Week 1 Fight Camp Programme

SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2020

Fight Camp Week One 1st August 2020 Sam Eggington v Ted Cheeseman

Eggington to win

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A WELCOME FROM

EDDIE HEARN

G

ood evening everyone and thanks for tuning in for the big return of boxing on Sky Sports here in the UK and DAZN in the US, live from the Matchroom Boxing Headquarters in Brentwood, Essex. Rule 1 of Fight Camp: NO EASY FIGHTS. At the top of the bill on our opening weekend Sam Eggington puts his IBF International Super-Welterweight Title on the line against Ted Cheeseman in what promises to be an all-out war between two fighters who can’t afford to lose.

Eggington doesn’t know how to take a step backwards and nor does Cheeseman, this has all the makings of a toe-to-toe battle between two of the most ferocious fighters in the domestic 154lbs division.

James Tennyson carries explosive power and the big-hitting Belfast banger has already proved himself to be one of the most clinical finishers in the Lightweight division. He takes on Welshman Gavin Gwynne for the British Title in what could be another barnburner.

Dillian Whyte’s Heavyweight protégé Fabio Wardley has burst onto the scene

with seven consecutive KO wins and now faces the biggest test of his career as he clashes with Middlesbrough hardman Simon Vallily for the English Title.

Sheffield’s most successful amateur boxer of all time Dalton Smith has impressed in the pro game since hanging up his Team GB vest in 2019 and the 23-year-old takes a big leap up in opposition as he looks to impress against Liverpool’s Nathan Bennett in his first eight rounder.

Our opening fight of the night is an electric Featherweight clash between British rivals Jordan Gill and Reece Bellotti. This is an absolute must-win fight for both of these guys who are looking to overcome setbacks in 2019.

Jordan Gill was a rising star and breaking into the world rankings before a shock defeat to Mario Enrique Tinoco in Nottingham last year brought him crashing back down to earth. The slick boxing skills of Gill against the rawness and power of Bellotti – it’s a cracker!

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Sit back and enjoy the fights, it’s good to be back!. ■

Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard (daniel.barnard@matchroom.com) Fighter interviews: Scott Hammerton and Jamie Ward Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Photographs: Mark Robinson Master of Ceremonies: David Diamante

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SAVAGE INTENTIONS

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EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

S

am Eggington says his highlyanticipated showdown with Ted Cheeseman is “all or nothing” for both men as he sets his sights on a World Title Eliminator at 154lbs.

Former European Welterweight Champion Eggington (28-6, 17 KOs) has notched four straight wins since losing to Liam Smith back in March 2019, picking up the IBF International Super-Welterweight Title on away soil against Orlando Fiordigiglio in September.

He puts that belt, along with his No.5 ranking with the IBF, on the line against Cheeseman, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US, knowing that a win could propel him towards a surprise World Title shot and a loss could undo all of his hard work over the past year.

The stakes are equally as high for Cheeseman who finds himself in a must-win situation following two losses and one draw in his last three fights. Everything is on the line for ‘The Big Cheese’ and another loss could prove to be disastrous for his career.

“You only have to watch Ted fight to know that he doesn’t give up when it gets hard,” said Eggington.

“I have full faith in myself and if anyone can make him give up, I’ll be that guy. It’ll be a good fight while it lasts. The way we both fight, it’s going to gel for a war, but I genuinely think I’ve got enough to get the win.

“I’m confident with this fight. Eddie gave me a list of names for potential opponents and we picked him out because it’s a good fight and one we

can win. It’s not a fight that worries me like others might have. I’ll make sure I walk out with the win. Any way, shape or form, I’ll get the win.

“I’ve never been in a position to have an argument for some sort of Eliminator and I think I am now with the IBF belt. That’s the aim once we get past Ted. It’s all or nothing for the both of us.

That’s the way I live in general.

“It’s in the garden and there won’t be a crowd but that doesn’t matter to me. If I’m having a fight and it’s a packedout arena, I want to win that fight. If I’m having a fight in an empty room, I’m having a fight and I still want to win.

I’m going to bite down on my gumshield and do anything I can to win.” ■

“I’M GOING TO BITE DOWN ON MY GUMSHIELD AND DO ANYTHING I CAN TO WIN” 5

RECHARGED AND

REFOCUSED T

ed Cheeseman has promised to use his size and strength to bully a ‘fragile’ Sam Eggington when they clash for the Stourbridge man’s IBF International SuperWelterweight Title at the top of the bill on the opening weekend of Matchroom Fight Camp.

