IDAS CONTINENTAL 80 OFFICIAL PARTNER
A WELCOME FROM
EDDIE HEARN
G
ood evening to everyone tuning in around the world on DAZN. This is a huge card for Spanish boxing, and we’re delighted to be back in beautiful Barcelona for our second show. As Matchroom Boxing continues its global expansion, Spain remains a big focus for us and this double European Title card features some of the country’s strongest talents with two hungry Brits looking to come and rip the Titles from them. We saw Sandor Martin put in a classy dominant performance against Joe Hughes when he headlined the first-ever DAZN show in Spain in 2019 and he hopes that is just a sign of things to come as he looks to push towards world level and develop into a star of Spanish boxing. This is an amazing opportunity for
Luton’s Kay Prosper, who up until this point has operated around English Title level. ‘Special K’ is looking to make a huge statement as he goes for his first major Title at the age of 36. Gavin McDonnell has a chance to become a two-weight European Champion when he challenges Andoni Gago for the European Featherweight crown. A win for the two-time World Title challenger could revive his career and put him back in the mix at world level. Jez Smith steps-up to take on Bilbao’s fearsome puncher Kerman Lejarraga following his win over Ben Ridings in November and there’s big opportunities for Tony Bellew fighters Luke Willis and April Hunter. Sit back and enjoy the show! ■
Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard Fighter Interviews: Jamie Ward Cover: Adam Insam Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Photographs: Matchroom Boxing Master of Ceremonies: David Diamate
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ARRASANDOR
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eigning European Super-Lightweight Champion Sandor Martin believes his superior boxing skills will prove to be too much for Luton’s Kay Prosper as the Barcelona favourite prepares to put his Title on the line for the second time tonight at the Pabellón de la Vall d`Hebron, live on DAZN. Martin (37-2, 13 KOs) claimed the European 140lbs Title by dominating Italy’s Andrea Scarpa and becoming the first man to stop him in July 2019, before widely outpointing Britain’s former champion Joe Hughes when he headlined the first-ever DAZN show from his home country in December that year. The youngest Spanish Super-Lightweight Champion in the country’s history, Martin was a solid amateur, and had a brief spell as a kick-boxer, before joining the pro ranks at the age of 18 in 2011, where he has amassed 37 wins from 39 fights, only losing twice to decent opponents including Anthony Yigit. ‘Arrasandor’s’ most recent win came over Nicaragua’s Nestor Maradiaga last December at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, and the crafty southpaw hopes that a standout win at the top of this evening’s bill in his homeland will push him towards a Word Title opportunity in the 140lbs division. “I’m excited about this fight,” said Martin. “I’m the champion and this is my city, all the pressure is on him. He will feel it in there tonight. I am focused to follow the path to be a World Champion in the future. I don´t want to settle for being a European Champion. I am prepared for whatever comes. I am the champion, if he wants the belt, he has to take it from me. I’m going to show him that I am a better boxer than him.” ■
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SPECIAL K
K
ay Prosper says he is relishing the underdog tag and believes he is ready for the jump up in levels as he takes on Spain’s European Super-Lightweight Champion Sandor Martin on away territory looking to make a huge statement in his first fight outside of the UK. Luton’s English Champion Prosper (14-1-1, 7 KOs) beat Sam O’Maison at London’s iconic York Hall in September 2019 at the second time of asking to become the town’s first ever national champion. ‘Special K’ had missed out to O’Maison earlier in the year, with a controversial draw, but the now 36-year-old took the rematch unanimously on points to claim his first professional Title. Prosper, a gifted footballer who had spells at Luton Town, Hitchin Town and Dagenham & Redbridge before ditching his boots for boxing gloves, is aware of the task at hand against a smart operator in Martin, but feels he offers a style that the Barcelona native has never come across before. “Everything has been really good,” said Prosper. “My training camp went perfectly, and I couldn’t have asked for more. I’ve been pushing on and defending my English Title. Now I’m ready to go to the next level. I’ve boxed at one level and now I’m jumping up a few levels. I feel like I’m ready for it and this is an amazing opportunity for me to show everyone that I can go onto bigger and better things. “Sandor is clearly the more experienced fighter and you have to respect that. Experience obviously plays its part in boxing,
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APRIL 23 2021
MARTIN VS PROSPER
“SANDOR IS A THREAT BUT IT’S TIME TO MAKE A STATEMENT” but he hasn’t experienced me. I’m going to bring something to the table that he’s never seen before. We’ll have to see if he can cope and adapt on the night. “I respect Sandor as a fighter because he’s got to the level that he’s at, but he’s a very negative defensive fighter. He’s almost a bit boring. I’m going to have to chase him around the ring but that’s something that we’ve worked on. If he wants to come and fight, then it will make it exciting for the fans. I hope he comes to fight. I think I’ll get to him. I’ll make a statement.” ■
