Boxing produced one of those fights last weekend that not only goes down in history but will live long in the memory of those who watched it. While Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan spent the week recovering from their Nottingham game and receiving rightful praise, the sport went on. Another week of contracts, battle announcements, new contracts and news of the Brit’s number six looking to inflict the UK’s first defeat against a certain Spaniard.
Welcome to this week’s Hooks and Jabs.
Jack Catterall signed a promotional contract with Probellum. The 28-year-old recently lost to Josh Taylor for the undisputed ultralight title. But his failing form and performances have sent his credibility skyrocketing.
“Everybody in the boxing world knows that I won the fight. I showed the world that I was the best man in the 140lbs division. I’ll be waiting to see Prograis vs McKenna and I’d really like a fight with the winner,” Catterall said.
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British light heavyweight champion Dan Azeez will face undefeated Matthew Tinker on March 26 in a 10-round international bout. The match was an opportunity for Azeez to take revenge on the opponent who lost to him in the 2014 amateur tournament.
Azeez said: “He beat me so it would be nice to get another win against him in the pro ranks.
The card was booked by Richard Riakporhe v Deion Jumah in cruiser class and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
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Cuban veteran Yuriorkis Gamboa will face Isaac Cruz in the Errol Spence Jr-Yordenis Ugas heavyweight title unification match on April 16 at AT&T Stadium in Texas. There are also undefeated stars Jose Valenzuela and Cody Crowley ahead of Francisco Vargas and Josesito Lopez, respectively.
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Hamzah Sheeraz has committed his future to Queensbury Promotion by signing a new three-year contract with them. The towering 22-year-old makes his middleweight debut against Jez Smith tonight, to claim the vacated WBC International trophy, after spending the first 14 matches of his career at 154lbs.
“Before this contract expires, I want to fight for world titles. By then my apprenticeship and all that I have learned will be complete. Hopefully I can win this WBC belt and fight all the big names soon,” Sheeraz said.
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JJ Metcalf will try to succeed where the previous five British opponents have failed and defeated Kerman Lejarraga. Liverpudlian will travel to Bilbao to face the Spaniard on his home court in the war for the vacant WBA Continental super belt. Metcalf, 33, has lost his last two matches. He was stopped by Ted Cheeseman in 11order round after a horror movie and decided to drop some of the tight spots for Kieron Conway’s final release in October.
