WBO number-one heavyweight contender Joe Joyce stopped Christian Hammer in round four of the 12-round heavyweight bout at the OVO Arena Wembley in London, England.

In round one, Hammer was able to get through with several power shots. In round two, Hammer was cut around the right eye. At the end of round three, Joyce dropped Hammer with a left to the head. In round four, it was a left to the body that sent Hammer down. Joyce sent Hammer to a knee with a flurry of punches. Joyce ended the fight by dropping Hammer with a right to the body and the fight was called at 1:20.

Joyce, 265 lbs of London, ENG is 14-0 with 13 knockouts. Hammer, 263 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 27-10.

Tete Stops Cunningham in 4

Former world champion Zolani Tete took out Jason Cunningham in round four of their 12-round super bantamweight fight.

In round round four, Tete landed a hard left hand that sent Cunningham to the canvas. With Cunningham hurt, Tete jumped on Cunningham and dumped him on the canvas from a flurry of punches that was highlighted by a right and left to the chin, and the fight was stopped at 34 seconds.

Tete, 121.1 lbs of Eastern Cape, SA is 30-4 with 23 knockouts. Cunningham, 121.2 lbs of Doncaster, ENG is 31-7.

Chamberlain Decisions Vidal

Mark Chamberlain remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Marc Vidal in a lightweight bout.

Chamberlain, 134.1 lbs of Portsmouth, ENG won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 11-0. Vidal, 134.6 lbs of Spain is 13-4-5.

Fletcher Takes out Vmoga in 1

Tommy Fletcher made a successful pro debut with a first round stoppage over Aron Vmoga in a cruiserweight bout.

In round one, Fletcher dropped Vmoga with a left hand. It was long until Fletcher ended things as he landed a combination that sent Vmoga to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 58 seconds.

Fltecher, 197 lbs of Norfolk, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Vmoga, 193 lbs of Croatia is 1-1.

Burke Decisions Ambomo

Mickey Burke Jr. remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Serge Ambomo in a super welterweight fight.

Burke, 154.1 lbs of Becksley, ENG won by a 60-55 score and is now 7-0. Ambomo, 152.4 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 7-32-3.

Turner Decisions Laskowski

Henry Turner remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Jakub Laskowski in a super lightweight fight.

Turner, 141.1 lbs of Glambagreen, ENG won by a 60-54 tally and is now 8-0. Laskowski, 142.2 lbs of Poland is 4-17-1.

JASON CUNNINGHAM BELIEVES his confidence is at such a level that he can be optimistic over the prospect of world title success if he can overcome Zolani Tete on July 2.

European champion Cunningham takes on two-weight world title winner Tete at the OVO Arena, Wembley on a bumper card also featuring Joe Joyce in heavyweight action against Christian Hammer, Nathan Heaney defending his IBO International middleweight belt against Nizar Trimech and young lightweight star Mark Chamberlain bidding for a first title success against Marc Vidal for the IBF European championship.

Cunningham, 31-6 (7 KOs) and unbeaten as a super bantamweight, will enter the ring against the South African superstar feeling that he belongs in such company thanks to a self belief he has accumulated over a distinguished career where the ups have far outweighed the downs in recent years and he is now winning the plaudits he deserves.

In his last fight in April, the first in his promotional alliance with Frank Warren, he completely overwhelmed an unbeaten challenger to his European crown in Terry Le Couviour. The Frenchman was systematically chopped down to the body right from the off and probably the only surprise was it lasted until round six.

Even then the 32-year-old still picked a hole in his performance.

“I am happy with it, although there was one round where I thought I got a little bit complacent, but it was because I was having it all my own way really.

“I need to be on it at this level, I can’t afford any little slip-ups or lapses against Tete,” added the Iceman, who now exudes the aura of a champion as he sets about his work.

“I feel it and it is confidence. Up until you get to the point of a major title you are always questioning yourself. Then, when you get these wins, you think ‘I am good enough to fight for a world title and good enough to be a world champion’.

“I have got that confidence and that aura, 100%, and obviously it is showing in performances. It has been a brilliant year in total and I just feel the time is right now. It is my time, I am taking that confidence into the Tete fight and I truly believe I am going to beat him.

Cunningham revealed that a match with Tete didn’t come totally out of the blue and he considers the 29-4 (22 KOs) man as a clear and present danger, who will only serve to increase his own stock by confronting.

“It had been mooted a few times. I love a challenge and it is a fight I will get credit for, that is what I thought initially. He is a name, he has been over to these shores before, he has chinned Paul Butler and I thought this is the chance to prove how good I am, also to myself.

