8 x 3 mins International Light-Heavyweight contest
CALLUM SMITH 179.8 lbs v CARLOS GALVAN 175.6 lbs
(Liverpool, England)             (Chigorodo, Colombia)

followed by

6 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight contest
TAYLOR BEVAN 168.9 lbs v GREG O’NEILL 167.9 lbs
(Southampton via Cardiff, Wales) (Horden, England)

followed by

6 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest
IBRAHEEM SULAIMAAN 131.8 lbs v MARVIN SOLANO 133.8 lbs
(Birmingham, England)                       (Managua, Nicaragua)

followed by

6 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
AARON BOWEN 162.2 lbs v JAMES TODD 163 lbs
(Coventry, England)               (Swansea, Wales)

followed by

10 x 3 mins vacant English Light-Heavyweight Title
TROY JONES 173.6 lbs v MICHAEL STEPHENSON 173.4 lbs
(Birmingham, England)    (Northampton, England)

followed by

19:00 LIVE ON DAZN

6 x 3 mins Flyweight contest
HAMZA UDDIN 112.3lbs v BENN NORMAN 111.4 lbs
(Walsall, England)              (Shephed, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins Lightweight contest 
CAMERON VUONG 138.6 lbs v GAVIN GWYNNE 138.6 lbs
(Blyth, England)                          (Treharris, Wales)

followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Title
KIERON CONWAY 159.6 lbs v RYAN KELLY 159.3 lbs
(Northampton, England)        (Birmingham, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins Welterweight contest
CONAH WALKER 146.6 lbs v LEWIS RITSON 146.9 lbs
(Wolverhampton, England)    (Forest Hall, England)

followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant interim WBC Flyweight World Title
SUNNY EDWARDS 111 lbs v GALAL YAFAI 111.4 lbs
(Croydon, England)                (Birmingham, England)  

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“We appreciate everyone joining us tonight and as you can see from the turn out, ahead of a massive show this Saturday in Birmingham, live and exclusive on DAZN around the world.

“We’ve been working on Birmingham for a long time, I think this is our third or fourth show in the last 16 months and progressively the crowds get bigger and bigger, and this one is by far the biggest show Birmingham has had, probably since we had Amir Khan here.

“We’re expecting a huge crowd and rightfully so. The crowd is huge for a couple of reasons, everybody on this card has sold a huge amount of tickets as they have their own individual followings. Now, as boxing starts to thrive even more in the Midlands, we’re seeing the box office sales move, particularly because of the two guys in the main event.

“This is one of the top fights in British boxing, Sunny Edwards against Galal Yafai, and these two need a huge amount of respect. Sunny’s mantra is ‘real fights only’, we saw him capture the IBF World title, he flew over to Phoenix to try to unify against the pound for pound great Jesse Rodriguez. He came back and went straight back into another thought fight in Phoenix against Andria Curiel and beat him, and now takes on the Olympic champion Galal Yafai, who really is seen as one of the top prospects in the world.

“Sunny doesn’t care, he wants to be in great fights, he believes in himself and he is rolling the dice again on Saturday night, as is Galal. An Olympic gold medalist from Birmingham with just a handful of fights really, and already stepping up to take on one of the top, top Flyweights in the world for the WBC Interim World title and the winner will go on and fight for the World title.”

Sunny Edwards:

“I’m just really, really nervous Eddie to be honest. I’m glad I’ve got my big brother here to steal the show and take the attention away.

“It’s a good fight and I know Galal is a good fighter. I’ve had a lot going on that everyone wants to speak about and the questions about where I was training and who I was training with. I took the fight without an agreement with a trainer, I was a free agent in trainer terms, but I’ve knuckled down and done everything asked of me with my new trainer Chris, I’ve got some familiar faces around me, and more will be joining on fight night.

“I’m excited about it. The problem with the fight from the whole showbiz and entertainment side is that I actually really like Galal. I think he’s a great fighter, someone that we’ve dealt with away from the cameras for hundreds of hours with sparring and being on Team GB at the same time. I think I am better, but he thinks he’s better than me, and that’s why we’re here, to find out. That’s what makes it so exciting. You can see the respect between us in the build-up, we both speak confidently but say how good the other guy is as we’ve spent so many rounds with each other and we both know that when we get in there, anything can happen, we’re both that good. It’s about who makes the right moves, the right steps, who doesn’t fall into traps, walk onto the wrong shots, it’s elite boxing. 

“I was happy and proud of Galal when he won the Olympic gold medal, and even more that it was at my weight and bringing it today. For every part that my brother played and his brothers’ have played as well, has just brought us to this moment and this anticipation being so much bigger. We’ve seen Edwards-Yafai when it was Yafai-Edwards, it’s been on and off the table, you had years trying to make the fight but Yafai and Edwards have never stepped in the ring but now, Saturday night, the baby brothers – and sorry Charlie, Kal and Gamal, I think the two best brothers – are going to decide it for the families.

“Yes, I can hurt him, but you have to land the shot and I know that Galal is very tough, he’s got a lot of heart and ambition, and like he said, this fight is bigger and means more for him than winning the gold medal. I take a lot of pride in that respect and appreciation towards Galal because this fight is all the way up there for me too. It’s great to be back fighting in the UK as well, a lot of my big fights have been away from here so it’s been amazing, I think it’s the best fight week I’ve been involved in, the public workout in the Bullring was fantastic, it’s a good turnout again today. Birmingham is a proper boxing city and I’m glad to be a part of it even though I’m not from here I’ve got a lot of friends from here and I’ve spent a lot of time in the city. 

“I’m confident always. Do I win? Yes, of course. I don’t envision anything different, I don’t accept the idea of losing. Even in the eighth round against Bam, I was still not accepting losing until I listened to my corner at the time who tried to pull me out the round before. I love fighting, this fight excites me the most. Forget all of the ‘what level this could be at’ or the bloodline, I know, and I think this is the biggest selling point, that when me and Galal get in a small space, it’s fireworks. We’ve both said it, we both know it, everyone that was at GB at the same time as us, they know it, it’s always been good work and it always will be, and we’ll probably be here again, regardless of who wins.

“If you take a look at any of the wins on my record, it’s always the same way, so probably that way. But at the same time, I am in a stage where I do opt and prefer to stand and trade a little bit more and let my hands go. When I just go on the back foot for 12 rounds, I cant watch the fight back, even I get bored watching it. My favourite fight of my career is the fight I lost because it had the most action in it, so I am looking forward to an action-packed fight against a great competitor, in a great city.”

Galal Yafai:

“It’s a massive fight, it speaks for itself. Sunny is a great fighter, a former World champion, a good name and we’ve got history as well which gives a bit more needle in it. It’s great that it’s in Birmingham as well, and I’m looking to put a good performance in on Saturday.

It’s a big challenge, and all the shit outside it with the brothers having their back and forths, not too much but a little, it’s good for the people watching, the British fans. It’s got people interested and it’s not what I am used to, I’ve been going to America and fighting unknown Mexicans, so fighting someone that everyone rates, everyone knows, and we’ll see who the better man is on Saturday.

“I wish I knew how it was going to play out, I’ve been asked that so many times. If I knew what was going to happen, I probably wouldn’t have trained so hard. You’ll have to tune in and watch.

“I just do what I normally do. I’ve got to be a bit smarter, but I know Sunny inside-out, I know what he does and like he said, you just need to tune in.”

Conah Walker:

“It’s been another great camp and you’ve given me a fighter that is going to stand there and have it off with me, which plays in my favour. I’m in impeccable shape and I’m ready to go and we’ll steal the show.

“Headlining in Birmingham would be amazing, that’s music to my ears. You can never look past anyone, especially someone like Lewis Ritson because of what he’s done in the sport, he’s been at the top level and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I just believe that boxing is about your time, and I think that his time is done and my time is here and now. He’s not going to take away what you have said, I want those big nights and I want to bring them to the Midlands, and I want to be travelling and taking the best fights and the titles, but first we’ve got to get through Saturday. “

Lewis Ritson:

“We’re ready, fit as anything, and I’m sure Conah is as well. We’ve got that similar style in that we love to fight each other, so on Saturday night I’m expecting fireworks really and a very tough night for both of us.

“I’ve had some really good nights in Newcastle and hopefully we can get through Saturday and we can have a few more. I’m only 31, it feels like I’ve been going for more, so roll back the years on Saturday and get the career back going.”

Cameron Vuong:

“I think I am going to have to show a little bit of everything, things I haven’t had to show before. I’ve got a lot of respect for Gavin, he’s a tough, tough man and he’s done great things in the sport, Commonwealth, British, European champion, you don’t get that for no reason. I’m looking forward to it, it’s my toughest test to date but I’m looking to put on a masterclass and a big performance.

“I want to make that top level one day so these are the fights I want to take. I believe in my ability, my team believes in my ability, so it’s about taking the right fights at the right time, and I believe Gavin has had his day and it’s my time now.”

Gavin Gwynne:

“I want to thank you firstly for having me back, coming off a loss I never thought I’d get the call again, so I am grateful to be here.

“He’s a good prospect but I have the experience behind me. He’s probably thinking that my best days are behind me, i know a lot of people are, but come Saturday night I am going to throw it back and put on a big performance, a statement one that will chuck me right back into the mix.

“I can always remember my first title fight and I went to places I thought I would never go, and it shows how much you’ve got inside you, and I’ve just got to see of he’s got that.”

Kieron Conway:

“This is a big fight and it leads to big things. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been all around the world on great cards, but this is just as big for me as any of the other fights you have given to me. Yesterday at the workout I looked into his eyes and saw a man with nothing to lose, which is dangerous, so I am aware of that, but equally as dangerous is a man with everything to lose, and that’s me. I’m going to be switched on and looking to put on the performance of a lifetime.

