Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain: A Battle for Bragging Rights
- By Behind The Gloves
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- 30 Jan, 2018
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The O2 Arena plays host to the fiercely anticipated 'British Beef' showdown this Saturday, with long-standing Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie (7-0-0, 6 KO's) and Isaac Chamberlain (9-0-0, 4 KO's) squaring off in a battle of two undefeated prospects.
With just one Southern Area title and a combined sixteen fights between the pair, neither man has experienced headlining a big fight night live on SkySports. However, that will count for little when they enter the ring on Saturday night, with the WBA Continental Cruiserweight title on the line - as well as considerable bragging rights.
Hackney’s Lawrence Okolie, trained by Brian O’Shaughnessy, has yet to go past the sixth round as a professional, entering the paid ranks just one year ago under the guidance of manager Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn. Despite having only boxed 15 professional rounds against modest opposition, the former Team GB star is still regarded as a special talent.
Standing at 6ft 5", Okolie enjoys a three inch height advantage over Chamberlain, and while still appearing rough around the edges, the 25-year-old has impressed in the early stages of his career with an excellent variety of shots and rangy, fight ending power.
By contrast, despite being two years Okolie's junior, Chamberlain has amassed a total of 43 rounds from his nine fights, going the full ten round distance once in a 2016 dogfight with veteran Wadi Camacho. The bout, which saw Chamberlain claim the Southern Area title, was regarded by many as one of the standout contests of the year, with the Brixton man dislocating his shoulder in the third round before going on to grit out a gruelling decision victory in front of a raucous York Hall crowd.
Training out of Miguel’s Gym in Brixton, 23-year-old Chamberlain is trained and managed by his uncle - and former European super lightweight champion - Ted Bami. Despite having less than ten amateur fights, Chamberlain turned professional in January 2015, ironically at the same venue he will face Okolie on February 3rd: London's O2 Arena. Since his debut, he has racked up nine consecutive victories, and enters the bout with Okolie on a run of four four stoppage wins in his last five outings.
Boxing behind a solid jab and boasting a smooth in-ring manner, Chamberlain's slick skills have seen him used as a sparring partner for some of the world's finest cruiserweights. After sharing the ring with the likes of Mike Perez and Mateusz Masternak, Chamberlain visited consensus best fighter in the division Oleksandr Usyk in preparation for the Ukrainian superstar's two most recent contests.
It is testament to the skill and willingness to pit himself against the best in the world that have seen Chamberlain's reputation grow within the boxing community. Time will tell if those attributes will be a determining factor when he enters the ring against Okolie.
Following a heavily-hyped build-up, there seems to be genuine animosity between the pair. In the past week, the two men have exchanged relatively good-humoured barbs. First is was Chamberlain, who took out an advert mocking Okolie in the Hackney man's local newspaper, while Okolie replied by driving a burger van to Chamberlain's Brixton base in response to his opponent's taunts about his former occupation in McDonalds.
This fight itself is going to answer a lot of questions about both men. It is a boost to British boxing to see two relative novices - albeit with tremendous potential - risk their unbeaten unbeaten records by meeting so early on in their careers. The bout represents a significant risk, though win or lose, there is still a place in the current boxing scene for either fighter to continue down their chosen path.
‘Very early on in life, I learned that you quickly gained respect around our manor if you could hold your hands up,’ says ‘Horny’ Harvey who was born in the London Hospital and raised in flat just off the Roman Road in Bethnal Green.
‘You had to be able to look after yourself to survive around there. Both my dad and my mum - who’s a proper East End bird - preached: ‘If any one lies a hand on ya, hit ‘em back twice as hard!’
Though the 22 year old Mark Tibbs coached southpaw has since alighted to the village of Abridge in Essex, his heart and roots remain firmly entrenched in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
‘ We’ve still got loads of family there,’ disclosed the diehard West Ham United fan who earned rave reviews after brutally dicing Czech import Denis Bartos inside three rounds on his pro bow at the Copper Box Arena last December.
‘I really enjoyed going to primary school and growing up in the East End. From secondary school, I was always the smallest in my group but my pals were all massive and they really looked after me. I was never bullied. In fact I was usually the trouble maker!