“I know he has been inactive for the last couple of years but, still, he has been there and he has done it at multiple weights. So, yeah, I have definitely got the bit between my teeth for this fight and I just think the timing is right.

“The time is now really, if I want to be world champion I need to beat Tete, simple as that.

“To have a scalp like that on your record… I just can’t wait really, I can’t wait for this fight and also to share the ring with him as well. Obviously the respect is there for what he has done but, at the same time, I am coming from a different angle where he is in my way and stopping me from getting to that next level and pushing for a world title.”

Tickets for ‘High Stakes’ at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday 2 July are on sale now priced from £55 and available from AXS.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk.

‘High Stakes’ on Saturday, 2 July at the OVO Arena also includes leading heavyweight contender Joe Joyce taking on Christian Hammer for the WBO International and WBC Silver titles.

Callum Johnson fights Igor Mikhalkin for the WBC Silver light heavyweight title and Stoke favourite Nathan Heaney will make a defence of his IBO International middleweight championship against Nizar Trimech. Mark Chamberlain will fight Marc Videl with the IBF European lightweight title at stake

Wycombe super lightweight Henry Turner and Bexley welterweight Micky Burke jr will fight over six rounds, with Ashford cruiserweight Arnold Obidai having his second pro fight over four. Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher will make his professional debut in a four-round fight having recently signed to Frank Warren and Queensberry.

Images are free to use, please credit Queensberry Promotions where possible.

JOE JOYCE WILL battle the experienced German Christian Hammer at the OVO Arena, Wembley on July 2, as part of a huge fight night also featuring Jason Cunningham v Zolani Tete, Callum Johnson and Nathan Heaney, live on BT Sport.

After being out of the ring since his defeat of Carlos Takam in July of last year and suffering a broken wrist that kept him out of action in the first half of this year, Joyce takes his place on the Wembley bill against the 34-year-old German Hammer.

“The most important thing is to get Joe active and confident again after injury,” said promoter Frank Warren. “Christian Hammer is an experienced campaigner who will provide a decent test and give him a good fight, but obviously we expect Joe to come through it successfully and then start preparing for a bigger showdown later this year.

“It was well documented that it was our intention to match Big Joe with Joseph Parker in September, but Parker has now opted to sign a promotional agreement elsewhere. Joe’s route to a world title shot does not revolve around Parker and we have plans in place for a major fight for him in the autumn.”

“I’ve known about Christian Hammer for a while now,” said Joyce from his training base in Las Vegas. “He has fought everybody, it is going to be a good fight, he comes forward and it will be exciting. It is one to get me ready for the next fights coming up.

“I’ve been out of the ring for a whole year now so it will be good to dust off the gloves and shake off the cobwebs. It is going to be a big year, this year and next, with some great fights and I just need to be in the right place.

“I have taken myself out to the right place with this training camp here to bring out the best in me.”

The Hamburg resident, Hammer, has taken on all comers across his near 14-year career, with names such as Tyson Fury, Erkan Teper, David Price, Alexander Povetkin, Luis Ortiz, Tony Yoka, Hughie Fury all featuring on his record. He most recently went the distance with WBO number three ranked Frank Sanchez.

His most recent title success came in 2018 when he defeated Michael Wallisch to win the WBO European championship belt, a title he also won in 2016 with victory over countryman Teper and subsequently made successful defences against David Price and Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf.

The July 2 card at the OVO Arena also includes the highly anticipated super bantamweight collision between European champion Jason Cunningham and two-weight world champion Zolani Tete. Callum Johnson fights Igor Mikhalkin for the WBC Silver light heavyweight title and Stoke favourite Nathan Heaney will make a defence of his IBO International middleweight championship.

Due to a hand injury, Sam Noakes will no longer be defending his WBC International Silver lightweight title on the night against Marc Videl, so the Spaniard will now face an equally formidable foe from the Queensberry ranks in Mark Chamberlain, with the IBF European title on the line. This represents a first title tilt for the 10-0 Chamberlain and his first fight over 10 rounds.

Super featherweight newcomer Royston Barney-Smith has also suffered a hand injury and he is replaced on the card by the 6-0 welterweight Micky Burke jr.

Wycombe super lightweight Henry Turner is fighting over six rounds and Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher will make his professional debut in a four-round fight having recently signed to Frank Warren and Queensberry.

Tickets for High Stakes at OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday 2 July are on sale now from £55 available from AXS.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk.

All the offical High Stakes graphics can be downloaded here.

JASON CUNNINGHAM WILL take on the biggest challenge of his career when he goes up against South African superstar Zolani Tete at the OVO Arena, Wembley on July 2, with world heavyweight contender Joe Joyce also featuring on a bumper card filled with must win fights, it’s High Stakes, live on BT Sport.

Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) faces Igor Mikhalkin (24-3, 11 KOs) for the WBO Global light heavyweight title in a fight between two punchers where neither man will want to give an inch.

Meanwhile, destructive lightweight Sam Noakes (9-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBC International Silver title against the Spaniard Marc Vidal (13-2-5, 5 KOs) as the Maidstone man aims to make it 10 stoppages in as many bouts.

Stoke favourite Nathan Heaney (15-0, 6 KOs) will fight in London for the first time in front of a crowd, making a defence of his IBO International middleweight championship.

Tickets for High Stakes at OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday 2 July go on sale next week, fans are advised to sign-up for Ticket Alerts at frankwarren.com to receive an email ahead of the onsale.

Cunningham, 31-6 (7 KOs), demolished the previously unbeaten French challenger Terry Le Couviour in Telford in mid-April in what was the second defence of his EBU belt. The Renaissance Man of British boxing will bid to join the elite by taking on the formidable force of ‘Last Born’ Tete, 29-4 (22 KOs), who has been a regular and exciting feature on UK fight cards.

The two-weight world champion last held a world title at bantamweight with the WBO championship belt previously in his possession. Prior to this he held the IBF super flyweight title, won by defeating Paul Butler in Liverpool back in 2015.

A shock defeat to John Riel Casimero in Birmingham in late 2019 prompted a move to super bantamweight and Tete returned to the ring in typical fashion with a first-round stoppage in Johannesburg in December.

The Commonwealth and IBF International super-bantamweight championships will be on the line for a clash that has got the potential to be a FOTY candidate.

Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) will be getting back into the ring against an established heavyweight contender as he closes in on a September clash with Joseph Parker in what will be a battle between No.1 and No.2 with the WBO. Following a lay-off due to injury, the Juggernaut will return to the scene of his last fight, a sixth-round stoppage of Carlos Takam in July of last year.

A bout of Coronavirus denied Callum Johnson a world title shot against Joe Smith jr in January. After making his recovery, he will go up against former world title challenger Mikhalkin for WBO honours.

The Germany-based fighter was defeated by Sergey Kovalev in 2018 at Madison Square Garden, having previously won and defended the IBO World light heavyweight title, as well as the EBU European title.

Sam Noakes seeks a perfect 10 against Marc Vidal as he currently sits on 9 wins and 9 KOs. Vidal, 33, has previously fought former World champion Kiko Martinez on two occasions – a points defeat and technical draw – and is a former European champion and European Union champion at featherweight.

Nathan Heaney is taking his Stoke City show on the road after overcoming the adversity of a first round knockdown last time out against Diego Ramirez before winning comfortably on the cards.

Wycombe super lightweight Henry Turner (7-0, 1 KO) fighting over six rounds, and Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher will make his professional debut at the OVO Arena. The Norfolk Nightmare will make his bow in a four-rounder having recently signed with Frank Warren and Queensberry.

“The stakes are high for all the Queensberry boxers in action on July 2^nd at Wembley Arena, Live on BT Sport. Jason Cunningham vs Zolani Tete is about as even as matchmaking can be in Boxing and the same can be said regarding Callum Johnson vs Igor Mikhalkin. I’m predicting fan friendly action across both fights in matchups that will get the winners in the mix with the top guys in their respective divisions.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the Heavyweight Juggernaut Joe Joyce back in action too. Joes had a frustration time since his demolition job on Carlo Takam last year. He’s not been as active as we or he would have liked due to a wrist injury and the delay to his showdown with Joseph Parker. We found out last week that Parker’s training schedule scuppered our plans for them to meet on July 2^nd, but it was important to us and Joe that he still fight after such a lengthy layoff with injury.

“The carrot for Joyce is a win on July 2 will set up a massive showdown with Parker in September. He needs to keep his focus, though, and deliver on July 2 as the big opportunities are now there to be taken for the Olympic Silver medallist.

“I am thrilled to deliver Jason Cunningham a massive fight and a huge test against Zolani Tete. Zolani has been with Queensberry for a long time, and we know what a top-class operator he is. Jason had no hesitation in taking the fight because his confidence is high, and he is an unbeaten fighter at super bantamweight.

“This is a fight between two top drawer and experienced campaigners that will bring out the best in each other and provide a treat for the watching public. It is a fight I cannot wait to see.

“The light heavyweight scene is hot at the moment and Callum Johnson will be looking to remind people why he believes he is top dog in the division. It was such a shame that his chance to prove it against Joe Smith jr fell through due to a bout of Covid-19 in January, but his time will come again and winning the WBC Silver title against the tough Igor Mikhalkin would put him right back in the mix.

