JACK RAFFERTY EYES SLOT ON USYK-DUBOIS 2 UNDERCARD, CALLS OUT MARK CHAMBERLAIN
Jack Rafferty's exciting, high-pressure style has earned him the British and Commonwealth junior welterweight titles and moved the Oldhamer towards the top of a deep British 140lb division.
Since moving to title level, 29-year-old Rafferty (26-0, 17 KOs) has racked up six consecutive stoppage wins and extended the longest unbeaten run in British boxing but is aware of a need to maintain the momentum he has built up.
Unbeaten unified, RING champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois will rematch for the undisputed heavyweight title at London's Wembley Stadium on July 19 and Rafferty is eyeing a slot on the undercard.
"Yeah, and I think there's a worthy fight out there. Mark Chamberlain has been mentioned a few times," Rafferty told The Ring.
"In April we both fought on the same card and got sat next to each other at the press conference. He had a job to do, I had a job to do.
"I can't see why it's not worthy enough to be on the Usyk-Dubois bill at Wembley Stadium on July 19th. I think it's definitely worth another defence of the British and Commonwealth titles and maybe another belt as well.”
After spending years grinding away on the small hall circuit, Rafferty has taken to life on the big stage.
Last October he wore down talented southpaw and multi-time national amateur champion, Henry Turner, in nine rounds to win the British title before since returning with stoppage victories over Reece MacMillan and Cory O'Regan.
Hard-hitting southpaw Chamberlain (17-1, 12 KOs) enjoyed a fast rise through the lightweight ranks and last year was showcased on a trio of Riyadh Season shows before moving up to the 140lb division after a 10-round upset decision loss by Josh Padley on the undercard of Dubois' knockout win over Anthony Joshua last September.
Both fighters are signed to Queensberry Promotions and Rafferty sees fighting Chamberlain on such a big stage as the ideal way to help him reach the next level.
"If I want to be on these great cards, I need to fight great fighters and that's what I want to do. It's worthy of a massive show like this and these are the fights I want to be in," he said.
"Mark's got a name, I've got a bit of a name for myself now and I think it could be a show-stealer on a massive card. Two proud British lads fighting for a British title on a massive card in a packed out stadium in front of the boxing world and we've both got a point to prove.
"The fight's going to happen eventually. Why can't it happen on July 19th?"
