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EGGINGTON: A WIN AGAINST SMITH PUTS ME RIGHT BACK UP THERE

“Our spars have always been competitive. You could have sold tickets for some of them! That’s why I’m so confident our fight can’t disappoint on March 30. We’re going to be in 10oz gloves with no head guards, it’s going to be brutal and I can’t wait. It’s guaranteed to be an exciting fight for the fans –  I promise you that.”

 

 

EGGINGTON: A WIN AGAINST SMITH PUTS ME RIGHT BACK UP THERE
‘The Savage’ expects bloody Merseyside battle on March 30

 

Sam Eggington says a win against former World Champion Liam Smith at The M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on March 30 would fire him straight back into the title mix at 154lbs.

 

Former European Welterweight champ Eggington admits that his clash with Smith, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US, is make or break after suffering a shock stoppage defeat to Tanzania’s Hassan Mwakinyo at Arena Birmingham in September, but insists he feels no pressure heading into the Merseyside showdown.

 

‘The Savage’ was preparing to face former World ruler Brandon Rios at Wembley Stadium when he was wiped out by the dangerous African in two rounds, but the Stourbridge man says there is no chance he will be making the same mistake again by overlooking his former sparring partner Smith, who he expects a ‘bloody battle’ with. 

 

“I don’t feel any pressure going into this one,” said Eggington. “The bookies have me down as a huge underdog and that suits me just fine. I’m going to put the work in behind the scenes and come up on the blind side and get a big win that no-one is going to expect. I didn’t think I’d get a huge fight like this so soon after my loss, so to get Liam, a former World Champion, is a huge motivation for me. 

 

“I do a lot of sparring with Liam and he’s a good bloke, they all are at Gallagher’s gym. I think he’d say the same about me, but there’s no room for niceties, come March 30 we’ll be knocking lumps out of each other and I’ll be fully prepared for a bloody battle with him. I’m in no position to be turning down fights like this after what happened. He’s the favourite but we’re quietly confident of getting the win.

 


“Our spars have always been competitive. You could have sold tickets for some of them! That’s why I’m so confident our fight can’t disappoint on March 30. We’re going to be in 10oz gloves with no head guards, it’s going to be brutal and I can’t wait. It’s guaranteed to be an exciting fight for the fans –  I promise you that.”

 

The 25-year-old, who holds notable victories over Frankie Gavin and Paul Malignaggi, returned to winning ways with a four round decision over Sam Omidi last month. Another win on March 30 could see him return to fringe-World level and the all-action Brummie is unfazed at the prospect of fighting any contender put in front of him.

 

“A defeat isn’t the end, I’ve proved that myself. I’ve got a big opportunity to get things back on track later this month. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, so to beat Liam Smith would push me right back up there. That’s the drive for me in this fight. A win would open up doors to bigger fights and get people talking about me as a serious force again.

 

“By the end of this year I’d like to have beaten Liam and had another big fight against a top operator. There’s plenty of options out there so we’ll see where it goes. I can’t look too far ahead though – look at what happened against Mwakinyo, I was looking too eagerly ahead and I got blown right out, so I’m not going to do anything like that again.”

 

Smith vs. Eggington tops a huge night of action in Liverpool. 

Domestic Super-Lightweight rivals Joe Hughes and Robbie Davies Jr meet with the European and British titles on the line.

Former Great Britain teammates Anthony Fowler and Scott Fitzgerald look to settle their longstanding feud in a dynamite Super-Welterweight clash.

Popular Heavyweight David Price takes on the unbeaten Kash Ali in his first fight in Liverpool for nearly there years as he looks to make a fresh charge on the Heavyweight division following his win over Tom Little at The O2.

Liverpool’s Tom Farrell challenges Leytonstone’s Philip Bowes for the Commonwealth Super-Lightweight crown.

There’s also action for rising Liverpool Cruiserweight talent Craig Glover, ‘Miss GB’ Natasha Jonas and undefeated Super-Lightweight Ged ‘G-Man’ Carroll.

 

Read more on Hughes vs Davies Jr HERE

Read more on Farrell vs Bowes HERE

Read more on Price vs Ali HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

Purchase tickets HERE

 

 

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BIVOL: I KNOW SMITH WILL COME AND FIGHT 

“To be honest, I don’t think about the belt. I just think about who my opponent is, and what he can show me in the ring. All I think about is how I should beat him. In my sight, I feel like I should just beat him. Of course, the belt is good for history, but I only think about my opponent.”