‘I weren’t a bad tempered kid but I could always handle myself. When I was just seven, my mum got me into karate cos I was always rucking’.
But it was in a different form of combat that young ‘Aitch’ was to excel.
‘Dad, like many round here, was a huge boxing fan. He claims he had 15-20 amateur bouts and never lost but I’m not sure I believe him! My step granddad, Terry Insole, won several national junior titles out of the Fisher club,’ claims Horn.
‘Dad was always telling me stories about the top local fighters, your Straceys, your Kaylors. As I grew older, I started to take an interest in the champions who came from our area. I was particularly fascinated by (ex WBC champion) Charlie Magri from Stepney who, despite being a Flyweight, could knock people cold and sell a ticket, pack out any venue.
‘As a toddler, Dad first took me to the York Hall to have a swim but I later boxed there four times and, atmosphere wise, it was probably the best. They’re hardcore knowledgeable fans and once the MC announces you’re from Bethnal Green, the place just goes mental!
‘The Repton amateur boxing club was also right on my doorstep and it was a massive thing in the area. Dad first took me there when I was about seven but they rejected me, told me there were too many kids there already so I joined the Gator (ABC in Hainault) before returning to Repton, aged 15.
‘I’m the eldest of three boys who all box....and I’m easily the smallest. Finlay, who’s 18, is very stocky and unbeaten in three. Louis, who’s 16 but already six foot, won the schoolboys....ironically the only national junior title I didn’t win.’
In addition to bagging seven national titles (including the 2014 ABA Seniors), ‘Triple H’ captured a European Under 22 title, European Seniors silver medal and won three out of four starts for the GB Lionhearts in the brutal quasi-pro WSB before narrowly failing to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. He believes he has the talent, confidence and personality to make a similar impact now that he punches for his lunch.
‘I’m aware the East End has a proud boxing heritage and I intend adding to it,’ concludes the man who shifted over 250 tickets for his debut.
‘On the Team GB set-up, I was brought up alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua. I want what they’ve got and intend to go out and get it.’
Horn takes on Gateshead's Gary Reeve over four rounds at York Hall on February 24th.
An action-packed evening of boxing at the iconic fight theatre features Anthony 'The Beast' Yarde (14-0, 13 KO’s) defending his WBO Intercontinental and European Light-Heavyweight titles against Frenchman Tony Averlant (26-9-2, 5 KO’s);
Knockout artist Daniel 'Dynamite' Dubois (6-0, 6 KO’s) fights at the historical East London venue for the first time in his professional career as he defends his Southern Area Heavyweight belt against Queensborough’s DL Jones (8-0-1);
Zelfa 'Brown Flash' Barrett (19-0, 12 KO’s) takes on former British Super-Featherweight title challenger Ronnie Clark (20-4-2, 10 KO's) when he fights in the capital for the first time;
Elsewhere on a stacked card hard-hitting Southampton Super-Welterweight Joe Pigford returns to the ring after a brutal KO win over Aaron Morgan in May 2025; Welling Super-Featherweight Archie Sharp aims to improve his unbeaten record to 12-0; former Southern Area Super-Featherweight Champion Boy Jones Jnr fights at Lightweight for the first time; gifted Southampton Featherweight Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner looks to get his career back on track when he fights over four rounds; Ilford Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz fights in his second professional contest; stylish Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq looks to go 2-0 while Beckton Lightweight and Anthony Yarde gym mate Mohammed Bilal Ali makes his professional debut.
Tickets for Saturday 24th February priced at £40, £50, £60 and £80 are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.
Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the February 24 show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website: https://www.frankwarren.com/allevents/dubois-v-jones/
Source: Frank Warren PR [Press Release]
Matchroom Boxing, JD Sports and Sky Sports are looking for the next generation of boxing announcers with the launch of ‘The MC Academy’.
