BoxRec

Press Release

MTK Global has announced the details of the next two MTK Fight Nights taking place later this year.

Following a run of three shows throughout the summer, MTK Fight Night will return to Production Park Studios in Wakefield for two massive events, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

On Sunday 18 October, a fantastic clash of unbeaten fighters will take place, as world-ranked Michael McKinson (18-0, 2 KOs) goes up against the dangerous Martin Harkin (13-0, 5 KOs) in a welterweight contest.

In the co-main event, recent world title challenger Jay Harris (17-1, 9 KOs) looks to build on the fantastic showing he produced against Julio Cesar Martinez, when he defends his Commonwealth flyweight title in a brilliant match-up against Marcel Braithwaite (9-2).

Former IBF bantamweight world champion Paul Butler (31-2, 15 KOs) also makes his long-awaited return against Ryan Walker (11-2, 2 KOs), while undefeated Shaw boxer Jack Rafferty (12-0, 7 KOs) has his first bout under the MTK Global banner.

Rounding up the bill in October are the highly-anticipated professional debuts of two amateur sensations, as Jordan Reynolds and Paul McCullagh both enter the paid ranks, with opponents to be announced for those two respective fights.

Another star-studded card will then take place on Wednesday 11 November, and is headlined by an incredible showdown, as British and Commonwealth bantamweight king Lee McGregor (9-0, 7 KOs) challenges Karim Guerfi (29-4, 9 KOs) for his European bantamweight title.

Highly-rated Kazakhstan superstar Tursynbay Kulakhmet (1-0, 1 KO) will fight in the UK for the first time at the event, following a terrific performance in his debut last month.

The show will also see fellow Kazakh sensation Sultan Zaurbek (9-0, 7 KOs) square off with Jeff Ofori (10-3-1, 3 KOs), and Sahir Iqbal (8-0, 1 KO) go up against Jamie Robinson (10-4-1, 3 KOs).

Rising stars Inder Bassi (2-0) and Jack Martin (3-0) will collide with each other, plus highly-rated Hassan Azim makes his professional debut.

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: “I’m really excited for these two shows. Both cards are full of 50-50 fights.

“In October we have a double-header main event, with Michael McKinson fighting Michael Harkin and Jay Harris taking on Marcel Braithwaite. Those are two great fights and then there is a brilliant undercard too.

“In November we then have Karim Guerfi against Lee McGregor for the EBU bantamweight title. It’s a massive fight for both boxers, and there is a stacked undercard on that show as well.

“We have Tursynbay Kulakhmet making his UK debut, and we’re looking to secure a proper fight for him as he wants to make a statement.

“It’s two really good shows, so we’re looking forward to being back and continuing our tradition of 50-50 fights all the way through the cards.”

This one is a nailed-on victory for Harris. The question is can Braithwaite fiddle his way through to the finish

It's a sensible match to bring Harris back in after his courageous challenge against Martinez. For Braithwaite an opportunity to prove he belongs in this class.

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑18 Sep 2020, 13:21 This one is a nailed-on victory for Harris. The question is can Braithwaite fiddle his way through to the finish

It's a sensible match to bring Harris back in after his courageous challenge against Martinez. For Braithwaite an opportunity to prove he belongs in this class.

Yeah keeps Harris in the mix, gets him a payday, and they can work him back to another world title shot

Rafferty-Hill added to Oct. 18th English show

A welterweight feature has been added to next month’s MTK Fight Night event as Jack Rafferty (12-0 with 7 KOs) goes up against Tom Hill (9-1, 2 KOs). The two men will do battle at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on October 18th, which will be broadcast in the US on ESPN+ and worldwide on IFL TV. Rafferty has looked great in his career so far, but [having been protected in terms of opposition, he] now faces his toughest test yet against Hill.

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: “It’s great to get this fantastic fight on between Jack Rafferty and Tom Hill. We’ve been trying for a while to get Jack a big step up on this card, and it’s going to be a superb battle against Hill.

Along with the addition of Rafferty vs. Hill, the event will also see Billy Joe Saunders’ protégé Lewie Edmondson (2-0) in action, as the rising star looks to extend his unbeaten record. “We’re also pleased to add Lewie Edmondson to the show as well. He’s been training alongside Billy Joe Saunders for a while now and we’re excited to see just how much he has added to his game.”

