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MMA & Other Fight Sports

Cage Warriors 107 full fight card and broadcast details

 

 

 

CAGE WARRIORS 107 FULL FIGHT CARD AND BROADCAST DETAILS

 

 

Cage Warriors return to the fighting city of Liverpool this Saturday night to showcase the hottest fighting talent from the North West and across Europe. 

 

Here’s the fights to look out for, and how to watch around the world.

 

UK Heavyweight prospect Tom Aspinall, training partner to UFC star Darren Till and heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, will headline the card in a European showdown with France’s Michael Ben Hamouda.

 

 

 

Elsewhere on the main card, Liverpool lightweight Tim Barnett is ready for a guaranteed war with Belgian powerhouse Donovan Desmae. Adam Ventre, also fighting out of Liverpool and a long-time teammate of UFC names Molly McCann and Chris Fishgold (who appear in CW107’s fan meet and greet alongside former champion Paddy Pimblett), will step up in the co-main event.

 

  

 

Fans are expecting big things from the return of Adam Proctor, one of the welterweight division’s top contenders, when he takes on top Finnish prospect Olli “Amazing” Santalahti.

 

Cage Warriors 107 will take place at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre this Saturday night, the 28th September. Tickets are still on sale HERE.

Check out how you can tune in from home below.
How to Watch

 MAIN CARD (from 9PM) will be broadcast live on UFC FightPass globally and on a host of territorial broadcast partners including:

Eleven Sports Network: Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Taiwan

Viaplay: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden

RMC Sport: France, select other Francophone territories

K+: Vietnam

C+: Myanmar

Cignal: Phillipines

D Sports: India

CYTA: Cyprus

Gol TV: Spain

SSports: Turkey

Max Sport: Bulgaria

Mola TV: Indonesia

SportKlub: Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Macedonia

Setanta Eurasia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

BFBS: British Forces Overseas

FightPass exclusive territories include UK, Eire, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the Americas.
PRO PRELIMS (from 7PM) will be broadcast live and free on the Cage Warriors Facebook page.

 

Main Card (9PM)

 

Tom Aspinall vs Mickael Ben Hamouda – Heavyweight

Adam Ventre vs Arman Popal – Lightweight

Tim Barnett vs Donovan Desmae – Lightweight

Adam Proctor vs Olli Santalahti – Welterweight

Pietro Menga vs Luke Shanks – Flyweight

 

Pro Prelims (7PM)

 

Nathan Fletcher vs TBA – Bantamweight

Liam Gittins vs Jake Bond – Flyweight

Anthony O’Connor vs Craig Edwards – Lightweight

Adam Wilson vs Mack Promanee – Bantamweight

 

CWA North West Amateur Card (4.30PM)

 

Conor Wilson vs Ciaran Mulholland – CWA Bantamweight Title Fight

Aaron Small vs Jacoub Kassouri – CWA North West Featherweight Title

Mustapha Mohammed vs Rhino Daley – CWA North West Light-Heavyweight Title

Rueben Beresford vs Mariusz Mikolajeswki – CWA North West Welterweight Title

Magdi Gereev vs Jamie Small – Featherweight Title Eliminator

Sam Gittins vs Tom Wright – Bantamweight

JJ Jones vs Jack Temple – Flyweight

 

 

 

 

Read More on Cage Warriors HERE

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MMA & Other Fight Sports

CW101 full fight card and broadcast details

 

Cage Warriors 101 fight week has begun. This Saturday February 16th, Europe’s leading MMA promotion kick off what promises to be a massive 2019 with their first show of the year at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre.

 

A brand new Cage Warriors venue will host ten professional fights this weekend for Liverpool fight fans, with a heavyweight clash between Tom Aspinall and Sofiane Boukichou topping the bill.

 

Aspinall is fast becoming one of the most talked-about heavyweight fighters on the North West scene, having finished every one of his professional wins within the distance. He’s a long-time training partner of UFC Welterweight contender Darren Till, and a former sparring partner of unbeaten British boxing superstar Tyson Fury.

 

 

He faces a stern test in the more experienced Frenchman Boukichou, who is currently riding a four-fight win streak and finished his last two Cage Warriors fights with both knockout and submission.

