WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – (Sept. 19, 2023) – Young wolf Adam Azim (9-0, 6 KO’s) is on the title trail: the 21-year-old prodigy heads to Wolverhampton on Saturday, November 18th to sink his teeth into defending EBU European Super Lightweight Champion Franck Petitjean (24-6-3, 6 KO’s), live and exclusive on Sky Sports. 

Having been guided by BOXXER into a position to fight for the EBU title – a slot hotly contested by other British promoters – Azim is gunning for European gold in just his tenth professional bout. If victorious, he will follow in the footsteps of his oft-cited inspiration ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed in winning an EBU title while barely into his twenties and will catapult himself towards major world title contention.

After winning the French national championship and mounting three successful defences, southpaw Petitjean successfully stepped up to European level for his first stint as EBU super-lightweight level then challenged for the IBO world championship in 2018. He reclaimed the EBU title in June this year and will make the first defence of his second championship reign against Azim on November 18th.

“I’ve always loved a challenge and the fact that I can take part in a major event abroad is very motivating. I’m looking forward to pushing Adam to the limit and, of course, returning to France victorious!” said defending EBU European Super Lightweight Champion Petitjean.

“I am so excited for this fight – fighting for the EBU title in just my tenth fight is massive for me. I’m ready to put on a show and bring that belt home with me on November 18th,” said Azim.

Also entering the wolf’s lair on November 18th is EBU European Middleweight Champion Matteo Signani (32-6-3, 12 KO’s). He will defend his title against the Black Country’s own Tyler Denny (17-2, 3 KO’s), who hails from nearby Birmingham and will have an enormous wolfpack of supporters behind him when he enters the ring. 

Known as “Il Giaguaro” (‘The Jaguar’), Italian veteran Signani has held the EBU Middleweight Championship twice, having reclaimed the belt in November with a TKO stoppage victory following a June technical decision loss. Signani is now 9-1 in his last ten outings.

Denny’s career resurgence in the last two years has thrilled British fight fans. The Midlands miracle man is 4-0 under the BOXXER banner, with three of those wins being successful English Middleweight Championship bouts, and now steps up another level and looks to add the European title to his collection.

“I feel very good and I will be stronger than ever for the challenge with Tyler Denny. I respect him and I have to recognize that he’s a tough guy for challenging me, but I’m Il Giaguaro, the champion, and I will stay that way for a long time to come. It will be a war – blood, sweat, glory!” said EBU European middleweight champion Signani.

Title challenger Denny said, “I’m expecting the hardest fight of my career but I’m more than ready and more than capable. I’m going to have an army of fans with me on fight night and the atmosphere is going to be incredible. I will become European champion on November 18th – that belt is staying in the Midlands!”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO, said, “The journey with Adam Azim reaches new heights with every outing. Boxing knows what an incredible talent he is and to be challenging for the European title at 21 years of age, in just his tenth professional outing, speaks volumes about his ability inside the ring and the great work done by the BOXXER matchmaking team outside it. 

“Franck Petitjean has a lot of experience and is the toughest opponent Azim will have faced to date. It’s a huge test but if he passes it then the sky really is the limit – we’ll be looking at world title opportunities for him next year as he looks to keep that promise he made to Amir Khan and win a world title even quicker than he did.

“The Tyler Denny story is having another incredible and definitely the biggest chapter added to it. Two years ago we looked at him and saw a boxer who had great potential but who hadn’t had the right opportunities at the right time. He’s gone 4-0 with BOXXER, he’s the English middleweight champion and now he’s stepping up for a European title. I honestly can’t wait to see if Tyler Denny can achieve something more boxers can only dream of. His army of supporters will be in full force on fight night.” 

BOXXER: WOLVES AT THE DOOR takes place Saturday, November 18th at The Halls, Wolverhampton and airs live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland. Further bouts for the card will be announced in the near future.

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

Sign up for presale tickets at BOXXER.com. 

Craig Richards will face Ricards Bolotniks for the WBA Intercontinental Light-Heavyweight Title and EBU European Middleweight Champion Matteo Signani will defend his belt against Felix Cash at The O2 in London on Saturday April 1, live worldwide on DAZN.

