London, England – 11th June 2022 – A superb second-round bodyshot sent Fabio Turchi to the canvas in tonight’s BOXXER main event, ensuring that the next stop for ‘The Midnight Train’ Richard Riakporhe (15-0, 11 KOs) will be world title contention .

Aired live and exclusively on Sky Sports, the main event saw London man Riakporhe drop Italy’s Turchi after just five minutes of fighting, his opponent’s corner throwing in the towel in recognition that their man was finished.

It was the first time Turchi had ever been stopped, an achievement underlining Riakporhe’s quality. Now ranked #2 with the IBF as a result of this victory, Riakporhe could be the next challenger for world champion Mairis Briedis.

Tonight’s undercard bouts played out as follows:

Lauren Price def. Valgerdur Gudstensdottir PTS 60-54

Almost one year on from her stunning gold medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics, Lauren Price started her professional career in emphatic style, comfortably winning all six rounds of her debut bout and displaying impressive hand speed and stinging straight punches throughout.

Price grew and improved through the fight, getting comfortable in the scrappy, physical world of the professional side of the sport. She now looks to keep racking up professional fights and stepping up in quality of opposition all the way to World Championship level.

Zak Chelli def. Germaine Brown UD 98-92, 98-93, 97-94

This fight had fans on the edge of their seats from the second it was announced, and despite a tentative first round, and a general feeling out period in the early stages, the fight came alive and delivered on the hype from then.

Zak Chelli (12-1-1, 6 KOs) walked away a comfortable winner on the judges’ scorecards, having consistently landed the more damaging and effective shots in the middle and late rounds, allowing him to build his lead on the scorecards. Chelli had serious success with the overhand right hand throughout the fight, and profited from the majority of the pair’s exchanges.

Chelli is now the English Super Middleweight Champion and mandatory to challenge for the British Super Middleweight Championship. He’s now a big player in the stacked domestic 168lb division.

Viddal Riley def. Jone Volau KO RD 1 0:51

Viddal Riley (6-0, 3 KOs) showed why he is one of the most popular young fighters in boxing with a stunning one-punch left hook knockout against a tough opponent in Jone Volau. Viddal made a huge statement and now plans to fight twice more before the end of the year on his path up the rankings.

Chris Kongo def. Sebastian Formella UD 97-93, 98-92, 97-94

Chris Kongo (14-1, 7 KOs) had to dig deep and fight hard to take victory over a dangerous, tough Sebastian Formella, winning comfortably on all three judges’ scorecards with scores of 98-92,97-93, 97-94.

The early rounds were cagey, but a few perfectly timed 1-2 combinations in the 6th round gave Kongo control and he never gave it up, pushing on from there to develop his comfortable lead. Kongo came within a few clean shots of stopping the fight in the 10th and final round but Formella showed tremendous heart to stay on his feet and then fire back, defiantly reaching the final bell.

Ben Shalom called this fight “make or break” for Chris Kongo in the build-up, and Kongo lived up to the pressure and took victory, now positioning himself well in the division for big fights soon.

Jimmy Lee def. Ricky Starkey TKO RD 3 – 2:34

Jimmy Lee (2-0, 1 KO) made a huge statement of intent with his inch-perfect performance on the way to a 3rd-round-stoppage tonight. Commanding the ring from the start and consistently flicking out jabs from his low-lead hand and following up with powerful straight left hands.

Lee was barely touched by a game opponent in Ricky Starkey before switching stances multiple times and turning up the pressure in the 3rd round; leading to the TKO victory with under 30 seconds left in the round.

Jeamie TKV def. Jake Darnell – KO RD 1 2:47

Jeamie TKV (2-0, 1 KO) made a huge statement with a devastating knockout in the very first round of his bout with Jake Darnell.

Pushing Darnell from the very first bell, TKV was able to consistently land shots to both the body and head, wearing down a tough opponent that had only previously been stopped by Olympic medalist Frazer Clarke, before connecting with a destructive 1-2 that rendered his opponent unable to meet the count.

Jeamie TKV has shown he has dynamite power on the big stage and in only his second professional fight, and has put every British heavyweight on notice as a result.