“My experience is massive and I think that pays dividends going forwards in all of my fights. Each one is just another piece of the puzzle.”

Ryan Kelly:

“To be involved in this show in Birmingham makes sense, and to be fighting Kieron for a big title makes it that bit more exciting. I think the fight is going to have a bit of everything in it, and I’ll do my bit to make sure it’s exciting.

“It’s a must-win to move on and have a great 2025. I need to go out there and perform, and I’m under no illusion that I’m fighting a good kid in Kieron but on Saturday the respect goes out of the window and it’s game on.”

Callum Smith:

“It’s good to be back. Activity is key and it’s something I haven’t had over the past five years or so and that’s killed my momentum. I’ve decided that I want to give it another proper go and I want to get active, get the ball rolling this weekend and then it puts me in a good position going into the new year and into any fight that is offered. I believe I’m good enough to be a two-weight World champion, I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t believe that and the journey starts again on Saturday. 

“I’ve always set the bar high and I’ve never been motivated by money, it’s always been about being the best and being a World champion. I knew that the belts were going to be tied up for the foreseeable future, opportunities didn’t look like they were going to be there to get one again, so I thought if I can’t be the best I don’t want to do it anymore. I took time away to reflect and it looks like the belts might be spreading out in the near future, so there’s still fights out there for me and I do believe I am good enough to be a two-weight World champion, and I would have kicked myself if I didn’t give it another good go to try to achieve it. So we get the ball rolling and I definitely believe I will be a World champion again next year.”

Troy Jones:

“I’ve got great support as you can hear, they came out yesterday, they have come out today, they do it all the time. Michael better get his CV back ready as it’s going to be a long night for him on Saturday. 

“He can’t talk as he’s got nothing to talk about, he’s beaten no-one, fought no-one. I’m going to hurt him in that ring, trust me.

“I’m going to teach him a boxing lesson and a fighting lesson as well. I’m putting on a calculated performance and show him what I am about in there.

“You are going to get a big performance, and I think he knows it.”

Michael Stephenson:

“I’m ready. I left my full-time job to train for this fight, the sacrifices I’ve made in the last eight years comes down to Saturday and I’m ready to take this English title home.

“You know what I’m about, I’m there for war and that’s what I’m ready for, to take that title back to Northampton.”

Hamza Uddin:

“Always big performances pending, I’ve got a main card slot as it should be. Benn is a good fighter and as he said about me, I’ve got nothing bad to say about him, if I did I definitely would have said it. He’s a good lad and from a good fighting family, it’s nothing personal, it’s just business when I step inside the ring and I’m looking to get a big knockout win.

“With the style that I bring, I think that even my average performances are special. We’re not looking for average this Saturday, we’re going for a big performance. Shout out to everyone that’s coming and who has been at the events this week, we go again on Saturday and there’s going to be fireworks.”

Benn Norman:

“Thank you for opportunity Eddie, Saturday night is going to be no different, I’m just an idiot that fights anyone in the country or around the world. I’ve got a lot of respect for Hamza, he’s a really good lad and he comes from a great boxing family, so I am looking forward to having a good Midlands dust-up.

“I’m 28 now so I’m still young, but you might as well take the opportunities while they are coming because before you know it, your career is over. It’s going to be a privilege to be in the ring on Saturday night with another great fighter.”

Ibraheem Sulaimaan:

“Thank you to the Matchroom team, I’m back out again this year and I’m going to end it with a bang. We’re going to take it one step at a time, now that I’ve got a contract we’re climbing the ladder in the correct manner and we’re going to reach where I want to reach which is the top of the world.”

Aaron Bowen:

“I’ve had 15 months out but sold 500 tickets, so it shows that people are really getting behind me and they’ll make a lot of noise, you’ll see on Saturday night that there’s a big crowd, big noise and a big performance.

“It’s one step at a time but I’m putting the work in at the gym so it’s all looking up and get this one out of the way and we push on for a massive 2025.”

Taylor Bevan:

“Thank you Eddie for having me on such a brilliant show for my debut. I’m really enjoying fight week so far, taking it all in and just looking forward to putting in a great performance on Saturday and hopefully it’s the start of a very successful career.

“I’m looking to bring some of that amateur pedigree into the pros, I’ve boxed some of the best in the world in the amateurs and I’ve been in some exciting fights, two of them with Aaron to my right and maybe that’s one in the future that we can get arranged.”

Galal Yafai faces the toughest test of his professional journey so far when he locks horns with former IBF Flyweight World Champion Sunny Edwards in a blockbuster all-British clash at BP Pulse LIVE in Birmingham this Saturday, shown live worldwide on DAZN. 

Olympic Champion Yafai, who headlines in his home city for the second time, has breezed to 8-0 (6 KOs) since turning over back in February 2022, but in ‘Showtime’ Edwards the Birmingham native is up against his most experienced and decorated opponent to date.

Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs), who holds a win over Yafai in the amateurs, is determined to become a two-time World Champion after suffering the first loss of his career in a blockbuster unification clash with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona last December.

With the interim WBC World Title on the line this weekend, the winner will go on to a likely World Title shot in their next fight – but Yafai insists he his solely focused on the job at hand and putting his long-standing rivalry with Edwards to bed once and for all. 

“We knew we’d get to this stage,” said Yafai. “We both had to do our bit. I became Olympic Champion, and he became World Champion. We were both on the trajectory to be fighting each other.

“I know he has a story about how he should have been picked for the Olympics, but the reality is I went to the Olympics, and then I went to the Olympics again and won Gold. So, it doesn’t matter to me.

“When I first started boxing, he was one of the first ones that beat me as an amateur, ABA’s at the time – it’s just been brewing since then. It’s not something that I’m that assed about but I’ll say, ‘he beat me on a split decision’. I’ll tell anyone. You’re competing against the best and Sunny was the best in the country.

 “Realistically, I’ve got more chance of knocking him out than he has of me, but anybody can be knocked out, and with those little gloves, everyone punches, so I’ve got to be careful and do things the right way.

“I’ve got to be the best version of Galal Yafai. When he boxes he’s a bit more trickier and on the back foot. I come forward and bring pressure. It’s two contrasting styles. I can knock him out, but it doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen.”

Edwards vs. Yafai tops a huge night of action in Birmingham, Wolverhampton Welterweight Conah Walker (13-3-1, 5 KOs) takes on Forest Hall’s former British Super-Lightweight Champion Lewis Ritson (23-4, 13 KOs) over ten rounds, Northampton’s Kieron Conway (12-3-1, 6 KOs) clashes with Birmingham’s Ryan Kelly (19-4-1, 8 KOs) for the Commonwealth Middleweight Title, Blyth Lightweight prospect Cameron Vuong (6-0, 3 KOs) steps up against Wales’ former British, Commonwealth and European Champion Gavin Gwynne (17-3-1, 5 KOs) in just his seventh fight, exciting Walsall Flyweight Hamza Uddin (2-0, 1 KO)faces Shepshed’s Benn Norman (7-5) over six rounds, Liverpool’s former Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith (29-2, 21 KOs) returns to a British ring against Colombia’s Carlos Galvan (20-14-2, 19 KOs), Birmingham’s Troy Jones (11-0, 6 KOs) and Northampton’s Michael Stephenson (9-2) collide for the vacant English Middleweight Title, Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen (3-0, 2 KOs) returns against Swansea’s JamesTodd (4-3-2), Birmingham Super-Featherweight Ibraheem Sulaimaan (5-0, 3 KOs) fights for the fist time under the Matchroom promotional banner against Nicaragua’s Marvin Solano (24-20, 8 KOs) and 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Taylor Bevan makes his professional debut at Super-Middleweight against Horden’s Greg O’Neill (7-8-1, 1KO). 

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“This is a major night for British boxing, November 30, back in Birmingham, as we continue this great run of shows in the Midlands, and this time we’ve got a domestic classic for you. The man to my right, Sunny Edwards, the former World champion, the man who went out to attempt to unify against Bam Rodriguez, fighting one of Birmingham’s greatest ever fighters, and certainly their best amateur fighter, the Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai. It’s exactly the kind of fight that we want to make, a pure 50-50 domestic match-up for the WBC Interim World championship, live and exclusive on DAZN around the world.

“There’s so much more talent on the top table with me and after his performance on Saturday in Sheffield and moving to 5-0, Ibrahim ‘Spider’ Suleiman. Ibrahim is a fighter that we’ve worked with for a long time now, and I’ve always felt like he’s part of the family. Sometimes you feel like you don’t really need contracts and when I first met Jaykae and talking to him, the belief and popularity Ibrahim has in this city, we were on board. But today we officially announce a new multi-year partnership with Ibrahim and welcome him officially to the Matchroom team.

“I’m really excited about our young talent, and you are going to see a number of major signings worldwide over the next couple of weeks, and it’s really important that we invest in the young talent in this country. It’s a pivotal moment for British boxing at the moment, you’ll have seen on social media the changes that we’re making to the schedule, to the product, start times, everything, but it all stems off of young talent.

“I think Hamza Uddin is one of the best young fighters in the world, not just in Birmingham or the UK, I think this kid has got superstar potential. He had a little hand injury, and we couldn’t carry on his momentum, but he’s got a big step up on November 30 against Benn Norman, the Area champion, and I think this kid is going to go on and win World titles.

“I watched Aaron Bowen box in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and I couldn’t believe the support he had. He started his career off like a train bringing hundreds and hundreds of people from Coventry to his fights, and after 15 months out of the ring with injury, it’s like we’ve got a brand new prospect on our hands with Aaron.

“Cameron Vuong is on holiday but he’s in a great fight with Gavin Gwynne, and I think we need to give Cameron a lot of credit and respect with the speed he’s moving, I put Cameron in the same mould as Hamza and this fight is a very, very tough one.

