A WELCOME FROM
EDDIE HEARN
G
ood evening everyone and thanks for tuning in live on Sky Sports Box Office here in the UK and on DAZN all around the world. It’s a pleasure to be back in Manchester at the AO Arena for one of the strongest shows we have promoted – it’s the card of the year so far. Derek Chisora vs. Joseph Parker is a brilliant style match up that has been brewing for years, and there’s definitely unfinished business between the pair. Both men will be looking to impress with new trainers in their corners, Buddy McGirt for Chisora and Andy Lee for Parker, and it has all of the makings for a real fan pleaser. Katie Taylor vs. Natasha Jonas is one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing and I can’t wait to see them go at it again after their clash at the London Olympic Games back in 2012. Craig Richards goes for World Title glory against Russia’s dangerous WBA LightHeavyweight king Dmitry Bivol, looking to
pull off one of the biggest upsets ever by a British fighter. The Eubanks are always box office and Jr will be hoping to steal the show as he targets World Titles in the Middleweight division with new trainer Roy Jones Jr. Many people are writing off Marcus Morrison, but this is a massive chance for him after his brilliant win in Italy last time out. Big-punching Belfast Lightweight James Tennyson is never in boring fights and the powerful KO artist can throw his name into the world scene mix by winning the IBO World Title against Jovanni Straffon. Manchester’s very own Campbell Hatton fights at the arena that hosted so many memorable nights for his father, Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher is a late addition to the card and it’s fantastic to see Scott Fitzgerald back as he looks to return to the top of the 154lbs division in the UK. Buckle up and enjoy this one! ■
Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard Fighter Interviews: Jamie Ward Cover: Adam Insam Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Photographs: Mark Robinson Master of Ceremonies: David Diamate
3
MEAN
INTENTIONS
D
erek Chisora believes he puts “the fear of god” in Joseph Parker and says he expects the former WBO Heavyweight World Champion to run when they clash over 12 rounds at the AO Arena, Manchester tonight. Former World Title challenger Chisora (32-10, 23 KOs) was last seen pushing Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk all of the way in their 12-round battle for the WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title at The SSE Arena, Wembley last October, and the fan favourite is champing at the bit for his next challenge. A meeting between the pair scheduled for October 2019 fell through at three-and-a-half weeks’ notice when Parker’s team revealed he was suffering from the after effects of a spider bite. Chisora, who was unconvinced with Team Parker’s reasons for pulling out in 2019, has labelled Parker a ‘chicken’ during the fight build-up and says he has unfinished business with the Heavyweight contender. “I think he pulled out because he had problems for himself in America, and in New Zealand and Australia, so that’s why he pulled out,” said Chisora. “I don’t blame him. Things happen, people pull out of fights. But you have to have a good excuse. Him saying he had a spider bite was shambles of an excuse to be honest with you. But it happens, what can I say? I’m going to punch him up. I’m expecting Joseph to run away. That is 100%. I know for a fact he’s going to run away. “Great for him he’s looking to become a World Champion, but it doesn’t mean nothing to me. I’m just going to pound on him when I see him. What can I do better than Joseph Parker? That’s a good question. Everything. The fight is going to be a great fight, we’re going to push on it, train hard and go
4
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“I AM BRINGING PAIN AND WAR”
crazy about it. You know the routine man – WAR. Expect what I always deliver. Beat the guy and pound on the guy. Destroy that guy. Confidence. I put the fear of god in him. I am bringing pain and war. “Time is the most important thing, you know, and I don’t have much time in boxing, so anytime I go I’ll just take any fights I want to have because time is running out. Most people don’t want to fight me because I’m a headache. I bring it. I love fighting. I want the people at home to pay their money to watch me do what I need to do. I’m taking this fight because I want to win it. “The way I look at it in boxing is, if you can bring numbers to the gate, bums on seats, you’re in a great position. If you don’t, you’re not. So when people say you’re in great position for fighting for Titles and stuff like that, I don’t believe so. I just look at it like, I’ve got a fight here and this is how many people are going to be watching my fight and I’m excited about that. You know, being mandatory and in eliminators, it’s a headache bro. I’m happy, I’m happy to fight. I’m happy to bring entertainment to people’s houses through television and stuff like that so I’m just excited and ready to go.” ■
5
NO MORE MR
NICE GUY
J
oseph Parker hopes that a win over Derek Chisora will kickstart his route back to the top of the Heavyweight division. Former WBO World Champion Parker (28-2, 21 KOs) is fresh off a hard-fought 12-round decision over long-time amateur nemesis Junior Fa at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand that settled an 11-year old rivalry with his compatriot. Ranked at No.3 with the WBO, Parker recently teamed up with former Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee, and the 29-year-old knows an impressive stoppage of the teaktough Chisora would propel him closer to his ambition of becoming a two-time World Champion.
