THE EAGERLY AWAITED super bantamweight showdown between Liam Davies and Shabaz Masoud, with the IBO world championship at stake, will now occur at the BP Pulse Arena (Formerly Resorts World Arena) in Birmingham on Saturday, November 2.

The fight was initially scheduled in July before illness ruled out the champion. Challenger, the undefeated Masoud (13-0, 4 KOs) did see action on the night and subsequently clashed with his rival afterwards as the pair set the scene for a classic confrontation.

Davies (16-0, 8) was last out in Birmingham when he seized his IBO title with a blistering second-round stoppage of Erik Robles Ayala. During his remarkable rise in the sport, Davies has previously become British, European, WBC International, and WBO International champion.

The Undercard and ticket information will be released shortly.

“This is a fight we have been waiting for, and I reckon it will be worth the wait,” said promoter Frank Warren on the Davies-Masoud headliner. “Liam and Shabaz will deliver a top-quality fight, and the rivalry and bad feelings between the pair are simmering. I don’t think they are on each other’s Christmas card list.

Our bumper Birmingham shows have all delivered so far, and I expect more of the same and a huge crowd on November 2.”

LIAM DAVIES WILL defend his IBO world super bantamweight title against Shabaz Masoud and Nathan Heaney will rematch Brad Pauls for the British middleweight title as part of another bumper Magnificent Seven production to be staged at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham on Saturday, 20 July.

Tickets for the bumper Magnificent Seven show at Resorts World Arena on Saturday, 20 July are on sale now from: theticketfactory.com.

Featuring on what will be an action-packed night will be Queensberry new girl Chantelle Cameron, English heavyweight champion Sol Dacres up against David Adeleye, WBO European and English welterweight champion Owen Cooper taking on Ekow Essuman, British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Ashley Lane defending against Liverpool firebrand Andrew Cain and a return to the ring for Commonwealth Silver light heavyweight champion Ezra Taylor.

Defending the IBO title he won in spectacular fashion against Erik Robles Ayala in March is Telford favourite Davies (17-0, 8), who enters into a domestic duel against unbeaten Stoke talent Masoud (12-0, 4), holder of the WBA Intercontinental title.

British champion Heaney (18-0-1, 6 KOs) will play it again against the Newquay Bomb Pauls (18-1-1, 10), with the pair having fought to a captivating draw at the same arena in March with over 2,000 fans from Stoke in attendance. Second time around success over Pauls would represent the next step of Heaney’s passion-fuelled mission to fulfil his middleweight dreams.

The vacant WBC Interim world super lightweight championship will be on the line for the Queensberry debut of former undisputed world champion Cameron (18-1, 8), who makes her return to the ring after being edged out in a majority decision in her rematch against Katie Taylor in Dublin in November of last year, having defeated the Irish legend in May.

Local heavyweight favourite Dacres (8-0, 2) will defend his English title for a second time against British title challenger David Adeleye (12-1, 11), the former WBO European champion, who was unsuccessful in his championship challenge against Fabio Wardley over in Riyadh in October of last year.

It promises to be a fascinating heavyweight collision where both fighters will be bidding to nudge themselves towards the leading pack of the division.

WBO European and English welterweight champion Cooper (10-0, 4) from Worcester, fresh off a breakthrough stoppage of previously undefeated young rival Eithan James in March, takes on the challenge of the hugely experienced former British and Commonwealth champion Ekow Essuman (19-1, 7), who made four successful defences of the Lonsdale belt he won by defeating Chris Jenkins in July 2021.

A brutal encounter will be anticipated at bantamweight when British and Commonwealth champion Lane (18-10-2, 3) from Bristol defends his titles against the Liverpool knockout specialist Cain (11-1, 10), who returned to the ring earlier this month after recovering from a severe fracture to his hand. Lane, 33, comes into the fight following two brutal stoppage victories over English champion Jordan Purkiss and former WBC International champion Chris Bourke.

Also featuring will be Nottingham’s hot light heavyweight champion prospect Taylor (8-0, 6) making a first defence of his title, plus three-time National champion Dan Kerrigan making his professional debut over four rounds at super lightweight.

“The depth and quality of this fight card in Birmingham is unrivalled in this country,” stated promoter Frank Warren. “The Magnificent Seven concept is proving hugely popular and getting stronger each time.

“The lucky fans who snap up the tickets for the Resorts World Arena on July 20 will be treated to seven seriously meaningful title fights with so much on the line for our Queensberry fighters.

“Nathan Heaney rightly jumps back in with Brad Pauls following their hugely entertaining encounter last time out, which was declared a draw, with Liam Davies defending his IBO world title in a cracking domestic scrap against the highly-skilled Shabaz Masoud.

“We’ve got three really tasty scraps to feast our eyes on with Sol Dacres and David Adeleye looking to make some serious noise at heavyweight and Owen Cooper vs Ekow Essuman has the makings of a welterweight barnstormer. Ashley Lane against Andrew Cain has, quite simply, got fight written all over it.

“We will also get the chance to welcome one of the most exciting female fighters in the business, Chantelle Cameron, to the Queensberry ranks, plus the charismatic light heavyweight star in the making Ezra Taylor taking his next step towards stardom.

“This is a fight night you really shouldn’t miss.”

Tickets for the bumper Magnificent Seven show at Resorts World Arena on Saturday, 20 July are on sale now from: theticketfactory.com.