“When we were making this card I wanted something Before the Bell, something local and domestic, and I said to our matchmaker Tom Dallas ‘give me a war, a local kid that’s going to sell a load of tickets and have a war’. He threw up the English Lightweight championship between Troy Jones and Michael Stephenson. Troy is from Birmingham, undefeated, sells a huge amount of tickets, and it is very important to make these fights for the undercard.

“Here are two guys that we’re very fond of, last time out Conah Walker, it was such a brilliant, brilliant fight with Lewis Crocker, one that could have gone either way. I know Conah feels he won the fight, but for me, it’s one of the fights of the year. And when you talk about heart and guts, this kid just epitomises it. This is why records are for DJs, they are so deceiving, you look at Conan’s record and maybe you are not sure about him, but he’s a real handful. Lewis Ritson has been there and done it all, and this is a real throwback fight, a brilliant Welterweight fight. We talk about ‘winner stays on’ a lot, but this is almost like ‘loser goes home’ – neither guy can afford to lose. They are both coming off a defeat, it’s must-win for them both and the styles will gel beautifully.”

Sunny Edwards:

“What I think it is, and it’s probably the same for Galal, I feel like we both chase competition. We’ve both spent the best part of the last ten years going around the world and facing the best challenges or trying to. I don’t fear losing, I don’t fear the harm another person can do to my body, especially at my size. I like challenges so it’s never about this fight or that fight, it’s ’Eddie, what fight do you want?’ Because you should want the biggest fights as you aren’t in the business of promoting small fights. I don’t really care and I’m never going to be scared of anyone that weighs 112lbs. Galal is one of the best in the world and he has been for a few years now, especially in the amateurs and in the Olympics, and he’s shown that he’s taken to the pro game like a duck to water, and he’s done everything asked of him. I know that some people maybe asking if this is too soon, or wondering why the fight is happening, but I was always ready for this fight, it was inevitable. Maybe I thought it would take a little bit longer, but we’ve got the fight now, I’m happy for it and I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s the same reasons that I pretty much beat everyone else. My footwork, my IQ, my decision making, my engine, my activity during rounds. I’m very hard to win rounds against. Galal is a fantastic fighter, a great operator, but for me the best thing about this fight is it’s going to give the fans again something to watch back and the only time that’s really happened in my career so far is when I lost to Bam, so I want to have that fight that I can watch back and win. Yes, I can always box and move but it doesn’t make for the best spectacle, but against Galal, we just get in there and having it out straight away, we’re never too far from each other, one two steps at a time. I’m just looking forward to a great fight, former World champion against former Olympic Gold medialist, the Edwards and Yafai names have been partnered for years before me and Galal even, and if you look at Fly or Super-Flyweight accolade or achievement over the last five-ten years of British boxing it’s come from and Edwards or a Yafai. The names have been together so now it’s about seeing what name is that little bit further in front.

“I’ll be real, I really like Galal. We’ve spent a lot of time sparring, we’ve spent time on Team GB together, and even when he’s your rival because he’s getting picked for stuff over you, it’s not really about that. I’ve had a good relationship with Kal, Gamal said a few things on social media whether he’s trying to get in my head or sell the fight, or just let me know that he doesn’t like me, it doesn’t really matter to me, the fight is between me and Galal, we’re representing the Edwards name and the Yafai name, and it’s a great fight for Birmingham, it’s a massive card for this part of the world, there’s some fantastic fighters up and down this card, and it’s what British boxing should be. I don’t see another British fighter out there around my division that would bring as much to the fight as Galal will.

“Not sure about this stuff with Rob!) My question was never whether Galal was good enough or should have gone to the Olympics, my question was more at the system. The same person who was not only training his brother but making the decisions on who got sent where and when to the qualifiers and what not, is also the same person that’s negotiating with Eddie about this fight and also the same person who is going to be in the ring on fight night, and they are still training at the same gym that was lottery funded. For me, it just seems like the game is a bit skewed, why have I got to walk into a system where there are already connections above my head and fast-forward eight years, I’m still battling that same set up and they are still using tax payers and lottery money to run their gym and pay the physios, the analysts, the nutritionists, the corner men, and the flats that they stay in over the road. And for me it just stinks a bit that one man has been given this grace that he can decide who is the Olympians and then sign them and train them out of the same gym, to me that seems a bit crazy.”

Galal Yafai:

“I know that there were a few complaints about me fighting on Saturday but it’s something that I had to do, I’m selfish, I have got to be the best Galal Yafai going in to fight Sunny, and I will make sure that I am the best. He wants to win, I want to win and there will be one winner on the night, and the certain winners will be the fans.

“I’ll show everyone on November 30. He’s got his game plan; I’ve got my game plan. But if anyone had seen our spars, they’d know it’s a proper fight. I know we’re Flyweights and we’re small, and people don’t care as much about it, but this is a proper fight. I’m not coming to take the money and live off that, I’m coming to do what I have to do and I’m sure he is as well.

“They were good spars, 50-50. I’m not going to sit here and bullshit and say I beat him up, they were competitive. Sunny is stubborn, I’m stubborn, that’s what is going to make it a good fight. Do you think I’m going to allow Sunny to come to Birmingham and just run rings around me? And do you think he’s just going to let me pressure him and beat him up? It’s not going to happen, we’re both going to do what we can to win.

“I’m always quiet because the guys that I fight don’t speak English! With Sunny, people don’t really know that we fought nearly ten years ago, this has been bubbling for years and years. He went on to win a World title, I went on to win Olympic gold, we’ve both done our bit and we’re here now at the crossroads, and trust me, I do not want to Sunny, and he doesn’t want to lose to me.”

Conah Walker:

“The last fight was what it was, I don’t want to revisit it in terms of the result or scorecards, I’ve taken a lot from it. We had a chat after and that put a good spin on a bad situation, and look now, I’ve got Lewis Ritson. I’ve been a fan of his watching him when I was coming up in the amateurs and he was doing things we could only dream of. He was the fastest to win the British title outright, he was obliterating guys, but I think with my run of form I just think I’m going to be that much better and our styles will gel. Neither of us are slicksters, last time out against Paddy, Paddy just wasn’t there so it was hard for him to show anything, he won’t have that problem with me. We’re going to meet in the middle and the toughest survives.

“I’m expecting to double what I did last time and bring more, obviously I’ve gained a few fans from the last fight and I believe that this is where I should be, rightly so. I should be on this table and on this side of the table, I’ve worked my arse off to get here and I’m here to stay. We’re working hard in the gym, polishing the edges, and every time I fight, I’m becoming a more complete fighter. I just want to keep ticking the boxes, Lewis Crocker was a difficult fighter but me doing that, proves where I am at. He’s highly ranked and touted to be the next big thing at world-level, so surely that is the same for me? So I am looking forward to the future.”

Lewis Ritson:

“I’ve got a really hard fight with Conah, he took his chance against Cyrus and he’s just getting better and better but we’re here to upset the applecart and we’re more than 100 per cent confident that we can do that.

“I’ve got the ringrust off, I’m coming in off the loss to Paddy but I hadn’t been in the ring for a year and a half. Styles make fights and Paddy wasn’t the right style for me, I believe Conah is and we’re the right style for each other. It can’t be nothing but a barnstormer, it’s make or break for both of us so we have to win and we’re coming in as fit as we can and hopefully we can pull it off.

“We both like to come forward, we both like the body shots, we like to stand there and not give much ground. It’s survival of the fittest, Conah’s got a good engine on him, but we know what we have to do on the night, we need to be fitter than him, stronger than him, tougher than him, and we think we can do that.”

Troy Jones:

“This is what I’ve been working towards. I’ve done my apprenticeship. He told the story about asking for the fight at the 5k, but I tell you what kid, be careful what you ask for. He’s coming into the Lion’s Den, and he’s going to find out on November 30.

“This is the platform that I need, and you’ll have me back, Eddie.

“Fair play for asking for the fight, but everyone will find out what I’m about. There’s going to be plenty of noise and the Midlands has got some good talent, so it’s a good time to be up and coming in the Midlands, and I couldn’t ask for a better card to be on.

“There’s no pressure, there’s only pressure when you don’t do the work in the gym. I know what I can do in the ring. This is what dreams are made of, I’ve been fighting on small hall shows, so it’s already a dream come true, but when I do the business on November 30, they’ll know who I am then, and I won’t let anyone down.”

Michael Stephenson:

“I went to the Matchroom 5k with Terence Crawford last week and saw Frank Smith running. I went up to him and said ‘Frank, get versus Troy for the English title’. A week later my manager rang me and said ‘you’re on the show’. If you don’t ask you don’t get, so thank you.

“There’s a lot of talent in Northampton and it’s coming through, so watch out for us.

“I’m going in there with a winner’s mentality. If I go in there as the underdog, it’s not going to work out well. I’ve had two losses, but they were two learning fights. I know what Troy is about, and he’s going to have a hard, hard night.”

Hamza Uddin:

“I can’t wait, I’m a fighting man and I can’t wait to get my hands on someone and punch them in the face. I’m not even from Birmingham but the noise here is great, I bring a lot of support and there’s a reason why, it’s because I’m down to earth, I love my people and I’ve got an exciting style, people like to tune in to watch me and I’m just doing my thing.

“It’s a big step-up but it’s what I asked Sam for, I needed a big step-up, but I have every trick in the book. Everyone will tell you about my power and rightly so, but I have more than power. In my first fight I knocked out a Bantamweight, in my last one smashed up a Super-Bantamweight, but this is the first fight at Flyweight and that is my weight, and the world is going to know that Hamza Uddin is a big problem at Flyweight.”