“I’m very prepared for this fight, I’ve had a great training camp with Andy in Ireland, then we moved over to Morecambe and got some great sparring under our belt, great pad work, bag, everything,” said Parker. “I feel like with this fight, physically and mentally, I’m in a great place – probably the best I’ve been in a while. “You will see some good changes. I’ll be sharper, with better movement and better footwork. I’ll be
6
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“I WANT TO BE WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN”
focused for the whole fight. If I execute the game-plan that Andy has put in place, it should be a good night for Team Parker. I expect Derek to be Derek to apply pressure from the beginning, throwing punches and bombs. “Two totally different styles, Junior Fa’s style was move and hug, punch every now and then. With Derek it’s no secret, he’s going to come forward and apply the pressure, throw punches everywhere. My hands are going to have to be up, down and all around. “I’ve been a World Champion before, and I want to be World champion again. In order to achieve that goal I have to get Derek out of the way first. Then set up the other fights that are out there. We’ve done everything we can to prepare for whatever he brings. “I think this is the perfect fight at the right time. We’re right there, get a good victory and there’s many other great fights out there to be made and to position yourself when the Titles are free to fight for. This is a big card, not only the main event but the undercard fights are very exciting, I’m looking forward to it.” ■
7
H OW D O YO U S CO R E I T ? 1.
DOWNLOAD THE JD APP
2.
ON FIGHT NIGHT, CLICK THE LINK ON THE HOMEPAGE BANNER
3.
SCORE THE FIGHT ROUND-BY-ROUND
4.
SHARE YOUR SCORE WITH #JDSCORECARD ON TWITTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF SIGNED GLOVES BY THE FIGHTERS!
SATURDAY 1 MAY
UNDISPUTED
K
atie Taylor is out to prove that she is still at her peak when she defends her Undisputed Lightweight crown against former amateur rival Natasha Jonas. Taylor (17-0, 6 KOs) defeated Jonas in the quarterfinal stages of the London 2012 Olympic Games en route to capturing Ireland’s first gold medal of the summer. The pair will meet again nearly ten years down the line with Taylor’s WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles on the line. Since their first meeting in the amateurs, Taylor has gone on to cement herself as the best female fighter on the planet by winning World Titles in the Lightweight and Super-Lightweight divisions and remaining undefeated in all 17 of her professional contests. ‘KT’ was last seen outclassing her WBA Mandatory Challenger Miriam Gutierrez with a masterful display in November. “This is why we’re taking the fight; we don’t take any easy fights,” said Taylor. “I’m in this sport to fight the best, in terms of training camps every one’s the same, we train for every single fight as if it’s going to be my hardest. My mind set and mentality doesn’t change fight to fight so I’m looking forward to a great fight. “The fight was nine years ago; we were both very different fighters to what we are now. I think we’ve both developed and matured into great pro fighters. The fight is going to be completely different to how it was in the London Olympics. What works in the pro game doesn’t work in the amateur game – this is a completely different fight.