 

 

BIVOL: I KNOW SMITH WILL COME AND FIGHT 
WBA ruler welcomes challengers ‘come-forward’ style

 

Dmitry Bivol knows that Joe Smith Jr. is coming to rip his title away from him – and the WBA World Light-Heavyweight king says that will make for a great fight when he defends his belt at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY on Saturday March 9, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Bivol (15-0 11 KOs) puts his strap on the line for the fifth time and it’s been smooth sailing since he destroyed Trent Broadhurst inside a round in his first defense in November 2017.

 

The Russian has put Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba and Jean Pascal to the sword since that win in Monaco, and now the hard-hitting Russian goes head to head with Smith Jr (24-2 20KOs).

 

The Long Island man fights for his first World title against Bivol, and the 29 year old has vowed to pour everything out of himself to land the crown – and the defending champ believes that their styles will gel for a great clash.

 

“He’s a strong guy,” said Bivol. “I saw his fight against Bernard Hopkins, and he’s really strong. He has the same age like me, he’s young. But he has some minus points like many fighters that I will use to my advantage for my win. He moves forward a lot. This is a good challenge for me, to stop him.

“I saw in his eyes when I met him, he wanted my belt. And I’m glad, because only that way it can make a good fight.
 
“We are both of different styles. When two guys meet in the ring with different styles in boxing, it usually makes a good fight. I think it will be a good fight for boxing fans.
 
“To be honest, I don’t think about the belt. I just think about who my opponent is, and what he can show me in the ring. All I think about is how I should beat him. In my sight, I feel like I should just beat him. Of course, the belt is good for history, but I only think about my opponent.”

 

 

Bivol’s clash with Smith Jr. is part of a huge night of action at Turning Stone Resort Casino with a second mouthwatering World title fight on the bill in the shape of Maurice Hooker (25-0-3 17 KOs) defending his WBO World Super-Lightweight title against Brooklyn’s Mikkel LesPierre (21-0-1 10KOs).

 

Callum Johnson (17-1-0 12KOs) and Sean Monaghan (29-2-0 17KOs) will both have a keen eye on Bivol’s clash as they battle in a crunch fight in the 175lbs division, World-ranked heavyweight contender Sergey Kuzmin, (14-0 11 KOs), of St. Petersburg, Russia will battle Philadelphia based veteran Joey Dawejko, (19-6-4 11 KOs) and Otha Jones III makes his pro debut on the card.

 

 

Watch Bivol’s trainin camp HERE

Read more on Hooker vs LesPierre HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

Purchase Tickets HERE

 

 

 

 

Image by Matchroom  Boxing

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COURTENAY: NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO TURN PRO 

“Now is the perfect time to turn pro, 100 per cent,” said Courtenay. “Katie Taylor is leading the way over here at the moment and you’ve got Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer fighting soon. Women’s boxing has completely changed over the past few years and it’s getting bigger and bigger, that’s why I’m turning professional now. It’s only right that I strike while the iron is hot. 

 

 

COURTENAY: NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO TURN PRO
Watford Bantamweight aims to become new star of women’s boxing
Shannon Courtenay is ready to announce herself in the professional ranks after calling time on a stellar amateur career that saw her win gold at the 2015 Haringey Box Cup and pick up the Southern Area Featherweight title in 2016.

 

The Watford Bantamweight makes her long-awaited pro debut at London’s Copper Box Arena on March 23, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US, and believes now is the perfect time to begin life in the paid code as she sets out on her journey to become a World Champion.

 

“Now is the perfect time to turn pro, 100 per cent,” said Courtenay. “Katie Taylor is leading the way over here at the moment and you’ve got Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer fighting soon. Women’s boxing has completely changed over the past few years and it’s getting bigger and bigger, that’s why I’m turning professional now. It’s only right that I strike while the iron is hot. 

 


“I have a pro style and I’m confident that I’ll adjust to the pro game quickly. I’m ready to put my own name out there, not just in women’s professional boxing but all of professional boxing. I want to make a big name for myself and it all starts at the Copper Box Arena on March 23. 

 

“I’m training with Adam Booth and Charlie Beatt now and they’re both incredible coaches. Adam’s got a fantastic track record of numerous World Champions like David Haye and George Groves. He’s trained the best and hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.

