BoxRec

Lawrence Okolie will defend his British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles against Jack Massey on the same night that Scott Fitzgerald defends his WBA International Super-Welterweight title against Brian Rose in a huge Preston vs. Blackpool derby at Manchester Arena on Saturday July 6, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Full details of the bumper summer bill in the North West, including main event confirmation and ticket details, will be formally announced next week.



Okolie (12-0, 9 KOs) added the Commonwealth title to his British belt with a fourth-round TKO of London rival Wadi Camacho at the Copper Box Arena last time out in March and the Rio 2016 Olympian puts both belts on the line once more against unbeaten Chapel-en-le-Frith man Massey.

‘One Smack’ (16-0, 8 KOs) has been chasing a fight with Hackney banger Okolie for the past year and the 26-year-old juggernaut says he is ready to propel his name to the top of the domestic 200lbs division in his first major title opportunity.

“Jack Massey is a fighter with pedigree,” said Okolie. “He has a lot of strength, a lot of ability and a lot of hunger. I’m going to enjoy beating him in front of all of his fans. He’s another undefeated fighter that I will inflict a first career defeat on.

“He has criticised me publicly and openly and I want to use my frustration to beat him in the most convincing way possible.”

“I’m over the moon to be getting this shot at the British and Commonwealth titles,” said Massey. “I have been waiting for my chance to test myself and I cannot wait until July 6th.

“I have the utmost respect for Lawrence Okolie, he boxed in the Olympics, won the British in just his 10th fight and is ranked in the top 10 by the WBA. I know it’s a huge step up for me but I’m ready.

“I’ll be bringing a big crowd on the night and promise to put on a show. I have heard some of the other fights that will be on the night and it’s going to be an amazing show to be on.”

i thought everyone was going on about how okolie was sure to fight lebedev

seen a bit of massey, a well schooled boxer but didnt seem particularly impressive physically

i wonder when oko will move to euro level at least

jamamb wrote: ↑27 May 2019, 14:34 i thought everyone was going on about how okolie was sure to fight lebedev

seen a bit of massey, a well schooled boxer but didnt seem particularly impressive physically

i wonder when oko will move to euro level at least

Hearn said Leb was looking to retire instead.

jamamb wrote: ↑27 May 2019, 14:34 i thought everyone was going on about how okolie was sure to fight lebedev

seen a bit of massey, a well schooled boxer but didnt seem particularly impressive physically

i wonder when oko will move to euro level at least

They are expecting Levedev to retire or he’s trying to get biggest amount going for 1 last fight.

It’s not the worst fight for Okolie at this stage - don’t have any issue with the fight.

Dalton Smith will take part in his second professional contest at Manchester Arena on Saturday July 6, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Sheffield’s most successful amateur of all time made a winning start to life in the paid code with a classy points win over Croatia’s Luka Leskovic at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on May 10.

Smith offered a taste of his huge potential as he dominated his opponent from the opening bell, setting an impressive pace throughout and showcasing a wide variety of shot selection as he cruised to a comfortable 40-36 decision.

“My debut went just as good as I could have imagined,” said Smith. “I had a long training camp and a lot of media stuff around it and it was down to me to perform on the night. I believe I went out there and put on a good performance. My pro debut is in the bag and those nerves and pressure around it will be gone. I think my second fight will be a lot more enjoyable and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve got full confidence in my abilities. I’ve boxed every style out there in the amateurs, so I knew if I stuck to my game plan and stayed calm then I’d perform. Obviously my debut was big, but fighting at Manchester Arena will be another box ticked for me. It’s one of the biggest indoor arenas there is and there’s some big names on the card. There’s a lot of history in that arena and I’ll create a bit of my own on July 6."

Dalton Smith features on a huge night of boxing in Manchester where Lawrence Okolie (12-0, 9 KOs) puts his British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles on the line against Jack Massey (16-0, 8 KOs), Scott Fitzgerald (13-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBA International Super-Welterweight title against former World title challenger Brian Rose (31-5-1, 8 KOs) in a huge Preston vs. Blackpool Lancashire derby, Felix Cash (11-0, 7 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Middleweight crown against Bolton’s Jack Cullen (16-1, 7 KOs) and Anthony Fowler (9-1, 8 KOs) returns after his first pro defeat, with more exciting additions to the card to follow.