Wildly popular Nathan Heaney and Brad Pauls fought to a 12-round split draw in a middleweight fight at The Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England.

It was a very competitive fight that had the crowd into the fight from the beginning. Scores were 116-113 for Heaney; 115-114 for Pauls and 114-114.

Heaney, 159 lbs of Stoke-On-Trent, ENG is 18-0-1. Pauls, 159 lbs of Essex, ENG is 18-1-1.

Liam Davies stopped Erick Robles in round two of their 12-round super bantamweight fight.

In round two, Davies dropped Robles with a hard right uppercut that was followed by a left hook Robles was badly hurt and are two punches and was dropped on his back, and the fight was over at 1:17.

Davies, 121 lbs of Donnington, ENG is 16-0 with eight knockouts. Robles, 121 lbs of Ensenada, MEX is 15-2.

Former Interim world heavyweight champion Joe Joyce beat up and beat down Kash Ali and scored knockout in the waning seconds of their 10-round bout.

In round 10, Joyce landed a big uppercut that put Ali down on his back. He got up just as the referee hit the count of 10 at 2:53.

Joyce, 286 lbs of London, England won by scores of and is now 16-2 with 15 knockouts. Ali, 238 lbs of Ritherham, ENG is 21-3.

Zach Parker won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Tyron Zeuge in a light heavyweight battle.

In round two, Zeuge dropped Parker with a short right hand.

Parker recovered and won most of the remaining rounds and took the cards by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 96-94 and is now 24-1. Zeuge of Berlin, GER is 27-2-1.

Dennis McCann scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Brand Strand in a battle of undefeated welterweigts.

In round two, McCann dropped Strand with a perfect left-right combination from the southpaw stance. Stand’s face started to redden and bleed throughout the fight.

McCann, 121 lbs of Kent, ENG won by scores of 118-111, 116-111 and 116-112 and is now 15-0-1. Strand, 121 lbs of Liverpool is 11-1.

Owen Copper stopped Ethan James in round nine of a 10-round welterweight bout.

It was a good fight with guys landing good shots. Cooper took control of the fight as he started to snap the head back of James back in the later rounds. The corner of James pulled their man from the fight before round 10.

Cooper or Worcester, ENG is 10-0 with four knockouts. James of Northampton, ENG is 12-1.

FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS will be on the line tomorrow in Telford when Liam Davies takes on Jason Cunningham in the headliner at the Telford International Centre, live on TNT Sports. 

Photos from today’s weigh-in can be downloaded here.
Photos are free to use, please credit Queensberry where possible.

The EBU European, British, WBC & WBO International Super Bantamweight Championships 12 x 3 Minute Rounds
Liam Davies 121lbs 
Jason Cunningham 121lbs

The WBO European Welterweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Eithan James 146lbs
James Moorcroft 146lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Heavyweight Contest
Moses Itauma 241lbs
Kevin Nicolas Espindola 296lbs

8 x 3 Minute Rounds International Welterweight Contest
Owen Cooper 149lbs 
Robin Zamora 146lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Lightweight Contest 
Macauley Owen 131lbs
Jayro Duran 132lbs 

6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Lightweight Contest
Ben Fail 157lbs
Serge Ambono 155lbs

4 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Welterweight Contest
Jim Smith 154lbs
Lukasz Barabasz 154lbs

6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Lightweight Contest
Amaar Akbar 145
Georgi Velichkov 144

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Heavyweight Contest
Boma Brown- To weigh in Tomorrow
Jake Darnell- To weigh in Tomorrow

FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS will be on the line on Saturday in Telford when Liam Davies takes on Jason Cunningham in the headliner at the Telford International Centre, live on TNT Sports. Today, the lead characters from the card – Davies, Cunningham, Moses Itauma, Eithan James and James Moorcroft – met the media and spoke the final words before the big fight night.

Photos from today’s press conference can be downloaded here.
Photos are free to use, please credit Queensberry where possible.

Below is a selection of key quotes from the event.

Liam Davies
I am feeling a million dollars, everything has gone good, I feel like all the fights I’ve taken in my career so far have built me into this position. He wants to show he is No.1 super bantamweight, but I am No.1 and on Saturday night you are gonna see why because I’m going to do a number on him. He messaged me saying he was going to smash my head in and since I’ve seen him everything’s changed. In a few days we will get to see whose head gets smashed in. I am going to take you out inside 12 rounds, you’re old, you’re weak and slow, man. You’re too small, you’re thin. Trust me, I know what is going to happen. I stand by everything I’ve said, it’s personal and I am going to settle it on Saturday.

Jason Cunningham
I have heard it all before about being written off and I have been in these four-belt fights before. Telford has become my second home since I have been with Queensberry but, obviously, I expect it to be a bit more hostile on Saturday night. I am very much looking forward to it, I’m excited to be back out again on the big stage, with it being TNT’s first show with Queensberry. So it is all good, main event, I am looking forward to a great fight to show why I am the No.1 super bantamweight with Queensberry. It’s kind of been the Liam show and even this week I’ve just let him do what he does and enjoy building it up. It goes straight over my head, he can’t get under my skin. It is only a matter of days away, the talking is done and he can keep going on as much as he wants. I cannot wait for Saturday night. It has proper put the fire in my belly, Telford is in for a great fight.