 

 

With men’s WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua OBE coming from just around the corner in Watford, Courtenay has seen the levels of support he has received from his hometown fans and hopes they will get behind her in the same way.

 

“I’ve known Joshua for quite a few years now and it definitely makes you feel like anything’s possible. The great thing about it is you see how much Watford has got behind him. I really hope they can do the same with me. If I can get even half the support he’s got it will only propel me to bigger things.”

 

Courtenay makes her pro debut on a huge night of boxing at the Copper Box Arena. 

Main event sees Charlie Edwards make the first defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Spain’s Angel Moreno.

Rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi takes on Liam Conroy for the vacant British title in his tenth fight.

London Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho collide with the British and Cruiserweight titles on the line.

Lewis Ritson makes his eagerly-anticipated return to the ring after suffering a first career loss to Francesco Patera last October and Newport Bantamweight talent Sean McGoldrick fights for the first time under new trainer Jamie Moore.

 

 

Read more on Edwards vs Moreno HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

 

 

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PETERBOROUGH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Jordan Gill and Emmanuel Dominguez Final Press Conference ahead of their fight for vacant World Boxing Association International Featherweight Title on saturday night. 27th February 2019 Picture By Mark Robinson.

PETERBOROUGH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

 

 

 

Frank Smith, CEO of Matchroom Boxing:

“Hello everyone and thank you for joining us here in Peterborough today ahead of a stacked JD NXTGEN show on Saturday night at the East of England Arena. It’s the start of a busy month for Matchroom Boxing. From here we go to Milan, New York, Philadelphia, London and then back to Liverpool. It’s a busy month live on Sky Sports and DAZN.

 

“These are the kind of cards that are really going to build up the sport of boxing and the new names of boxing in the UK. We’re very excited to try a new market here in Peterborough. There’s over 2,500 tickets sold and this man to my right (Jordan Gill) has sold 1,200 of those. I think he deserves a round of applause for that.

“It’s exciting to give the likes of Jordan Gill the opportunity to headline his own show. These are the guys that are hopefully going to come through and make names for themselves in the UK and beyond. This is why the JD NXTGEN series is all about. It’s a huge card stacked from top to bottom.”

 

Jordan Gill – Chatteris, England – 22-0, 6 KO’s – fighting Emmanuel Dominguez for the Vacant WBA International Featherweight title:

“This is a really big step on the ladder for me. To be headlining in Peterborough so close to my home town is a dream come true and to have such a good card behind me is a dream come true as well. Thanks to Matchroom, thanks to Eddie, thanks to Frank. Also thanks to my manager Dave Coldwell who has worked very hard to get me here. It’s been a long road and I’m just really excited. I’ve had so much support locally – everyone is coming out to watch it. It’s a good arena, its like a big tin shed with a low ceiling so there’s going to be plenty of noise in there. I’m looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere.

 

“I think the crowd is going to lift me. I’m going to go out there and enjoy it. When I beat Ryan Doyle in the fashion that I did it made a lot of people in the business stand up and take notice. A lot of people were expecting me to get beat and I knew in my heart that I’d do what I did. For me, this is another step on the ladder and another step forward. To get a WBA top 15 ranking will be great. We can push on and see what happens after that but my sights are firmly set on Emmanuel Dominguez on Saturday night. I think it is going to be a hard fight. I’m expecting 12 rounds of action. They breed them tough in Mexico.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Dominguez – Aguascalientes, Mexico – 24-7-2, 16 KO’s – fighting Jordan Gill for the Vacant WBA International Featherweight title:

“It’s really nice to be here. Thanks for the welcome. This is the first time that I’ve set foot on British soil and it’s been great. I’d like to thank the promoter of this event Matchroom Boxing for this fantastic opportunity. I think that the experience that I’ve gained fighting in Mexico will help me. Every fight I’ve had in Mexico has been against a really tough opponent. I think it’s very important that I’ve got that backstory. Those tough opponents have helped me develop this massive hunger that I’ve got. I’ve come here to win and I’m carrying that belt back to Mexico.

“Jordan’s support will serve as an extra inspiration and help to drive me on. We’re over here to try and create a surprise. I’m sure I can win on Saturday night. I have a huge inspiration in the form of my family and the people close to me. It’s a real dream. It’s also a dream of mine to become a World Champion. Jordan represents a real step up in class for me. I hope I can win that belt on Saturday evening.”