9
“I’M IN THIS SPORT TO FIGHT THE BEST” “Natasha proved in her last fight that she is still performing at the highest level so it’s a great challenge for me and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a fight that people have been asking for and those are the type of fights you want to be part of. “People still talk about our fight in the 2012 Olympics and I think that proved to be a real eye opener for people in terms of what women’s boxing is all about. I’m expecting another tough fight tonight and I’m looking forward to successfully defending my Titles. “I think my last few performances have shown I’m at my peak, I’ve shown my best in the last few performances. My last three fights were probably my best performances as a pro, so I feel like I’m definitely improving and getting better each time.” ■
10
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
T
asha Jonas says she has “unfinished business” with former amateur foe Katie Taylor and has promised to settle the score when she faces the Irish star for the Undisputed Lightweight World Titles. ‘Miss GB’ came agonisingly close to winning her first World Title at the age of 36 last summer when she battled to a thrilling draw with WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight Champion Terri Harper at Matchroom Fight Camp. It was the first time that two British women had competed against each other for a Word Title, and the all-action fight more than lived up to the occasion. The Liverpudlian met Taylor in the quarter-final stages of the London 2012 Olympic Games, losing out on points to the eventual winner of the tournament. The pair meet again nearly ten years down the line, and Jonas is confident of avenging her loss and handing a first defeat to the icon of women’s boxing. “I’ve finally established myself at world level which is where I always wanted to be,” said Jonas. “I think I was a bit unlucky that night. I’ve always said I’m not going to keep banging on the door of Terri Harper. I’ve put myself in mandatory positions and I’ll make the fight have to happen again, but I’m not going to wait around and I haven’t done that. Other opportunities have come forward and they’re the ones that I have taken. “Ever since I turned pro that’s always been the fight that everybody has wanted to see. There was 12,000 people in the arena at the time and we got the loudest crowd participation – that was the Irish and the Scousers going at it! It was brilliant. My amateur coach had been all around watching boxing, some of the biggest fights, and he said he’d never heard an atmosphere like it. It’s a little bit sad that fans won’t be there this time, but it was a spectacle and that’s what we hope to do again. “All eyes will be on us again and I think both of us will step up to the plate. I know I have to be better than I was last time.
12
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“THE BEST VERSION OF ME IS A TOUGH FIGHT FOR ANYONE”
Without disrespecting anyone, she’s in a different league to any other opponents before. I’ve fought her before, and I’ll be ready. I’ve always wanted to be a World Champion, one fight could give me that, and everything else. It’s a huge moment for me and my career. I have to be better than I was before, which I’m prepared to do. “People say you have these turning points in life. As successful as my amateur career was, I didn’t achieve things that I wanted to. That was the whole point of me coming back and being a pro. There was unfinished business. Katie Taylor has been the unfinished business since 2012. To come back and not only beat her and win her Titles, to become Undisputed – what more could you ask for as a professional boxer? That’s everything. You’ve done it all within one fight. “I don’t visualise anything if I’m honest. I prepare myself for every eventuality. That’s what I did with Terri and that’s probably the only time we’ve done that. That’s probably what I’ll do this time. Whatever Terri came with, I had an answer for. I think I’ll do the same with Katie. I’ll prepare for every best version of Katie. Any way that she can come at me, I’ll have an answer for it. The best version of me is a tough fight for anyone, Katie included.” ■
13
CHASING
GREATNESS
R
ussian powerhouse Dmitry Bivol tonight fights for the first time in the UK as a professional and insists he must beat his British challenger Craig Richards if he is to one day achieve his dream of being the Undisputed 178lb king. A hugely decorated amateur, Saint Petersburg’s Bivol has maintained his electric form from the amateur code in the paid ranks, notching 17 straight victories, with 11 of them coming inside the distance. Bivol became a World Champion in just his twelfth outing, KO’ing Trent Broadhurst in the opening three minutes in Monte-Carlo and since then, the 30-year-old has beaten many top operators, including Sullivan Barrera, Jean Pascal and reigning WBO ruler Joe Smith Jr. Despite coming in as a big favourite in tonight’s defence, Bivol insists he is not taking Richards lightly and is looking to blow off any ring-rust cobwebs in style. “I missed fighting, I’m really looking forward to getting in the ring and making a great fight for all of the boxing fans,” Said Bivol. “I have a dream to be the Undisputed Champion, I have goals to fight in Saint Petersburg, to fight in America, to fight in England. Now I’ve accomplished one of my goals.
