BoxRec

Press Release

D4G Promotions in association with Round 10 Boxing Club and MTK Global have announced three events heading to Dubai in February, March and April.

The star-studded cards will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV, and begin on Saturday 6 February with Lee McGregor challenging Karim Guerfi for his European bantamweight title, and Sean McComb facing Gavin Gwynne for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title.

The action continues on Friday 12 March, as Tyrone McKenna meets undefeated Zhankosh Turarov in a brilliant super-lightweight bout, Lewis Crocker defends his WBO European welterweight title against Deniz Ilbay, and Gary Cully and Viktor Kotochigov collide for the vacant WBO European lightweight title.

The trio of bills then gets rounded up on Saturday 3 April, and features two Filipino superstars, as four-weight world champion Donnie Nietes and highly-rated Albert Pagara both return to the ring against opponents to be announced.

Some of Dubai’s best local stars will also be featured on the cards, as the likes of Hasibullah Ahmadi and Faizan Anwar are due to compete, while even more fights will be revealed for the events in the coming days.

Ahmed Seddiqi of D4G Promotions said: “We’re delighted to be working with Round 10 Boxing Club and MTK Global to bring these three sensational events to Dubai.

“The events are taking place thanks to the superb work from the Dubai Government and the Dubai Sports Council, with their proactive approach to safety measures and protocols making them a shining example of how things should be done on the international stage.

“Their tremendous dedication has seen Dubai become one of the global leaders in this department, and these events will follow all of the essential safety measures to ensure it is as safe as possible.

“Each card will feature some of the very best fighters in the world, along with a number of Dubai’s highly-rated up and coming stars, so we can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve worked in this region for many years to bring boxing here, and now I feel like it is really coming together. I’m looking forward to the future because it is going to be very bright. We want the Middle East to be one of the major powers in boxing. That’s our goal and our plan to help build up grassroots boxing in the region.”

MTK Global CEO Bob Yalen said: “With the cancellation of boxing in the UK in January, the team were forced to re-think the upcoming schedule for 2021, and after speaking with Ahmed Seddiqi of D4G Promotions, we came to a fantastic solution by deciding to move three of our next four shows to Dubai.

“These three shows in Dubai will feature some of the most exciting prospects and future stars on the MTK roster, and we’re excited to kick off 2021 in style.”

Everlast Group Head of Operations David Al-Mudallal added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the return of boxing to Dubai. As a brand synonymous with professional boxing and worn by all of the greats, it’s important to Everlast that we support events like these and the opportunities they afford to professional fighters across the world and the boxing fans that will tune in.”

MTK Global Press Release

Lee McGregor insists that the sacrifices he is having to make will all be worth it when he finally steps into the ring with EBU bantamweight champion Karim Guerfi next week.

British and Commonwealth king McGregor (9-0, 7 KOs) challenges Guerfi (29-4, 9 KOs) for his European title as part of the huge #RotundaRumble event on Saturday 6 February – live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

It kicks off a run of three incredible cards that are taking place in Dubai over the next three months, held by D4G Promotions in association with Round 10 Boxing and MTK Global, and sponsored by Everlast and Sports Direct.

Edinburgh hero McGregor has been hard at work over the past few months with coach Ben Davison, and he’s confident that all the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into training will see him win the European title.

McGregor said: “I’m absolutely buzzing that the fight has been re-arranged so soon, as I didn’t expect it to be this quick. It has picked me right back up and I’m flying in training.

“The two postponements were hard as I’ve been down in London sacrificing a lot and sacrificed Christmas away from my family. To have this new date is amazing and I’m so grateful.

“I’m definitely excited about fighting in Dubai, and it will go down as a piece of history. It’s more motivation for me to go out there and do a job and win the fight.

“I was out in Dubai for a training camp recently so I’ve experienced it all out there and know what to expect, so I’m looking forward to being back and winning the European title.”

Karim Guerfi: I’m 100% determined to beat Lee McGregor

Karim Guerfi insists that nothing will stop him from keeping hold of his belt as he prepares to defend his European bantamweight title against Lee McGregor on next week’s huge #RotundaRumble event.

Guerfi (29-4, 9 KOs) goes up against British and Commonwealth king McGregor (9-0, 7 KOs) as part of the huge #RotundaRumble event on Saturday 6 February – live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

It kicks off a run of three incredible cards that are taking place in Dubai over the next three months, held by D4G Promotions in association with Round 10 Boxing and MTK Global, and sponsored by Everlast and Sports Direct.

The bad blood between Guerfi and McGregor appears to have been bubbling up in recent weeks, and the Frenchman is adamant that he will be walking out as champion.

Guerfi said: “I’m so happy that the fight is nearly here. I was ready for January 22nd, so it’s good news that the fight was re-arranged so quickly for February 6th. Dubai is an awesome place and I think it will be better fighting there.

“I’m 100% determined to win this fight. I have trained hard to beat Lee McGregor. I have stayed focus on my objective and I will be keeping hold of my European title.