Aaron Bowen:

“I’m grateful to Matchroom and all the sponsors that I have, and for the city of Coventry too. Those times were tough, watching everyone else carry on while I was sat on the sidelines, but the people got me through it and there will be big numbers coming to the show, it couldn’t have been a better show to come back on. I owe it to them as much as I owe it to myself and on November 30 we’re coming to make some noise and start that journey back to a World title.

“I’m sparring World title contenders and I handle myself fine in there. I do believe I can move quickly, I’ve had the amateur pedigree, the support I get, there’s no reason I can’t be a main event or co-main event and I truly believe I am going to get there.”

Ibraheem Sulaimaan:

“It’s a bad cut but we’ve got to accept it and move on, it’s part of the game. Hopefully it heals quickly, and we’re back out ASAP. We’ve got a plan and now I’ve signed the contract, we can move forward with that plan, we’re ready to conquer the world and take it one step at a time to see my name at the top.”

Former IBF World Champion Sunny Edwards and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Galal Yafai will collide in a Flyweight thriller at BP Pulse LIVE in Birmingham on Saturday November 30, shown live worldwide on DAZN. 

The British rivals have been on a collision course since former Team GB star Yafai joined the professional ranks in February 2022 after fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming Olympic Champion by outpointing the Philippines’ Carlo Paalam to secure gold in Japan.

Edwards (21-1, 4 KOs) produced a sublime display to inflict a first defeat on Moruti Mthalane in 13 years and become IBF Flyweight World Champion behind closed doors at London’s York Hall back in May 2021.

The gifted 28-year-old, who holds a win over Yafai in the amateurs, went on to make four successful defences of his World Title before suffering the first loss of his career in a blockbuster unification clash with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona last December.

‘Showtime’ returned to winning ways against Adrian Curiel on the undercard of Estrada vs. Rodriguez last time out in June and returns to fight in the UK for the first time since June 2023 aiming to close out the year in style in what promises to be a British blockbuster.

Birmingham’s Yafai (7-0, 5 KOs) picked up the WBC International Flyweight crown on his professional debut at The O2 in London before making defences at the world-famous Madison Square Garden In New York, the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and The O2 once more in April 2023.

The 31-year-old demolished Tommy Frank inside two minutes to preserve his unbeaten record in front of his hometown fans at the Utilita Arena Birmingham in August 2023 before closing out the year with a points win over Rocco Santomauro in Arizona.

His last win came against Agustin Gauto at Fontainebleau Las Vegas earlier this year in April and now Yafai will run out at the Canon Medical Centre in Sheffield on September 28 before he steps up against the vastly more experienced Edwards for the biggest test of his pro career to date. 

“This fight has always been inevitable,” said Edwards. “Our last names hold weight in British boxing and around the world – and it’s really time to put to bed the Edwards-Yafai Saga.

“Being overlooked for the Olympic Games because of family relationships and city ties – lit a fire all those years back. I beat Galal and was shelved in the same year back in 2015 and now this is my chance to show Britain who the real golden boy is.”

“I’m happy that the fight has been made,” said Yafai. “This is going to be a massive fight for British boxing. I need to win a World Title, and this is a fight that will put me on the cusp of fighting for one when I win in my hometown on November 30.”

“This is a huge fight for British boxing,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m delighted to get this one over the line as it’s the right fight for both men. In my opinion these are the best two Flyweights in the world, and they will clash for a shot at the World Title in front of a huge crowd in Birmingham. Former IBF World Champion Edwards will feel he’s the favourite heading into this one as he looks to recapture gold at 112 pounds. Olympic gold medal hero Yafai hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in the pro ranks, this is a massive step up for him but one that he will be confident of overcoming. It has all the makings of a brilliant fight, and I cannot wait for the BP Pulse LIVE in Birmingham to be bouncing on November 30. Standby for announcements on a bumper undercard and we put on an unmissable night of action exclusively live worldwide on DAZN.”

“We love this fight,” said Alfie Sharman, VP DAZN. “I have always been a massive fan of Sunny, a guy who talks the talk and walks the walk in and out of the ring. Galal is a phenomenal talent who in his short pro career so far has probably not faced a fighter as good as Sunny. It will be fireworks. Live and exclusive only on DAZN.”

An announcement on ticket details will be made in due course.

Galal Yafai believes that he’s banking the experience needed to rip the World titles from the champions, and that continues on Saturday when he defends his WBC International Flyweight title against Agustin Mauro Gauto at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA TICKETMASTER

Yafai (6-0 4 KOs) won the title he puts on the line in Sin City on his professional debut in February 2022 in London, six months after winning Olympic gold for Britain at the Tokyo games.

The Birmingham man has cruised to 6-0 in the paid ranks and successfully defended his International strap four times to date. Those wins have led the 31 year old to be handily positioned at #7 in the WBC rankings, the same spot he occupies with the WBO and IBF.

Jesse Rodriguez has vacated the world titles with the latter two organizations, piquing the interest of those contenders that are well placed in the rankings, and that means that Yafai has yet more incentive to perform to his best against Gauto (21-1 15 KOs) as he looks to perfectly time honing his ring craft for when his World title shot arrives.

“The pro game is different, longer rounds and the gloves are smaller, but it’s boxing to me,” said Yafai. “I’ve just got to get through them all and get to the top as quickly as I can because people aren’t patient, and I’m a bit impatient too.

“Rankings don’t really matter to me in the long run. No-one is going to say to me ‘Galal, you were ranked top five in the WBC’ when I finish my career. It’s either I am going to be a World champion or I’m not, that’s the main thing to me. It’s nice to be ranked high though and people want me to fight the top guys.

“I’ve had five fights, and I could jump in now with the top boys, but I don’t want to do that and not have the experience. People will say ‘he should be fighting him, him and this guy’, but people say anything, I just have to do what I am doing and get to the top and beat them.

“I need experience. On my day I can beat the top boys, but I want to give myself the best chance, I don’t want to go in there and fight them too soon and just be too short. But saying that, I’m still good enough to beat them.”

Yafai’s clash with Gauto is part of a huge night of action, led by a double-header featuring two of America’s best young talents as Richardson Hitchins takes on Gustavo Lemos in a final eliminator for the IBF World Jr. Welterweight title and Diego Pacheco defends his USWBC and WBO International Super-Middleweight titles against Shawn McCalman

Skye Nicolson provides the World title action on the card, looking to claim a World crown at the first attempt as she meets Sarah Mahfoud for the vacant WBC Featherweight strap, Marc Castro gets a first title bout in his 12th pro outing, taking on Abraham Montoya for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title, Harley Mederos is in action for the sixth time in the paid ranks over six rounds against Pedro Vicente and there’s a pro debut for former Team USA talent Steven Navarro over six rounds at Super-Flyweight against Jose Lopez.

Skye Nicolson will face Sarah Mahfoud for the vacant WBC World Featherweight title at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Saturday April 6, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA TICKETMASTER

Nicolson (9-0 1 KO) lands her first World title shot in Sin City, just over two years since making her professional debut in San Diego. The Australian has raced to #1 in the WBC rankings at 126lbs, and landed her first KO win in her last outing, stopping Lucy Wildheart in Dublin in November in the first defense of the interim title the 28 year old won in Mexico in September against Sabrina Perez.

Mahfoud (14-1 3 KOs) is looking to spoil the party and in turn become a two-time ruler at Featherweight. The Dane held the IBF title after being elevated from interim champion, and successfully defended it against Nina Meinke in April 2022, before losing to Amanda Serrano in Manchester, England in September 2022. The 34 year old is on a three-fight winning streak on home turf since that loss, picking up the WBC Silver title in March 2023 and successfully defending it in October, with an eight-round win in between.

“This means everything to me,” said Nicolson. “To fight for my first World title in the iconic boxing city of Las Vegas is truly special. It will be a proud moment for my family and my team – and on April 6, my lifelong dream of becoming a World Champion will finally become a reality. 

“Ever since the first time I put on a pair of boxing gloves, I’ve worked tirelessly towards this moment. Capturing the prestigious green and gold WBC belt will be the first major step towards becoming the Undisputed champion. And the new!”

“It is a dream of mine to become a two-time World champion,” said Mahfoud. “And it is also a dream of mine to box in Las Vegas on the biggest stage. Skye Nicolson is a good fighter, but she’s not proven at world-level like me. I will teach her a lesson and show her the levels on April 6.”

Two more fights added to the card are led by Briton’s Olympic gold medal man Galal Yafai defending his WBC International Flyweight title against Agustin Mauro.

Yafai (6-0 4 KOs) is hunting the World champions at the weight, and the 2020 games king is sitting pretty in the rankings, most pertinently at #6 with the WBC as he defends the belt he won on debut in February 2022 for the fifth time in Las Vegas. The 31 year old will be looking to put the belt holders on notice on April 6, but that’s exactly what Mauro (21-1 15 KOs) is looking to do too. The Argentine has won three of his last four fights inside the distance, and the 26 year old is planning to derail Yafai’s journey to a World title.

“It’s great to be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time in my career, which is something all Brits dream of,” said Yafai. “I know that Agustin is confident and that’s perfect for me, I want someone that believes they can win, as that will bring the best out of me.

“I like my positioning in the rankings, and I really think that 2024 is the year that I can get my shot at a World title.”

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Mauro. “I’m going to destroy Galal Yafai. This is my time. I’d like to thank Matchroom Boxing for giving me such a huge opportunity for my career. I’ve been working extremely hard alongside my trainer, Rodrigo Calabrese, to get a great victory in the United States.

“We’ve been studying Galal. He is a great boxer, but I have what it takes to win the WBC International title on April 6. This will be my first time in Las Vegas. I always dreamed about fighting in this great city and I’m not going to waste my opportunity.

“I want to make history for Argentinean boxing, and this is a great opportunity to do just that. The fight comes at a great time in my career. I’ve had 22 professional fights. The last one was in Argentina in January, and I again displayed my knockout power. This is what I want to show in Las Vegas. On April 6, the boxing world will know who ‘Avión’ Gauto is.”