Moses Itauma
I’d say I was happy to get the rounds in last time. Obviously in my first two fights I was boxing doughnuts so it was good to get those rounds under my belt and I am looking to put on another performance on Saturday night. I don’t really take notice of other fights, I hope Matty Harris gets back on his feet and maybe we can get something sorted. Saturday night is my main focus and whatever happens after that is after that. It has obviously been tough sparring with Dubois getting ready for Usyk. I feel like it is my time and I will let Dubois handle his business. This is my fight now. I’d never rule out Dubois, he’s got that puncher’s chance, but it is a big ask. Against Espindola, these are the step-ups I’ve been asking for so I’m happy I’ve got them and I can show my skill set on Saturday night. It will get me in the talk with the other British heavyweights.

Eithan James
We have had a good camp, have been abroad and sparred some good people. Obviously we have had some setbacks but I am finally getting this title shot now. I have been asking for step-ups all the way along, there have been a couple of pull-outs and that is not what we want. He is a good lad with good credits on his card and hopefully I get one on my card on Saturday night. This is the pro game and it is completely different, but having the experience from going abroad against different styles plays into my hands, with being able to adapt. But on Saturday night he will be a different style again so I will have to do what I do best and adapt to win. It is never my plan to go in there and stop people. I can do the rounds, my legs can do the rounds and now I feel a lot stronger at welterweight. I ask my sparring partners so I know I punch hard enough to be in there for 10 rounds. I win by being me.

James Moorcroft
It is a massive fight and I have been in some big fights, but nothing compares to this in England on a massive show on TNT Sports. I am ready for a big fight and I’m ready to go. I’m feeling great, I’ve been with Anthony (Crolla) now for about three years and I feel like it is all just coming together. Anthony is going to let me off the reins, I hope, on Saturday night and we are in for a good night of boxing. I’m more than ready for this now. It feels amazing, I am in with a quality guy in Eithan James, I have done my homework and looked at him and I cannot congratulate him enough on his phenomenal amateur career. But amateur and professional boxing are two worlds apart at times and I am ready to put it all on the line and give everything on Saturday night. It is time to bust the bookies!

FUTURE HEAVYWEIGHT SUPERSTAR Moses Itauma will have his fourth professional fight at the Telford International Centre on July 29, having been added to the card headlined by the four-title collision between Liam Davies and Jason Cunningham, live on BT Sport.

Itauma, just 18, who holds the lofty ambition of becoming the youngest ever world heavyweight champion, took part in his first six-rounder in mid-April, hearing the final bell for the first time at the conclusion of his comprehensive decision victory over the robust Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko, who maintained the distinction of never having been stopped.

Previously, the world and European champion as an amateur, marked his entry to the professional ranks with two first round stoppages over Marcel Bode and Ramon Ibarra respectively, that lasted less than a minute combined.

Itauma, who will be making a second trip to Telford, will be fighting over a six-round distance on the night.

FOUR MAJOR TITLES will be on the line when Liam Davies and Jason Cunningham collide at the Telford International Centre on Saturday 29th July, live on TNT Sports, the new name for BT Sport from 18th July.

The undefeated British, WBC International and European champion Davies (13-0, 5 KOs) takes on former Euro-king and now WBO International champion Cunningham (32-7, 7) in an all-British blockbuster in the atmospheric cauldron in the hometown of three-belt holder.

In supporting action is Northampton’s Eithan James (10-0), who will fight for his first pro title. While leading cruiserweight prospect Oronzo Birardi (6-0, 5) from Mainz in Germany will also be in action, with the 23-year-old featuring for a first time on a UK platform.

Worcester’s undefeated Midlands Area welterweight champion Owen Cooper (8-0, 2) will be in eight round action, along with Telford super lightweight Macaulay Owen (5-0,1) fighting over six, with Batley super lightweight Amaar Akbar (3-0) entering into his first six-rounder. Fighting over four rounds will be London heavyweight Boma Brown (1-0).

Tickets for the Telford blockbuster headlined by Liam Davies vs Jason Cunningham on Saturday, 29^th July at the Telford International Centre are on sale now from ticketmaster.co.uk.

WBC International and vacant European Super-Bantamweight Championship 12 x 3 Minute Rounds
Liam Davies 120.7lbs vs Ionut Baluta 121.4lbs

10 x 3 Minute Rounds International Light-Heavyweight Contest
Anthony Yarde 179.2lbs vs Stefani Koykov 176.6lbs

10 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Lightweight Contest
Eithan James 140lbs vs Keanen Wainwright 134.9lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Light-Heavyweight Contest
Ezra Taylor vs Mohamed Cherif Benchadi. To weigh-in Tomorrow

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Lightweight 
Willo Hayden 135.8lbs vs Marian Marius Istrate 133.7lbs

The Midlands Area Welterweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Jamie Stewart 144.5lbs vs Owen Cooper 146.5lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Bantamweight Contest
Brad Strand 125.1lbs vs Darwin Martinez 128lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Welterweight Contest
George Davey 152.6lbs vs Paul Cummings 153.9lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-lightweight Contest
McCauley Owen 133.3lbs vs Eduardo Valverde 134.2lbs

(Nov. 16, 2022) — The upset-minded Ionut Baluta hopes to defy the odds again when he battles the unbeaten Liam Davies in the 12-round main event for the vacant European junior featherweight title Saturday at Telford International Centre in Telford, England.

