  Featherweight Contest                     

RHYS EDWARDS vs BRIAN PHILLIPS

6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

SHAKIEL THOMPSON vs ROBERT TALAREK      

8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

AARON McKENNA vs LUCAS NDAFOLUMA             

6 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

SAMUEL ANTWI vs OMIR RODRIGUEZ

6 x 3 mins  Lightweight Contest

FRANKIE STRINGER vs TBA                                       

4 x 3 mins Super Welterweight

HARVEY LAMBERT vs CASEY BROWN

Manchester, England – (February 17, 2023) – WBO world cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) is aiming to do a demolition job on undefeated title challenger David Light (20-0, 12 KO’s) when the two meet in Manchester on Saturday, March 25th, live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK. 

But he knows there will be hard work involved, as Light brings a deep pedigree to the ring with him. The 31-year-old won a silver medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was three times national champion of his native New Zealand before turning pro in 2017 and commencing his 20-fight win streak. 

“He’s got good hands, good footwork. He’s able to change up his style – fight on the back foot, fight on the front foot, have a slugfest like he did in his last fight. So I’ll be interested to see what he thinks he’s going to do on the day,” said Okolie. 

“As soon as I establish myself and I start getting comfortable letting [the big shots] off, we’ll see if that gameplan of his is working or not… We’re going to have a conversation, but not with words. I have to assert myself on him.”

Okolie has prepared for this fight – his third title defence – with noted trainer SugarHill Steward and says the partnership has produced a focused gameplan which will see Light picked apart before being taken out around the middle of the twelve-round fight.

“It’s definitely been a new experience training with a great teacher like SugarHill… it’s very much about positioning, it’s very much the tiniest little things, but it makes a big difference. It gives me a sort of structure. [Instead of] just doing what I want, I find myself paying a lot more attention to detail,” he says.

Visualizing the March 25th fight, Okolie pictures himself setting the pace and tone of the exchanges before dominating and eventually ending the encounter early.

“If I hit anyone clean, it’s the beginning of the end. But I think with him, I do see it being maybe like a mid-rounds stoppage. I have to break him down – he’s a fit guy, he’s experienced, he did ten rounds in his last fight,,” he says.

“I have to literally break him, so I’m going to do that.”

Confirmed fights for BOXXER Fight Night: Manchester on Saturday, March 25th are as follows: 

Lawrence Okolie vs David Light

12 x 3 mins WBO World Cruiserweight Championship

Frazer Clarke vs Rydell Booker 

8 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest 

Karriss Artingstall vs TBA

6 x 2 mins Featherweight contest

Callum Simpson vs TBA

6 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight contest

Tickets are on sale from today via Boxxer.com

MANCHESTER, Wednesday, February 8 – Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie has delivered a confident prediction ahead of his WBO world cruiserweight title defence against David Light on Saturday, March 25th at the AO Arena.

The date and venue has officially been switched from what was previously advertised as Liverpool and now confirmed in Manchester as part of a blockbuster BOXXER fight night which will see Jack Catterall, Frazer Clarke and Karriss Artingstall all in action.

After BOXXER successfully agreed the purse bid, Okolie will make his long-anticipated return having last fought 12 months ago.

And the undefeated Brit believes he will extend his perfect 18-0 (14 KOs) professional record when he defends his WBO championship against unbeaten New Zealand rival Light (20-0, 12 KOs).

“I’ll make ‘light’ work of him,” said Okolie, who returns to fighting live and exclusively in the UK & Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports.

Okolie’s first professional victory was in Manchester, in May 2017 – less than a year after he competed for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics – when he sensationally stopped Geoffrey Cave in just 20 seconds.

Whilst confident he will retain his world title in what will be his third defence since he captured the belt back in March 2021 following a scintillating sixth round stoppage over Krzysztof Glowacki, Okolie knows he needs to deliver the goods against his Kiwi nemesis.

Speaking to Boxxer.com, Okolie added, “I know that Sky and BOXXER are going to deliver as long as I deliver in the ring. I’ve got to make sure I beat David Light and then beat whoever is next.

“It’s good to be back and I’m looking forward to the first step in the journey towards unifications and more world titles.”

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom, said: “We’re heading back to our spiritual home of Manchester and we’re bringing The Sauce.

