MTK: The Golden Contract | Featherweight Tournament

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not knowing the opponent suits me perfect. I don’t watch opponents so it just takes away their advantage if anything. I’m focused on the job.

Jazza Dickens

[JamieM]

Bit disappointed in the draw format. There is still going to be an element of control over it due to picking your opponent. I thought 8 balls go in the hat and they draw them out, no seeds. Pretty disappointed to be fair. I watching an interview where Danny Vaughan says a format that's never been seen before. It's just a super series without seeding and 4 lucky balls get to pick opponents. I do like how it you lose you then fight on next show though.

[margaret thatcher]

They should do it the way K1 used to do it

[benmccullagh87]

Tyrone McCullagh will box ears of every entrant. Tight tournament. Wait and see though.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nick Ball named as reserve for MTK Featherweights

[handsofstone]

Really looking forward to this, great format, fair play to MTK for getting the top domestic Featherweights in the country, especially the British and Commonwealth champs in Walsh and Wood, the experience and resume lies with Walsh clearly but I think he's missed the boat to step up a level if it was ever going to happen, obviously he already got beat by Ceylan for the European but I still fancied him to make that step up from British level but after recent performances I'm not so sure now, I thought he lost to Paulin last time out

I like Joyce whos a good strong experienced boxer, great amateur pedigree and has a very good win over Tiffney who I rated, McCullagh and very tidy boxer as well, slippery southpaw with a great defence, not the biggest puncher but a good boxer, my bet for the win would be Wood to win the whole thing though, I think he's in great form, boxing well, punching hard and looking confident, he destroyed Doyle last time out, career best showing, Dickens is another experienced fighter whos mixed it with some top opposition, he's in good form since losing his British title to Ward down at Super Bantamweight, I don't know the other 3 foreign fellas but nothing much on their records

Obviously the draw will be crucial but yeah i'll go with Wood or maybe Joyce as my outsider

[NoScoutingReports]

I've voted for Wood but a solid field of fighters, should be entertaining.

[margaret thatcher]

Really looking forward to this, great format, fair play to MTK for getting the top domestic Featherweights in the country, especially the British and Commonwealth champs in Walsh and Wood, the experience and resume lies with Walsh clearly but I think he's missed the boat to step up a level if it was ever going to happen, obviously he already got beat by Ceylan for the European but I still fancied him to make that step up from British level but after recent performances I'm not so sure now, I thought he lost to Paulin last time out

I like Joyce whos a good strong experienced boxer, great amateur pedigree and has a very good win over Tiffney who I rated, McCullagh and very tidy boxer as well, slippery southpaw with a great defence, not the biggest puncher but a good boxer, my bet for the win would be Wood to win the whole thing though, I think he's in great form, boxing well, punching hard and looking confident, he destroyed Doyle last time out, career best showing, Dickens is another experienced fighter whos mixed it with some top opposition, he's in good form since losing his British title to Ward down at Super Bantamweight, I don't know the other 3 foreign fellas but nothing much on their records

Obviously the draw will be crucial but yeah i'll go with Wood or maybe Joyce as my outsider

Agree on Walsh, he is the betting fave and I assume a lot are gonna pick him just on resume, but watching him lately I don't think he's gonna win this.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[saad muhammad]

Anyone know how many rounds these fights are ?

[bigped]

Anyone know how many rounds these fights are ?

10 I think unless title is on the line then be 12

[magnus]

Watched the draw, bit disappointed that neither Wood nor Dickens chose to fight Walsh (presuming his British title would have been at stake)

Wood vs Joyce
Dickens vs Ramos
Walsh vs Socarras
McCullagh vs Araujo

[saad muhammad]

Cheers !

[Ruthless-RKO]

DRAW IN FULL:

Leigh Wood vs. David Oliver Joyce

Jazza Dickens vs. Carlos Ramos

Hairon Socarras vs. Ryan Walsh

Tyrone McCullagh vs. Carlos Araujo

Wood said: "I've picked Joyce because of style wise, and I've got a few other reasons that I'll keep close to my chest. I'm in it to win the entire competition."