Ebonie Jones def. Bec Connolly 60-54

Ebonie Jones (2-0-1) put on an explosive performance on the way to a shut-out victory over 6 rounds, landing clubbing shots from the first to the last round, while also managing the pace and controlling the distance in the quieter portions of the fight.

Jones looked seriously close to getting the stoppage at multiple points across the fight, but Connolly showed toughness and grit to make it the final bell. Ebonie Jones successfully bounced back from a draw in her last fight before tonight, showing why she deserves to be talked about as part of the new generation of British women’s boxing.

Shannon Ryan def. Gemma Ruegg – PTS 40-36

Shannon Ryan (2-0) put on a mature performance to cruise to a perfect points victory in her fast-paced fight with Gemma Ruegg, where Ryan walked away a 40-36 winner.

Watford’s Shannon Ryan varied her offense across the fight, firing to the head and body with both hands and countering Ruegg’s shots with perfect timing. Ryan is a seriously exciting upcoming force in women’s boxing and looks set for a star-studded career.

BOXXER: Riakporhe vs Turchi Results:

Richard Riakporhe def. Fabio Turcho RTD RD 2 1:53

Lauren Price def. Valgerdur Gudstensdottir PTS 60-54

Zak Chelli def. Germaine Brown UD 98-92, 98-93, 97-94

Viddal Riley def. Jone Volau KO RD 1 0:51

Chris Kongo def. Sebastian Formella UD 97-93, 98-92, 97-94

Jimmy Lee def. Ricky Starkey TKO RD 3 – 2:34

Jeamie TKV def. Jake Darnell – KO RD 1 2:47

Ebonie Jones def. Bec Connolly 60-54

Shannon Ryan def. Gemma Ruegg – PTS 40-36

London, England – (June 10, 2022) – Today’s BOXXER weigh-ins saw world cruiserweight contenders Richard Riakporhe and Fabio Turchi come face to face for the final time before tomorrow night’s high-stakes showdown which will move one of them forward towards world title contention.

Here’s the official weights for the fighters taking part in tomorrow night’s BOXXER: RIAKPORHE vs TURCHI event at the world-famous Wembley Arena, live on Sky Sports.

FACEBOOK SKY SPORTS LIVE STREAM: 17.30

FIGHT #1

6×2 Super-Bantamweight Contest

Ebonie Jones 8st 13lb v Bec Connolly 8st 13lb

FIGHT #2

6×3 Heavyweight Contest

Jeamie TKV 17st 9lb v Jake Darnell 17st 6oz

FIGHT #3

4×3 Super-Featherweight Contest

Jimmy Lee 9st 2lb 5oz v Ricky Starkey 9st 3lb

FIGHT #4

4×2 Super-Flyweight Contest

Shannon Ryan 8st 3lb v Gemma Ruegg 8st 2lb 5oz

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS ACTION & MAIN EVENT: 19:00

FIGHT #5

10×3 Welterweight Contest

Chris Kongo 10st 6lb v Sebastian Formella 10st 6lb 5oz

FIGHT #6

6×3 Cruiserweight Contest

Viddal Riley 14st 1lb v Jone Volau 14st 1lb 5oz

FIGHT #7

10×3 English Super-Middleweight Championship

Germaine Brown 11st 13lb v Zak Chelli 12st

FIGHT #8

6×2 Welterweight Contest

Lauren Price 10st 5lb v Valgerdur Gudstensdottir 10st 3lb

FIGHT #9

12×3 IBF World Cruiserweight Title Eliminator

Richard Riakporhe 14st 4lb v Fabio Turchi 14st 3lb 5oz

London, England – (June 9, 2022) -World cruiserweight contenders Richard Riakporhe and Fabio Turchi made their final pre-fight comments at today’s press conference in BoxPark Wembley, London ahead of their headline showdown this Saturday night in the world-famous Wembley Arena, live on Sky Sports.

Below please find quotes from today’s press conference.

RICHARD RIAKPORHE vs FABIO TURCHI

IBF World Cruiserweight Championship Eliminator 

Riakporhe: “This fight is perfect for me because it sets us up for a big world title clash in my next fight, so there’s a lot to fight for”

“We aren’t taking Fabio Turchi lightly, we made sure we covered all areas in training to prepare for this fight so we can go in and deliver what we want to deliver on Saturday night. Every single fight is so important now.”