“Lawrence Okolie’s wait to get back inside a ring has been well documented. But I’m delighted to see a proper British elite fighter defending his world title on home soil.

“The cruiserweight division is arguably the most exciting weight class in the sport right now and it is full of domestic stars who are clamouring to be crowned king. Lawrence sits at the top of that mountain – and he’s planning on keeping it that way when he takes on a very dangerous challenger in David Light, who impressively best Brandon Glanton last time out.”

The North-West’s own Jack Catterall (26-1-0, 13 KOs) will be keen to remind the world that he should be an undisputed champion himself.

Controversially denied a victory against Josh Taylor last February, the Chorley fighter had hoped to avenge that night in Glasgow in a rematch with the WBO and Ring Magazine super-lightweight champion.

But with the Scot sidelined through injury, Catterall must instead turn his attention to a new opponent who will be named in due course.

Shalom said: “It was a travesty what happened to Jack a year ago. He should be fighting now as a world champion. I believe his time will come – but for now, he needs to remind us all what he can do and get out there and fight again.”

‘The People’s Champion’ Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs) will return to what has been a very happy hunting ground in Manchester when he takes on experienced American heavyweight, Rydell Booker.

Towering 6ft 6in Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medal hero Clarke has won back-to-back fights at the AO Arena and will be looking to make it a hat-trick when he returns next month.

But in Michigan native Booker (27-7-1, 14 KOs), Clarke faces the former No.1 ranked American heavyweight, who has stood toe-to-toe with the likes of Jermaine Franklin, Kubrat Pulev, Filip Hrgovic and Otto Wallin.

Booker knocked out Norman Neely last December and will hope to continue his renaissance against the highly-rated ‘Big Fraze’.

And Clarke’s fellow 2020 bronze medalist Karriss Artingstall (2-0) is back too.

The 28-year-old southpaw has made an impeccable start to life as a professional with two wins from two – including her impressive points victory against Marina Sakharov on what was a historic all-female night of Boxing at The O2 in London last October.

An opponent for the featherweight prospect will be announced in due course, along with a host of other cracking fights for what promises to be an epic night in the North-West on March 25.

To pre-register your interest for tickets, visit boxxer.com

The early rounds saw Light land solid clean work from the outside, but it was Glanton getting the better of the exchanges on the inside, and seemingly winning the rounds based on workrate alone. 

As the fight progressed, the fight centered around the battle of the inside, with both men not looking to give an inch working on the inside. Light landed good shots, however, it was Glanton who was pushing the tempo, and seemingly having the more effective work, culminating in a tenth round knockdown.

Despite the knockdown, it was David Light. 20-0, 12KOs, who emerged with the split decision victory, with the judges scoring the fight 95-94, 97-92, 94-95, giving the New Zealander a somewhat surprising split decision victory. Glanton suffers the first loss of his career in controversial style, as he moves to 17-1, 14KOs.

Marques Valle moves to 7-0, 6KOs as the referee brought his contest to a halt at 2.22 of round number 2, disqualifying Luis Sanchez, now 9-4, 6KOs, due to persistent holding. 

Canadian based Mohammed Soumaoro 12-1, 5KOs outmanned previously undefeated Jusiyah Shirley, 7-1, 6KOs, over 6 rounds, with the elder man showing he was physically stronger as he dominated the center of the ring, emerging with a unanimous decision victory. Cards read 60-54. 58-56, 59-55.

Top Rank’s Kelvin Davis opened the broadcast against previously undefeated Jalen Hill, with Davis showing his class prior to an apparent injury for Hill which caused the stoppage. Davis moves to 7-0 5KOs with a TKO victory at the time of 1.31 of round number 4. Hill drops to 5-1, 4KOs. 

On the non televised portion of the card, the Puerto Rican duo of Jaycob Gomez and Jan Paul Rivera both recorded unanimous decision points victories. 

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Plant City, Florida, December 1, 2022. —  In a battle of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) top-ten ranked junior heavyweights (200 lbs.), Brandon Glanton and David Light will battle for Light’s WBO International Junior Heavyweight Title. It will take place at the White Sands Events Center in Plant City on Friday, December 2 and be streamed live on ProBoxTV.com and the ProBox TV app. 

Brandon Glanton (200lbs) vs David Light (198.8lbs) – 10 Rounds – WBO Global Jr Heavyweight title (190 LBS.)