 

Also on the main card in a fight that’s sure to have the Liverpool crowd on it’s feet, two local fighters meet in a Merseyside Derby when Adam Ventre takes on Tim Barnett. Ventre has had great success in his recent bouts in the Cage Warriors Academy North West, picking up 3 back-to-back finish wins to take his record to 7-3. He’s yet another prospect fighting out of Next Generation MMA, home of former Cage Warriors champions (and now UFC stars) Molly McCann and Chris Fishgold, both of which will be meeting fans alongside UFC legend Dan Hardy and Octagon Girl Edith Labelle at the CW101 Meet and Greet from 8.20PM.

 

 

Tim Barnett, who trains out of Liverpool’s MMA Academy, has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting strikers and is looking to get back to winning ways after a loss to Alex Lohoré at CW100.

 

Other Liverpool names on the card include former middleweight title challenger Mick Stanton and bantamweight prospect Bryan Creighton, who makes his first Cage Warriors Liverpool appearance in six years.

 

And that’s not all. Before the CW101 pro card, a seven-fight Cage Warriors Academy North West card will showcase the top amateur talent from Liverpool and across Europe from 5PM.

 

Doors at the Exhibition Centre open at 4.30PM. The last remaining CW101 tickets are available HERE.

 

 

How to watch

Main Card (from 9PM) will be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass and a host of premium global partners including:

Eleven Sports Network: Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland,  Taiwan

ViaPlay: Scandinavia  (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden)

K+: Vietnam

C+: Myanmar

Cignal: Phillipines

D Sports: India

CYTA: Cyprus

Gol TV: Spain

Setanta Eurasia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Pro Prelims (from 7PM) will be LIVE and FREE on the Cage Warriors Facebook page.

Main Card (9PM)

Tom Aspinall vs Sofiane Boukichou – Heavyweight

Bryan Creighton vs Manuel Bilić – Bantamweight

Tim Barnett vs Adam Ventre – 160lbs catchweight

Matt Bonner vs Madars Fleminas – Welterweight

Mick Stanton vs Jenaid Ebanks – Middleweight

Pro Prelims (7PM)

James Sheehan vs Ian Garry – Welterweight

Andrew Lofthouse vs Gavin Kelly – Featherweight

Anthony O’Connor vs Steven Hooper – Lightweight

Mark Kinsella vs Tomasz Wojtyna – Welterweight

Adam Wilson vs Harry Ettridge – Bantamweight

CWA North West Amateur Card (5PM)

Adam Shelley vs Marcus Lewis – Lightweight

Joffe Houlton vs Carl Dilks – Light Heavyweight

Adam Caldwell vs Ben Petches-Kelly – Lightweight

Harrison Teare vs Tom Somerset – Welterweight

Oskar Stachura vs Jamie Hayes – Welterweight

Teddy Stringer vs Richie Lunt – Lightweight

Danny Dixon vs Mariusz Mikolajewski – Welterweight

 

 

 

 

 

Read more on Cage Warriors HERE

 

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Boxing News

WARDLEY: I’M READY TO BE LET OFF THE LEASH

“I’m definitely looking at titles in the next few months,” added Wardley. “I think I’ll be ready to start throwing my hat into the mix in around six months if I can keep going at the pace I’m moving at – fighting every six to eight weeks. The Southern Area and English belts are the realistic options for me. I don’t see any problems with going for them if I keep on pushing forward.

 

 

WARDLEY: I’M READY TO BE LET OFF THE LEASH
Dillian Whyte protégé hungry for titles in 2019

 

Fabio Wardley says he is raring to be let off the leash and begin his attack on the domestic Heavyweight scene after a frustrating couple of years in which he only fought five times.

 

The undefeated Ipswich talent looks to move to 6-0 when he takes on Frenchman Morgan Dessaux over six rounds on the undercard of Ted Cheeseman’s challenge for the European Super-Welterweight crown against Sergio Garcia at The O2 in London this Saturday.

 

Wardley, 24, is determined to climb the Heavyweight ladder after signing a management deal with World title contender Dillian Whyte, who also mentors Cruiserweight prospect Richard Riakporhe, and says ‘The Body Snatcher’ is the man to kick-start his career.