“This is what I dreamed of doing when I was young, when I first came to boxing. To see it all manifesting just like how I dreamed it is fascinating to see”

“We wanna bring explosive nights, explosive finishes, we wanna show the world how great we are. So we’re going to bring a big knockout on Saturday night”

Turchi: “I’m ready to have a battle on Saturday night. I think this is a very even fight, I have a lot of respect for Richard, so I’m hoping for a great fight. Whether it’s by KO or points, the important thing is to win the fight”

Ben Shalom on Richard Riakporhe: “Richard Riakporhe is going to be an absolutely massive star. He has everything it takes to be a big star outside the ring so now he just needs the opportunities inside the ring. 

“He always finds a way to win, whether it is Deion Jumah, Tommy McCarthy or Chris Billam-Smith. This is going to be a seriously tough fight, Turchi has that knockout power so he has to be careful but this is a springboard into world title contention.”

“He’s not scared of any of the world champions, he’s ready to fight for world titles. With his KO power, there won’t be one cruiserweight in the world who wants to get in the ring with him.”

LAUREN PRICE MBE

Professional Debut

Price: “I’m just looking forward to this fight more than anything. Tokyo feels like a lifetime ago and I ticked every box as an amateur. It was my childhood dream to go to the Olympics and I won gold. Now the new journey starts, and the new dream is a world title, but I’m just taking each fight as it comes, step-ups every time and I’m looking forward to the journey.”

Ben Shalom on Price: “Lauren Price now has the platform to be a massive star, we’ve never seen someone as decorated as here. She’s probably looking at the Katie Taylors and Savannah Marshalls and thinking she can do one better and take it to new heights”

GERMAINE BROWN vs ZAK CHELLI

English Super-Middleweight Championship Bout

Brown: “I’ve been training hard, Zak Chelli’s a good fighter, but me and my team have come up with a perfect game plan that I’m going to execute on Saturday night”

“50/50 fights excite me. A lot of boxers don’t want to take 50/50 fights, but I love them and I love proving people wrong”

Chelli: “IThe better the boxer, the better I perform. I stopped my last opponent who had a similar record to Germaine. People are expecting me to box in this fight rather than go for the stoppage, but I’m going to show on Saturday night that I am a boxer and a puncher by getting a lovely finish”

Ben Shalom on Chelli vs Brown: “One thing I do know is both these guys give it absolutely everything, both fighters will come out of this fight very well, win or lose”

VIDDAL RILEY vs JONE VOLAU

Cruiserweight Bout

Viddal: “One thing I’ve missed is consistency in building that momentum in my career. Now I’m with BOXXER and Sky, I can do that. I’m going to win this one and then fight two or more times this year. This is my homecoming, I’ve boxed around the world but now I’m home. I’m going to put on a show on Saturday night”

Shalom on Viddal: “The level of interest in Viddal Riley is incredible. He’s so well respected across multiple industries. He’s got everything viddal, but the main thing people have to remember is that he’s a serious serious fighter as well”

Jone Volau: “He’s a young star, up and coming talent. I’m just coming in for a great fight and a tear up on Saturday night”

CHRIS KONGO vs SEBASTIAN FORMELLA

WBC International Welterweight Championship Bout

Chris Kongo: “I’m ready to put on a show, but the only thing I’ve been focusing on for the last 8 weeks is Sebastian Formella. I’ve seen loads of him, we’ve been studying him on film. I can’t wait to show what I can do on Saturday night. We all know I come on stronger, later in the fight. We’ll see how it goes and if the stoppage comes it comes.”

Formella: “Chris Kongo is a strong fighter. We’ve prepared for a big and difficult exercise on Saturday night, we’ve had lots of time to prepare for this. The winner of this fight has the opportunity to fight for a very big title”

Ben Shalom on Kongo: “This is a fantastic fight for Chris Kongo. It’s a great opportunity but it’s also a crossroads fight too, he has to perform on Saturday night and has to show why he is world level. If he can get a stoppage that would be a huge statement.”

