Saturday 17th October 2020 Lewis Ritson v Miguel Vazquez
Lewis Ritson to win by KO/TKO or DQ WAS
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A WELCOME FROM
EDDIE HEARN
G
ood evening everyone and thanks for tuning in for the next step of Geordie favourite Lewis Ritson’s exciting career as he takes on Mexico’s former long-reigning World Champion Miguel Vazuez over 12 rounds in Peterborough. After his Fight of the Year contender with Robbie Davies Jr in front of a packed-out Newcastle Arena last year, ‘The Sandman’ is straight back in the deep end against former Lightweight king Vazquez as he continues his quest to challenge for a World Title in 2021. ‘El Titere’ still harbours World Title ambitions of his own and the 51-fight veteran will be aiming to take Ritson’s No.2 ranking with the World Boxing Association and push for a shot at becoming a twotime World Champion. Leeds Super-Bantamweight talent Qais Ashfaq has freshened things up behind the scenes with a new trainer in Angel Fernandez and a new management company in Anthony Joshua’s 258 MGT, and the 2016 Rio Olympian faces the toughest test of his career so far tonight against Marc Leach. Leach is a former gym mate of Ashfaq and the pair know each other well having
shared numerous rounds of sparring. This Eliminator for the British Title has all of the makings of a brilliant domestic clash that won’t disappoint. The Benwell Bomber Joe Laws looks to make it ten wins from ten fights under his new trainer Jonathan O’Brien after leaving his beloved Toon to base himself in Lanzarote, but it won’t be easy against Norwich’s ‘Pint Size Powerhouse’ Rylan Charlton who is also undefeated heading into this one. 29-0 West Rainton slickster Thomas Patrick Ward is knocking on the door for a World Title opportunity at Super-Bantamweight but must first navigate his way past late stand in Thomas Essomba who always comes to fight. When opportunity knocks you have to go for it, and that’s exactly what Kane Baker has done as he jumps back in the ring two weeks on from his defeat in Milton Keynes to face Tony Bellew’s undefeated charge Meshech Speare. It was a huge shame to lose the WBO Middleweight World Title fight between Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin but we still have a brilliant women’s fight on the card as former amateur standout Ellie Scotney makes her long-awaited pro debut against Bec Connolly. ■
Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard (daniel.barnard@matchroom.com) Fighter Interviews: Roy Kelly and Jamie Ward Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Photographs: Mark Robinson Master of Ceremonies: David Diamante
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THE
SANDMAN
L
ewis Ritson believes the extra few months graft in the gym locked away with trainer Neil Fannon will pay dividends in the long run. The Geordie puncher has felt the knockon effects from the pandemic, which ruled out his planned fight with Miguel Vazquez twice, back in April and then again June, but he insists the extra preparation has taken his game to the next level. “It has probably benefitted me more than most other fighters,” said Ritson. “It has really allowed for us to gel and work on other areas of our game. Rather than wondering when a fight date may drop, despite the cancellations we have always had an end date in mind which
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OCTOBER 17 2020
“IF I BRING MY A GAME, I’LL BE TOO MUCH FOR MIGUEL AND WILL STOP HIM”
RITSON VS VAZQUEZ
has allowed for me to stay disciplined and sharp throughout. “I’ve been in the gym the full year training hard and staying ready for whatever happens next. The start of lockdown gave me a chance to slow the pace down a little bit and work on a lot more of the technical stuff. I feel like I’ve improved a couple of levels compared to how I boxed against Robbie Davies Jr. We knew that we would get a new date confirmed eventually, we just had to stay in the gym.” Currently ranked number two with the WBA, Ritson finds himself on the cusp of a shot at World honours and believes tonight’s SuperLightweight showdown against former long-standing IBF ruler Vazquez is the perfect bridge to the next level. “If I bring my A game, I’ll be too much for Miguel and will stop him. I think he’s probably a little bit on the slide whereas I’m still on the way up, so we’re meeting bang in the middle. This is the exact type of fight where I can gain more experience to move to the next step. He’s been there and done it. We know what he is all about and what he will bring. “Beating Robbie proved I’m at that European level, now it’s time to prove I can go to the interim world level stage with a good win against Vazquez. That will pave the way for more big fights. We never take anyone lightly and we definitely haven’t taken Vazquez lightly. If I bring my A game, I’ll have more than enough to beat him.” ■
