The line-up for the 20th September event has yet to be revealed, but its set to be the biggest Ultimate Boxxer yet!
Pre-registration is now open for those who want to be the first to get their hands on the best tickets possible.
Fans who sign up here will have early access to tickets through a pre-sale before they go on general sale and get up to 20% off the price. The 48-hour pre-sale begins 9am on Friday 2nd August.
UB4 was recently held in Manchester and produced a sell-out show as Londoner Mikael Lawal took home the title of Cruiserweight Ultimate Boxxer with an astonishing 1st round knockout.
Ringside was the likes of Boxing stars Paulie Malignaggi and Anthony Crolla plus a range of celebrity stars from TV and fashion. UB5 in London promises to be even bigger!
Hot on the heels of Mikael Lawal’s stunning victory at Ultimate Boxxer 4, the tournament now returns to London, with eight Super Welterweights looking to emulate Lawal by winning the Golden Robe and soaring up the professional ranks.
Friday Fight Night has been confirmed for September 20 at the Indigo at The 02, and for the first time in the history of Ultimate Boxxer, there will be an Olympian competing for glory.
Steven Donnelly, who represented Ireland in Rio three years ago, is joined by Joshua Ejakpovi, Kingsley Egbunike, Kaan Hawes, Lenny Fuller, Lewis Syrett, Aaron Collins and Sean Robinson at the Indigo at the O2.
Last month saw Sauerland fighter Lawal emerge victorious amongst the Cruiserweights at Ultimate Boxxer IV in Manchester – his triumph elevated him to the 7th best Cruiserweight in the UK division rankings. Defeated finalist Damian Chambers also saw his reputation enhanced, as did 21-year-old Rhasian Earlington who is now ranked at no. 11.
‘It speaks volumes about the attraction of Ultimate Boxxer that we have an Olympian who is now starting his professional career wanting to be involved with the tournament,’ said Paulie Malignaggi, who will also be commentating live for BT Sport on UBV when it’s screened on fight night.
As well as appearing in Brazil three years in 2016, Donnelly has also represented Northern Ireland in three Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in both 2014 and 2018, and while Malignaggi was excited to see his name on the card, he was also intrigued by the rest of the confirmed line-up.
‘I’m also really interested to see Josh Ejakpovi, ‘The Hollywood Josh’ – he is an interesting character, and I think he’s going to excite people too, and it will be good to see Kaan Hawes in action again. He will be the first man to fight at two UB tournaments, after competing in UBIII. It will be a great night,’ he added.
Ultimate Boxxer is proving to be an ideal platform for fighters making their way in the professional echelon of the sport. Kieron Conway – who fought in the Middleweight UBIII, tournament, losing to eventual winner Derrick Osaze – has recently announced he has joined the Matchroom Boxing group, while Lawal’s performance at UBIV propelled him into the top-10 of the UK Cruiserweight rankings.
‘We definitely have some success stories already, and we are thrilled to have been able to provide a platform for these guys to showcase their skills’ said Ben Shalom, Founder of UB.
‘The Cruiserweights put on an incredible night of action last time out, and we are looking forward to watching what will be a very competitive Super Welterweight division in action,’ he added.
Aaron ‘Bam Bam’ Collins only took up boxing four years ago at the age of 22, and shed an impressive five stone off his frame in order to compete. The Frimley-born fighter, who now operates out of the Camberley Boxing Club, lists Mike Tyson and Vasyl Lomachenko as two of his boxing heroes, with the 26-year-old hoping to add to his unblemished 6-0 professional record.
Steven Donnelly
From: Ballymena
5-0, 1 KO
Steven Donnelly began his boxing journey at age 13, and took to the sport quickly, winning his maiden Country Antrim title within six weeks of first putting on a pair of gloves. He has competed in three Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in both 2014 and 2018. In between that, he represented Ireland in the Rio Olympics. After a highly-impressive amateur career, he made his professional debut in August last year, beating Kevin McCauley at Windsor Park in Belfast.
Kingsley ‘Obi’ Egbunike
From: London
4-0, 1 KO
One London boy entering the tournament with high hopes is Kingsley Egbunike, known to all as ‘Obi’. Trained by Greg Stallard and Allan Grey at Stallard’s Boxing in Surbiton, Obi has benefited from sparring with James DeGale and Chris Kongo, and has won all four of his professional fights, and is yet to drop a single round, with his one KO coming in his last fight against Kristaps Zulgis at York Hall.
