Wood vs Lara Official Interactive Digital Programme

A WELCOME FROM EDDIE HEARN

Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara has all the ingredients to be Fight of the Year. We saw Leigh in the Fight of the Year at this very arena last year as he defended his WBA Featherweight World Title against Michael Conlan in stunning fashion, and I think tonight could possibly be the best fight this city has ever seen. It’s so unusual to see a defending World Champion in his hometown be nearly a three to one outsider in a voluntary defence. Leigh Wood picked Mauricio Lara. Many people accused him of ducking Lara following his injury, but he picked him again. Ben Davison and Leigh believe they can do a job on him.

Lara is convinced that he will walk straight through Wood in his backyard. It is going to be an absolute thriller. For me this is to determine the number one fighter in the 126lbs division. There’s going to be drama, there’s going to be excitement and there’s going to be plenty of violence. We cannot wait.

Our ambition for Dalton Smith is to see him become a World Champion at 140lbs. The first step is to win that beautiful Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt outright and put it on his wall at home. We’ll then move to European and world level. The building process of Dalton Smith as a star fighter is underway.

It’s Billy Allington tonight for his second defence and if he comes through this fight he’ll be headlining back at the Sheffield Arena in April to win the belt outright. Billy gets the opportunity of

a lifetime on the big stage and he’ll be giving it his all to upset the applecart and put his name in the history books.

Gary Cully is in a big fight on the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 Dublin card on May 20 that we’re discussing at the moment. He’ll be wanting to go through Wilfredo Flores quickly and without any injuries or cuts to make sure that he’s good for May. Flores is coming off a good win and he’s up for it. Cully is a fantastic fighter and I think if he can come through in style tonight we’ll definitely see him back in Ireland for what will be an historic night of boxing.

Big Cheavon Clarke is in a tough fight against Panama’s Israel Duffus, former European SuperBantamweight Champion Gamal Yafai fights for the first time under new trainer Jamie Moore, Commonwealth medal man Aaaron Bowen makes his pro debut, Junaid Bostan goes for another knockout and there’s early action for Kieron Conway and Sam Maxwell.

Everyone at Matchroom Boxing is deeply saddened at the sudden passing of respected journalist and family man Ron Lewis last Friday. Ron was front and centre at our Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin press conference the day before he passed, and we spoke at length. He was inquisitive as ever but always fair. Ron was a very nice man who was respected and liked by everyone in the boxing industry, and he will be hugely missed by all of us. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. ■

Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard

Contributors: Chris McKenna and Elliot Foster

Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com)

Cover: Adam Insam

Photographs: Mark Robinson Master of Ceremonies: David Diamante

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

Leigh Wood has promised to meet Mauricio Lara “in the middle of the ring” and has boldly predicted that their highly anticipated WBA Featherweight World Title clash here at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham this evening won’t reach the halfway point.

Nottingham’s ‘Leigh-thal’ (26-2, 16 KOs) returns to the scene of his stunning 12th round knockout win over Ireland’s Michael Conlan last March to put his WBA crown on the line for the second time against a man few have opted to face – Mexico City’s dangerous knockout artist Lara (25-2-1, 18 KOs).

‘Bronco’ arrives on these shores for the third time with a fearsome reputation, having famously wiped-out former IBF Featherweight World Champion Josh Warrington in nine rounds in a sensational upset behind closed doors in February 2021, ending the Leeds fighter’s unbeaten record.

Wood, who picked up multiple Fight of the Year awards for his sensational scrap with Conlan, has accused Lara of making things personal between them following his injury jibes, and the 34-year-old believes he can expose his opponent’s weaknesses on the biggest stage of all.

“From the outside looking in he looks very dangerous,” admitted Wood. “He got that devastating win over Josh Warrington. There’s a lot of things he does well and he is dangerous, but in the same hand there’s a lot of things that he does very poorly. You can’t get away with that at this level with the right fighter.

