BoxRec

Press Release

Kid Galahad will make the maiden defense of his IBF Featherweight World Title against former World Champion Kiko Martinez on the same night that WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight ruler Terri Harper returns to put her belts on the line against the USA’s Alycia Baumgardner, exclusively on DAZN worldwide – excluding Australia and New Zealand.

The World Title double-header lands at the Utilita Arena Sheffield on Saturday, November 13. It is supported by a stellar undercard that features Chris Billam-Smith (13-1, 10 KOs) making the first defense of his European Cruiserweight Title, Leeds Super-Bantamweight talent Hopey Price (6-0, 2 KOs), James Flint (9-0-1, 2 KOs) battling Dom Hunt (7-0, 1 KO) for the Central Area Welterweight Title, Donte Dixon (5-0, 3 KO) squaring off with Jordan McCorry (19-7-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round Super-Featherweight contest, Raven Chapman (1-0, 1 KO), Sheffield Light-Heavyweight Khalid Ayub (1-0) and Oldham debutant William Cawley.

Sheffield’s Galahad (28-1, 17 KOs) turned in a superb performance. In August, he clinically stopped Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens in eleven rounds to claim the vacant IBF crown at Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex – fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a World Champion.

The Dominic Ingle-trained 31-year-old is targeting supremacy at 126lbs and has already called for unification fights with WBC ruler Gary Russell Jr. and WBO Champion Emanuel Navarrete, but must first get past former IBF Super-Bantamweight Champion Martinez (42-10-2, 29 KOs).

Spain’s Martinez is relishing the opportunity to become a two-weight World Champion after suffering a controversial loss at the hands of Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett at The SSE Arena, Wembley earlier this year, and the 35-year-old is well known on these shores, having shared the ring with multiple World Champions.

Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) looked sensational as she stopped Norway’s Katharina Thanderz in nine rounds to retain her WBC and IBO 130lbs crowns last time out in November 2020 on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s win over Miriam Gutierrez in London.

The Denaby favorite was set to defend her World Titles in a unification clash with South Korea’s undefeated WBA World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi in May before sustaining a hand injury that has kept her sidelined for several months. Still, it will now look to get her career back on track against Baumgardner (10-1, 6 KOs) in Sheffield.

“I am beyond excited for this,” said Galahad. “It will give me a great sense of pride to be making my first World Title defense right here in Sheffield, the city where my boxing journey began with the legend Brendan Ingle.

“Brendan told me way back when I was 14 years old that if I stuck with it, I would be a World Champion one day – so this will be a special moment for me, and it will be dedicated to Brendan and Alma Ingle. To make my maiden World Title defense right here in front of the incredible people of Sheffield, my family, and my fans will be an extraordinary moment.

“Kiko is a former World Champion and has been in with multiple other World Champions, so he has a considerable amount of experience. He is a callous man and never shy’s away during a fight. You’re always going to be in for a hard night’s work with Kiko, who will be pushing, pressuring, and punching all night long.

“We saw how sharp and hungry he looked against Zelfa Barrett recently, so with this being his chance to become World Champion again, I’m expecting an even hungrier and sharper version, and I will be preparing for exactly that, with no stones left unturned!”

“The UK is like my second home, I felt robbed against Zelfa Barrett, but all the fans know who the real winner was,” said Martinez. “I hope that this time the judges will be fair with me. Galahad is an outstanding boxer, and I respect him, but I am very confident in my abilities. I am excited about this opportunity. To become a World Champion in a second weight division is my goal.”

“I am very excited to be back out on November 13 and continuing the journey,” said Harper. “It has been a tough year out with the injury, but we have constantly been working in the gym, and I feel so much more focused mentally. I couldn’t think of a better return than at Sheffield Arena back in front of the home crowd where I last boxed before lockdown.”