Budding MC’s are invited to enter by uploading a video clip of themselves (maximum of 30 seconds long) introducing a fight to Twitter or Instagram using #MCacademy by Wednesday February 28. A judging panel led by Hall of Fame MC Michael Buffer joined by promoter Eddie Hearn and Head of Boxing at Sky Sports Adam Smith will select the best ten entries who will travel to Sky Sports’ HQ for a final audition and a backstage tour of the studios.
Three finalists will emerge from the audition day and they will meet Buffer who will put them through their paces in an MC Masterclass before they face the fans at an upcoming public work out.
The time spent with Buffer and at the work out will be turned into a final video montage for each of the three finalists, and fans will be able to vote for the winner – who will then get a BBBofC license and MC at Matchroom shows.
“I have a very busy schedule this year and I can’t be everywhere,” said Buffer. “So we’re starting The MC Academy. Let’s find a new voice and a new face who can help me out!
“There will be no age restriction and, of course, it’s open to both men and women! Show me what you’ve got, and good luck!
“So, ladies and gentlemen...boys and girls! Send in your videos and let’s get this party started”
“This is a great chance for an aspiring MC to learn from a legend and take centre stage at our shows,” said Hearn. “We expect to see some amusing entries over the next few weeks but also hope to unearth the next Michael Buffer!”
“Eddie and I have talked for a long time about launching this innovative and interactive new competition to find an MC!” said Smith. “It is a wonderful chance for everyone to have a go, team up with a mate, hit the notes solo or come up with something different - as we move into a flourishing and vibrant new period for boxing.
“So however young, old or crazy you are - have a go! It will be a lot of fun whittling down the list and what an opportunity to join us at Sky for the grand final and moreover being mentored by the legendary Michael Buffer! Bring it on!!”
“JD Sports are excited to launch The MC Academy,” said JD Sports’ Group Marketing Director Stephen White. “We are committed to supporting the next generation of boxers and now the next generation of MC’s too!”
For further information and terms and conditions, visit http://www.matchroomboxing.com/mcacademy/
Source: Matchroom Boxing [Press Release]
The 22 year old ‘Sharpshooter’ went undefeated in his first 25 amateur bouts, conceded just once – on a double countback to a Russian in Russia in the European schoolboys final – in 22 starts in an international singlet and hoovered up nine national junior titles during a nine year innings in the unpaid sphere.
And in his 11 fights since committing to a pro deal with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren in July 2015, the audaciously talented box-fighter has smashed six victims inside three rounds and registered ‘shutout’ points victories against the other five. Yet still he insists we haven’t witnessed his best side.
‘The higher I go, the more you’ll see my true ability, definitely,’ says the sleek 5ft 9in Chelsea fan.
‘When I spar class fighters like the Walsh brothers (champions Liam and Ryan ) or Carl Frampton, I’m the clever fighter, in and out, working off the centre (of the ring ) . On best form, I can give ANYONE problems.
‘Presently, against these tough journeyman who just come to survive, I’m having to engage my opponents, be the aggressor, press forward. While I can box or trade, my best asset is that I’ve always been very, very clever. I’m a student of the sport, really clued up.
‘As I rise through the ranks and my opponents become more ambitious, I’ll be able to return to my natural counterpunching game and that’s when my class will really shine through.’
‘Profile wise I’ve probably fallen a bit behind your Zelfa Barretts and Lyon Woodstocks mainly because I don’t waste my time calling people out on social media. I leave them alone and they tend to leave me alone,’ claims Sidcup-born Sharp who has been coached by Richard Sawyer from the age of 11 and is managed by the MTK franchise in Marbella.
‘But I’m making big statements behind the scenes, in the gyms, with the top fighters and trainers, those whose opinions really matter. Let the others have smoke blown up their arses.
‘I’ve not seen that much of the others anyway. Zelfa’s ahead of me. He’s on the cusp of a British title challenge already. Woodstock was given a very tough night by Craig Poxton. You’ve also got Martin Ward and Joey Cordina; classy, classy operators.
‘Look they’re all great prospects but, when the fights are made, we’ll see who ‘The Main Man’ is. I’m still only 22 but I’m already a big superfeatherweight and there’s a lot more strength to come.