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EL
TITERE
M
exico’s Miguel Vazquez still harbours dreams of becoming a two-time World Champion and the 33-year-old veteran of 51 fights is planning on taking Lewis Ritson’s No.2 ranking with the WBA by turning back the years and proving he is still a contender on the world scene. ‘Titere’ (42-9, 16 KOs), who will be trained by his father Miguel Angel Vazquez for tonight’s fight, previously held the IBF Lightweight World Title for four years, making six defences of the title in that time, before losing to Mickey Bey via a controversial split decision in Las Vegas. Vazquez has only been stopped twice in his career, with one of those stoppages coming against the current unified SuperLightweight ruler Josh Taylor in 2017, and the former champion is determined to show that he is more than just a gatekeeper to bigger fights for Ritson. “We have been training for this fight for a long long time,” said Vazquez. “Obviously it got delayed, but we have been ready for this fight for a long time and I’m up against a really tough fighter in Lewis Ritson. “It is a great opportunity for me. It is a really big fight for me and it’s not going to be an easy one at all which is why I have been preparing as hard as I possibly can for this. I think Ritson is a very strong fighter and I am expecting a very hard fight.
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RITSON VS VAZQUEZ
“When people watch the fight, they can expect to see a Miguel Vazquez that is prepared to go on to become a World Champion again. I’m ready to win. This fight will be very entertaining, and it is a good fight for both of us, the fans will certainly be happy. “All the fights that I’ve had have enabled me to get to where I am now. It was a great experience fighting against Canelo. But all of the people I’ve faced during my period as World Champion as well were important for my career.” ■
“I WANT TO BE A WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN” 7
THE NEXT
CHAPTER
A
fter winning Silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and representing Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Qais Ashfaq has made a perfect start to life in the paid ranks, and the 258-managed talent is itching to push on for more titles. Currently 8-0, Leeds southpaw Ashfaq claimed his first professional Title last November, outscoring Joe Ham on a technical decision to become WBA Continental Super-Bantamweight Champion in Manchester, and has since switched things up behind the scenes as he begins what he calls ‘the next chapter of his career’. “I just felt like I needed a bit of a change,” said Ashfaq. “Me and Angel Fernandez had some friendly chat on social media, and it was natural
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OCTOBER 17 2020
RITSON VS VAZQUEZ
“ONCE THAT BELL RINGS, WE’RE ENEMIES”
process. We got on straight away from that first session and I feel like he’s the perfect coach for me and what I need. “Because of lockdown there was a lot of work over the phone to start with but once we got going face to face it was a lot easier after a slow start. Training in Loughborough is great for me being from Leeds, the facilities are unbelievable!” The toughest test of Ashfaq’s career so far comes in the shape of friend and former sparring partner Marc Leach this Saturday. The skilful ‘Livewire’ who remains unbeaten since losing his professional debut back in 2014, has since gone fifteen without loss. “When the fight was put to us it was strange, but we never shy away,” added Ashfaq. “Maybe they expect the same Qais they saw in sparring, but sparring is different to fighting. Hopefully I will go out there and put on a great performance and win convincingly. “When me and Marc get in the ring, we won’t be friends, but we will be shaking hands before and after. Once that bell rings, we’re enemies. I’ve been taking fights that were offered but it’s about time I get an opportunity like this. After I get this win I’m looking to push on towards that British Title. “We have had a change in the whole set up, it wasn’t just coaching it was management as well. 258 are a great company to be working with and it’s exciting to see where the future goes. This is Ashfaq 2.0, the next level to my career and God willing it’s a very successful partnership. I’m hoping to show what I’ve been learning with Angel and win well on Saturday.” ■