“I hope Terri Harper understands that when you step in the ring with me, I’m throwing bombs,” said Baumgardner. “Terri will feel every punch I throw. My punches are thrown with evil intent, and I intend to hurt her and become ‘The New.’ My time is now, and everyone will know who ‘The Bomb’ is. Don’t let a pretty face fool you. On November 13, I can’t wait to show the world that God has blessed me with talent, and I intend to show what happens when talent meets opportunity, and my fist meets Terri Harper’s face.”

“After a fantastic performance at Fight Camp, Kid Galahad is back defending his IBF Featherweight World Title for the first time,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “It doesn’t get much better than a maiden title defense in your hometown, against a former World Champion in Kiko Martinez. After a year out, Terri Harper also returns to the ring, putting her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight Titles on the line. This is certainly not one to miss, live on DAZN around the world.”

Tickets are priced £40, £60, £100, and £200 (VIP).

Fight Pass members can purchase tickets now via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk). General Sale tickets are available from midday on Thursday October 14 via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and the Utilita Arena Sheffield (www.utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk).

I feel like Galahad has already fought him..
but it was Frampton and Quigg.

Galahad probably should have fought him a while..

Eddeh probably feels he owed Kiko a shot after he was robbed..

We cant forget out women's world title co-headliners.

IBF
1 NOT RATED
2 NOT RATED
3 Mauricio Lara Mexico
4 Mark Magsayo Philippines
5 Luis Lopez-Vargas Mexico
6 Reiya Abe Japan
7 Hinata Murata Japan
8 Isaac Lowe England
9 Jordan Gill England
10 Isaac Dogboe Ghana
11 James Dickens England
12 Ryo Matsumoto Japan
13 Andranik Grigoryan Russian Federation
14 Ryan Walsh England
15 Kiko Martinez Spain

Hearn must have asked IBF to sneak him in..

Decision win for Kid.. Don't think he'll get him outta there,

What a shambles

Martinez ! Didn’t he just impressively knock out Bernard Dunne ?!

Strange no Dalton Smith , struggle to sell this out .

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑13 Oct 2021, 11:47 Martinez ! Didn’t he just impressively knock out Bernard Dunne ?!

Always remember that one, was live on terrestrial tv (RTÉ) in Ireland. Long time ago now, 2007 it was.

Seems like Martinez has been around forever!

Glad to see Martinez get a reward after the Martinez fight.

Galahad refuses to write off Martinez ahead of Nov. 13 clash

IBF featherweight champion Kid Galahad says he is preparing for a prime Kiko Martinez when he faces the experienced Spaniard on November 13 in his Sheffield homecoming.

Galahad won his belt against brave Liverpudlian Jazza Dickens in August and promoter Eddie Hearn has received criticism for pairing Galahad with an ex-champion many see as past his best.

Galahad, however, a pro’s pro who is in the gym year round and lives just a stone’s throw from it, refuses to accept that Martinez, 35-years-old and a veteran of 54 fights, will not give him a hard night.

“No because that’s what they thought when he boxed Zelfa Barrett [Martinez lost a close and controversial decision in February],” explained Galahad. “Some people think he won the fight against Zelfa Barrett and he’s dangerous because this is his last chance. If he doesn’t do it now, then he’s never going to get a chance again so I’m expecting the best Kiko Martinez. I’m expecting him to be better than he was against Zelfa Barrett.”

Galahad won his title on the Saturday night and was back in the gym training on the Monday morning. He is always in shape and ready to go, working under the watchful eye of Dominic Ingle. Galahad is the last fighting link to the late Brendan Ingle, Dominic’s father, and Brendan still gets a lot of credit for the success of the Sheffield gym while his son is often overlooked. That’s not lost on Galahad.

“One hundred percent,” continued the champion. “Brendan put the foundation in from a very young age but if it wasn’t for Dominic then you’d never have had Johnny Nelson towards the end of his career, you’d have never had Junior Witter come through, you’d have never had Kell Brook come through and you’d have never had me. Just as much as Brendan was such an important figure, so was Dominic.”

But Dominic has not sought out the plaudits.

“He just does what he does and lets the results show,” added Galahad, who said winning the title has made him more “focused, dedicated and disciplined.”.