“He doesn’t have to come looking for me, I’m going to be right in front of him. I’ll meet him in the middle of the ring. When he walks into the ring he’s going to be met with a very hostile crowd. No one is going to walk into Nottingham and walk through me – it’s not going to happen. I can’t see it reaching the halfway point, and I will win by knockout.

“I’LL MEET HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING”

“There was never going to be another fight. It was always going to be Mauricio Lara next. He’s said a few things which made it quite personal. He said that I faked my injury and he said that all the English are running away scared.”

Victory tonight potentially sets up a dream World Title defence for Gedling’s Wood at the City Ground – home to his beloved Nottingham Forest Football Club. The chance to become the first ever fighter to headline at the famous old stadium gives Wood all of the extra motivation he needs.

“Over the years things change, you don’t always want what you wanted when you started. Some things do stay the same. It was winning the British Title, boxing for and hopefully winning a World Title and the third thing is to fight at the City Ground. Now I’ve just got one more thing to do – win this fight and I believe it’s done. “The people down at the ground have really got behind me my past few fights. It’s going to be a special atmosphere this fight. It’s going to be even better. Last time it was split with the Nottingham lot and the Irish – this time it’s predominantly going to be the Nottingham fans. They’ll be singing and making lots of noise – it’s going to be lifting.” ■

BRONCO

Mauricio Lara has warned Leigh Wood that if he switches off during their WBA Featherweight World Title showdown here in Nottingham “the fight will be over quickly”.

Mexico’s Lara (25-2-1, 18 KOs) has waited patiently for his first World Title shot following his brilliant win over ‘The Leeds Warrior’ Josh Warrington back in February 2021 – a win that would have seen him crowned the new IBF 126lbs king if Warrington had not vacated his title a month prior to their behind closed doors clash.

‘Bronco’, who is the much younger man of the two aged 24, believes his 34-yearold opponent has a lot of miles on the clock following his breath-taking back and forth battle with Ireland’s Michael Conlan in March last year – the defending champion hasn’t fought since.

“It was a tough fight – we know that he’s damaged coming into this fight, but he’s coming to defend his title and that’s what I want,” said Lara. “I’m grateful to him for taking this fight. We know nobody wants to face me at 126lbs for a World Title but this one will happen, and we know what we are capable of doing.

“We know it’s a big fight. We know it’s the acid test. We know Leigh Wood is a great champion but I have big aspirations and a great desire to become World Champion and as I’ve said, whatever it takes, I have to do it this time.

“We know he’s a great fighter but it’s going to be

“IT WON’T GO BEYOND THE FIFTH”

a really tough fight for him. We know how we’re preparing, we’ve caused an upset before in his country and it will be the same on February 18. Believe me, if he switches off, the fight will be over quickly. It won’t go beyond the fifth.”

Warrington will be keeping a close eye on tonight’s X-rated clash, and has been touted to face the winner, despite losing his IBF Title to Luis Alberto Lopez last December. The 32-year-old Yorkshireman has picked Wood to beat Lara, but the big-hitting knockout artist isn’t bothered in the slightest.

“Well, what can someone who got knocked out in 9 rounds have to say? Who got his jaw fractured, his shoulder and elbow damaged. Chickens always criticise people but he knows ‘Bronco’ Lara is coming for him and I will destroy him.” ■

REMEMBERING RON

BY CHRIS MCKENNA

One of the sad things about life is that we often don’t show our true appreciation for someone when they’re alive. Sometimes it is not until they pass when the tributes come along via articles like this or, now in the modern world, on social media, podcasts and YouTube.

We take people for granted. We just expect them to be there and to keep doing what they did brilliantly. Never has this felt more appropriate than with Ron Lewis.

Ron passed away last Friday, February 10, suddenly at the age of just 54.

He was the long-time Times boxing correspondent and, in the last four years, an indemand freelance reporter for many publications including Boxing Scene.

That statement goes nowhere close to describing his impact on the sport which he had worked in for more than 30 years and been a fan of for many more.

