MTK: The Golden Contract | Super-Lightweight Tournament

[Stuarty]

Tell us how you really feel Stu.

Just watched the card on mute and thought McKenna won about 4 rounds, mostly early on. I thought he was moving and boxing well at the start. I was fairly certain Mimoune had won it at the end though.

Thought Jazza looked solid and relentless, with Wood lacking tenacity. Almost like it wasn’t going his way so he didn’t wanna be there. He rallied for a round or two later on.

Tactics from McCullagh a bit rubbish, impressive how Walsh switched for the whole fight, made it easier to close the distance against an opposing lefty.

Do we have a date for finals?

I only gave him 2 rounds mate. One of the worst robberies i've seen in a while.

[Delta Jay]

Tell us how you really feel Stu.

Just watched the card on mute and thought McKenna won about 4 rounds, mostly early on. I thought he was moving and boxing well at the start. I was fairly certain Mimoune had won it at the end though.

Thought Jazza looked solid and relentless, with Wood lacking tenacity. Almost like it wasn’t going his way so he didn’t wanna be there. He rallied for a round or two later on.

Tactics from McCullagh a bit rubbish, impressive how Walsh switched for the whole fight, made it easier to close the distance against an opposing lefty.

Do we have a date for finals?

I only gave him 2 rounds mate. One of the worst robberies i've seen in a while.

I agree it was a bad decision. I’m just having a laugh, you really went in on them

[Stuarty]

I only gave him 2 rounds mate. One of the worst robberies i've seen in a while.

I agree it was a bad decision. I’m just having a laugh, you really went in on them

Ruined the rest of the show for me It's beyond a joke here now though. Something really needs done about it.

[Stobbo]

I watched it while the wife was sitting next to me on her phone. Even she thought Mimoune won.

[Delta Jay]

I agree it was a bad decision. I’m just having a laugh, you really went in on them

Ruined the rest of the show for me It's beyond a joke here now though. Something really needs done about it.

England (and Scotland) easily the worst in the world now. No debate about it

We need one big governing body, like UFC.

[3132DW]

Tell us how you really feel Stu.

Just watched the card on mute and thought McKenna won about 4 rounds, mostly early on. I thought he was moving and boxing well at the start. I was fairly certain Mimoune had won it at the end though.

Thought Jazza looked solid and relentless, with Wood lacking tenacity. Almost like it wasn’t going his way so he didn’t wanna be there. He rallied for a round or two later on.

Tactics from McCullagh a bit rubbish, impressive how Walsh switched for the whole fight, made it easier to close the distance against an opposing lefty.

Do we have a date for finals?

Both mentioned around June time - Dickens and McKenna had some cuts/bruises - so cant see it being any earlier.

[Delta Jay]

Tell us how you really feel Stu.

Just watched the card on mute and thought McKenna won about 4 rounds, mostly early on. I thought he was moving and boxing well at the start. I was fairly certain Mimoune had won it at the end though.

Thought Jazza looked solid and relentless, with Wood lacking tenacity. Almost like it wasn’t going his way so he didn’t wanna be there. He rallied for a round or two later on.

Tactics from McCullagh a bit rubbish, impressive how Walsh switched for the whole fight, made it easier to close the distance against an opposing lefty.

Do we have a date for finals?

Both mentioned around June time - Dickens and McKenna had some cuts/bruises - so cant see it being any earlier.

Are they gonna be on the same show?

[Stuarty]

Ruined the rest of the show for me It's beyond a joke here now though. Something really needs done about it.

England (and Scotland) easily the worst in the world now. No debate about it

We need one big governing body, like UFC.

Aye we've had a few stinkers up here. I was at the Harrison Polo fight years ago and that was a snider! Burns v Relikh was a sketchy one as well. Probably loads more but my brain isn't playing ball as per usual

[Delta Jay]

England (and Scotland) easily the worst in the world now. No debate about it

We need one big governing body, like UFC.

Aye we've had a few stinkers up here. I was at the Harrison Polo fight years ago and that was a snider! Burns v Relikh was a sketchy one as well. Probably loads more but my brain isn't playing ball as per usual

Taylor vs Postol and Baranchyk, cards were wide but correct result. Think one postol Card was 119-109 or something.

Glass houses and all that, just as bad down here.

[Stuarty]

Aye we've had a few stinkers up here. I was at the Harrison Polo fight years ago and that was a snider! Burns v Relikh was a sketchy one as well. Probably loads more but my brain isn't playing ball as per usual

Taylor vs Postol and Baranchyk, cards were wide but correct result. Think one postol Card was 119-109 or something.