“I am looking forward to seeing two of our crowd-pleasers in Sam Noakes and Nathan Heaney perform at Wembley.

“As well as seeing the much-anticipated debut of the giant Tommy Fletcher, it promises to be a thrilling night of action not to be missed.”

Tickets for High Stakes at OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday 2 July go on sale next week, fans are advised to sign-up for Ticket Alerts at frankwarren.com to receive an email ahead of the onsale.

Lerrone Richards won a 12-round split decision over Lennox Clarke in a super middleweight in Birmingham, England.

Richards won by scores of 117-112 and 116-113. Clark won a card 115-113.

Richards is 13-0. Clarke is 19-1-1.

Hamzah Sheeraz stopped Ryan Kelly in round six of their scheduled 10-round super welterweight bout.

Sheeraz dropped Kelly three times in round six, and the bout was stopped at 2:58.

Sheeraz is 10-0 with six knockouts. Kelly is 14-3.

John Riel Casimero won the WBO Bantamweight title with a 3rd round stoppage over Zolani Tete.

Casimero dropped Tete with a short right to the head. Tete was was badly hurt and dropped again from a hard flurry in the corner. Casimero jumped all over Tete and the bout was stopped at 2:14.

Casimero of the Philippines is 29-4 with 20 knockouts. Tete of South Africa is 28-4.

In a battle of undefeated super lightweights, Sam Maxwell stopped Connor Parker in round seven of a scheduled 10-round bout.

Maxwell dominated the action, and in round seven landed a hard flurry of punches on he ropes, and the fight was stopped at 2:45.

Maxwell is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Parker is 12-1.

Anthony Cacace won a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Sam Bowen in a super featherweight bout.

Cacace won by scores of 115-113 twice and 115-112 for Bowen,

Cacace is 18-1. Bowen is 15-1.

Nathan Heaney stopped Nelson Altamarro in round five of a scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

In round one, Heaney dropped Altamarino with a body shot.

In round five, Heaney continued to dominate and the bout was stopped at 2:02.

Heaney is 9-0 with three knockouts. Altamirano is 10-34-3

Queensberry Promotions today hosted the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s (November 30) huge Midlands Mayhem show at Arena Birmingham, live on BT Sport.

** Photography from today’s press conference is available on this link to use with credit to Round ‘N’ Bout Media **

**Head to head videos are available on this link to use with credit to Queensberry Promotions**

In a magnificent world title fight South Africa’s Zolani Tete (28-3, 21KOs) risks his WBO bantamweight title against Filipino interim champion John Riel Casimero (28-4, 19KOs) where the winner will be likely to face IBF and WBA title holder Naoya Inoue in 2020.

Lerrone Richards (12-0, 3KOs)  takes on Halesowen’s Lennox Clarke (19-0-1, 7KOs) for the Commonwealth and vacant British super-middleweight belt in a battle of unbeaten boxers.

Sam Bowen (15-0, 11KOs) defends his British super-featherweight championship against Anthony Cacace (17-1, 7KOs).

Swansea’s British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Chris Jenkins (22-3-2, 8KOs) makes a defence against Middleton’s Liam Taylor (21-1, 10KOs). 

Liverpool puncher Sam Maxwell (12-0 (10KOs) defends his WBO European super lightweight crown against unbeaten Connor Parker (12-0, 1KO) from Derbyshire.

Ilford prospect Hamzah Sheeraz (9-0, 5KOs) will fight for his first title against Ryan Kelly (14-2, 7KOs).

Here are a selection of quotes from today’s press conference

ZOLANI TETE

“I have been out injured because of shoulder tendonitis, but the way I have been training it shouldn’t bother me. I didn’t need surgery, but it took a couple of months to get it right.  Mentally and physically I am still there and the injury will not stand in my way.  It was frustrating getting injured in the World Boxing Super Series and pulling out, but Casimero is one of the best.

Hopefully after this defence my next fight will be Naoya Inoue. If I beat Casimero that fight is a step closer. It is possible to meet Inoue next year.

My promoter Mr Frank Warren will do his best to make the fight happen. My shoulder will not come off, but you will see punches bouncing off Casimero’s head. He is a good fighter though who can come forward and has power, but we will deal with those things.

JOHN RIEL CASIMERO

“This is a good fight and I will give a good performance. My advantage is power and stamina. My promoter Manny Pacquiao had told me that if I’ve worked hard I can win. This is my second time boxing here and in the first fight Charlie Edwards was beaten. I am a better fighter now. Zolani is a good boxer and tough, but second to me. I will do my best to knock him out.”

