Jermaine Springer insists that all of the pressure is on Matchroom new boy Thomas Whittaker-Hart ahead of their eight round Light-Heavyweight battle on the Katie Taylor vs. Miriam Gutierrez undercard this Saturday at The SSE Arena, Wembley, shown live on Sky Sports and DAZN. 

Liverpool’s Whittaker-Hart, managed by former WBC Cruiserweight king Tony Bellew, signed promotional terms with Eddie Hearn last month and will be hoping to impress on his Matchroom debut as he kicks off a huge night of World Title action, but Bradford’s Springer has other ideas. 

Trained by Al Osta at the Ultra Flex Gym in Leeds, ‘Showtime’ heads into his first TV appearance sporting a record of seven wins and one loss since turning pro in March 2018, and the 32-year-old says he is ready to cause an upset against former amateur standout Whittaker-Hart. 

“I’ve got nothing to lose,” Springer told Seconds Out. “He’s just signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom, he’s managed by Tony Bellew and he’s the amateur star that has all of the pressure and expectation on him. For me, I’ve just got to go out there and have a fight. It’s a much more simple situation for me. It’s a lot more complicated for him. 

“I’ve seen more of his amateur stuff. We know what he’s about. I think it will be a good fight. He’s not just a one trick pony. He’s an all round good fighter. He’s got good speed, good power and a good jab. He can fight at distance and he can fight up close on the inside. I think our styles will gel.

“I’m going to bring the fire. This is my opportunity. I don’t get opportunities like this. I’m used to fighting at small hall shows. This is what I dream about, fighting on Matchroom shows live on Sky Sports. I’m normally watching them on TV.

“I’m a massive boxing fan. It’s a dream come true and I’m going to give it everything that I’ve got. I 100% believe in myself and I am going there to cause the upset. I can’t leave anything in the ring and end up disappointed. I have to put on a good show and get the win.”

Taylor vs. Gutierrez tops an historic night of World Title action in the Capital, Denaby’s Terri Harper (10-0-1, 5 KOs) defends her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight Titles against Katharina Thanderz (13-0, 2 KOs), Rachel Ball (6-1) faces Jorgelina Guanini (9-1-2, 1 KO) for the vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title, big-punching John Docherty (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up against ‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (18-2-1, 9 KOs) and Glasgow Bantamweight talent Kash Farooq (13-1, 6 KOs)makes his Matchroom debut against Angel Aviles (20-5-1, 6 KOs).

Liverpool Light-Heavyweight talent Thomas Whittaker-Hart has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will face Bradford’s Jermaine Springer over eight rounds on Saturday November 14, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Whittaker-Hart (4-0, 2 KOs), a former England and Team GB man who was planning on staying in the amateur game until the Tokyo Olympic Games, trains with Joe McNally at the Rotunda ABC in Kirkdale and has made a perfect start to life in the professional ranks. 

The former English National titlist, who is managed by former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Tony Bellew, made his pro debut on the Liam Smith vs. Sam Eggington show at the M&S Arena in March 2019, outpointing Poland’s Przemyslaw Binienda.

Three wins have followed for the 25-year-old prospect who will be looking to push on under his new promotional banner, starting with a win over Springer (7-1, 1 KO) next month on an historic World Title triple-header card.

“Tony phoned me a couple of days ago to tell me that I’m signing with Matchroom,” said Whittaker-Hart. “I was made up with the news! It’s the best promotional umbrella to be under at the minute so I was buzzing when I found out. 

“I’m looking forward to performing on the biggest platform. I’m going to showcase what I know I can really do. I’m pleased that I’ve got the opportunity to be able to broadcast my skills to such a big audience on Sky Sports and DAZN. 

“I’ve made a positive start to life in the pros with four wins and two knockouts. I don’t think I’ve showed enough of what I can really do. Now I’ve signed with Matchroom I can start to really push on and I know the opponents are going to get harder, that’s when you’ll see the best version of me. 

“I don’t know a lot about Springer but I’ve seen the odd clip of him. I know that he’s a good step up for me at this stage of my career. I’m more than confident in my ability to get the job done and I’ll be more than ready on November 14. It’s a great show to be a part of. 

“I want to keep on improving and going up the levels. I’m planning on getting to the top – that’s where I want to be. I couldn’t ask for much more with Tony managing me and Matchroom promoting me. Tony has helped me out a lot and he’s got me into a great position. He’s been there and done it so I look up to him massively.”

“I’m very excited about Thomas Whittaker-Hart!” said Bellew. “He’s been out the ring 12 months but I’m confident that within these next 12 months he will be in and amongst the top 3 domestically and ready for the British Title! He’s been working hard and has been sparring with renowned World Champions and vastly experienced fighters! The best is yet to come from Thomas.”

Hart vs. Springer helps shape a huge night of World Title action; Irish star KatieTaylor (16-0, 6 KOs) puts her Lightweight World Titles on the line once more against Mandatory Challenger MiriamGutierrez (13-0, 5 KOs), Denaby’s Terri Harper (10-0-1, 5 KOs) faces her first WBC Mandatory challenger in Spanish-Norwegian KatharinaThanderz (13-0, 2 KOs), Walsall’s RachelBall (6-1) takes on undefeated Australian EbanieBridges (4-0, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBA Bantamweight crown, Swindon Southpaw Jamie Cox (25-2, 14 KOs) returns with a new team after two years out the ring against ‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (18-2-1, 9 KOs) and big-punching John Docherty (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up against Jack Arnfield (25-3, 6 KOs).