Glass houses and all that, just as bad down here.

Yeah both they cards were a bit wider than they should've been. Some Taylor fights are pretty hard to score though. He does a lot of good inside work which can sometimes go unnoticed. We're a joke over here. I'm at the point where i refuse to believe it's down to incompetence anymore. Nobody can be that shite at their job! Corrupt to the core. The powers at be never fuckin investigate them either and they seem to have free reign with nobody to answer to

[Delta Jay]

Taylor vs Postol and Baranchyk, cards were wide but correct result. Think one postol Card was 119-109 or something.

Glass houses and all that, just as bad down here.

Yeah both they cards were a bit wider than they should've been. Some Taylor fights are pretty hard to score though. He does a lot of good inside work which can sometimes go unnoticed. We're a joke over here. I'm at the point where i refuse to believe it's down to incompetence anymore. Nobody can be that shite at their job! Corrupt to the core. The powers at be never fuckin investigate them either and they seem to have free reign with nobody to answer to

Preach brother. You’ve got me worried about tonight’s fight now.

[Coco]

Most people get fired for doing a bad job, this lot prob had bonus's! Or at least safe in the knowledge they will be invited back!

The board never do anything about corruption/ incompetence

McDonnell has been at it for years. All fighters dreaded getting him.

[Stuarty]

Yeah both they cards were a bit wider than they should've been. Some Taylor fights are pretty hard to score though. He does a lot of good inside work which can sometimes go unnoticed. We're a joke over here. I'm at the point where i refuse to believe it's down to incompetence anymore. Nobody can be that shite at their job! Corrupt to the core. The powers at be never fuckin investigate them either and they seem to have free reign with nobody to answer to

Preach brother. You’ve got me worried about tonight’s fight now.

I'm bricking it about Fury getting starched

[Delta Jay]

Preach brother. You’ve got me worried about tonight’s fight now.

I'm bricking it about Fury getting starched

I’m now somehow bricking it about Wilder on points... ta mate

[Stuarty]

I'm bricking it about Fury getting starched

I’m now somehow bricking it about Wilder on points... ta mate

Well he was jobbed in the first fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

MTK's Golden Contract Finals Are Targeted For Late August

MTK Global is aiming to stage their first show in the UK since the coronavirus pandemic next month, with the Golden Contract super-lightweight and featherweight finals likely to go ahead on the same show in late August.

Ohara Davies and Tyrone McKenna are due to clash in an acrimonious final at super-lightweight, with Ryan Walsh and Jazza Dickens the last two standing at featherweight.

Both made it through the semi-finals in February but plans to stage the finals have been put on hold by the coronavirus pandemic. Now it appears likely the both fights will take place on the same show behind closed doors.

Paul Gibson, the chief strategy officer for MTK Global, said they were working the Sky to stage the bouts in August after Eddie Hearn’s Fight Camp series has wrapped up.

However, the tournament’s light-heavyweight final stages will be delayed. The semi-finals – featuring Hosea Burton, Serge Michel, Liam Conroy and Ricards Bolotniks – had been due to take pace on March 20, but was postponed three days before because of the rising threat of the pandemic.

Because of the multi-nations cast list, it is unlikely those semi-finals will now take place until September at the earliest, with a rush then on to stage the final this year.

“It will need to be after Eddie has finished his Fight Camp shows, because all Sky resources will be tied up in that,” Gibson said.

“The super-lightweight and featherweight finals feature four British and Irish boxers, so it is a lot easier to control, without having to have people flying in. We have been unlucky with the light-heavyweights, because we were all set to go for March 20 when the lockdown stopped it. Now we will have to wait a bit longer.”

MTK Global will be back before the Golden Contract shows and is planning to stage shows in July, August and September, as part of its deal with ESPN+. The shows will be shown in the UK on IFL TV.

The company is also looking to stage a show in Kazakhstan in mid-July, although there will not be any Dubai shows in the near future.

“The Board have put a lot of hoops to jump through, although all of them are absolutely necessary and they have been very good,” Gibson said. “But there is quite a bit of infrastructure and procedure needs to be put in place.

“We are hoping to do a show in late July, late August and late September. They will be limited cards but they will be good competitive matches, with some top prospects getting out too.”

[margaret thatcher]

Thieves Chas Coakley, Kieran McCann, and Marcus McDonnell, bending their booties over for the best offer

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Golden Contract Finals - September 30

The Golden Contract tournament will hold its super lightweight and featherweight finals on September 30 at York Hall in London.

The behind closed doors event sees bitter rivals Ohara Davies and Tyrone McKenna meet in the super lightweight final, while Ryan Walsh clashes with Jazza Dickens in the featherweight final.