As Boxing News editor Matt Christie wrote so eloquently in his obituary, the outpouring of love

over the last week was akin to a legendary fighter passing on.

Ron is a legend, too, of course. He was a legend of boxing, he was a legend of journalism and he was a legend of a friend.

He brought a friendly face, an outstretched hand to be shaken and a “Hello Sir” with a boyish grin every time he met you.

Ron had so many friends who were left shaken to the core when they heard the news last Friday.

He has been a mainstay of the British boxing press pack for so long and he covered a sport he absolutely adored. It was a sport he pushed for more coverage of wherever he worked. You know many of the characters in boxing today thanks to Ron’s reporting.

He first wrote about boxing as a teenager in the late 1980s as he filed articles for Boxing News.

Ron went on to the Hounslow Chronicle and then weekend shifts as a sub-editor at the Guardian and the Daily Mail where he first put down roots into the national newspaper world.

The Times was his next stop where he began as

“HE WAS A LEGEND OF BOXING, HE WAS A LEGEND OF JOURNALISM AND HE WAS A LEGEND OF A FRIEND”

a sub-editor before becoming the boxing and athletics correspondent for 17 years. There he would shine and emerge as one of the leading voices of this sport during which he covered three Olympic Games and world title fights all over the world. He covered it all in the sport from the biggest and richest fights in history to local amateur shows.

Ron was as happy talking to a rising young amateur as he was Floyd Mayweather. The days in GB Boxing’s Sheffield gym ahead of world championships, Commonwealth Games or Olympic Games were a joy to be in his company as he walked around interviewing young boxer after young boxer so he would be one of the first to tell their story. He was someone who you listened to because he knew what he was talking about and he was someone who you wondered what he was thinking when he wasn’t speaking. But he never grew a big ego despite how revered he was.

Ron was loyal to one of the great rules of journalism; stick to writing the story, don’t become it.

He was fair with his questioning and reporting, but he would hold the sport to account as he wasn’t one to curry favour with promoters, managers, fighters or trainers.

Ron was welcoming to young journalists who had a passion to write about the sport if he could see they had boxing’s best intentions at heart. Most of us sat ringside tonight here in Nottingham owe him a debt of gratitude.

He unearthed exclusive stories, he wrote interesting interviews and he crafted fight reports which painted the picture so brilliantly for readers while also giving his honest account of proceedings.

Ron had a great skill of opening up people, too. One of the best interviews we have done as a boxing pack with Anthony Joshua came just days before his win over Wladimir Klitschko.

“HE WAS SOMEONE WHO YOU LISTENED TO BECAUSE HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT”

We sat in a dressing room of Wembley Arena as Joshua prepared for a public workout and we wondered what we could ask him to give us an interesting feature for a preview that weekend in the national newspapers.

Ron, knowing Joshua so well, knew to get the Finchley favourite to talk about the Wembley area he’d often frequented as a teenager. What followed was 15 minutes of great anecdotes about Joshua going to the markets with his friends to buy fake designer belts. Perfect fodder for us to write about the man who was going for real gold in the national stadium that weekend and we all filed out of the room so thankful to Ron.

Ron followed Joshua from his amateur days, and he told the Times in 2011 that he simply must travel to Baku for the World Championships.

GB Boxing had a great team full of potential medal winners, he told them. He implored they would be winning gold a year later in London. How right he was and, of course, the star of that team was the big man Joshua.

Ron was there for his silver in Baku, his gold in London, his IBF title win over Charles Martin, his Wembley epic with Klitschko, Joseph Parker in Cardiff, the night he regained the belts against

Andy Ruiz Jnr in Saudi and for both Oleksandr Usyk nights as well as many more.

He was also there last Thursday in Syon Park as Joshua announced his comeback clash with Jermaine Franklin in April. He’d have been there that night, too.