Cheeseman (15-2-1, 9 KOs) is the naturally bigger man who has campaigned at 154lbs his whole professional career since turning over in September 2019, winning the English, WBA International and British Titles along the way.

Eggington’s best wins have come at 147lbs where he was a beast domestically, using his size and punch power to win the Commonwealth and British Titles in 2015, he then stopped Ceferino Rodriguez in ten rounds to earn the European Title in 2017.

A move up to 154lbs saw Eggington notch back-to-back stoppage wins before he suffered a shock TKO defeat to Tanzania’s Hassan Mwakinyo in September 2018. Former World Champion Liam Smith then dominated Eggington en route to a fifth-round stoppage in Liverpool - a loss that Cheeseman has taken confidence from.

“I respect Sam as a fighter,” said Cheeseman. “He’s a really good fighter, but I think he’s a massive Welterweight. I think he’s a fragile Light-Middleweight. When push comes to shove and I stand there and start

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AUGUST 01 2020 | WEEK 1 FIGHT CAMP

“ONE OF MY SHOTS IS GOING TO LAND AND HE’S GOING TO GO”

EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

bullying him and dominating him in the middle of the ring, he hasn’t got a Plan B but I have.

“If it goes wrong for me, I can box. If I start pushing him back and he can’t handle the strength or power, he has to try and fight back. If that isn’t working what does he do next? I know I can box, I’ve got that Plan B. I feel I’m going to be too big and too strong.

“I feel like I’ll get Sam out of there in the later rounds. He’s going to have a go early on but as the rounds go on he’s going to keep on getting hit as his defence is his face. Once I keep hitting him the damage is going to come on top and one of the shots is going to land and he’s going to go.” ■

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BY THE FIGHTERS!

S AT URDAY 1 AUGUST | FIGH T C AMP, ESSE X

THE

ASSASSIN’S J

ames Tennyson believes he has found his perfect weight after moving up to the 135lbs division where he has finished all four of his contests inside the distance in brutal fashion, earning him a shot at the vacant British Lightweight Title against Gavin Gwynne.

The big-hitting Belfast powerhouse (26-3, 22 KOs) was originally scheduled to face Gwynne at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in May before COVID-19 put the sporting world on hold, but now gets the opportunity to make it two KOs in a row over Welsh opponents following his 11th round stoppage win over Craig Evans.

An impressive six-fight unbeaten streak at Super-Featherweight saw ‘The Assassin’ secure his first World Title shot against IBF ruler Tevin Farmer in Boston in October 2018. Tennyson says he suffered badly in attempting to shed weight before the fight and insists

TARGET

he feels much more comfortable at Lightweight as he looks to mount a fresh World Title charge at Matchroom Fight Camp.

“My last few fights at Super-Featherweight were starting to really push me on the weight as the fights went on,” admitted Tennyson.

“Once the

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fight with Tevin Farmer came about it was one fight too many with doing the weight. I’m a natural Lightweight now, it’s not a push or a struggle to do the weight. I’m feeling strong, fit and healthy at the weight. Things have gone from strength-to-strength for me with four straight knockout wins so the move up in weight has done me good.

“Not cutting that extra few pounds is really helping my performances, I’m a lot stronger at the weight which makes a big difference. My record shows that I’m one of the hardesthitting Lightweights in the division at the minute. I prepare for 12 hard rounds, but of course I’ll always be looking for that moment where you can just

end the fight. My experience and my power will be a big factor in the fight. It always presents itself at some stage, it’s just when that opportunity arises, whether it’s round one or round twelve, I’ll pounce on it.

“This is a massive fight for my career. Gavin is a real tough lad. We’re both two come forward fighters and I believe that our styles are going to gel.

It’s going to be a good war and I feel like this is a must-win fight for me. I’ll be ready come fight night. You can’t look past Gavin because he’s a big tough guy but down the line I want another World Title shot. Get this one out of the way and I’ll start chasing down that World Title.” ■

“MY RECORD SHOWS THAT I’M ONE OF THE HARDEST-HITTING LIGHTWEIGHTS IN THE DIVISION”

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EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

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LUCKY G

avin Gwynne is expecting an all-out war when he squares off with Belfast’s big-hitting James Tennyson for the vacant British Lightweight Title.