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EL
MACHO
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uropean Featherweight Champion Andoni Gago says he is treating tonight’s showdown with Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell as a World Title fight. McDonnell, a former two-time World Title challenger, has previously held the European Super-Bantamweight belt, and 35-year-old Gago says he is fully prepared for a difficult night’s work against the Yorkshireman. Bilbao’s Gago (24-3-3, 7 KOs) won the 126lbs European Title in his home city back in June 2019, outpointing Madrid’s Jesus Sanchez to earn a split decision win. ‘El Macho’ won his next two contests early, stopping Carlos Arroyo in two rounds a year ago before earning a fifth-round technical decision against Brayan Mairena last October after an unintentional headbutt. “I take every fight as a World Championship fight,” said Gago. “Gavin is an experienced opponent and I am proud and ready to face him. During the camp I have trained with many boxers of his size. It will be a tough fight with two warriors in the ring but I’m going to come out with the win. “I will put pressure from the first minute. That’s my style and this one will be equal. I had a great training camp. I know his style. With my team we have prepared this fight very well to keep the belt. “Gavin has fought at the elite level for years but I still have the heart and desire of a younger fighter, so I will put on a show tonight. Everyone knows my style and I will be loyal to it. Fans will enjoy of a great war between us that’s for sure.” ■
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TWO-TIME
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avin McDonnell feels he has operated at a much higher level than Andoni Gago and says he will stop the Bilbao fighter when they clash for the European Featherweight Title. Doncaster’s two-time SuperBantamweight World Title challenger McDonnell (22-2-2, 6 KOs) attempts to become a two-weight European Champion after winning and defending the 122lbs Title in 2015. The 34-year-old is looking to revive his career after moving up in weight following his loss to Daniel Roman in Chicago in 2018. McDonnell feels his previous tenure as British and European SuperBantamweight Champion, along with challenging for the WBC and WBA World Titles, gives him the edge in Barcelona as he looks to return to the top level of the sport. “I’m more than ready for Gago,” said McDonnell. “He’s European Champion and I’ve got to respect that, but the level I’ve been at is a lot higher than the level he’s fought at. “I’ve mixed with the better fighters, and it will show on fight night. I believe I will stop him, and we will see how good I am compared to him.
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APRIL 23 2021
MARTIN VS PROSPER
“I BELIEVE I WILL STOP HIM” “I know how well I’ve prepared, and I’ve got some good sparring, so I’m in the very best shape. There might not be a crowd tonight, but we’re fighting men, and it will just be me and him in the ring so that’s all that matters.” ■
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REVOLVER
F
ormer European Champion Kerman Lejarraga tonight looks to burst back onto the scene with a statement victory over British SuperWelterweight contender Jez Smith. Revolver has good memories from facing Brits in the past. The Spaniard KO’d Bradley Skeete in two rounds to claim the vacant European Title at Welterweight before stopping Frankie Gavin in his first defence just months later. Despite twice falling short against current champion David Avanesyan, Lejarraga has won three on the spin, most recently outpointing Huddersfield’s Tyrone Nurse in his home country. Lejarraga comes in as an overwhelming favourite for tonight’s ten-round showdown with Smith, but the Bilbao banger insists all his focus is on the Harrow Weald man. “I’m motivated and will be skipping into the ring tonight,” said Lejarraga. “I feel great at this weight, I recover my body better and I’m feeling really strong. In the second fight with Avanesyan it took a toll on me to gain so much weight in such a short time. Now I can train without continually weighing myself and I feel the benefits in the ring. “All my focus is on Jez and winning this fight. He is a strong opponent who fights well and always comes to win. I know he believes he will cause the upset but I am prepared for everything” ■
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THE
CAN MAN
J
ez Smith arrives in Barcelona with a huge opportunity live on DAZN as he faces fearsome puncher and former European Champion, Kerman Lejarraga in tonight’s chief support. Harrow Weald’s Smith, who is trained by Josh Burnham, answered the call from Eddie Hearn in November last year when he came in on short notice to outwork and outmanoeuvre previously unbeaten Ben Ridings in the UK capital. The win ended a tough spell for the ‘Can Man’ who had suffered back to back stoppage defeats. Despite the massive step-up through the levels tonight, with a full camp behind him and his winning mojo back, Smith is confident this will be his breakthrough night at 154lbs. “This is a big opportunity for me,” said Smith. “Kerman has boxed at a much higher level than me but these are the fights I want to be in. We’ve seen the best of Kerman but you haven’t seen the best of me yet! I will prove I belong on the big stage. “This is a massive fight. He’s been European Champion and a lot of people are probably saying this is a step too far but I’m excited to cause the upset.