Jack Massey has questioned Lawrence Okolie's hunger ahead of their British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight title showdown at Manchester Arena on Saturday July 6, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Massey has been vocal in his pursuit of 2016 Olympian Okolie and the undefeated 26-year-old from Chapel-en-le-Frith is promising to shine after finally landing his first major title opportunity on the big stage. A win over Okolie would propel him to the top of the domestic Cruiserweight pile and 'One Smack' believes his title shot has come at the perfect time.

“We’ve wanted this fight for a long time so when I got my opportunity, I grabbed it with both f****** hands,” said Massey. “I’ve seen a few people knocking me for getting a shot at the belts but it’s time to let everyone know who I am. If they don’t know who I am now, then they definitely will after this fight. This is my time to shine.

“I’ve been in the gym since my last fight in March so we’ve had great preparation for this. I’m always in the gym grinding away, you’ve got to be ready for these opportunities when they present themselves. You never know what’s going to come up and I’ve got my chance on July 6.

“There’s no doubt that he’s had better opposition than me. This is a big step up for me but I’m ready for it. We’ve had a bit of back and forth on social media but it’s just banter isn’t it. He says that I’ve been giving him sh*t on Twitter but it’s important to remember he was the first one to do it. He was calling me out after his third fight.

“I’ve got it all to gain here. To me, it seems like he doesn’t like getting hit and he won’t like it when I connect with him. I don’t think he’s ever has been hit as hard as I hit in a fight. They’re looking past me a bit definitely. I’m hungry and I’m on my way up. He’s had the big fights and got a bit of money in his pocket and I’m still driving a Fiat Punto about. He had his eyes on other fights but I’m hungry for this and I’m ready to go.

“I’ve only gone eight rounds once and that’s it. I’ve done six rounds a few times. I don’t think it’s going to go the distance though. I’m looking to put it on him. I think I’ll be too explosive for him when I let them hands go. There'll be punches in bunches and I'll let them hands fly. I'm going to be smart about it and take my time to find those little pockets and openings. As the rounds go by I'll get on the inside and work him."

Lewis Ritson will return to the ring next month.

The North East man, a former outright British lightweight champion who has recently moved up in weight, was last in action back in March.

Ritson won the Lonsdale belt and made three defences within the space of eight months and then went on to challenge for the vacant European crown against Francesco Patera.

And now, he will be back on July 6 at Manchester Arena, exclusively live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN Stateside, as part of a card that has yet to have a confirmed headliner but already has a solid supporting cast.

Ritson will feature on the card alongside Lawrence Okolie, who is already down to defend his British and Commonwealth cruiserweight title against Jack Massey on the show.

Felix Cash will face Jack Cullen in a defence of his Commonwealth middleweight title and Scott Fitzgerald will look to build on the biggest win of his career to date when he looks to retain the WBA International super-welterweight crown against former outright British champion Brian Rose.

Kieran Farrell, the former fighter who is now a successful manager and promoter, has also managed to get two slots on the card for his fighters.

Nathan Farrell, the brother of the former undefeated Heywood man, will make his professional debut and there is action scheduled for Khaleel Majid, who is just 22 years old and currently holds a pro ledger of 3-0.

According to Okolie, talks of a fight with WBA champion Denis Lebedev have gone nowhere - with no bout against the Russian puncher in sight.

"I've heard nothing about Lebedev," Okolie told Sky Sports. "The last I heard was that he was going to retire. I'm trying not to focus on any one person now. You realise that boxing is a game full of disappointments, I thought it was happening and I'd become a world champion this summer, then it didn't and it's difficult to take."

Okolie, should he beat Massey, plans to pursue his world title dreams.

Okolie has a lot of solid fighters to lean on in his new gym, like Josh Taylor, Luke Campbell and fellow cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith.

"If I beat Jack, I'll start making my way to world level. I do believe I'll win a world title inside 12 months. I've got ambitions to become a world champion and to be a millionaire, I'm neither of those things yet," Okolie said.

"People talk but eventually they have to fight and when you're in the ring, it's no longer fun and games. I'm either a really dis-likeable guy to other cruiserweights or they're all threatened by me. When you're on top of the mountain, in my case the domestic scene, people will bark up to you. They think beating me changes their lives."

Only using half the arena. That too, just the ground seats and lower tier.

Why is this card taking place in Manchester?

Sam Hyde will return to the ring next month.
The former WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title challenger was last in action in April.

Hyde stopped Jozef Jurko in London in his comeback from his first defeat in the paid ranks.