The third fight added to the bill sees Marc Castro fight over ten rounds for the second time, as he meets Abraham Montoya at Super-Featherweight. Castro (11-0 8 KOs) boxed over the ten round distance for the first time in November in Los Angeles, but only needed seven of them to record an eighth win inside the distance. Montoya (22-5-1 14 KOs) is a vastly experienced operator, with 99 more rounds in the bank than his young foe, and the 29 year old Mexican will provide the toughest test to date for the Fresno talent.

Nicolson, Yafai and Castro are part of a big night of action in Las Vegas, topped by a double-header featuring two of Matchroom’s brightest stars. Richardson Hitchins (17-0 7 KOs) tops the bill as he takes on Gustavo Lemos (29-0 19 KOs) in a final elimination for the IBF World Super-Lightweight title, while Diego Pacheco (20-0 17 KOs) continues his assault on the Super-Middleweight division as he defends his WBC USA and WBO International titles against Shawn McCalman (15-0 7 KOs).

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Sunny Edwards owned the news conferences.

Jesse Rodriguez owned the ring.

Rodriguez turned that ring into his own bully pulpit, punishing Edwards and then dropping him with a left hand that landed like his nickname, Bam, in the final moments of the ninth round Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena.

In the final second of the ninth, Rodriguez got the last word after a long week full of unfounded accusations. He called Rodriguez a drug cheat. He called him weird.

In the end, he could only call him champ. Edwards, whose corner threw in the towel at 2:59 of the ninth, lost for the first time and lost his International Boxing Federation flyweight title.

Rodriguez (19-0, 15 KOs) added the belt to his collection, including the World Boxing Organization’s version of the 112-pound crown.

At the moment that Edwards’ corner tossed in the towel, Rodriguez fell to his knees and onto his chest. He looked relieved. 

Maybe, that’s because he won’t have to listen anymore to Edwards (20-1, 4 KOs), a little guy with heavyweight Tyson Fury’s big mouth.

The two, Sunny and Bam, embraced in the middle of the ring after it was all over. Sunny promised he’d be back. Bam promised that he was moving back up the scale, in pursuit of the super-fly title he vacated.

It was no coincidence that super-fly (115 pounds) champ Juan Francisco Estrada was in the crowd. It was also no coincidence that Hall of Fame junior flyweight Michel Carbajal was there, too.

Rodriguez showed why he is perhaps the best American in boxing’s lightest weights since Carbajal’s era through the 1990s.

Rodriguez kept his poise early and then slowly began to control the pace and the ring.

A key round was the fifth. That’s when Rodriguez grabbed the momentum At the end of the round, he rocked Edwards onto his heels with a big overhand punch. It was asign of things to come.

In the sixth, Bam opened up a cut under Sunny’s left eye. He drove him into the ropes. Then, he raised both hands over his head, as if to mock Sunny.

The mocking continued. Seconds later, the fighters drifted back toward the center the ring. That’s when Bam stuck his tongue out at Edwards. Edwards, suddenly no longer so Sunny, seemed to respond in anger. He went straight at Rodriguez, a bullish assault from a fighter known for working off his back foot.

It was as if he had forgotten who he was and how he fought.Rodriguez made him forget, mostly because the San Antonio fighter always remembered how to apply the fundamentals that are transforming him into a pound-for-pound contender. 

Murodjon Akhmadaliev restores confidence with solid TKO

Murodjon Akhmadaliev knocked out the doubt.

Knocked out Kevin Gonzalez too.

Akhmadaliev came off an emotionally crushing loss, scoring an eighth-round stoppage  in a junior-featherweight fight that restored his confidence and, he hopes, puts him back in line for a shot at pound-for-pound contender Naoya Inoue.

Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs)lost a debatable split decision to Marlon Tapales in April. Tapales used that victory to secure a date against Inoue on Dec. 26 in Japan. For weeks, Akhmadaliev wondered: It could have been me.

Saturday night, he quit agonizing and resumed fighting, knocking down the rugged Gonzalez (20-1-1, 13 KOs) four times — twice in the sixth round and twice in the eight —  for a solid TKO victory at 2:49 of the eighth in the final fight before the Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez main event at Desert Diamond Arena.

“It’s been a long road back,” the Uzbekistani said. “I had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder.”

The chip is gone. A bright future is back.

Galal Yafai wins unanimous decision

-He has an Olympic gold medal, an unbeaten record and a lot of work still to do.

Galal Yafai (6-0, 4 KOs), the 2020 Olympic flyweight champion from the UK. Yafai scored a business-like decision over Rocco Santomauro (22-3, 6 KOs) Saturday night on the DAZN portion of the Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez card at Desert Diamond Arena.

Yafai was never in danger of losing. The 99-91, 98-93, 97-93 scorecards, all in his favor, reflect that. He left Santomauro, a Califorina flyweight,  badly bloodied over one eye. But he didn’t do much to convince anyone in the crowd that he’ll be a major flyweight title anytime soon. 

They applauded the victory, then booed him for a dull performance.

Boom, DAZN lives-stream opens with a huge KO

One punch from Ja’Rico O’Quinn kicked DAZN’s live-stream into high-gear.

It happened suddenly.

It landed like an unseen bolt.

Peter McGrail was down, unconscious seemingly before he knew what hit him.

O’Quinn, of Detroit, was losing on the scorecards through the first four rounds Saturday on the first DAZN-streamed fight on a card featuring Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez. McGrail controlled the pace and the punches. 

Then — boom, O’Quinn (8-1, 5 KOs) threw a counter-right that landed like a missile onto the side of McGrail’s face, sending the Brit  (17-1-1, 9 KOs) crashing to the canvas and under the lowest rope late in the fifth round. 

HIs cornermen, ringside physician, and paramedics rushed to help. For a few  scary moments, he simply laid on his  back. Then he was helped, first onto a stool and then to his feet..

“I knew they wouldn’t give me a decision,” O’Quinn said. “He was boxing well. But I seen him try to throw a right to the body. That’s when I countered and — boom — that’s all she wrote

Boom, indeed.

Prospect Arturo Cardenas wins 4th-round TKO

Arturo Cardenas, a Robert Garcia-trained super-bantamweight from Mexico, continued to combine power, precision and poise in his journey from prospect to contender Saturday in a thorough beat down of Carlos Mujica, a Las Vegas fighter who never had much of a chance.

From head-to-body, Cardenas (2-0-1, 8 KOs) landed punches from all angles, leaving Mujica (8-4, 2 KOs) defenseless and finally beaten, a TKO loser at 1:24 of the fourth round in the fourth fight on the Sunny Edward-Bam Rodriguez card. at Desert

 Diamond Arena  

Bostan wins, fans boo in hostile brawl

They exchanged profanities. Then, their respective camps brawled.

Turns out, the hostility at a news conference was real.

Junaid Bostan and Gordie Russ II don’t like each other.

Proof was delivered in a messy, junior-middleweight fight Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena on the Sunny Edwards-Bam Rodriguez undercard. They fought, they brawled, Russ (6-1, 6 KOs) hurt Bostan (8-0, 6 KOs) in the third, Bostan recovered and furt Russ in the seventh and again in the eighth.

Bostan, of the UK, won. The eight-round decision was probably closer than the three scorecards, 79-73. But Bostan’s unanimous decision didn;t settle anything. He stretched out a gloved hand, an offer of congratulations with a fist bump. But Ross, of Detroit, turned his back and walked out of the ring.

He might have been angry at the scoring. Some in the small crowd. They booed, and Bostan encouraged them too while standing at ringside for an interview.

“Go ahead, boo, go ahead,” he said, looking at the unhappy customers.

By then Russ was long gone. 

Albert Gonzalez chops down Molina

That’s exactly what California featherweight Albert Gonzalez (7-0, 3 KOs) did, chopping down Mexican Albert Molina (9-3-1, 5 KOs), who collapsed onto the canvas in evident pain after sustaining a lethally precise body shot late in the second round of the second fight Saturday on a card featuring Jesse Rodriguez-Sunny Edwards at Desert Diamond Arena.

Molina, who rolled around the canvas for several seconds after the punishing shot from the Robert Garcia-trained Gonzalez, got up. But he was finished, a TKO loser at 2:24 of the second.

First Bell: Joe McGrail scores second-round TKO

A card stacked with UK fighters began with a British accent.

Joe McGrail, a featherweight from Liverpool, wasted little time, quickly flashing all of the reasons he’s a prospect with a second round TKO of Carlos Ortiz Jr. Saturday in the opener to a card featuring flyweights Jesse Bam Rodriguez and Sunny Edwards at Desert Diamond Arena.

McGrail (8-0, 4 KOs) dropped the overmatched Ortiz (8-5-2, 4 KOs), of Phoenix, twice in the first round and twice in the second, finishing him with a left hook at 2:40 of the second. 

2020 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai continued his dominant run as a professional as he stopped Tommy Frank in the opening round of their 10-round flyweight bout in Birmingham. England.

In round one, Yafai dropped Frank with a right hook. Yafai was all over Frank until the corner of Frank threw in the towel at 1:40.

Yafai, 111.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 5-0 with four knockouts. Frank, 111.9 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 15-4-1.

Conan Walker stopped Cyrus Pattinson at the end of round seven of their 10-round welterweight bout.

Walker dropped Pattinson rounds three and five. Pattinson sent Walker to the deck in round six. The fight was stopped after round seven after Walker continued to land hard shots on Pattinson.

Solomon Dacres won a 10-round unanimous decision over Chris Thompson in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres of Birmingham, England won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92.

Khaleel Majid won an eight-round decision over Alessandro Fersula in a super lightweight bout.

At the end of round one, Majid dropped Fersula with a hard left hook.