Gwynne (12-1, 2 KOs) will become the first Welshman to fight since the coronavirus pandemic hit when he attempts to win the prestigious Lord

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EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

Lonsdale Challenge Belt at the second attempt this weekend in the evening’s co-main event.

His first shot at the famous belt came against Cardiff’s Joe Cordina on the undercard of the blockbuster PPV World Title clash between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell at The O2 last August. He fell short in that fight against a slick operator, but the 30-year-old says Tennyson’s aggressive style will play into his hands.

“This has got a war written all over it,” said Gwynne. “I don’t like to take a backwards step and I know Tennyson just comes forward. He’s a massive puncher and I’ve got to use my boxing ability. With Joe it was a totally different fight, I had to go forwards, he’s a lot quicker but Tennyson just holds his feet and just likes to bang away.

“The guys I fight are usually a lot shorter and aren’t as strong as me so I’m the

“THIS HAS GOT A WAR WRITTEN ALL OVER IT” one pushing forward. I think I’m going to stop him late on but I know James is going to be on the front foot and he’s going to be trudging forward trying to take my head clean off. I’m going to show him my boxing ability and show what I can do on my feet. I’ll show him a bit of my power too.

“He’s a really good fighter obviously.

He fought for a World Title a couple of years ago. You don’t get to that level without being a great fighter. I just think I’ve got the beating of him, I really do.

There’s just something inside me telling me that. Nobody is going to beat me on August 1st.” ■

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THRILL J

SEEKER

ordan Gill says his boxing career was close to being KO’d by Thyroid Disease after a nasty battle with the disorder at the back end of last year left the Chatteris talent seriously considering his future in the squared circle.

Gill (24-1, 7 KOs) was riding the crest of a wave having impressed with eye-catching stoppage wins over Ryan Doyle and Emmanuel Dominguez before a shock defeat to Mexico’s Mario Enrique Tinoco at the Nottingham Arena in May signalled the start of a frustrating spell.

The 26-year-old managed to return from his first career loss with a win over Yesner Talavera in Florence, Italy, but his joy was short-lived after he was forced to withdraw from a scheduled bout in December as his health issues worsened.

Having now put his medical issues behind him, ‘The Thrill’ is fully focused on getting a win over British rival Reece Bellotti to catapult himself back to where he was before his loss to Tinoco.

“A lot of people don’t realise how serious the health issues I had were,” explained Gill. “I thought I’d never box again. I thought I’d never be the same again. It turned my boxing life and my personal life upside down. I was struggling with my training, my heart rate was going through the roof. I was

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sweating at night, I was constantly hungry and I had no energy.

“Something had to change so I got a blood test and I was diagnosed. At first I was misdiagnosed so I went through all of the private testing and paid a lot of money for private doctors to give me the correct diagnoses. I’m glad to be putting it behind me because it was a big worry at the time. I thought my life in boxing was over but thankfully we’ve got the all clear and we’re on the mend. I’m back feeling good, back to where I should be.

“IF I ATTACK SOMETHING, I’M ATTACKING IT WITH 100%”

“I thought I was going to have to find something else. I thought I was going to have to find another path in life. For someone that puts 100% into one thing, I put all my eggs in one basket with boxing, it’s a scary thing. That’s the way I live my life. If I attack something, I’m attacking it with 100% and that’s what I do with boxing. To have it possibly being taken away from you is a massive thing.

“I think even without the Thyroid issues I’ve not been in a competitive fight for

EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

a long time, last time I boxed in Italy in a six rounder in September. It’s been a long time out of the ring and people will expect me to be a bit cautious or not be firing on all cylinders. I’ve got no excuses though, I’ve prepared in the best way possible. I’ve been diligent with my training and I’ve left no stone unturned.

I’ve got no excuses and the better man will win on the night.” ■

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CRUNCH

TIME

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EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

“I’VE HAD BUMPS IN THE ROAD, BUT NOW IT’S TIME TO STABILISE AND MOVE FORWARD”

R

eece Bellotti says a win over Jordan Gill will fire him back into title contention in the Featherweight division.