SEAN GIBBONS (President, Manny Pacquiao Promotions)

“To have Senator Manny Pacquiao behind you tells you how good Casimero is. The Senator can sign a lot of fighters, but only goes with good ones. Casimero has travelled the world and feels comfortable here. He is one of the top three or four fighters in the Philippines.”

LERRONE RICHARDS

“Lennox talks a little bit too much and is about to find out what Lerrone Richards is all about. There are more strings to my bow than just boxing. I work hard and I don’t want anyone to think I’m lazy.

“I was at York Hall watching my friend box and Lennox was there giving me screw faces from the other side, but no problem. This is strictly business. I have trained for a hard night, but I’m anticipating victory.”

LENNOX CLARKE

“I am not looking at my home advantage. Lerrone is very professional, but I have done the hard work. No matter how good his boxing ability is he has to be prepared to go where I am prepared to go.

“His boxing is boring. I am gonna bring excitement and fireworks. I believe it will be a 12 round fight and he will try and nick it because that is how he fights. I am going to be to relentless and cause him nightmares. I believe I will be British and Commonwealth champion on Saturday.”

SAM BOWEN

“I am sure Cacace fancies it, but I will show what I am about and win. He is a good rangy fighter, but I have to rough him up and hurt him which I will do.

“I have left my full-time job and I am a lot more refreshed. I don’t have the flu or cold like I normally before fights because I am drained from training and working. There are competitive British fights, but I want to push on with the WBO and get a world title fight.”

SAM MAXWELL

“People talk about the dramas of my last fight and some fighter learn from a loss, but I learnt from a win. I know I need to be switched on from the first bell.

“I will get to the top. I am feeling fresher and moved to Scotland for my camps. My Mum beat cancer and I have that strength in me as well to battle through. She never loses faith in me and its great to have someone like that.”

CONNOR PARKER

“Sam won his last fight, but it might have been an off night. I am just ready for the best Sam Maxwell. I know what I am capable of and confident of winning. The only way Sam beats me is to knock me out.”

HAMZAH SHEERAZ

“I don’t want to fight journeymen, build up a padded record and then fail when I fight for a big title. I feel this is the time and I am ready. I can bang on about how good training is but the proof is Saturday. Ryan is a solid step up and is someone who will get the best out of me.”

RYAN KELLY

“I am here to win. I am never just gonna be the opponent and I am the home fighter in Birmingham. Hamzah is a good talent, but he is stepping up through levels. I am looking forward to getting in there and going to work. I am looking forward to an exciting fight against a hungry fighter.

CHRIS JENKINS

“Liam has got a win over Tyrone Nurse and I lost to him even though I thought I won. He is tall, rangy and deserves his shot. This fight should have happened before.

“I have had some good sparring with Robbie Davies Jr who is rangy like Liam. Everything has been done and on Saturday I will win, simple as.

“I lost my best friend 12 months ago. I was getting cut and thought; ‘do I need this,’ but look where I am now? I could write a book on it.”

LIAM TAYLOR

“Chris is a very good fighter and I have seen a lot of him. I didn’t expect him to beat Johnny Garton to become British title holder, but that win proves he is a very worthy champion.

I have to do what I do best and box at range. It will be a good tactical fight, but I believe I am better in every department. I was mandatory challenger and deserve this shot.”

Tickets are available now from £40 via Ticketmaster and TheTicketFactory

Ticket Prices:
£250 – Inner Ring Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier

(Nov. 26, 2019) — South African southpaw Zolani Tete, the WBO bantamweight world champion, will make his first title defense in more than a year against former two-weight world champion John Riel Casimero on Saturday from Arena Birmingham in Birmingham, England.
 
This will be the fourth title defense for Tete, who withdrew from the World Boxing Super Series tournament earlier this year with a shoulder injury.
 
Tete-Casimero will headline a scheduled six-bout stream on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
 
Tete (28-3, 21 KOs) is unbeaten in 12 bouts dating back to 2012, a streak that includes a brief reign as the IBF junior bantamweight world champion. He moved up to bantamweight in 2016 and captured the interim WBO bantamweight title the following year with a unanimous decision over Arthur Villanueva. He was soon elevated to world champion and, in his first title defense in November 2017, he authored an 11-second knockout over Siboniso Gonya. The KO came on Tete’s first punch of the fight and broke a boxing record for the fastest KO in a world title bout. Tete has defended his belt twice since the Gonya bout, notching decisions over Omar Narvaez and Mikhail Aloyan.
 