 

 

Richard Riakporhe – Walworth, London – 8-0, 7 KO’s – making the first defence of his WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title against Tommy McCarthy:

“First of all I want to thank my manager Dillian Whyte for getting me this opportunity. It’s like a dream come true. Boxing on small hall shows at York Hall to fighting on the big stage. I’ve fought on a few of Dillian’s undercards and the Usyk vs. Bellew undercard where I won my first title against Sam Hyde in Manchester. I’ve become like a reference to people all over the World. If you dedicate yourself and strive for greatness then your dreams will come true. It takes a lot of sacrifice and discipline. I’m happy to be here, I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I need to take these challenges and deal with them in order to get to where I want to be. If you want to stay at this level then you need to keep on grinding. Tommy said that I’m like a big novice and he’s absolutely right. I’m a big novice with big power, big heart, big will, big desire and ambition. I’m going to leave the ring with my hand raised, by any means necessary.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tommy McCarthy – Belfast, Ireland – 13-1, 6 KO’s – challenging Richard Riakporhe for the WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title:

“Thanks for having me and thanks for the opportunity. I feel good, I’m happy to be here and I’m very confident. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to be on this stage for the past two years. My career got off to a very good start and then it was very stop-start. I feel like I’m back where I belong, fighting in Championship fights on TV. This is a big opportunity and I’m not going to let it slip. I’m ready, I’ve been looking World class in the gym. I’m excited.

“Lawrence Okolie has cleaned up domestically. A few years ago he wasn’t even a pro and I was leading the pack at Cruiserweight. A win against Richard puts me back into contention for a big fight with Lawrence and beyond. But I’m not looking past Richard because he is undefeated and he’s hungry. I just feel that it’s all down to me on the night. If I perform to my best then I’ll get the win.”

 

 

Leigh Wood – Nottingham, England – 20-1, 10 KO’s – fighting Abraham Osei Bonsu for the Vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title:

“I’m very excited. I’m sure it will be an exciting fight on Saturday night. I want to thank Dave Coldwell for delivering this fight for me. Jordan played his part in making this possible and Matchroom Boxing as well. It’s been hard with fights falling through – I was getting a bit down about it all. I’m here now and I’m being trained by Ian Grant. He’s had me all over the place, down in Wales, Nottingham and Sheffield training, he’s even had me down at the National Space Centre training at zero gravity. I’m buzzing, I’m happy and excited. I just want to get in there now and show everyone what I’m about.

“I’m expecting a hard fight and I’ve trained for a hard fight. I’m not looking past it, but after this fight I want to be really busy, fighting two or three more times this year if possible. My eyes are on Saturday night. I’m going to enjoy myself, all the hard work is done.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abraham Osei Bonsu – Accra, Ghana – 13-3-1, 11 KO’s – fighting Leigh Wood for the Vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title:

“I just want everyone to understand that I’m here and I’m on a mission and I came for a title. It doesn’t matter how many people are here to support Leigh Wood – I will take that title away.”

 

 

Anthony Sims Jr – Indiana, USA – 17-0, 16 KO’s – fighting Mateo Damian Veron in a ten round Super-Middleweight contest:

“I want to thank Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing for having me. It’s great to be back – it’s like my second home. I love being here. I’m basically a Brit now. When I’m looking at a fighter I’m not specific about names or builds or ethnicity. They have two legs and two arms just like me. I just plan to move up and take my time. Rome wasn’t built within one night. Everything worth having in life takes time so I’m going to do the same with my career.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mateo Damian Veron – Buenos Aires, Argentina – 28-21-3, 8 KO’s – fighting Anthony Sims Jr in a ten round Super-Middleweight contest:

“Thank you for having me. I’m really excited about this challenge. I’m not scared at all in any way whatsoever. I’ve trained really well and I’m looking forward to the bout. Let the best man win. Anthony Sims is a very good boxer. I feel that we share the same ambitions and beliefs in this industry. We all want to go as far as we possibly can. I think it is going to be a very emotional occasion on Saturday night.”

 

 

Joe Steed – Wisbech, England – 4-0 – fighting Miguel Aguilar in a four round Super-Welterweight contest: 

“I can’t wait to show my skills. Training camp has gone well, it’s been based locally. I’ve got some good support coming down and I can’t wait to get the job done and then move on from there.”