Richards (17-3-1, 10 KOs) was originally scheduled to face Bolotnik’s (19-6-1, 8 KOs) on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s close points win over Jermaine Franklin at the OVO Arena in Wembley last November but the Crystal Palace man was forced to withdraw after falling ill during fight week.

‘Spider’ returns to the scene of his spirited points loss to South London rival Joshua Buatsi last May while Bolotniks, who holds wins over Hosea Burton and Steven Ward, was last in action in April 2022 – decisioning Hrvoje Sep over eight rounds in Barcelona, Spain.

Italy’s European Middleweight ruler Signani (32-6-3, 12 KOs) landed the title for the first time against Gevorg Khatchikian in Trento back in October 2019 before making successful defences against Maxime Beaussire in 2020 and Ruben Diaz in May 2021. ‘Il Giaguaro’ lost the belt to Anderson Prestot on a technical decision in June last year but avenged that loss in November.

Wokingham’s former British and Commonwealth Champion Cash (16-0, 10 KOs) is looking to add the EBU crown to his collection after enduring a frustrating 2022 in which he picked up two wins. Cash is on a collision course with American rival Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams and hopes to face the unbeaten contender later this year after going face-to-face with him in a fiery ringside encounter in Leeds.

“I’m expecting a great fight with Bolotniks,” said Richards. “He is a good fighter and a lot of people know that which will allow me to showcase how good of a fighter I am. I’m excited to be on this card, it’s ironic it’s the return of Joshua because I feel like it’s my return too. A win against Bolotniks puts me heavily in the mix with the big boys and looking to push on to big things.”

“2022 was a tough one for me personally but I’m determined to make this my year,” said Cash. “In 2023 I’m coming for all the belts and want the biggest fights possible, starting with the European Title at The O2. The work I’ve been putting in the gym with Tony Sims has been fantastic and I’ve never felt better, come April 1 everyone is going to see that I’m the real deal.”

Tickets for Joshua vs. Franklin are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300, £400 and £800 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and AXS from midday on Thursday February 9.

Matteo Signani will defend his EBU European Middleweight Title against Ruben Diaz at the Palazzo dello Sport Roma on Friday November 5, live around the world on DAZN. 

‘Il Giaguaro’ (30-5-3, 11 KOs) captured the vacant European 160lbs crown by outpointing Gevorg Khatchikian at the PalaTrento in October 2019 before stopping Maxime Beaussire in two rounds in his next defence in France a year later.

Diaz (26-2-2, 17 KOs) fights for the EBU Title for a second time after he lost out to Polish World Title challenger Kamil Szeremeta in September 2018 – one of only two losses the former Spanish Middleweight Champion has suffered in his 30-fight career.  

In the chief support bout, Roma’s undefeated European Union Featherweight Champion Mauro Forte (16-0-1, 6 KOs) puts his belt on the line against Francesco Grandelli (15-1-1, 3 KOs) in an exiting all-Italian clash. 

Unbeaten Super-Welterweight Mirko ‘Terminator’ Natalizi (11-0, 7 KOs) is set to challenge for the vacant IBF International Title, Lazio Super-Lightweight Armando Casamonica (3-0) sees action for the third time this year, Italian Super-Bantamweight Champion Maria Cecchi (5-0, 1 KO) takes on Swindon’s Bec Connolly (3-10) over eight rounds and Serhiy Demchenko (23-15-1, 15 KOs) meets Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep (10-0, 8 KOs) in a six-round Light-Heavyweight contest. 

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman, said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the beautiful city of Rome for our fourth and final show of the year in Italy. It’s another big night of title action topped by Matteo Signani defending his European Middleweight crown against Ruben Diaz. Catch all of the action live and on demand on DAZN.”

Christian Cherchi, OPI Since 82, said: “We are very happy to return to Rome after the amazing show at the Pietrangeli Stadium 2 years ago. Signani vs. Diaz, Forte vs. Grandelli and Natalizi in his first Title attempt. It’s set to be a great night of boxing live and on demand on DAZN!”

Tickets will be available soon via ticketone.it