14
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“IF I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO END THE FIGHT EARLY, I WILL DO THAT”
“I respect Craig and I respect him for taking this fight. He’s a good boxer with good speed but for me to get to where I want to be, I have to win fights like this. “There is pressure on me in every fight. I am World Champion, so I understand that. The pressure gives me no problems because I am used to it. My goal as I said is to be Undisputed but that’s all on hold until Saturday is a success. “I want to showcase my boxing skills and put on a good fight for the UK fans. I won’t look for the knockout but if I see an opportunity to end the fight early, I will do that. “I just believe in my skills; I believe I can beat Craig and move forward again. Of course, all my focus is on this fight but once I win then we’ll see what will happen next. I believe I can achieve my dreams of having four belts, I trained all my life, I’ve boxed since I can remember, and I have to be the winner.” ■
15
THE
UNDERDOG
C
raig Richards says all of the pressure is on Dmitry Bivol ahead of their clash for the WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title. Richards (16-1-1, 9 KOs) delivered a Fight of the Year contender last time out in December against fierce rival Shakan Pitters as he stopped the Birmingham man in nine rounds to capture the British LightHeavyweight crown. Ranked at number 5 in the world with the WBA and number 7 with the IBF, ‘Spider’ earned his shot at world honours by remaining undefeated since his sole career loss against former World Title challenger Frank Buglioni in October 2017. The Crystal Palace fighter, 30, comes into tonight’s showdown with Russia’s long-reigning champion Bivol as a huge underdog and is all too aware of the huge task at hand, but feels he brings something to the table that none of Bivol’s previous 17 opponents possessed. “You come into boxing to become a World Champion – that’s always the goal,” said Richards. “I couldn’t be any happier that I have the opportunity to do that on Saturday. I’ve been fortunate to have these opportunities to push my career forwards. Getting the WBA Continental, getting myself in the world rankings. I’ve been in the top 10 with the WBA for two years now. I’m ranked a number 5 with the WBA and I’m in the top ten with the IBF as well. “I’ve boxed on a lot of big stages already. I’ve boxed unbeaten fighters, I’ve had pressure fights, 50-50 fights and underdog fights. I’ve really been under pressure in my career constantly. All of those experiences have pushed me and got me prepared for this moment. I believe that every step gets you prepared for the next one. I’ve taken the right steps. Now it’s another step. I’m the underdog again. I’ve had to do things the hard
16
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“THERE’S NO PRESSURE ON ME” way to get myself into this position. “I know this guy is no joke. I’ve made sure I’m prepared in all areas. He’s a good fighter. He likes to be busy at times. He has decent footwork. There’s a couple of good names on his record. I don’t believe he’s boxed someone who brings the stuff I bring to the ring. I think he’s boxed a lot of different types of styles. I think my style is slightly different and I don’t think he’s crossed that yet. “There’s no pressure on me, there’s pressure on him. He’s the World Champion. He’s meant to be this big star. He’s meant to be this super champion from Russia. He’s going to want to go out there and look tremendous. He’ll want to make a statement, so there’s going to be pressure on him to go out there and perform. The pressure is on him, but I’m putting pressure on myself because I want to make sure I get that Title and prove everyone wrong.” ■
17
NEXT
GEN
C
hris Eubank Jr has his sights firmly set on IBF Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin and believes 2021 could be the year that he finally gets to lock horns with the big-punching pound-forpound star from Kazakhstan. The Brighton powerhouse returns to fight in the UK for the first time in over two years tonight when he takes on British rival Marcus Morrison. Having previously campaigned at SuperMiddleweight, Eubank Jr (29-2, 22 KOs) returned to the Middleweight division to claim the WBA Interim Middleweight World Title for the second time with a TKO win over former World Title challenger Matvey Korobov in December 2019, while making his US debut at the Barclays Centre in New York. Eubank Jr was in talks to fight Golovkin in 2016 but the opportunity instead went to Sheffield’s Kell Brook. The only blemishes on Golovkin’s fearsome record is a draw and a defeat in two fights with Canelo Alvarez, but Eubank Jr is confident he could become the first man to stop ‘GGG’. “Getting past Marcus Morrison sets me up for some big fights in the summer and winter of this year,” said Eubank Jr. “There’s a lot of interesting fights out there and a lot of big names in the Middleweight division, a lot of World Champions that fans want to see me go up against. “There’s even fighters that aren’t World Champions that could happen for me. You’ve got Kell Brook talking it up a lot and I know Eddie Hearn wants to make that fight, so that’s something that could possibly happen in the summer.