Chief support will see Tampa native Marques Valle battle it out against Puerto Rico’s Luis Sanchez over 6 rounds.

Marques Valle (153.6lbs) vs Luis Sanchez (153.4lbs) – 6 Rounds

Orlando’s Jusiyah Shirley faces still competition as he squares off against ambitious Canadian Mohamed Soumaoro.

Jusiyah Shirley (140lbs) vs Mohamed Soumaoro (140lbs) – 6 Rounds

Top Rank’s Kelvin Davis breaks camp with Terence Crawford as he features on the opening television bout against fellow undefeated super lightweight Jalen Hill.

Kelvin Davis (143lbs) vs Jalen Hill (140.8lbs) – 6 Rounds

Tickets, starting at $40, can be purchased at Eventbrite.com HERE

Get the ProBox TV App HERE

10 Rounds WBO International Jr Heavyweight Title TV #4

Brandon Glanton, Atlanta, GA, 17-0 14 KO’s

David Light, North Shore, New Zealand, 19-0 12 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Welterweights Future Stars TV #3

Marques Valle, Hornell, NY, 6-0, 6 KO’s

Luis Sanchez, Carolina, Puerto Rico, 9-3, 6 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Lightweights Future Stars TV #2

Jusiyah Shirley, Orlando, FL, 7-0, 6 KO’s

Mohamed Soumaoro, Lasalle, Quebec, Canada, 11-1, 5 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Lightweights TV # 1

Kelvin Davis, Long Island, New York, 6-0, 4 KO’s

Jalen Hill, Columbus, OH, 5-0, 4 KO’s

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Plant City, Florida, November 28, 2022. —  In a battle of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) top-ten ranked junior heavyweights (200 lbs.), Brandon Glanton and David Light will battle for Light’s WBO International Junior Heavyweight Title. It will take place at the White Sands Events Center in Plant City on Friday, December 2 and be streamed live on ProBoxTV.com and the ProBox TV app. 

“I think that the Glanton and Light fight is going to be competitive and a very good one because they are both ranked fighters, neither has lost and big things to come for the winner,” said Juan Manuel Marquez, a ProBox TV Founder. “I am inclined to give Glanton the upper hand because of his good boxing technique and punch combinations. He has a good ability to work the body which could slow down Light who is an aggressive fighter and has a lot of speed. I lean more towards Glanton for his boxing technique and pick Glanton by decision in a battle.”

“This is going to be an exciting fight between two undefeated cruiserweights,” said Malignaggi, also a ProBox TV Founder. “They say styles make fights, and that what we try to do at ProBox, put two guys in the ring that will generate excitement. Both of these guys are putting themselves in position for a world title fight. Only one can advance and who that will be we find out on December 2. Light is very tall with an awkward style. Glanton, if he can get in close he can hurt you. They have both earned their top ten ratings are both looking for a shot at the WBO champion Lawrence Okolie. The winner will most likely get that shot.”

“This guy is my next victim and I am going to melt this guy,” said Glanton. “I am going to knock him out and the tougher he is the better.  I am going to hurt this guy. I will lay him out cold.”

“We coming to beat him at his own game,” said Light of the brawler. “I may not be well-known now, but everyone is going to know who I am on Friday night when see my arm raised while Glanton is lying on the canvas.”

David “The Great White” Light (19-0, 12 KOs) from Takapuna, New Zealand won the WBO International title on May 5, 2022, with a first-round knockout.  He is ranked No. 6 by the WBO. His most recent bout on October 8 was a second-round knockout win.

Brandon “Bulletproof” Glanton (17-0, 14 KOs) from Atlanta, Georgia is ranked No. 10 by the WBO and is coming off three consecutive KO wins, the last a second-round blowout of Mario Aguilar on September 9, in Plant City on ProBox TV. 

