BoxRec

Press Release

On Friday May 5th, flyweight Tommy Frank defends his Lonsdale belt at the Rotherham Magna Centre against former European and Commonwealth champion, Jay Harris. FightZone will carry the card.

The Pride of Sheffield, Tommy, claimed the British crown in 2019 with a dominant points victory over Brummie Matt Windle in an all-action 12-rounder. Since then, the 29-year-old has also successfully defended the belt against Craig Derbyshire, edging out his fellow Yorkshireman on a split-decision draw in April last year.

With just two losses from 18 outings, ‘Super’ Tommy has been clamoring for a big fight … and he gets one against Harris. The Swansea man comes into the bout with greater experience and having been in with better opposition. The pinnacle of the Welsh fighter’s career – to date – was a tilt at world honors in 2020 when he put up a brave but losing show against hard-hitting Mexican Julio Cesar Martinez in America for the WBC flyweight title.

Harris has suffered a couple of stoppage defeats since that American adventure – albeit in good company and with one contest down at light flyweight – but has momentum behind him after a morale-boosting KO win in June last year. At 32, this looks like a last-chance-saloon scenario for Jay but with 10 KOs from 19 wins, and just three losses, he heads into this Battle of Britain as slight favorite … something that Frank believes will spur him on.

“I probably am the underdog and I don’t have a problem with that – it will bring the best out of me. Fighting this caliber of opposition will raise my game and it excites me that it’s going to be a hard fight. He’s been in with better quality opposition, and is a former European Champion, so it’s natural for him to be the favorite," Frank said.

“The winner of this one will be in the mix for some big, exciting fights. He wants my British Title but I want to keep it and hopefully move onto the European scene, and beyond. I have a lot of respect for Jay. He’s very capable, strong and has a similar style to me. We can both box on the back foot but prefer going forward and that’s going to make for a brilliant fight. Our styles will gel really well and the fans, and Fightzone viewers, are in for a real treat.”

Good to see plenty of British title activity. Decent match ups.

Looking forward to finding out how much Harris still has give to boxing after some set backs to good opposition. It takes a good fighter to beat Harris.

Why are the majority of British title fights for vacant belts?

It's actually a rarity (like Franks) to see an actual title defence these days.

Unless Harris has gone well back he should be at least a couple of levels above Frank

If I'm understanding the post correctly, this fight isn't on Boxing Social, just the undercard.

cpx2 wrote: ↑08 Jan 2023, 19:41 If I'm understanding the post correctly, this fight isn't on Boxing Social, just the undercard.

That’s right.

Fights off

The card still going ahead?

Yes with Purkiss vs Mahmood headlining for the English Bantamweight title

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Feb 2023, 09:12 Fights off

Modern boxing in a nutshell. Three shows planned in a month, three championship main events, one happened. I think that the chance that of a main event, when announced, taking place must be around 33% so this sounds about right. The fighters from yesteryear must be spinning in their graves at todays guys.

Will not be on FightZone

Press Release

On Friday May 5th, flyweight Tommy Frank defends his Lonsdale belt at the Rotherham Magna Centre against former European and Commonwealth champion, Jay Harris. FightZone will carry the card.

The Pride of Sheffield, Tommy, claimed the British crown in 2019 with a dominant points victory over Brummie Matt Windle in an all-action 12-rounder. Since then, the 29-year-old has also successfully defended the belt against Craig Derbyshire, edging out his fellow Yorkshireman on a split-decision draw in April last year.

With just two losses from 18 outings, ‘Super’ Tommy has been clamoring for a big fight … and he gets one against Harris. The Swansea man comes into the bout with greater experience and having been in with better opposition. The pinnacle of the Welsh fighter’s career – to date – was a tilt at world honors in 2020 when he put up a brave but losing show against hard-hitting Mexican Julio Cesar Martinez in America for the WBC flyweight title.

Harris has suffered a couple of stoppage defeats since that American adventure – albeit in good company and with one contest down at light flyweight – but has momentum behind him after a morale-boosting KO win in June last year. At 32, this looks like a last-chance-saloon scenario for Jay but with 10 KOs from 19 wins, and just three losses, he heads into this Battle of Britain as slight favorite … something that Frank believes will spur him on.

“I probably am the underdog and I don’t have a problem with that – it will bring the best out of me. Fighting this caliber of opposition will raise my game and it excites me that it’s going to be a hard fight. He’s been in with better quality opposition, and is a former European Champion, so it’s natural for him to be the favorite," Frank said.

“The winner of this one will be in the mix for some big, exciting fights. He wants my British Title but I want to keep it and hopefully move onto the European scene, and beyond. I have a lot of respect for Jay. He’s very capable, strong and has a similar style to me. We can both box on the back foot but prefer going forward and that’s going to make for a brilliant fight. Our styles will gel really well and the fans, and Fightzone viewers, are in for a real treat.”

Good fight this, good to see they finally got a date for it.

That Martinez fight took a lot out of Harris, as evidenced in his subsequent performances, this probably plays out closer than the popular opinion thinks.

Fight Week!!

This is getting streamed live on BBC iPlayer tomorrow night, sweeeet

handsofstone wrote: ↑04 May 2023, 17:07 This is getting streamed live on BBC iPlayer tomorrow night, sweeeet

Excellent.

Looking forward to this one

Harris is always in a good fight

Any predictions?

Harris by KO.

Any idea of ring walk time?

Card starts at 8pm

Harris been stopped a couple times lately from guys with decent records but I haven't heard of, don't know if their much cop but still surprising, Frank's decent but he did just come off a draw in the Derbyshire rematch, I scored that even myself so no qualms with the result but seeing as he won the first fight you could see he's regressing or not improved

Harris has the experience, former European and Commonwealth champ and obviously went 12 in a world title fight with Martinez, i reckon he wins a close one on points, maybe a late stoppage but betting man says decision

Any way of watching this via a firestick?