Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom has announced five upcoming UK shows as boxing looks to once again emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last December, a crowd of socially-distancing fans was allowed into Wembley’s SSE Arena to watch Anthony Joshua dismantle Kubrat Pulev in their world heavyweight title showdown.
That false dawn for fight sports though was followed swiftly by a new national lockdown, with boxing’s planned shows for January cancelled as a result.
Hearn though has blazed a trial throughout what is now almost a year of COVID-19, looking to maintain a high profile and put on quality shows despite the associated challenges.
His five shows are headlined by the eagerly-awaited heavyweight rematch between Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte on Saturday March 6, while there are returns to the ring for new world champion Savannah Marshall and featherweight king Josh Warrington.
Venues are yet to be announced, but all bouts will be screened live on Sky Sports Boxing and DAZN (outside the UK and Ireland). Here are the details we do know:
Saturday February 13: Warrington vs Lara
● The schedule launches with Warrington (30-0) defending his iBF strap against Mexico’s Mauricio Lara (21-2) as he waits for a huge unification fight later in the year.
● Manchester Super-Featherweight contender Zelfa Barrett (24-1) meanwhile defends his IBF Intercontinental title against Spain’s former Super-Bantamweight world champion Kiko Martinez (41-9-2) in the chief support bout.
● Nottingham’s Leigh Wood (23-2) clashes with unbeaten Doncaster man Reece Mould (13-0) for the vacant British Featherweight title.
● Sheffield Super-Lightweight talent Dalton Smith (6-0) takes on Rotherham’s Lee Appleyard (16-5-1) and Leeds Featherweight Hopey Price (3-0) looks to build on his win over Jonny Phillips at Fight Camp last summer.
Saturday February 20: Avanesyan vs Kelly
● Russia’s European Welterweight Champion David Avanesyan (26-3-1) makes his long-awaited title defence against Josh Kelly (10-0-1) in a bout rescheduled from January 30.
● Undefeated Welterweights Florian Marku (7-0-1) and Rylan Charlton (6-0-1) meet in what promises to be an explosive 10-round battle.
● Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (13-1) returns against Spain's Jorge Fortea (21-2-1) following his win over Adam Harper at Fight Camp.
● Amy Timlin (4-0-1) and Carly Skelly (3-0-1) rematch for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight title after their split draw on the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora undercard last October.
● Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher makes his eagerly-anticipated professional debut.
Saturday March 6: Povetkin vs Whyte 2
● Povetkin (36-2-1) - now fully recovered from COVID-19 - rematches with Whyte (27-2) in a bout which will be a pay-per-view affair on Sky Sports Box Office, while DAZN will have the call in other markets outside the UK and Ireland. At stake will again be the status of mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title currently held by Tyson Fury.
● Bermondsey's Ted Cheeseman (16-2-1, 9 KOs) meets Liverpool's James Metcalf (21-0) for the vacant British Super-Welterweight title.
● Exciting Ipswich Heavyweight talent Fabio Wardley (10-0) steps-up against former world title challenger Eric Molina (27-6).
● Manchester Super-Featherweight Campbell Hatton - son of British great Ricky Hatton - makes his professional debut.
● Wembley Super-Featherweight Youssef Khoumari ( 11-0-1) faces Birmingham’s Kane Baker (14-7).
Saturday March 20: Okolie vs Glowacki
● Hackney Cruiserweight Lawrence Okolie (15-0) attempts to become Britain’s next world champion in just his 16th professional fight when he clashes with Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO crown,
● Northampton’s Chantelle Cameron (13-0) makes the first defence of her WBC Super-Lightweight world title against Puerto Rico’s Melissa Hernandez (23-7-3).
● Bournemouth’s Commonwealth Cruiserweight Champion Chris Billam-Smith (11-1) takes on Chelsea’s English Champion Deion Jumah (13-0) for the vacant British title.
● Somali-British prospect Ramla Ali (1-0) steps through the ropes for a second time as a pro.
● Birmingham's former Team GB standout Solomon Dacres makes his professional debut.
Saturday April 10: Benn vs Vargas
● Rising Welterweight star Conor Benn (17-0) defends his WBA Continental title against Samuel Vargas (31-6-2, 14 KOs), following his career-best performance last time out against Sebastian Formella.
● Aldridge's Rachel Ball (7-1) and Watford's Shannon Courtenay (6-1, 3 KOs) rematch with the vacant WBA Bantamweight world title on the line.
● Hartlepool's Savannah Marshall (9-0) makes the first defence of her WBO Middleweight world title after her emphatic win over Hannah Rankin last October.
● Commonwealth Middleweight Champion Felix Cash (13-0) fights for the first time since his win over Jason Welborn.
● Glasgow Bantamweight Kash Farooq (14-1) returns after his masterclass win over Angel Aviles.