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LIVEWIRE S
alford’s Marc Leach believes his best will be enough to outmanoeuvre Qais Ashfaq when the pair meet in an Eliminator for the British Super-Bantamweight Title this evening. After losing his professional debut back in 2014, ‘Livewire’ has remained unbeaten, winning 14 and drawing one of his contests since. The 26-year-old, who trains with Jamie Moore at the V.I.P Gym in Astley, jumped at the opportunity to take on his former sparring partner Ashfaq and plans to ‘shine’ on the big stage. “I was supposed to fight in March but it was cancelled two days before because of the pandemic”, said Leach. “It was a bit of a setback, but it’s been a good turnaround for this fight and now is my time to shine. “You can’t really take too much from sparring. It has been over a year since we sparred and he’s progressed his way, I’ve progressed my way. He may have learnt a few new tricks and skills but it’s all about who executes the game-plan right on the night. “I believe it’s going to be a chess match for the first
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half of the fight because we’ve both got similar styles. I believe I have the speed to win, he’ll have the power, but I’m used to sparring people bigger and heavier than me. I feel stronger at this weight and can’t wait to perform. Former amateur standout Ashfaq heads into this weekend’s showdown in Peterborough as the favourite with the bookies, but English Bantamweight Champion Leach is relishing his underdog tag and is promising to deliver a careerbest performance under the lights. “Being the underdog to me means you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is on his show and he has all the hype around him. The pressure is on him to perform and I do believe if I perform my best, I will win this fight. “I’ve got to start sharp and fast and keep that pace up throughout the fight. I believe I will win comfortably and confidently, and I will get him out of his rhythm early to get the victory.” ■
“NOW IS MY TIME TO SHINE” 12
OCTOBER 17 2020
RITSON VS VAZQUEZ
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BENWELL
BOMBER
J
oe Laws is chasing the perfect 10 having made what he believes is the perfect move in his career. The irrepressible Benwell Bomber takes on fellow unbeaten Super-Lightweight Rylan Charlton on Saturday in his first bout since leaving behind his beloved Toon to base himself in Lanzarote. Already onto his third coach of his career, the 26-yearold (9-0, 5KOs), drops the ‘Jack-the-lad’ persona to say he is deadly serious that this is the route he needs to take to reach the top. “I’ve moved out to Lanzarote where the training is mint and the lads are spot on,” he said. “I’ve really felt the benefit of it. “At home I think I was too much in the comfort zone, out there I train go back to my apartment, train again then back to my apartment and so on. “I needed a bit of structure and it’s working well for me. To be honest, I can’t wait to get back out there.” Laws will be guided by Champions Gym’s Jonathan O’Brien for the first time in the East of England Arena. The Irishman was a good fighter himself, winning nine and drawing one of his 12 contests. He is in the corner for an acid test with the undefeated Norwich fighter Charlton (5-0-1, 2Kos) very much a live opponent. “It’s my hardest fight to date, a big step up, but I’m feeling good and can’t wait for Saturday,” said Joe. “With this pandemic, gone are the days when you
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“IT’S MY HARDEST FIGHT TO DATE, A BIG STEP UP”
are the 70 and the opponent is the 30. This is a good 50-50 fight, but I think that will be where you see the best of me. “I’ve been training hard, had some cracking sparring and come Saturday I’m going to perform.” Even before moving from the Tyne to the Canaries, Laws had shown signs of an increase in maturity as he moves from crowd-pleaser to contender. Gone in his last fight were some of the outrageous swings and he looked so much better for that in a second-round stoppage win against Jan Prokes at the Newcastle Eagles Community Arena at the start of March. “When I hear people say, ‘Laws can’t box’ I laugh my bollocks off thinking ‘yeah, yeah’,” he said. “I’ve come from a very good gym at Birtley ABC. I’ve done hundreds of rounds with Pat and Luke McCormack, Callum French, Thomas Hodgson, Cyrus Pattison and more. “Sparring with them has made me a teak-tough kid, but could I do it if I couldn’t box?” ■