 

John Docherty – Montrose, Scotland – 3-0, 3 KO’s – fighting Yailton Neves in a four round Super-Middleweight contest: 

“I’m feeling good. I’ve had a very good camp, sparring the likes of John Ryder. I’ve got a good journeyman in front of me on Saturday, he’s very slick and he’s not been stopped many times. The Doc is going on the hunt for another knockout and hopefully I can get four knockouts in a row. I’m looking forward to Saturday night and a big performance.

“Ricky Burns is in the gym with me every day and he’s always pushing us on in every session. He wants to do extra work all of the time and that’s the reason he was a World Champion. He’s coming up to watch me on Saturday so hopefully I can put a show on for him.

 

Qais Ashfaq – Leeds, England – 4-0, 2 KO’s – fighting Fadhili Majiha in a six round Super-Bantamweight contest:

“I’m really enjoying the pro ranks. I’m having a good time in training and enjoying my boxing. As they say, a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I’ve been getting better in every fight. I’ve had a good camp. This kid is a good opponent. He’s got more stoppages than I’ve had fights so that shows how talented and experienced he is. He’s just another hurdle in the way and I’ve got to get over it on Saturday night.

“As you can see they’re already pushing me very fast – my opponent on Saturday is very experienced. I’m ready for titles whenever my trainer, management and promoter feels I’m ready. Let’s push on. It’s my second year as a pro and I want to get better and better with every single fight.

 

Kieron Conway – Northampton, England – 9-0, 3 KO’s – fighting Gabor Gorbics in a six round Middleweight contest:

“I feel good. I had a nice long training camp for this one. My last performance weren’t too good, it started putting doubts in people’s heads. I’m here to make and statement and to get the job done. I’m aiming for titles by the end of this year, at Super-Welter or Middle. Either way, I’m looking for titles this year.”

 

 

Read more on Gill vs Dominguez HERE

Read more on Riakporhe vs McCarthy HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

 

 

Images by Matchroom Boxing

 

 

 

 

 

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RIAKPORHE – McCARTHY EASIER FIGHT THAN HYDE

“It’s a good division at the minute with the likes of Craig Glover coming through. Win this on March 2 and I want them all over the next year or two, what’s the point in holding back? I would like to box overseas at some point as well. I want to carry on getting experience for the big day one day, which I know is going to come – and that’s for a World title challenge.”

 

RIAKPORHE – McCARTHY EASIER FIGHT THAN HYDE
Londoner eyes Okolie British title shot in 2019

 

Richard Riakporhe is expecting an easier night’s work when he makes the first defence of his WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title against Belfast’s highly-touted Tommy McCarthy at the East of England Arena on Saturday March 2, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

The undefeated Dillian Whyte-mentored Londoner produced a stunning comeback to stop the previously unbeaten Sam Hyde in an epic battle at the Manchester Arena in November and is fully confident of making a successful first defence of the World ranking title next week.

 

“I’m feeling good going into this fight as I believe Sam Hyde is a better opponent than Tommy McCarthy,” said Riakporhe. “That’s meant as no disrespect to Tommy as he’s a fighter that I’ve watched a lot of and have admiration for. I remember watching the Commonwealth games back in 2010 and he looked pretty decent then.  
“He’s got a good skillset and a solid background, but I believe that this is my time now and the momentum is in my corner. I’ll do anything to win and to keep on winning. There’s no way I’m overlooking Tommy as every fight is a huge risk and anything can happen, but I’ve got the bit between my teeth and I’ll be prepared come fight night.”

 

With one eye seemingly set on British Champion Lawrence Okolie, Riakporhe hasn’t let a potential clash with his fellow Londoner disrupt his focus when preparing for McCarthy, but the Walworth man couldn’t resist speaking about the current Lonsdale belt-holder.

 

“Lawrence Okolie has the British title at the moment and I believe that would be a good fight for me in the future if he still has the belt. I was focusing on individuals at one point in my career, but I soon realised that despite making noises, a lot of people don’t really want to fight you. I’d rather just focus on the titles right now, so I can progress in my career and get the experience that I need.

  
“I’d like the Okolie fight down the line for sure. We’ve been close to fighting twice but it doesn’t sound like he wanted it. Granted he’s ahead of me with the belts and in the pecking order but a couple of wins and why not? He must be shying away from it for a reason. 

 
“Having watched a few of his fights Okolie has issues with movement. I train out in Cuba quite a lot, working on my lateral movement so that mixed with my punching power I think will cause him big problems.