Casimero (28-4, 19 KOs), from Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines, is looking to become the fourth Filipino boxer to win world titles in three weight classes. He reigned as IBF junior flyweight world champion from 2012-2013, and he won the IBF flyweight world title in 2016 with a fourth-round knockout over Amnat Ruenroeng. He has won four consecutive bouts and picked up the interim WBO bantamweight title while Tete was recovering from his injury. He defended the interim belt in August in Manila, stopping Mexican veteran Cesar Ramirez in the 10^th round.
 
In other action from Birmingham:

• Lerrone Richards (12-0, 3 KOs) will fight Birmingham native Lennox Clarke (19-0-1, 7 KOs) in a 12-rounder for the vacant British super middleweight title and Clarke’s Commonwealth belt. Clarke has won four in a row since the lone draw on his record, while Richard is coming off a decision win over Tommy Langford for the Commonwealth crown.
   
• In a battle of unbeatens, Sam Maxwell (12-0, 10 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBO European junior welterweight title in a 10-rounder versus southpaw Connor Parker (12-0, 1 KO). 

• Hamzah Sheeraz (9-0, 5 KOs), only 20 years old, will take step up in class when he faces fellow Birmingham native Ryan Kelly (14-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Sheeraz is 3-0 with three knockouts in two rounds or less in 2019.
   
• Sam “Bullet” Bowen (15-0, 11 KOs) will make the second defense of his British super featherweight title against Belfast native Anthony Cacace (17-1, 7 KOs) in a 12-round showdown. Bowen won the British title in March with a ninth-round stoppage over Jordan McCorry in a bout that was streamed live on ESPN+.
   
• Dennis “The Menace” McCann (4-0, 3 KOs), a 19-year-old bantamweight prodigy from Maidstone, England, will face Elvis Guillan (9-59-4, 6 KOs) in a scheduled six-rounder.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

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JOHN RIEL CASIMERO will be inspired by his promoter and friend Manny Pacquiao when he challenges WBO bantamweight champion Zolani Tete on Saturday night.

The Filipino road warrior challenges brilliant South African Tete (28-3, 21 KOs) on Frank Warren’s spectacular Midlands Mayhem bill at Arena Birmingham on Saturday November 30, live on BT Sport.

Eight-weight champion Pacquiao wanted to stage the brilliant bantamweight battle in the Philippines, but Tete’s promoter Warren won the purse bids.

There is plenty at stake and the winner is likely to book a 2020 unification against World Boxing Super Series victor Naoya Inoue, the IBF and WBA champion.

Pacquiao told his two-weight world champion: “Casimero, good luck champ and just do your very best.”

Interim WBO champion Casimero (28-4, 19 KOs) will be flanked by his adviser and Manny Pacquiao Promotions boss Sean Gibbons when he lands in Britain this weekend.

Gibbons said: “I told the Senator (Pacquiao)  that Casimero had a tremendous camp and we want nothing less than a victory.”

During Casimero’s 32 fight career he has boxed in ten countries – Argentina, China, England, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, South Africa, Thailand, United States and of course his homeland the Philippines.

Casimero travelled to London in September 2016 and stopped Charlie Edwards in the first defence of his IBF flyweight crown he’d taken from Amnat Ruenroeng four months earlier in an upset.

For this fight he has been training in Las Vegas where he has added Memo Heredia a former trainer of Pacquiao’s old rival Juan Manuel Marquez to his team.

Brendan Gibbons, son of Sean Gibbons has looked after the camp there and warned: “Casimero’s on beast mode.”

Casimero, 30, became IBF light-flyweight title holder in 2012 and made three defences before losing it on the scales.

He has lost just twice in eight and a half years since being knocked out by high class South African Moruti Mthalane shortly after his 22nd birthday in March 2011.

Zolani Tete defending his WBO world bantamweight title against Filipino John Riel Casimero features on a stacked night of title action at Arena Birmingham on November 30. British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Chris Jenkins makes a defence against mandatory challenger Liam Taylor. Lerrone Richards also takes on Lennox Clarke for the Commonwealth and vacant British super middleweight belt, while East Midlands favourite Sam Bowen makes a second defence of his British super featherweight title against mandatory challenger Anthony Cacace. Popular Sam Maxwell makes first defence of his WBO super-lightweight belt against Connor Parker. Hamzah Sheeraz faces local boxer Ryan Kelly in Sheeraz’s first title fight.

Thrilling prospects Dennis McCann, Shabaz Masoud, Eithan James and George Davey also featuring on the bill, along with talents from the local region in Nathan Heaney and River Wilson-Bent.
 