‘Don’t forget, in the amateurs I fought decorated international boys. Pat McCormack went the Olympics. His brother Luke did well at the Europeans (Under 22 champion) . Calum French is a heck of a talent who has shone in the WSB….I beat them all.
‘I can throw and land shots the others won’t dream of throwing. I lost just five of 56 as an amateur and the only slip-ups came when I neglected my boxing and had a trade-up. On my A game, I can’t see any of ‘em beating me.
'By New Year’s Eve 2018, I’d like to have a couple of titles, perhaps the Southern Area, maybe the English. I believe I’ve got the ability to jump up for the British title tomorrow but you have to go through the stepping stones. Other prospects run in too quick and come up short.’
The quick thinking, quick fisted starlet kickstarts his 2018 campaign in an eight rounder against an as yet unnamed opponent at the York Hall on February 24th. It will be his sixth pro outing at the iconic East End fight club.
‘The York Hall is such a historical venue which holds great memories for me. I should be pushing 200 tickets personally which will make for a good atmosphere as always, when I fight,’ states Archie who recently became a father for the first time.
‘What I bring to the show is class. Counterpunching. Hopefully, I’ll get an opponent who wants to work so fans can see me landing all sorts of lead uppercuts and check hooks, spinning my opponent through the ropes off the back foot.
‘I know the level I’m at. Now it’s just a case of proving it to everybody else!’
An action-packed evening of boxing at the iconic fight theatre features Anthony 'The Beast' Yarde (14-0, 13 KO’s) defending his WBO Intercontinental and European Light-Heavyweight titles against Frenchman Tony Averlant (26-9-2, 5 KO’s);
Knockout artist Daniel 'Dynamite' Dubois (6-0, 6 KO’s) fights at the historical East London venue for the first time in his professional career as he defends his Southern Area Heavyweight belt against Queensborough’s DL Jones (8-0-1);
Zelfa 'Brown Flash' Barrett (19-0, 12 KO’s) takes on former British Super-Featherweight title challenger Ronnie Clark (20-4-2, 10 KO's) when he fights in the capital for the first time;
Elsewhere on a stacked card hard-hitting Southampton Super-Welterweight Joe Pigford returns to the ring after a brutal KO win over Aaron Morgan in May 2025; former Southern Area Super-Featherweight Champion Boy Jones Jnr fights at Lightweight for the first time; gifted Southampton Featherweight Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner looks to get his career back on track when he fights over four rounds; Ilford Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz fights in his second professional contest; stylish Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq and former Team GB Flyweight Harvey Horn both look to go 2-0 while Beckton Lightweight and Anthony Yarde gym mate Mohammed Bilal Ali makes his professional debut.
Tickets for Saturday 24th February priced at £40, £50, £60 and £80 are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.
Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the February 24 show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website: https://www.frankwarren.com/allevents/dubois-v-jones/
Source: Frank Warren PR [Press Release]
BoxNation subscribers will be able to enjoy more exclusively live world title action this Saturday night when WBC super-featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt puts his title on the line against Ghanaian hotshot Maxwell Awuku.
Source: BoxNation [Press Release]
The second World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight semi-final between Murat Gassiev and Yunier Dorticos had all the makings of an absolute barnburner.
Expectations were high heading into Saturday’s showdown in Sochi between the two fan-friendly knockout artists and they duly delivered, perhaps even exceeding these. In an early candidate for Fight of the Year, Gassiev triumphed by dramatic twelfth round knockout after an epic struggle which elevated the reputation of both men.
While both men brought a well-earned reputation for heavy-handedness to the ring, the contrast in styles and backgrounds added an extra layer of intrigue. Dorticos, a product of the Cuban amateur boxing system, was regarded by many, including myself, as the more consummate boxer and superior athlete, endowed with natural physical advantages of height, reach and speed. On the other hand, Gassiev, who possessed limited amateur experience but had learnt quickly on the job as a pro under the tutelage of Abel Sanchez, was thought to hold the edge in brute strength and durability.