18
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“THE END GOAL IS TO GET GOLOVKIN”
“The end goal is to get Golovkin. The other World Champions in the Middleweight division, Ryota Murata is definitely up on my list. He has the full WBA World Title, I’m the Interim World Champion right now. There are some big names out there and some big fights. “I’ve wanted to fight Golovkin for years. I believe this is the year that I’m going to get him. I’m coming for all of the belts. That’s what I’m in the sport to do. It’s not that I have to look good in this fight to get to that stage. You’ve got to look good in every fight, and I do look good in every fight. “I really and truly believe I would stop him. My engine and his fight style? He doesn’t back down and goes to war regardless. An immovable force against an unstoppable object. When two warriors collide, who put it all on the line, it would be an amazing fight. I don’t believe he could out-punch or out-perform me. “Win or lose I put it all on the line. That’s why I have a lot of fans. I don’t coast, I don’t quit, and I don’t give up. I don’t slack, I’m on it 100% of the time. This is my life, and once I get past Marcus Morrison the World Champions are in some serious trouble.” ■
19
Meet your match with a knockout TV set-up Enjoy fight night with a Samsung set-up that’ll knock your socks off. New Neo QLED tech uses ultra-sharp lights and extreme blacks for jaw-dropping picture quality.
SWEET
MNM
M
arcus Morrison says Chris Eubank Jr would be foolish to ignore his knockout power as he intends to ruin his British rival’s plans to fight Gennadiy Golovkin. After a tough period, ‘Sweet MNM’ has been on a great run which culminated in a brilliant stoppage victory against Italy’s Emmanuel Blandamura. Trained by Joe Gallagher, Morrison acknowledges Eubank is the favourite based on whom he’s shared the ring with, but the 28-year-old is confident he can get the better of Jr and spoil his first fight with the legendary Roy Jones. “This is a massive fight for me and I’m well aware this is levels above what I have previously been in with before,” said Morrison. “When I got the phone call, there was no way I was turning it down, this is a great fight and I think it’s going to be full of excitement. “I’m always dangerous. Only a fool would not respect my power. I do carry the punch power to knock Chris Eubank Jr out. I do absolutely believe it. I’ve gone over the fight many times in my head. If I’m honest, I’ve not thought too much about the ending, but all I know is that going to be explosive. “I don’t think being inactive is going to play a massive part in this fight. If you’re a true athlete and professional, you’ll stay in the gym. Even if you’ve not got a fight you’ll stay in and work on your craft. Both of us are that type of fighter, I believe Chris has
21
“ONLY A FOOL WOULD NOT RESPECT MY POWER” stayed in the gym and stayed busy, it’s the same with me. I can’t wait and the fans are in for a treat. “To pull this upset off would be one of the biggest upsets in UK boxing, especially when he’s talking about the likes of Canelo, Golovkin, and all these fighters. If I go in there and spoil the party, where does that put me? It puts me right up there with the big names. “A lot of people would have said Chris Eubank would have been in the mix for all those types of fighters, so if I go and pull this upset off, which I do believe I can go and do, then that takes me and my career to new heights.” ■
22
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
THE
ASSASSIN
J
ames Tennyson is aiming to lure one of the Lightweight World Champions into a unification fight by landing the IBO World Title against Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon. The hard-hitting Belfast man further enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting contenders in the red hot 135lbs division by taking out Canada’s Josh O’Reilly in one round last time out on the Saunders vs. Murray undercard in December. ‘The Assassin’, 27, produced a ferocious display before the WBA World Title Eliminator was stopped by referee Marcus McDonnell after two minutes and 14 seconds – Tennyson’s sixth straight stoppage win since moving up to Lightweight. Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney hold the other World Titles at Lightweight, but Tennyson says they have no real intention of facing one another and believes he might present a more attractive option for them once he holds the IBO crown. “It’s a huge opportunity for me to put myself up there and earn some fights with the top Lightweights in the world,” said Tennyson. “This is it; this is the belt that I need to get me up there. This is going to put me in a great position, the other belts are taken and I want a piece of the action. “I’m looking forward to a good fight, these Mexicans have got a reputation
24