Tickets are available now from £40 via TheTicketFactory and Ticketmaster 

Ticket Prices:

£250 – Inner Ring Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier

SUNNY EDWARDS SUSPECTS that Zolani Tete will be up against it when he defends his WBO world bantamweight title against John Riel Casimero at Arena, Birmingham on November 30.

The Filipino Casimero is mandatory challenger for the world title held by the explosive South African Tete and Edwards has seen close up the threat posed by the 30-year-old from the stable of ring legend Manny Pacquiao.

Edwards was in the camp of his brother Charlie when he unsuccessfully challenged for the IBF world flyweight title held by Casimero at the o2 Arena back in September 2016 and saw at close quarters the potent punching power possessed by the 28-4 man with 19 KO victims.

Not deterred by personal experience, Edwards has booked his seat for the return of Casimero to the UK in a fight that has got quality written all over it.

“Yeah, 100 per cent I am going down to watch that! ” said Edwards. “I have been wanting this fight for years.

“I genuinely believe – although people might think I am saying it because he beat my brother – that Casimero is very, very dangerous. Disgustingly dangerous, how powerful and explosive he is.

“Obviously he has had a good run of form recently as well so it is a real pick ’em.

“Tete has stalled a bit through injury recently and that has been a bit frustrating, but on his game he is right up there with the best. So is Casimero though and he is not a two-weight world champion for nothing.”

WBO world bantamweight champion Zolani Tete defends his title against mandatory challenger John Riel Casimero features on a stacked night of title action at Arena, Birmingham on November 30. British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Chris Jenkins makes a defence against Liam Taylor, Lerrone Richards also takes on Lennox Clarke for the Commonwealth and vacant British super middleweight belt, while East Midlands favourite Sam Bowen makes a second defence of his British super featherweight title against mandatory challenger Anthony Cacace. Sam Maxwell defends his WBO European super lightweight title against the also unbeaten Connor Parker from Derbyshire.

Hamzah Sheeraz will fight for his first major title at super welterweight, with thrilling prospects Dennis McCann, Shabaz Masoud, Eithan James and George Davey also featuring on the bill, along with talents from the local region in Nathan Heaney and River Wilson-Bent.
Tickets are available now from £40 via TheTicketFactory and Ticketmaster

Ticket Prices:
£250 – Inner Ring Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier

ZOLANI TETE HAS thrown down the gauntlet to bantamweight rival Naoya Inoue, who is hot favourite to overcome Nonito Donaire in the final of the World Boxing Super Series this week.

Boxing fans across the world were hoping for a dream Tete-Inoue match-up in the final of the WBSS when the Queensberry Promotions-backed South African joined the strong field of 118-pounders in the eight-man tournament that also included then world champions Ryan Burnett and Emmanuel Rodriguez.

Tete, the WBO king, unfortunately had to withdraw from the competition ahead of the semi-final stage – where he was set to meet Donaire – after defeating Mikhail Aloyan in his quarter-final.

Veteran ring legend Donaire went on to beat the replacement Stephon Young – via a 6th round KO – in the semi-final and booked himself a meeting with the hot ticket of the division in Inoue, who made short work of his passage to the final by beating Juan Carlos Payano in 70 seconds and then Rodriguez courtesy of a 2nd round KO.

If Tete has his way, the fans won’t be denied the tantalising prospect of a showdown between himself and the 18-0 knockout-artist Inoue.

“Inoue knows he needs to see me if he wants to be bantamweight king,” he warned, ahead of his own return to the ring against mandatory challenger John Riel Casimero at Arena, Birmingham on November 30.

It is unfortunate I had to pull out of the tournament but I am now fit and healthy again.

“I have a tough fight against Casimero on November 30 but, God willing I come through, I definitely want to fight Inoue, added the man from Eastern Cape, who tips Inoue to prevail in his collision with the popular Filipino.

“I believe he will beat Donaire but he knows he must beat me before he can call himself the real king.”

WBO world bantamweight champion Zolani Tete defends his title against mandatory challenger John Riel Casimero features on a stacked night of title action at Arena, Birmingham on November 30. British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Chris Jenkins makes a defence against Liam Taylor, Lerrone Richards also takes on Lennox Clarke for the Commonwealth and vacant British super middleweight belt, while East Midlands favourite Sam Bowen makes a second defence of his British super featherweight title against mandatory challenger Anthony Cacace. Sam Maxwell defends his WBO European super lightweight title against the also unbeaten Connor Parker from Derbyshire.

Hamzah Sheeraz will fight for his first major title at super welterweight, with thrilling prospects Dennis McCann, Shabaz Masoud, Eithan James and George Davey also featuring on the bill, along with talents from the local region in Nathan Heaney and River Wilson-Bent.

