David Avanesyan vs. Oskari Metz | BT Sport - 19 March 2022

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

EUROPEAN WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION David Avanesyan returns to the ring on March 19 at the OVO Arena, Wembley with a defence of his title on a night of multiple championship clashes at the historic London venue.

Avanesyan, who is bidding to return to world title contention in 2022, takes on the unbeaten Finn Oskari Metz, 15-0, in what will be a fifth defence of his EBU belt, with him also having recently joined forces with allegedly and Queensberry.

For the 33-year-old Russian, who is trained out of Newark by Carl Greaves, it is a return to a happy hunting ground as the formerly known Wembley Arena hosted his stoppage triumphs over both Josh Kelly and Liam Taylor.

"I am very happy to be fighting in front of my British fans at my favourite venue in Wembley where I had great nights in the past year," said Avenesyan, 28-3-1. "I promise I am back with real determination to put a big show on before a big fight.

"I am fit, I am ready and Metz is a good fighter and unbeaten, but I will win and win in style. I look forward to my debut under allegedly who I am grateful for getting me out on this show and look forward to performing for BT Sport and their fans.

"Enjoy the show I am back!"

An array of the country's finest young prospects/contenders feature on the card, headed by Hamzah Sheeraz (14-0, 10 KOs), the WBO European super welterweight champion, who will take on Jez Smith (13-4-1, 6 KOs) for the WBC International Silver middleweight title in a fight that is sure to bring fireworks and a tough welcome to a new division.

Thrilling bantamweight star Dennis McCann is entering into title business for the first time. 'The Menace' (11-0, 6 KOs) will fight for the WBO Youth world title over eight rounds against Charles Tondo (12-4-2, 5 KOs), a southpaw from Tanzania.

The two leading young lightweights in Britain are also in action at Wembley, with Mark Chamberlain (9-0, 6 KOs) taking on a 10-rounder for the first time and Sam Noakes (8-0, 8 KOs) making a first defence of his WBC International Silver title against the Italian Vincenzo Finiello (15-4-2, 1 KO).

Further title action comes with relentless featherweight star Louie Lynn (10-0, 7 KOs) defending his WBC International Silver belt for a second time against James Beech jr (14-2, 2 KOs) from Bloxwich.

Completing the card, gifted super lightweight prospect Henry Turner (6-0) will have a fourth six-rounder, explosive super feather Masood Abdullah (3-0, 3 KOs) goes in with Engel Gomez (8-4, 4 KOs) over six rounds and super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (2-0) fights Birmingham's Sean Davis (14-18), also in a six-rounder.

In four-round action, Khalid Ali (1-0, 1 KO) will look to double his win tally against Kris Pilkington (2-10-1).

Finally, allegedly gets to unleash his latest young star onto the professional ranks, with two-time European championship gold medallist Royston Barney-Smith making his pro debut, having turned 18 in January.

Barney-Smith enjoyed a glittering stint in the amateur code of the sport, with 50 fights under his belt bringing about 45 wins. The product of Pinewood Starr has represented England at four international championships and worn the colours of his country on 37 occasions, winning 36.

Promoter Warren said of his Wembley show: "I am thrilled to get our partnership underway with David Avanesyan and his manager Neil Marsh with another defence of his European title ahead of the bigger challenges on the horizon. I think everybody knows who the best welterweight knocking about these parts is, but there is no clamour to fight him, so we will look for a swift ascent back to world title contention for him as soon as possible.

"This show features a number of the best and most exciting young fighters currently coming through the ranks in this country and I am looking forward to seeing them all take a next step at the beginning of a big year for them.

"I am also personally very excited to launch the professional career of Royston Barney-Smith and I urge you all to get behind this young man from the off because he is a special talent, who is destined for big things in the years ahead."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not sure about Ava’s path at the moment..

At least we got another BT show.

[maverick23]

Not sure about Ava’s path at the moment..

At least we got another BT show.

Do you think any of these fights are any good or competitive?

[gregregegg]

So fwank is acting like Connor is mad for not wanting the Avasanya fight, yet the best he could get was a random guy from Finland ranked about 200th in the world??