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PINT SIZE
POWERHOUSE
C
OVID-19 has done boxing few favours, but it might just have opened a door for Rylan Charlton. And the Norwich boxer intends to burst through it when he takes to the big stage on Saturday in Peterborough against Geordie character Joe Laws. It is an appealing contest featuring two unbeaten English Super-Lightweights with Laws (9-0, 5KOs) putting his 100 per cent winning record on the line against Charlton (5-0-1, 2KOs). Rylan is champing at the bit to get at “mouthy” Laws and take an opportunity on the Matchroom Boxing event thrown up by the pandemic. “Covid has kind of killed the small hall shows, so boxing needed the bigger fights and that’s when I started upping my training more in lockdown,” said the 28-year-old. “Boxing doesn’t want boring fights any more with journeymen, so I kept training, doing my thing and I’ve been waiting for the call and it came. “It’s a massive thing, all those times on the small hall shows have been a practice for this. “I’m buzzing for it. Joe’s got a massive following, but he’s very wild, he’s a fighter with not much boxing in there. “He’s only boxed lighter geezers, he’s chosen his opponents carefully and
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OCTOBER 17 2020
RITSON VS VAZQUEZ
“I DON’T RATE HIM THAT MUCH WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOXING”
that’s why his record looks very good. “I respect everyone I get in the ring with massively, but while he’s good at talking and very mouthy, I don’t rate him that much when it comes to the boxing.” Charlton’s manager, Dan Naylor, said he had been “hassling and hassling people” to get his boxer a chance and now it’s here says “my guy hits very hard”. It certainly sets up an intriguing match, though how will the lack of atmosphere created by a crowd (and Laws’s noisy ‘Bomb Squad’) affect things? “The occasion shouldn’t get to me with no crowd,” added Rylan. “I’ve boxed in a few half-empty halls so this will make no difference to me.” ■
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CLOSING IN
atience is not always a virtue found inside a boxer, but for Thomas Patrick Ward being patient has been as important as being talented. And this undefeated 26-year-old, who faces Thomas Essomba in Peterborough, is talented with a capital T. Ward has spent an incredible 31 consecutive months in the World Boxing Organisation’s top four but has yet to get a tilt at the SuperBantamweight Title. Thomas, who boxes out of the Neil Fannan gym in Hartlepool alongside Lewis Ritson, had hoped 2020 would be his year, but like so many people everywhere, accepts that this year has
affected more than boxing. Ward had been scheduled for a WBO Intercontinental Title fight in Newcastle back in April against Mexico’s Jose Martin Garcia. Inevitably, that bill was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and, worse still, Garcia was ruled out of this Saturday’s event at the East of England Arena, where he now meets Essomba over 10 rounds. “It’s a shame that I’m not going to be having an Eliminator,” said the Dave Garside-managed boxer. “But there is always next year. “I do believe that by next year my big fight will come. “I’m ready for that day and I’m confident of being World Champion, but I know I
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“I HAVE THE BETTER SKILLSET AND I’LL BE TOO GOOD ON THE NIGHT.” can afford no slip ups here.” Ward (29-0, 4KOs) is one of British boxing’s best kept secrets, or worst, depending how you view it, so he is relishing an appearance on this Matchroom event on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in America. But there are few secrets between the two Thomases boxing on Saturday. While not close friends, they are fighters who know each other well – they lived just a handful of miles apart in Co Durham for many years. “I really like Thomas, he’s a nice person and a very good fighter,” Ward said. “But this is business and I intend to get the business done on Saturday. “I’m grateful Thomas has stepped up to the plate after Garcia had to pull out. “Thomas is as tough as they come and he always tries his best, but I just think I have the better skillset and I’ll be too good on the night.” There is a considerable skill level in Ward, who last year travelled to the USA where he outclassed Jesse Angel Hernandez in a WBO Title Eliminator in Kansas. Since then he has outpointed a series of Central Americans but this Saturday, it’s his old neighbour with a match he must triumph in to maintain his world ambitions. ■