Majid of Bolton, ENG won by a 78-73 score.

In a rematch, Jordan Flynn and Kane Bake fought to a 10-round draw in a super featherweight contest.

In round two, Flynn dropped Baker with an overhand right.

The fight was scored 94-94.

Ibraheem Sulaiman made a successful pro debut with a first round stoppage over Michel Gonxhe in a four-round lightweight bout.

Sulaiman landed a hard left that was followed up by a flurry which was featured by a hard right hook and left to the face thar forced a stoppage at 1:27. Gonxhe protested the stoppage.

Sulaiman, 136.4 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Gonxhe, 136.5 lbs of Karlsruhe, GER is 5-5-1.

Aaron Bowen stopped Wilmer Baron htwo of their six-round middleweight bout

In round two, Bowen dropped Baron with a left to the body. Bowen then hit Baron with a right hand while he was down, but it was not called and the fight was over after a 10-count at 52 seconds.

Bowen, 162.9 lbs of Coventry, ENG is 3-0 with two knockouts. Baron, 165.3 lbs of Arboletes, COL is 6-2.

Sahil Khan made a successful pro debit with a four-round decision over Sean Jackson in a bantamweight fight.

Khan, 122.2 lbs of Birmingham, ENG won by a 40-36 score and is now 1-0. Jackson, 120.9 lbs of Manchester, NG is 0-15-1.

Muhammad Ali remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Francisco Rodriguez in a four-round super bantamweight fight.

In round three, Ali dropped Rodriguez with a body shot. Ali jumped all over Rodriguez until the towel was thrown in at 1:20

Ali, 123.5 lbs of Leicastershire, ENG is 3-0 with one knockout.

4 x 3 mins International Super-Bantamweight contest 
MUHAMMAD ALI 123.5 lbs v FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ 122.7 lbs
(Leicestershire, England)      (Alfacar, Spain)

followed by

4 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest
SAHIL KHAN 122.2 lbs v SEAN JACKSON 120.9 lbs
(Birmingham, England)   (Manchester, England)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Middleweight contest
AARON BOWEN 162.9 lbs v WILMER BARON 165.3 lbs
(Coventry, England)               (Arboletes, Colombia)

followed by

4 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest
IBRAHEEM SULAIMAN 136.4 lbs v MICHEL GONXHE 136.5 lbs
(Birmingham, England)                    (Karlsruhe, Germany)

19:00 LIVE ON DAZN

followed by

10 x 3 mins English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator
JORDAN FLYNN 129.6 lbs v KANE BAKER 129.8 lbs
(Oxford, England)                 (Birmingham, England)

followed by

8 x 3 mins international Super-Lightweight contest
KHALEEL MAJID 142.6 lbs v ALESSANDRO FERSULA 141.2 lbs
(Bolton, England)                   (Rome, Italy)  

followed by

10 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
SOLOMON DACRES 239.7 lbs v CHRIS THOMPSON 238.1 lbs
(Birmingham, England)                 (Gauteng, South Africa)  

followed by 

10 x 3 mins WBA International Welterweight Title 
CYRUS PATTINSON 146.5 lbs v CONAH WALKER 146.9 lbs
(Alnwick, England)                     (Wolverhampton, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins WBC International Flyweight Title
GALAL YAFAI 111.8 lbs v TOMMY FRANK 111.5 lbs
(Birmingham, England)    (Sheffield, England)

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Thank you Jordan and Darren. We’re here in Birmingham ahead of a massive NXTGEN card. These cards are so important to the development of British boxing, of the talent you are going to see competing around the world on the global stage. This city really needs more boxing. It was actually five years ago since we were last here for Amir Khan’s fight against Samuel Vargas, which of course we’ll never forget as well. This time, it’s the new generation, it’s the next generation. These guys have the task, the responsibility to be flag-bearers for British boxing over the next few years. Of course when you look at the past, and Matchroom’s history with the sport across Anthony Joshua who we saw last week, Tony Bellew, Carl Froch and ten years today since Darren Barker famously won his IBF Middleweight World Title. Let’s give him a round of applause. We know he’s very shy on this day every year to talk about it. These guys, some of our best young prospects, have the task, have the opportunity, the platform to go and achieve that. This weekend live around the world on DAZN one of the best prospects, not even a prospect anymore, Galal Yafai, the Olympic gold medallist from Birmingham has an opportunity to make another step forward in challenging for World Title honours. A tremendous card as well. Cyrus Pattinson against Conah Walker – great fight. Sol Dacres, who I think is a real sleeping giant of the domestic and international Heavyweight division, and so much more as well.”

Galal Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs defending his WBC International Flyweight Title against Tommy Frank):

“Thanks to everyone for coming. I don’t usually stay in Birmingham too long, but it’s my home city. I’m always training in Sheffield. I’m excited I get to fight in Birmingham. I’ve fought all over the world. It’s my first time in ten years fighting here so I’m looking to put on a show on Saturday. I’ve fought all over the world – Russians. Kazakhs, the Mexicans that you put me in with – I’m sick of them now. We’ve got Tommy Frank here now. I’ve known Tommy for a while. I’ve seen him box. He’s a good fighter. I want to say he’s underestimating me as a professional fighter. I heard something about how they think I’m a good amateur fighter but not a good professional fighter just yet. We’ll see on Saturday. I think I’m ready for those World level opportunities now but it’s just the experience. Quality-wise, I’m just as good as the top guys in the division but they’ve got experience – 19/20 fights. Can Tommy get that out of me on Saturday? We’ll have to wait and see won’t we. There’s always pressure. I love boxing. Tommy doesn’t have any pressure on him. He’s expected to lose. Every top athlete has to deal with pressure.”

Tommy Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs challenging Galal Yafai for the WBC International Flyweight Title):

“It’s just a massive opportunity for me. It’s the opportunity to change my life in many ways on Saturday night. Obviously Galal is an Olympic gold medallist, been there and done it as an amateur. He won a WBC International Title in his first fight. He’s had four ten round fights and he’s a very accomplished fighter. He’s from a boxing family, he’s been there and done it. I don’t know if he’s going to be the toughest but he’s definitely going to be the the most quality and the fighter with the most pedigree that I’ve fought. I just believe it’s everything for a reason. I believe I’ve got this opportunity for a reason. Coming off a loss I didn’t think I was going to get it. I did get it and I just believe this is a chance of a lifetime. Ultimately, I want a call back from you (Eddie Hearn) to get on more of these shows.”

Cyrus Pattinson (6-0, 4 KOs defending his WBA International Welterweight Title against Conah Walker):

“To be honest with you I’ve reiterated time and time again, I’m not interested in any other fight other than Saturday night. You can watch any interview that I’ve given, I’ve never mentioned any other fight apart from the fight on Saturday. That’s the only thing that matters. That was always the gameplan going into the Jenkins fight. That’s what we had been working on in the gym. I know that Conah likes to fight in that similar sort of style. I’m going to bring the same energy as him and it’s going to be a great fight. I’ve prepared for this fight like the contender, like it’s a vacant title. I’ll be able to sit and reflect after I’ve won the title again on Saturday. I know that Conah is a very dangerous fighter – he’s strong, he’s fit and he comes forward. He’s an intelligent fighter – a lot of people overlook his amateur background as well. I’ve got complete respect for him. I know what he’s going to bring.”

Conah Walker (11-2-1, 3 KOs challenging Cyrus Pattinson for the WBA International Welterweight Title): 

“This is the pinnacle of my career so far. Like you say, I’ll take any fight at the drop of a hat. I don’t know if you remember but in Manchester I came and sat next to you and said, ‘if you’ve got any lads, get me on your shows and you won’t be disappointed’. I’m here to fight, I’m going to echo what Solomon said. I want to take big fights and fight for titles. That’s what boxing is about. Get out there and have a fight. Too many people think about their records. Just get out there and test yourself. Have a dingdong and crack on. I respect Cyrus for taking this fight with me because in my eyes I think it’s a banana skin. There’s all this talk about the Riston fight, they might as well cancel that now. I’m taking that belt and it’s coming home with me back to Wolverhampton. Simple as.”

Solomon Dacres (6-0, 2 KOs faces Chris Thompson over ten rounds at Heavyweight):

“I believe that I’m ready to go at any level. I’ve sparred all of the World Champions over the last few years. I’ve been round the world as an amateur on the GB Squad. I just want to fight and I want to win titles. I don’t want to pad my record out or anything like that. I’m just ready to go. Even last week when Dillian Whyte was pulled out the fight, we don’t talk too much I put the offer straight in and said we’ll step in. I’m sure many other people did that as well. We just put our name forward straight away. We don’t hesitate. We want to take fights and we want to improve. I like to work off what my opponent is doing. The last one with Ismay, he came to fight so I picked him apart with the openings. He didn’t come to survive and hopefully my man over there is game and willing. I’m just going to pick him apart and do what I do in the ring.”

Chris Thompson (12-4-1, 7 KOs faces Solomon Dacres over ten rounds at Heavyweight):

“Thank you very much for having me here. Thank you to Matchroom. I’m excited for the opportunity. Sol Dacres is the current English Champion, me being the former South African and African Heavyweight Champion. I’m excited for the opportunity. I’m aware of the stage that I’m on and I know that I’ve got to take the opportunity with both hands and show the world what I can do. I’m going to enjoy myself in there. We didn’t come as an opponent, we came to win. That’s what I’m going to do on Saturday night, I’m going to come and I’m going to beat him. We’ll be back on Matchroom shows before the end of the year.”

Khaleel Majid (10-0, 3 KOs faces Alessandro Fersula over eight rounds at Super-Lightweight): 

“It’s about stepping up now, taking each fight as it comes, getting better and improving. This year I want to be, god willing, moving into title contention. Training camp has gone really good. I was in a good position to go and train with Buddy McGirt. It’s a shame he can’t be here on Saturday but we’ll get the job done. It’s about kicking on now and seeing what I can really do.”

