Josh Kelly vs. Lucas Bastida | CH5 - 30 July 2022

[ILikeBeer]

At least it's free-to-air, I suppose.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Lucas Bastida (18-1-1, 10 KOs) has had to overcome some of the most shocking of circumstances to put himself in a position to fight Josh Kelly (11-1-1, 7 KOs) for the WBO International super welterweight belt on Saturday 30 July at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, live on Channel 5.

You will seldom find someone more mentally and physically strong than Bastida, who is prepared to leave his homeland of Argentina to fight overseas for the first time in front of his opponents own crowd.

The North East takeover could be threatened by this dangerous Argentine, who is calling upon his impenetrable will and his peak conditioning to show why he has aspirations of becoming a world champion.

“I’m in boxing to achieve my dream of becoming a world champion, and leaving my surname remembered and respected,” said Bastida. “I really appreciate this opportunity to fight for the WBO International belt in Newcastle.

“Winning this means everything and that’s why I’m prepared to travel abroad to compete. I have huge support from my family and my friends, they have a lot of faith in me.”

Faith is not something that has always been present in the life of ‘El Tornado’. He went out to meet a group of friends, and found himself being held at knife-point by a mugger with a butchers knife.

After doing his upmost to protect himself, he miraculously escaped the attacker but left with injuries that put his boxing career in serious jeopardy.

“It was around 5 years ago when someone tried to rob me, and they stabbed me in the arm which cut three tendons and a nerve. At that point I thought my career was over,” he said.

“Doctors had no faith I would return to boxing, but I worked hard to rehab and make it back. I had to wait 12 months to fight again, and I boxed with a lot of pain in my hand, but I won. Since then, I took this as my second chance in boxing and I’ll give my best all the way to the very end.”

Now he comes up against Sunderland’s Kelly who will be looking to overcome this Argentine fighter who has lived a life of bouncing back when the odds are against him.

Having come through the other side of a past full of trials and tribulations, Bastida believes he is in his prime and ready to throw down on fight night.

“This is my first fight abroad, and I’m excited to travel to the UK and get to test myself against someone like Josh Kelly. I’ll go to the UK in the best condition I’ve been in. I know I have strong hands, I just need to be patient and wait for my moment.”

Unfazed by the travel, unfazed by Kelly’s home crowd, and unfazed about anything other than appreciating his life; Bastida is a man with nothing to lose. Entering the main event at the Vertu Motors Arena, the Argentine is up for the task of being locked in their with no one but his opponent.

“I’m a fighter in life. I’ve been in this sport a long-time training to be someone, I have a one year old daughter too and I fight for her,” he said.

“We are aware that we are going to his home, but in the ring it is just me and him. When the bell rings, we will see who’s better.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

I cant believe Kelly is only on 13 fights.

Feels like he has been around for ages.

Why if he fighting two times a year it seems..??

I haven't checked his record.

[Counter-puncher]

I cant believe Kelly is only on 13 fights.

Feels like he has been around for ages.

Why if he fighting two times a year it seems..??

I haven't checked his record.

yup, pathetic.

[Bigdogsnose]

Hadnt heard of Bastida but a few fights on youtube. Hard to gauge the level but he isnt coming to fall over. Looks like he can bang a bit and a big lad (dwarfed his opponents).

Could be a tough night for Kelly who i am not convinced by. Props to Kelly for fighting again, he must have the bit between his teeth again at least.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Undercard Information

Josh Kelly (11-1-1, 7 KOs) leads a star-studded line up as he continues his World Title pursuit with a mouth-watering clash against top Argentinian contender Lucas Bastida (18-1-1, 10 KOs) for the WBO International Super Welterweight Championship as part of a huge night of action on Saturday July 30 at the Vertu Motors Arena, live on Channel 5.

Kelly returns to the ring following an impressive stoppage victory over Peter Kramer on June 17 in Liverpool, which was watched by over 1 million viewers on Channel 5. The Sunderland boxer, who represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has previously held Commonwealth and WBA International Welterweight Titles, can expect one of his toughest career tests when he takes on ‘El Tornado’, the current South American Middleweight Champion, who will be coming to spoil the party and catapult himself into World Title contention.