In the 10-round co-feature, big-punching light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde faces Stefani Koykov in a match that could have world title implications for the London native.

Davies-Baluta and Yarde-Koykov top a loaded bill streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

Davies (12-0, 5 KOs) is a former English bantamweight champion who captured the British junior featherweight strap in his last outing with a hard-fought decision over Marc Leach at Telford International Centre. He is a four-year pro who also holds a near-shutout win over Nicaragua’s Dixon Flores. Baluta (15-3, 3 KOs), a native of Romania who now trains in England, is no stranger to upsetting the apple cart. In 2020, he stunned former world champion TJ Doheny by decision and knocked out Irish Olympian Davey Oliver Joyce in consecutive bouts. Following a razor-thin decision loss to Michael Conlan last April, Baluta rebounded to upset Brad Foster in May for the WBC International title.

Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs), the WBO No. 1 light heavyweight contender, is in line for a shot at unified champion Artur Beterbiev in early 2023. He hopes to shake off the ring rust following a nearly yearlong layoff. In his last outing, he knocked out Lyndon Arthur in four rounds, avenging a December 2020 split decision defeat. Koykov (14-1, 12 KOs) has won 12 straight bouts since the lone blemish on his record.

In other streaming action:

• Unbeaten prospect Eithan James (9-0) steps up against southpaw boxer-puncher Connor Parker (14-1, 1 KO) in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO European junior welterweight strap.
   
• Rising light heavyweight Ezra Taylor (3-0, 2 KOs) will fight in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.
   
• Irish lightweight prospect William Hayden (4-0, 1 KO) looks to improve to 5-0 in a six-rounder versus Romanian veteran Marian Marius Istrate (3-13).
   
• In a 10-rounder at welterweight, Owen Cooper (6-0, 2 KOs) clashes with Jamie Stewart (3-2-2).

# # #
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).  

IONUT BALUTA HAS issued a warning to Liam Davies stating his intention to knockout the unbeaten Telford favourite in front of his home fans.

The pair will collide with the WBC International and vacant European super bantamweight championships on the line at the Telford International Centre on November 19, live on BT Sport.

The Romanian Baluta, who currently lives and trains in Bushey, Hertfordshire, has already upset the Midlands applecart once by defeating Brad Foster to win the WBC International title at York Hall back in May and now his gaze is firmly fixed on British champion Davies, who claimed his crown with victory over Marc Leach in June in Telford.

The 28-year-old Baluta believes Davies will live to regret signing up to fight him.

“All I can say about Liam Davies is that he will feel sorry for accepting this fight,” said the former WBO European champion.

“I never underestimate my opponent, clearly, but let’s be honest, I will be the toughest opponent Liam Davies has ever had. He has never fought anyone tougher than me.

“It motivates me even more that I will be fighting in his home town.

“My plan is to finish this fight from the first round with a KO and this is what I have been working on, winning by knockout.

“I am prepared to fight for 12 rounds, but my plan is to knock him out.”

Tickets for Davies vs Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19 are on sale now, available exclusively from ticketmaster.co.uk.

THE QUEENSBERRY PAIR of Liam Davies (12-0, 5 KOs) and Ionut Baluta (15-3, 3) will contest the WBC International and vacant European super bantamweight championships at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19 on a card that will also see the return of Anthony Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs) ahead of his world title business in early 2023.

Nottingham light heavyweight Ezra Taylor (3-0, 2), Telford super lightweight Macaulay Owen (3-0, 1), Dublin lightweight Willo Hayden (4-0, 1), Liverpool super bantam Brad Strand (8-0, 3), York super welter George Davey (5-0-1) and Telford bantam Raheem Muhammed (2-0) also feature on the show.

Tickets for Davies vs Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19 are on sale now, available exclusively from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Fight Week Schedule for Telford, 19^th November

Official Weigh-In
When: Friday 18^th November
Where: Telford International Centre, Ludlow 3
Address: International Way, Telford TF3 4JH
Timings: 1pm arrivals, fighters on the scales at 2pm
Participants: All the fighters on the card will weigh-in ahead of Saturday’s fight night.
Entry: Open to the public

Fight Night
When: Saturday 19^th November
Where: Telford International Centre
Address: International Way, Telford TF3 4JH
Timings: Doors open at 4pm, first fight at 4:30pm*

THE QUEENSBERRY PAIR of Liam Davies and Ionut Baluta will contest the vacant European super bantamweight championship at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19, exclusively live on BT Sport.

The bumper Telford card includes David Avanesyan defending his European welterweight title for a sixth time against his mandatory challenger Jon Miguez from Spain, and will also see the return of Anthony Yarde ahead of his world title business in early 2023.

Tickets for Davies vs Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19 are on sale now, available exclusively from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Telford native Davies, 26, has enjoyed a remarkable run since becoming a Queensberry fighter, with four straight wins resulting in a successful shot at the WBC International Silver belt and, last time out in June, becoming British champion by defeating the title holder Marc Leach via a unanimous decision to take his professional record to 12-0 (5 KOs).

The now Bushey-based Romanian Baluta, 28, holds a record of 15-3 (3 KOs) and in May he inflicted defeat on Brad Foster to become WBC International champion. A former WBO European title holder at bantamweight, Baluta has victories over Irish stars TJ Doheny and David Oliver Joyce on his record and only lost by a narrow margin to Michael Conlan.

Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) returns to action after making short work of the previously unbeaten Oskari Metz at Wembley in March.

The 34-year-old is on a run of six stunning stoppages and remains firmly in position for a shot at the WBC world title.

Miguez (17-0, 8 KOs) fought a British fighter last time out in his home country of Spain, defeating James Moorcroft via a sixth round stoppage. The former Spanish welterweight champion won the EBU European Union title with a points success over Aitor Nieto in March of this year.

Yarde (22-2, 21 KOs) will be back in the ring for the first time since his resounding rematch victory over Lyndon Arthur in December of last year.

He is next in line for a shot at unified world champion Artur Beterbiev and this major collision at light heavyweight will take place in January. The fight was originally scheduled for October of this year but an injury sustained by the WBO, WBC and IBF champion resulted in the delay and Yarde preparing with a warm-up fight.

Local lad Davies is thrilled that he will once again enjoy home advantage and keep the boxing momentum going in Telford.

“It is good for myself and the town really, bringing boxing back,” he said. “That is what I wanted to do, it was always part of the plan and now I am in a position where it is happening, so I am grateful.

“I get a lot of feedback locally. Last time it was great, we sold a lot of tickets and it was busy. This time I am sure there will be even more eyes on it, with it being another big fight. It gives you that bit more motivation to do the business because, with it being in your hometown, you want to make sure you win in style.

“Baluta has had some good wins and he throws a lot, so I think he will be there to be hit and that will work in my favour. It will definitely be my toughest fight and they are all coming at the right time for me.

“I am on a roll now, on the way up and I will take every fight as it comes. The European title is another step up and I am more than ready.”

For his part, Baluta issued a short and sharp message to his fellow challenger for the prestigious European honour.

“I can’t wait for this fight. This belt is mine. Davies, you will feel sorry for accepting this fight.”

Also appearing on the Telford card is a fight where two prospects put it all on the line, the unbeaten super lightweight Eithan James (9-0) from Northampton goes up against Connor Parker (14-1, 1 KO), Zach Parker’s cousin from Woodville in Derbyshire, for the vacant WBO European title.

“Telford is once again playing host to what will be a quality night of fights topped by two European title clashes,” added promoter Frank Warren. “The European super bantamweight clash between Liam Davies and Ionut Baluta will be a terrific scrap as neither fighter appears to possess a reverse gear.

“Liam has made massive strides since we teamed up with him and I was so impressed with the way he dealt with a particularly tricky customer in Marc Leach to win the British title.

“Ionut, who is the more experienced of the pair, showed his class in winning his WBC belt against Brad Foster and he will rightly consider himself a world level super bantam. This fight has got all the makings of a classic in what is a highly competitive division.

“David Avanesyan will once again demonstrate why he is best in class in Europe with a staggering sixth defence of his European welterweight title against an ambitious and unbeaten opponent in Jon Miguez.

“David is obviously thinking bigger than European titles, given his run of form, but until he gets a meaningful world level fight in the diary he is rightly not going to surrender his belt.

“I am delighted to be getting Anthony Yarde out in a keep-busy fight ahead of his world title challenge in January. There is always the temptation to simply play the waiting game but, with Artur Beterbiev not currently available due to injury, Anthony needs some time in the ring.

“Eithan James and Connor Parker were originally due to fight in June, but this was postponed due to Connor picking up an injury. We are getting it on again now with the WBO European title at stake and this should be a top fight between two young prospects willing to take a significant step up in class.”

Nottingham light heavyweight Ezra Taylor (3-0, 2), Telford super lightweight Macaulay Owen (3-0, 1), Dublin lightweight Willo Hayden (4-0, 1), Liverpool super bantam Brad Strand (8-0, 3), York super welter George Davey (5-0-1) and Telford bantam Raheem Muhammed (2-0) also feature on the show.

Tickets for Davies vs Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday November 19 are on sale now, available exclusively from ticketmaster.co.uk.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION: Please complete this form to apply to cover the fights in Telford on 19 November.

LIAM DAVIES IS on a personal mission to win the British title in honour of his late grandfather, who inspired him to take up the sport.

Local man Davies takes on the champion Marc Leach for the Lonsdale belt at super bantamweight on June 11 at the Telford International Arena.

Davies, 26, visited his grandfather’s resting place three weeks ago and vowed not to return without the spoils of British title success. The 11-0 former holder of the WBC International Silver title attributes his accomplishments in boxing to both his grandfather and dad Tristan, who currently trains him.

Liam Davies was talking to Dev Sahni. Click to watch full interview.

“I lost my grandad before and I fell out of love with the sport,” reflected Davies of his family’s loss in 2011.

“My dad was a boxer at the time and when he took over the coaching everything was new. We’ve landed on our feet now, we’ve come a long way together and now we are reaping the rewards.

“He deserves it, we put in a lot of hours in the gym with a lot of kids and I’m glad we can be on this journey together.

“The win is going to be big for the whole family because boxing is a big part of family life for us. I am flying the flag at the minute and I have got that bit between my teeth to make them all proud.

“With my dad we have come a long way and now we’re near the top of the mountain. We have just got these last few steps to get through and we’re there.

“My dad and my grandad are the main reasons and I have always been in boxing because of those two.

