Press Release
Claressa Shields, Caroline Dubois, Steve ‘USSR’ Robinson and English Welterweight Title Bout Confirmed For Historic Night In Cardiff As BOXXER Kicks Off 2022 In Welsh Capital
Cardiff, Wales – January 14, 2022 – Following today’s announcement by the Welsh Government that indoor sports events can resume in Wales, BOXXER is pleased to announce that the long-awaited showdown between bitter rivals Chris Eubank Jr. (31-2, 23 KO’s) and Liam Williams (23-3-1, 18 KO’s), presented in association with Wasserman Boxing, will take place at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Saturday, February 5, live and exclusively on Sky Sports.
An electrifying undercard packed with world champions, all-action contests and champions of the future will set the stage for a clash which will bring a years-long war of words to an explosive conclusion and determine which boxer is the UK’s #1 middleweight.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Claressa ‘GWOAT’ Shields (11-0, 2 KO’s) makes her UK debut as chief support to the main event, defending her WBA, WBC and IBF World Middleweight Championships against undefeated WBF World Middleweight Champion Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KO’s).
Following a stellar amateur career in which she became World Youth Olympic Champion and won the European Youth Championships an astonishing four times, 21-year-old prospect Caroline Dubois follows her older brother Daniel into the professional ranks and aims to make her mark.
Having won his title by way of a stunning sixth-round body-shot stoppage of Darren Tetley last year, English Welterweight Champion Samuel ‘True Sensation’ Antwi (13-1, 6 KO’s) travels from Stockwell, London to make the first defence of his belt. An all-action war is expected when he faces Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker (10-0-1, 3 KO’s), who demolished Jack Ewbank in the first round of their contest in October.
Proud Welshman and former British and Commonwealth Champion Chris ‘Rock ‘n’ Rolla’ Jenkins (22-4-3, 8 KO’s) heads to his nation’s capital from his hometown of Garnant as he faces former Unified World Champion Julius Indongo (23-4, 12 KO’s) in a massive welterweight showdown. Indongo’s last visit on these shores in April 2017 saw him relieve Ricky Burns of his world titles at his Glasgow fortress and will hold no fear facing Jenkins in front of his fierce fan base.
Fast-rising Welsh hot shot Rhys Edwards (11-0, 4 KO’s) looks to maintain his undefeated run and make his countrymen proud in an eight-round super-bantamweight contest against experienced Russian Ruslan Berchuk (13-13, 4 KO’s). The 21-year-old, from Penygraig, is trained by former world champion Gary Lockett and has been heralded as one of the best up-and-coming prospects in the sport.
Giant Geordie Steve Robinson, last seen dismantling Reece Barlow in just 82 seconds back in November, heads down from Newcastle on a mission to add another stunning knockout to his highlight reel. With three jaw-dropping finishes in his four-fight career, the power-punching heavyweight has no intention of going the distance with Shane Gill.
Harlem Eubank (12-0, 4 KO’s), cousin of headline draw Chris Eubank Jr and also part of the Wasserman Boxing stable, adds to the family business on fight night. The Sussex Super Lightweight returns to action following an impressive stoppage win over Nika Nakashidze in Riga, Latvia on October 16 and will be looking to extend his unbeaten record in Cardiff.
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Chris Eubank Jr risks his world middleweight title ambitions as he steps into hostile territory to settle his feud with Welsh rival Liam Williams at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on December 11, live on Sky Sports
Chris Eubank Jr can settle his bitter rivalry with Liam Williams in a huge British middleweight battle in Cardiff on December 11, live on Sky Sports.
Eubank Jr's world title ambitions are at stake against Williams, who will receive red-hot support from his home fans in their fiery grudge fight at the Motorpoint Arena.
With both contenders well known for their all-action styles, Eubank Jr and Williams are expected to deliver one of the most electrifying British fights of the year.
Eubank Jr has stayed on course for a WBA title shot after Wanik Awdijan retired in the corner following five punishing rounds in Newcastle last month.
"Liam Williams has been saying a lot to try to catch my attention and bait me into fighting him," said Eubank Jr.
"It’s now got to the point where everyone is asking me to shut him up, and on December 11, I’m going to give the people what they want.
"As I’ve said, I’m only involved in big fights from now on and this is the fight people want to see. They want to see if Williams can back up what he’s been saying - which he won’t.
"I’m on a mission towards world titles and Liam Williams is someone I’ve got to go through to get there. I’m looking forward to shutting him up."
"I’m on a mission towards world titles and Liam Williams is someone I’ve got to go through to get there. I’m looking forward to shutting him up."
Williams emerged with credit as he challenged WBO champion Demetrius Andrade in April, troubling the American with a determined late assault before losing by unanimous decision.
"I'm very excited to get the fight made," said Williams. "It's been coming for a long time. I can't wait to shut his mouth once and for all. There's nothing like a big domestic showdown to get the juices flowing.
"A lot of people have been calling for this fight for a long time. I personally think it’s the biggest all-British fight outside of AJ and Fury.
"I’m really excited and just counting down the days. I’ve not been that impressed with Chris’ recent performances. People are talking about how he’s brought Roy Jones in to improve him, but if I’m being totally honest, I don’t think he’s improved one bit.
"A win in this fight and possibly even a stoppage over Eubank and my name is going to be well and truly out there and in the mix for world titles.”
Claressa Shields also makes her UK debut after signing a deal with BOXXER, defending her WBA, WBC and IBF world middleweight titles against Ema Kozin.
WBO middleweight champion Savannah Marshall will next compete on BOXXER's first card of the new year, scheduled for February 2022, as she rehabilitates a hand injury sustained in her second-round stoppage of Lolita Muzeya last month.
This fight will be incredible," said Ben Shalom, BOXXER founder and CEO. "They genuinely dislike each other, they both come forward non-stop and Eubank is heading into the dragon’s den to settle their dispute on Williams’ home soil.
"I’ll be amazed if this doesn’t turn out to be British boxing’s fight of the year."
"This is the fight that everyone has been talking about," said Wasserman Boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland.
"The public demand has been overwhelming. On December 11, Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams are finally going to meet in the centre of the ring to settle their differences once and for all.
"This is without a doubt the biggest fight in British boxing right now."
Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development, said: "We’re delighted to deliver a pre-Christmas cracker as Chris Eubank Jr collides with Liam Williams in a huge British battle on December 11, live on Sky Sports.
"Chris Eubank Jr’s world title ambitions will be severely tested by Williams, the fiery Welshman, who dragged WBO champion Demetrius Andrade into a punishing dogfight earlier this year.
"With their heated feud ready to boil over, Williams will relish the chance to inflict a crushing defeat. Is Eubank Jr ready for the biggest names in the world? We’ll soon find out as Sky Sports serves up a festive treat!"