Ron was fantastic company covering this sport. You could always tap into his knowledge and also enjoy his sharp wit and company over a meal, vegetarian of course, or a pint.

If he was here tonight, he wouldn’t just be rolling in for the main event like some.

He’d have been in early to check on how Gamal Yafai’s rebuilding is going, he’d have wanted to see if Gary Cully is worth the fuss that’s been made of him and if Dalton Smith has what it takes to be British boxing’s next star.

It will be strange not to see him in the media seats.

We will be worse off without his company. Ron Lewis leaves behind his wife Ellie, son Stanley and daughter Polly. They’ve lost a great husband and father but hopefully one day all the tributes will be comforting for them.

They will miss him, we will miss him and boxing will miss him. ■

“RON FOLLOWED JOSHUA FROM HIS AMATEUR DAYS, AND HE TOLD THE TIMES IN 2011 THAT HE SIMPLY MUST TRAVEL TO BAKU FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS”

THUNDER

Sheffield Super-Lightweight star Dalton Smith can take another step closer to winning the prestigious British Title outright when he makes the second defence of his belt against Billy Allington tonight.

One of the hottest young properties in world boxing, ‘Thunder’ (13-0, 10 KOs) enjoyed a stellar 2022, winning all four of his fights in impressive fashion and picking up the WBC International Silver and British Super-Lightweight Titles to further cement himself as a World Champion in waiting.

In what is sure to be his first headline fight of many at the Utilita Arena Sheffield, Smith landed the prestigious Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt by outclassing and finishing local rival Sam O’maison in six rounds to collect his fourth pro title in August.

The 26-year-old former amateur sensation rounded off an incredible 2022 by successfully defending his British 140lbs crown for the first time against Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin at Manchester Arena last November and 2023 promises to be an even bigger year for the Sheffield Wednesday fanatic.

“The British Title has a lot of history,” said Smith. “Every British fighter wants it and I’ve always said I want the British Title for keeps. I think it was after the O’maison win when I got home and I was looking at the belt and that’s when it hit me, what I’d achieved. That’s when it really hit me. I remember watching the ringwalk back thinking, ‘wow’, if that’s what I can do in my first headliner then there’s going to be some special nights coming.

“Billy Allington is my next opponent. Billy is experienced, he’s durable and I’m expecting him to be fit, he’s got a good work rate. I just feel Billy will struggle with the movement, the angles, the power and the speed. I think slowly over the rounds he’ll run out of ideas. The British Title is definitely staying with me. The longer the fight goes on the more I’ll suss him out. I’m very confident I can get this one finished within the distance.” Smith put pen to paper on a new multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in December that will see him fight exclusively on DAZN in 2023. The former Team GB standout, who is managed by STN Sports, believes he has the perfect team behind him to help push him towards the very top of the 140lbs division. “When my contract was up everyone was on me,”

“THE BRITISH TITLE IS DEFINITELY STAYING WITH ME”

said Smith. “There was a lot of attention, and a lot of promoters were after me. It was nice to see because it proved my name is getting out there and I’m showing people what Dalton Smith is about. The top promoters are wanting me in their stables so it shows that the hard work is paying off.

“The team that Matchroom have behind them, that’s where I’ve been since I had my debut in Nottingham. It’s not just Eddie and Frank, it filters down to the media team, the ticket girls and that. Everyone gets on and has a good time. I’ve got one of the best teams in boxing, and that’s their job to go out and do their best for me and that’s what they’re doing.

“The nights I’ve dreamt of are within touching distance for me now. For 18 months I’ve got to work hard. I always work hard but this is the most crucial time for me in my career. If you want something, this is how it is. It’s true grit and hard work. I believe I’ve got the talent. I believe I’m going to be up there with the very best Sheffield has produced. So I’ve got to handle that pressure. There’s some big nights coming.” ■

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Billy Allington has his biggest opportunity to date tonight.

The 28-year-old Londoner takes on Dalton Smith for the British Super-Lightweight Title.

