BoxRec

Press Release

Fightzone and Fight Academy – in association with Stephen Vaughan – will kick off 2023 in style with a top title fight on Feb 25th, live from Malta.

Headlining at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julians will be Connor Butler versus Craig Derbyshire contesting the Commonwealth Flyweight Title. This historic occasion – the first time ever that a Commonwealth belt will have been contested on the island of Malta – is a classic encounter between experienced pro and young starlet.

Liverpool’s Butler hasn’t put a glove wrong since turning over in 2018. The undefeated 24-year-old has raced to nine wins and a single draw (bout halted after a clash of heads) and has barely lost a round in those 10 outings. The baby-faced fighter has naturally though been in learning fights since his debut and now faces the first real test of his career against the well-travelled Derbyshire.

Doncaster’s Derbyshire is a tough man and a good fighter, with a very deceptive record. With eight wins and four draws from 40 bouts, anyone could be forgiven for thinking he was in the wrong sport but don’t be deceived. A pro since 2014, the 31-year-old has fought an array of top British fighters and – almost always – in the away corner. The Yorkshireman is in decent form and – with notice and something to fight for – is a real handful, evidenced by his split decision draw with British Champion Tommy Frank in April … a fight many ringsiders had him winning.

This fight will be pivotal to both men. The encounter will, likely, represent Craig’s last shot at a major title – while being the first chance for Butler to take a step into the boxing limelight and make a huge statement.

“What a great fight to start 2023,” said Fight Academy’s Steve Crump. “We’ve recently signed Connor and have high hopes for him, he’s from a great fighting city in Liverpool and I think he could follow in the footsteps of some of the other great little fighters that have come from there. This is a huge test for him though against a fighter we know very well and has the ability to upset our plans.”

“Craig showed what level he’s at when he pushed Tommy [Frank] all the way for the British title earlier this year,” agreed promoter, Dennis Hobson. “I don’t believe this opportunity has come too early for Connor, but you just never know. We believe in him and he has a great future in the sport, but we’ll know much more about him after this contest.”

Stephen Vaughan, stated: “I’m delighted to be working with Dennis and Steve on this show and to be making history by bringing a Commonwealth Title fight to Malta. This is going to be a fantastic fight for Maletese boxing fans and Fightzone viewers. Connor is a real talent, but this is a very tough test so early in his career, but I’m confident he’ll come through it.”

Press Release | Ryan Farrag is Set To Make Comeback

The Liverpool – and British – fight scene just got more interesting with the announcement that Ryan Farrag is back on the comeback trail.

The former star amateur hasn’t fought since 2019 but makes a welcome return on February 25th. The Liverpudlian will appear on the undercard of fellow Scouse fighter Connor Butler’s Commonwealth Flyweight Title fight with Craig Derbyshire, LIVE on Fightzone, from Malta.

Boxing out of the noted Everton Red Triangle Club, Farrag – who once beat world title challenger Luke Campbell in an ABA semi final – raced out of the blocks when he turned pro in 2010, culminating in a stunning away win over in Belgium in 2015 to win the European Bantamweight crown.

With 20 wins and just four defeats on his record, and all of those reverses coming to top fighters including three world champions (Lee Haskins, Sunny Edwards, Ryan Burnett), Ryan is still a name on the domestic scene and his new co-management team are optimistic he will still have a major impact on the game.

“Ryan is a fighter I’ve always admired,” said Dennis Hobson, who has been instrumental in the careers of British boxing legends like Ricky Hatton, David Haye and Clinton Woods. “I’ve always kept an eye on him and he’s almost been in the opposite corner to some of my fighters over the years! So, I know how good he is. He’s had a fantastic career already and we’ll get him the right opportunities to still have a say in the sport.”

“It’s great to be working in partnership with Dennis,” explained Liverpool fight-figure Stephen Vaughan. “Ryan’s only come unstuck against the very best, and the rest from the sport has done him the world of good. He’s fresh, has been training hard and is going to be a handful for anyone. It’s great to have him on our show in Malta in February, which already has a great headliner in Connor Butler against Craig Derbyshire, and we’ll then plan to get him out regularly in 2023.”

Fight Week!!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Feb 2023, 07:31 Fight Week!!

Also Dave Allan is now on this card

Is the app still free?

Nice to see plucky fighters like Derbyshire hit some form and get the opportunities they deserve.

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑22 Feb 2023, 18:45 Nice to see plucky fighters like Derbyshire hit some form and get the opportunities they deserve.

Craig is actually a very solid fighter! Give him good notice and camp and he is a real danger. Bit like Sokolowski, his record doesn't reflect his ability.

Might download the Fightzone app for the main event, it's free innit??

handsofstone wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 12:32 Might download the Fightzone app for the main event, it's free innit??

I heard it went free yes.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 13:28

handsofstone wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 12:32 Might download the Fightzone app for the main event, it's free innit??

I heard it went free yes.

Nice one

Dave Allen and Hughie Fury should box each other, in a i forgot you were still a pro boxer final eliminator

many people thought 8-28-3 derbyshire shoulda got the win for the british against frank............what's the worst numerical record someone's had when being british champ?

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 15:09 many people thought 8-28-3 derbyshire shoulda got the win for the british against frank............what's the worst numerical record someone's had when being british champ?

chris edwards? 10-12-3 record when he won it.

Allen batters a white-collar level opponent in Bassett in about 1:40 then nearly has to stop the fight himself when the referee fails to

dookus wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 15:27 Allen batters a white-collar level opponent in Bassett in about 1:40 then nearly has to stop the fight himself when the referee fails to

first fight the counting was twice as long as a british standard fight.

Hobson says Allen top 10 in the world.

How do you watch this??

Stobbo wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 15:41 How do you watch this??

Fightzone

tremendously competitive card so far

Butler wins a UD

David Allen Wipes Out Michael Bassett In Malta Ring Return

David Allen made his return to the ring last weekend and got a quick win.

The English heavyweight, from Doncaster, was in action in Malta.

Allen boxed on a Fightzone-aired card at the Hilton Hotel in Portomaso on Saturday which was promoted by Stephen Vaughan for Vaughan Group Malta in association with Fight Academy and Prize Boxing Promotion.

‘The White Rhino’ hung up the gloves in November 2020 at the age of just 28 after losing the desire ‘to get punched’ in the wake of a sparring session with Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk, a former undisputed world champion in the cruiserweight division, has since moved up to heavyweight and won the Ring Magazine, WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO world titles, beating fellow Olympic champion Anthony Joshua twice in the process.

Allen had been set to box at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane Stadium on February 18, but last-minute issues with his opponent meant that he was unable to do so.

Dennis Hobson, who heads up Fight Academy, worked quickly to add his man to the Malta show and put him in against Michael Bassett.

Bassett is now 2-9 after being taken out by Allen in double quick time.

“It was great to work with Dennis and Steve [Crump, of JJ Crump & Son] to get Dave on our show,” said promoter Stephen Vaughan.

Allen, who stormed out of the gates and landed two big overhands before working Bassett’s body and landing the right again, was delighted to get the fight over and done with and is looking forward to the next one.

“Mike and I had a conversation about how great it is being a Dad and we couldn’t wait to get home to our daughters and I wasn’t risking causing him any possible damage and today we’re both winners – we get to see our babies,” Allen, who was calling for the referee to save his opponent and halt proceedings, said in the aftermath. “It’s job done for me. I don’t want any praise, it’s just on to the next one.”