JEAMIE TKV 

Heavyweight

TKV: “I showed certain skills in my last performance that other heavyweights aren’t able to show. So once looking back at it I was very happy with the performance because I did things I know a lot of very good heavyweights can’t. I know I can get to the top and I can get there very soon, I’ve been in the ring with all these top guys and I hang with them, so I know I’m already operating at a really high level”

EBONIE JONES 

Super-Bantamweight

Jones: “I went back to the drawing board, changed some things, trained really hard, and you’re going to see a different Ebonie on Saturday night”

“If you don’t see a better Ebonie after what I’ve done to push myself in this camp then you never will, I’ve done everything I possibly can to improve”

JIMMY LEE

Super-Featherweight

Lee: “Pleased to get the first one out the way, but now that’s done I’m looking for a better performance on Saturday.”

“I just want to take every fight as it comes, you don’t want to come up too fast and lose, so we just take the fights as they come and get to that top level when I’m ready”

SHANNON RYAN

Super-Flyweight 

Ryan: “I loved my debut, I love performing. I personally believe I put on a very strong performance in my debut. The advice I’ve given myself is to go after everything, to chase everything that I want and you’ll see intelligent boxing on Saturday night”

London, England – (May 3, 2022) – Full steam ahead for ‘The Midnight Train’ Richard Riakporhe as he returns to action at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday, June 11, live and exclusive on Sky Sports, to take on Italy’s Fabio Turchi in an eliminator battle which will see the winner move up the cruiserweight rankings and in prime position to challenge reigning champion Maris Breidis later this year.

With Riakporhe (14-0, 10 KO’s) coming off a stunning knockout victory over Deion Jumah in March and former IBF International Cruiserweight champion Turchi (20-1, 14 KO’s) having a 66% stoppage rate in his victories, this fight matches two proven finishers and promises action from the very start as both men look to score the knockout which will move them on to world championship opportunity.

Bermondsey’s former WBO Global Welterweight Champion Chris Kongo (13-1-0, 7 KO’s) has a route back into world title contention if he defeats the tough German contender Sebastaian Formella (23-2-0, 11 KO’s) in their International showdown.  

Kongo is raring to get back into pole position after winning his comeback fight against Kelvin Dotel in March following his close points loss to Michael McKinson last year. While Formella is looking for his own shot at the World title and his only two losses have been against Former World Champion Shawn Porter and Connor Benn, pushing both big hitters the distance.

Two of the very best young fighters in the UK, English Super-Middleweight Champion Germaine Brown (12-0, 3 KO’s) defends his title against challenger Zak Chelli (11-1-1, 6 KO’s) in an exciting trade fight.

The two Londoners will both be going into this fight totally confident of victory and certain to put on an eye-catching performance in a 50-50 fight which will delight the nation’s boxing fans and looks set to steal the show.

Also on the card, the long-awaited professional debut of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Lauren Price MBE.

One of the most highly-touted amateurs in women’s boxing, Price earned the amateur sport’s supreme honour when she won gold last summer. She was subsequently awarded an MBE in recognition of this stunning success. 

She now looks destined to reach the very highest level of the professional sport in the exciting and fast-moving world of women’s boxing, with the first step towards that greatness coming on June 11.

Cruiserweight star Viddal Riley (5-0-0, 2 KO’s) fights in his home city for the first time in his pro career. The Hackney sensation made his pro-debut in November 2018 with a first round KO of Julio Manuel Gonzalez in Mexico and has since fought in Las Vegas (twice) and Dubai. 

Last time out he was on the huge Amir Khan-Kell Brook undercard in Manchester in February registering a six-round points win over Willbeforce Shihepo via a first round knockdown and aims to showcase his power and skill in front of the London fans.

“I’m ready to continue my assault on the cruiserweight division. The Midnight Train is on an unstoppable roll and Turchi is the next man tied to the tracks in front of me. He’s a good boxer and I’m expecting a tough fight but nothing I can’t handle. I’m coming out of this one with the win and stepping up into world title contention,” said Riakporhe.

“I am very happy to have this opportunity. Since I was a kid I always dreamed of fighting at the international level and in an important venue like this. I’m dedicating my body and soul to get into the best shape and have a great match against Riakporhe who I think is an excellent boxer,” said Turchi.