Allington doesn’t have a perfect record, he has one which currently sits at 10-1-4, but he hopes that he will be able to add to it with the largest statement of his career: a win against the undefeated Sheffield star.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be here,” he said about taking the fight. “I’ve got a lot of people that want to see me do well and that’s a blessing in itself. I’m very well prepared. I’ve earned my stripes on the small hall shows.

I’m excited to be here and challenge myself to be the best that I can be.”

Allington is a former Southern Area Champion and has also previously held the English Title once in the possession of tonight’s opponent Smith, who has a record of 13-0 with all but three coming inside the distance.

“I’ve got a great team and I’m very grateful for that,” he added.

“The magnitude of this event is very exciting. If you’d have asked me when I was a 13-year-old boy if I’d make it to where I am now I’d have probably said, ‘I don’t know’.

“I’m ready to take my opportunity with both hands and become the new British Champion. It’s an honour to fight for the title and I’m more than capable of upsetting the odds here. I believe in myself, my team believe in me and this is why we’re here. We’re here for a reason.

“Dalton is a good fighter, I’m not going to say he isn’t, but as a champion we want to fight other champions and challenge ourselves to get the best out of ourselves.” ■

THE DIVA

Ireland’s Gary Cully is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting Lightweight talents on the planet and the 27-year-old from Naas has promised to deliver more entertainment tonight as he takes on undefeated New Yorker Wilfredo Flores for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Title. Cully kicked off a memorable 2022 by earning an impressive fifth-round stoppage win over Mexico’s former IBF Lightweight World Champion Miguel Vazquez on the undercard of Leigh Wood’s brilliant World Title win over Michael Conlan at tonight’s venue back in March last year.

‘The Diva’, who fights out of the Colosseum Gym and Unit 3 Fitness under the guidance of trainers Pete Taylor and Niall Barrett, then put pen to paper on a promotional deal with Matchroom in August before claiming a stunning first-round knockout win over Jaouad Belmehdi at Wembley’s OVO Arena in October.

“I’ve been gaining a lot of momentum,” said Cully. “I’m here and I’m back in Nottingham, it’s good vibes for me. I was here last year fighting Miguel Vazquez – 2022 was kind of my breakout year but I feel like I’ve been putting in performances like that over the past five years of my career.

“I’ve fought undefeated guys, I’ve had my step ups, I’ve fought my former World Champions and all of this. I believe it’s a big step up for Wilfredo Flores and he’s going to be out of his depth on Saturday night. Too good, too big and too strong. “2023 is my year. There’s lots of talk about going back to Ireland and fighting back at home. It’s been a dream of mine to fight back in Ireland ever since I was a kid so I’ve been using that as massive motivation for this camp and to push that little bit harder.

“This is the year where I really become a star and become a name in world boxing. A big aim of

“I BRING EXCITEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT EVERY TIME”

mine this year is to fight on the undercard of the big Katie Taylor rematch with Amanda Serrano in Dublin on May 20. Hopefully all going well tonight that gets over the line and I’ll be in a position for a big fight on that card.

“There are some big fights coming at the back end of 2023 for me if I get through tonight. I come to bring excitement and entertainment every time I fight. I heard Chev Clarke say he doesn’t go in there to knock people out he goes in there to box, but I come in to take your head off and it’s going to be no different tonight. No disrespect to Wilfredo Flores but I believe I’m on a different level and I’m coming in there to take his head off.” ■

EL BRAVO VEGA

Wilfredo Flores has the opportunity to upset the applecart tonight –– and it’s a big one.

The Puerto Rican-born American is 33 and will take on Gary Cully for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Title. Cully, 27, is a slick Irish southpaw who was last in the ring in October last year. He is undefeated in 15 with nine quick, but Flores is out to show that he is made of different stuff, potentially pouring water over the plan for Cully to fight on the big May 20 card in Dublin, headlined by the Undisputed Lightweight Championship rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, with a win.