“My grandad played a big part in my boxing, he was there from the start and we had a great relationship too. It saddens me sometimes that he is not here to see all this. I hope, wherever he is, he is looking down and is proud.

“I want to take the British title to him. I took the English and the British is next. Let’s see who can stop me from doing that. I don’t think there are many.”

Tickets for the show at Telford International Centre on Saturday, 11 June are on sale, available from Ticketmaster.co.uk.

LIAM DAVIES WILL challenge new champion Marc Leach for the British super bantamweight title on a big night of title action at the Telford International Arena on Saturday June 11, live on BT Sport.

Bury’s 2016 Olympian Muhammad Ali (3-0) will have his fourth fight at super featherweight over four rounds, while Nottingham light heavyweight Ezra Taylor (2-0, 1 KO), Telford bantamweight Raheem Muhammed (1-0) and Dewsbury super welterweight Amaar Akbar (2-0) will also be in action.

Tickets for the show at Telford International Centre on Saturday, 11 June are on sale, available from Ticketmaster.co.uk.

Liam Davies was talking to Dev Sahni. Click to watch full interview.

ANDREW CAIN WILL be looking to continue his trail of destruction at York Hall on Friday night and post-fight interviewers should be wary of mentioning the name of Liam Davies to the Liverpool firebrand.

Cain goes in with the tough Mexican Luis Moreno at the famous Bethnal Green venue in a defence of his WBC International Silver title, a matter of weeks after winning the belt with a speedy demolition of Pablo Ariel Gomez in Telford.

Gomez was a replacement for his originally scheduled opponent, Telford native Davies, who withdrew after injuring a shoulder and was on hand for media duties at the weigh-in.

Cain, who has said he is sick of having the name of Davies mentioned to him, did not particularly appreciate being confronted with his stricken foe in his post-weigh-in interview.

“Yeah, to be honest,” said the 9-0 KO-artist who suspects Davies is not entirely comfortable in his company. “What do you want me to do? Have a nice friendly chat with the fella? I think they were trying to provoke me to do something, but I just stayed nice and calm.

“Instead of just going over and knocking him out, I just tried to beat him up verbally.

“I think he is rattled in my presence anyway, that is what I feel anyway.

“Obviously he is a fighter and, if the fight gets made, he is gonna come out fighting no matter what. But I do feel like he is a bit rattled around me.

“It would have been an even better night if he hadn’t pulled out. It turned out to be a good night as it was but it would have been even better to have smashed him.

“Listen though, as I said after the weigh-in, my career doesn’t revolve around Liam Davies. I think he will lose his next fight and I believe that (Ionut) Baluta will beat Brad Foster, to be honest.

“I think I have got the beating of them all. (Marc) Leach is a bit runny and awkward, but I have been dealing with awkward southpaws since I was a kid so I feel like I wouldn’t have a problem with him at all.”

Cain admits he is prepared to bide his time to an extent when it comes to fulfilling his obvious potential and he suspects prospective opponents are already aware that a new force is on the horizon.

However, some super bantamweight match-ups might have to be put on the backburner for a little while because Cain is seriously contemplating a drop down to bantamweight.

“I ain’t getting any younger but I am also not in no rush. I am coming, I am coming regardless and they are gonna see me sooner or later and they are starting to now. There is no pressure on me and no urgency about it, it is just inevitable and it is happening.

“I am 25, soon to be 26 in August, so I am no spring chicken. I am getting on a bit but I am coming, no matter what. My time is coming.

“It is super bantam for this one, but I am probably going to speak to them to see if I can get my next one at bantam. I’ll probably need about five or six weeks to make the weight comfortably.”

So would Cain put a drop in division ahead of the big fights and belts in his current category.

“These are the decisions we have to make when it comes, but I feel like I would be better at bantam and would be the bigger man. Not that we’re bothered because we would fight anyone but we don’t want to give these fellas any sort of advantage over us, do we?

“I need a fight to see what’s what and if it doesn’t feel right I will stay at super bantam. Before my last fight – when I was training for Liam Davies – I was walking around at 59kg and at super bantam I should be walking around at 61 or even more.

“I was walking around like a bantamweight and this is where the decision has come from. I am having to eat up to super bantam and that is why we know I can make it quite comfortably, although it is never easy.

“Any fight though, just give me the phone call and I’ll be there. We want to do what’s best for us and, at the moment, I think it is bantamweight.”

Tickets for the show at York Hall on Friday, 20 May are on sale now, available directly from the fighters or via eventbrite.co.uk or alternatively call: 01992 505 550 (office hours only).

Brad Foster v Ionut Baluta for the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title takes place at York Hall on Friday May 20.

Also in championship action on the night will be Liverpool super bantamweight Andrew Cain, making a first defence of his WBC International Silver title against durable Mexican Luis Moreno.

Sean Noakes will make his professional debut at the famous East London venue with the Maidstone man – older brother of lightweight Sam – fighting at welterweight over four rounds.

Tickets for the show at York Hall on Friday, 20 May are on sale now, available directly from the fighters or via eventbrite.co.uk or alternatively call: 01992 505 550 (office hours only).

FRANK WARREN AND Queensberry have signed the English bantamweight champion Liam Davies on a promotional agreement and the 8-0 man will quickly get to work in his home town of Telford at the International Arena on Saturday.