 

“When I signed with Dillian and the team I said that I wanted to be as active as possible and they’re sticking to their word and getting me out regularly,” said Wardley. “Right now, I’m at the building stage of my career my main focus is on learning and developing. I was straight back in the gym after Christmas preparing for my next date. Being involved in a huge event like Whyte vs. Chisora 2 at The O2 gave me a massive buzz, there was no stopping me getting back in the gym.

 

“Dillian said that I did what I needed to do to get my opponent out of there. He was a good, durable opponent and gave me some rounds which is definitely what I needed after three first round stoppages. I wasn’t tested or pushed at all, but the tougher fights will come as I progress. Dillian was happy with my performance and eager to get me out there again. I’m ready to do it all over again on Saturday. 

 

“I truly believe that I’m in safe hands with Dillian guiding my career. He’s someone that I have immense respect for and I trust his opinion completely. He’s been there and done it, been through the thick of it, and for him to be managing my career is a big advantage for me. The advice that he passes on is invaluable and the sparring isn’t bad either!”

 

Britain’s Heavyweight scene is thriving, with unified Champion Anthony Joshua OBE leading the way, and Wardley – who’s sparred with the likes of Tyson Fury and undisputed Cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk – believes 2019 is the year to announce himself on the big stage.

 


“I’m definitely looking at titles in the next few months,” added Wardley. “I think I’ll be ready to start throwing my hat into the mix in around six months if I can keep going at the pace I’m moving at – fighting every six to eight weeks. The Southern Area and English belts are the realistic options for me. I don’t see any problems with going for them if I keep on pushing forward. I’d go for them now, but that’s just me. I’m ready to be let off the leash but I trust my team to make the right decisions.

 

 

 

“I pay attention to what’s going on in the Heavyweight landscape but at the same time I’m focused on my own career. It’s an exciting time to be coming through in the Heavyweight division, there’s lots of options out there for me. I feel like I bring something different that other Heavyweights don’t have. I’ve got another golden opportunity to impress again on Saturday and it’s on me to deliver.”

 

Wardley vs. Dessaux is part of a huge night of action in London.

Bermondsey star Ted Cheeseman steps up again when he challenges undefeated Spaniard Sergio Garcia for the European Super-Welterweight crown.

Light-Heavyweight rivals Jake Ball and Craig Richards finally face-off in a highly-anticipated grudge match for the WBA Continental title.

Unbeaten British Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie returns to action as he defends his WBA Continental title against New York’s Shawn Miller.

Rising Wokingham Middleweight talent Felix Cash fights for his second professional title when he takes on Nigeria’s Abolaji Rasheed for the vacant Commonwealth strap.

Preston’s Scott Fitzgerald keeps busy in a six round contest ahead of his mouth-watering domestic clash with former GB teammate Anthony Fowler in March.

Scotland’s fast-rising Super-Middleweight talent John Docherty aims to make it three KO’s from three fights, decorated amateur Charles Frankham makes his debut at Super-Featherweight and Hammersmith Light-Heavyweight Dana Zaxo takes part in his fourth professional contest.

 

 

Read more on Ball vs Richards HERE

Read more on Matchroom Events HERE

 

 

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Boxing News

Brook vs Zerafa: Fighter conference quotes

“I’m feeling very fresh. I feel reborn. A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am so happy. We got all the hard work done in our training camp. It couldn’t have gone any better. I’m raring to go now for Saturday. I’m looking to put a serious performance on.”Amir Khan is a con man, they should call him Amir ‘con’. This is his last big fight under Matchroom and I thought it was nailed on. He shook my hand and looked me dead in the eye and said we would fight next.

 

BROOK VS. ZERAFA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

 

Eddie Hearn:

“We’re looking forward to a big show Saturday. We’ve been to this great city many times. It feels like we’ve been coming here years with Kell, starting out at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre of course, travelling to the US when he beat Shawn Porter for the World title, defending his World title here in Sheffield, coming here to Bramall Lane fighting what is now probably regarded as the number one 147lbs fighter in the World in Erroll Spence in front of 25,000 people – it was a great night of boxing.

“Seeing him today, I think he looks fitter, healthier, chirpier and more excited than I’ve ever seen him in his career so far. A fit, hungry and healthy Kell Brook is a very dangerous fighter. I believe that we’re going to get a fantastic performance from him on Saturday night.