“I’m very excited,” said Flores. “Hopefully I can come away with the victory and come away with some fans in the UK. This is my opportunity to showcase myself and who I am to the world. I’m looking forward to it.”

Flores is 10-0-1 with five early and won the WBA Fedecentro Title last time out with a dominant 10-round points win over Victor Betancourt Jr. He has previously boxed outside of the States just once and the Irish contingent in support of his foe Cully may well shock him –– but he believes the fight as a whole will be a barnstormer.

“This is an opportunity that comes with working hard. I have a good work ethic and it’s embedded in me to continue to progress and showcase my hard work,” he added.

“I expect Gary to be well prepared and ready to go to war. I certainly am.

“This is a sport. We’re both very competitive fighters and I’m sure we’re going to steal the show.” ■

BIG CHEV

Cheavon Clarke is class both inside and outside of the ring.

The 32-year-old is based in Kent but began life in Montego Bay in Jamaica.

Clarke won a bronze medal, competing for England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and went on to follow that with a bronze at the European Games in Belarus for Team GB.

He has made a blistering start to life in the paid code, racking up four wins since leaving behind the amateur vest and headguard. And it seemed that he would move to the next stage of his career tonight, with an English Title eliminator against Dec Spelman scheduled, but Spelman was unfortunately forced to retire earlier this month.

“First and foremost, I’d like to mention Dec Spelman,” said Clarke. “It’s really bad for him not being able to provide for his family doing something that he’s always done.”

It’s devastating news for Spelman, who announced the news on Instagram, writing: “My career as a professional boxer is finished… I am no longer allowed to continue my journey.

“It’s a hard knock to take as I’ve done everything I could to see if there is anything I can do but it’s just not possible.”

“THERE’S PLENTY OF GOOD FIGHTS OUT THERE FOR ME”

The winner of their clash had been set to fight for an English Title later this year –– a belt that is currently held by Joel McIntyre. But Clarke knows that his time will come ––even if he has to wait a little while longer.

“I’ve got a tough opponent and I’m looking forward to putting on a show,” he added. That tough opponent is Israel Duffus. Duffus is America-based but originally from Panama and has a respectable record of 20-8 with all but three of his wins coming inside the distance. He hasn’t boxed for over a year and although Clarke has won all of his fights by stoppage, he is insistent that he is still learning on the job.

“I don’t go out there trying to stop people,” he added. “I go out there and I try to box. When the opportunities come, I take them. If you guys think that’s exciting, I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing. There’s plenty of good fights out there for me.” ■

THE BEAST

Gamal Yafai is back in the ring tonight under the tutelage of a new training team.

The former European Super-Bantamweight Champion has been out of action since stopping Sean Cairns inside four rounds last June.

Yafai took on the Liverpudlian in what was set to be an eight-round contest in Cardiff, as part of the supporting cast to Joe Cordina’s epic stoppage win over Kenichi Ogawa to win the IBF SuperFeatherweight crown and he ended the fight halfway through.

That win was under Spencer McCracken and since then, Yafai –– who is nicknamed ‘The Beast’ and has a record of 19-2 with 11 quick –– has moved gyms and is now trained by Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis.

“I’m looking forward to getting in there and doing the job,” said Yafai, who meets Diego Alberto Ruiz (23-6-1, 12 KOs) over 10 rounds.

“I’ve enjoyed the move to Jamie Moore’s gym, it has been good. I feel like I’ve got some structure now in my life.”

Ruiz is 28 and will be known to British fans for having been in the ring with Michael Conlan, Jack Bateson, Shabaz Masoud and Lee McGregor. He’s coming into the fight on the back of a defeat at the hands of Thato Bonokoane in South Africa over 12 rounds but Yafai is keen to move on with his career ––starting with a win against the Argentine. “I’m looking forward to showing [my improvements]. I want to push towards the world level again.” ■

THE PRO DEBUT

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Aaron Bowen makes his highly anticipated professional debut tonight after penning a multifight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in December.