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“I WANT A PIECE OF THE ACTION” for their toughness and durability – they bring it every time. I’m excited, I love these kinds of fights this is what I’m up for. This has got the makings to be a very exciting fight. I’m praying, ready and very confident – I’m looking forward to it. “The other guys holding belts at Lightweight haven’t been putting their belts on the line against each other. Winning the IBO will hopefully dangle a carrot in front of the other World Champions and entice them into a big unification fight. This is my big opportunity to complete my collection of belts. I’ve won British, Commonwealth, European and two WBA Titles. All that’s missing is a World Title.” ■
25
IMPACTO J
ovannie Straffon has warned James Tennyson that he can expect a war when they collide for the vacant IBO Lightweight World Title. Mexico’s Straffon (23-3-1, 16 KOs) has notched 23 wins since turning professional in December 2010, with 16 of those wins coming inside the distance for the 27-year-old southpaw from Torreon. ‘Impacto’ has lost just three times in 27 fights and has never been stopped. Tennyson has a growing reputation as one of the hardest hitting Lightweights in the world, but Straffon isn’t concerned by his big-punching opponent and hopes to become the latest fighter from his country to spring an upset in the UK. “I’ve been working hard for many years to get a fight like this,” said Straffon. “I will not waste it. I will go up in the ring thinking about my two little daughters and how I need to win this for them. Maybe if I win, Eddie Hearn will want to work with me and my team in the future. “I come here for the upset, I come here for the win and I want all the people in the UK and world to watch me fight. He [Tennyson] might fight as a Mexican but he’s never faced a Mexican so he can expect a war.” “I’m very thankful to Eddie Hearn for giving us this opportunity and I’m delighted to be working with Mark Dunlop,” said Manuel Garrido, promoter of Straffon. “It is a very exciting fight, Straffon will go out there to give the fight of his life because this is the biggest opportunity he has been given in his career.” ■
26
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
HURRICANE
C
ampbell Hatton fights for the second time as a professional this evening at a venue which holds special memories for his family. Whether it’s watching back tapes of brilliant Manchester nights with his father or sitting in the AO Arena auditoriums watching big nights of boxing as a fan, Campbell admits taking the steps towards the ring in his home city will be a special feeling for him. “It’s a dream come true”, said Hatton. “It’s always been a dream of mine to box at the arena, I’ve been practising the ringwalk in my bedroom! “I’ve watched all my dad’s fights at the AO Arena and been myself to watch the likes of Anthony Crolla and Tyson Fury. I’m so excited to add my name to that list. ‘Hurricane’ outpointed a tough Jesus Ruiz in Gibraltar on his professional bow, but was left disappointed with his performance and highly anticipated unveiling on the big stage. Having got the first one out the way, Hatton is confident we will see a more composed version of himself against Levi Dunn, an opponent he knows well and has sparred previously. “I learnt a lot; the whole week was a great experience for me – I enjoyed every minute. I learnt just how hard a game it is, the opponent I faced was a tough, durable lad. I got the 8-ounce gloves on and thought he’s
27
“IT’S ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE TO BOX AT THE ARENA” not going to last two rounds with these on. T hey are tough blokes; you don’t just knock them over. Now I know to keep calm and not try and force things. “I know Levi, I’ve sparred him and know what to expect. It’s a good thing at this stage in my career to be able to put a bit of a game plan together which you don’t normally get. That’s going to help me stay calm as well, I know the specific things I need to do. “I think in my first fight I showed little glimpses of what I can do. I set high pace that I could fight, but I didn’t show my boxing brain and the classy work I can do. This time I do want to show that patience and put in a more classy performance.” ■
28
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
THE ROMFORD
R
BULL
omford Heavyweight prospect Johnny Fisher will be looking to build on his excellent debut win when he takes on Phil Williams over four rounds. ‘The Romford Bull’ got off to the perfect start in the professional ranks with a powerful first-round stoppage of Matt Gordon. Fisher marked his pro debut with a destructive display as he floored Gordon on two occasions in the opening round, and the 21-year-old is looking for another impressive display in Manchester. “Sam Jones always told me I’d be on May 1st or May 15th,” said Fisher. “I didn’t properly know I was on until Tuesday or Wednesday. I’ve been training and I’ve been sparring with Daniel Dubois. I just love training. “I’m not taking anyone lightly because as soon as you do that in the Heavyweight division, anything can happen to anyone. It’s still a tough test. Williams is a durable guy; he’s only been stopped four or five times in about 30 or 40 fights. It’s going to be a