BT SPORT delivers another power-packed boxing bill on Saturday night headed by Clydach Vale’s Liam Williams who defends his British Middleweight championship against Redditch’s mandatory challenger Andrew Robinson.

Williams hopes it is his final fight before challenging American WBO World champion Demetrius Andrade.

Nathan Gorman is back in action on the behind-closed-doors card at BT Sports studio in East London. He boxes a  Commonwealth Heavyweight title eliminator against Ghana’s Richard Lartey.

Earlier today, the four fighters took part in a media conference, photos can be found here and below are a selection of quotes.

LIAM WILLIAMS (22-2-1, 17 KOs)
“It’s not fair to say I’m angriest man in boxing,  but when I’m in the ring I have that nastiness about me and a short fuse. Day to day, I am a steady living guy. It doesn’t matter what anybody says or does I always bring excitement and fire on all cylinders. Andrade is full of s**t and keeps saying he is ‘The Boogeyman”, but I am actually chasing the fight with him. I don’t care if he fights me or vacates as long as I get that world title. I  think he will vacate and I will fight someone like Jaime Munguia, which has blood and guts written all over it. I will talk about Andrade and Eubank, but my focus is Andrew Robinson. The referee will have to keep a eye on him because I am coming with bad intentions. I am going to be on the ball and the referee needs to be on the ball because someone could be getting hurt. I will take Robinson’s heart, then come back take his gold teeth and weigh them in to get a nice little bonus.”

ANDREW ROBINSON (24-4-1, 7 KOs)
“I am living my dream and don’t get involved in talk about being overlooked. I’ve always been a fan of Liam Williams. It’s like a dream come true to be fighting one of the best Middleweights in the world. I will fight anybody and I’m ecstatic to be the ring with the number one fighter in the WBO ratings. If I win, I fight for a world title so I’m buzzing. I went to Poland and beat Damian Jonak who hadn’t lost in 13 years. God was with me that night and hopefully he is on Saturday.”

NATHAN GORMAN (16-1, 11 KOs)
“This is a different Nathan Gorman from 16 months ago. I have a new team and I am in a good fight. What has happened in the past has happened and I got beaten by Daniel Dubois. I could have taken a six rounder, but if I beat Lartey I can push on for titles. I am sure the winner of Dubois v Joyce will vacate the Commonwealth title and I can get that title. What a fight that will be. It’s a case of who lands first. Under six rounds you favour Daniel because he’s explosive. Over six rounds, It could be Joyce with his engine.”

RICHARD LARTEY (14-2, 11 KOs)
“Preparation has been good and I will give the TV fans a great fight. People still talk about my fight with Daniel Dubois. I have a new team. I am prepared and something will happen. I respect Nathan and know all about him. I wasn’t pleased with how the referee stopped the fight against Daniel and I would like the chance to meet him again.”

A second title fight on the card sees Liverpool’s JJ Metcalf (21-0, 13KOs) make the first defence of his Commonwealth Super-Welterweight title against Bolton’s Jack Flatley (16-1-1, 4 KOs)

Willy Hutchinson  (12-0, 8 KOs) chases his 13th straight win when he boxes Spaniard Jose Miguel Fandino (15-7, 8 KOs) in a non-title ten-round Super-Middleweight clash.

Portsmouth Lightweight Mark Chamberlain (6-0, 4KOs) moves up to eight round class and faces Shaun Cooper (10-1)

Completing the card Super-Featherweight Muheeb Fazeldine (13-0-1, 4KOs) meets Luke Jones (6-3-1) over six rounds and over four rounds Bexley Welterweight Mickey Burke Jr (3-0) tackles Manchester’s Dan Booth (4-1, 

LIAM WILLIAMS believes WBO World Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade has nowhere to hide.

The American champion has been ordered to face Williams in his next defence and the Welshman’s promoter Frank Warren is working behind the scenes to make the fight happen very soon.

Andrade claims the world’s best 160lb fighters are avoiding him. That angers Williams who defends his British Middleweight title against Andrew ‘D’Animal’ Robinson at BT Sports studio on Saturday (October 10).

Fired up Williams, 28, put the World champion on notice and says: “I am confident in my ability to wreck Andrade.

“He says he is the most avoided man in boxing, but I am chasing him so he isn’t being avoided. 

“I don’t think he wants the fight, but he can’t keep hiding. It is just a matter of time and I am sure we will get to the bottom of the situation in the next couple of weeks.

“I believe it will be Andrade after Robinson, but I don’t believe Andrade wants to fight me. I wouldn’t say he is scared of me because that is probably a bit far-fetched, but he is wary.

“If he got beaten by a bigger name it would be acceptable because he could earn money from other fights.

“I am not a fool and understand the sport, but I am low reward, high risk for Andrade.

“I want to take a World title from the champion, but I just want my opportunity and whoever it is against I will win.”

Clydach Vale’s Williams (22-2-1, 17 KOs) can’t afford to slip up when he faces his Redditch based mandatory challenger Robinson (24-4-1, 7 KOs) behind-closed-doors this weekend.

Williams hasn’t boxed since December when he dished out a sensational five round hammering to Alantez Fox who had been the 12 round distance with Andrade.

He said: “For me, it’s about looking good but most of all it’s just about getting the win. If you can do some real damage in the mean time, happy days.

“I want to hurt people and that is because I just love winning and the feeling it brings.

“People are expecting me to put on a big performance and to knock him out. I’m expecting that myself, but if it doesn’t come I’m not going to be disappointed.

“Robinson represents a risk to me, but I couldn’t care less. I want to fight.

“I am mentally good, physically good, my weight is right and I could fight for a world title this week.”

Williams v Robinson headlines a packed card that also includes Liverpool’s JJ Metcalf who defends his Commonwealth Super-Welterweight title against Bolton’s Jack Flatley.

Nathan Gorman is back in action in an exciting Commonwealth Heavyweight title eliminator against Ghana’s Richard Lartey.

Willy Hutchinson chases his 13th straight win when he boxes Spaniard Jose Miguel Fandino in a non-title ten-round Super-Middleweight clash.

Portsmouth Lightweight Mark Chamberlain moves up in class when he faces Shaun Cooper and completing the card, Super-Featherweight Muheeb Fazeldine meets Luke Jones over six rounds and over four Bexley Welterweight Mickey Burke Jr tackles Manchester’s Dan Booth.

Don’t miss a punch on BT Sport 1 from 7pm on Saturday.

BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION Liam Williams is tipping former foe Mark Heffron to ‘chin’ Denzel Bentley when the pair’s eagerly awaited collision comes around on Saturday night, live on BT Sport.

Despite his heated history with hardman Heffron, Williams reserved his most stinging comments for Denzel ‘2Sharp’ Bentley who he referred to as “reckless and sloppy”.

The much-anticipated tear-up between Heffron and Bentley is an eliminator for the British title held by Williams, who is no stranger to the two potential challengers.

‘The Machine’ has in-ring experience battling Heffron and shared social media barbs with Bentley in the past.

In the ring, Williams became a two-weight British champion at the expense of the then unbeaten Oldham man Heffron, who now clocks in with a record of 25-1.

Heffron came up against Williams on December 2018 after his mandated match for the Lonsdale belt – Jason Welborn – withdrew from the contest following the purse bid process. It caused more than a few ripples of anticipation when Williams was tempted to step up from super welterweight and take on the challenge against a known heavy puncher.

The fight was the catalyst of a run of form from the Welshman that saw him soar to mandatory position for the WBO world title held by Demetrius Andrade in the space of four fights – all spectacular stoppages.

Nobody could really have known, least of all Heffron, that we were to witness the birth of a middleweight force of nature.

That being said, Williams holds his former opponent in a high regard and strongly suspects he will have the beating of the hitherto unbeaten Bentley, who is also a known knockout merchant, with 11 from his 13 wins.

Williams believes there are weaknesses Heffron will exploit.

“I think it will be a good fight – a very good fight,” considered the 28-year-old, who works out of the Ingle Gym in Sheffield.

“I think Heffron will probably end up chinning him. Bentley is very reckless and a bit sloppy, I think so, from what I have seen.