Joyce said: "It's going to be a pleasure to get into the ring and show my class on Friday."

Dickens said: "Carlos is emotional already, you can see that by looking at him. He's got the EBU EU belt which I haven't had yet, so I'll like to pick that up."

Walsh said: "I'm grateful, and I wanted to be one of the opponents who was picked, so I will see Hairon Socarras on Friday."

McCullagh said: "I wanted a red ball, but being blue ball number four is just the same. They're all quality lads so you're going to be up against it and in a quality fight no matter who you pick."

Araujo said: "On Friday, McCullagh is going to be in a fight with a real Mexican."

MTK Global Professional Development Coordinator Jamie Conlan added: "Leigh Wood and David Oliver Joyce stylistically is a great fight, but Ryan Walsh vs. Hairon Socarras for me will be the fight of the round.

"I was surprised that he picked Walsh because he's the betting favourite and the most experienced, so it's going to be a really interesting night on Friday."

Friday's event is live in the UK by Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing, in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, with the undercard on iFL TV worldwide.

[handsofstone]

Is Joyce eligible to win the Commonwealth? Is Ireland in the Commonwealth?

[margaret thatcher]

Ya lol, when it was announced it said all the belts the fighters have would be on the line, but hardly as if for example a Cuban is gonna challenge for the British

[ardybo]

Good competition, think Wood made a mistake choosing Joyce

[watsupdoc87]

Is Joyce eligible to win the Commonwealth? Is Ireland in the Commonwealth?

No and no

[handsofstone]

Is Joyce eligible to win the Commonwealth? Is Ireland in the Commonwealth?

No and no

Well its on the line apparantly

[NoScoutingReports]

All of the 1/4 finals are listed as 10 rounders on BoxRec.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[watsupdoc87]

No and no

Well its on the line apparantly

Are you sure about that mate. I aint seen that anywhere and doj is from mullingar in the south of Ireland. And the the south left the Commonwealth in 48 or 49. The lads from the six counties Belfast, Derry etc can certainly box for the title tho. Mccullag would be eligible

[handsofstone]

Well its on the line apparantly

Are you sure about that mate. I aint seen that anywhere and doj is from mullingar in the south of Ireland. And the the south left the Commonwealth in 48 or 49. The lads from the six counties Belfast, Derry etc can certainly box for the title tho. Mccullag would be eligible

I only seen it mentioned once in a tweet so not 100% mate

[Ruthless-RKO]

Razaq Najib replaces Carlos Araujo in Friday's featherweight quarter-finals

Razaq Najib has received a dramatic late entry into The Golden Contract quarter-finals as he replaces Mexican Carlos Araujo who pulled out due to illness.

Sheffield's Najib steps in to face Tyrone McCullagh when Friday's featherweight competition begins at York Hall, Bethnal Green, live on Sky Sports.


Araujo fell ill after originally being picked by the Northern Irishman at Tuesday's draw, but 'Lionheart' Najib now receives the chance to battle for a lucrative five-fight deal in the MTK Global event.

Golden Contract Featherweight Draw

Leigh Wood vs David Oliver Joyce
Jazza Dickens vs Carlos Ramos
Hairon Socarras vs Ryan Walsh
Tyrone McCullagh vs Razaq Najib

MTK Global Professional Development Coordinator Jamie Conlan said: "This is obviously disappointing for Araujo and his team but the beneficiary is Najib, who now has a chance to change his life.


"We saw a lot of drama in the draw down at Repton the other day in front of the Sky Sports cameras and now we have some more in this latest twist. Najib will be prepared and ready to seize his chance.

"Of course, it's another twist for Tyrone McCullagh as well. He'll have been preparing for Araujo the last few days, studying him and now he has to adjust his sights again. Who knows what's going to happen."

McCullagh said: "Obviously I've been getting ready for Araujo and now I have to quickly reset with Najib my late-notice opponent.

"I've said all along that it doesn't really matter who I fight. I've had that attitude from the very start so from that perspective, I plan to beat Najib the same as I planned to beat Araujo and then go on to claim the whole thing."