Leigh Wood Next Fight
Per Sources, Spain’s Kiko Martinez and at least two other featherweights including Mexican dangerman Mauricio Lara are under consideration to face Britain’s Leigh Wood in a Matchroom on DAZN UK headline bout on September 24 in Nottingham. Discussions with Martinez began early this week and the Spaniard is the front runner at this point, they are close to agreeing on a deal with only a few issues to sort out.
The primary issue is the purse on offer, Matchroom is attempting to get a relatively cheap opponent and although Martinez is willing to take less than other contenders, his team was surprised at the first number discussed which is understood to be significantly lower than expected. Most fans want to see Mauricio Lara and that fight is also an option, even if Martinez accepts the fight, they can go with somebody else.
Bridges vs O’Connell
At the end of July, the IBF ordered a mandatory defence for Bantamweight world champion Australia’s Ebanie Bridges against the number one contender, also from Australia, Shannon O’Connell. The fight must take place by September 26. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing offered O’Connell the fight against Bridges for September 24 in Nottingham, O’Connell turned down the offer and the fight will go to purse bids.
O’Connell, backed by Matt Rose’s ”No Limit Promotions, who represent Tim Tszyu, is hoping to win the purse bids and bring the fight to Australia. O’Connell has made public through Twitter that one of the issues she has with the fight being in the United Kingdom is the officiating and she feels she would get a fairer chance in Australia.
David Avanesyan vs Jon Miguez
Spanish promoters ‘Boxeo Kamikaze Gestion’ won the purse bids for European welterweight champion David Avanesyan’s mandatory defence against Jon Miguez in June, however, the unheralded company that upset the bids has failed to provide a date/venue for the bout since and therefore forfeited their rights to promote the fight.
As a result, the EBU has stated that the mandatory defence has been awarded to Avanesyan’s promoter Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, who were the second highest bidders. They will now promote the fight with it likely taking place in the UK on BT Sport in September (Joyce Parker) or October.
Also Read: DAZN UK Evaluation: 1 Year On – How Much Has The ‘Game Changed’?