[margaret thatcher]

random finish guy, hey, conor knows a thing or 2 about those doesnt he, maybe ava could get some pointers from him

never seen metz fight tbh, most notable result is a shutout over the pole who ko'd robbie davies

[Manchester Hitman]

Fcuking ridiculous opponent for Avanesyan- the less said the better.

Sheeraz - Smith should be a good scrap for 2-3 rounds before Hamza takes him out. No issue with this fight.

Lynn - Beech is a good fight TBF

Noakes opponent is reasonable.

McCans opponent is not acceptable.

Strange card

[maverick23]

Fcuking ridiculous opponent for Avanesyan- the less said the better.

Sheeraz - Smith should be a good scrap for 2-3 rounds before Hamza takes him out. No issue with this fight.

Lynn - Beech is a good fight TBF

Noakes opponent is reasonable.

McCans opponent is not acceptable.

Strange card

Agree re: the Avanesyan fight. Unfortunately it’s old school Warren….talking about bigger name fighters (the only name he ever mentions for Avanesyan has been Benn) and then actually fights poor opponents.

Re: the Sheeraz fight, you’ve summed it up for me. First few rounds may be competitive then Sheeraz will take over. Smith is easy to hit and is small for a middleweight. Agyarko beat him handily in his 8th or 9th fight. I wouldn’t usually hate on this but it’s co-main to a crap main event.

Lynn/Beech is the best fight on the card but I think Lynn wins comfortably.

[Twinkle Toes]

The fight Avaneysan has been waiting for, just not anybody else.

Warren got no money left.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not sure about Ava’s path at the moment..

At least we got another BT show.

Do you think any of these fights are any good or competitive?

Not the best, but we get a card..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Royston Barney-Smith To Make Pro Debut on Avenesyan-Metz Card

allegedly IS set to unleash his teenage amateur superstar Royston Barney-Smith on the professional ranks on March 19 at the OVO Arena, Wembley.

The two-time European championship gold medallist turned 18 on January 4 and is ready to launch his pro journey under the management of Hall of Fame promoter Warren and the BT Sport banner as part of the supporting cast to European welterweight champion David Avenesyan making a fifth defence of his title against the unbeaten Finn Oskari Metz, 15-0.

Barney-Smith enjoyed a glittering stint in the amateur code of the sport, with 50 fights under his belt resulting in 45 wins. The product of Pinewood Starr represented England at four international championships and wore the colours of his country on 37 occasions, winning a staggering 36.

The Poole-born youngster, who was raised in Southampton, diverted from his 2024 Olympic dream - where he was strongly tipped for success - after linking up with Southampton trainer Wayne Batten to increase his experience in conjunction with his amateur activity.

A right-handed southpaw, Barney-Smith won gold at both the 2017 and 2018 Europeans, also collecting bronze in 2019. His gold medal exploits limited his participation in National championships, where he has two successes to his name.

"It has been a long time coming," said Barney-Smith, who in recent months has rang the changes and teamed up with new trainer Ben Davison in Harlow. "I have never been more confident and have never lacked self-belief. Now I am training with Ben, it has brought me on leaps and bounds."

Barney-Smith, however, says he swapped teams with a heavy heart after working with Batten for many years.

"I was having a bit of conversation with Ben and I asked if I could come down for a couple of weeks. After that I asked if I could train here full time and he said it would be a pleasure.

"It was hard to change because I love Wayne and he knows the reasons why. He is still a good friend and a good family friend. Wayne is a gentleman.

"It was a big move because to train here I have to live here and it was a big commitment at the young age of 17 and now 18. It is definitely worth it though, 100 per cent.

"It is a big sacrifice on my behalf and everyone else's. I am very close to my family and it is very hard to emotionally let go. It is a big weird not seeing them every day but I have grown into a young man now and I just get on with the job I have to do.

"I train from Monday to Friday and leave on Friday afternoon and come back on Sunday night to get a good, fresh start on the Monday morning. I train twice a day at 8am or 9am and then 2pm or 4pm."

Barney-Smith is following the rituals of his housemate and undisputed super lightweight world champion Josh Taylor. The difference being Taylor trains within fixed term camps and then heads home to Edinburgh until his next assignment. The teenager is adopting the routine on a long-term basis.

"For sure it is good to see Josh, Lee McGregor and Leigh Wood doing what they have to do. They have titles, they have family and I do know that they make big sacrifices. I understand early what I have to do to become the best.