Tickets, starting at $40, can be purchased at Eventbrite.com HERE

Get the ProBox TV App HERE

10 Rounds WBO International Jr Heavyweight Title TV #4

Brandon Glanton, Atlanta, GA, 17-0 14 KO’s

David Light, North Shore, New Zealand, 19-0 12 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Welterweights Future Stars TV #3

Marques Valle, Hornell, NY, 6-0, 6 KO’s

Luis Sanchez, Carolina, Puerto Rico, 9-3, 6 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Lightweights Future Stars TV #2

Jusiyah Shirley, Orlando, FL, 7-0, 6 KO’s

Mohamed Soumaoro, Lasalle, Quebec, Canada, 11-1, 5 KO’s

6 Rounds Super Lightweights TV # 1

Kelvin Davis, Long Island, New York, 6-0, 4 KO’s

Jalen Hill, Columbus, OH, 5-0, 4 KO’s

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For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

Plant City, Florida, November 28, 2022. —  In a battle of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) top-ten ranked junior heavyweights (200 lbs.), Brandon Glanton and David Light will battle for Light’s WBO International Junior Heavyweight Title. The show will take place at the White Sands Events Center in Plant City on Friday, December 2 and be streamed live on ProBoxTV.com and the ProBox TV app. 

“I’m feeling good,” said Light. “It is good to arrive here in Florida, in Plant City. We are sleeping well. I get to her all of these accents that I have only heard on TV, like ‘how ya’ll doin, ya’ll? (laughing).’ Seriously, Glanton is the kind of fighter that people avoid, but I am up to the challenge and on Friday I’m going to put him to sleep.”

David “The Great White” Light (19-0, 12 KOs) from Takapuna, New Zealand won the WBO International title on May 5, 2022, with a first-round knockout.  He is ranked No. 6 by the WBO. His most recent bout on October 8 was a second-round knockout win.

Brandon “Bulletproof” Glanton (17-0, 14 KOs) from Atlanta, Georgia is ranked No. 10 by the WBO and is coming off three consecutive KO wins, the last a second-round blowout of Mario Aguilar on September 9, in Plant City on ProBox TV. 

Tickets, starting at $40, can be purchased at Eventbrite.com HERE

Get the ProBox TV App HERE

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

Plant City, Florida, November 11, 2022. —  In a battle of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) top-ten ranked junior heavyweights (200 lbs.), Brandon Glanton and David Light will battle for Light’s WBO International Junior Heavyweight Title. The show will take place at the White Sands Events Center in Plant City on Friday, December 2 and be streamed live on ProBoxTV.com and the ProBox TV app. 

Tickets, starting at $40, can be purchased at Eventbrite.com HERE

David “The Great White” Light (19-0, 12 KOs) from Takapuna, New Zealand won the WBO International title on May 5, 2022, with a first-round knockout.  He is ranked No. 6 by the WBO. His most recent bout on October 8 was a second-round knockout win.

“Training is going great – it’s hardest I have ever trained in my life and I am leaving no stone unturned,” said Light. “We have watched Glanton and he’s a very good strong fighter, the sort of guy people avoid but we are up for the challenge and totally believe we have got what it takes to win. We coming to beat him at his own game. We are coming to put him to sleep. After December 2nd everyone is going to know who I am as losing is not an option.”

Brandon “Bulletproof” Glanton (17-0, 14 KOs) from Atlanta, Georgia is ranked No. 10 by the WBO and is coming off three consecutive KO wins, the last a second-round blowout of Mario Aguilar on September 9, in Plant City on ProBox TV. 

Glanton is from Atlanta, GA where he does his maintenance training.  He does his heavy training in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, where he is now.

This guy is my next victim,” said Glanton. “I have been training pretty hard for him.  I take everybody seriously, but I am going to melt this guy. He is a one-two fighter and has decent hand speed – not much foot movement or power but he’s a veteran and knows his way around the ring.  He will look to make it a rangy fight, but I am just the opposite.  For as long as it lasts it will be a great fight for the fans. I won’t pick what round it will end – it will come down to however way I am feeling.  I am going to knock him out and the tougher he is the better.  I am going to hurt this guy. I will lay him out cold.

“ProBox has been nothing short of amazing and Garry Jonas saw what I bring to the table and is helping push my career to the next level, And I’m happy I have some great names commenting behind me.”

The remainder of the card is stacked with undefeated fighters, including Orlando’s Darrelle Valsaint (6-0, 5 KOs); Julio Solis (8-0, 6 KOs) from Caguas Puerto Rico; Jaycob Gomez (6-0-1, 5 KOs) from Caguas, Puerto Rico; and Jusiyah Shirley (7-0, 6 KOs) from Orlando.

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Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en