“There’s talk about the future, there’s talk about Amir Khan, one thing I know is that Kell Brook has many miles left on the clock. When there’s hunger in his heart, I believe he’s one of the best 147lbs fighters in the World.”

 

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing:

“We spent a lot of time here in Sheffield back in the late 90’s with the likes of Prince Naseem Hamed of course, Ryan Rhodes and our own Johnny Nelson. Kell Brook was just a young kid then coming through. It’s fantastic to see how he’s developed over the years. This is a wonderful fighting city, I’m really looking forward to being back here on Saturday night, it’s a great December with New York next week for Canelo vs. Rocky and then Whyte vs. Chisora at The O2 – a pre Christmas cracker.

“It’s a great bill and it’s fantastic to see Kell back, I agree with Eddie, he looks in terrific shape and obviously he’s got the fire reignited alongside John Fewkes. Have a great one Saturday night, we’ll see you there.”

 

 

Kell Brook – Sheffield, England – 37-2, 26 KO’s – fighting Michael Zerafa in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight World title:

“I’m feeling very fresh. I feel reborn. A happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I am so happy. We got all the hard work done in our training camp. It couldn’t have gone any better. I’m raring to go now for Saturday. I’m looking to put a serious performance on.”Amir Khan is a con man, they should call him Amir ‘con’. This is his last big fight under Matchroom and I thought it was nailed on. He shook my hand and looked me dead in the eye and said we would fight next.

 

“What can I do, I’ve bent over backwards and said I’d come down to 147. I’m doing everything I can for the fans, he’s turned his back on them. Everyone knows it’s him that’s running off. I want any elite fighter and could weigh in at 147 tomorrow if I wanted, I’ve got that buzz again.

 

“I want the top guys, Shawn Porter with the WBC title if he wants a rematch or I’d love to bring Errol Spence Jr back in the summer and get the win.”

 

 

Michael Zerafa – Melbourne, Australia – 25-2, 14 KO’s – fighting Kell Brook in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight World title:

“It’s a huge opportunity for me and the team. Kell Brook has done a lot of great things for the sport. We know it’s going to be a great fight but we’ve come prepared. His name is a World title to me. No stone has been left unturned, he’s just a man. He’s got two arms and a head and he bleeds red. The best Michael Zerafa is going to be there and it’s going to be fireworks.

 

“We’ve been studying him throughout our camp. He’s a great fighter but we saw a lot of flaws – too many holes in a ship and it sinks. We’ve got a game plan in place and come Saturday we’ll lay it all out.”

 

John Fewkes, trainer of Kell Brook:

“Kell is in fantastic shape. It’s great to be a part of this if I’m honest with you. Kell is happy and he’s been dragging me out of bed at half past six in the morning. This camp couldn’t have gone any better. I’m looking for a very special performance on Saturday. He has another two, three or four years in him at the top of the game – easily.”

 

Blake Caparello, trainer of Michael Zerafa:

“The good thing about Michael is that he comes into camp fit and only a couple of kilos over weight, so we can focus straight on the boxing. He’s coming over here in great spirits. The English public have been awesome towards us. I know they think he’s coming as an opponent but Michael isn’t an opponent, he’s coming here to win. Kell Brook’s name is a World title to Michael so we’re coming to his back yard to beat him.”

 

 

Josh Kelly – Sunderland, England – 8-0, 6 KO’s – defending his WBA International Welterweight belt against David Avanesyan:

“I need someone to come and really try to take my head off. A lot of people want to take my head off because I look like an arrogant guy. I’ve got a switch when I go into the ring, I’m a different man in there. I’ve got a lot of respect for David Avanesyan. It’s four weeks since my last fight, it has been a quick turn around. I’m feeling fresh and relaxed, I feel nice.

“Stylistically I’m ready for this sort of fight. It’s sort of the typical boxer versus fighter match-up. It’s going to be a great fight and a night that I’ll enjoy.”

 

 

David Avanesyan – Tabynskoe, Russia – 22-3-1, 11 KO’s – challenging Josh Kelly for the WBA International Welterweight title:

“This is a big fight for me. I like this fight, I want this fight, I’m hungry. I’m ready for this fight. I will do my best, everything is good.

“Josh was a very good amateur boxer and I’m expecting a tough 12 rounds against him.”