"That is why I like being down here and watching them, while growing as a person and seeing what it takes to be the best. I am doing it full-time and I like it. If I am not down here I am not growing as a boxer. I am putting the time in, getting the rounds in and doing what a boxer should be doing to be the best they can possibly be.

"I get a little bit homesick, but that is what FaceTime is for, so it is not too bad."

[lefthook82]

This arena is too big for David.

Needed a 4/5000 seater. What's he gonna do in a 10000 seater stadium?

[maverick23]

This arena is too big for David.

Needed a 4/5000 seater. What's he gonna do in a 10000 seater stadium?

Sky have a show there the week after too. Makes no sense.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | HAMZAH SET FOR MIDDLEWEIGHT STAGE

HAMZAH SHEERAZ BELIEVES he will benefit from the adversity of his last fight when he makes the step up to middleweight on March 19 at the OVO Arena, Wembley.

The 14-0 Hamzah found himself caught in the eye of a storm back in December at the Copper Box when he was deducted a point for hitting Bradley Skeete when he was down in a passage of the fight that altered the momentum and resulted in the former British welterweight champion ultimately being stopped in the ninth round.

By his own admission, the 22-year-old from Ilford admits he was off his game on the night but has been heartened by a chat with veteran trainer Joe Goosen on his return to the Californian sunshine to begin preparing for his Wembley date at middleweight against Jez Smith.

“Looking back on it now, straight away I know it was not a good performance,” conceded Hamzah in conversation with Dev Sahni on the Unibet Lowdown. “I was chatting to Joe Goosen about it when I came back here about two weeks ago and he asked me what I learned from it.

“I told him what I did and he said a fight like that will do me the world of good and it was the equivalent of about 10 easy knockout fights. He said with what I learned I will be a different man in my next fight.

“It wasn’t my greatest performance, everyone knows that, but I got the win and I’m moving forward now.”

Another learning experience for the still young professional was the storm of criticism that headed his way following his illegal manoeuvre against Skeete. Hamzah did formally offer a rematch to his vanquished opponent, but acceptance was not forthcoming and he now proceeds with his plan to operate in the next division up.

“At the start it was like everyone was mad angry! I think what helped me – not that I needed help because I am pretty thick skinned – was that I know everyone has got an opinion and everyone is entitled to an opinion.

“That helped me to understand where it was coming from. It is part of boxing and I am glad it has happened early in my career rather than later on because, from this adversity, I can learn and become a better fighter and a better person.

“All I know is that it [a rematch] was declined. I said that I would make 154lbs one more time if he accepted the rematch because it was only fair. It was always my intention to move up and here we are now.”

Tickets for an incredible night of Championship boxing at the OVO Arena are on sale now available at AXS.com.



-------------
European welterweight champ David Avanesyan tops the night of multiple championship clashes on March 19 at the OVO Arena, Wembley against the unbeaten Finn Oskari Metz, 15-0, in what will be a fifth defence of his EBU belt.

Thrilling bantamweight star Dennis McCann is entering into title business for the first time. ‘The Menace’ (11-0, 6 KOs) will fight for the WBO Youth world title over eight rounds against Charles Tondo (12-4-2, 5 KOs), a southpaw from Tanzania.

The two leading young lightweights in Britain are also in action at Wembley, with Sam Noakes (8-0, 8 KOs) making a first defence of his WBC International Silver title against the Italian Vincenzo Finiello (15-4-2, 1 KO). While Mark Chamberlain (9-0, 6 KOs) takes on a 10-rounder for the first time.

Further title action comes with relentless featherweight star Louie Lynn (10-0, 7 KOs) defending his WBC International Silver belt for a second time against James Beech jr (14-2, 2 KOs) from Bloxwich.

Completing the card, gifted super lightweight prospect Henry Turner (6-0) will have a fourth six-rounder, explosive super feather Masood Abdullah (3-0, 3 KOs) goes in with Engel Gomez (8-4, 4 KOs) over six rounds and super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (2-0) fights Birmingham’s Sean Davis (14-18), also in a six-rounder.

In four-round action, Khalid Ali (1-0, 1 KO) will look to double his win tally against Kris Pilkington (2-10-1).