The popular 24-year-old from Coventry enjoyed a hugely successful amateur career, becoming a five-time national champion, picking up gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017 and winning a bronze medal in the Light-Heavyweight division at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

First up on his professional journey is a scheduled six-round contest at Middleweight against Frenchman Mathieu Gomes, and Bowen is looking to impress on Matchroom’s first show of the year in the UK.

“I feel like I’ve done all I can in my amateur career,” said Bowen. “I’ve boxed all around the country and all around the world against good opposition and picked up some great experience. I just feel like now is the right time to turn professional.

“Matchroom are the biggest promotional outfit in the world at the moment. They put on the biggest shows, promote the best fighters and I feel like they can really push my career and push me to where I want to be in the future.

“I’ve boxed some good opposition, Olympians,

“I FIGHT TO THE LAST BELL”

National Champions, and I’ve sparred the likes of World Champions throughout my career. It will be a different transition but one that I’m ready for. I feel like I’ve picked up good experience to take into the pros.”

Training out of the Box Smart Elite Boxing Club in Walsall under the watchful eye of trainer Gurpreet Singh, Bowen has already amassed an impressive loyal following and the former Team GB standout believe his fan-friendly style will be well suited to the paid ranks.

“I feel I’ve got a box-fighter style; I can fight and I can box,” said Bowen. “I do like to fight, and as a pro the fans want to see fights. I can take one to give two back. That can set me up well for the pros. I’ve got 75 fights under my belt and I’ve learnt in every single one.

“I’ve got massive support. I’ve got a big following from Coventry and the Midlands area. I come to win every time and I fight to the last bell. I think the people from Coventry love that. It’s a small city and they get behind their people so it’s good signing with Eddie.

“It’s a win-win for both of us, Eddie likes big followings and my fans want to come and watch me on the big shows. I think this will be a good recipe for success. I want to have massive nights, whether it be London or Coventry. I want to sell an arena out. I want a 12-round war as well. I like fighting, so I want to give the fans what they want to see.” ■

HEAVY HITTER

Junaid Bostan may well be just four fights into his professional career but he is already making waves.

The 20-year-old from Rotherham has boxed on three Matchroom shows since turning professional and will tonight make his fourth appearance on DAZN.

Bostan, who has stopped all of his opponents to date, steps up to eight-round level against Peter Kramer.

Kramer will be known to British fans as the man who was stopped by Josh Kelly, the current British Super-Welterweight champion, in Liverpool last June. And Bostan is eager to do a similar –– if not better –– job on the 32-yearold Hungarian as the flashy former European Welterweight Title challenger. “It’s my first eight-rounder,” said Bostan. “Whether it goes eight rounds is a completely different thing. I’m looking to do a number of this guy and carry on progressing in my career.”

Bostan was a two-time National Amateur Champion and spent his earliest boxing years training under the late Brendan Ingle before teaming up with Grant Smith –– who he trains with alongside British Super-Lightweight Champion Dalton Smith –– at the age of 12. “Funnily enough I wasn’t known as the biggest puncher in the amateurs, but now I’ve turned over, I’m knocking everyone out,” he added. “I’m not complaining. It isn’t deliberate but you don’t get paid for overtime. If you can get them out of there then why not?”

Bostan has boxed on TV undercards for the majority of his career and he believes he’s made for it –– and, ultimately, that closed mouths don’t get fed.

“If you don’t ask, you don’t get, so I’ve got to ask about getting on these big shows.” ■

TOO CLASS CONWAY

“Nice guys finish last…” That’s the saying, isn’t it? Well, if it’s not, it’s one that Kieron Conway isn’t keen to continue hearing.

The Northampton fighter has challenged for the British Title at super-Welterweight, as well as the WBA Intercontinental bauble and the WBA International crown up at Middleweight. He was last in the ring last September when he was on the wrong end of a 10-round decision against rising American star Austin Williams.