“I will represent my country with great pride. They believe in me and I believe in my skills. I am going to put on a good show for the fans that will be watching on TV.”

Elsewhere on next week’s huge card, Sean McComb and Gavin Gwynne meet for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title, Mark McKeown faces Brad Daws, Pierce O’Leary takes on Irvin Magno, and Hasibullah Ahmadi fights Haidari Mchanjo.

this will be a tough fight this one, good thing is lee same height , lee should pick his times to trade with karim he dangerous , lee has to move well in this fight bring in to the centre keep of the ropes karim good at teeing of big shots , i think karim is vulnerable to body shots and he can be hit a real test here , cmon lee boy

Press Release

Liam Walsh’s planned vacant British lightweight title fight with Paul Hyland Jnr has unfortunately been postponed after Walsh tested positive for COVID-19. A new date for that fight, along with the European bantamweight title fight between Karim Guerfi and Lee McGregor, will be announced in due course.

The two Dubai events set to take place in March and April are currently scheduled to go ahead as planned.

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: “It’s a shame that next Saturday’s event in Dubai is unable to take place due to the current travel restrictions, but we have worked hard behind the scenes over the last few days to ensure the majority of the fighters on that card haven’t had to wait long for their fights to be rescheduled.

“It means that Sean McComb, Gavin Gwynne, Mark McKeown, Brad Daws, Pierce O’Leary and Irvin Magno have had to wait less than two weeks for their new date, so we’re delighted to be adding even more starpower to what was an already stacked MTK Fight Night on February 19.

“We’re hoping to get Karim Guerfi vs. Lee McGregor, and Liam Walsh vs. Paul Hyland Jnr rescheduled as soon as possible, so boxing fans won’t have to wait long to see those two fantastic fights.”

now that is quite the brilliant poster

2 versions of 'taking a massive sh!t', but each with their own distinct character

not many people can pull it off with a closed mouth like lee there

Press Release

Guerfi-McGregor rescheduled for March 19th

MTK Fight Night will take place on March 19th featuring two rescheduled title fights: Karim Guerfi defending his European bantamweight title against Lee McGregor, and Liam Walsh against Paul Hyland Jr for the vacant British lightweight title. The event will be held at the University of Bolton Stadium, and will be broadcast in the US on ESPN+ and worldwide on IFL TV. News on additional fights for the card will be announced in the coming days. Guerfi (29-4, 9 KOs) and McGregor (9-0, 7 KOs) will finally square off after an intense rivalry over the past few months.

Guerfi won the European title for the third time in his career with a stoppage win over Georges Ory in November 2019, while British and Commonwealth king McGregor is attempting to add another belt to his collection in just his tenth professional bout.

Walsh (23-1, 15 KOs) is back in action too following his recent spell with the coronavirus, as he looks to become a two-weight British champion when he goes up against Belfast hero, Hyland (20-2, 7 KOs).

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: “We’re delighted to continue our superb schedule in 2021 with yet another must-see MTK Fight Night event. It was frustrating for everybody when these two fights couldn’t take place in February, but we’ve worked hard behind the scenes and it means that the boxers and the fans haven’t had to wait long at all for a new date. Both of these fights have all of the ingredients to be incredible battles, so I’m extremely excited to see how things unfold next month.”

Excellent show. Say what you like about MTK, their shows are definitely improving all the time. Shame that the TV documentary will mean that they are very unlikely to get a proper tv deal.

Rezzer1967 wrote: ↑08 Feb 2021, 06:20 Excellent show. Say what you like about MTK, their shows are definitely improving all the time. Shame that the TV documentary will mean that they are very unlikely to get a proper tv deal.

This would have been amazing on channel 5

This fights been scrapped about 4 times, looks like its gonna be Friday finally, saying that still plenty time to get postponed again, should bena good scrap, i havent seen Guerfi for a few years, think it was when he blew away Farrag, McGregor's had a routine stoppage win since beating Farooq, like most i thought he lost that fight, Farooq's quality though so i still rate McGregor he's not scared to be tested, can punch for a Bantam and doesnt mind getting in the trenches, Guerfi's proven at this level but I think its McGregor's time and he'll get the KO

Lee McGregor: I'm younger, fresher and hungrier than Karim Guerfi

Karim Guerfi is the defending champion with almost four times the fights you've had in pro ranks, what do you say to the critics that are picking him to win over you?
"There will be doubters, but I believe in myself and my team believes in me and that's all that matters. I'm very confident I can pull this off. Guerfi may be a lot more experienced than me, but I'm younger, fresher and hungrier than him."

How does it feel to be fighting for your fourth title in just your 10th pro contest?
"My professional career has been fast-tracked. I fought for my first title in just my fourth professional fight which doesn't happen very often with many fighters. I could now be British, Commonwealth and European champion after just 10 fights of my career, and that is something which I would be very proud of."