Elsewhere on the October 18th card, a clash of unbeaten fighters will take place, as Michael McKinson (18-0, 2 KOs) goes up against Martin Harkin (13-0, 5 KOs) in a welterweight contest... In the co-feature, flyweight contender Jay Harris (17-1, 9 KOs) looks to build on the fantastic showing he produced in a failed world title bid against Julio Cesar Martinez, when Harris defends his Commonwealth flyweight title against Marcel Braithwaite (9-2)... Former IBF bantamweight champion Paul Butler (31-2, 15 KOs) also makes his long-awaited return against Ryan Walker (11-2, 2 KOs), while there will also be the professional debuts of two amateur stand-outs, as Jordan Reynolds and Paul McCullagh both enter the paid ranks, with opponents to be announced for those two respective fights.

good to see jay back in action his last few fights been nothing but action but stopping barnes and the performance against Martinez he is now expected to deliver , looks a good fighter to me jay tough ,rangey and will trade aswell be a tough oppo to face win harris

Fight Week!

MTKFightNight: Braithwaite primed for Harris battle

Marcel Braithwaite knows a win over Jay Harris can see him gatecrash the top of the flyweight division when they meet on Sunday’s action-packed #MTKFightNight.

Braithwaite (9-2) challenges Harris (17-1, 9 KOs) for his Commonwealth flyweight title against on a huge card at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on Sunday, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.

Liverpool boxer Braithwaite is back following a good performance against Sunny Edwards in his last fight, and he wants to build on that showing by earning a win against Harris.

Braithwaite: “I’m excited to be back in the ring and grateful to be able to fight with everything that’s going on in the world at the moment. It’s been 10 months since I was last out so I’m looking forward to getting in there.

“I had a lot of positive feedback from my last fight against Sunny Edwards, but I didn’t win so I wasn’t happy. There were a lot of factors to overcome so we gained valuable experience, but it was back to the drawing board and we’ve made a lot of changes.

“I’m focused on moving forward in my career and in life. I said I would fight anyone and I’m a man of my word. Jay Harris fought for a world title in his last fight, and if I beat him it puts me right up there.

“I watched his fight with Martinez, and I don’t want to say too much on the matter, but there’s levels in boxing and we will see what level I’m at come fight night.”

Jay Harris wants another world title shot

Jay Harris introduced himself to the world with his superb performance against Julio Cesar Martinez earlier this year – and he hopes a win over Marcel Braithwaite this weekend can pave the way for another crack at world honours.

Welsh star Harris (17-1, 9 KOs) defends his Commonwealth flyweight title against Braithwaite (9-2) on a huge card at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on Sunday, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.

It’s the first fight back for Harris since his great showing against Martinez for the WBC title back in February, and while he isn’t overlooking Braithwaite, he wants to move one step closer to another world title shot.

Harris said: “I’m very excited to get back in the ring. I’m expecting a tough fight as Marcel is going to come to win. He had a good fight with Sunny Edwards in his last outing, so I’ve trained hard and prepared for any sort of situation that Marcel is going to bring.

“I think the whole experience of the world title fight was unreal. It was the best I’ve had in boxing, during the whole build up, and even the fight, despite it not going my way. I’ve taken a lot from the whole experience and I would look forward to doing it again in the future.

“It’s really good to get straight back into a competitive fight. I didn’t want anyone that I can just blow over in a couple of rounds as there’s no point and it wouldn’t be respected. This fight on the other hand is a great fight and I’ll have to be focused and on my game, so this gets me excited.

“I’m hoping to get another world title shot, but I’m not looking past Marcel. This fight is as important as any other fight, so I’ve just got to focus on the job at hand.”

Also on the bill on Sunday is a superb fight between two unbeaten fighters, as Michael McKinson takes on Martin Harkin, while former world champion Paul Butler goes up against Ryan Walker.

Elsewhere, Jack Rafferty takes on Tom Hill, Jordan Reynolds makes his professional debut against Scott James, Lewie Edmondson faces Andy Bishop, and Paul McCullagh enters the paid ranks.