It will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing, and in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank.

The four talented stars have all reached their respective finals after extremely impressive showings throughout the quarter-final and semi-final stages, and they’re delighted to now have the finals in their sights.

Davies said: “I’m really pleased to finally have a fight date. This fight was meant to happen in June but due to the situation we’re in we’ve had to wait a few more months, so it’s meant I’ve had extra time to focus and study to beat Tyrone McKenna.

“I didn’t need that extra time though, as I’ve always known what I’ve got to do to go in there and destroy this clown. All this has been is more time until he faces defeat.”

McKenna said: “I’m over the moon to get this confirmed. It’s something to focus on and work towards, so thanks to MTK Global for getting ‘The Mighty Celt’ back on everybody’s screens at the end of September.

“I’ve used the last few months to improve my flaws and get myself in the best shape that I can. Ohara Davies cannot change, we know what to expect. A big right hand and slow footwork. There are other weaknesses too, and it’s going to be an interesting fight.”

Walsh said: “I’m massively excited. I’m delighted it’s back at York Hall too. That venue is my home and it’s a very familiar stomping ground. I’ve had nothing but success there.

“I’m expecting a really good fight against Jazza. It can’t be anything but a good fight. I’ll come to win and Jazza will come to win. This date will come nine years to the day that my brother Liam and Paul Appleby had their Fight of the Year at York Hall, so that’s a good omen for fight fans.”

Dickens said: “I’ve been ready for a long time and I can’t wait. This is a once in a lifetime chance, so thank you so much to MTK Global who haven’t played it safe and have honoured their word.

“The delay has given me more time to prepare myself. Through lockdown I have made changes in my life that have helped me so much. I’ve kept active and healthy and I will take my chance.”

MTK Global Vice-President Jamie Conlan said: “Finally we are delighted to announced the conclusion of the Golden Contract finals in the super-lightweight and featherweight divisions. A legitimate tournament with legitimate fighters, the tournament favourite in each weight has constantly changed with each passing round and all the talking and predicting will come to an end on September 30th.

Ohara Davies vs Tyrone McKenna is a fight that has been in the works for years, a clash of both personalities & styles. An intriguing fight that many have debated for a few years. The build-up should be equally as exciting as the fight. Davies is searching for redemption, McKenna is searching for recognition, and on September 30th one of them will find what they are looking for.

“Ryan Walsh vs Jazza Dickens is what the Golden Contract is about, pitting two of Britain’s best against each other in a fight with the winner in line for a world title shot.

“Two honest pros who have come through fantastic back and forth fights to get to the final. It has all the ingredients to be a Fight of the Year candidate.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ohara Davies accuses Tyrone McKenna of going quiet to avoid embarrassment if he loses

Ohara Davies believes Tyrone McKenna has stopped talking for a reason

Ohara Davies has accused Tyrone McKenna of going quiet over the last few months - with Davies insisting it's because the Belfast man knows he'll be getting beat in their #GoldenContract super-lightweight final.

Davies (21-2, 16 KOs) and McKenna (21-1-1, 6 KOs) meet on a massive card at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on September 30, which will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing, and live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank.

There has been plenty of bad blood between the two men in the build-up to the final, but Davies feels McKenna has now gone silent as he fears defeat in their showdown.

Davies said: "McKenna has been a lot quieter over the last few months. I think he'll try and keep that up because in boxing when you talk a lot of trash and then you get whooped, you end up looking bad, and he knows he will get whooped.

"He doesn't want to look like a clown, so I don't expect him to talk that much from now on because now he knows that he's in a big fight.

"I'm still expecting a hard fight from a fit fighter that has great heart and wants to win, but I'm going to go in there and destroy him. He's been calling me out for so many years and finally he has a chance to back up his mouth and his talk.

"I haven't seen any weaknesses from him in his career, but once we get in the ring I know that I'll make him have plenty of weaknesses."

The #GoldenContract super-lightweight final takes place on the same night as the featherweight final, as Ryan Walsh faces Jazza Dickens, while that evening also sees a light-heavyweight semi-final between Liam Conroy and Serge Michel on the undercard.

The other light-heavyweight semi-final sees Hosea Burton travel to Latvia to take on Ricards Bolotniks on September 26, with that fight broadcast live on IFL TV.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Golden Contract finals - Ohara Davies vs Tyrone McKenna and Ryan Walsh vs Jazza Dickens fight previews

Davies-McKenna and Walsh vs Dickens fight preview, plus undercard

On Wednesday, September 30, the Golden Contract tournament finals take place between super-lightweight rivals Ohara Davies and Tyrone McKenna, plus Ryan Walsh vs Jazza Dickens in the featherweight finals, taking place behind closed doors at the Production Park Studios in Wakefield.