Elsewhere in the division, Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan are set to meet in 2022, with the winner perhaps fighting Leo Santa Cruz. Galahad wants all the big-name smoke he can get, but he won’t look passed the old campaigner Martinez.

“I’m just focused on November 13, getting that job done and then if we can make a unification fight then of course I’d love to fight [Emanuel] Navarrete, which is probably realistic… Leo Santa Cruz or Gary Russell Jr…” he said. “I’m not sure. I’ve just got to make sure I take care of business because if not, all of them go out the window. Of course I want these unifications but Martinez can punch, he’s strong, he’s fit, he comes to fight and it’s not going to be a walkover job.”

Life as the champ has not changed much for Galahad. He’s 31, has won 28 of 29 fights, the loss was a disputed defeat to Josh Warrington, but he’s at a stage where he is getting asked about life after boxing.

One thing he said he won’t do is follow in the footsteps of Brendan and Dominic.

“I’ll still be training,” he added, of when he retires. “But I don’t want to be a trainer or train kids. I just want to achieve what I want to achieve in boxing and get out with my faculties intact.”

He is also aware that the window of fame will slam shut when the bell sounds for the final time.

“After boxing, no one’s going to care about none of us because people only care about us at the moment because we are fighters,” he concluded. “The Anthony Joshuas, the Tyson Furys, me, the Josh Warringtons, yes, we are names at this time but, in five year’s time, no one’s going to care about us no more because there will be some other kids coming through. And that’s just the process of life. That’s how it goes on.”

But before that comes Martinez, and as Galahad said, he can’t afford to look beyond him or the course of his own future could markedly change.

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑13 Oct 2021, 12:22 Seems like Martinez has been around forever!

Indeed i went on a stag do and saw his fight in Dublin against Dunne in 2007.

Bald Kiko looks a bit like a mini Bas Rutten

Floydendizer wrote: ↑13 Oct 2021, 12:07 Strange no Dalton Smith , struggle to sell this out .

I don't get it either , unless the lad is injured ?
Should be fighting really regularly at this stage in his career .
What is going on with Cash too ? When was he last out ?

Dalton is injured, back out early in 22. Shame as he was supposed to be in his first title fight on this card after the tune up on Hrgovic’s card.

Sure I heard or read that Cash is taking time out due to a family issue.

Galahad will get the stoppage quite early here

Press Release | Fight Week!

Kid Galahad will make the maiden defense of his IBF Featherweight World Title against former World Champion Kiko Martinez on the same night that WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight ruler Terri Harper returns to put her belts on the line against the USA’s Alycia Baumgardner, exclusively on DAZN worldwide – excluding Australia and New Zealand.

The World Title double-header lands at the Utilita Arena Sheffield on Saturday, November 13. It is supported by a stellar undercard that features Chris Billam-Smith (13-1, 10 KOs) making the first defense of his European Cruiserweight Title, Leeds Super-Bantamweight talent Hopey Price (6-0, 2 KOs), James Flint (9-0-1, 2 KOs) battling Dom Hunt (7-0, 1 KO) for the Central Area Welterweight Title, Donte Dixon (5-0, 3 KO) squaring off with Jordan McCorry (19-7-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round Super-Featherweight contest, Raven Chapman (1-0, 1 KO), Sheffield Light-Heavyweight Khalid Ayub (1-0) and Oldham debutant William Cawley.

Sheffield’s Galahad (28-1, 17 KOs) turned in a superb performance. In August, he clinically stopped Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens in eleven rounds to claim the vacant IBF crown at Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex – fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a World Champion.

The Dominic Ingle-trained 31-year-old is targeting supremacy at 126lbs and has already called for unification fights with WBC ruler Gary Russell Jr. and WBO Champion Emanuel Navarrete, but must first get past former IBF Super-Bantamweight Champion Martinez (42-10-2, 29 KOs).