Been impressed with MTK’s cards.

Thought the effort Harris put in against Martinez was first class, we've seen guys before get world title fights oit of the blue and freeze but even though Harris was well beaten he competed in there all the time, got in the trenches and showed heart to recover from a sore knockdown, he'd shown spite before that and looks like he has what it takes to get there eventually

Braithwaite obviously lost to Sunny for the British, put him down but ultimately lost widely, he held a lot that night and as skilled Sunny Edwards is he isn't the strongest, Harris is a wee dynamo and he wont allow Braithwaite to hustle him like he did Edwards, I think Harris will be too strong and active, think he'll stop Braithwaite in the middle rounds

Press Release

Marcel Braithwaite knows a win over Jay Harris can see him gatecrash the top of the flyweight division when they meet on Sunday’s MTK Fight Night.

Braithwaite (9-2) challenges Harris (17-1, 9 KOs) for his Commonwealth flyweight title against on a huge card at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on Sunday, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.

Liverpool boxer Braithwaite is back following a good performance against Sunny Edwards in his last fight, and he wants to build on that showing by earning a win against Harris.

Braithwaite: “I’m excited to be back in the ring and grateful to be able to fight with everything that’s going on in the world at the moment. It’s been 10 months since I was last out so I’m looking forward to getting in there.

“I had a lot of positive feedback from my last fight against Sunny Edwards, but I didn’t win so I wasn’t happy. There were a lot of factors to overcome so we gained valuable experience, but it was back to the drawing board and we’ve made a lot of changes.

“I’m focused on moving forward in my career and in life. I said I would fight anyone and I’m a man of my word. Jay Harris fought for a world title in his last fight, and if I beat him it puts me right up there.

“I watched his fight with Martinez, and I don’t want to say too much on the matter, but there’s levels in boxing and we will see what level I’m at come fight night.”

Also on the bill on Sunday is a superb fight between two unbeaten fighters, as Michael McKinson takes on Martin Harkin, while former world champion Paul Butler goes up against Ryan Walker.

Elsewhere, Jack Rafferty takes on Tom Hill, Jordan Reynolds makes his professional debut against Scott James, Lewie Edmondson faces Andy Bishop, and Paul McCullagh enters the paid ranks.

Paul Butler Confident He Can Exploit Weaknesses in Ryan Walker

Paul Butler makes his highly-anticipated return to the ring when he takes on Ryan Walker on Sunday’s huge MTK Fight Night – and the Ellesmere Port man feels he has seen enough to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses.

Former world champion Butler (31-2, 15 KOs) faces Walker (11-2, 2 KOs) on a huge card at Production Park Studios in Wakefield, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.

Walker was in action against Lee McGregor during an action-packed MTK Fight Night in August, and Butler has revealed that he accepted this weekend’s fight after watching just one minute of that bout.

Butler said: “I’m buzzing that MTK Global have got me out so quick. Before I signed I didn’t think I’d be boxing this year, so I’m over the moon they’ve got me out.

“I don’t know too much about Ryan Walker. I looked through his record and watched about 1 minute of him against Lee McGregor and accepted the fight. From what I’ve seen of him, he’s a game kid and will come to win, so he’s not coming to make the numbers up.

“I’ll sit down and watch the full fight of him and McGregor a few times before I get in there on fight night. With me only watching a minute and accepting it, I’ve seen enough to exploit.

“Fighting in a empty arena doesn’t phase me in the slightest. I’m going there to do a job and in good fashion. When I’m fighting in big arenas there is only a handful of voices I hear that I take notice of anyway, and that’s my corner and me dad.

