Double-Header Launch on January 25th in the UK and USA to Kickstart the Year
Matchroom Boxing announces an electrifying schedule to begin 2025, featuring six major fight nights in the first quarter alone. The announcement, made by Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, confirms the organization’s intent to deliver an unparalleled boxing experience on DAZN, the global home of the sport.
The action-packed year starts with a bang on Saturday, January 25, with an unprecedented double-header broadcast spanning two continents.
UK: Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena
The first half of the day kicks off in the UK, where Dalton ‘Thunder’ Smith (16-0, 12 KOs) will headline, challenging Walid Ouizza (19-2, 8 KOs) for the EBU European and WBC Silver Super-Lightweight Championships.
Joining the card is Ellie Scotney (9-0), defending her IBF and Ring Magazine Super-Bantamweight World Titles against Mea Motu (20-0, 8 KOs). Conah Walker (14-3-1, 5 KOs) faces Harry Scarff (13-3, 3 KOs) for the British & Commonwealth Welterweight Titles, and Mark Dickinson (7-1, 2 KOs) battles undefeated Reece Farnhill (11-0, 4 KOs) for the English Super-Middleweight Championship. Rising stars Ibraheem Sulaimaan (6-0, 4 KOs) and Hamza Uddin (3-0, 1 KO) will also feature.
USA: The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas
Later that evening, the focus shifts to Las Vegas, where Diego Pacheco (22-0, 8 KOs) defends his USWBC and WBO International Super-Middleweight Titles against Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs). Cuban Olympic star Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) takes on Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs), and Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut against veteran Jose Pedraza (29-6-1, 14 KOs).
NXTGEN Drama at London’s O2
On Saturday, January 31, Matchroom brings the spotlight to its NXTGEN fighters at London’s Indigo at The O2. George Liddard (10-0, 6 KOs) headlines against Derrick Osaze (13-2, 3 KOs), while Junaid Bostan (10-0, 8 KOs) battles Bilal Fawaz (9-1, 2 KOs) for the English Super-Welterweight Crown. Promising talents, including Jimmy Sains (8-0, 8 KOs), Giorgio Visioli (5-0, 4 KOs), and Jesse Brandon (4-0, 1 KO), also feature.
Mexico: Rocky Hernandez Returns
Friday, February 28 sees Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez (36-2, 32 KOs) return to action in Oaxaca, Mexico, facing Rene Tellez Giron (20-4, 13 KOs). Hernandez aims to continue his climb back to world title contention after his 2023 setback against O’Shaquie Foster.
Belfast: All-Irish Battle
An all-Irish showdown headlines Saturday, March 1 at Belfast’s SSE Arena, with Lewis Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs) taking on Limerick’s Paddy Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs).
Olympic Debut in Manchester
March concludes on Saturday, March 28, with the professional debut of Olympic Cruiserweight standout Pat Brown at Planet Ice Altrincham near Manchester.
Eddie Hearn expressed his excitement:
“2025 is guaranteed to be our biggest year yet. These first events underline our strength worldwide, and there’s plenty more to come. Watch this space.”
Alfie Sharman, VP of DAZN, added:
“Featuring some of the biggest names and prospects in boxing, 2025 promises to bring fans closer to the action than ever before.”
With more fight nights yet to be announced, Matchroom and DAZN are setting the tone for a landmark year in boxing.
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