A veteran of 100 amateur fights, the 25-year-old’s big breakthrough as a pro came in November of last year when he won the English title at Wembley Arena, forcing Sean Cairns into retirement after six rounds.

The European bronze medallist and two-time senior ABA finalist closed his amateur career with 79 wins before turning professional in December 2018.

“I feel like my career is finally going to take off now,” said Davies on his link-up with Queensberry. “It is a blessing and a real privilege. I will make sure that I grab the opportunities with both hands when they come my way.

“I am in a good position with winning the English title in my last fight and I am definitely looking to build on it now and keep pushing forward. With Frank behind me I will be able to do that.

“I had only two weeks’ notice for my English fight and most lads probably wouldn’t have taken it, but it was a case of risk against reward and I’ve got my reward in signing with Frank. If I hadn’t won the title I don’t think I would have been in the position I am in.”

Now, for the first time as a professional, Davies can look forward to fighting in front of his friends and neighbours on his local patch.

“That makes it even better and it is a homecoming for me! I haven’t fought in Telford for a very long time and I will make sure I entertain on my debut for Frank. There will be a thousand fans so I couldn’t get as many tickets as I wanted, but I am just happy to be on the show.

“I fought in Telford as an amateur many years ago and this is a big thing here which a lot of people are buzzing for it. I’ve got to put on a show and make sure boxing comes back here again, maybe with me headlining next time.

“Richie Woodhall won his world title in Telford and this has been a long time coming and I am hoping to be the next man to bring the big shows here.

“I want a shot at the British sometime this year or early next. I’m sure lots of fights can happen because of the bantamweights with Frank and that is why I have come onboard really, so we can get the fights that build you up.

“Andrew Cain beat me three times at the age of 13-14 but it is a different game now and for him to say he smashed me is way off. I am not going to shy away from anyone. I don’t want to pick and choose and I have never understood that malarkey. I just turn up and box.

“I want to thank Frank for getting me on and it has come around quickly, which doesn’t happen much.”

Liam Davies is on a bill that is headlined by Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) who challenges Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title.

Belfast’s Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) is back and will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win when he boxes Mexican Ernesto Olvera (11-6-1, 3 KOs)

Stoke-on-Trent’s hugely popular Middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).

 Featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) boxes a four rounder against Luke Fash (2-59-2).

 Also on the show is 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry.

Conor Benn remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Sebastian Formella in a welterweight bout at the SSE Arena in London, England.

It was a solid performance out of Benn, who bloodied the left nostril of Formella as early was round two.

Benn, 147 lbs of Illford, Essex won by scores of 100-91, 99-91 and 99-92 and is now 17-0. Formella, 147 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 22-2.

“I just stuck to my boxing,” Benn told Matchroom. “I was hitting him with some hard shots. The guy just went 12 rounds with Shawn Porter and I think I beat him more convincingly. I didn’t lose a round. It was an okay night’s work. I’ve had harder spars than that. I’m not being funny. I’ve been sparring with Middleweights and Super-Middleweights in 18oz gloves. They wear 14oz gloves and I wear 18oz gloves. When it comes to punching power, if I’m not going to bang them out, I’ll wear them down.

“He’s a former World Champion and I expected nothing less. I stayed cool and composed the whole ten rounds. I could have done 15. I’m barely breaking a sweat now. He tried it on the inside and I beat him to the punches on the inside. He tried it at range and I beat him to the punches at range. I was quicker, faster and stronger. People think their experience is going to get to me, what experience? Jussi Koivula got banged out in two rounds and if they want to go ten or twelve I’ll outbox them for ten or twelve. 

“People will always question me because of my vulnerability. I’m hungry like I come from the ends. I’m hungry like I came from nothing. I fight like a starving man. You don’t need to come form poverty, come from having nothing, to be a great fighter. I have a great life. I live such a blessed life, but I still fight like a starving man because of that championship mindset, that hunger and will to win. 

“I’ve just beaten No.23 in the world, a former IBO World Champion. I’m pushing on. The only domestic fight I’m interested in, the only domestic fight that the public keep talking about, not Instagram, is the Josh Kelly fight. That’s the only fight I’m interested in. If not, get me Samuel Vargas. Get me some of these top Yanks, I’ll have a bit of them. The only domestic fight I’m interested in is Josh Kelly. Let’s have it.”

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated by stopping Richard Lartey in round two of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

Wardley pawed with a left and then landing a booming right that sent Lartey down and the fight was stopped at 1:22.

Lartey needed some oxygyn, but seemed alright.

Wardley, 230 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Lartey, 258.1 lbs of Accra, GHA is 14-4.

“The first round took some adjusting,” said Wardley afterwards. “I like to use that first round to gather information, figure out my opponent, see where gaps are, see what’s going on. Just analyse the whole situation. I did that, took a few shots doing it but that’s all part of the game. A bit of that chin check thing was ticked off for me. I can take a bang and it’s not going to give me too much bother. We got through that first round and I figured out what I was going to do from then onwards. 

“I stung him with a few jabs and I always saw that those gloves came straight up in front of him. I fought sting him with one and come around the side. That was the plan and it came off perfectly. Nobody is ever going to grumble at an early night’s work. I get to go back and chill out now. I need to start getting those rounds in and get tougher tests. I’ve ticked that box of ‘do I have one punch power?’. 