“Richard Riakporhe has been on an unstoppable rise to world title contention and now he’s potentially within touching distance of getting his shot at gold. Turchi is the former IBF International Champion and brings heavy firepower to the ring. This is Riakporhe’s toughest career challenge to date and a win here will make a strong statement about his potential to be world champion,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO.

“The English Super-Middleweight Title showdown between Zak Chelli and Germaine Brown is a fight which every boxing fan in the country will be glued to. It’s impressive that they are willing to fight each other at this stage and lay it all on the line. Don’t be surprised if this is a Fight Of The Year contender.

“Finally, the professional debut of Lauren Price. Olympic gold medalist, MBE – there aren’t many athletes in any sport who have those kind of credentials and we’re proud to be sharing her professional journey and being part of her rise to the top.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said, “This is shaping up to be a fantastic card. I’m looking forward to seeing ‘The Midnight Train’ Riakporhe roll back into Wembley after that excellent win over Jumah. Another big test awaits as he faces the tough and classy Turchi. 

“The fight between Chelli and Brown is a really good match. We’ve seen some absolutely cracking fights in the English title matches, those fights just seem to deliver incredible action, and this is a 50-50 pick ’em. 

“I’m also really excited to see Lauren Price begin her professional journey. She was a standout amateur and achieved so much for the sport, everyone at Sky Sports is very proud to have her with us and we can’t wait to see her achieve equally huge things in the pro ranks.”

Tickets are on sale from 12pm midday tomorrow, Wednesday May 4 via BOXXER.com priced at £250, £150, £100, £75, £60 and £40. 

BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with bet365, Everlast, Wow Hydrate and Village Hotels.

Fabio Turchi won a 12-round unanimous decision over Dylan Bregeon in a cruiserweight bout in Milan, Italy.

Turchi won by scores of 115-113 on all cards, and is now 19-1. Bregeon of France is 11-1-1.

Matchroom and OPI Since 82 return to the Allianz Cloud in Milan on Friday April 16 for a stacked night of Title action featuring Fabio Turchi vs. Dylan Bregeon and Francesco Patera vs. Devis Boschiero, live on DAZN. 
 
Florence’s Turchi (18-1, 13 KOs) bounced back from his first career loss to Tommy McCarthy by capturing the IBF International Cruiserweight Title against Nikolajs Grisunins last October, and now the ‘Stone Crusher’ faces undefeated Frenchman Bregeon (11-0-1, 3 KOs) for the European Union crown. 
 
Former EBU European Lightweight Champion Patera (23-3, 8 KOs) looks to extend his five-fight winning streak against Italy’s ‘Boom Boom’ Boschiero (48-6-2, 22 KOs) as they battle for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title previously held by America’s rising star Ryan Garcia.
 
Undefeated Super-Middleweights Ivan Zucco (12-0, 10 KOs) and Luca Capuano (11-0, 2 KOs) meet for the Italian Title, plus there’s action for rising Super-Welterweight talent Samuel Nmoah (14-0, 4 KOs), Lazio Super-Lightweight youngster Armando Casamonica (1-0), EBU European Union Featherweight Champion Mauro Forte (14-0-1, 5 KOs) and former EBU European Union Flyweight Champion Mohammed Obbadi (21-1, 13 KOs).
 
Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “On a huge week for the Cruiserweight division that sees Lawrence Okolie take on Krzysztof Glowacki for the WBO World Title, I’m delighted to announce Fabio Turchi’s return to the ring as he looks to climb the rankings towards a World Title shot of his own. We know just how good Francesco Patera is from his win over Lewis Ritson in Newcastle, and I’m confident his clash with Boschiero won’t disappoint. We look forward to another great night in Milan, with all of the action shown around the world on DAZN.”
 
Christian Cherchi of OPI Since 82 said: “Another important test is waiting Fabio Turchi in his challenge for European Union Title against Dylan Bregeon. Franceso Patera will finally meet Devis Boschiero for the vacant WBC Silver World Title and there’s an interesting Italian Title battle between undefeated Super-Middleweights Ivan Zucco and Luca Capuano. A stacked undercard features Samuel Nmomah, Mauro Forte, Armando Casamonica and Mohammed Obbadi. Don’t miss it, live and on demand on DAZN!”

Fabio Turchi won a 10-round unanimous decision over Nikolajs Grisunins in a cruiserweight bout at Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy.