“He is a little bit sloppy and, as everyone knows, Heffron is a very big puncher. I was actually sparring with Mark the other day and it was a good old dust-up. You would never expect anything less of Mark because he is a top fighter who comes to give it.”

Williams acknowledges that Heffron was unfortunate to come up against a man possessed when he introduced himself to the middleweight division.

“This is it, if it wasn’t for me being on my A-game or if he was against anybody else he would have become British champion. He just came up against the wrong person that night because I was hungry and firing on all cylinders.

“He came up a bit short, but I think he will become British champion another time. I actually think as soon as he challenges again he will become champion.”

So has Williams noted a narrowing of the gap between himself and Heffron from their recent spar-wars?

“No comment!

“With me and Mark, with the build-up we had and stuff, at the time I genuinely didn’t like the boy and I wanted to hurt him. But, in all fairness to him, I do think he is a sound lad and we get on good now because it is just a sport and we had to put that behind us.

“He is fighting to provide and so am I. We just happened to come up against each other and it was me that came out on top.”

Mark Heffron and Denzel Bentley will fight live on BT Sport this Saturday on a card that also features the return of Anthony Yarde to light heavyweight action against Dec Spelman.

The vacant IBF European title will also be on the line at welterweight when Cedrick Peynaud meets English champion Ekow Essuman. Ellsewhere, lightweight Bilal Ali, featherweight Amin Jahanzeb and debut making super-welterweight Josh Frankham round out the card.

FRANK WARREN WILL serve up a treble of top title action on October 10, live on BT Sport, featuring soon-to-be world middleweight title challenger Liam Williams, British welterweight champion Anthony Cacace and Commonwealth super welterweight ruler JJ Metcalf.

The destructive Williams – who is on a four-fight KO run at 160lbs – will defend his British title against his mandatory challenger Andrew Robinson (24-4-1) from Redditch. The 28-year-old, who is in mandatory position himself for the WBO world middleweight title held by Demetrius Andrade, will be seeking to maintain his reign of terror over the division while awaiting the purse bid process for his shot at the big prize.

Williams (22-2-1) won his title by defeating Mark Heffron in December 2018 and has defended once against Joe Mullender, while also picking up the WBC Silver title and WBO Intercontinental title with brutal stoppages of Karim Achour and Alantez Fox respectively.

Also on the card, Cacace (18-1) will defend his Lonsdale belt against Lyon Woodstock (12-2) in what is sure to be an all-action encounter. The Belfast man Cacace won the title last year by overcoming the then champion Sam Bowen in Birmingham, while former WBO European champion Woodstock from Leicester last saw action against Zelfa Barrett in 2019 when he was defeated on points in a Commonwealth title challenge.

JJ Metcalf (21-0) will defend his Commonwealth crown against former English champion Jack Flatley (16-1-1). The Liverpool man – also known as Kid Shamrock and firmly in the frame for British title honours – won his belt in June of last year by stopping former world title challenger Jason Welborn with a crippling left to the body in round eight.

Flatley, the ‘Quiet Storm’ from Bolton, became English champion by defeating Craig Morris in May 2019 before dropping his title on points to Harry Scarff in the September. The 25-year-old returned to winning ways by defeating Alastair Warren in December.

The title action is supplemented by three of the most exciting prospects in British boxing.

Thrilling bantamweight Dennis McCann will have his eighth professional fight after making a big statement last time out by stopping Brett Fidoe in the second round – only the second to halt Fidoe in 80 fights.

The Southampton snapper Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner (9-0) returns to business at super featherweight with a match against Birmingham’s experienced Sean Davies (14-14). He will be joined on the card by his teammate on the South Coast, Mark Chamberlain (6-0), who takes a step-up fight against Shaun Cooper (10-1) from Willenhall.

The 19-year-old welterweight Micky Burke jr completes the card with ‘The Gent’ taking part in his fourth professional fight.

Even though he has got bigger fish to fry in the pipeline, Williams insists he will approach his domestic defence against Robinson with his customary bludgeoning intent and went as far as to issue a health warning.

“I am obviously very, very confident and I know I will make a good job of him because I am training hard and I will turn up like I do for every other fight having left no stone unturned,” said the Welshman.

“I don’t think he is on my level but I am definitely not taking him lightly and I will approach the fight the way I do the others and that is with bad intentions.

“He is my mandatory and I think it is a dangerous fight because I think he could possibly get hurt. The referee and his team need to be careful and need to be looking after his health and interests because I genuinely think I could damage him.

“I am not sitting about waiting for the purse bids and when they said I could get out it was fantastic news for me. I was delighted and I just can’t wait to fight. I hoped to fight even earlier but now I am headlining and it is worth waiting another two weeks to have that top spot.

“I wanted to stay busy and they have given me what I asked for. Now it is up to me to produce the goods again.”

Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren added: “This is another top show involving the top fighters we are delivering to the fans on BT Sport again.

“Liam Williams has blazed a trail through the middleweight division in a blistering fashion that has captured the imagination of the public. He is a big player now who is on the cusp of a world title shot that will be right in play once travel and crowd restrictions have been eased.

“He is still the British champion and Andrew Robinson is his mandatory challenger, so Liam has got genuine business to attend to on the night and I know it is a job he will be taking seriously.

“Anthony Cacace and Lyon Woodstock should be a real barnstormer and the winner of this one will be an excellent position to secure more big fights in what is a thriving super featherweight division. I am also looking forward to seeing JJ Metcalf back in action against Jack Flatley. JJ has been absent through injury and if he comes through this and retains his Commonwealth title there are massive fights in front of him on the domestic super welterweight front.

“I am also delighted to showcase three of the most captivating talents in the game in Dennis McCann, Mark Chamberlain and Ryan Garner on the same card. I am convinced in a few years’ time that these three will be competing for headline status on the big shows with major titles at stake.”

Hot heavyweight prospect Daniel DuBois destroyed Kyotaro Fujimoto in round two of a scheduled 10-round bout at The Copper Box Arena in London.

In round two, duBois dropped Fujimoto with a jab. Moments later it was a booming right hand that sent Fujimoto down and out for several minutes at the 2:10 mark.

DuBois is 14-0 with 13 knockouts. Fujimoto of Japan is 21-2.

Liam Williams stopped Alantez Fox in round five of a scheduled 12-round Middleweight bout.

In round one, Williams was cut around the left eye. In round three, Fox was cut on the bridge of his nose. In round four, Williams dropped Fox with a perfect straight right. In round five, Fox was deducted a point for holding. Later in the round, Williams landed a flush combination to the head that buckled Fox and he eventually fell that forced the referee to stop the bout at 2:59.

Williams, 159 lbs of Wales is now 22-2-1 with 17 knockouts. Fox, 159 lbs of Forestville, MD is 26-2-1.

Sunny Edwards remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over Marcel Braithwaite in a super flyweight bout.

In round seven, Braithwaite dropped Edwards with a hard right hand. Edwards was cut over his right eye, but Edwards dominated the rest of the fight by scores of 118-109 and 117-110 twice/

Edwards, 114.9 lbs of London is 14-0. Braothwaite, 114.8 lbs of Liverpool is 9-2.

David Adelye made a successful pro debut with a 1st round stoppage over Dmitri Kalinovsku in a scheduled four-round heavyweight bout.

Adeleye pummeled Kalinovsku until the bout was stopped at 2:25.

Adeleye, 218.4 lbs of London is 1-0 with one knockout. Kalinovsku, 200 lbs of Lithuania is 13-63-4.

Tommy Fury destroyed Przemslaw Binienda in the 1st round of their scheduled six-round light heavyweight fight,

Fury dropped Binienda with a powerful right in the 1st 15 seconds of the contest. He dropped Binienda again with a flurry of punches. Fury landed a hard combination and the fight was stopped in 62 seconds.

Fury, 179.8 lbs of England is 3-0 with two knockouts. Binienda, 179.7 lbs of Poland is 2-27.

New York, NY (December 21, 2019) World-ranked middleweight contender Alantez “SlyAza” Fox (26-1-1, 12 KOs), of Upper Marlboro, MD, faces Liam Williams (21-2-1, 16 KOs), of Clydach, Wales, today at the Copper Box Arena, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick, London. Fox, ranked #2 by the WBO, and WBO #7 Williams will compete for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Title. The title contest will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at 2:30pm ET.

The DiBella Entertainment-promoted Fox has rebounded from his decision loss to Demetrius Andrade in 2017 and subsequent shoulder surgery with three straight victories. In his last bout, on October 26, Fox participated in the “WBO Champions Tournament” event in Puerto Rico, earning a unanimous decision win against Argentinean Bruno Romay.

ALANTEZ FOX has warned Middleweight banger Liam Williams that the “doctor is going to have to save him from himself” come December 21st.

The American boxer, ranked #1 by the WBO, was responding to a wild interview by Williams where he referred to Fox as a “skinny little rat” and predicted he’d bank an “easy victory” for British boxing.

The pair do battle on Queensberry Promotions’ ‘The Fight Before Christmas’ card at the Copper Box Arena, which will see Heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois headline against Kyotaro Fujimoto.

But the fight with the most immediate World Title permutations is the one between Williams and Fox, with the winner perfectly poised to challenge Demetrius Andrade.

Asked about his championship ambitions Fox said: “I don’t know if Liam is world level but I know he won’t be the man to stop my rise to a world title.”

Williams raised eyebrows earlier this week when it was revealed he had brought in the giant 6’6” Light Heavyweight Shakan Pitters to mimic the equally lofty Fox in sparring.

His opponent, though, doesn’t believe there is anything the Welshman can do to improve his chances come fight night.

“I know what he is going to do and I know what I am going to do… you will find out on fight night!”

When questioned as to what sort of sparring partners he’d brought in to prepare for the December 21st bout, Fox simply said: “Better, sharper fighters than Liam Williams.”

Fans’ mouths were watering already at the idea of the two squaring off but the anticipation has reached new heights since Williams’ began branding ‘lanky’ Alantez a “skinny little rat”.

Fox, however, thinks this is just a trick Liam is using to psyche himself up for war.

“I think he needs to not like me in order to talk himself into this fight” he said, before joking “I told him to call me Master Splinter, I am the sharpest rat he has ever seen!”

Fighting for the first time in the UK can be intimidating for any fighter, with British fans famed for creating a raucous atmosphere, but Fox insists he’s up to the task.

“I’m very excited to travel to the UK. UK fans are amazing and incredibly supportive of their fighters. I am looking forward to putting on a great show and not only beating Liam Williams but taking all his fans as well.”

And when asked for a prediction of his own he was quick to channel his inner Brit.

“I believe his coaches, doctor or the ref are going to have to save him from himself because as you Brits say, I’m going to beat the stuffing out of him.”

Having lost only one fight in his professional career, Fox has every reason to feel confident and his manager, Mike Borao, believes his man is going to bring a few surprises to East London too.

He said: “I think Williams is going to be shocked and overwhelmed by the fighter he is facing on the 21st. On the night, Alantez Fox will show why he is the WBOs number one ranked middleweight contender.”

With the WBO Champion Andrade waiting just around the corner for the victor, both men are adamant they are the one to step up and wrest the title from his control.

And if Fox is right, Williams may yet need to be saved from himself but the fans can certainly be safe in the knowledge they’re guaranteed a Christmas cracker of a fight come December 21st.

ALSO ON THE SHOW

Unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois (13-0) looks to continue his path of destruction against Japan’s Kyotaro Fujimoto (21-1). The WBC Silver Heavyweight championship and the WBO International Heavyweight belts will be on the line.

Sunny Edwards (13-0) fights for the vacant British super flyweight title against former amateur teammate Marcel Braithwaite (9-1), with Light Heavyweight prospect and Love Island star Tommy Fury (2-0) making his long awaited return to the boxing ring after winning the hearts of the nation on the popular ITV reality television show over the summer.

Tickets from £40 are now on sale via Seetickets and via Ticketmaster

Ticket prices:

£250 – Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier

PREPARATIONS HAVE BEGUN in earnest for Liam Williams’ December 21st eliminator against 6’5” Alantez Fox as pictures emerged of him sparring with Light Heavyweight Shakan Pitters.

Explaining the decision to seek out the 6’6” Brummie, Williams said: “He’s two weights above me, a good two stone heavier than me and he’s taller than my opponent.”He added: “You’ve got to train for worse than what you’re going to get, it makes it easier on fight night.”

Asked how he found sparring someone so much bigger, he confidently declared himself “comfortable with it”.

“It can be difficult,” he admitted, “you can think you’re out of range and then get pinged with silly shots but for my first spar with a guy that size? It went very well!”

The bout with the WBOs #1 ranked Middleweight Fox was only announced yesterday and already the war of words between the two world class fighters has begun.

When questioned as to why he had referred to Fox as a ‘rat’ on social media, the Welsh banger quipped: “he’s just a skinny little rat, isn’t he?”

“When I say things I mean business. I’m willing to back it up. He’s just one of those who chats sh*t to build buzz for a fight. When I say I’m going to smash him up I really mean it.”

Liam, 21-2-1 with 16 KO’s, is on a five fight finishing spree and is convinced that he can add another knockout to his record come December 21st.

“All he has is height and reach. It’ll be a difficult fight but as long as I come fully prepared, and stick to my game plan, I believe I’ll walk away with an easy victory.”

And his prediction for how it’ll end?

“I always enter the ring with bad intentions. I want to stop him inside the distance.”

With a #1 ranking with the WBO up for grabs it’s difficult not to ask ‘The Machine’ his thoughts about a potential 2020 battle with World Champion Demetrius Andrade.

Williams is a fan of the champs skill in the ring, saying: “He’s very good – He’s an awkward, tall southpaw.”

Never failing to get a dig in on his next opponent, though, he’s quick to point out that he believes Andrade “brings a lot more to the table than Fox” and is a “two weight world champion for a reason.”

But Williams also sees holes in Andrade’s game that he believes will give him a chance when they finally meet: “He usually looks good for the first couple of rounds, but then he goes to sleep for a bit.”

“At times it’s like watching paint dry” he added. “It’s boring!”

Before he can tackle the “boring” Demetrius Andrade and reach his goal of being World Champion, however, he must first tackle the tall order that is Alantez Fox.

And with tough sparring in the shape of 6’6” Light Heavyweights like Shakan Pitters on-hand, Williams and his team are confident he won’t fall short come December 21st.

——–

 ALSO ON THE SHOW

Unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois (13-0) looks to continue his path of destruction against Japan’s Kyotaro Fujimoto (21-1). The WBC Silver Heavyweight championship and the WBO International Heavyweight belts will be on the line.
Sunny Edwards (13-0) fights for the vacant British super flyweight title against former amateur teammate Marcel Braithwaite (9-1), with Light Heavyweight prospect and Love Island star Tommy Fury (2-0) making his long awaited return to the boxing ring after winning the hearts of the nation on the popular ITV reality television show over the summer. 

Tickets from £40 are now on sale via Seetickets and will be available via Ticketmaster shortly

Ticket prices:

£250 – Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier  

LIAM WILLIAMS WILL fight in a shootout to determine No.1 spot in the WBO world middleweight rankings against the American Alantez Fox at the Copper Box Arena on ‘The Fight Before Christmas’ card on December 21.

Two-weight British champion Williams against the 26-1-1 Maryland man joins Daniel Dubois-Kyotaro Fujimoto for the WBC Silver and WBO International heavyweight titles and Sunny Edwards-Marcel Braithwaite for the British super flyweight title, along with light heavyweight and Love Island star Tommy Fury making his return to the ring.

Welshman Williams is on a blistering run of form since stepping up to middleweight and winning a second Lonsdale belt via a 10th round stoppage of the then unbeaten banger Mark Heffron. He followed this up with a first defence demolition of Joe Mullender inside two rounds, before taking only seconds longer to pummel the previously not-stopped Frenchman Karim Achour.

His exploits have been recognised and he gets the opportunity to take on the once-beaten 27-year-old, whose only reverse came on the cards when he took on the current WBO champion Demetrius Andrade in October 2017.

Williams and Fox are now effectively fighting for the right to challenge Andrade for his WBO world title.

“It is a decider for the WBO title so it is exciting stuff,” said Williams, also 27 with a record of 21-2-1. “I feel like I have been knocking on the door for a little while and I am just so happy to get this opportunity.

“I know he is very, very big at about 6ft 5”, also thin and rangy. He is what he is and that is good. When comes to shove though he is going to smashed the same as the rest of them.

“He has only lost to Andrade on points and it will be a good name to have on my record. I believe I am going to smash him and stop him. I need to get my head on the game now and put on a good show.

“It is a very, very nice Christmas present and after it I will get to go home to my family in good spirits and look forward to next year.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “I am delighted to deliver this opportunity for Liam and it is one we had to work very hard on for him. It is also a fantastic addition to an already great show just before Christmas.

“Liam is on a terrific run and fighting at middleweight seems to have brought the best out of him because he is ferocious at the weight. He is up against a tricky customer now in Fox who is also used to winning, with the prize ultimately being a shot at the WBO world title held by Demetrius Andrade next year.

“We believe Liam has got what it takes to operate at the highest level, which is why we had no hesitation in pushing for this important fight.”

The WBO world middleweight title eliminator between Liam Williams and Alantez Fox is added to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions bumper night of boxing at the Copper Box Arena on December 21st.
Unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois (13-0) looks to continue his path of destruction against Japan’s Kyotaro Fujimoto (21-1). The WBC Silver Heavyweight championship and the WBO International Heavyweight belts will be on the line.
Sunny Edwards (13-0) fights for the vacant British super flyweight title against former amateur teammate Marcel Braithwaite (9-1), with Light Heavyweight prospect and Love Island star Tommy Fury (2-0) making his long awaited return to the boxing ring after winning the hearts of the nation on the popular ITV reality television show over the summer. 

Tickets from £40 are now on sale via Seetickets and will be available via Ticketmaster shortly

Ticket prices:

£250 – Hospitality
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor
£75 – Floor
£50 – Lower Tier
£40 – Upper Tier  

HALL OF FAME promoter Frank Warren stages his bumper Heavy Duty card at London’s o2 Arena on Saturday (July 13) headed by the vacant British heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Nathan Gorman, live on BT Sport.

A press conference was held at the BT Studios this afternoon for the star-studded undercard that backs up the top of the bill fight.

Putney’s Joe Joyce defends his WBA Gold heavyweight title against Philadelphia’s former world title challenger Bryant Jennings. Clydach Vale star Liam Williams faces Frenchman Karim Achour for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight title. Croydon’s Sunny Edwards meets Mexican Hiram Gallardo for the vacant IBF International super-flyweight championship and Welling’s unbeaten Archie Sharp defends his WBO European super-featherweight crown against Cambuslang’s Jordan McCorry.

Here are a selection of quotes from today’s press conference.

FRANCIS WARREN 

“The card is fantastic from top to bottom. These guys are stellar fighters and will win world titles.

Joe against Bryant is a genuine 50-50 and with Bryant’s experience at world level he knows what it’s all about. Joe is the Juggernaut though. He has made exceptional progress and is even better now with Adam Booth training him.

“Sunny is super talented and when I spoke to Tommy Frank’s promoter about a British title fight he said; ’No’.

“We are being treated in the super-featherweight division with men like Archie, but he has a hard fight on Saturday. Jordan is a real test for any of our super-featherweights.”

When Liam wins, we will request he is rated in the top five by the WBC. He is really enjoying his boxing and motivated to get in the world title mix. He has bigger ambitions than he has ever had before.”

JOE JOYCE

“I’m good, ready, had a good camp and incorporated what Adam Booth has taught me and I’m really excited because this is a big fight against a credible opponent.

“This is the biggest fight of my professional career so far. Let’s see if he runs or goes toe-to-toe.

“It might be 1-0 to him with Adam, but now is redemption. Adam has taught me not to be a sitting target and get my head off line.

“I want to continue my 100 per-cent KO ratio and go 10-0 all by knockouts. I will be happy for it not to go the distance, but I am happy going 12 rounds. I just want to line them up and knock them over.

“The winner of Dubois v Gorman is an option and hopefully I will have time to get changed and come out to watch it after my fight. It is a 50-50 fight. Dubois is very strong and if he lands you’re in trouble. Gorman is a lot slicker.”

BRYANT JENNINGS 

“Joe pummels people but you could have pummel v pummel and if it’s gonna be rock ’n sock robot okay.

“It’s boxing and don’t ignore the possibility of anything happening. You can be almost chilling and suddenly over.

“I have always wanted the toughest fights so I’m not wasting my time. I have always wanted to know I belong there and this is that. I set out to win every single time.

“It isn’t in my DNA to lay down. That is something I can’t comprehend. To calculate the fact I am here to lay down they have got it wrong.

“His trainer Adam Booth has a thing with me and tried with Mike Perez but couldn’t. I won that fight. Joe’s trainer Adam and myself have history from that. I expect us both to bring our best.

“I have sparred Gorman. He is a phenomenal kid and the only way is up, but I can’t rate off sparring but he has potential. I haven’t watched Dubois.”

LIAM WILLIAMS 

“Everything is going perfect. The move to Sheffield to train was the best move of my career and came at the right time.

“I am performing, happy with performances but I need bigger name opponents. I am too good for these guys, but I have a hard fight on Saturday. Achour has never been stopped. He has great experience and knows his way around, but I am in good form, getting better, stronger.

“You are going to see a devastating performance and I will be the first man to stop him. All I’m doing in Sheffield is training and resting. I am living the perfect boxer life.

“I one-million percent believe I will win a world title in a year. I am a lot more confident in my ability. When you’re young and cut corners you question yourself. I am doing it right.

“People think I am stupid, but although Gennady Golovkin isn’t a world champion I would love to fight him. I fear no man.”

SUNNY EDWARDS 

“It seems I’m an avoided man by British fighters. It is frustrating as I would like to build my career the traditional way and win the British title, but that is not happening because I’m too much of a risk. I am open to fighting any British super-flyweight if it’s right.

“I have done the hard work to get on these TV bills and I want to stay busy. I’m in a good position and the only thing that can take that away is me not performing.

“I don’t study too much of opponents, but I just watch a bit and leave it to my trainer. Gallardo has never been stopped and won against unbeaten fighters. He is no mug and coming to win.

“I have never sold myself as a big puncher, but I am elusive enough that I don’t get too much damage.

“My Mum has had health problems but she will be there and I will box well enough for her to be happy. Her problems came five years ago and she is the perfect Mum. Maybe we’re living on borrowed time with her, but every day we get to see her and there are people in worst situations.”

ARCHIE SHARP 

“It’s not about me doing a better job than Sam Bowen on McCorry. I have just got to win in style.

“He says he has the physical strength, but they all say that. He is going to be shocked because I have got stronger from when I beat Lyon Woodstock in my last fight.

“My footwork is phenomenal and always has been. On Saturday you will see that he will try and rough me up, but I should make easy work of it.

“Nobody is coming to my hometown and taking my belt. I am also starting to show I can put people away.

“The super-featherweight division is on fire. Jamel Herring the WBO world champion has mentioned my name so let’s see where we are after Saturday.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight champion Liam Williams who clashes against France’s former European champion Karim Achour for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight crown. Super-flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards meets Mexican Hiram Gallardo for the vacant IBF super-flyweight title. WBO super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp risks his crown against Jordan McCorry. Returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt,, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:
 
£300 – Hospitality
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tied

TWO-WEIGHT BRITISH champion Liam Williams will fight for the WBC Silver middleweight title at The O2, London on July 13.

‘The Machine’ will take on former European champion Karim Achour on the night of the heavyweight double header featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman and Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings

The Frenchman Achour, 32, has mixed in good company and has never been stopped in a career spanning 35 fights (27-5-3).

He won the vacant European title in October 2015, forcing Moez Fhima to retire in the tenth round, before claiming the French middleweight title in June 2017. He won the WBC International title in February 2018 before taking on David Lemieux three months later and extending the big-punching Canadian the full 12 rounds and suffering defeat on the cards.

Williams, 20-2-1, insists he is about to inflict a first stoppage on Achour on his way to winning a second title as a middleweight campaigner.

“It is great for me and a big step up,” considered the Welshman. “It is what I have been calling for and it will be another title to add to my collection.

“I am excited, I am sure I am going to win in a good fashion and just keep progressing.

“We tried getting certain opponents which we weren’t able to pin down for whatever reason but, for me, I couldn’t give a monkeys over whoever I fight for a WBC Silver title. It doesn’t matter to me.

“For me it is about picking up the title and taking another step in the right direction towards the ultimate goal, which is obviously becoming world champion,” he added, before noting the apparent durability of his forthcoming opposition.

“I looked at his Boxrec and almost every one of his fights. Because he has never been stopped and he hasn’t stopped that many, the majority have been long distance fights. He is obviously experienced over 10 or 12 rounds.

“That is no worry to me because I am fit and could do 15 rounds, especially at middleweight where I have got loads in the tank. I just think, with the roll I am on at the moment, I feel like I am going to go through people and I don’t think this guy is going to make it through the full fight and is going to get stopped for the first time.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight Champion Liam Williams, super flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards and super featherweight contender Archie Sharp. Also returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt, Louie Lynn, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier

Anthony Yarde stopped Travis Reeves in round five of their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight bout at Royal Albert Hall in London.

In round five, Yarde landed several heavy and flush right hands that wobbled Reeves, and referee Marcus McDonnell stopped the bout at 48 seconds.

Yarde is now 18-0 with 17 knockouts. Reeves is 17-4-2.

Liam Williams obliterated Joe Mullender in round two of their scheduled 12 round middleweight fight.

Williams dropped Mullender in the 2nd frame with a crushing uppercut that sent Mullender down face-first. Mullender got to his feet, only to eat a booming right that knocked him down and out and the fight was immediately waved off at 1:09.

Williams is 20-2-1 with 15 knockouts. Mullender is 11-3.

Daniel DuBois remained undefeated by stopping Razvan Cojanu in round two of their scheduled ten-round heavyweight bout.

DuBois landed a hard left-right that dropped Cojanu in the 2nd frame. Cojanu could not get to his feet before then ten-count at 2:48.

DuBois is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Cojanu is 16-6.

Hamzah Sheeraz destroyed Rod Douglas Jr inside of a round of their scheduled six-round junior middleweight bout.

Sheeraz dropped the overmatched Douglas three times before the fight was stopped when the towel was thrown in at 1:10.

Sheeraz is 7-0 with three knockouts. Douglas is 2-2.

LIAM WILLIAMS has ripped into big fight rival Joe Mullender telling him: “You can’t punch and you’ve got no skills.”

Williams makes the first defence of his British Middleweight crown against the Essex man at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday March 8.

Mullender has earned a reputation as one of boxing’s tough men, but the Welshman who beat Mark Heffron in December to become British champion roared: “That’s not enough.

“He has fought no one, he can’t punch, he has got no skill. He is just very fit and tough.

”I am going to beat him. It’s not going to be pretty. He is going to come for a rough and tough fight. I don’t think it is going to work well for him.”

Mullender believes aggression that has served him well in his career will be a shock to the system for Williams, and the key to causing a big upset in the BT Sport televised fight.

Williams added: “Joe is a pressure fighter, but I don’t think he will be so keen on that once I start landing.

“Maybe he is as tough as he says and can keep going forward. Boxing isn’t just about going forward and taking three shots to land one.

“If he was a massive puncher, then yeah you can try that, but he isn’t a big puncher.

He isn’t going to see the final bell.

“He is daring me to try and stop him. He can say what he wants, but he is kidding himself.

“I am just going to keep putting pressure on him and break him down. He is trying to convince himself.”

Williams is now settled at his Sheffield training base under Dominic Ingle where he trains alongside Nicola Adams, Willy Hutchinson, Billy Joe Saunders and Kid Galahad who is soon to challenge IBF Featherweight champion Josh Warrington on a Frank Warren bill.

He is close to all his gym-mates, particularly Hutchinson who he shares a flat with in the Steel City.

Williams says: “I spend a bit of time with Billy Joe and Kid Galahad. Recently Willy moved into a flat with me.

“Willy is a bit messy and leaves plates so I have to tidy up, but he is only 20.

“I am like the Dad of the house. I’m usually the child when I’m back home because my Mum does everything for me, but it is me running round after Willy here.

“Life is really good. I’m just plugging away, working hard and making sure I am bang on. I’m just counting down the days to the fight.”

Elsewhere on the show, Anthony Yarde will defend his WBO Intercontinental title against Baltimore’s Travis Reeves. Daniel Dubois follows in the footsteps of British heavyweight greats to fight at the historic venue and takes on Razvan Cojanu in his tenth fight. Johnny Garton makes the first defence of his British Welterweight title against Chris Jenkins. Lucien Reid will fight Indi Sangha in what will be his toughest test to date, while Flyweight Harvey Horn, Middleweight puncher Denzel Bentley and Cruiserweight talent James Branch feature.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via RoyalAlbertHall.com

TICKETS START FROM £40

GRAND TIER: £100

LOGGIA: £100

SECOND TIER: £75

LIAM WILLIAMS BELIEVES his March 8 British title challenger Joe Mullender is overplaying his hand ahead of their highly-anticipated showdown with continual claims that he will simply drag the champion into a punch-up.

The pair clash at the Royal Albert Hall, with Williams making a first defence of the middleweight title he won in considerable style against Mark Heffron in December.

Mullender, a self-confessed slugger who likes to get up close, is confident he will be able to draw the more refined Williams into a scrap and insists it is the only way he knows.

Williams, for his part, says he is tiring of the back-to-basics rhetoric and is now even more determined to outclass what he considers a more limited opponent.

“Yeah, ‘I’m gonna punch him in the face – he’s gonna punch me’, it is getting boring now to be honest with you,” stated the 26-year-old former British super welterweight champion from Clydach Vale.

“At first maybe I was, not overlooking him, but I’ve always thought from day one that I am going to beat him fairly handily. Now, with him playing whatever card he is playing, it has motivated me even more because I just want to punch his head in.

“He has done my head in a bit so I just want to get him out of the way and make him realise the level he is at. That is what I’m going to do come March 8, so I haven’t got long to wait now.”

The 19-2-1 Williams contends that Mullender cannot have it both ways when, on the one hand, he claims it is just a fight while, on the other, it is the biggest occasion of his career with the treasured Lonsdale belt at stake.

The punch traffic, he adds, will be in one direction only.
“Yeah, exactly, he is just a bit boring and what I have seen is him keep saying we are going to punch each other’s heads in. Not at all, he is not going to punch my head in, I’m just going to beat the f**k out of him and go home still as British champion – and move on unmarked.

“That is exactly where we are at. He can keep thinking what he wants to think, or telling people what they want to hear, it makes no difference to me. I am still going to turn up on form and do my thing.”

The British middleweight title clash between Liam Williams and Joe Mullender is part of a huge night of boxing at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday March 8 that also features young heavyweight star in the making Daniel Dubois’ 10th fight against former world title challenger Razvan Cojanu, along with WBO world No.1 ranked light heavyweight Anthony Yarde defending his Intercontinental title against Baltimore’s Travis Reeves.
Also on the card, British welterweight champion Johnny Garton makes a first defence of his belt against the Welshman Chris Jenkins, while unbeaten featherweight Lucien Reid takes on his toughest test to date against Birmingham’s Indi Sangha.
Unbeaten prospects Hamza Sheeraz, Denzel Bentley, Jake Pettitt, James Branch jr and Harvey Horn also feature on the show.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via www.RoyalAlbertHall.com

LIAM WILLIAMS has blasted back at Joe Mullender, claiming his big rival wishes he had his talent.

The British Middleweight champion believes the Essex man lied when he claimed he hadn’t bothered watching Williams (19-2-1) title winning performance against Mark Heffron in December.

Williams makes the first defence of his crown against Mullender (11-2) at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday March 8 on Frank Warren’s stacked bill that is live on BT Sport.

Clydach Vale’s Williams raged: “Listen. He did watch my fight.

“He’s been at home thinking about it for weeks and wishing he could fight like me.

“He’s playing it down trying to win over the people, but don’t fall for it.”

Promising to repeat his impressive performance against Heffron who was rescued in the tenth round, the Welshman warned Mullender: “You know what time it is, sleepy time.”

Mullender last boxed in October when he floored Ben Capps four times, and won in seven rounds.

Williams insists he’s another level, and that his all-action challenger is already suffering mental torture ahead of the big fight.

“He can say what he wants,” Williams added.

“When he puts his head on that pillow at night he’s already watched himself get filled in over and over and the closer it gets the worse it will get.”

Elsewhere on the show, Nicola Adams OBE will look to make history and be the first female crowned World Champion at the venue as she challenges for the WBO World Flyweight Title against Arely Mucino on International Women’s Day. Daniel Dubois follows in the footsteps of British heavyweight greats to fight at the historic venue and takes on Razvan Cojanu in his tenth fight. Johnny Garton makes the first defence of his British Welterweight title against Chris Jenkins. Lucien Reid will fight Indi Sangha in what will be his toughest test to date, while GB Flyweight Harvey Horn, Cruiserweight talent James Branch and middleweight banger Denzel Bentley all feature.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via RoyalAlbertHall.com

TICKETS START FROM £40

GRAND TIER: £100

LOGGIA: £100

SECOND TIER: £75

Felix Cash believes winning the Commonwealth Middleweight crown will earn him a shot at the Lonsdale belt currently held by Welshman Liam Williams.

The unbeaten Wokingham talent, 10-0, is keen to make up for lost time as he takes on Nigeria’s Rasheed Abolaji for the vacant Commonwealth title at The O2 on February 2, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Cash picked up the first title of his professional career after cruising to victory against Stephen Danyo at the Copper Box Arena in October. He dominated his Manchester-based Dutch opponent throughout before receiving a unanimous verdict to claim the WBC International Silver belt.

And the former Team GB amateur standout is aiming to add a second belt to his collection when he takes on Abolaji next month before targeting a shot a two-weight British Champ Liam Williams in 2019.

“A shot at a good domestic belt has been a long time coming,” said Cash. “The Commonwealth title is right up there and hopefully once I get my hands on it more fighters will be tempted to get in the ring with me. We’ve been trying to make big fights for a while now, but opponents have always priced themselves out or messed us around.

“I’ve flown under the radar a little bit for the past couple of years but my last fight was a title fight and this is for the Commonwealth. When I get the win on February 2 I can start targeting some big names in the domestic Middleweight division and show everyone what I’m really about when I step up.

“I’m looking forward to going in there and putting on a performance. The plan is to get the Commonwealth and then I want to go for the British. I’m taking things one fight at a time, but I’ve got full confidence in my abilities. Liam Williams holds the British and that’s a fight that could happen this year.

“I’ve sparred Liam before and he’s a good fighter. He boxed very well in his last fight – he looked class. You’d be lying if you said he didn’t, but I’m very confident in my abilities. I’ve sparred multiple World Champions and I know what I’ve been doing to them, and they know too. Sparring is sparring but it’s the closest thing to fighting. I know how good I am and it’s my time to show everyone.”

‘Afonja Warrior’, 27, has won six of his eleven career wins by KO and has previously fought in the UK when he took Sam Sheedy the distance in a challenge for the Commonwealth Middleweight title in 2017. Cash is expecting a hard night’s work.

“He’s quite dangerous early on so I’ll have to stick to my boxing, break him down and then go to work on him. He’s a bit of a hooker and doesn’t throw many straights. Tony says he’s very tough, so I’ll have to go down and work the body. He’ll be the best opponent I’ve faced to date, but I fully expect to come away with the win.”

Cash vs. Abolaji is part of a huge night of action in London.

Bermondsey star Ted Cheeseman steps up again when he challenges undefeated Spaniard Sergio Garcia for the European Super-Welterweight crown.

Unbeaten British Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie returns to action after his win over Matty Askin at Wembley Stadium in September.

Light-Heavyweight rivals Jake Ball and Craig Richards finally face-off in a highly-anticipated grudge match for the WBA Continental title.

Scotland’s fast-rising Super-Middleweight talent John Docherty aims to make it three KO’s from three fights, Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley looks to go 6-0, decorated amateur Charles Frankham makes his debut at Super-Featherweight and Hammersmith Light-Heavyweight Dana Zaxo takes part in his fourth professional contest.

Tickets for February 2 priced at £30, £50, £80 and £150 are (VIP) available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Josh Warrington won a 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Carl Frampton to retain the IBF Featherweight title at The Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Warrington came out like gangbisters and he threw and landed punches with reckless abandon.  Warrington dominated the first half of the fight with sheer volume.  Frampton showed a champions class as he fought his way back in the fight, and made it very tight on the scorecards bt landing right counters over the combinations of Warrington.

Warrington built up too much of a lead, and held on by scores of 116-113 and 116-112.

Warrington, 125.9 lbs of Leeds, UK is 28-0.  Frampton, 125.9 lbs of Belfast, IRE is 26-2

Liam Williams stopped previously undefeated Mark Heffron in round 10 of a scheduled 12 round middleweight fight.

In round two, Williams was cut over the right eye from a clash of heads.  Williams dominated the action as he will able to land his right hand at will.

In round two, Williams landed a big shot that drove Heffron into the ropes, which was ruled a knockdown.  Williams followed that up with an onslaught of punches, and the fight was stopped at 1:55

Williams, 159.9 lbs of Wales is 19-2-1 with 14 knockouts.  Heffron, 157.9 ls 21-1.

Hassan N’Dam won a 12-round majority decision over Martin Murray in a middleweight contest.

At the end of round four, Murray landed an overhand right that sent N’Dam down in the corner.  But N’Dam was able to survive that and box and move his way to a points victory by scores of 117-112, 116-112 and 114-114.

N’Dam, 157.9 lbs of France is now 37-3.  Murray, 159.9 lbs of England is 37-5-1.

Michael Conlan remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jason Cunningham in a featherweight bout.

In round six, Conlan was deducted a point for a low blow, but Conlan dominated the action, and won by scores of 98-92 and 97-92 twice

Conlan, 125.9 lbs of Ireland is 10-0.  Cunningham, 124.9 lbs of England is 24-6.

On his performance against Cunningham

“I made some mistakes in there, but it was a learning experience. It was the first time I went 10 rounds. I felt comfortable in there going the distance, and I got the job done.”

“At the end of the day, it’s another win in the bank. I’m very happy.”

On almost finishing Cunningham in the 10th round

“I thought I had him going, but I couldn’t get him out of there. He did very well to survive. I hit him with some good shots, but he’s a smart fighter and he knew how to survive. If I had a couple more rounds, I think I could have had him out of there.”

On his 2018 campaign

“I’ve progressed. I’ve gone from prospect to contender. I still have a few questions to answer, but I’m happy with the way things are going.”

On what’s next

“I’m going to be back at Madison Square Garden on March 17 for St. Patrick’s Day. Then, we want to come back to Belfast in the summer with a fight in between. I’m not sure who is next, but I want to keep stepping up.”

Nathan Gorman remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Razvan Cojanu in a heavyweight bout.

Gorman, 238.1 lbs won by scores of 120-108 and 119-109 twice, and is now 15-0.  Cojanu, 273.1 lbs of Burbank, CA is now 16-5.

Tyson Fury’s brother, Tommy Fury made a successful pro debut with a decision win over trial horse Jevgenis Andrejevs.

Fury, 178.8 lbs won by  a 40-36 scores and is 1-0.  Andrejevs of Lativa is 10-103-3.

Follow all the action as Josh Warrington defends the IBF Featherweight title against former world champion Carl Frampton.  The action kicks off at 1 PM ET/ 6 PM UK time with Tommy Fury making his pro debut.  Also Nathan Gorman takes on Razvan Cojanu; Michael Conlan battles Jason Cunningham; Martin  Murray fights Hassan N’Dam; Mark Heffron fights Liam Williams

NO BROWSER REFRESH IS NEEDED.  THE  PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY.

Round 1 Good right hook by Warrington and they are going at it..Frampton backing up…Heated pace

Round 2 Left hook from Frampton..Right from Warrington..Body shot..Warrington opening up..Short right

Round 3 Uppercut from Frampton..Body shots

Round 4  Right from Warrington..Warrington working on the ropes

Round 5 Barrage of punches from Warrington..Left..Body work..Uppercut..Frampton trying to land the uppercut

Round 6  Warrington applying pressure..Right from Frampton..Uppercut from Warington..right to the body

Round 7 Heavy body shots by both guys…Right from Frampton….Warrington outlanding Framton 142-76

Round 8 Body shots from Frampton..Uppercut from Warrington..Good shots from Frampton..Combination..Warrington trying to answer

Round 9 Right Counter from Frampton..Good right from Warrington..Combination from Frampton..Body punches..Warrington lands a 4 punch combination

Round 10 Jab from Warrington..Uppercut from Frampton..Warrington upping his punch output..Frampton getting better of exchange..Jab from Frampton

Round 11 Jab from Frampton..Right..1-2 from Warrington..Jab..Good combination from Frampton.

Round 12 Body work from Warrington..Pop shotting from the outside

116-113; 116-112 TWICE FOR JOSH WARRINGTON

Round 1 Williams lands a 1-2..Right

Round 2 Clash of heads..Another…Cut over right eye of Williams

Round 3 Good combination from Williams

Round 4 Right from Williams..Jab

Round 5 Hook from Heffron..Good left from Williams..Jab

Round 6 2 hard rights from Williams..Heffrom warned for low blow..Right from Williams..Hard right..Chopping right

Round 7 Right from Williams..Right over the top

Round 8  Right from Williams..Right..Williams warned for low blow

Round 9 Hook from Heffron..Body..Right from Williams

Round 10  HUGE RIGHT AND HEFFRON SLAMS INTO THE ROPES FOR A KNOCKDOWN..Williams landing big shots..REFEREE STOPS THE FIGHT

Round 1 Left to body from Murray..Body shot

Round 2 Left hook from Murray..Uppercut from N’Dam..Left to body from Murray

Round 3

Round 4 Combination from Murray..Combination in close by N’Dam..RIGHT FROM MURRAY AT BELL AND RULED A KNOCKDOWN

Round 5 Murray working the body..Uppercut from N’Dam

Round 6  Combination from N’Dam..Body shot

Round 7 Good uppercut from N’Dam..Combination..Body shot

Round 8 Body shots from N’Dam..Right from Murray

Round 9 Combination from N’Dam..Another combination on the ropes..

Round 10 Right from Murray..

Round 11 N’Dam boxing and moving

Round 12 Murray pressing..Uppercut from N’Dam

114-114; 117-112; 116-112 FOR N’DAM

Round 1

Round 2 Good right from Conlan..Left from Conlan…

Round 3 Body shot from Conlan

Round 4  Right from Conlan..2 lefts from Cunningham..Good body work from Conlan..Right to body

Round 5 Jab and combination from Conlan

Round 6 Conlan deducted a point for a low blow..

Round 7 Combination from Cunningham..Good exchange

Round 8 Good right from Conlan..Uppercuts

Round 9 Jab from Conlan..Good right

Round 10 Cunningham coming forward..Good left hurts Cunningham..Huge right buckles Cunningham

97-92 TWICE AND 98-92 for Conlan

Round 1 Body and uppercuts from Gorman

Round 2 Right from Cojanu..Left from Gorman..Lead left hook..Combination from Cojanu..Left hook

Round 3 Right from Gorman…Gorman getting more active

Round 4  Right from Gorman

Round 5 Left hook from Gorman..Right snaps Cojanu’s head back

Round 6 Hook to body and right from Gorman..Right from Cjanu..Nice uppercut..Body shots..

Round 7 Uppercut from Cojanu..Good left hook..Left hook from Gorman

Round 8 Left from Gorman

Round 9 Left from Gorman…Right to body from Cojanu

Round 10 Nice right from Gorman..Right from Cojanu..Hard right from Gorman

Round 11 Good right from Gorman..Good left from Gorman drive Cojanu to the corner

Round 12 Good left from Gorman..Body shot

119-109 twice and 120-108 for GORMAN

Round 1 Body shot from Fury..Uppercut…Body shot

Round 2 Right hand from Fury..Right

Round 3 Hard uppercut from Fury..Good body shots and right hand..Fury warned for low blows..Right to body

Round 4 Lead left hook from Fury

FURY WINS BY 40-36 SCORE

LIAM WILLIAMS IS in full agreement with the thinking that jumping up a weight to take on a knockout artist who nobody else fancied fighting is the sort of challenge that presses his buttons.

Former British, Commonwealth and WBO European super welterweight champion Williams bids to become a two-weight British champion on December 22 at the Manchester Arena when he faces Mark Heffron for the vacant title as chief support to Josh Warrington defending his IBF world featherweight title against two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.

It is match-up that has got fight fans licking their lips in anticipation and the prospect of trading leather with the destructive Heffron – 17KOs from his 21 unbeaten professional fights – is something that stirs the juices of the 26-year-old from the South Wales Valleys.

“Yes! Definitely, it is exciting and as soon as the fight was offered to me, for all of ten seconds, I wondered if he was too big for me,” recalled the 18-2-1 Williams, whose only defeats came against former world champion Liam Smith in an epic double-header.

“He has come down from super middle and then I thought ‘no he isn’t’ because on fight night I am very big for the weight and in all honesty when I stood in front of him I felt I was the bigger man.

“Whether it looked that way to others, I don’t know, but looking at him I thought I was stronger.”

While Williams will insist size doesn’t matter when it comes to jumping up a division, the fact is he is happy to roll the dice and gamble anyway because he is past the point of self-preservation or looking to pad a record

“I couldn’t care less,” he pointed out. “I don’t want to lose and I really don’t think I’m going to lose, but I’m not protecting nothing. I took those Smith fights quite early on compared to what people thought I would.

“It was never a massive thing for me, protecting an unbeaten record. It looks good on paper but, when you get in there with someone who is a real fighter, it is going to show anyway. So you might as well throw yourself in and be in a couple of tough fights before pushing onto the next level.”

Williams, meanwhile, confessed that affording himself some extra poundage is an option that has crossed his mind in the past when he has been striving hard to make super welterweight.

“I had thoughts. I didn’t need to because I can make the weight, but it is a struggle and anyone who looks at me will know it is hard to make light middle. It is do-able as long as I do it the right way and in a healthy way.

“So I wasn’t really thinking about it, but this offer made sense really and why wouldn’t I take it?” he questioned, before admitting that, should he be successful, there will a temptation to stick at 160lbs.

“Yeah it will be difficult to resist but it is about what is offered to me and I feel like I want to push on now. I didn’t really want to fight for the British title, with all respect to the title and I love it, but I planned on moving forward to a European title or fringe world level opponents to get myself into the mix.

“Then this was offered to me and it is a great fight. Mark is a good fighter, take nothing away from him, so it makes perfect sense. It is going to be a quality fight.”

IBF world featherweight champion Josh Warrington takes on former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd live on BT Sport Box Office. Mark Heffron and Liam Williams contest the vacant British middleweight title and Belfast’s blue chip featherweight prospect Michael Conlan (9-0) takes on former commonwealth champion Jason Cunningham (24-5). In a step up, Nathan Gorman puts his undefeated record and WBC International Silver Heavyweight Title on the line against former World Title challenger Alex Leapai, while Martin Murray defends his WBC Silver middleweight title against Hassan N’Dam. Tyson Fury’s younger brother Tommy Fury also makes his professional debut.

Elsewhere on the bill. World flyweight title challenger Paddy Barnes (5-1) and unbeaten Light Heavyweight contender Steven Ward (9-0) return to action. Manchester’s 12-0 Light Heavyweight Lyndon Arthur and 7-0 Darlington middleweight Troy Williamson also return.

Tickets are priced at £50 Upper Tier, £80 Tier, £100 Tier, £150 Tier, £200 Floor/Tier, £300 Floor, £400 Floor, £600 Inner Ring VIP Hospitality and are available.

Tickets available via Manchester Arena.

MARK HEFFRON HAS locked horns in training with an informative ally as he prepares to challenge for the vacant British middleweight title against Liam Williams at the Manchester Arena on December 22.

Heffron, 21-0, last week received the welcome news that he would still be competing for the coveted Lonsdale belt against Williams, who is jumping up to 160lbs for a fight that has caused a big stir in the boxing fraternity and one of many that could potentially steal the show on the epic Josh Warrington-Carl Frampton card, live on BT Box Office.

The knockout artist from Oldham – also known as ‘Kid Dynamite’ – is now in possession of some useful inside knowledge on the workings of his opponent, otherwise known as ‘The Machine’.

Because, he shared a ring on Monday with none other than Williams’ nemesis Liam Smith, who has experienced two ultimately successful encounters with the Welshman.

“It was good, man, and I got a good solid eight rounds in with Liam where my fitness was mint,” reported the 27-year-old. “I would say I am ahead of where I thought I would be at this point.

“Yeah he has been telling me loads of things, Liam, just loads. I’ve been taking it all in when he is telling me what Liam Williams is good and bad at.

“I won’t say what, but I have picked up loads of little things myself from watching him too. So with Liam Smith telling me lots of points too I would say everything is going to plan up to now.

“I am looking forward to it,” added the WBC International title holder, who is happy that the British title remains on the line for a fight he considers to be of far greater magnitude than the one he was originally mandated for.

“I’m buzzing, Liam Williams is a big light middleweight anyway and it is a big name for me when I beat him.

“I am still getting to fight for the British and at this level I will beat them all.

“I am even more happy that it is against Liam because he is a massive name for me, much more so than Jason Welborn, and he will bring the best out in me.

“It is a much bigger fight.”

IBF world featherweight champion Josh Warrington takes on former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd live on BT Sport Box Office. Mark Heffron and Liam Williams contest the vacant British middleweight title and Belfast’s blue chip featherweight prospect Michael Conlan (9-0) takes on former commonwealth champion Jason Cunningham (24-5). At heavyweight, Nathan Gorman takes a step up in class against former world title challenger Alex Leapai.

Elsewhere on the bill, world flyweight title challenger Paddy Barnes (5-1) and unbeaten Light Heavyweight contender Steven Ward (9-0) return to action. Manchester’s 12-0 Light Heavyweight Lyndon Arthur and 7-0 Darlington middleweight Troy Williamson also feature.

Tickets are priced at £50 Upper Tier, £80 Tier, £100 Tier, £150 Tier, £200 Floor/Tier, £300 Floor, £400 Floor, £600 Inner Ring VIP Hospitality and are available.

Tickets available via Manchester Arena

THE THRILLING PROSPECT of Mark Heffron taking on Liam Williams is to become a reality at the Manchester Arena on December 22, live on BT Sport Box Office.

Heffron, 21-0 (17KOs) and Williams, 18-2-1 (13KOs), collide on the undercard of Josh Warrington defending his IBF world featherweight title against Carl Frampton in what is certain to be an absolute barnstormer of a fight.

The match-up between the WBC International middleweight champion – and mandatory challenger for the British title – and the former British and WBO European super welterweight champion has come about due to the withdrawal of the originally scheduled opponents.

Heffron was due to challenge the British champion Jason Welborn, who subsequently vacated the title, while Williams was due to fight JJ Metcalf for the WBC International belt. Metcalf has pulled out of the fight due to injury.

There was no willingness amongst middleweight rivals to replace Welborn and oppose Heffron for the Lonsdale belt, but Williams has no issues over trying his hand at the higher weight against such a dangerous operator.

There is a history behind the match, with Heffron’s brother Ronnie suffering his only career defeat to Williams back in July 2014. The former standout amateur and highly-rated prospect was retired in the sixth round with a severe cut to the head and has not fought since.

“It is going to be some fight for me now on December 22 and it is one I am looking forward to as well,” said Heffron of the explosive match-up. “It is definitely a bigger fight than I had lined up before and it is one that will move me onto massive titles afterwards.

“Credit to Williams for stepping up when nobody else wanted to and he is also coming up from light middleweight. Give him his due for that.

“He is a big light middle though with a big back and very strong, so there shouldn’t be much between us when it comes to size.

“It is a fight that has got thriller written all over it and the idea of hitting and not getting hit will go out of the window fairly quickly.

“Of course I am looking to put it right for Ronnie – there is nothing wrong with a bit of revenge!”

Like Heffron, Williams believes he now faces a greater challenge than he was previously anticipating.

“One hundred per cent it is a bigger fight than I had lined up before – it is a cracking fight,” said the Welshman known as the ‘Machine’.

“What can I say other than it excites me. It gives me the chance to prove myself at the weight above as well and I should say that I am not being forced to move up because I can make light middle and will still make it.

“It is just an opportunity that has come to me because that bottle-job Metcalf pulled out again.

“Listen, I respect Mark Heffron, he is a quality fighter who can punch and box. I believe I can beat him and if I didn’t I wouldn’t have taken this fight and moved up a weight to take it.

“It will be a war and an incredible punch-up.”

IBF world featherweight champion Josh Warrington takes on former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd live on BT Sport Box Office. Mark Heffron will now fight WBO Interim world title challenger Liam Williams in support of the main event, while Belfast’s blue chip featherweight prospect Michael Conlan (9-0) will also feature on the bill along with world flyweight title challenger Paddy Barnes (5-1) and unbeaten Light Heavyweight contender Steven Ward (9-0).

In another middleweight addition, 7-0-1 Darlington Middleweight Troy ‘Trojan’ Williamson has also been added to the show after his thrilling draw with Jack Flatley earlier this year.

Tickets are priced at £50 Upper Tier, £80 Tier, £100 Tier, £150 Tier, £200 Floor/Tier, £300 Floor, £400 Floor, £600 Inner Ring VIP Hospitality and are available.

JJ Metcalf will defend his WBC International super-welterweight title against Liam Williams when they clash on December 22nd at the Manchester Arena on the undercard of Josh Warrington’s world title defence against Carl Frampton.

The two super-welterweights have made no secret of their dislike towards one another as they continue to exchange verbal punches on social media.

“It’s started off as a bit of banter but then the more we knew the fight was going to happen, the joking around had stopped and things just turned over night, it’s got to a point where I genuinely just want to punch his face in” said Welshman Williams.

Williams has strung together a couple of stoppage victories since his two defeats to former WBO world super-welterweight champion Liam Smith and says he is now ready to be back involved in the big fights.

“I’m really happy the fight has been made. I love being involved in competitive fights and you won’t find a better stage to be in a good fight.

“JJ [Metcalf] reminds me of when I fought Ronnie Heffron. He was supposed to be this serious pressure fighter, a lot of people raving about him and I made him retire sitting on his stool after six rounds and I think it’s going to be a similar story with JJ.”

‘Kid Shamrock’ JJ Metcalf has been in fantastic form and has been able to maintain his undefeated status with a string of good performances; most recently in June when he defeated the tough and experienced Spaniard, Aitor Nieto, stopping him in the twelfth round of their WBC International title fight.

The Liverpudlian is undefeated in eighteen fights with ten of them coming by way of knockout and is going into this contest full of confidence.

“I can’t wait for this fight. He seems to be a guy [Williams] that easily gets wound up and he’s ended up being very disrespectful towards me on social media.

“He was in with a great fighter like Liam Smith and he showed everyone he wasn’t good enough to beat him and it’s going to be the same story come December 22nd, he isn’t going to be good enough to beat me either.”

IBF world featherweight champion Josh Warrington takes on former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena on December 22nd live on BT Sport Box Office.

Tickets are priced at £50 Upper Tier, £80 Tier, £100 Tier, £150 Tier, £200 Floor/Tier, £300 Floor, £400 Floor, £600 Inner Ring VIP Hospitality and are available.

Tickets available via Eventim and Ticketmaster .