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OCTOBER 17 2020
RITSON VS VAZQUEZ
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BEWARE THE
SUBSTITUTE
T
hat is the message from Wolverhampton’s pocket dynamo, who has taken on a job of super sub in Peterborough, where he takes on an old friend and neighbour, Thomas Patrick Ward, over 10 rounds. After unbeaten Ward’s original opponent, Jose Martin Garcia, was forced to pull out, Essomba agreed to the test against a boxer he has the highest regard for. “Tommy is doing very well, he is a very good boxer, very strong,” said the former Olympian. “I knew him from when I lived in Sunderland and I like him, but I am here to do my job and I am going to work very hard to win.” His days in Sunderland were special to Essomba, who boxed for Lewis Ritson’s manager, Phil Jeffries, under whom he became the Commonwealth Flyweight Champion in only his sixth professional contest. Boxing in the away corner is no issue for the Cameroon-born fighter now under the BCB banner with head coach Errol Johnson. His finest hour came in Liverpool last August when he ended Sean McGoldrick’s 100 per cent record with a points victory to take the WBA’s Continental Bantam belt. He was at it again just a few months later when he put a halt to Kazakhstan’s undefeated stoppage machine Iskander Kharsan with a third-round success on his travels in Almaty. And a points defeat to Sunny Edwards at the end of August for the IBF International Super-Flyweight Title has not dampened his ambition. ■
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COMEBACK
A
KID
fter what must be the shortest ever retirement, Birmingham’s Kane Baker jumps in at short notice to take on undefeated Tony Bellew charge Meshech Speare following his defeat to Aqib Fiaz two weeks ago, and the popular 30-year-old is buzzing for another chance at glory. “I still can’t believe I’m here,” admitted Baker. “I have changed my life, came off a building site to be fighting live on Sky Sports. “I had the dress rehearsal for this fight two weeks ago. I know what to expect and the things I need to put right, I am just blessed to have this chance again. “I feel less pressure heading into this fight. This is my last chance, but I don’t feel that way because I’ve had this second chance. Winning for me is just being here. “I have got to win this fight because there are no chances for tears, people feeling sorry for me or Eddie getting me another chance this time. “I love being able to take the 0 off undefeated fighters, mine got taken on a Matchroom show. I don’t know much about Speare, he has a similar record to Aqib and is a come forward fighter. “I don’t see Speare not coming to fight. I think he’s going to come and have it which will bring the very best out in me. I’m very sure the fans watching at home will be entertained because it’s going to be a cracker!” ■
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OCTOBER 17 2020
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OPPORTUNITY
KNOCKS
M
eshech Speare couldn’t believe his luck when Tony Bellew, his manager and mentor, secured him a last minute spot on tonight’s bill after a series of Tweets to promoter Eddie Hearn. Tutored by Derry Mathews and Merseyside’s boxing godfather, Georgie Vaughan, 23-year-old Speare believes he can finally announce himself on the big stage by defeating former Midlands Area Lightweight Champion Kane Baker. “Being a fighter was what I always wanted to do from an early age, and I was in the gym at eight years of age impressing my coaches,” Speare told Hannibal Boxing. “It would’ve been okay to get more amateur titles, and they give you a little bit more pull when you turn over, but being a pro fighter is what I’ve always wanted to be, and everyone knows there’s a lot of politics in amateur boxing, so I just wanted to push on with fighting pro. “Turning over at the Everton Red Triangle was an easy choice for me, and I had some good nights there with the lads, but sometimes you think a change is needed and with Derry and Georgie now training me, I know I can push on. I’m still young, there’s no rush for me, but I’m excited about what the future holds.” ■
