BoxRec

Press Release

James Tennyson will face Jovanni Straffon for the vacant IBO Lightweight World Title on the undercard of Derek Chisora vs. Joseph Parker in Manchester on Saturday May 1, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all markets excluding the UK, Ireland, China, New Zealand and Samoa.

The hard-hitting Belfast man further enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting contenders in the red hot 135lbs division by taking out Canada’s Josh O’Reilly in one round last time out on the Saunders vs. Murray undercard in December.

‘The Assassin’, 27, produced a ferocious display before the WBA World Title Eliminator was stopped by referee Marcus McDonnell after two minutes and 14 seconds – Tennyson's sixth straight stoppage win since moving up to Lightweight

Mexico’s Straffon (23-3-1, 16 KOs) has notched 23 wins since turning professional in December 2010, with 16 of those wins coming inside the distance for the 27-year-old southpaw from Torreon. ‘Impacto’ has lost just three times in 27 fights and has never been stopped.

“Winning the IBO World Title will be a dream come true for me,” said Tennyson. “I have worked my whole life for this moment. This is my big opportunity to complete my collection of belts. I’ve won British, Commonwealth, European and two WBA Titles. All that’s missing is a World Title.

“The other guys holding belts at Lightweight haven’t been putting their belts on the line against each other. Winning the IBO will hopefully dangle a carrot in front of the other World Champions and entice them into a big unification fight. I’m expecting a tough fight, Mexican’s are well known for their toughness. I’ll have to bring my A game.”

“I’ve been working hard for many years to get a fight like this,” said Straffon. “I will not waste it. I will go up in the ring thinking about my two little daughters and how I need to win this for them. Maybe if I win, Eddie Hearn will want to work with me and my team in the future.”

“I am delighted for James Tennyson to be given this World Title opportunity by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom,” said Mark Dunlop, Manager of Tennyson. “James is a role model to not only his community but every up and coming young boxer who has the same dream. His dedication to myself, his coach and Eddie Hearn is a lesson to all in the sport of professional boxing and he has been rewarded for that time and time again. He is fully aware Straffon is a dangerous opponent who is coming to take his shot at glory. This fight is only going to end in a shootout.”

“I’m very thankful to Eddie Hearn for giving us this opportunity and I’m delighted to be working with Mark Dunlop,” said Manuel Garrido, promoter of Straffon. “It is a very exciting fight, Straffon will go out there to give the fight of his life because this is the biggest opportunity he has been given in his career.”

I see the Mexican got beaten by Tony Luis last time he fought at any kind of level.

World title my arse.

garethhop wrote: ↑15 Apr 2021, 06:30 I see the Mexican got beaten by Tony Luis last time he fought at any kind of level.

World title my arse.

Tennyson is eating it up as well.

Unless he's just saying that for promotional reasons.

I see Eddie is now promoting IBO world title fights.
Thought he said there were too many?

did tenny get his hair cut like that for a bet or something

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑15 Apr 2021, 16:39 did tenny get his hair cut like that for a bet or something

That’s always his haircut.

At least he’s not have a giant crap!

that's true, looks very satisfied with his haircut there, fair play to him

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑15 Apr 2021, 16:39 did tenny get his hair cut like that for a bet or something

ha knew knick name the munk

expect james to do a job on straffon mid ko, i mean he aint no mug so cant go looking to take him out from the first bell but tenny boxing well so soften him up early body head , wouldnt toe 2 toe him though , wants to box clever

Where would Tenny go after this one?

milpool wrote: ↑15 Apr 2021, 12:14 I see Eddie is now promoting IBO world title fights.
Thought he said there were too many?

6 of the last 8 IBO female world title fights have him involved and 4 of the last 5 male ones. He is also involved in 2 of the 6 scheduled bouts (1 of 3 for men and 1 of 3 for women's).

Might be a strange coincidence but still...

They were selling Gongora as the first Ecuadorian world champion on DAZN's US commentary at the weekend as well...

...would be interesting to follow this a bit longer term and see if he uses it like PBC use the WBA Interim titles

eddie, like nearly all promoters , doesnt genuinely care about reducing the number of belts and will promote any belt if it works for him in the situation

he was trying to hype the wbc diamond belt for a while too

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Apr 2021, 22:50 Where would Tenny go after this one?

Maxi Hughes might of been a better fight , Tagoe next

Fight Week

Weigh-In Report

London’s Chisora (32-10, 23 KOs) weighed 250.8 pounds. (was 255 ½ pounds vs. Usyk)
Parker (28-2, 21 KOs) weighed 241.2 pounds.

Taylor (17-0, 6 KOs) weighed 134.8 pounds for the 10th defense of at least one lightweight title.
Jonas (9-1-1, 7 KOs) weighed 134.7 pounds for her second career title fight.

Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) weighed 174.1 pounds.
Richards (16-1-1, 9 KOs) was 174.6 pounds for his first career title fight.

Chris Eubank Jr. (29-2, 22 KOs) weighed 161.9 pounds.
Marcus Morrison (23-3, 16 KOs) hit the scale at 161.8 pounds.

Below are the weights for the rest of the undercard.

Campbell Hatton (1-0, 0 KOs), Manchester, 135.9 pounds vs. Levi Dunn (0-4, 0 KOs), Lancashire, 134.5 pounds

Johnny Fisher (1-0, 1 KO), London, 245.7 pounds vs. Phil Williams (3-27-1, 1 KO), Swindon, England, 268.7 pounds

James Tennyson (28-3, 24 KOs), Belfast, 134.6 pounds vs. Jovanni Straffon (23-3-1, 16 KOs), Mexico City, 133.2 pounds

Scott Fitzgerald (14-0, 9 KOs), Preston, England, 169.4 pounds vs. Gregory Trenel (13-6-2, 3 KOs), Dainville, France, 166.2 pounds

I didn’t realise company Johnny had actually said that must’ve been going for sky employee of the month at the time

tennyson beats davis

conor benn batters porter


good ol company johnny

He’ll now be informing sky viewers that jovanni is now P4P #1 with Tennyson #2.

Tennyson reminds me of the domestic version of enzo maccarinelli, good punch power but not very good whiskers.

glass chin, glass body, huge punch

love me some tenny

Gutted for tenny. He can forget about taking on tank.