 
“It’s a good division at the minute with the likes of Craig Glover coming through. Win this on March 2 and I want them all over the next year or two, what’s the point in holding back? I would like to box overseas at some point as well. I want to carry on getting experience for the big day one day, which I know is going to come – and that’s for a World title challenge.”

 

Riakporhe vs. McCarthy is part of a huge night of boxing in Peterborough.

Jordan Gill headlines his first show as he goes for his second pro title in a WBA International Featherweight clash with Mexico’s Emmanuel Dominguez.

Unbeaten Indiana Super-Middleweight contender Anthony Sims Jr fights for the second time in the UK after an explosive debut in Cardiff last summer.

Nottingham’s Leigh Wood clashes with Ghana’s Abraham Osei Bonsu for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight crown.

Heavy-handed Super-Middleweight prospect John Docherty looks to make if four knockouts from four fights after impressing again on the Garcia vs. Cheeseman undercard at The O2 and Leeds Super-Bantamweight and former Team GB amateur standout Qais Ashfaq aims to go 5-0, and there’s also action on the undercard for Northampton Super-Welterweight Kieron Conway, Wisbech Super-Welterweight Joe Steed and St Ives Super-Lightweight Bradley Smith.

 

 

Read more on Gill vs Dominguez HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

Images by Matchroom Boxing

 

 

 

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ANTHONY JOSHUA TO FACE JARRELL MILLER IN U.S. DEBUT

 

 

 

ANTHONY JOSHUA TO FACE JARRELL MILLER IN U.S. DEBUT

‘AJ’ defends WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World titles against ‘Big Baby’ on June 1
Historic clash screened live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the U.S.

 

 

Heavyweight boxing’s biggest star Anthony Joshua OBE will defend his WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO World titles against Jarrell Miller in his long-awaited U.S. debut at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, June 1, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the U.S.

 

Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs), defended his World titles with a devastating knockout of dangerous Russian Alexander Povetkin last time out at Wembley Stadium in September in what was the Olympic Champion’s fourth straight stadium fight in front of over 80,000 fans.

 

It was a crushing return to the scene of his historical triumph over legendary Champion Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017, where he produced the performance of a lifetime to claim the WBA crown in an unforgettable battle in front of a post war record crowd of 90,000 at England’s National Stadium.
The British sensation blasted Povetkin to the canvas with a brutal assault in the seventh round and then floored the WBA mandatory challenger again to signal a sudden and dramatic ending to his 22nd professional victory in his home city.

 

And now sport’s biggest name will follow in the footsteps of Heavyweight greats such as Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield and Muhammad Ali when he crosses the Atlantic to silence Brooklyn’s brash ‘Big Baby’ Miller at ‘The Mecca of Boxing’.

 

“June 1st I am heading to The Big Apple and I plan to embrace the culture and leave with an appetite for more,” said Joshua. “I will be fighting Jarrell Miller at the legendary Madison Square Garden. It has been an honour and a blessing to fight at some of the best venues in the World at home in the UK, not least Wembley Stadium, but the time has come to head across the Atlantic and defend my Heavyweight titles in the USA. I am looking forward to taking on another challenge with a good boxer & a brilliant talker, it will be an exciting fight, I will leave nothing to chance and plan on dismantling Miller in style to make my mark.”

 

Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs), has been calling for a British scalp ever since he went face-to-face with Joshua during a heated exchange at the launch of DAZN’s streaming service in the U.S. in July last year, and the undefeated 300lbs giant is promising to turn AJ’s American dream into a living nightmare as he looks to announce himself on the biggest stage of all.

 

Miller earned his shot at Joshua with successive wins over former World title challengers Gerald Washington, Mariusz Wach, Johann Duhaupas and Tomasz Adamek, crushing the latter inside two rounds on his Matchroom Boxing USA debut at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago in October.

 

He followed this up with another big stoppage win, this time steamrolling Bogdan Dinu in four rounds to claim the interim NABA Heavyweight title at the Kansas Star Arena, and now Miller returns to his home city to fulfil a lifelong dream of fighting for the World Heavyweight crown.

 


“AJ is making a huge mistake coming over here to fight me in my own backyard,” said Miller. “He wants to announce himself on the American stage but all he’s doing is delivering me those belts by hand. Its dog eat dog in the ring and this dog has got a bigger bite, he’ll be leaving New York empty-handed. This is the fight that I’ve been chasing all my life and on June 1 I’m going to achieve the thing I was born to do and win the Heavyweight Championship of the World. That punk AJ is standing in the way of my dreams and on June 1 he’s getting run the hell over.”