The early rounds of the fight gave us our first surprise as Gassiev, a tank of a man who usually presses inexorably forward, opted to move and fight off the back foot while Dorticos was the aggressor, stalking his foe with mean intentions. This, combined with his higher punch output, was probably enough to shade him the early rounds, although Gassiev did a good job of blocking many of Dorticos’ punches with a tight guard and countered with some eye-catching shots to the head and body. This gave us our second surprise of the night as Dorticos, who had previously been stopped in the amateur ranks and dropped and hurt as a professional by lesser foes and punchers, took them without flinching.
SHOWTIME Sports will present the Heavyweight World championship unification between undefeated IBF and WBA World Champion Anthony Joshua MBE and unbeaten WBO World Champion Joseph Parker on Saturday, March 31 live on SHOWTIME from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
British sensation Joshua, who has knocked out all 20 of his professional opponents, burst onto the global scene with a dramatic knockout of long-reigning Heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko in the universally acclaimed 2025 Fight of the Year at Wembley Stadium in London.
In two fights last year, Joshua drew 168,000 spectators combined to massive stadium events in the U.K. Now, he faces another significant challenge in Parker, a native of New Zealand with 24 wins, no losses and 18 knockouts. Parker is attempting the third World title defence of his WBO belt.
Joshua vs. Parker is just the second Heavyweight championship unification in history between undefeated World titleholders. The only fighter to emerge victorious from a matchup of unbeaten Heavyweight World champions was Mike Tyson in 1987.
With the addition of Joshua vs. Parker, SHOWTIME will televise all four of the Heavyweight World titles in the same month as undefeated American Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) will defend his WBC belt against unbeaten Luis Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) on Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The four top-rated Heavyweights--Wilder, Ortiz, Joshua and Parker--boast a combined record of 111 wins, zero losses and 100 knockouts.
Both Heavyweight championships are cornerstones of a remarkable 2018 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING schedule that now includes 16 undefeated fighters and 13 world titles fights across 11 marquee events through the first six months of the year.
“The Heavyweight division is in the midst of a renaissance and SHOWTIME is delivering the all of the pivotal bouts to our subscribers,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “Anthony Joshua is a global superstar and we’re proud to present his sixth, and perhaps most challenging, World title fight to the U.S. audience. Joshua vs. Parker will be the 12thHeavyweight World championship match on SHOWTIME since Deontay Wilder won his title in 2015, an undisputed industry-leading offering in boxing’s preeminent division.”
The event is promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Duco Events. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will televise the event live from Principality Stadium where organizers expect a sell-out of 80,000 spectators. The host of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Brian Custer. Mauro Ranallo calls the action from ringside along with International Boxing Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-division World champion Paul Malignaggi. A 2018 Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Gray, serves as ringside reporter.
Source: Matchroom Boxing [Press Release]
Conor Benn has signed a two-year promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.
Benn has raced to 11-0 with 8 KOs in the pros since turning pro with Eddie Hearn in April 2016, with his last fight proving to be a small-hall classic as he recovered from hitting the deck twice in the opening round with two knockdowns of his own against Cedrick Peynaud at York Hall in December.
‘The Destroyer’ is back out in April on the undercard of Amir Khan’s return to action at the Echo Arena in Liverpool and the 21 year old is itching to get back into action on Merseyside and start a big year on a high.
“I’m delighted to have signed a new deal with Eddie and Matchroom Boxing,” said Benn. “I can’t wait to get back out in action on the Khan undercard, Liverpool is a great fighting city and I’m looking forward to fighting in front of such a knowledgeable fanbase. I want to entertain the fans but I’m still a work in progress.
“The Peynaud fight was a real learning curve but there was a lot of things that went wrong in camp to the last fight, I had a severe skin reaction out in New York for starters. That aside, I had four great fights last year. I was flat on the night but I’ve learned a couple of lessons from the fight. One of which, I’ve got the will to win which deep down, I didn’t know I had. A rematch is due, he’s deserved that and I’m sure it’ll happen this year and I’ll win it convincingly.”
“I'm delighted to extend our agreement with Conor and am very excited about the future,” said Hearn. “Conor has become an exciting feature on our shows and at 21, he has so much potential in the sport. 2018 is the year he will begin challenging for titles and Sky Sports viewers are guaranteed action when he steps into the ring.”