Tickets for an incredible night of Championship boxing at the OVO Arena are on sale now available at AXS.com.

[lefthook82]

This arena is too big for David.

Needed a 4/5000 seater. What's he gonna do in a 10000 seater stadium?

Sky have a show there the week after too. Makes no sense.

No sense at all. Gonna be giving away tickets. Avanesian really needs to be fighting at York Hall but I'm guessing they cant generate the money to cover his purse in that venue. I wonder why they didn't wait for copperbox to be available

[Glass Joe]

Strange signing Avanesian going to Frank. Avoided fighter who will probably eventually lose against someone world class in their home town.

[gregregegg]

Strange signing Avanesian going to Frank. Avoided fighter who will probably eventually lose against someone world class in their home town.

I almost think frank signed him just to tease connor and eddie....

[rd350lc]

Strange signing Avanesian going to Frank. Avoided fighter who will probably eventually lose against someone world class in their home town.

I almost think frank signed him just to tease connor and eddie....

Seems that way , a bit like the top football clubs buying up players and leaving them on the bench or reserves .
A better opponent ( or more well known at least ) would shift more tickets here surely .

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Hamzah Sheeraz Heads Up To Middleweight Limit

HAMZAH SHEERAZ BELIEVES he will benefit from the adversity of his last fight when he makes the step up to middleweight on March 19 at the OVO Arena, Wembley.

The 14-0 Hamzah found himself caught in the eye of a storm back in December at the Copper Box when he was deducted a point for hitting Bradley Skeete when he was down in a passage of the fight that altered the momentum and resulted in the former British welterweight champion ultimately being stopped in the ninth round.

By his own admission, the 22-year-old from Ilford admits he was off his game on the night but has been heartened by a chat with veteran trainer Joe Goosen on his return to the Californian sunshine to begin preparing for his Wembley date at middleweight against Jez Smith.

"Looking back on it now, straight away I know it was not a good performance," conceded Hamzah in conversation with Dev Sahni on the Unibet Lowdown. "I was chatting to Joe Goosen about it when I came back here about two weeks ago and he asked me what I learned from it.

"I told him what I did and he said a fight like that will do me the world of good and it was the equivalent of about 10 easy knockout fights. He said with what I learned I will be a different man in my next fight.

"It wasn't my greatest performance, everyone knows that, but I got the win and I'm moving forward now."

Another learning experience for the still young professional was the storm of criticism that headed his way following his illegal maneuver against Skeete. Hamzah did formally offer a rematch to his vanquished opponent, but acceptance was not forthcoming and he now proceeds with his plan to operate in the next division up.

"At the start it was like everyone was mad angry! I think what helped me - not that I needed help because I am pretty thick skinned - was that I know everyone has got an opinion and everyone is entitled to an opinion.

"That helped me to understand where it was coming from. It is part of boxing and I am glad it has happened early in my career rather than later on because, from this adversity, I can learn and become a better fighter and a better person.

"All I know is that it [a rematch] was declined. I said that I would make 154lbs one more time if he accepted the rematch because it was only fair. It was always my intention to move up and here we are now."

[maverick23]

So the EBU have said they won’t let Russian boxers fight for their titles. The Avanesyan/Metz fight may still happen but potentially won’t be for the belt.

[margaret thatcher]

maybe he can pull the armenian crd

[gregregegg]

So the EBU have said they won’t let Russian boxers fight for their titles. The Avanesyan/Metz fight may still happen but potentially won’t be for the belt.

Oh no. I hope that doesn't lead to the cancellation of this 50-50 barnburner...

[KiwiRider]

Not sure about Ava’s path at the moment..

At least we got another BT show.

Do you think any of these fights are any good or competitive?

Like it has been said, Beech and Lynn should be alright, Lynn will likely take it, but it won't be short of action.

[Ruthless-RKO]

maybe he can pull the armenian crd

That’s true..

[maverick23]

BBBC have announced that they won’t allow boxers registered by the Russian Boxing Federation fight in the U.K.

I wonder how that impacts Avanesyan?!

[Ruthless-RKO]

BBBC have announced that they won’t allow boxers registered by the Russian Boxing Federation fight in the U.K.

I wonder how that impacts Avanesyan?!

What if he isn't registered by them? or unregisters?

He's based in the UK isn't he?