BBN’s Editor, Tim Rickson, previewed the entire six-fight card:

Co-Main Event

Ohara Davies vs Tyrone McKenna

Bitter rivals Ohara Davies (21-2, 16KOs) and Tyrone McKenna (21-1-1, 6KOs) finally lock horns on the same day in history that film icon James Dean died in a road accident in 1955.

The 140lbs enemies first clashed in October 2019, which was a whole month before the Golden Contract super-lightweights tournament even begun. During an iFL TV interview, McKenna approached ‘OD’ in an unfriendly way, according to him, so he threw him up against an ambulance around the back of the York Hall and the pair choked each other before being split apart by Kugan Cassius.

Since that incident, the pair are still at each other’s throats, but they will finally get to settle the year-long beef on the last day of September.

Both boxers have the same number of wins – 21 – and two fights each that didn’t result in victory, so their records are almost identical, apart from their KO counts – Davies has almost triple the amount of stoppages.

‘OD’s’ defeats have come at the hands of world level fighters – Josh Taylor (16-0, 12KOs) is the world No.1 140lbs fighter, and Jack Catterall (25-0, 13KOs) has been the WBO No.1 for almost 20 months now.

Since his last loss in October 2018, Davies has defeated former long-reigning IBF World lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez (42-9, 16KOs) on points; then halted unbeaten Hawaiian Logan Yoon (15-1, 11KOs) in seven rounds in the tournament’s quarter-finals in November last year. Then, he blasted fellow Londoner Jeff Ofori (10-1, 3KOs) away in six thrilling rounds in the semis. ‘Jeffy’ Ofori notably pushed Archie Sharp (19-0, 9KOs) to a razor-thin 95-96 points decision in August.

Ofori aso gave Ohara lots to think about in their fight, but the finish in round six was clinical. Davies stunned his opponent with a hard right hand and followed up with another three heavy rights to force referee Kieran McCann to step in.

Post-fight, Davies said sorry to his coach for not putting to practise a lot of the new things they had worked on in the gym, so he essentially said there’s still improvements to come.

McKenna received some exciting news this month when he was ranked in the top 15 in the WBC’s World rankings, just one place below no.14 Lewis Ritson. Both rivals are also ranked highly in the IBO tables, with Ohara at 13 and Tyrone at 21.

McKenna’s sole defeat was to the same man that conquered Davies last – Catterall. The scores were 93-94 twice and 91-95.

Now trained by Angel Fernandez, ‘Two Tanks’ is more aggressive than ever. Although tipped for bigger things, the Hackney hitter is a former English champion and has collected regional titles with the WBC and WBA.

The Belfast boxer, trained by Danny Vaughan, is also a national champion, like Davies, when he won the Celtic Nations title in his 13th fight. He has also claimed a WBC regional belt – the WBC International title – which he has defended twice, firstly in the quarters to Mikey Sakyi (8-3, 4KOs) and in the semis to disgruntled Frenchman Mohamed Mimoune (22-4, 3KOs). The 33-year-old Toulouse fighter was adamant he should have won the fight against McKenna and was very vocal about it.

The southpaw is rangy, but he doesn’t use that advantage always. He’ll stand there and trade rather than use his attributes appropriately. He doesn’t possess knockout power, so when he goes to toe-to-toe with Ohara Davies, there’s only one winner in that shootout.

Davies is also rangy, with exceptionally long arms. He looks like he is out of range but can land deceivingly from afar. His long, left jab can land at almost any time he wants and he has devastating power in his right fist.

With the bad blood between them and a big point to prove, I think the fight will end early. McKenna will not quit and if he goes down, he’ll be back on his feet again, so I believe the referee will have to intervene at some point when he takes too many hard hits to the head.

With so much at stake, I’m not expecting the fight to ignite immediately, perhaps from round three onwards we’ll see the pace and action begin to pick up. It does depend on McKenna and whether he will come out and box clever or get drawn into a war. If he boxes smart, he could be triumphant on points.

However, I think it will get tasty from the fourth round forward, but I believe that Davies’ power will win this grudge match between rounds six-eight.

Co-Main Event

Ryan Walsh vs Jazza Dickens

Long-reigning British featherweight champion Ryan Walsh (26-2-2, 12KOs) clashes with former English and British super-bantamweight champion Jazza Dickens (29-3, 11KOs) in what is set to be a fantastic 50-50 affair.