Benn’s return is part of a huge night of action in Liverpool as Khan fights for the first time since May 2016 against Canadian Phil Lo Greco.
Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd defends his Commonwealth Lightweight title against Tommy Coyle, and former Team GB Olympians Natasha Jonas and Anthony Fowler and unbeaten Super-Welterweight Scott Fitzgerald are all in action.
Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60, £80 and £100 from www.echoarena.com and on 0344 8000 400.
Face value tickets for April 21 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.
Source: Matchroom Boxing [Press Release]
Jordan Gill will face Jason Cunningham in an eliminator for the British Featherweight title on the latest installment of the JDNXTGEN series at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester on Sunday February 25, live on Sky Sports.
Gill has cruised to 18-0 in the paid ranks but finally gets a big fight after over five years as a pro, as the 23 year old looks to close in on the Lord Lonsdale belt held by Ryan Walsh.
‘The Thrill’ has been frustrated in waiting for a crack at the English strap, but Gill believes victory against former Commonwealth champ Cunningham in his third fight with new trainer Dave Coldwell could be the launchpad for a big year.
“I want to be fighting regularly and I want to be in big fights,” said Gill. “This year I'm looking at all the top guys in Britain, and they know it. I've had two fights with Dave and it's really clicking, I'm mandatory for the English title but Samir Mouniemne vacated the title because he didn't want to fight me, then Ben Jones said no – these guys don't want to face me. But I can take a step closer to the British title in Manchester so things are looking good.
“The gym is buzzing. We’re a tight group, I’m the youngest in there and I've got the most to learn, but I think that we're all learning all the time, even Tony Bellew as an experienced World champion says he’s growing all the time. It shows in our fights and you're going to see me get better in every fight.”
Gill takes on Cunningham on stacked bill of action topped by a first British Lightweight title defence for Lewis Ritson against Joe Murray.
Qais Ashfaq makes his debut under the Matchroom Boxing banner, with Tasha Jonas continuing her path to a World title shot, her Joe Gallagher gym mates Hosea Burton, Marcus Morrison and Sam Hyde tasting their first action of the year, as do unbeaten Commonwealth gold medal man Scott Fitzgerald and exciting Northampton Super-Welterweight Kieron Conway.
Tickets are on sale now priced £40 and £60 with VIP tickets at £100 from www.stuhbhub.co.uk
Source: Matchroom Boxing [Press Release]
Warren’s opening show of 2018 will star an array of young talent including Ilford Light-Heavyweight powerhouse Anthony ‘The Beast’ Yarde, Greenwich Heavyweight sensation Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois and Manchester’s undefeated English Super-Featherweight Champion Zelfa ‘Brown Flash’ Barrett.
Yarde (14-0, 13 KO’s) defends his WBO Intercontinental and European Light-Heavyweight titles against Frenchman Tony Averlant (26-9-2, 5 KO’s). A fruitful 2025 that saw Yarde pick up the Southern Area and WBO Intercontinental and European titles cemented his place as one of the hottest properties in British boxing.
“2025 was a good year for me,” said Yarde. “I picked up three belts and stopped all five of my opponents. This year is going to be bigger and better. My job is to keep my head down, work hard and enjoy the journey.
“I’m hoping that Averlant is a durable opponent, he’s only been stopped twice and one of those stoppages was against former WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Juergen Braeher.”
Knockout artist Dubois (6-0, 6 KO’s) fights at the historical East London venue for the first time in his professional career as he defends his Southern Area Heavyweight belt against Queensborough’s DL Jones (8-0-1).
Dubois is promising to start the New Year with another explosive performance at the iconic fight theatre that has hosted a number of current and former British Heavyweight World Champions including Lennox Lewis, David Haye and Anthony Joshua.
Already a Southern Area and WBC World Youth Champion, the young giant is aiming to add more belts to his growing collection before his 21st birthday in September.
“I want every belt,” said Dubois. “I won two belts in my first year as a professional boxer and I’ll be looking to win more in 2018. I’m ready to start the year with a bang.