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APRIL 23 2021
MARTIN VS PROSPER
“I’M EXCITED TO CAUSE THE UPSET!” “I see little things I can expose in Kerman. I won’t give too much away but you will see that in this fight! I’m fully fit and focused. I’m ready for a hard ten rounds. “I’ll get in there, do what I do and come away with the win. Whatever happens, it’s going to be a Smith win!” ■
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REBORN L
iverpool’s Luke Willis tonight looks to register his 11th professional victory as he makes a longawaited ring return after a two year hiatus. Like April Hunter, slick southpaw Willis is guided by city legend Tony Bellew and the 29-year-old is determined to make a statement in Barcelona and restart his career this year. “I don’t even know how it’s got to this point!” Said Willis. “It’s through no fault of my own, it got to a point where I was fighting journeyman but I wanted to
“I’VE GOT THAT BOXING BUG BACK!” push on to the big fights. “Tony has delivered on what he said he would do and got me this amazing opportunity on a Matchroom show. I’ve got that bug back now! My mindset has always been any fights that pop up I will take them. “I’ve tried to remain humble but keeping my mouth shut has got me nowhere. I’m game to fight anyone at Lightweight, I’m here for opportunities like this and this is what I’ve stayed ready for. “I’m not getting any younger and I’m coming into my prime! I want to be in good fights and fighting for titles. I’m grateful of the team I have around me and believe me I’ll adapt to any style. I’ve waited for this opportunity and now it’s here, I’ll make sure I take it.” ■
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APRIL 23 2021
MARTIN VS PROSPER
THE
HUNTER
A
pril Hunter made history in 2019 by becoming Newcastle’s first female professional boxer, crowning her achievement with a shutout points victory in her home city. She moved 2-0 two months later in equally impressive fashion, but when the Coronavirus pandemic brought the sporting world and small hall shows to a halt, it took Hunter’s bright professional start with it. Despite a year out the ring, the Geordie made some changes behind the scenes, working under the tutelage of Joe McNally in the renowned Rotunda ABC in Liverpool and managed by Liverpool’s former WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Tony Bellew. Accompanied in Barcelona by close friend and WBO Middleweight ruler Savannah Marshall, Hunter will be eager to shake off any ring rust and push on for a big 2021. “I’ve been out the ring for 14 or 15 months so I just can’t wait to get back in there,” said Hunter. “I’m down in Liverpool full time now after moving away from Newcastle and I’m ready to get my head down and start making things happen. “I was exploring my options and fate brought me to Tony Bellew, he’s always pushing on Eddie to get me out and get me the opportunities. I’m ready to get out there and shine!” ■
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12 X 3 MINS EUROPEAN SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
SANDOR KAY vs MARTIN PROSPER (BARCELONA, SPAIN)
(LUTON, ENGLAND)
10 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST
KERMAN JEZ vs LEJARRAGA SMITH
(BILBAO, SPAIN)
(HARROW WEALD, ENGLAND)
12 X 3 MINS EUROPEAN FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE
ANDONI GAVIN vs MCDONNELL GAGO (BILBAO, SPAIN)
(DONCASTER, ENGLAND)
8 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL FEATHERWEIGHT CONTEST
BERNARD vs ANGELO TORRES (GRAN, NORWAY)
ANUAR SALAS
(MONTERIA, COLOMBIA)
6 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST
LUKE RICARDO vs WILLIS FERNANDEZ
(LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND)
(BILBAO, SPAIN)
4 X 2 MINS INTERNATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST
APRIL ELSA vs HUNTER HEMAT
(NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND)
(SAINT-JOSEPH, FRANCE)