tough fight and I’ll need to be on my game. “The sparring with Dubois is going well. At first, we had to work each other out a bit. Now we’re gelling more and getting a lot out of each other. I’m jabbing with him and jabbing well with him. That’s a good sign. “18 months ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of being on Matchroom shows. I was just training hard as an amateur. I’m going to take every chance I get. It’s paying off at the minute – look where I am. “I was never looking for the knockout on my debut. If I can take that down a little bit more and let my boxing skills show, that’s what we’re looking to do this time. If it goes 4 rounds and I box well, and it’s a good points victory, then great. I’m not putting any pressure on myself. If I do box well, the knockout will probably come anyway.” ■
29
FITZY
S
cott Fitzgerald says he has put his out of the ring problems behind him as he focuses on getting back to the top of a thriving domestic Super-Welterweight division in 2021 that includes former opponents Ted Cheeseman and Anthony Fowler. The unbeaten Preston fighter (14-0, 9 KOs) was last seen in action outpointing Cheeseman at the Newcastle Arena back in October 2019 to capture the British Super-Welterweight Title, and makes his ring return a year and a half later tonight against Gregory Trenel. ‘Fitzy’ handed Liverpool’s Fowler a first defeat in the pros when he dropped and outscored ‘The Machine’ at the M&S Bank Arena in March 2019. Whilst both Cheeseman and Fowler have kicked on since their losses to Fitzgerald, the 29-yearold is confident he is still the number one 154lbs fighter in Britain and is open to rematches with either to prove it. “I saw the Cheeseman vs. Metcalf fight the other week and that was a really good fight,” said Fitzgerald. “It was a great win and a great performance from Ted. He looks like he’s got himself in a good place. I’ve sort of let them get above me, so I’ve got to fight my way back. Hopefully the Ted or Fowler rematch can happen before the year is up. I’ve got to make sure I win against whoever they put in front of me. “It’s gone fast since the Cheeseman win. A lot of that time was just a blur. My dream was to win that British Title and I won it. I didn’t get right back in the gym like I should have. By
30
MAY 01 2021
CHISORA VS PARKER
“I’VE GOT TO FIGHT MY WAY BACK” the time I did get back to it COVID had kicked in. I kept saying to my dad, ‘I’m just going to chill until this COVID is done and then we’ll get back on it’. “Not fighting in 18 months, right now I want a few fights, one or two fights, and then trying to get my British Title back would be a nice move for me. Get that back and maybe win it outright or just move on from there to European and world level. “There are good fights for me for that British Title. There’s Cheeseman who’s just looked good winning it back. There’s Fowler, he’s looked good in some performances. They might fight each other for it in the meantime. I beat both of them. Whichever one of them is holding it – if they want to get their revenge, they can give me that fight can’t they. Get one or two fights in and I’m ready for either one of them. “Fowler especially. I’d like to go back and do an even better job and move on from there. I saw bits of his fight with Fortea the other week and he looked decent. He’s not. He’s changed a few things, but he’ll still always be the same. I’m confident I can beat him again and do a better job on him. I have to make sure I’m on it. No slip-ups. Get the win this weekend and I can move onto these bigger ones then.” ■
31
Using digital to speak directly to your customers Tel: +44 (0) 7539 782979 Email: hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com www.hashtagdigitalmedia.co.uk
12 X 3 MINS VACANT WBO INTERCONTINENTAL HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
DEREK JOSEPH vs CHISORA PARKER (FINCHLEY, ENGLAND)
(AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND)
10 X 2 MINS UNDISPUTED LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
KATIE TAYLOR
vs NATASHA JONAS
(BRAY, IRELAND)
(LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND)
4 X 3 MINS LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST
CAMPBELL HATTON
vs LEVI DUNN
(MANCHESTER, ENGLAND)
(PRESTWICH, ENGLAND)
10 X 3 MINS MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTEST
CHRIS EUBANK JR
vs
(BRIGHTON, ENGLAND)
MARCUS MORRISON (HATTERSLEY, ENGLAND)
12 X 3 MINS WBA LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
DMITRY BIVOL
vs CRAIG RICHARDS
(SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA)
(CRYSTAL PALACE, ENGLAND)
4 X 3 MINS HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST
JOHNNY FISHER
vs PHIL WILLIAMS
(ROMFORD, ENGLAND)
(SWINDON, ENGLAND)
12 X 3 MINS VACANT IBO LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
JAMES TENNYSON
vs JOVANNI STRAFFON
(BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND)
(MEXICO CITY, MEXICO)
8 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTEST
SCOTT FITZGERALD
vs GREGORY TRENEL
(PRESTON, ENGLAND)
(DAINVILLE, FRANCE)