“It’s an honour to be fighting at York Hall for the first time in my pro career. Lennox Lewis fought there in his seventh fight and I’ll be doing the same. He went on to win World Titles and that’s my aim too. It might be the first and last time I ever fight at the Hall so don’t miss out.”
Barrett (19-0, 12 KO’s) takes on former British Super-Featherweight title challenger Ronnie Clark (20-4-2, 10 KO's) when he fights in the capital for the first time. 'Brown Flash' hopes his English title win against fellow Mancuanian Chris Conwell at the First Direct Arena in October will be the first of many belts.
The nephew of former British and European Super-Lightweight Champion Pat ‘Black Flash’ Barrett is already creating waves in the North West and is determined to justify the hype against Dundee's Clark.
A product of the renowned Collyhurst and Moston boxing club, many pundits believe Barrett is a World Champion in waiting; and the man himself is aiming to prove them right by the age of 27.
“By the time I’m 27 I’ll be a World Champion,” said Barrett. “Becoming a World Champion is my main ambition and I have the right team around me to achieve that dream. I’m incredibly hungry and I’ll be looking to challenge for more belts this year.
"Clark has only lost to decent fighters including Martin Joseph Ward and Craig Evans. He's a tough man and drew against British Featherweight Champion as well, he's another step up and should provide me with a good test."
Elsewhere on a stacked card hard-hitting Southampton Super-Welterweight Joe Pigford returns to the ring after a brutal KO win over Aaron Morgan in May 2025; all-action Welling Super-Featherweight talent Archie ‘Sharpshooter’ Sharp aims to improve his unbeaten record to 12-0; former Southern Area Super-Featherweight Champion Boy Jones Jnr fights a Lightweight for the first time; gifted Southampton Featherweight Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner looks to get his career back on track when he fights over four rounds; Ilford Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz fights in his second professional contest; stylish Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq and former Team GB Flyweight Harvey Horn both look to go 2-0 while Beckton Lightweight and Anthony Yarde gym mate Mohammed Bilal Ali makes his professional debut.
Tickets for Saturday 24th February priced at £40, £50, £60 and £80 are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.
Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the February 24 show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website.
Source: Frank Warren PR [Press Release]
The Mancunian heavyweight soundly outpointed the long-reigning Ukrainian champion on November 28th 2015, in what was a sensational upset - also claiming the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles in the process.
However, he has not fought since, due to a combination of mental health problems and substance abuse, and was required to announce a fight against a top-five contender before the end of January or face being stripped of his Ring title, his only remaining belt.
Despite his protracted hiatus, a seemingly reinvigorated Fury remained the Ring's champion for over two years and therefore regards himself as the legitimate, 'lineal' champion of the division. The undefeated giant, accompanied by a new trainer, appears to be back in love with the sport and has entertained comeback fights with the likes of Tony Bellew, Shannon Briggs, and Manuel Charr.
Although, having failed to meet the aforementioned deadline, the 'Ring' belt - a prestigious representation of the mythical lineal championship - is now vacant and will presumably be at stake when the respective winners of Wilder-Ortiz and Joshua-Parker finally square off for the undisputed title.
Following his upset points victory over Klitschko, Fury was entangled in contractual stipulations regarding Klitschko's immediate rematch clause, which the Ukrainian exercised.
As a result, Fury was unable to face IBF mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov and was almost immediately stripped of the organisation's world title in 2016.
He voluntarily relinquished the remaining belts later that year, after the Klitschko rematch was postponed due to injury and eventually fell through.
Domestic rival Anthony Joshua has since captured three of Fury's old belts, with stoppage wins over Charles Martin in April 2016 and Wladimir Klitschko the following year.
The WBO belt, incidentally, is held by Joshua's forthcoming opponent, Joseph Parker of New Zealand. Parker won the vacant title in December 2016 after defeating Andy Ruiz on points, and most recently defended his title against Hughie Fury - Tyson's cousin - on away soil in Manchester.
Nevertheless, Fury still proclaims that he is the 'man to beat' in the heavyweight division - as he never lost his belts in the ring - and many fans will indeed recognise him as such when he finally makes his return.