Spain’s Martinez is relishing the opportunity to become a two-weight World Champion after suffering a controversial loss at the hands of Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett at The SSE Arena, Wembley earlier this year, and the 35-year-old is well known on these shores, having shared the ring with multiple World Champions.

Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) looked sensational as she stopped Norway’s Katharina Thanderz in nine rounds to retain her WBC and IBO 130lbs crowns last time out in November 2020 on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s win over Miriam Gutierrez in London.

The Denaby favorite was set to defend her World Titles in a unification clash with South Korea’s undefeated WBA World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi in May before sustaining a hand injury that has kept her sidelined for several months. Still, it will now look to get her career back on track against Baumgardner (10-1, 6 KOs) in Sheffield.

“I am beyond excited for this,” said Galahad. “It will give me a great sense of pride to be making my first World Title defense right here in Sheffield, the city where my boxing journey began with the legend Brendan Ingle.

“Brendan told me way back when I was 14 years old that if I stuck with it, I would be a World Champion one day – so this will be a special moment for me, and it will be dedicated to Brendan and Alma Ingle. To make my maiden World Title defense right here in front of the incredible people of Sheffield, my family, and my fans will be an extraordinary moment.

“Kiko is a former World Champion and has been in with multiple other World Champions, so he has a considerable amount of experience. He is a callous man and never shy’s away during a fight. You’re always going to be in for a hard night’s work with Kiko, who will be pushing, pressuring, and punching all night long.

“We saw how sharp and hungry he looked against Zelfa Barrett recently, so with this being his chance to become World Champion again, I’m expecting an even hungrier and sharper version, and I will be preparing for exactly that, with no stones left unturned!”

“The UK is like my second home, I felt robbed against Zelfa Barrett, but all the fans know who the real winner was,” said Martinez. “I hope that this time the judges will be fair with me. Galahad is an outstanding boxer, and I respect him, but I am very confident in my abilities. I am excited about this opportunity. To become a World Champion in a second weight division is my goal.”

“I am very excited to be back out on November 13 and continuing the journey,” said Harper. “It has been a tough year out with the injury, but we have constantly been working in the gym, and I feel so much more focused mentally. I couldn’t think of a better return than at Sheffield Arena back in front of the home crowd where I last boxed before lockdown.”

“I hope Terri Harper understands that when you step in the ring with me, I’m throwing bombs,” said Baumgardner. “Terri will feel every punch I throw. My punches are thrown with evil intent, and I intend to hurt her and become ‘The New.’ My time is now, and everyone will know who ‘The Bomb’ is. Don’t let a pretty face fool you. On November 13, I can’t wait to show the world that God has blessed me with talent, and I intend to show what happens when talent meets opportunity, and my fist meets Terri Harper’s face.”

“After a fantastic performance at Fight Camp, Kid Galahad is back defending his IBF Featherweight World Title for the first time,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “It doesn’t get much better than a maiden title defense in your hometown, against a former World Champion in Kiko Martinez. After a year out, Terri Harper also returns to the ring, putting her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight Titles on the line. This is certainly not one to miss, live on DAZN around the world.”

Tickets are priced £40, £60, £100, and £200 (VIP).

Running Order

William Cawley vs TBA
4×3 Flyweight contest

Khalid Ayub vs TBA
4×3 Light-heavyweight contest

Raven Chapman vs TBA
4×3 Featherweight contest

Hopey Price vs TBA
8×3 Super-bantamweight contest

Donte Dixon vs Jordan McCorry
6×3 Super-featherweight contest

James Flint vs Dom Hunt
10×3 Central Area super-lightweight contest

There are 3 women's fights on this card.

WOW!

Hopey’s out of his fight.

maverick23 wrote: ↑09 Nov 2021, 06:54 Hopey’s out of his fight.

Did he even have an opponent?

I'd say ticket sales are struggling. Terri Harper has sold a good few but apart from that?

Not a good opponent for Galahad. Probably only there for DAZN Spain subscribers.

Kiko is timeless feels like he's been around for 40 years. Been in with a lot of top fighters, proper warrior but this is a step too far at this stage.