Turchi, 199 1/2 lbs of Italy won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 100-90 and is now 18-1. Grisunins, 199 lbs is 12-2-1.

Dario Morello won a eight-round unanimous decision over Nestor Maradiago in a welterweight bout.

Morello, 149 lbs is 16-1. Maradiago, 146 1/2 lbs is 8-9-1.

Francesco Grandelli won a unanimous decision over Cristian Narvaez in a six-round featherweight bout.

Grandelli, 130 lbs is 14-1-1. Narvaez, 135 1/2 lbs is 16-23-5.

Ivan Zucco beat up Pavel Zgurean over three-rounds and the bout was stopped at the beginning of round four of their scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.

Zucco, 171 lbs of Italy is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Zgurean, 170 lbs is 7-5.

Mirko Natalizi remained undefeated with a stoppage at the beginning of round four over Frane Radnic in a super welterweight bout.

In round one, Natalizi dropped Radnic with a straight right hand. In round two, Natalizi sent Radnic down for a 2nd time. In round three, Natalizi dropped Radnice with a right hand. The fight was stopped at the beginning of round four.

Natalizi, 159 lbs is 8-0 with five knockouts. Radnic, 164 1/2 lbs is 11-19.

Matchroom Boxing Italy are pleased to announce that Fabio Turchi will make the first defence of his WBC International Cruiserweight title against Tommy McCarthy on Friday October 11 at PalaTrento in Trento, Italy – shown live on DAZN.   Unbeaten Turchi (17-0 13KO’s), who was scheduled to face McCarthy in Rome back in July but was forced out through injury, returns to the ring for the first time since April of this year. The southpaw was last seen destroying Sami Enbom in the first-half of round one, claiming the Vacant WBC International Cruiserweight title in his home-town of Florence in the process.   Since suffering the second defeat of his professional career against Richard Riakporhe earlier this year, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (15-2 8KO’s), has won two on the bounce inside the distance, most recently stopping Francesco Cataldo in round two in Rome.   Undefeated Polish Middleweight Kamil Szeremeta (20-0 4KO’s) defends his European Middleweight title for the third time when he clashes with former Italian Middleweight Champion Matteo Signani in Trento over ten rounds (28-5 10KO’s).   Also on the card, Italian Featherweight Champion Francesco Grandelli (12-1-1 2KO’s) contests the Vacant WBC International Silver title against Watford’s Reece Bellotti (14-2 12KO’s). The Brit was last seen stopping Josue Bendana at York Hall back in June.   The event falls on the second day of ‘Festival dello Sport’, organized by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Trentino Marketing, which runs from Thursday 10-Sunday 13 October in Trento, of which DAZN is Main Partner.   Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing said: “It’s great to be returning to Italy on October 11 for another great night of boxing. We’re working hard to continue to promote and grow the sport in the region and this will be our seventh show since we began Matchroom Boxing’s Italian venture, which shows you how successful it has been. The night falls on a great few days of sport in Trento, so we’re expecting one of the best atmospheres we have seen in Italy to date.”   Salvatore Cherchi of Opi Since 82 said: “We are really proud to be part of this important sport festival organized by La Gazzetta dello Sport. It will be a great boxing night with three international titles at stake.”

Italy’s fast-rising Cruiserweight star Fabio Turchi will make the first defence of his WBC International title against Tommy McCarthy at the Stadio Nicola Pietrangeli in Rome on Thursday July 11, live on DAZN.

Turchi (17-0, 13 KOs) blitzed Finland’s Sami Enbom in one round to land the WBC title at the Tuscany Hall in Florence in April. The ‘Stone Crusher’ lived up to his nickname by flattening Enbom 74 seconds into the opening round with a devastating left hook to the body. 

It was the southpaw’s second consecutive stoppage victory after he dominated and halted former Commonwealth Champion Tony Conquest to retain his WBC International Silver title in November, and the 25-year-old hopes that another early finish will put him within touching distance of a shot at World honours. 

McCarthy (14-2, 7 KOs) was stopped in the fourth round of his WBA Inter-Continental title clash with heavy-hitting Londoner Richard Riakporhe in Peterborough earlier this year but the Commonwealth Games silver medallist returned to winning ways with a third round KO win in his native Belfast last month.

