FRANK WARREN AND Queensberry Promotions have today signalled the return of live boxing by announcing three HUGE British title fights that will see Brad Foster defend against James Beech, Anthony Cacace face Lyon Woodstock and Lerrone Richards square off against Umar Sadiq.

Alongside broadcast partner BT Sport, Queensberry are happy to announce the launch of a new series of shows that will run across the summer months and restore the sport to the homes of fight fans and return Queensberry’s roster of champions, contenders and prospects to the ring following the enforced hiatus.

Always first to the punch, Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren is delivering on his promise of bringing boxing back with a bang and has vowed that the three massive British title fights are just the beginning for what will be a huge Summer of boxing, live from the BT Sport Studio.

Leading the charge, The British and Commonwealth super bantamweight title will be on the line when champion Brad Foster (12-0-2) defends against the unbeaten James Beech (12-0) from Bloxwich, West Midlands.

And on dates to be confirmed shortly, Anthony Cacace will take on the first defence of his British Super Featherweight crown against Lyon Woodstock, whilst Lerrone Richards will defend his British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight titles against Umar ‘Top Boxer’ Sadiq.

“I am thrilled to inform the fans that the wait for live boxing to return is coming to an end,” said promoter Warren. “It has been a long haul and a trying time for everyone but we can now see the first flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.

“I am so excited to get going again after a period of unprecedented planning and detail to get to where we are. Unfortunately boxing without fans at the venue is the new, but I am sure temporary, normal and we have made it our business to bring the sport back at the earliest opportunity in line with government guidelines regarding health and safety protocols.

“Our opening show on July 10 is just for starters and we will be looking to go bigger and better as we move along in our summer season that will see us deliver at least five TV shows.

“Across these dates it is our intention to showcase highly competitive fights between hungry young domestic fighters and increase the stakes from show to show. No easy fights, just British boxing as it should be.

“I am also looking forward to seeing our unparalleled crop of brilliant young fighters step up the risk levels and really make the most of what will be huge exposure for them across the BT Sport platforms.”

Also on the July 10th card WBO European super welterweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz (10-0), will defend his belt against the (12-1) Scot Paul Kean from Dundee; heavyweight hope David Adeleye from Notting Hill will be hoping for another stoppage victory in his second professional fight and Lightweight Mark ‘Da Bomb’ Chamberlain (5-0, 3KOs), will be looking to take a step up in Stratford.

Warren said: “This is just the beginning. It’s going to be a magnificent summer of Great British boxing, so sit back and enjoy every round live on BT Sport.”

THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED rematch between unbeaten super bantamweights Brad Foster and Lucien Reid with the British and Commonwealth titles on the line will take place at York Hall on February 22.

The stacked card also features an intriguing battle at super middleweight between the unbeaten former Team GB amateur Kody Davies and the exciting ‘Top Boxer’ Umar Sadiq.

Also on the bill is thrilling super bantamweight prospect Dennis ‘The Menace’ McCann for his sixth professional assignment, Southampton snapper Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner (8-0) aiming to make a timely return and make up for lost time at super featherweight, as well as featherweight starlet Louie Lynn (5-0) from Banstead looking to build on his impressive Queensberry Promotions debut in December.

Top drawer former amateurs and now new professionals Henry Turner (super lightweight, 1-0), Eithan James (super lightweight, 2-0) and Sam Noakes (lightweight, 2-0) get to take the next step towards early title contention, while Muhammad Ali – elite amateur and 2016 Rio Olympian – makes his professional debut at bantamweight.

News on further exciting additions to the bill will be confirmed shortly.

The majority draw declared between the champion Foster and Reid in mid-September proved to be a source of significant controversy, with many observers marking the challenger as the winner in his first 12 round assignment.

The 22-year-old Foster completed his third 12 round test of a productive 2019 and considered himself in need of some time out having suffered a cut above his left eye early in the second round.

The Lichfield man now makes a third defence of the British title he won by beating Josh Wale from the away corner in Barnsley in March of last year. It represents a second defence of the Commonwealth crown he prized via a 12th round knockout from Ashley Lane at Stevenage in May.