How are things going with your new trainer, Ben Davison?
"I feel like I've really gelled with Ben Davison since we started working together. He's been fixing me and helping to make me the finished article, so I'm excited to see how far we can go."

looking forward

Press Release | Friday: Karim Guerfi – Lee McGregor European Bantamweight Title Showdown LIVE on ESPN+

Streaming action begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT – Bantamweight phenom Lee McGregor has captured British and Commonwealth titles. He is now ready to conquer Europe. McGregor, from Edinburgh, Scotland, will challenge European bantamweight champion Karim Guerfi in a 12-round showdown this Friday, March 19 from the University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton, England.

Guerfi-McGregor will headline a card streaming live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Guerfi (29-4, 9 KOs), from Manosque, France, is a three-time European bantamweight champion who challenged for an interim flyweight world title in 2012. He has not fought since November 2019, when he knocked out countryman Georges Ory in nine rounds.

Guerfi has won his last three European bantamweight title bouts, all by knockout. McGregor (9-0, 7 KOs) captured the Commonwealth bantamweight crown in October 2018 in just his fifth pro bout, knocking out Thomas Essomba in the 12th round.

He unified the British and Commonwealth crowns in November 2019 with a razor-thin split decision over Ukashir Farooq. McGregor returned from a career-long layoff last August and stopped Ryan Walker in five rounds.

In other streaming action:

• The streaking Maxi Hughes (22-5-2, 4 KOs) will battle Belfast veteran Paul Hyland Jr. (20-2, 7 KOs) in a 12-rounder for the vacant British lightweight title. Hughes has scored upset victories in his last two bouts with decisions over the previously unbeaten Viktor Kotochigov and former world title challenger Jono Carroll. Hyland is coming off a June 2019 knockout loss to Francesca Patera for the European lightweight title.

• Belfast-born super middleweight contender Padraig “The Hammer” McCrory (11-0, 5 KOs) will fight fellow unbeaten Germaine Brown (9-0, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder. McCroy is coming off last September’s first-round blitzing of the normally durable Mickey Ellison.

• In an eight-round junior welterweight bout, Jamie Robinson (10-4-1, 3 KOs), winner of four straight, will look to make it five in a row against Billy Allington (8-1-2).

• Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Eryk Apresyan (7-0, 5 KOs) makes his UK debut against Nathan Bendon (3-3-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.

• The ESPN+ stream is scheduled to start with the return of junior featherweight prospect Shabaz Masoud (7-0, 1 KO) against nine-year veteran Louis Norman (14-8-1, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.

It’s great that this is free to view on YouTube but it’s also a bit of a shame it doesn’t have a TV network behind it supporting giving it some promotion.

Give me this show any day over the recent BT Sports show.

I’m looking forward to this more than Poverkin v Whyte. Say what you like about MTK but I’m a fan of their output. This is better than a lot of Saturday Fight Nights.

Rezzer1967 wrote: ↑17 Mar 2021, 08:49 I’m looking forward to this more than Poverkin v Whyte. Say what you like about MTK but I’m a fan of their output. This is better than a lot of Saturday Fight Nights.

The first 2 Sky Saturday fight nights have been really good but it’s better than several from last year and BT’s recent show.

I’m looking to Whyte/Povetkin show more mainly because of the Cheeseman fight - that’s got the potential to be ace - and I’m intrigued to watch Hatton Jr make his debut.

Tonight!!!

About time!

Date: Friday, March 19, 2021
Start Time: 3pm ET | 12pm PT | 7pm UK
Location: Bolton Whites Hotel - Bolton, England
Streaming: ESPN+ | IFL TV (Youtube)

Main Card (ESPN+, 3pm ET | IFL tv, 7pm UK)

6 Round Junior Featherweight Bout
Shabaz Masoud (7-0, 1 KO) vs Louis Norman (14-8-1, 2 KOs)

Followed by

4 Round Lightweight Bout
Sean Duffy (3-0, 1 KO) vs Paul Holt (7-9, 2 KOS)

Followed by

6 Round Junior Middleweight Bout
Eryk Apresyan (7-0, 5 KOs) vs Nathan Bendon (3-3-1, 1 KO)

Followed by

8 Round Junior Welterweight Bout
Jamie Robinson (10-4-1, 3 KOs) vs Billy Allington (8-1-2, 0 KOs)

Followed by

Vacant British Lightweight Championship
Maxi Hughes (22-5-2, 4 KOs) vs Paul Hyland Jr (20-2, 7 KOs)

Followed by

European Bantamweight Championship
Karim Guerfi (29-4, 9 KOs) vs Lee McGregor (9-0, 7 KO)

finally lets get it on, karim long lean will put pressure on from the first bell iam sure ,he is a good fight tucks up well bit loose with some punches tough, i think its lees time to shine wants to move well get jis shots of quick and move could win this with a ko,

How do you get ESPN+ on tv ?

Otherwise it's offa YT ?

skanksta wrote: ↑19 Mar 2021, 13:35 How do you get ESPN+ on tv ?

Otherwise it's offa YT ?

Will it work if yur in the UK though?

Duffy looking good, fast, accurate, insistent punching.

Reminded me of Caleb Plant - "sweet hands"

Lovely move from Duffy. Body shot took all the wind out of Holt.