Jordan Flynn (9-0, 1 KO faces Kane Baker in a ten round English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator):

“It’s going to be a good fight. To be honest I didn’t think the fight was actually that tough. It might have looked tough on TV and stuff but it didn’t feel tough. I had 2.5 weeks with my new coaches to get ready for the fight. That was the worst version of me on the night and it was still enough to beat the best version of Kane Baker. This Saturday you’re going to see a completely different Jordan Flynn against this guy. I’m going to bake him again. He keeps saying that I’ve only beaten people, journeyman and they’ve all been bums, but he’s one of the guys that I’ve beaten as well so I think he’s putting himself in that same category.”

Kane Baker (19-10-1, 1 KO faces Jordan Flynn in a ten round English Super-Featherweight Title Eliminator):

“I’m 100% ready to go. Thank you and Matchroom and the whole team because dreams don’t come true for people like me but on Saturday night they will. A massive show in Birmingham, it’s something that I couldn’t have dreamed for, especially on the back of a loss. I just can’t wait to let it go on Saturday night. Every time I roll the dice. On Saturday night I’m looking for that double six. I watched it back and I still believe I won the first fight, but I’ve got to do a better job this time. I always dig deep and I can’t wait. The shovels are out now ready to start digging. I’m ready to start digging deep. I’m want to let everyone that is coming, family and friends, what Birmingham is about. How we get down. That’s what I’m going to do on Saturday night.”

Ibraheem Sulaiman (makes his professional debut against Michael Gonxhe over four rounds at Lightweight): 

“What can I say? It’s going to be a special moment and I can’t wait to showcase my skills. I achieved a lot as an amateur but now it’s time to show the world what I’m about. It’s going to be sick, I’ll have the whole city behind me. Saturday is going to be a special night. I can’t wait to show you what I’m about.”

Aaron Bowen (2-0, 1 KO faces Wilmer Baron over six rounds at Middleweight): 

“I’ve got another tough opponent this time. I think his style is going to gel with me better. He was awkward and slippery last time. I’ll look to meet this guy head on. It doesn’t look like he’s going to take a back step so it should be a good fight in front of all of the fans. I think this fight is going to bring the best out in me. The last one was tricky and small. I’ve sold over 300 tickets and I’ve got the bit between my teeth from the last one – I wasn’t overly happy with my performance. I feel like me and this guy are going to clash in the middle. There’s some good fights on the card but I think we can steal fight of the night.”

Sahil Khan (makes his professional debut against Sean Jackson over four rounds at Bantamweight): 

“All of the work is done, from amateurs to pros now. No we’re ready. Saturday night is going to be a big night of boxing. After 70 fights I’ve had 28 knockouts as an amateur which is quite a lot of knockouts. Expect an explosive performance on Saturday.”

Muhammad Ali (2-0, faces Francisco Rodriguez over four rounds at Super-Bantamweight):

“I’m only 18 and I’m still learning and developing. We take it one fight at a time. I’ve got all of my team mates who have been in the game a much longer time than me. Seeing them doing it is helping me. I’m excited. My last fight when I was an amateur I was 15. The amateur and the pro side are completely different. You’re getting punched with 8oz gloves with no head-guard. It’s completely different. Hopefully I will get my fanbase up and I will get them excited. If the knockout comes, it comes.”

Galal Yafai will headline Matchroom Boxing’s latest NXTGEN card at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Saturday August 19 when he puts his WBC International Flyweight Title on the line against Tommy Frank, shown live worldwide on DAZN. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs) fights in his home city for the first time as a professional after racking up four wins from four fights since joining the paid code with a long-term promotional deal back in January 2022. 

Amateur sensation Yafai picked up the WBC International crown on his professional debut at The O2 in London before making defences at the world-famous Madison Square Garden In New York, the stunning Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and The O2 once more last time out in April.

Sheffield’s Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs) conceded his British Flyweight Title to Wales’ World Title contender Jay Harris last time out in Rotherham, succumbing to a tenth-round stoppage after an entertaining back and forth barnstormer.

The former Central Area, Commonwealth, WBC International Silver and IBO Intercontinental Flyweight Champion is out to cause a big upset and claim the biggest scalp of his career, a win that would propel himself to the front of the queue for massive fights in the Flyweight division. 

Alnwick’s rising Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson (6-0, 4 KOs) broke down and stopped former British Champion Chris Jenkins last time out in March in his first headline fight at the Utilita Arena Newcastle to pick up the WBA International Title.

The 29-year-old former Team GB standout puts his Title on the line against Wolverhampton’s former Midlands Area Welterweight Champion Conah Walker (11-2-1, 3 KOs) as he continues to climb the 147lbs ladder towards further title shots later this year.

Warley Heavyweight hope Solomon Dacres (6-0, 2 KOs) looks to build on his two-round demolition of Robert Ismay earlier this year while Oxford’s Jordan Flynn (9-0, 1 KOs) and Birmingham’s Kane Baker (19-10-1, 3 KOs) rematch in an eliminator for the English Super-Featherweight Title following their April clash.

There’s also action on the card for Bolton Super-Lightweight Khaleel Majid (10-0, 3 KOs), Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen (2-0, 1 KO) and Leicester Bantamweight prospect Muhammad Ali (2-0), plus professional debuts for Birmingham duo Sahil Khan and Ibraheem Sulaimaan. 

“I’m excited to be fighting in my home city for the first time as a professional and to be headlining the show makes it even sweeter,” said Yafai. “I haven’t fought in Birmingham in around ten years so it’s going to be special fighting in front of my friends and family for the first time since capturing Olympic Gold and starting my pro career with Matchroom. 

“Tommy Frank is in the opposite corner and he’ll be fully motivated to get the upset but this is my city and I’ll be getting the win with a big performance on home soil. My career is progressing nicely and this is another step on my journey towards fighting for and winning World Titles. See you on August 19 Birmingham.”

“Although my last fight against Jay Harris was a defeat I learnt a lot from it and I have more belief in myself than ever before,” said Frank. “I wasn’t expecting this opportunity but I believe that things happen for a reason and I’ll be ready to make my mark on the big stage on August 19.

“Yafai is a quality fighter with a great pedigree and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I’m grateful for the opportunity and to be showcased on such a big platform. I will no doubt be underestimated but that’s fine with me, I believe I have a lot more to achieve in boxing and with a rejuvenated confidence in myself I believe this opportunity has come at the perfect time.”

“I’m excited to be returning to Birmingham for our first show in the city for almost five years,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Olympic gold hero Galal Yafai gets the opportunity to headline his first show and it’s a WBC International Title defence against Sheffield’s former British Champion Tommy Frank. Galal has looked sensational so far on his professional journey and he’ll be determined to impress on home soil as he continues to work towards World Titles in the Flyweight division and beyond.

“There’s plenty of emerging Midlands talent on display with Solomon Dacres taking his next step in the Heavyweight division and destructive Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen returning for his third fight in the pros. North East Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson looks to build on his sensational scrap with Chris Jenkins and there’s plenty more on offer for our second NXTGEN helping of the year. Catch it all live around the world on DAZN.”

Tickets for Yafai vs. Frank are priced £40, £60, £120 and £200 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and The Ticket Factory from midday on Thursday July 13.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin at The 02 Arena in London.

Joshua landed 117 of 376 punches. Franklin was 58 of 426.

Joshua won by scores of 118-111 and 117-111 twice and is now 25-3. Frankilin of Saginaw, MI is 21-2.

Fabio Wardley Stops Coffie in 4

Fabio Wardley stopped Michael Coffie in round four of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Wardley was bleeding from his nose. In round four, Wardley landed a hard right that backed Coffie up on the ropes. Wardley landed a big assault in the ropes and the referee stopped the bout (maybe a punch or two prematurely) at 45 seconds.

Wardley, 242.9 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 16-0 with 15 knockouts. Coffie, 269.4 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 13-4.

Gala Yafai Stops Calleros in 4

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai stopped former world title challenger Moises Calleros in round four of a 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai dropped Calleros in round four, and the fight was stopped by the referee at

Yafai, 113.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 4-0 with three knockouts. Calleros, 114.2 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 36-11-1.

Campbell Hatton Stops Fielding in 1

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Louis Fielding in a scheduled eight-round super lightweight contest.

Hatton landed a perfect left hook to the rib area that put Fielding on the deck for the 10-count at 1:29. Fielding, 138.8 lb of Tamworth, ENG is 10-8.

Hatton, 139.12 lbs of Hyde, ENG is 11-0 with four knockouts.

Ammo Williams Stops Wilson-Bent in 8

Austin Williams remained undefeated with an eighth round stoppage over River Wilson-Bent in a scheduled 10-round middleweight bout.

In round seven, Williams dropped Wilson-Bent with a straight left Wilson-Bent began to bleed over his right eye. In round eight, Williams continued the assault and the towel was thrown in at 1:01.

Williams, 162.3 lbs of Houston, TX is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Wilson-Bent, 162.7 lbs of Coventry, ENG is 14-3-1.

John Hedges won a eight-round unanimous decision over Daniel Bocianski in a light heavyweight bou

Hedges, 189.14 lbs of Takely, ENG won by an 80-72 and is now 8-0. Bocianski, 186.4 lbs of Nowy Saczm POL is 11-3.

Ziyad Almaayouf won a four-round decision over Georgi Velichkov in a welterweight bout.

Almaayouf, 145.14 lbs of Saudi Arabia won by a 39-37 score and is now 3-0. Velchkov, 142.7 lbs of Sofia, BUL is 3-12.

Jordan Flynn remained undefeated with a hard fought eight-round decision over Kane Baker in a super featherweight bout.