Also on the card is Harlem Eubank (14-0, 6 KOs) who will be looking to establish himself as the latest star name from his famous boxing family. The nephew of British boxing legend Chris Eubank Snr and cousin of Chris Eubank Jr had initially been lined up to face Tom Farrell, but will now meet Mexico’s Eliot Chavez (11-4-1, 6 KOs) in a hotly anticipated Super Lightweight showdown after Farrell’s withdrawal due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Joining Kelly and Eubank in action, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist Pat McCormack (1-0, 1 KO) goes in search of his second professional victory against Dimitri Trenel (8-1, 4 KOs). One of the North East’s most exciting boxing prospects, McCormack has an unbelievable pedigree from his time in the amateurs. Alongside his Olympic Silver medal, he has claimed European and Commonwealth Gold and World Silver medals. Now, looking to prove himself in the paid ranks, the 27-year-old cannot wait to showcase his skills and add another win to his record.

Another title fight features on the stacked North East takeover card, as one of Birmingham’s best, Raza Hamza (16-0, 7 KOs), competes for the IBO International Featherweight Championship against Roberto Rodriguez Nucamendi (13-5, 10 KOs) over 10 rounds of elite boxing action.

Fans can also look forward to a battle of the undefeated Heavyweights as undefeated prospects Hosea Stewart (2-0) and Franklin Ignatius (3-0, 1 KO) square off, plus an array of local fighters ready to prove the North East as a hotbed for boxing talent.

The stage is set for Newcastle’s Jordan Barker-Porter (4-1) to make it three-straight wins as the 28-year-old Lightweight returns to action for an all-British battle in her home city. Her opponent, Bec Connolly (3-14) will be looking to call upon her vast experience, having faced current world champion Natasha Jonas, as well as former world champion Terri Harper.

Darlington’s Ben Marksby (4-0) can continue his undefeated streak at Super Lightweight when he fights for the first time in the North East. A popular fighter with a loyal following, Marksby faces off against the resilient Rustem Fatkhullin (8-37, 3 KOs).

2018 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Lisa Whiteside (3-0, 1 KO) will look to emulate her previous performance by producing another stoppage win in her Flyweight bout, when she faces off against a well-schooled fighter in Serbia’s Jasmina Nad (11-24-5, 4 KOs).

Straight out of Rocky IV, Heavyweight ‘Drago’ Steve Robinson (4-1) will be hunting for another blockbuster finish when the 6’7” giant from Newcastle looks to provide a finish worthy of his nickname. Future prospect Kai Richmond (1-0) will also be aiming to get the crowd on their feet after a comprehensive professional debut for the 22-year-old from Spennymoor earlier this year.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Date: Saturday 30 July 2022
Location: Vertu Motors Arena - Newcastle, UK
TV: Channel 5

Start Times
Boxing Social Youtube: 7 pm BST (Preliminary Card)
Channel 5: 10 pm BST (Main Card)

Promoted by: Wasserman Boxing

Main Card

Vacant WBO International Super-Welterweight Championship
Josh Kelly vs. Lucas Brian Bastida

10 Round Super-Lightweight Bout
Harlem Eubank vs. Eliot Chavez

Heavyweight Bout
Hosea Stewart vs. Franklin Ignatius

Super-Welterweight Bout
Pat McCormack vs. Dimitri Trenel


Rest of the Card

[Ruthless-RKO]

Undercard live now in Boxing Social

[Ruthless-RKO]

No one tuning into this yet,

[brilo33]

No one tuning into this yet,

eubank fighting

[jameswilson]

Ohhhhhhhh ello.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Harlem was dropped after the ref said stop.

Commentary keep banging on about DQ’ing his opponent.

I just came downstairs and seen him on the floor.

Why was ref stopping the action?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Harlem is buzzed.

He looks like Kid Galahad’s younger brother haha

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is that Dave Coldwell commentating? I can’t tell.

[brilo33]

Is that Dave Coldwell commentating? I can’t tell.

it is yea

[brilo33]

strange that late punch

[jameswilson]

Kalle Sauerland buzzing off his nut.

[jameswilson]

Christ alive get the X factor sob story going for Josh Kelly’s loss.

[skanksta]

Kalle Sauerland buzzing off his nut.

You'd think with all the whispers he could hold it down 'til the cameras have gone ?!

[brilo33]

corrella turning in to dracula

[garethhop]

Im not entirely sure Harlem Eubank will be World Champion as we were just assured......

[brilo33]

Im not entirely sure Harlem Eubank will be World Champion as we were just assured......

be bloody shocked if he did a real title

[brilo33]

ring walk kelly fight

[jameswilson]

Jesus wept. Lot of empty seats.

[brilo33]

go on josh boy