Elsewhere on a big night of title action, Rome’s former World title challenger Emanuele Blandamura (29-3, 5 KOs) returns following his win over Nikola Matic in April to take on Manchester’s Marcus Morrison (20-3, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Silver Middleweight crown and Serhiy ‘Sergio’ Demchenko (21-14-1, 14 KOs) clashes with former French Light-Heavyweight Champion Hakim Zoulikha (26-10, 11 KOs) for the vacant European Union title.

Some of the best talent the city has to offer feature on the undercard with slots for undefeated former European and WBC Silver Lightweight ruler Emiliano Marsili (37-0-1, 15 KOs), Super-Welterweight Mirko Natalizi (5-0, 3 KOs), Super-Lightweight Sebastian Mendizabal (2-0), Cruiserweight Simone Federici (14-2-1, 6 KOs), Super-Welterweight Vincenzo Bevilacqua (14-0) and the professional debut of 2016 Olympian Valentino Manfredonia at Light-Heavyweight. 

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing said: “Fabio Turchi is quickly establishing himself as the new poster boy for Italian boxing and on July 11 at the Stadio Nicola Pietrangeli in Rome he can take another step towards a shot at the Cruiserweight World title. I’m excited to be involved in my first promotion in Rome after the overwhelming success of our opening shows in Florence and Milan with our friends at Opi Since 82 and DAZN.”

Salvatore Cherchi, President OPI Since 82 said: “We are delighted to return to Rome for the latest instalment of our exciting partnership with our friends at Matchroom Boxing and DAZN at the beautiful Stadio Nicola Pietrangeli. Boxing fans are in for a treat on July 11 with three important championship fights at the top of the bill and a host of local talent on the undercard. This will be a brilliant night of boxing and one not to be missed!”

“After the success of the events in Milan and Florence, we are proud to land in the capital, in one of the most evocative sports locations in the world, with another evening dedicated to the great international boxing,” affirms Veronica Diquattro, Executive EVP Southern Europe of DAZN. “Over the last months, we have worked hard to bring more people closer to this discipline and the event in Rome confirms our desire to continue on this path and keep giving to all fans moments of incredible emotion.”

Full ticket details will be announced soon. 

Fabio Turchi stopped Sami Enbom in the 1st round of their scheduled 10-round cruiserweight bout in Italy.

Turchi landed a hard left to the body that sent Enbom to the canvas for the 10-count at 1:16.

Turchi of Florence, ITA is 17-0 with 13 knockouts. Enbom of Finland is 18-3.

Alessandro Riguccini stopped Alvarez in the 1st round of their scheduled 10-round welterweight bout,

Riguccini dropped Alvarez three-times with unrelenting pressure, and the bout was stopped at 1:38.

Riguccini us 23-0 with 19 knockouts. Alvarez is 28-10-1.

Matchroom Boxing Italy, Opi Since 82 and DAZN return to Florence on April 26 with the third instalment of their historic eight-year joint venture in Italy as rising star Fabio Turchi steps up again to fight for the WBC International Cruiserweight crown at the Tuscany Hall, shown live on DAZN.

Turchi (16-0, 12 KOs) defended his WBC International Silver belt with a seventh-round stoppage win over former Commonwealth Champion Tony Conquest in November and now ‘Stone Crusher’ has the opportunity to go for the full title when he meets Frenchman Jean Jacques Olivier (10-2, 7 KOs) over 12 rounds.

Orlando Fiordigiglio (30-2, 13 KOs) takes on former WBO European Champion Stephen Danyo (15-2-3, 6 KOs) for the IBF International Super-Welterweight title, and the no.6 ranked contender will be eyeing a future showdown with current World title holder Jarrett Hurd.

Undefeated Tuscany KO artist Allesandro Riguccini (22-0, 18 KOs) picked up the interim WBC Silver Welterweight title against Andres Villaman in October and he makes the first defence of his title against Mexico’s Ivan Alvarez (28-9-1, 18 KOs) in only his second outing on home soil.

Roma’s former World title challenger and European Middleweight Champion Emanuele Blandamura (28-3, 5 KOs) returns to action over 6 rounds and former European Super-Featherweight Champion Devis Boschiero (46-6-2, 21 KOs) fights for the first time since his loss to Martin J Ward in November.