Bellotti (14-3, 12 KOs), a former Commonwealth Featherweight Champion, suffered the third loss of his career when he challenged Francesco Grandelli for the WBC International Silver Title in Trento, Italy, in November last year.

The South Oxhey fighter lost to a split decision in the bout with the current Italian Featherweight Champion, but now has a shot a redemption when he takes on Chatteris talent Gill over ten rounds in the Matchroom HQ garden.

“I think a win over Jordan catapults me up to where I was before I took my first loss,” said Bellotti. “He beat Ryan Doyle in good fashion and obviously Doyle beat me. If I beat him it puts me back up to where I want to be, and will help right a few wrongs in my career.

“It’s a massive fight for me to climb back up the ladder and get back into the mix. It’s make or break, 100%.

I’ve got to beat people like Jordan if I want to get to where I want to be. I’ve had bumps in the road, but now it’s time to stabilise and move forward.

“I’m pushing 30 now, I’m not a prospect anymore. I’m a father and a husband, I have a new drive and I have to provide. It would be difficult for me to come back from a loss. I have to bite down on my gumshield, walk him down and break him down. People say he’ll outbox me, but I’ve got the ‘equalizer’.” ■

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HEAVY

DUTY F

abio Wardley says he will “finish off” Simon Vallily early on in their tenround clash for the vacant English Heavyweight Title Dillian Whyte’s fast-rising Heavyweight protégé (8-0, 7 KOs) has impressed with seven consecutive knockouts since making his professional debut at the famous York Hall in April 2017, with four of those knockouts coming inside the opening round.

Prior to signing a management deal with ‘The Body Snatcher’, Wardley had grown frustrated with a lack of opportunities on the big stage, but the Suffolk-born prospect burst onto the Heavyweight scene at The O2 in December 2018 with a third-round stoppage victory on the undercard of Whyte’s brawl with Derek Chisora.

The 25-year-old talent believes he is ready to stamp his mark on the thriving domestic blue-ribbon division and plans on winning his first professional Title in style against 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vallily before turning his attention to more belts.

“It’s nice to have someone in the opposite corner that has that bit between their teeth and is coming in to win,” said Wardley.

“Nobody has really been able to see how I react when someone is actually coming towards me. It’s always been me pressing the fight and the action. It will be nice to show that other side to me, that I can counter, I can return and I can go toe-totoe with someone if they want it.

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EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

“I’m liking that Simon is saying he’s back in a good place because that means when I get the win nobody can take anything away from me. Simon is a really good contender, he’s a good fighter and he’s got a good pedigree.

That’s everything that I need, I want to prove myself against someone that has got a good background.

“We’ll tee off on each other at the start. I think there will be that element of trying to figure out who is going to control this fight and who is going to take the centre of the ring. I’ll slow the pace down, I’ll pick it apart a bit and then I’ll take my chance when it comes and I’ll finish it up early.

“He’ll look at me as the new guy. I’m younger and I’m fresher, he’ll think I’m more naive to boxing. I think he’ll want to stamp his authority early on and really put the pressure on me and show me that he’s the old dog, the veteran in

“HE’LL TRY AND PUT IT ON ME BUT SOMETIMES YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS” the game. He’ll try and put it on me but sometimes you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

“Simon is here to put on a good show and come and test me but ultimately I’m here for the win, I’m here to take someone out. I’m proven to knock people out, whether I break them down or whether it be a single punch.

Unfortunately for Simon it’s his last chance but he’s going to be on the other end of that and I’m getting my hand raised and I’m moving on to bigger things.” ■

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LOCKED “UNFORTUNATELY FOR FABIO, THIS IS MY COMING OUT PARTY AND NOT HIS”

S

imon Vallily is determined to inflict a first career defeat on Dillian Whyte’s Heavyweight protégé Fabio Wardley when they collide for the vacant English Title.

The 2010 Commonwealth Gold Medallist has let himself down a few times during his 20-fight professional career, particularly in 2018. First, he was on his way to lifting the English Cruiserweight Title only to lose his discipline and end up drawing with Arfan Iqbal. Later in the year, he turned up at the Newcastle Arena over the Cruiserweight Championship weight limit and was stopped by Craig Glover.

While his career was not over, it was hanging by a loose thread. But the 34-year-old talent has re-invented himself as a Heavyweight and is currently undefeated in four fights,

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IN reeling off stoppage wins over Jone Volau, Dorian Darch and Erik Nazaryan before a points verdict over Phil Williams in December.