Tickets are available now from £40 via TheTicketFactory and Ticketmaster

Ticket Prices:
£250 – Inner Ring Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier

118 lb. world champion Zolani Tete will defend his title against John Riel Casimero on November 30th in Birmingham, England, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I have fully recovered from the shoulder injury and I will be testing it on Casimero’s chin,” Tete said. “I am back.”

Don’t miss the WBSS Super-Lightweight and Bantamweight Semi-Finals – Regis Prograis vs Kiryl Relikh and Nonito Donaire vs Zolani Tete – at the Cajundome in Lafayette, USA on April 27.

Tickets priced from $25 go on sale at 10am CDT today (Friday, March 15).

Tickets will be available from TicketMaster.com here.

Ticket Price Bands:
Cat.1 Ringside – $400
Cat.2 Floor – $100
Cat.3 Lower Tier (centre) – $60
Cat.4 Lower Tier (corner) – $50
Cat.5 Upper Tier – $25

The magnificent doubleheader opens the semi-finals stage the World Boxing Super Series and the quest for the Muhammad Ali Trophy in the 140lb and 118lb edition of the tournament.

American and New Orleans native Regis Prograis (23-0, 19 KOs) faces Belarusian Kiryl Relikh (23-2, 19 KOs), who is training in Miami, in a super-lightweight semi-final and American-Philippine Nonito Donaire (39-5, 25 KOs) meets South African Zolani Tete (28-3, 21 KOs) in a bantamweight semi-final.

Join the Lafayette event on Facebook here!

A ticketing update on the Glasgow show will be made in the coming days.
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A doubleheader that will see junior welterweights Regis Prograis battle Kiryl Relikh and Zolani Tete taking on Nonito Donaire will take place on April 27, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

After Ivan Baranchyk pulled out of the tournament for non-payment, Prograis has decided to stay in the WBSS.

“He is staying in. We worked out an arrangement where we feel comfortable,” Churchill Management’s Sam Katkovski, Prograis’ manager, told ESPN.

“First off, I’m just excited to continue with the tournament,” Prograis said. “It’s the best fighting the best. That’s what boxing should be about. I know Relikh is a tough and strong fighter, and I never look over an opponent, but I have no doubt in my mind that I will win.”

“I’m looking very much to the semifinal and the quest for the [Muhammad] Ali Trophy,” Relikh said. “When I fight the fans will get the money’s worth. I predict just like all of my fights a win for me.” Four-division world titlist Donaire (39-5, 25 KOs), 36, a Philippines native fighting out of Las Vegas, dropped down from featherweight to join the bantamweight field after having not boxed in the division since 2011. He won another bantamweight world title in the quarterfinals when he defeated Ryan Burnett on Burnett’s turf in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 3 in a fight in which Burnett could not continue after the fourth round because of a freak injury — a torn oblique muscle on his right side.

“WBSS has set up such a great opportunity for me to achieve what I’ve always wanted and that’s to be undisputed champion,” Donaire said. “Since the last fight, I took just a couple weeks off and came right back to the gym. Tete is a formidable opponent and we have been preparing since the last fight. I’m even more excited with it being in the U.S. and won’t waste the opportunity to show the crowd what we’ve been working on.”

“Nonito Donaire is a true champion and has had a lot success against my fellow countryman like Moruti Mthalane and Jeffrey Mathebula in the past, but that stops here,” Tete said. “I respect Nonito, but I have a lot of faith in my own boxing ability, and I will come out victorious when we fight.”

Zolani Tete retained the WBO Bantamweight title and advanced into the 2nd round of The World Boxing Super series with a 12-round unanimous decision over Mikhail Aloyan.

In round one, Tete landed a left hook that stumbled Aloyan back and his glove touched the canvas for a knockdown.

In round ten, Tete was was docked a point for holding. Later in the round, Aloyan was cut over his right eye for which the ringside doctor took a brief look. In round eleven, Aloyan was deducted a point for holding.

Tete, 116.4 lbs of South Africa, won by scores of 114-110 and 114-111 twice, and is now 28-3. Aloyan, 117.2 lbs of Russia is 4-1.

Andrew Tabiti moved to the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Seres with a 12-round unanimous decision over Ruslan Fayfer in a fight that featured undefeated fighter.

Fayfer was deducted one point in the final round for holding.

Tabiti, 199.4 lbs of Las Vegas won by score of 116-111, 115-112 and 114-113, and is now 17-0. Fayfer, 197.4 lbs of Russia is 23-1.