Current European Middleweight Official Challenger Matteo Signani (27-5-3, 10 KOs), Flyweight talent Mohammed Obbadi (18-1, 12 KOs) and Roma Super-Welterweight Mirko Natalizi (3-0, 2 KOs) complete the card.

Eddie Hearn said: “I’m excited to return to Florence after another sell-out show in Milano. We’ve already seen the huge potential that Italy has to offer with our first two shows and I’m expecting another sell-out in Florence. Local hero Fabio Turchi is quickly establishing himself as a star of Italian boxing and on April 26 he takes another step towards a shot at the Cruiserweight Championship of the World.”

Christian Cherchi of Opi Since 82 said: “We are delighted to be back in the beautiful city of Florence for another action-packed card featuring three title fights and a host of former Champions. Our first two events in Florence and Milano were hugely successful and I’m predicting another brilliant night of boxing on April 26, shown live on DAZN.”

Veronica Diquattro, DAZN EVP Southern Europe, said: “After the success of the event in Milan, we are very happy to come back to the city where our adventure has started. We want to keep working in order to bring boxing back to being a popular sport in Italy through high-level fights that bring people closer to this sport that over the years has given incredible emotions and historical moments to all its fans.”

WBC International Silver Cruiserweight Champion Fabio Turchi says he is ready to make boxing a mainstream sport in Italy.

Turchi defends his belt against former Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion Tony Quest at the Teatro Obi Hall in Florence on November 30, live on DAZN and Sky Sports.

Turchi vs. Conquest tops the inaugural event of the historic collaboration between Matchroom Boxing Italy, Opi Since 82 and DAZN. The eight-year joint venture will see Matchroom Boxing Italy stage eight marque events throughout Italy per year, and Turchi is delighted to leading the way.

“It’s an honour to be be headlining the first ever Matchroom Boxing Italy event in my city,” said Turchi. “I’m keeping my feet firmly on the ground but I’m ready to do what I can to make boxing a mainstream sport in Italy.

“The first step is defeating Tony Conquest. I have been training hard in the gym and I’ll be leaving it all in the ring next Saturday. I’ve seen videos of his fights and I know that he has long arms and knows how to use them. Besides that, he is a British fighter and Britain always produces tough fighters. None of this worries me.

“Fighting in my city, in front of my fans, is a big thrill for me. In my three previous fights in Florence, thousands of people showed up and I’m expecting my fans to turn up in big numbers again on November 30.”

‘Stone Crusher’ holds a perfect record of 15 consecutive wins since turning professional in 2015, 11 within the distance. He demolished Maurizio Lovaglio in six rounds to become the Italian Cruiserweight Champion in 2016 before stopping Cesar David Crenz to win the WBC International Silver title the following year.

Currently ranked no. 28 in the World by the WBC, Turchi is hungry for World title glory and credits his father Leonardo, a former Italian Light-Heavyweight Champion, for giving him the drive to achieve his dreams.

“My father got me in the boxing gym and he always told me stories about his good friend Giacobbe Fragomeni. After a while, Giacobbe became my idol. Like Giacobbe, I want to become World Cruiserweight Champion. The road to a World title is very long, but with the backing from my team and Matchroom, I know I can achieve my dream.”

Turchi’s clash with Conquest is part of a huge night of boxing in Florence.

Torino’s Andrea ‘Sugar Ray’ Scarpa (23-4) clashes with Malmesbury’s former British title challenger Joe Hughes (16-3-1) for the vacant EBU European Super-Lightweight title and Devis ‘Boom Boom’ Boschiero (46-5-2) takes on Brentwood’s former European Champion Martin J Ward (20-1-2) for the WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight title.

Super-Welterweight Orlando Fiordigiglio (29-2), undefeated Featherweight Carmine Tommasone (18-0), Welterweight prospect Mirko Natalizi (2-0) and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist John Docherty (1-0) all feature on the undercard.

Tickets priced 50 Euros (Ringside), 40 Euros (Parterre) and 20 Euros (Gallery) + the vendor’s fee can be purchased on Ticketone.it and Boxofficetoscana.it. Info: 338-7769949.