 

 

Jono Carroll – Dublin, Ireland – 16-0, 3 KO’s – fighting Guillaume Frenois in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Featherweight World title :

“I need to be in with people that will test me. This Frenchman is very experienced. I hope he is up for a war because us Irish love to go to war. I’m ready for anything. I’m looking to impress, I don’t want to just win this fight – I want to impress and I’m going to show the little peanut head Tevin Farmer that I’ll eat him alive when his time comes.

“I truly believe that the only person that could test me to my limits would be someone like Gervonta Davis. That would be a dog fight, me and him going head-to-head. That would be a war, you’d see the true Jono Carroll go to war.

“Nothing is going to stop me, I don’t really look too much into who I’m fighting. I just try to be the best boxer that I can possibly be and the rest takes care of itself. I’m getting better and better each time I fight because my level of opposition is getting better and better.”

 

 

Guillaume Frenois – Aisne, France – 46-1, 12 KO’s – fighting Jono Carroll in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Featherweight World title:

“I’m very pleased to be here in Sheffield, it’s a great place for boxing. When the IBF ordered this Final Eliminator I was determined to come and get my chance to fight for the World title. After a two month camp I’m ready to win. If you target a World title  you must be a warrior, he will meet a French warrior on Saturday.”

 

 

Anthony Fowler – Liverpool, England – 8-0, 7 KO’s – fighting Jose Carlos Paz in a 10 round Super-Welterweight contest:

“Dave Coldwell knows that I need tests, there’s no point in me getting in the ring and just dominating people like I have been. I’ve had 8 fights and I’ve been cocky. I haven’t broken a sweat so far, it has been easy and straight forward fights. This lad has been at the top level, he’s ranked 40 on BoxRec – much higher than me, so he’s mixed at a much higher class and this is the fight where I show what I’m about. It’s going to be a great fight.”

 

 

 

Kid Galahad – Sheffield, England – 25-0, 15 KO’s – fighting Bryan Mairena in a 8 round Super-Featherweight contest:

“It was a good win out in Boston, he was a tough kid. I did everything that I had to do in that fight to win. Hopefully on Saturday I’ll get this kid out of the way and then I’ll be ringside watching Frampton and Warrington on the 22nd.

“I’d like to thank Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and Sky Sports. Three fights this year and hopefully next year you can get me four fights. I’ll be fighting for the World title, win that and then another three fights after that.”

 

 

Qias Ashfaq – Leeds, England – 3-0, 1 KO – fighting Jay Carney in a 6 round Super-Bantamweight contest:

“I can’t wait to get out there now, it’s been a long training camp. I’m starting to finally feel myself in the pro game. Before I turned pro I had a good year and a half off with injuries and sorting a promotional deal out but now I’m in the best place in the World at Matchroom Boxing. I feel amazing, it’s a little step up against Jay Carney this weekend and I’m looking forward to showing what I’m made of.

“I’m ready to step up, I’ve taken my time so far. I’m ready to step up slowly and next year hopefully get a few titles around my waist as well.”

 

 

 

Read more on Brook vs Zerafa HERE

Read more on Kelly vs Avanesyan HERE

Read more on Carroll vs Frenois HERE

Read more on Kid Galahad HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

Images by Mark Robinson of Matchroom Boxing

 

Categories
Boxing News

MICHAEL ZERAFA: BROOK IS UNDERESTIMATING ME

“This is the biggest opportunity of my career, I’m taking it with both hands and I’m definitely going to put on a show in Sheffield. I’m going into this fight with absolutely nothing to lose.”

 

 

ZERAFA: BROOK IS UNDERESTIMATING ME
Aussie vows to shock The Special One

 

Michael Zerafa has accused Kell Brook of overlooking him and says he’ll thrive off the underdog status when they clash at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield this Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

Zerafa, 26, is a former Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion and has secured 14 of his 25 wins via knockout. He has lost just two of his 27 professional fights, including a stoppage loss to former WBO Middleweight ruler Peter Quillin in 2015.

 

The Melbourne fighter admits that former IBF World Champion Brook is another step up in class but says he is ready for whatever the Sheffield star throws at him.

 

“I’m really up for this fight, I’m in the best condition of my life,” said Zerafa. “Halfway through the first round Brook and his team will realise they’ve underestimated me.