Joshua Ejakpovi
From: London
Record: 12-1, 3 KO
Personal trainer Joshua Ejakpovi featured in the 2016 Legend of Tarzan movie, alongside Samuel L Jackson, and he has also starred in an exhibition at London’s Tate Gallery. But boxing is where the true passion lies for ‘The Hollywood Josh’ and he will be one to watch out for when the BT Sport cameras capture the action on September 20. He’s benefited from sparring with Billy Joe Saunders, and has also trained at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas. His only professional defeat has come to fellow UBV contender Sean Robinson.
Lenny Fuller
From: Maidstone
6-0, 0 KO
Lenny ‘The Main Man’ Fuller will hope to have all of the travelling community behind him when he steps into the ring. By his own admission, he had an unsuccessful stint as an amateur, but regathered focus as he entered the professional ranks and is now ready to fight his way to glory at the Indigo at the O2, aiming to make his two young sons proud.
Kaan Hawes
From: Witham
5-1-1, 0 KO
Cricket-loving Kaan Hawes will be hoping for some Jos Buttler-style power-hitting of his own when he enters the ring to try to take home the Ultimate Boxxer V crown. He will become the first man to take part in two Ultimate Boxxer events, having previously fought at UBIII, losing to Kieron Conway. He’s backed by good friend singer-songwriter Olly Murs – they met playing Sunday League football years ago.
Lewis Syrett
From: Tonbridge
6-0, 2 KO
Lewis Syrett also enters UBV with an undefeated 6-0 record, fighting out of Sevenoaks ABC and coached by Andy Knight and Paul Lynch. This aggressive, power-punching southpaw is chomping at the bit to get in the ring on September 20. After his first professional fight – which he won against Aleksander Chukaleyski – he returned to his hotel for a well-earned sleep. The next day he ran the London Marathon in memory of a friend who had recently died. Syrett finished in 3 hours 50 minutes.
Sean Robinson
From: Ruislip
9-0-1, 0 KO
The current Southern Area Super Welterweight champion comes into the tournament with an impressive record, with one of his nine wins coming against fellow UBV contender Joshua Ejakpovi. Fighting out of the Club KO gym in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, QPR fan Sean is looking forward to fighting at the Indigo in front of his girlfriend Tiffany, brother Luke and Father David Smith. However, we may find Dad backstage – although he goes to all of Sean’s fights, he doesn’t watch due to nerves.
Steven Donnelly began his boxing journey at age 13, and took to the sport quickly, winning his maiden Country Antrim title within six weeks of first putting on a pair of gloves.
Funny how things vary, I know trainers who wouldn't let anyone fight with at least 6 months - a year of training. Some even longer despite obviously being talented. One guy wouldn't let them spar until after a full year.
I remember Hawes from the Middleweights, he was tough, I know of Donnelly from the Olympics and Commonwealths, never seen him but remember the name, don't know anyone else though, still these are a good watch these UB tourneys
handsofstone wrote: ↑16 Sep 2019, 02:30
I remember Hawes from the Middleweights, he was tough, I know of Donnelly from the Olympics and Commonwealths, never seen him but remember the name, don't know anyone else though, still these are a good watch these UB tourneys
Yeh, they are good formats. Good way to get these guys active and on tv from a early start on their careers.
6.15pm – Sean Fennell vs. Daniel Alder 4×3
6.33pm – Linus Udofia vs. Liam Griffiths 4×3
6.56pm – Youssef Khoumari vs. Sean Davis 4×3
7.19pm – Derrick Osaze vs. TBA Both 4×3
8pm – On Air (BT Sport)
8.10pm
QF 1 - Egbunike vs. Fuller
QF 2 - Hawes vs. Ejakpovi
QF 3 - Syrett vs. Robinson
QF 4 - O’Connor vs. Donnelly
Between Quarters and Semis
Mick Learmonth vs. Pawel Strykowski 4 x 3
Semi Finals Approx. 9.40pm
SF 1 Winner of QF1 vs. Winner of QF2
SF2 Winner of QF3 vs. Winner of QF4
6 x 3 – Between Semis and Finals
Florian Marku vs. Miroslav Serban 6 x 3
Approx. 11pm
FINAL – Winner of SF1 v SF2
--------------------------------
The guest list at The O2 includes the likes of Ohara Davies, Enzo Maccarinelli, Anthony Yarde, Ashley Theophane and Charlie Edwards.
Former Love Island winner Jack Finchem will also be in attendance at the Indigo.
Egbunike got disptached there within 40 seconds of the first round! BIG right hands from Lenny Fuller & he was basically untouched too, great start for him.