“It will be another good scrap and one where I need to put things right,” insisted the champion. “I need to win this one and close this book. Simple as that.

“A draw is not the way I want to keep my titles and it was disappointing to keep them with one. This time I’ve got to win the fight convincingly.

“I can take a lot from it but he can as well because he knows what I’m like now and that is what makes it a tasty fight.

“I’ve had a nice little break to get over a few injuries including a broken knuckle after the last one. I am back at it now and on February 22 I will be the winner.”

Reid, 26, insists he is on a mission to right a wrong and will carry a sense of injustice into the ring with him.

“A million per cent and I can’t wait to prove that I did win the fight and I will do it in a fine fashion,” said the pupil of the Queensberry iBox Gym. “I am not going in there to do anything less or the same as I did last time. This time you will see a totally different me as well and I will change it up.

“Every single person knows that even if I won it by one round I still won the fight. When I get in there with Brad I am going to old man him again, move him about and prove that I am the rightful champion.

“I am also going in there thinking he will come out unbelievable so I am looking forward to seeing that and how I adjust to it because I know I can.”

Tickets are available via TicketMaster

Ilford boxer Umar Sadiq will be stepping into the ring at The SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27th for fight number six of his professional career- but he could easily have stuck with counting numbers on a computer screen instead of lacing up the gloves if he hadn’t made a necessary sacrifice.

A short time ago, Umar’s full-time job was working as an accountant after graduating in accountancy at London Metropolitan University.

“It was the first time I had an office job and I kept it for a year and a half which I’m quite proud of actually!” joked Sadiq when speaking to TalkSPORT.

He continued; “But, I love boxing so much that I decided to pack in the day job to focus on doing what I really love, and now I live a blessed life doing what I love day by day.”

The decision to sacrifice financial security for chasing a dream would be a leap too far for many, and Umar admitted there were obstacles which needed to be overcome.

“I had a lot of people around me including my mum and she told me “You’re mad! How you going to survive and make money?!”- and I actually didn’t know! I just felt it in my gut that this is what I wanted to do.

“When everyone around you is doubting you, including family, and more importantly, people whose opinion you respect, you start questioning yourself.

“But if you want to do it enough and are brave enough, then ultimately at some point you will go ahead and do it. I see myself as a doer and I just thought ‘I’m just going to do it!’”

Umar goes into his six-round contest on April 27th coming off a stoppage victory against durable journeyman, Jevgenijs Andrejevs in early March.

The second-round demolition job on his Latvian opponent came after taking a first loss in his pro career against Fulham-fighter, Zak Chelli – who is also on the bill at The SSE Arena, Wembley.

Now back to winning ways, Sadiq will continue on his path towards what he set out to achieve in the sport and hopefully inspire other people in the same shoes as his own in the process.

“I’d like to be an example to others who wish to take the leap and tell them ‘look, I took the leap and I’ve done well, so maybe you can to.’”

Daniel Dubois v Richard Lartey tops the bill at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27 on a card that also includes the Commonwealth super middleweight title fight between Lerrone Richards and Tommy Langford, as well as the Southern Area super middleweight title clash between Zak Chelli and Jimmy Smith. WBO European super flyweight champion Sunny Edwards and WBO European super featherweight champion Archie Sharp also feature.

Rangy Super Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz will be back out after his impressive win over Rod Douglas Jnr. Hard hitting middleweight and Peacock gym product Denzel Bentley (9-0) and Belfast amateur middleweight star Caoimhin Agyarko will also return to action. There are Queensberry debuts for unbeaten welterweight Chris Kongo (10-0) and Sheffield middleweight Shakiel Thompson (2-0) – with Thompson being tipped by sparring partner Billy Joe Saunders as a star for the future. Ilford Super Middleweight Umar Sadiq (4-1) also returns as he looks to rebuild after his first career loss. Tunde Ajayi trained lightweight Bilal Ali (1-0) will have his second professional fight after making a successful start to his pro career, with Hoddesdon super lightweight Alfie Price set for his fifth.

Tickets will be priced as £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150 and are now ON SALE to purchase via Eventim, Ticketmaster, the SSE Arena website and AXS.com.