He was pulled out by his trainer, Joe Gallagher, at Manchester Arena last November when he suffered a swelling over his eye in a fight against Richard Riakporhe.

But the 25-year-old has been given a new fight date and will be back between the ropes on July 6.

‘Nowhere 2’ has been confirmed as an addition to a card promoted by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, back at Manchester Arena.

Lawrence Okolie Return Pushed Back, Massey Out With Injury

Matchroom Boxing received news today that an arm injury has ruled Jack Massey out of his July 6 clash with Lawrence Okolie.

Consequently, a decision has been made to postpone the event.

The pair were due to meet at Manchester Arena next weekend, with Okolie’s British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles on the line, but the Hackney man will now defend his titles against an opponent to be confirmed soon on the undercard of Dillian Whyte vs. Oscar Rivas at The O2 in London on July 20, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Refunds for tickets purchased for the July 6 show are available from the original point of purchase.

Funny how now both originally scheduled bouts were changed..

Hearn already said the card was not strong.

Sky/Matchroom said they are now gonna start putting on less shows from September but better cards overall. The cards have been too thin already.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Jun 2019, 18:02 Hearn already said the card was not strong.

Sky/Matchroom said they are now gonna start putting on less shows from September but better cards overall. The cards have been too thin already.

Yeah sounds like more cash from both sides being put in to keep more fighters here in UK.

The cynics will say this one simply wasn't selling. Cruiserweight remains a strong division, and a particular favourite of mine, even without Usyk and Gassiev but I'm not sure what Okolie adds. Physically he looks the part but he somehow never seems to kindle any excitement before, during or after his fights.

So is the card off then?

This would have been Matchroom's first Saturday fight night for ages and they can't even fill the card.

In recent weeks we have had Smith vs N'Dam, Algeri vs Coyle, Kelly vs Robinson, Ryder vs Akkawy and (this weekend) Yafai vs Jiminez. All of which would have made reasonable main events/co-features on sky.

Instead, they all took place in the US and we get the undercard here, rebranded as nxt gen.

I wouldn't mind but Warren and BT aren't exactly picking up the slack.

keirw wrote: ↑29 Jun 2019, 03:57 So is the card off then?

This would have been Matchroom's first Saturday fight night for ages and they can't even fill the card.

In recent weeks we have had Smith vs N'Dam, Algeri vs Coyle, Kelly vs Robinson, Ryder vs Akkawy and (this weekend) Yafai vs Jiminez. All of which would have made reasonable main events/co-features on sky.

Instead, they all took place in the US and we get the undercard here, rebranded as nxt gen.

I wouldn't mind but Warren and BT aren't exactly picking up the slack.

I think the whole card is off mate.

JimStone wrote: ↑29 Jun 2019, 00:44 The cynics will say this one simply wasn't selling. Cruiserweight remains a strong division, and a particular favourite of mine, even without Usyk and Gassiev but I'm not sure what Okolie adds. Physically he looks the part but he somehow never seems to kindle any excitement before, during or after his fights.

I was in boozer with jacks brother last night and he showed me the picture Jacks injury. Serious bruising all around his arm. Legit injury.

Okolie is now mandatory for the European title. The champion Yves Ngabu is with the Ingles so it would be an easy fight for Hearn to make.

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑29 Jun 2019, 04:47 Okolie is now mandatory for the European title. The champion Yves Ngabu is with the Ingles so it would be an easy fight for Hearn to make.

Okolie vs an ingle fighter, that has FOTY written all over it

On a serious note, Okolie is above domestic level now, he should just go for the EBU unless Lebedev vacates or something like that.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Jun 2019, 04:38 I think the whole card is off mate.

It’s completely cancelled - refunds issued.

Fowler v Rose is going to be Next Gen 2nd August.

3132DW wrote: ↑29 Jun 2019, 08:14 It’s completely cancelled - refunds issued.

Fowler v Rose is going to be Next Gen 2nd August.

Okolie will defend his belts against a different foe on Whyte-Rivas PPV card.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Jun 2019, 18:02 Hearn already said the card was not strong.

Sky/Matchroom said they are now gonna start putting on less shows from September but better cards overall. The cards have been too thin already.

Less shows? Jesus. This year has been reliant on nextgen, wbss, night US shows and two Italian cards to pad the content out.

Bad signs when Sky have to cancel an entire show because Jack fornicating Massey can’t fight.