“10oz gloves and no headguards, believe me it’s a whole different ball game,” said Vallily. “It’s going to be a big eye-opener for him. I’ve had a look at him, and you can see he’s got a bit of talent. He’s tricky, he’s fresh, he’s going to come and he’s going to be fit.

“It’s going to be a really good fight but totally disregard my professional career to this point because to be honest with you it’s been a total shambles. This is where it starts now and unfortunately for Fabio, this is my coming out party and not his. He’s not going to see the final bell. Sorry Fabio, but you’re going to sleep mate!” ■

EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

THUNDER

STEPS UP D

alton Smith, Sheffield’s most successful amateur boxer ever, only has eyes for the future as he prepares to take the biggest step up in his pro career to date when he fights Liverpool’s Nathan Bennett over eight rounds.

In a glittering amateur career, Smith established himself as one of the very best fighters in the country, winning medals at the Junior European Championships and youth Commonwealth Games, as well as representing Team GB around the World and taking on the very best amateurs on the planet in the World Series of Boxing.

Since swapping his Team GB vest for the paid ranks with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in March 2019, Smith has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the UK, winning all five of his bouts in impressive fashion and stopping all but one opponent inside the distance.

“My dad got a trophy cabinet for me to keep all of my medals and trophies together,” said Smith. “I used to come back from a tournament and my dad would stack my medals in there.

The trophies go back to when I was eleven when I first started competing.

It’s nice to look back on my past achievements. It’s something to show

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“THE AMATEURS ARE IN THE PAST, SUCCESS IN THE PROFESSIONAL GAME IS MY NEW GOAL” your kids when you get older.

“I won National Titles all the way up to the Seniors. Just before I turned professional, I won the Senior ABA’s.

I had a good amateur career so it’s nice to see all of my medals and look back on them but I’m in the professional game now and I’ve got new goals to achieve. I’ll have to get a new trophy cabinet now to stick the belts in. The amateurs are in the past, success in the professional game is my new goal.” ■

EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

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athan Bennett says he is ready to seize a “once in a lifetime” opportunity when he takes on highly-rated Matchroom prospect Dalton Smith over eight rounds.

Trained by former professional Light-Middleweight boxer Steve Harkin, Bennett (9-1, 2 KOs) has fought exclusively in his home city of Liverpool since making his professional debut with a 40-36 points win over Lithuania’s Andrej Cepur at the BT Convention Centre in November 2017.

Despite having only fought on nontelevised small hall shows up until this point, the Steve Wood-managed fighter insists he won’t be overawed when he squares off with Sheffield’s

most successful amateur of all time in the unique and breathtaking outdoor setting at Matchroom HQ. “It’s an ask but I’m definitely capable of beating him or I wouldn’t have taken the fight,” said Bennett. “I was driving in my car when I got a phone call off my manager Steve Wood and he said ‘what do you reckon on this Dalton Smith?’. I just told him to make the fight.

“They’re all 50-50 fights on every show otherwise they wouldn’t have put them on. It’s great exposure for me. I don’t think this will ever happen again. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and it will be watched all around the world. This is my opportunity. This was meant to be for me. There’s no expectations of me but I’ve got expectations of myself.” ■

UNDERDOG “IT’S A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY AND IT WILL BE WATCHED ALL AROUND THE WORLD”

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AUGUST 01 2020 | WEEK 1 FIGHT CAMP

EGGINGTON VS CHEESEMAN

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12 X 3 MINS IBF INTERNATIONAL SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

SAM EGGINGTON

vs

TED CHEESEMAN

(STOURBRIDGE) (BERMONDSEY)

12 X 3 MINS VACANT BRITISH LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

JAMES TENNYSON

vs

GAVIN GWYNNE

(BELFAST) (TREHARRIS)

10 X 3 MINS VACANT ENGLISH HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

FABIO WARDLEY

vs

(IPSWICH)

SIMON VALLILY (MIDDLESBROUGH)

8 X 3 MINS SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST

DALTON SMITH

vs

NATHAN BENNETT

(SHEFFIELD) (LIVERPOOL)

10 X 3 MINS FEATHERWEIGHT CONTEST

JORDAN GILL

vs

REECE BELLOTTI

(CHATTERIS) (WATFORD)