Both boxers are English and British champions, ranked fourth (Walsh) and fifth (Dickens) in BoxRec’s featherweight ratings.

Walsh is a busy, pressure fighter, who likes to come forward and sets a high pace. He is a natural fighter and there’s a clear reason why he’s been the British champion for so long. He is a consummate professional and looks as fresh in the final round as he does in the first.

His worthy adversary is also a come forward fighter, who likes to lunge in with punches in bunches. He dips his head down and throws powerful overhands with precision and has a tremendous work rate.

This pair are going to light up the night with their fight! It’s set to be a thrilling, skilful war fought in the middle of the ring, with bundles of talent and proficiency on display.

The odds for a draw are as low as 12-1, when usually it’s always above 20-1 in most fights. That tells you how likely this fight is to ended evens.

For me, Walsh just pips Dickens in his overall boxing ability and I expect him to win this incredible contest on points.

Chief Support

Liam Conroy vs Serge Michel

One half of the light-heavyweight semi-finals takes place between Cumbria’s Liam Conroy (18-5-1, 9KOs) and German Serge Michel 10-1, (7KOs).

A former English light-heavyweight champ, Conroy has challenged for British title against future star Joshua Buatsi (12-0, 10KOs).

The 28-year-old defeated Andre Sterling (11-3, 4KOs) in the quarter-finals, knocking him down in the seventh to win a unanimous decision on points. He lost his previous fight to another quarter-finalist in Steven Ward (12-1, 4KOs), who appears on the same card. An unfortunate head clash left Ward, who had been down in the fourth, in no position to continue and the scorecards were brought into play to determine the winner, which was announced as Ward by a single point on all three cards.

Heavy-handed Bayern boxer Michel reached the semis with a resounding victory over unbeaten Scot Tommy Philbin (13-1, 4KOs). It was a wide points verdict to the 32-year-old ‘Bavarian Sniper’ who decked Philbin twice during the 10-rounds.

He possesses a ramrod jab and he uses it to full effect. He has sound boxing skills, a disciplined style and is rarely caught out.

Conroy will be looking to slip the ‘Sniper’s’ shots to counter with his own, but it’s possible that will rack the rounds up in the favour of the German, who should box expertly to win this bout on points. Conroy will aim to rough up Michel and unleash barrages of shots, but I believe the German will be too shrewd to allow that to work against him.

Undercard

Steven Ward vs Jone Volau

Steven Ward (12-1, 4KOs) makes his cruiserweight debut against Fiji-born ‘Brown Bomber’ Jone Volau (5-5, 2KOs).

From Gateshead, Volau comes down from heavyweight to cruiserweight, whereas Ward is coming up from light-heavyweight.

‘The Quiet Man’ Ward admitted to ‘boiling down’ to 175lbs to make the Golden Contract light-heavyweight tournament quarter-finals, which saw him stopped by Latvian Ricards Bolotniks (16-5-1, 7KOs) in the very first round.

Volau won five of his first six fights, but hasn’t been successful in any of his last four outings, so should represent a good test for Ward in his 200lbs inauguration.

Ben Fail vs Robbie Chapman

Debutant Ben Fail makes his pro debut against Southern Area title contender Robbie Chapman (6-4).

Ben turned pro alongside his twin brother Carl in July this year. Ben was a National champion as well as a Haringey Box Cup winner, experiencing 78 amateur fights in total. Both he and his twin were Team GB members for several years.

William Hamilton vs TBA

From Rainham in Essex, William Hamilton (1-0, 1KO) knocked out 23 of his 28 amateur opponents on his way to winning the ABA Under-20’s national title.

He has continued the trend into the paid ranks, stopping fellow debutant John Shearer (0-1) in the second round of his pro debut in February at the York Hall.

There’s no reason why the heavy-handed 24-year-old won’t continue to blast his opponents away, so whoever he gets given on the night, you can expect an explosive encounter.

[handsofstone]

I know McKenna got an absolute gift against Mimmoune but still think he has the tools to beat Davies, I think McKenna is capable to using his attributes if he can stop himself getting involved in a tear up but TBH I think his best bet is bringing the heat, he boxed great in 1st round against Mimmoune but just threw away they tactics and had a scrap, he showed he can hang in a firefight even if coming off second best, Davies likes to fight at a leisurely pace so if McKenna smothers him with pressure he can get to Davies, McKenna is far too easy to hit though, cant see it being plane sailing, the bad blood will bring out the red mist for McKenna, Davies will be more composed but he's lazy in there

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Final should be 12 rounds.. Not 10..

[Gnome]

Looking forward to this