Anthony Yarde stopped Walter Sequeira in round four of their scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Yarde scored three knockdowns, and the nout was stopped at 2:14 of round four.

Yarde, 173 1/2 lbs is 17-0 with 16 knockouts. Sequieira, 174 1/4 lbs is 20-5.

Joe Mullender stopped Ben Capps in round seven of their scheduled ten-round super middleweight fight.

Mullender dropped Capps with a right hand in round seven. Moments later, it was a body shot that sent Capps down, and the fight was over at 1:36.

Mullender, 160 lbs is now 11-2 with five knockouts. Capps is 15-5-2.

Johnny Garton stopped former world title challenger Gary Corocoran in round 11 of a scheduled 12 round welterweight bout.

The fight had plenty of back and forth action throughout the bout.

In round three, Garton was cut under the right eye. The cut got worse and blood streamed down and covered the face of Garton.

In round 11, Garton landed a hard right hand that staggered Corocoan back to the ropes. Garton leveled Corocoan with hard shots, and the fight was stopped at 42 seconds.

Garton 146 lbs is now 23-1-1 with 10 knockouts. Corcoran, 146 lbs is now 18-3.

In a battle of undefeated super middlewights, Zak Chelli won a eight-round decision over Umar Sadiq

In round six, Cehlli dropped Sadiq with a hard right hand. Sadiq made a furious rally in the final round, and bloodied the nose of Chelli.

Chelli won by a score of 77-74, and is now 5-0. Sadiq is 3-1.

Nathan Gorman decisioned Kamil Sokolowski in a heavyweight bout.

Gorman, 255 lbs won by a score of 79-73 and is now 14-0. Sokolowski is 5-13-2.

Hamzah Sheerez won a four-round decision over Zygimantas Butkevicius in a super welterweight bout.

Sheerez won by a score of 40-36, and is now 5-0. Butkevicius is 1-14.

UMAR SADIQ only affords his next opponent, Zak Chelli, a puncher’s chance when the two unbeaten super middleweights come together in what should be a fascinating match-up at the Brentwood Centre next Saturday (October 20).

Sadiq suspects a heavy punch is the only weapon of note in the Chelli armoury and dealing with a puncher is something he is well equipped to withstand.

“He is very explosive and a good challenge but I had 45 amateur fights and 36 of those were at elite level,” reasoned the 30-year-old with three professional fights under his belt.

“So I am used to going in there with guys who are national champions, county champions or champions from other countries – and many of them could whack.

“So the fact that he can whack doesn’t intimidate me, especially because I am sparring cruiserweights and light heavyweights on a regular basis. I also believe I am much better than him.

“Although on paper it looks a 50-50 fight and a dangerous one, in reality I think taking away his power, it is actually just another learning fight for me.”

While each boxer will bring a completely contrasting style of fighting into the ring, live on BT Sport, Sadiq believes the clash could well provide compelling viewing.

“I don’t know, it could be awkward, but they could also gel really well. He is a brawler and I am a boxer-puncher and it can end up gelling well. Archie Sharp and Lyon Woodstock gelled really well last weekend and Archie is a boxer-puncher, while Lyon in that fight was seemingly a brawler.

“Hopefully we will get another great fight for the fans on BT Sport.

“The truth is I rate him as a puncher and that’s where it stops,” added the Ilford man, who goes along with the thought process that Chelli will stalk him with the aim of knocking his block off.

“I believe so. I saw an interview where he was saying he can box long and all that, but he could never ever try to outbox me. That is a fact and he knows that, regardless of who he is trying to fool.

“His only hope is going to try and brawl – and I am ready for that.”

Anthony Yarde will be headlining the Brentwood Centre on October 20th when he faces Argentinian Walter Gabriel Sequeira. World title challenger Gary Corcoran and ‘The Pexican’ Johnny Garton will contest the vacant British welterweight title. Zak Chelli and Umar Sadiq will both be putting their young, undefeated records on the line in a super-middleweight contest. Heavyweight Nathan Gorman will also feature on the show televised live on BT Sport.

Tickets are priced at £40, £100, £150 and are available to purchase from Ticketmaster.