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THE
PRO DEBUT W
orth the wait. That is the feeling of Ellie Scotney as she prepares to trade leather for the first time as a professional. The 22-year-old had been scheduled to make her highlyanticipated professional debut on the undercard of the David Avanesyan-Josh Kelly European Title showdown at The O2 at the end of March. Lockdown got in the exciting Londoner’s way but almost seven months on, her first contest is finally here as she faces Swindon’s Bec Connolly over six rounds in Peterborough. “I’m just looking to get I there, I’m buzzing,” she smiled. “It’s second time lucky after the first one got called off, I’m just grateful for the opportunity given the world we’re in at the moment.” A smile is never far away from the bubbly Adam Booth-managed Featherweight who hopes to impose her thrilling style on the pro game. “I like to do a bit of both, but I do like to get involved! I hope I don’t disappoint the fans, I do like to fight but hope I can be smart with it. I had 40 fights as an amateur and boxed all over the world. “But pro boxing is a different game and I feel my style and my character is going to suit that, I just can’t wait to get in there. “A career is short-lived so I’m going into it to enjoy every minute of it and make the most of everything.” An accomplished amateur, Scotney was tipped for an Olympic place in Tokyo but instead signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom. Standing in her way at the East of England Arena is the experienced Connolly (3-7), who has fought a number of top girls. “I’m ready for a top Beccs turning up, I wouldn’t expect anything less. I’m well prepared and ready to get down to work.” ■
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OCTOBER 17 2020
RITSON VS VAZQUEZ
LADY
C
LUCK
hucked in the deep end? That’s not a problem for one of boxing most remarkable stories. Bec Connolly has what many will see as the unenviable task of being in the away corner for the debut of Matchroom’s new signing, Ellie Scotney. But the 36-year-old is not in the least bit fazed ahead of their six-round meeting. “One hundred per cent heart is what I always bring to the table and that’s what I’ll bring on Saturday,” said the Swindon Featherweight. “Absolutely fair play to Ellie for all the accolades she’s had by such a young age. She’s outstanding, if that was my daughter, I’d be so incredibly proud. “Having said that, I’ve worked very hard and come a long way myself.” A mother of four, Bec only made her professional bow aged 33, having had a stint in white-collar and amateur boxing. “My debut was amazing,” she recalled. “We fought the three-minute rounds like the men, to show we could do it and I won every round. I felt my hand was going up in my second fight and I was really heartbroken when it didn’t.” Instead of sulking, she decided to “take anything and everything to get the experience” and it’s left her with a somewhat misleading 3-7 record having boxed the likes of Terri Harper and Natasha Jonas. Describing herself as a “fighter who has learned to box”, Bec is now guided by Mike Rees. “When I changed management, it was a choice between waiting for the right fights and running the risk of being retired before my chance came or I could get an opportunity now,” she said. “That’s what he did, he delivered straight away. This is the biggest show I’ve been on and can’t wait.” ■
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12 X 3 MINS WBA INTERCONTINENTAL SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT
LEWIS MIGUEL vs RITSON VAZQUEZ
(FOREST HALL)
(MEXICO)
10 X 3 MINS BRITISH SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR
QAIS ASHFAQ vs MARC LEACH (LEEDS)
(SALFORD)
6 X 3 MINS SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST
JOE LAWS vs RYLAN CHARLTON (BENWELL)
(NORWICH)
10 X 3 MINS SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT CONTEST
THOMAS THOMAS vs PATRICK WARD ESSOMBA (WEST RAINTON)
(WOLVERHAMPTON)
6 X 3 MINS SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST
KANE BAKER vs MESHECH SPEARE (BIRMINGHAM)
(LIVERPOOL)
6 X 2 MINS SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT CONTEST
ELLIE SCOTNEY vs BEC CONNOLLY (CATFORD)
(SWINDON)