Flynn, 129.10 lbs of Oxford, ENG won by a 77-75 score and is now 9-0. Baker, 129.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 18-10-1.

In a mild upset, Benoit Huber won a eight-round decision over Juergen Uldedaj in a heavyweight bout.

Huber, 200 lbs of Sjon, SWI won by a score of 77-75 and is now 9-3. Uldedaj, 203.8 lbs of Lezhe, ALB is 15-1.

Peter Kadiru stopped Alen Lauriolle after the opening round of their six-round heavyweight bout.

Kadiru’s body work hurt Lauriolle’s ribs and the bout was stopped in between rounds.

kadiru, 239.3 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 15-1 with eight knockouts. Lauriolle, 273.2 lbs of Skopie, MAC is 6-2.

Chantelle Cameron won the undisputed Super Lightweight Title with a 10 round unanimous decision over Jessica McCaskill.

Cameron of Northampton, ENG won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice and is now 17-0. McCaskill of Chicago is 12-3.

Shavkhatdzhon Rakhimov won the vacant IBF Super Featherweight title with a ninth round stoppage over Zelfa Barrett.

In round three, Barrett landed a big right hand that drove Rakhimov into the ropes for a knockdown.

In round nine, Rakhimov started walking down and landing hard punches on Barrett until he put Barrett on the deck. Barrett clearly had a issue with his leg, and Rakhimov just started unloading on his prey. The onslaught continued until another flurry sent Barrett to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at

Rakhimov of Boktar, TAJ is 17-0-1 with 14 knockouts. Barrett of Manchester, ENG is 26-2.

Galal Yafai eked out a 10-round split decision over Gohan Rodriguez Garcia in a flyweight bout.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG won by scores of 96-94, 96-95 and Garcia won a card 96-95.

Yafai is 3-0. Garcia of Gomez Palacio, MEX is 12-2-1.

John Lawrence Ordonio won a four-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Majid Al Naqbi in a super lightweight fight.

Ordonio of San Fernando City, PHL won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 8-4-1. Al Naqbi of Dubai, UAE is 7-1.

Former world champion Khalid Yafai survived an early knockdown to win a thin 10-round unanimous decision over Jerald Paclar in a bantamweight bout.

In round one, Paclar dropped Yafai with a short right to the jaw.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG won by scores of 96-93 twice and 95-94 and is now 27-1. Paclar of Cebu City, PHL is 16-6-3.

Sultan Al Nuaimi remained undefeated by stopping Sohaib Haque in round seven of a scheduled eight-round bantamweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 2:26 for Al Nuaimi of Dubai who is now 9-0 with six knockouts. Haque of Calcutta, IND is 4-3.

Aqib Fiaz remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Diego Valtierra in a lightweight contest.

Fiaz of Oldham, ENG won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 10-0. Valtierra of Algortal, SPA is 6-6-2.

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Denis Bartos in a six-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Campbell put Bartos down with a double right hand to the body. Hatton ended things seconds later by landing a left to the body that put Bartos down for the 10-count at 1:44.

Hatton of Hyde, ENG is 9-0 with three knockouts. Bartos of Rakovnik, CZE is 9-6.

Fahad Al Bloushi won a six-round unanimous decision over Irakli Shariashvili in a lightweight fight.

Al Bloushi of Dubai, UAE won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and is now 11-1. Shariashvili of Rustavi, GEO is 7-13-1.

In a fight that exceeded huge expectations Katie Taylor won a 10-round split decision in front of a raucous and sold-out 19, 187 at Madison Square Garden.

The bout was billed as the best female fight of all-time, it delivered and then some. The two came out on even terms, with Taylor boxing just a hair better to take a slight early lead.

Serrano hurt Taylor badly in both rounds five and six with hard combinations. Taylor wanted to stand toe-to-toe with Serrano and paid dearly for it. Taylor seemed wobbly and unsettled as she stood in her corner between rounds five and six. Taylor was able stem the tide and start scoring from distance with quick combinations. Several times down the stretch, the two best female fighters on the world electrified The Garden Crowd by exchanging in the midst of furious flurries. The two did that until the very bell in this sure-fire Fight of the Year contender.

Taylor landed 147 of 575 punches; Serrano was 175 of 624.

Taylor of Bray, IRE took two cards by scores of 97-93 and 96-93. Serrano of Brooklyn, NY won a card by 96-94.

Taylor is now 21-0. Serrano is 42-2-1.

“What a fighter Amanda Serrano is – I think we are both great fighters,” said Taylor. “Look what we have just done, selling out Madison Square Garden, the biggest venue in boxing history. 
 
“Both of us have broken so many barriers in her careers. It feels great to be in this position really! Amazing fight. What a night!
 
“I knew exactly how deep I had to dig in this fight. I knew going into it that I was going to be in the trenches at some stage. She’s a phenomenal fighter and a great, great person. 
 
“I was listening to my trainer and I’m so grateful for Ross. Thank you for everything. You’re such a humble guy but you’re the best in the world.”

Smith Batters, Stops Vargas in 10

In a battle of former world champions, Liam Smith stopped Jessie Vargas in round 10 of their 12-round junior middleweight clash.

The fight was close through four rounds, with several even exchanges occurring between the two fighters. The naturally bigger Smith began to take over and started beating up Vargas. With each successive round, Vargas looked more tired, which opened for more powerful shots to land by Smith. Finally in round 10, Smith landed a big left hook that set off an unanswered flurry that forced referee Steve Willis to stop the bout at 41 seconds.

Smith of Liverpool, UK is 31-3-1 with 18 knockouts. Vargas of Las Vegas falls to 29-4-2.

Crews-Dezurn Decisions Cederroos to win Undisputed Super Middleweight Crown

Franchon Crews-Dezurn won the Undisputed Super Middleweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Elin Cederroos.

It was an action packed fight that saw Crews-Dezurn land a lot of overhand shots that forced the nose of Cederroos to bleed as early as round four.

Crews-Dezurn landed 171 of 439 punches; Cederroos was 108 of 511.

Crews-Dezurn of Baltimore, MD won by scores of 99-91 and 97-93 and is now 8-1. Cederroos of Sweden is 8-1.

Yafai Stops Cartagena After 2

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner, Galal Yafai stopped Miguel Cartagena after round two of their scheduled 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai dominated Cartagena all over the ring for both rounds until the fight was stopped.

Yafai of Birmingham, ENG is 2-0 with two knockouts. Cartagena of Philadelphia i 17-7-1.

NEW YORK–Austin Williams destroyed Chordale Booker in the opening round of the 10-round middleweight bout.

Williams hurt Booker and the pounded away on him with Booker sitting on the ropes for a scored knockdown. Booker was deemed unable to continue at 2:25.

Williams of Houston, TX is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Booker of Stamford, CT is 17-1.

Reshat Mati remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Joe Eli Hernandez in a super lightweight bout.

Mati, 143.8 lbs of Staten Island, NY won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 12-0. Hernandez, Matarnoros, MEX is 12-2.

Australian Olympian Skye Nicolson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Shanecqua Paisley Davis in a featherweight bout.

In round six, Nicolson capped off the victory by dropping Davis with a straight left.

Nicolson, 125.6 lbs of Yatala, AUS won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 3-0. Davis, 125.2 lbs of Houston is 3-2.

Khalil Coe remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over William Langston in a light heavyweight bout.

Coe, 174. lbs of Jersey City, NJ won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 3-0-1. Langston, 173 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 6-3.

Lawrence Okolie made the 2nd defense of the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Michal Cieslak at the 02 Arena in London, England.

In round five, Okolie dropped Cieslak with an overhand right to the head.

Okolie landed 125 of 466 punches; Cieslak was 55 of 313.

Okolie, 199.3 lbs of Hackney, ENG won by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 and is now 18-0. Cieslak, 199.5 lbs of Radom, POL is 21-2.

Yafai stops Bautista in 5

2021 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai made a successful pro debut with a 5th round stoppage over Carlos Vado Bautista in a scheduled 10-round flyweight bout.

Yafai beat up Bautista over the course of the fight. In round five, Yafai landed a straight left that sent Bautista down, and the fight was stopped.

Yafai, 111.5 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Bautista, 109 1/2 lbs of Mexico City is 10-5-1.

Gill stops Guerfi in 9

Jordan Gill stopped Karim Karim Guerfi in round nine of their featherweight bout

It seemed liked it would be Guerfi’s night as in round seven, Guerfi sent Gill to the canvas with a starlight right hand. In round nine, Gill landed a big right that sent Guerfi crashing down on his back and he was out at 2:59.

Gill, 126 lbs of Chatteris, ENG is 27-1-1 with eight knockouts. Guerfi, 125.3 lbs of Manosque, FRA is 30-6.

Fowler Decisions Maciej

Anthony Fowler won a 10-round unanimous decision over Lukasz Maciej in a middleweight fight.

Fowler, 163.5 lbs of Liverpool, ENG won by scores of 99-91, 99-92 and 99-93 and is now 16-2. Maciej, 163.6 lbs of Lublin, POL is 27-4-1,

Wardley Stops Martz in 2

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Daniel Martz in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Wardley dropped Martz with an overhand left-right combination. Wardley scored a 2nd knockdown when he landed a left to the side of the head, and the fight was stopped at 30 seconds.

Wardley, 234.5 lbs of Ipswitch, ENG is 13-0 with 12 knockouts. Martz, 266.2 lbs of Clarksburg, WV is 20-10-1.

Hatton Stops Ducker in 6

Campbell Hatton remained undefeated with a 6th and final round stoppage over Joe Ducker in a lightweight bout.

Hatton dominated the action until the bout was stopped at 2:23.

Hatton, 136.2 of Manchester, ENG is 6-0 with two knockouts. Ducker, 136.7 lbs of Loughbrough, ENG is 9-9-2.