 

 

“It’s been an eventful few months but I’m delighted to finally announce that Anthony Joshua will make his American debut at the iconic Madison Square Garden on June 1,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing Managing Director. “AJ has created an incredible ‘Lion’s Den’ atmosphere in the UK and we plan to bring that energy to New York on a card that will be stacked with British vs. American talent. When you look at the Heavyweight greats that have graced the renowned ‘Mecca of Boxing’ the names of Ali, Frazier, Marciano and Tyson stand firm and June 1 will be a moment when the World will witness AJ’s turn. 

 

“Jarrell Miller is someone I know well having been involved in his last 4 fights in America. I know how much he wants this fight and I know the belief that him and his team have in beating AJ. He is a mountain of a man with an incredible work rate and he will get the chance to challenge for 4 World Heavyweight belts in his backyard this summer. They went to head to head for all the wrong reasons last Summer and next week they will do it again as we get ready for the big build up for a momentous moment on June 1st at MSG.”

 

“We are delighted to be showing this massive occasion on Sky Sports Box Office and our team will provide every step of an enticing build up,” said Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing. “Every boxer wants to conquer America and the time has come for AJ at the iconic Madison Square Garden. It’s been the home of countless classics, from Ali vs. Frazier to the controversial bout that was called a draw between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis 20 years ago. It’s another chapter in the Joshua story.”

 

 
“Anthony Joshua is the number one Heavyweight in the World and DAZN is excited to deliver the British star’s much-anticipated U.S. debut at the iconic Madison Square Garden,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN Executive Vice President, North America. “In New York awaits a hometown fighter in Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller who has been quite vocal about his plans to spoil Joshua’s stateside arrival. He poses a real threat to dethrone the Heavyweight king in what will undoubtedly be a major international attraction and we are eager to see what will unfold June 1 on DAZN.”

 

 
“The World Heavyweight Championship at Madison Square Garden is unlike any setting in the World and we couldn’t be more thrilled to host Anthony Joshua and Jarrell Miller,” said Joel Fisher, Executive Vice President, MSG Marquee Events. “The legacy of Heavyweights at ‘The Mecca of Boxing’ that began with the likes of John L. Sullivan, Gene Tunney, ‘Jersey’ Joe Wolcott, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, Evander Holyfield, Wladimir Klitschko and Lennox Lewis will continue when Joshua and Miller step into the famed Garden ring in front of a packed house on June 1.”

 

“On June 1 Brooklyn’s Jarrell Miller will fight in the World’s greatest city for boxing’s greatest title — the Heavyweight Championship of the World — on boxing’s biggest stage —  ‘The Mecca of Boxing’ Madison Square Garden,” said Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “It is a dream come true for Jarrell, but it is exactly what we envisioned and what I promised him when I began working with Jarrell in his second professional fight. He is on the verge of making history and I am proud to have been there since the beginning. On June 1 Jarrell follow in the footsteps of Brooklyn Heavyweight greats Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe to bring the Heavyweight World title back to its rightful home NY.”

 

“It is incredible to be a co-promoter of Jarrell Miller’s World title challenge against Anthony Joshua on June 1st streamed live on DAZN,” said Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions. “The fact that this event is taking place at Madison Square Garden makes it extra special as it’s a home game for Team Miller. I can’t wait to hear Michael Buffer announce, “And the NEW…!”

JOSHUA VS. MILLER TICKET SALES ANNOUNCEMENT

Important information for fight fans on tickets for the New York blockbuster

Tickets for Anthony Joshua’s long-awaited American debut against Jarrell Miller at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1 will be available to purchase from this Friday!

Madison Square Garden Pre-Sale begins at Midday ET (5pm GMT) on Friday 15th February via Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com)

Fight Pass Pre-Sale begins at Midday GMT (7am ET) on Monday 18th February via StubHub (www.stubhub.com)

General Sale tickets are on sale at Midday ET (5pm GMT) on Tuesday 19th February via Madison Square Garden and StubHub (www.stubhub.com)

Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.

Official Ticket and Travel Packages, including the opportunity to travel on the Official Charter Plane, are available to purchase via Sportsworld (www.sportsworld.co.uk)

 

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

Images by Matchroom Boxing