“Hopefully this fight pushes me up to number 2 with the IBF as I’m making championship weight. Then we will see what happens from there.”

handsofstone wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 17:52 Thought the effort Harris put in against Martinez was first class, we've seen guys before get world title fights oit of the blue and freeze but even though Harris was well beaten he competed in there all the time, got in the trenches and showed heart to recover from a sore knockdown, he'd shown spite before that and looks like he has what it takes to get there eventually

Braithwaite obviously lost to Sunny for the British, put him down but ultimately lost widely, he held a lot that night and as skilled Sunny Edwards is he isn't the strongest, Harris is a wee dynamo and he wont allow Braithwaite to hustle him like he did Edwards, I think Harris will be too strong and active, think he'll stop Braithwaite in the middle rounds

that harris fight was a bit like a throw back fight, you knew he was out gunned from the start but then harris started tradding back got you of your seat like go on harris there was moments when i thought hes hurt him here great fight , paddy barnes was very good win, harris win for me

Press Release

Born in Romania and now based in Essex, unbeaten Paraschiv (2-0) has won both of his professional boxing fights, along with multiple world kickboxing titles.

He won’t have to wait long for his first bout as an MTK Global fighter, as he will take on Scott James (6-6-1) on Sunday’s action-packed #MTKFightNight. Paraschiv replaces Jordan Reynolds in the fight, who has been forced to withdraw.

The huge card takes place at Production Park Studios in Wakefield, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV, and Paraschiv can’t wait to get going.

Paraschiv said: “I am very excited. I know that MTK Global are the best around and I am looking forward to my career with them. Being a part of the same team as some huge names makes me confident that I can be at the top with them. I know I have the best team now, and nobody can beat me.

“I can’t wait for the fight this weekend. It’s short notice so it’s a higher weight than I normally fight at but I am ready to fight. I live to fight, there is nothing else I want to do. I want to win world titles in my career, and now I’m with MTK Global I know this will happen!”

Promoter Lee Eaton added: “We are really pleased to welcome Amansio Paraschiv to the team after a recommendation from Billy Joe Saunders. Paraschiv has had an incredible career in combat sports, winning a number of kickboxing world titles, and we’re excited to see what he can now achieve in boxing.

“He’s jumped straight in and taken a fight with Scott James on our MTK Fight Night this weekend, so that shows he’s got a great attitude and we’re glad to have him on the show. It’s a big shame that Jordan Reynolds has been forced to pull out, and hopefully we’ll have a fight rescheduled for him soon.”

Also on the bill on Sunday is a superb fight between two unbeaten fighters, as Michael McKinson takes on Martin Harkin, while recent world title challenger Jay Harris defends his Commonwealth flyweight title against Marcel Braithwaite.

Elsewhere, former world champion Paul Butler takes on Ryan Walker, Jack Rafferty goes up against Tom Hill, Lewie Edmondson faces Andy Bishop, and Paul McCullagh enters the paid ranks.

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

handsofstone wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 17:52 Thought the effort Harris put in against Martinez was first class, we've seen guys before get world title fights oit of the blue and freeze but even though Harris was well beaten he competed in there all the time, got in the trenches and showed heart to recover from a sore knockdown, he'd shown spite before that and looks like he has what it takes to get there eventually

Braithwaite obviously lost to Sunny for the British, put him down but ultimately lost widely, he held a lot that night and as skilled Sunny Edwards is he isn't the strongest, Harris is a wee dynamo and he wont allow Braithwaite to hustle him like he did Edwards, I think Harris will be too strong and active, think he'll stop Braithwaite in the middle rounds

yeah Harris is nails, with skills and a great engine, what's not to like?

Hopefully Harris goes one better at world level in the future, really good fighter to watch. Loved his performance against Martinez, so many would have crumbled under that pressure but he fought fire with fire and dug in, very impressive.

Good display from Paul Butler convincingly beating Ryan Walker 79-73 over eight rounds.

Still championship fights left in Butler and excellent effort from Walker who should draw confidence from taking two very tough fights on the trot.

Butler v Lee McGregor could be a belter if MTK matched them.

Jay Harris up next

Commonwealth title not on the line....Braithwaite failed to make the weight

Three rounds in of a scheduled 10 and it's shaping up nicely.

Both landing good shots to head and body.

The action hotted up in the 4th....Braithwaite wobbled Harris with a beautiful left hand.

This is a really good fight

Braithwaite is a revelation and seems to have a new found strength about him.

Great action. Harris ahead by end of the 6th IMO.

Harris really being made to work hard from Braithwaite by close of play in the 7th.

Superb round from Harris in the 8th. Out worked and out punched Braithwaite, but Marcel still throwing hard single punches.