“The comparisons are always going to come. Does me knocking out Lartey quicker than Daniel Dubois mean I’m better than him? Does it mean I’d do the same to Daniel? Boxing isn’t that cut and dry. There’s a lot more to it. I take it for what it is. I beat Richard Lartey in two round and I’m happy with that performance. I did well and that’s all you take from it. We keep moving and we keep working.”

Alen Babic kept his perfect knockout streak alive by taking out Tom Little in round three of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

Babic had a tremendous unrelenting workrate. In round three, Babic put Little down with a right hand, but Little went down more from exhaustion. Later in the round, Babic landed a chopping right that put Little down flat on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:38.

Babic, 213.8 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 6-0 with six knockouts. Little, 235 lbs of Hatfield, ENG is 10-9.

“My Savage Army, I never lie to you,” Babic told Matchroom. “If I tell them I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it. I said I would do it in the first round and it should have been in the first round, he was well prepared. He could take a punch. I think I broke both of my knuckles on his head. I can feel it. He can take a punch. “Nobody can go three rounds with me. I had fuel in my tank for twenty like that. Filip Hrgovic bet against me, I’m so glad he lost money on me. He is my fellow Croat, we live like 2km away from each other. He bet against me. That just shows he doesn’t know shit about boxing. He doesn’t know the history of boxing. He’s just a technical guy, a very good technical guy. As soon as the fans come back, I want him. 

“I’m going to take Tom back to my Savage Army because he’s a good guy. He’s a good fighter but he’s not even close to my level. He’s two stone heavier than me. and I want you to write that down. I box every day. I don’t do anything out of the ring. My training is old school, boxing, sparring and pads. Just that. I didn’t do a single push up or pull up. 

“I’m not faking anything. Hrgovic is a fake. I’m real and I want to fight. I like fist fights. I think it was a beautiful fight. I want to give people entertainment. That’s who I am and I’m always going to be like that. Unless somebody tests me I’m going to keep knocking them out. Give me a strong puncher, a knockout artist. You’re going to see the sweet science. I can do it. I can punch and I have stamina. I have a strong head, you can’t beat that with muscles.”

Jez Smith won a decision over previously undefeated Ben Ridings in a six-round super middleweight contest.

Smith, 166 lbs of Harrow Weald, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 12-2-1. Ridings, 165 lbs of Bury, ENG is 3-1.

“I’m over the moon,” Smith said afterwards. “I can’t put it into words. I had a game plan and I knew what I was going to do. I knew I had a good game plan so I stuck to my boxing. I think it was a dominant performance. The referee didn’t give him a round. If I can box like that and do that when I’m not even 30% fit,  imagine what I can do when I’m fully fit. I took this fight on five days’ notice, I’m not taking anything away from Ben, I knew I was levels above him. I’ve hardly been in the gym. I’m going to dedicate myself to this craft. I’m going to be back with another win on my record. 

“I’m a fighting man. As soon as I got the call to fight live on Sky Sports on a massive bill like this I jumped at the chance. I’ll fight anyone. I’m going to get back down to Light-Middleweight. Me and Ted Cheeseman have unfinished business from the amateurs. Me and him had a fight called off after one round as there was fighting in the arena. That would be an electric fight with fireworks. If he wants it he can have it. I’ve put myself on the map so hopefully I can start being used on these big shows more. 

“I knew tonight was my night. I knew I had to go in there and put on a boxing performance. I believe that’s what I did. He hardly touched me. I claimed every round. I think this is the biggest arena that I’ve fought in so far in my career. I’m ecstatic and over the moon. I just want to say a massive thank yo to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for giving me this opportunity. I’ll be ready for the call when it comes again.”

Liam Davies stopped Sean Cairns after round six of their scheduled 10-round bantamweight bout.

Davies battered Cairns over the six-round battle.

In round five, Cairns began to bleed from the nose, and his right started to swell. After the 6th, the corner stopped the bout.

Davies, 118 lbs of Telford, ENG is 8-0 with three stoppages. Cairns, 118 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 7-3.

“And the new English Bantamweight Champion sounds good,” Davies told Matchroom afterwards. “It is music to my ears. I’m just happy. I knew I could do it. It was just about getting in there and getting the job done, making sure that everything went to plan. I felt like it did tonight.

“I still had a lot left in the tank. I wasn’t slowing down for nothing. I was building up the pressure and putting my punches together. You’ve got to give it to him, he’s as tough as anything. He kept coming and coming! That’s why I didn’t go mad with it. I respected how tough he was and how game he was. Full respect to Sean and I wish him all the best in the future. 

“I’d give myself an eight out of ten. I know there’s still more to come from me. I just hope I get the chance to come again and show another level because this is just the start for me. I’m looking to build and get more belts around my waist. 

“The show in Telford didn’t go ahead but I landed on my feet fighting live on Sky Sports here wining my first title. This is a memory that I will never forget and hopefully something that we can build on. I don’t fold under pressure. If anything, I rise to it. I rise to the occasion and next time I’ll rise again with a bigger and better performance for another belt hopefully. That’s the plan. 

“I’m here to impress and I felt like I did tonight. I did what I intended to do. I won in style. Most people would have gone over. I hit him hard and you’ve got to respect him for taking those shots. I don’t think most Bantamweights could have taken that power. Roll on whoever is next because I’m coming now.”