 

“I’ve got two losses on my record but that was years ago. I was a kid back then and very inexperienced. Now I’m a more complete fighter, more power, more speed & more boxing IQ.

 

“I respect Kell Brook, he’s a great fighter and he’s been at a higher level than me for longer, but that’s exactly why he’s looking past me. I’m going to make a lot of people eat their words.

 

“This is the biggest opportunity of my career, I’m taking it with both hands and I’m definitely going to put on a show in Sheffield. I’m going into this fight with absolutely nothing to lose.”

 

Brook’s clash with Zerafa tops a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

 

Unbeaten Irish star Jono Carroll faces French former European Champion Guillaume Frenois in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer.

 

Rising Welterweight star Josh Kelly steps up in class as he takes on former WBA World Champion David Avanesyan in his ninth professional contest.

 

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

 

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa pricedare available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

 

Read more on Kell Brook HERE

Read more on Kelly vs Yeleussinov HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing Event HERE

 

 

Image by Sky Sports

 

Categories
Boxing News

JONO CARROLL: I’LL BEAT FRENOIS THEN SMASH FARMER

“In some ways this is my World title fight because it’s all or nothing. He’s a very dangerous opponent, I’m not overlooking him. But at the same time I believe that I’m operating at World level. I’ve looked at one or two of his fights and I believe he is European level. I’ll adapt to him and I’ll beat him, and hopefully stop him.”

 

 

CARROLL: I’LL BEAT FRENOIS THEN SMASH FARMER
King Kong fires at Farmer ahead of IBF World title eliminator

 

Jono Carroll has branded IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer a ‘joke of a man’ ahead of his final eliminator clash with Guillaume Frenois at the FlyDSA Arena on December 8.

 

The unbeaten Dublin star can win the right to challenge Farmer by overcoming France’s former European Champion Frenois next Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

Farmer took aim at ‘King Kong’ on Twitter this week, promising to KO the former Prizefighter winner should they ever meet in the ring. A major money fight with Farmer is within touching distance and Carroll believes the American is only keeping the IBF crown warm for him.

 

“Tevin is an idiot, he’s a joke of a man,” blasted Carroll. “He gives backhanded compliments to his previous opponents that he’s beaten. He does a lot of immature things. He hasn’t got respect for anybody. He’s a fake person.

“All that flashiness is ridiculous. He does my head in as a person. He’s not a true Champion, he doesn’t hold himself like a Champion and he doesn’t behave like a Champion. 

“I can’t wait to put him on a platform and smash him up. I’ll show everyone that he’s nothing but a heartless little b*tch. I’m going to tear him apart. I’m as real as they come but I’m a fighter, I’m a warrior.

“I’ve seen him quit before in the past. I’ve watched his fights where he was beaten. Even the commentators said that he looked to the referee for help. If you’re once soft, you’re always soft.

“For me, he hasn’t got a heart. He’s just had opponents smartly picked for him at this stage of his career and the ones that weren’t smartly picked for him smashed him up and beat him.

“I guarantee you I’m going to take that belt off him. I visualise the fight happening and I visualise winning the belt. There’s many ways it can happen. He’s literally just keeping that belt warm for me.”

 

Despite the heated back and forth with ‘American Idol’ on social media, Carroll remains fully focused at the task at hand and insists he is not overlooking 47 fight veteran Frenois.

 

“I don’t know too much about him,” admitted Carroll. “He’s experienced, that’s as much as I know. He’s experienced and in boxing you cannot buy experience. I have to be switched on and I have to be on my game. 

 

 


“In some ways this is my World title fight because it’s all or nothing. He’s a very dangerous opponent, I’m not overlooking him. But at the same time I believe that I’m operating at World level. I’ve looked at one or two of his fights and I believe he is European level. I’ll adapt to him and I’ll beat him, and hopefully stop him.”

 

 

 

 

Carroll’s clash with Frenois is part of a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

 

Main event sees ‘The Special One’ Kell Brook take on Australia’s former Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Michael Zerafa.

 

Rising Welterweight star Josh Kelly steps up in class as he takes on former WBA World Champion David Avanesyan in his ninth professional contest.

 

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

 

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

 

 

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

 

Read more on Brook vs Zerafa HERE

Read more on Kelly vs Avanesyan HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE