A WELCOME FROM
EDDIE HEARN G
ood evening everyone and thank you for joining us here at the breathtaking Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the heart of North London for one of the biggest events that we have ever put on. It really doesn’t get much bigger than this. I think people have quickly realised how huge this fight is. We have two Olympic Champions from London 2012, the Unified World Heavyweight Champion in Anthony Joshua against the former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion and a top pound-for-pound fighter in Oleksandr Usyk. This is a tremendous Heavyweight fight, and when Anthony wins this fight, I believe he will get the recognition he deserves because he is a throwback fighter. When you look at his resume going back to Dillian Whyte and Charles Martin, it’s incomparable to anyone else currently in the Heavyweight division. Dominic Breazeale, Eric Molina, Wladimir Klitschko, Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, Andy Ruiz, Ruiz 2, Kubrat Pulev and now Usyk. It is an absolutely unbeatable CV in the Heavyweight division right now and I really hope he gets the credit he deserves for not only taking the fight when the Undisputed fight could fall next but the run he has had is one of the best in the world. We have a fantastic supporting undercard lined up for you. Heavy-handed WBO Cruiserweight
World Champion Lawrence Okolie has his sights set on unifying the division but must first get past his mandatory challenger Dilan Prasovic in the maiden defence of his crown. Former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith tests the waters up at Light-Heavyweight against the Dominican Republic’s Lenin Castillo after his points loss to Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez out in Texas last December. Manchester Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton continues his education in the professional ranks when he takes on Sonni Martinez, and the son of British legend Ricky is quickly becoming used to appearing on the big stage having fought on the undercards of Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte 2 and Joseph Parker vs. Derek Chisora. ‘The Albanian King’ Florian Marku looks to build on his impressive stoppage win over Rylan Charlton back in February as he challenges Milan’s Maxim Prodan for the IBF International Welterweight Title and unbeaten Chicago Middleweight Christopher Ousley meets Russia’s Khasan Baysangurov for the WBA Intercontinental Title in the opening fight of the night. I’d like to thank Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and all of their magnificent staff for helping us put on an event of this magnitude and as always, I would like to give thanks to all of our sponsors for their continued support. Sit back and enjoy the show! ■
Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard Contributors: Anthony Leaver, Jamie Ward, Scott Hammerton and Caitlin Bennett Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Cover: Adam Insam Programme printing: DG3 Leycol (nickw@dg3leycol.com) Photographs: Mark Robinson Master of Ceremonies: Michael Buffer and David Diamante
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REIGNING AND
DEFENDING A
nthony Joshua is predicting an exciting Heavyweight clash when he defends his Unified Titles against unbeaten Ukrainian star Oleksandr Usyk in front of a passionate home support expected to top 60,000 here in North London. “I’ve got to dedicate myself to these loyal supporters who come to watch these nights. It’s humbling and boxing is thriving,” said the champion. “It’s big, it’s massive. These nights come when you fight good fighters. “I want to perform and put on a show, I feel like I’ve been practising to put on a show, to give the fans value for money. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve got no fear in my eyes or my heart and I’m always in exciting fights.” In the distant future when the dust has finally settled on the career of ‘AJ’, the man mountain from Watford hopes to have achieved enough in the game to be remembered alongside the best the Heavyweight division has to offer. Promoter Eddie Hearn believes his resume is already comparable to the best in the sport and a victory over Usyk this evening will go a long way to cementing those claims. As a technical southpaw with world class foot work Usyk presents a different proposition for Joshua to work out and implement a winning game plan during the heat of battle, but the unified Heavyweight Champion is confident that his extensive training camp has prepared him for all eventualities. “I’m solid as a rock at the weight. People
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SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
“LET’S SEE HOW CONFIDENT HE IS WHEN HE’S STOOD IN FRONT OF ME” mention my weight all the time, but it is a byproduct of the work we put in. It’s just training. This is a different opponent and I’ve learned about training for specific opponents. Adapting to training has become my priority. I’ve also done a lot of sparring and that is very physical, lots of pushing and shoving. “We looked at Lennox Lewis’ training camps and he would use a select few sparring partners in all his camps. We bring in everyone. Russians, Germans, Australians,” emphasised Joshua. “Usyk is a southpaw so he has the advantage of having faced many orthodox fighters, but I have studied him and through that process I know how to control a southpaw, where to place my feet. I feel like a 15-round fighter because of my experience.” Joshua has consistently mentioned the word ‘experience’ during the build-up to this fight and he has certainly had to overcome adversity in his career since he made his professional debut in 2013. Fights against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 have forged his inner toughness leaving Joshua to question if Usyk will be prepared to go into the trenches and fight it out if need be having only two competitive fights under his belt in the top division. “Usyk comes across as confident and there is more to being big in boxing, that’s why the world’s tallest man isn’t the Heavyweight Champion of the World,” said Joshua. “In boxing you have to be aggressive to take away your opponent’s confidence, good luck to him. “At the time the Klitschko fight was needed and it was a great night for the Heavyweight division. Wladimir had come from a long reign as champion when he and his brother said
5
there weren’t any good solid contenders. For me two years later would have been better but that would have been too late because the champion would have retired. “Can this fight top that? We will see if Usyk wants to go down that road. Let’s see if he can put me in some adversity and let’s see if I can put him in some adversity. In the first Ruiz fight although it was a tough night, I kept getting up trying to win. Let’s see how confident he is when he is stood in front of me and he sees my lineage and what a real Anthony Joshua is.” For all the fighters that have successfully campaigned at championship level in the Heavyweight division having fought previously
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at Cruiserweight many more have tried and failed and with only a couple of contests under his belt trading punches with the big boys it is uncertain exactly how Usyk will fare when he gets hit on the chin by a powerful blow from the champion. “He’s done well at Heavyweight,” concluded Joshua. “The difference with someone like (Evander) Holyfield is he had fought six opponents at Heavyweight before he fought Buster Douglas so he (Usyk) must have confidence in his ability. He must know it will be difficult but I’m a believer in going in the deep end early instead of threading water because you still might get caught in a current and drown. I’m looking forward to it, I’m always in exciting fights.” ■
7
OLEKSANDR
THE GREAT
F
or more than a decade Wladimir Klitschko and his brother Vitali stood quite literally head and shoulders above the rest of the Heavyweight division in an era remembered for theatrical rock concert like ring entrances, massive shoulder pads and Wladimir’s destructive jab. Now technical genius and former Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk brings his own brand of fighting to the big stage as he aims to restore Ukraine’s place at the top of boxing’s glamour division when he faces Anthony Joshua for the Unified Heavyweight Titles in what promises to be a night of high drama inside the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “It was my father who instigated my interest in boxing,” said Usyk. “I remember him switching on the TV that was showing the fights. I wouldn’t say that I am a big fan of the Klitschko brothers, no, but I do respect what they have done for boxing in my country.” As a youngster growing up in Shypyntsi, a village approximately 530 kilometres from the capital Kiev, Usyk was thrust into the world of manual labour as a child when he would arrive home from school to help his mother on a farm where she looked after a herd of around 50 cows. “That was my first job,” he remembered. “There was a big cow farm and my mother had 50 under her command. We had to feed them, milk them and clean out where they stood. My dad also worked there. We did lots of things. We prepared firewood to heat the house in winter and I thought it was cool to do those things. I mean it is cool that from your childhood you are aware of what work is and how hard and important it is. That’s why I work so hard in the gym and the ring so my children don’t have to help me with my job.”
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SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
It was that instilled work ethic and undoubted natural skills that enabled Usyk to rise through the ranks of the amateur game and go on to have a highly decorated career winning multiple world honours culminating in a gold medal in the Heavyweight division at London 2012, the same games that would see Joshua climb the top step of the podium in the SuperHeavyweight classification. The future rivals turned pro just a month apart in 2013 and Usyk wasted no time in winning a version of the World Cruiserweight Title when he outscored Krzysztof Glowacki in just his tenth outing as a pro to capture the WBO crown. Southpaw Usyk, 18-0, had long been a favourite of the hardcore fight fans but his 2018 victories over fearsome rival champion Murat Gassiev to unify the Cruiserweight division in the final of the World Boxing Super Series and hard punching Liverpudlian Tony Bellew thrust Usyk into the limelight before he made the leap into the dangerous waters of the Heavyweight division. He made his first appearance with the added pounds to his tattooed frame in October 2019 when he halted Chazz Witherspoon in seven rounds in Chicago before facing Derek Chisora in a fascinating battle of brawler vs. ring scientist in London in a contest Usyk won on a unanimous decision. Like many great champions before him Usyk, 34, seems to be on another level to us mere mortals both physically and spiritually and it is those mystical qualities that Alexander Krassyuk, General Director of K2 Promotions in Ukraine, believes Usyk will one day use to good effect and enable him to transcend the sport. “He reminds me of Muhammad Ali,” said Krassyuk. “Not only because they were born on the same day, January 17, but because like Ali Usyk doesn’t try to be what the public want him to be and he doesn’t say things they want him to say. He does say what he thinks, what he really thinks. His legacy should be the legacy of Muhammad Ali. He has the qualities to transcend boxing, he can inspire future generations. Away from business and away from boxing he can shape future generations.” In 1985 reigning Light-Heavyweight champion Michael Spinks did what no other champion from the lower weight class had done before when he shocked the world by not once but twice defeating the number one Heavyweight in the world, the great Larry Holmes. Although Usyk
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“THIS IS THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE”
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SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
is physically closer in size to Joshua than Spinks was to Holmes and a Cruiserweight not a LightHeavy, a victory over Joshua would be significant in its size and be comparable to Spinks’ win over an ageing Holmes and Evander Holyfield’s destruction of Buster Douglas in 1990. So, with history at stake and the lure of fistic greatness hanging tantalisingly close in the cold late September air, Usyk must be nervous, right? “No nerves,” insisted the challenger. “Nerves
counterpunches, promoter Alexander Krassyuk believes his power can upset the bigger man on his way to a huge upset victory. “People say that Usyk isn’t a puncher, but how can you say that about an Olympic gold medallist and Unified Cruiserweight Champion who has the ability to land 200 punches?” “Do I believe I can KO Anthony Joshua?” said Usyk. “I have dreams, yes. I have worked very hard in my preparations and I want to win.”
wouldn’t help me become stronger so why would I do that? I may read a book or watch a movie and speak to my loved ones before the fight but no nerves at all.” Whilst the general consensus seems to be that Usyk can only win the fight by outboxing Joshua with his cultured southpaw lead and accurate
“I’m quite sure that Usyk believes this is the fight of his life,” continued Krassyuk. “I don’t know what lies ahead in his future but right now, today, this is the fight of his life. A lot of things ride on the outcome of this fight and he is fully aware of that and this is why he is determined to turn the result in his favour.” ■
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BRUNO VS BUGNER
O
n October 24, 1987, 25-year-old Frank Bruno defeated 37-year-old Joe Bugner at the old White Hart Lane in the biggest outdoor show held in the UK since Muhammad Ali stopped Henry Cooper at Highbury Stadium in 1966 and this historic spectacle became the first of many huge shows promoted by Matchroom Boxing. Bruno was the darling of the British public but had seen his previous World Title challenge end in failure when he was knocked out by WBA Champion ‘Terrible’ Tim Witherspoon in July, 1986 and needed to rebound with a victory over the ageing but crafty Hungarian born Brit who had never been forgiven by British fight fans for ending the career of Henry Cooper in controversial fashion back in 1971. The contest had all the ingredients to be a massive success, Bruno the media darling pitting his skills and power against ‘Aussie Joe’, the man who had shared a ring with Muhammad Ali and wasn’t shy in telling anyone who would listen exactly what he thought of Bruno. But it required an audacious young promoter to pull all the parties together. Step forward former Matchroom Boxing Chairman, Barry Hearn. “I looked at the market in the late 80’s and it was pretty subdued,” said Hearn. “There wasn’t very much going on and as a fight fan I knew the fight I wanted to see and from very early doors I wanted to see Frank Bruno against Joe Bugner, and it delivered in terms of having the biggest terrestrial television audience for many many years.” “It (the fight) was relatively easy to make because the essence of all good deals is the timing of the deal,” explained Hearn. “I was in a Chinese
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SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
restaurant in Southend-on-Sea with my wife who was highly critical of my attempts to become a big time boxing promoter and I said, ‘I’m gonna try and do Bruno vs. Bugner’, and she said I had no chance because both fighters were tied up (to contracts). “It was more about getting even with my wife, so I went to the restaurant reception and asked if I could use the telephone. I think they thought I was calling a cab, but I dialled Melbourne, Australia and spoke directly to Joe Bugner and told him my plans. Joe said, ‘That’s gonna cost you a lot of money’. Well I’d done a bit of research and I said, ‘Joe, I think you got paid $20k dollars for your last fight and I’m gonna pay you £250k’. The line went quiet and then Joe said in his squeaky Australian voice, ‘And what flight do you want me on?’ With Bugner onboard it left the small matter of persuading Frank Bruno to be in the opposite corner, and with a huge slice of luck and some old school salesmanship Hearn got the deal over the line. “Bruno was controlled by the cartel of boxing which was Jarvis Astaire, Terry Lawless, Mickey Duff and Mike Barrett,” said Hearn. “They’d run boxing for a decade or so in this country on the BBC until Frank Warren came along and challenged the exclusivity of the cartel and some of the rules. They were the dominant force in boxing and they weren’t going to let Frank Bruno out of their clutches, clearly. “But Frank was due to fight Trevor Berbick at the Royal Albert Hall and I thought it was peculiar that Berbick had come to the build-up to the fight with his wife and children and suddenly developed a bad back. Clearly he was over more
for a shopping trip than a fight, got the promoter to pay for the flights and the hotel , happy days but suddenly Frank didn’t have an opponent so I seized the opportunity and called Terry Lawless at his home and said, ‘get Frank to your house we need to have a chat’. “At around 11 O’clock at night we sat down at Terry Lawless’ house in Hornchurch, Essex. Frank Bruno was there, the decision maker of the cartel, Mickey Duff was out of the country, that was the stroke of luck. Terry Lawless needed to get hold of him but couldn’t so I gave them an ultimatum. ‘Frank, there is £300k and a fight you can win, do you want it or not’, I said. Because they couldn’t find anyone else, they signed. It didn’t go down very well with the cartel, but we achieved our objective in the political marketplace that boxing is, all of a sudden both fighters had signed.” Fight night arrived and the roar of the crowd could be heard for miles as they eagerly awaited the sound of the first bell. Both fighters prepared in their respective dressing rooms and promoter Barry Hearn took inspiration from a Mickey Rooney black and white film. “I remember thinking what does a boxing promoter do on the night of the fight? We know what they do before the fight, sell tickets etc. and I remembered a Mickey Rooney black and white film and I remembered this boxing promoter went into each fighter’s dressing room to wish them luck. “I thought if it was good enough for Mickey Rooney in black and white Hollywood style then its good enough for me. I went into Frank Bruno’s dressing room first and it was like a morgue, no one was speaking and it was freezing cold. Frank was deep in thought and no one would say a word to him. I just said, ‘best of luck Frank’. So I went into Joe Bugner’s dressing room and as I got near I could hear the sound of music and you have to remember Joe had been there and done it, he’d fought Muhammad Ali, he’d been to big shows in New York and Vegas. “When I got inside Joe was stood there with two dressing gowns, one in each hand, and he was speaking to his wife Marleen and he was saying, ‘Marleen, which one of these will I look better in?’ He wasn’t the slightest bit bothered by the enormity of this fight. I just said, ‘Joe I’ve got to say thanks, you work so hard selling tickets, walking into press conferences with a stuffed crocodile over your shoulder and wearing a hat with corks. I will tell you this Joe there is a young man over in
America who is making a name for himself and that man is Mike Tyson. If you win this fight, I will pay you a king’s ransom to fight that young man next’. “And Joe looked at me and said, ‘Barry, you are paying me a lot of money and for that I’m thankful and I’m gonna do my best but if he hurts me, I’m going down’. And I just thought, ‘my god he isn’t gonna try an inch’. But he did try, and it wasn’t until the 8th round when the fight was over. The atmosphere was electric.’ Having the fighters signed is one thing but the key to a successful promotion can often be the location and Hearn quickly realised that only a large outdoor stadium would be sufficient to house two behemoths of Heavyweight boxing. “I’ve always been a Leyton Orient fan but after a couple of years when I was 11 I switched allegiances and went to Tottenham and they became my second club,” explained Hearn. “I picked the years they did the double in 6162, 62-63 so they’ve always been engraved in my mind as my second club so when I started thinking this is a massive fight that needs a bigger arena that was available indoors my first port of call was Tottenham. “Irving Scholar was the chairman and he was extremely keen on improving Tottenham’s profile and making them a more famous club by staging events like this there and we did a deal very quickly. Nothing has changed really, of course we have this state-of-the-art stadium that’s quite magnificent but still a desire to put on world class events that widen the appeal and create awareness for Tottenham Hotspur football club as well. The years may have changed but the direction of sport sometimes hasn’t so I’m delighted to be back at Tottenham after all these years.” ■
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HOT
SAUCE N
ew WBO World Champion Lawrence Okolie is a man on a mission to dominate the Cruiserweight division – and he’s ready to seek and destroy his mandatory challenger Dilan Prasovic in his first defence. Okolie (16-0 13 KOs) landed the vacant crown in spectacular fashion behind closed doors in March, putting the exclamation mark on his superb performance against former World Champion Krzysztof Glowacki with a sixth round KO win in London. The 2016 Olympian wasted no time in calling for unification bouts against his fellow belt holders but will first need to get past the unbeaten Montenegrin Prasovic who fights in his first World Title bout. The ‘Sauce’ believes he will shine on the big stage as the chief-support bout of his manager Anthony Joshua and put in a performance that will illustrate his growing relationship with trainer Shane McGuigan and send a warning to the champions that he’s ready to add to his silverware. “I was really happy with the performance,” said Okolie. “He is a former World Champion, really experienced and someone I watched on my way up. I boxed well, controlled the fight, and hardly got hit, and I was able to end it with a clean KO. A lot of people let big occasions get to them because it’s their big moment, but I just take it in my stride. “I would love to say that it was the greatest moment of my life, but really I mainly felt relief. When I started boxing, I said that I wanted to go to the Olympics and I managed to do that, I was happy to make it but I think that created complacency for the Games. I promised myself I would never do that again and I dedicate myself so much to the sport that I deserve a World title, so I got what I deserved.
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“As soon as I left the ring, I was asking for the unification fights. I’m happy and blessed to be World Champion, and at times I stop and think back to running in the park and throwing my first jab to now being here, it’s this feeling of ‘we’ve done it’ but also, it’s not enough. “I had pictures of David Haye on my wall with multiple belts, AJ is someone I know well and is a Unified Champion, I always believed I had the ability to become World Champion, I was a top amateur and always thought that I could convert that as a pro with more experience. The reality and making it happen was a different story but I am World Champion and now I am thinking, ‘that’s good but can I beat Mairis Breidis?’ I think so. ‘Can I beat Ilunga Makabu?’ I think so. I want to be the man to come out of there with both belts. “Prasovic is undefeated, he’s taken some undefeated records to get to this position, but I think it’s going to be different for him at this level, dealing with someone as athletic and clever as me in the ring. It’s an awkward and interesting style for me and he’s a top-rated Cruiserweight so he’s going to carry some power and I cannot mess around in there. I must go in there and do what I have to do. “I’ve been getting messages from his friends and family about how he’s going to smash me, so it’ll be nice to see what he brings tonight. I am going into ‘shock and awe’ mode - that’s an Army tactic used to completely overwhelm and obliterate your opponent quickly.” ■
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FULL
MONTE D
ilan Prasovic can become just the second World Champion from Montenegro as he challenges Lawrence Okolie for the WBO Cruiserweight strap. Prasovic (15-0 12 KOs) lands on the biggest stage and most important night of his career as something of an unknown quantity, but having taken the ‘0’ of Serbia’s Edin Puhalo to land the mandatory spot via a ninth round KO in hostile territory, the unbeaten 26-year-old has more than earned his spot at the top table and in the chief support bout for a huge night in London. Okolie puts the belt on the line for the first time after picking up the vacant strap in March in the capital with a clinical sixth round KO over former World ruler Krzysztof Glowacki, and ‘The Sauce’ is full of confidence that he will dazzle under the bright lights and take a big step to securing the unification fights he called for after beating the Pole. Prasovic has other ideas and with a wealth of amateur experience and an arsenal of weapons at his disposal, he’s ready to shock the world and follow in Dejan Zlaticanin’s footsteps and bring a World Title back to Montenegro. “This is a big chance for me,” said Prasovic. “After fighting Okolie and I will go on the beers. For now, I want to kill him, no one can stop me and take my dream. I will do all the talking Saturday night.
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“HE WILL BE IN FOR A SHOCK”
I have been waiting for so long to achieve my dreams. “I believe in myself, Okolie is a man like me. He will lose this fight, I promise this. I respect him, but I am a better boxer than Okolie. I have nothing to lose, the pressure is all on him, and I must give everything in the ring. “He thinks the fight is going to be easy, but he will be in for a shock, the whole world will be shocked. He is looking past me and that’s a mistake. I can adapt to any style, and I have all the weapons to beat Okolie. He can fight too, he is long, and he has power, but I can get inside him, I don’t want him to lay one punch on me like Roy Jones Jr. I am faster than him and he will see that on the night. I can knock him out, I wouldn’t be here otherwise. “I am so proud to be here and fighting for a World Title in London, this is the moment I have been waiting for all my life and I will give 100 per cent in the ring on Saturday night. My son is three years old and he’s waiting for his Daddy to bring the World title belt home. I want to make history for my country and my city. “I started boxing at 13, I just like fighting and I love boxing, it’s my life. I’ve fought so many great champions in the amateurs and have all that experience behind me, even though I am only 26. I’ve been in major title fights as an amateur before, so I know about pressure.” ■
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HURRICANE
HATTON
F
resh from his third career victory at Fight Camp in July unbeaten Manchester sensation Campbell Hatton aims to make an impression in the capital as he returns to action live on PPV against Sonni Martinez over six rounds in the Lightweight division. “It is amazing to be fighting on a show like this and I just want to say a big thank you to AJ for making it happen,” said the enthusiastic youngster Fighting to emerge from the considerable shadow cast by his World Title winning father Ricky Hatton and carrying the legendary Hatton name is a daunting task, but the 20-year-old ‘Son of a Legend’ is three fights along the path he hopes will lead to creating his own ring legacy. “There will always be pressure carrying the Hatton name,” admitted the 3-0 novice from Hyde, Cheshire. “But it’s becoming the norm now and with every fight it gets easier. “Eyes will always be on me but that is a motivator for me to go on and achieve things in the sport,” said Campbell who is a father to 3-year-old Lyla. Prior to his ring debut back in March on the Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin undercard in Gibraltar there was speculation amongst fight fans on what kind of style young Hatton would adopt. Would he look to emulate his father’s all action body attacking menace or perhaps the more reserved, career lengthening approach favoured by his uncle and trainer Matthew Hatton? It was clear from the first bell that under the guidance of his uncle at the Hatton’s training facility in Hyde, Cheshire, Campbell would be more of a boxer-puncher than his father, and uncle Matthew believes that we will see the best of the youngster once the rounds get longer. “In a young kid like Campbell we should be seeing improvements with every fight and that is what we are getting,” he revealed. “We see it every day in the gym and hopefully the fans are seeing it in the ring come fight night. Once he moves on
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from four round fights, I think that’s when we will see him at his best over longer fights. Believe me, we wouldn’t let Campbell get involved in this sport as hard as it is if we didn’t think he could go far. Campbell is a very good fighter.” Hatton made his debut in Gibraltar under considerable scrutiny but after a few nervy moments he settled into the contest to defeat Jesus Ruiz of Spain over four rounds, the traditional distance for novice pros, and he followed up his maiden victory with another points win, this time against fellow novice Levi Dunn on the massive Chisora vs. Parker card in Manchester. Last time out at Matchroom HQ on the highly acclaimed Fight Camp series Hatton defeated Jakub Laskowski of Poland and looked much more fluid and relaxed in doing so as he continued to settle into life as a professional. After four completed rounds he easily claimed all sessions on the card of referee Mark Bates. Now the stakes are even higher. Tonight, here at the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium he carries the legendary Hatton name into battle on this huge PPV show headlined by global superstar and World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua with the eyes of the world on him. Posting a picture of himself to his Twitter page during fight week Hatton simply said, “Eyes don’t lie. Ready.” ■
“XXXX XXX XX XXXXX XX XXX”
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EL
URUGUAYO S
onni Martinez arrives in the UK from the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo via his residence in Spain off the back of a confidence boosting victory last time out in May as he looks to cause a major upset by defeating fast rising star Campbell Hatton. Martinez, 2-4 as a pro and 29 years of age, first punched for pay way back in 2014 when he scored a split decision victory over Ryan Peleguer in Valencia, Spain, on his maiden bow in the pro ranks. However after almost 10 months out of the ring he was outscored over the four round distance by then unbeaten Artem Haroyan, now 17-2 and a former World Boxing Association Continental belt holder, in his second ring appearance as a professional. Ismael Garcia (debut) and Rafael Valle, 2-0, both scored points wins over Martinez in 2015 and 2016 respectively, however, following almost four years out of the ring Martinez returned to the sport in September 2020 to face unbeaten Irishman Ryan ‘The Silent Assassin’ O’Rourke but outsized and out skilled he dropped a wide decision to the tall fighter from Dublin over six rounds in Valencia. Determined to taste victory once more Martinez, undeterred by his setbacks, stepped into the ring for the sixth time in May 2021 weighing 146lbs to gain a closely fought majority decision victory over Asier Morilla who came into the contest with a 1-3 record as a professional. Martinez has never fought outside of his adopted homeland of Spain and he will soon hear the roar of the pro Hatton crowd tonight but he plans to use his extra experience not only in rounds fought as a professional but against bigger and stronger men to thoroughly test the ring credentials of Hatton. ■
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MAIN
MOVING
HEADING ON UP C
allum Smith starts a new chapter of his glittering career tonight, moving up to Light-Heavyweight against Lenin Castillo – and doing so with a new trainer in Buddy McGirt. Smith (27-1 19 KO’s) said goodbye to SuperMiddleweight after falling to his first career defeatody against copyCanelo ■ Alvarez in San Antonio in December, losing his WBA and Ring Magazine Titles to the Mexican pound-for-pound king. The Liverpool ace had managed to reach the top level at 168lbs despite his huge frame, but following that loss and given time to reflect after injuring his bicep in Texas, the 32-year-old decided it was time to move up in weight and look to become a two-weight World Champion. ‘Mundo’ made another big decision by parting ways with trainer Joe Gallagher, who trained the youngest Smith brother from his whole pro career. Smith shopped around for a new coach and settled on the heralded McGirt, himself a former two-weight World Champion as a fighter and who worked with older brother Paul along with a multitude of World Champions as a trainer – and Smith believes the change in weight and cornerman will see him land a World Title at 175lbs. “I think the move up in weight is good for me,” said Smith. “I was always a huge 168lber but I was doing it well, everything correct, I live a good life, have a good nutritionist and I was still performing at Super-Middle. “I thought that when the weight was affecting my performance it would be time to move up and I felt that over my last couple of fights. Take nothing from Canelo he’s a very good fighter, but I didn’t feel that was my best in there, and the same with the John Ryder fight, it wasn’t the best version of me either time. “The body was telling me it’s time to move up. Even if I hadn’t lost to Canelo there was always going to be a point where I would want to move up and try to become a two-weight World Champion. Good fighters move up and down divisions and face new challenges.
B
23
“My goal is to be World Champion, so I need to beat the likes of Dmitry Bivol, Joe Smith Jr. and Artur Beterbiev – then I should be beating Castillo. If I beat him better than Bivol did, it doesn’t necessarily mean I am a better fighter than Bivol, I would have to prove that by beating him, but it puts me one step closer to the men with the belts and that’s where I want to be next. “After being at the top, the number one in the division, I am not moving up to be a contender. If that was the case, I would have called it a day after the Canelo fight. I’m moving up to be where I was at 168 - the very top. I want to be a World Champion and I don’t believe that’s unrealistic. “In 2007 Buddy was doing work with my brother Paul, he had a couple of fights with after meeting him on the Contender series. His achievements as a fighter and a trainer speak for themselves and I had reached the point in my career where I felt I needed a change. A lot of good coaches that I spoke to wanted to train me and I had to make the decision that was best for me. I did some work with Buddy, and I felt stylistically we gelled well, we were on the same page, and I felt he could improve me as a fighter which is what I want. “The relationship with Joe wasn’t what it was a few years ago. I took the Canelo loss on the chin, and it was my fault, my performance, it had nothing to do with Joe. I just felt the time was right and it has probably come at the right time after a loss, I have a point to prove and why not do it with a new trainer.” ■
24
SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
THE
TEST L
enin Castillo has promised to give Callum Smith a hostile welcome to LightHeavyweight on a night of firsts for the Liverpool man. Castillo (23-3-1 16 KO’s) tasted World Title action at 175lbs having challenged WBA king Dmitry Bivol in October 2019 in Chicago. Castillo was comprehensively outboxed that night, suffering a third career defeat at the hands of the Russian, but bounced back in his return in July, stopping Ronald Gonzalez in four rounds in Venezuela. The Dominican Republic man feels like he’s back on track following that victory and now gets a big opportunity against Smith, who himself is entering the bout on the back of a loss. Smith surrendered his WBA and Ring Magazine Titles at SuperMiddleweight to Canelo Alvarez in San Antonio, Texas in December – a first career defeat for the 31-year-old. Tonight, Smith makes his debut at 175lbs at the home of Tottenham Hotspur, and there will be a new man in the corner too after ‘Mundo’ parted ways with Joe Gallagher and teamed up with Buddy McGirt – and Castillo believes that Smith could come unstuck at his new weight. “I would like to thank God first and foremost,” said Castillo. “I’d like to thank Matchroom and Eddie Hearn for putting me on this show. I feel very good, thanks everybody for the opportunity, I’m going to come out victorious tonight.
26
SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
“XXXX XXX XX XXXXX “THERE’S XX XXX” MORE POWER UP AT LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT” “I’ve been made to feel very welcome but tonight we get down to work. I am ready to give Callum a tough welcome to 175lbs. “Callum didn’t look like himself against Canelo, but Canelo is so good that he can do that to any fighter. He’s the best fighter in the world and Callum wasn’t able to get into the fight, I know that Callum can be better, and I expect him to be. “At 168 he was a great boxer, at 175 – it’s different. There’s more power up at Light-Heavyweight and there will be a difference for him. I am ready to show him that difference and get the win. I’ve had visions of winning by KO or stoppage, it’s going to be a great fight for sure, and I am really confident I’ll be getting my hand raised. “I needed to get back to winning ways, to get that feeling and to land big fights like this one. I learned a lot from the Bivol fight but getting the win against Gonzalez was so important to me and my confidence. Bivol is a great fighter and although it didn’t go my way that night in Chicago, I feel like if I got back to that level, it would be a different story. “I’m very confident I’m winning by knockout, it’s a big opportunity for my career and I’m going into the fight with my all. “When I win this fight, I will be right back in World Title contention against any of the champions, even a rematch with Bivol, this is so big for me.” ■
27
MAXIM
PRODAN
M
axim Prodan has vowed to defend his IBF Welterweight Title in style against Florian Marku. The aggressive come forward fighter is the undefeated champion and hails from the small town of Novoselytsia in the Ukraine, famous for its unique works of art. Beginning his career fighting at regional, national and international tournaments, the 28-year-old became a Candidate in Masters of Sports in boxing. Securing a knockout victory in his first professional bout, Prodan (19-0, 15 KOs) went on an impressive run of stoppage wins before claiming the interim IBF International belt against Steve Jami in March 2019. With this fight initially set for Week 2 of Fight Camp 2021, Prodan believes this is a much bigger stage and he will certainly be making the most of the atmosphere. Promising to do his talking in the middle of the ring, where he predicts he will meet his opponent, the Ukrainian is ready to make his mark in the UK. “I’m very excited to fight at an event like this and to defend my belt in front of a big crowd, representing Italy and Ukraine,” said Prodan. “I’m also very happy with the work all my team have done. “For me, it’s perfect to meet somebody in the centre of the ring and stay there to exchange punches. Marku talks too much. I don’t trust people who talk too much. He’s not on my level.
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SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
“HE’S NOT ON MY LEVEL”
I am a champion and I will defend this belt. “[Nicola] Cristofori was lucky [in my last fight] because he was on his bike the whole fight, but at the end I caught him with my power and the fight finished. “If Marku is confident enough to have this fight now, it’s right to have it. Everything will be answered on Saturday.” Fighting on the Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk undercard, Prodan is proud of the limelight Ukrainian boxers are receiving and believes his countryman will be victorious against ‘AJ’ in front of over 60,000 people, projecting their country even further. “Oleksandr Usyk is a great example and there are many other great fighters in the Ukraine. It makes me proud to be Ukrainian. “I’m excited to be part of this huge event. Marku has been saying this and that, but this is my fight, it’s my night.” ■
29
THE ALBANIAN
KING
F
lorian Marku has waged war with fellow unbeaten Welterweight Maxim Prodan and vowed to knock his man out within the first six rounds to rip his IBF International crown away from him in the process. ‘The Albanian King’ returned to winning ways after a fiery build up with Rylan Charlton in February, climbing off the canvas to stop the ‘Pint-Sized Powerhouse’ in eight rounds. This was an important victory for the 28-yearold who was determined to get back on track having suffered the first blemish on his before perfect professional record in a controversial draw with Jamie Stewart three months prior. Marku and Prodan were due to collide on the opening night of Matchroom’s Fight Camp series in July, however, Marku was forced out through injury meaning the fight was postponed and lands on tonight’s monster show at the home of Tottenham Hotspur, an experience the hugely popular Albanian is relishing. “I’m more ready than ever,” said Marku. “I have been training non-stop for this fight and if anything I am happy the first fight got cancelled because it means I am here on this huge show, everything happens for a reason! This is a moment I have been waiting for my whole life and I will not let anyone take it away from me. I know that the Tottenham Hotspur stadium will have many Albanian flags and I just can’t wait for the atmosphere.” Prodan, who is unbeaten in his 20 bouts with 19 victories against one draw (15 KO’s), is by far Marku’s toughest test on paper thus far in his boxing journey, but the jump through the levels hasn’t fazed the confident Albanian, who is instead targeting a showdown with
30
SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
“WHEN I KNOCK “XXXX XX PRODAN OUTXXX PEOPLE XXXXX XX XXX” WILL RESPECT ME” British star Conor Benn once he has secured a statement victory in London. “Winning my first professional title will be special but this is just the beginning for me. The motivation for me to secure my son’s future is massive and I need to go all the way in this sport. “Maxim is a strong fighter who hits hard, but he doesn’t have my speed and I don’t think he can stand there with me for more than six rounds. I believe I will stop him and make a big statement in this fight for all to see. “He is saying that this fight is too soon for me but when he is in there with me, I will make it look so easy and make him look stupid in the ring. When I knock Prodan out people will respect me. “I want all the big names starting with Conor Benn, he doesn’t want to fight me because he knows he’s not on my level and that I will knock him out in three rounds. I’m on my own journey which continues tonight and people don’t understand how much this means to me. I will give my heart to KO Prodan, let’s go!” ■
31
MILLY
R
ecent addition to Anthony Joshua’s 258 Management stable Chris Ousley is relishing the opportunity to fight on the big stage. The 30-year-old Middleweight looks to win the first title of his pro career tonight against Khasan Baysangurov with the WBA Intercontinental Title at stake. ‘Milly’ may go in as the bookies’ underdog, but the Chicago native believes he’ll be victorious and in style. “This is time to make the step-up,” said Ousley. “I’m sparring top tier competition and more than holding my own. It was time to make the leap, we don’t want to hang around. My goal is to take the fight to him, he comes forward a bit and we’ll meet in the centre of the ring. If the knockout comes, I’ll take it. I’m planning on stealing the show!” Boxing wasn’t Ousley’s first love with American Football prominent in his upbringing. When the decision to turn professional was on the horizon, Ousley had no doubts about putting on the gloves first. “Football was a little bit easier, but can it pay the bills? I was a Firefighter at the time and had the opportunity to become a Police Officer, but I wanted to pick up the gloves and focus on my boxing career. “My first fight was in a small gym with hardly any fans present and look at me now, fighting on this big stage. So, the opportunities unlocked by Anthony are there to be seen. It’s the biggest stage in boxing. There’s a little pressure but I believe in my own ability.” Despite a limited amateur experience, Ousley had Olympic trials for the US Squad and represented his country at two further National tournaments.
32
SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
“THIS IS TIME TO XXX XX MAKE“XXXX THE STEP-UP” XXXXX XX XXX” “My first amateur fight happened within weeks. I knew how to work hard and it all fell into place naturally. That shows my talent and potential. That stepping stone up to the Olympic trials was my amateur highlight. I believe whatever I do and put my mind to, I can achieve.” Ousley has linked up with Manny Robles, who masterminded Andy Ruiz Jr’s shock victory in New York back in June 2019 to win the World Heavyweight Championship. “We’ve taken no shortcuts in this camp. I’m ready for the full 10 rounds. If it was an even longer duration, no problem. There’s a cliché about no stone being unturned in boxing, but that’s genuinely the case here. We’ve been over to LA to mix it up and I’m more than ready. Trust me, I can fight. This will be an action-packed fight but the game plan we’ll adopt will be smart, sensible and effective.” After boxing in Mexico last time out, Ousley fights in the UK for the first time and admits he’s looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere. “It was a learning lesson last time out, it was a frustrating fight but I’m looking forward and keeping positive. I can’t wait to hear the stadium singing Sweet Caroline, I’m sure that’s going to be one of the highlights!” ■
33
BAYSANGUROV
K
hassan Baysangurov makes a quick return to the ring this evening following a first-round stoppage win in July as he faces the unbeaten Christopher Ousley for the vacant World Boxing Association Intercontinental Middleweight Title. The 24-year-old resides in Kiev, Ukraine with a record of 21-1 (11 KO’s) and percentage wise holds one of the highest body shot connections in the Middleweight division standing at 38 percent. The one blemish on his record came in an 11th-round stoppage defeat at the hands of WBA Middleweight Champion Rob Brant in a 2019 attempt to annex the title from the American. Baysangurov made a winning start to his professional career back in 2013 at the Spartak Gym in Kiev with a four round points win over Oleksii Kozlov and in his 10th contest in 2015 he claimed the WBO Youth Super-Welterweight Title when he halted Marcelo Ruben Molina in round 2 of a scheduled 10 at the Ice Palace, Brovari, Ukraine. Keen to capitalise on his victory over Molina, Baysangurov fought three times during 2016’s calendar year with two victories coming on points over six rounds and on Christmas Eve he halted Bakhrom Payazov in five rounds of a scheduled eight in his home city of Kiev to improve his record to 13-0.
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SEPTEMBER 25 2021 | JOSHUA VS USYK
“ONEXXX OF THE “XXXX XX HIGHEST XXXXX XX XXX” BODY SHOT CONNECTIONS IN THE MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION” It would be eight months into 2017 before Baysangurov stepped through the ropes for the 14th time but he quickly dismissed any signs of ring rust as he easily despatched Bosnia’s Mirsad Cebo in three and he followed up that victory with another fifth-round defeat of Lasha Gurguliani in Moscow, Russia. In May 2018 Bayangurov won the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Middleweight Title and successfully defended it before he challenged Rob Brant for his WBA Middleweight Title. However, he was knocked down with a right hand in round two, cut in round 10 and finally stopped on his feet by referee Mark Nelson as Brant landed a series of concussive blows. Baysangurov took six months off from the game following his first defeat but returned in August 2019 with an opening round TKO victory over Ilya Kharlamau at 160lbs inside the Caribbean Club in Kiev, Ukraine. With his record now reading a healthy 16-1 he stepped through the ropes once in 2020 due to the COVID-19 hit sporting scene and so far he has scored back to back stoppage victories in 2021 against Oleksandr Rubchev and Berikbay Nurymbetov. ■
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12 X 3 MINS IBF, WBA, WBO AND IBO HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLES
ANTHONY OLEKSANDR JOSHUA vs USYK
(WATFORD, ENGLAND)
(SHYPYNSTI, UKRAINE)
12 X 3 MINS WBO CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
LAWRENCE OKOLIE
vs
(HACKNEY, ENGLAND)
DILAN PRASOVIC (HERCEG NOVI, MONTENEGRO)
6 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST
CAMPBELL HATTON
vs
(MANCHESTER, ENGLAND)
SONNI MARTINEZ (MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY)
10 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST
CALLUM SMITH
vs
(LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND)
LENIN CASTILLO
(SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
10 X 3 MINS IBF INTERNATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT TITLE
MAXIM PRODAN
vs
(NOVOSELYTSIA, UKRAINE )
FLORIAN MARKU (LUSHNJE, ALBANIA)
10 X 3 MINS WBA INTERCONTINENTAL MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
CHRIS OUSLEY
vs
(CHICAGO, USA)
KHASAN BAYSANGUROV (SAMASHKI , RUSSIA)
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