But Conway, who faces Jorge Silva over eight rounds tonight, is hoping to be back in the big leagues sooner rather than later.

“It’s good to be on a card so early in the year. I need to put my foot on the gas and get my career back on track,” he said. “I want to use this year to rebuild. I want to keep all of my fights here in the UK. I want to win a British Title I don’t care who’s got that. I want to go and win that next and move back on to the world scene after that.”

Having campaigned at both 154 pounds and 160lbs, Conway, who is nicknamed ‘Too Class’ and is 26, can target both divisions, but is more likely to have Denzel Bentley in his sights. Bentley, from Battersea, still holds the Lonsdale belt after being beaten by Janibek Alimkhanuly in a challenge for the Kazakh’s WBO World Title at middleweight last November.

And Conway is interested in getting back to the top table, starting with an inside-thedistance win.

“I’ve beat high level opposition and I’ve been around high-level opposition,” he added. “I’m just sick of being known as this nice guy in and out the ring, now I’m coming here to destroy and bring knockouts to the table.” ■

SUPER SAM

Sam Maxwell returns to the ring tonight after nearly 10 months out.

The Liverpool-based Super-Lightweight holds the Commonwealth crown in the division. Maxwell, 34, has a record of 16-1 with 11 quick finishes, but he has been inactive since losing by stoppage at the hands of Alejandro Meneses. ‘Super’ Sam took on the 32-year-old Mexican at the M&S Bank Arena on Merseyside last April and was down twice before being halted inside nine rounds as the pair vied for the then-vacant IBO Title in the 10-stone weight class.

Meneses is due back in action next month, when he faces undefeated Kazakh Zankosh Turarov in a defence of his title in Almaty, but it’s Maxwell who is back first –– and he’s back with a renewed vigour and hoping to land big domestic fights.

“I’ve got a job to do,” said Maxwell, whose comeback takes place at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, as part of the supporting cast to Leigh Wood’s second defence of the WBA Featherweight Title against Meneses’ fellow Mexican Mauricio Lara. “[I need to] get through that and let’s see what we can do after.”

Maxwell is in a red-hot division on a national level, one which is occupied by the current British king Dalton Smith among others. And it’s Smith (13-0, 10 KOs), who is also on this card, making the second defence of his Lonsdale belt against Billy Allington, that Maxwell has in his sights going forward.

“Dalton Smith is a fight I’m interested in,” Maxwell, who faces Shaun Cooper over six rounds, said during fight week, “and that’s the fight I want. “Touch wood, we both come through and we can get it on.” ■

12 X 3 MINS WBA FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

LEIGH MAURICIO WOOD vs LARA

(NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND) (MEXICO CITY, MEXICO)

12 X 3 MINS BRITISH SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

DALTON SMITH vs BILLY ALLINGTON (SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND) (EGHAM, ENGLAND)

10 X 3 MINS WBA INTERCONTINENTAL LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

GARY CULLY vs WILFREDO FLORES

(NAAS, IRELAND) (DUNKIRK, USA)

10 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL CRUISERWEIGHT CONTEST

CHEAVON CLARKE vs ISRAEL DUFFUS

(GRAVESEND, ENGLAND) (SAN MIGUELITO, PANAMA)

10 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT CONTEST

GAMAL YAFAI vs DIEGO ALBERTO RUIZ

(BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND) (LAS TALITAS, ARGENTINA)

6 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTEST

AARON BOWEN vs MATHIEU GOMES

(COVENTRY, ENGLAND) (SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE)

8 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST

JUNAID BOSTAN vs PETER KRAMER (ROTHERHAM, ENGLAND) (BUDAPEST, HUNGARY)

8 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTEST

KIERON CONWAY vs JORGE SILVA (NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND) (MATOSINHOS, PORTUGAL)

6 X 3 MINS SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CONTEST

SAM MAXWELL vs SHAUN COOPER (LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND) (WILLENHALL, ENGLAND)