Ohara Davies vs Lewis Ritson, Thomas Patrick Ward vs Otabek Kholmatov Set For Double Header
Probellum‘s Head Of Talent Relations Sam Jones exclusively revealed to NoSmokeBoxing in an interview last month that the promotion is looking to make a fight between Newcastle fan favourite Lewis Ritson (23-2, 13 KOs) and London’s controversial Ohara Davies (24-2, 17 KOs) next.
Jones told NSB in November that they were in discussions about the fight and hoping it would come to fruition. The all-British clash between the WBA’s #2 and #5 contenders would be a final eliminator for the WBA 140-pound title held by Alberto Puello.
Estrada vs Chocolatito 3 Start Times, Running Order, Fight Card And Main Event Ring Walks
A report from International Boxing News has confirmed that both fighters have now signed to fight each other in another intriguing North-East based domestic card, following Williamson-Kelly, which will take place on Saturday, 25th of February in Newcastle. No venue was specified but it is likely to be the 9,000-capacity Utilita Arena.
Sandor Martin, Shakhram Giyasov and Teofimo Lopez all pulled out of the final eliminator contest with Davies, Ritson is now the highest-rated challenger to compete for the position. There have been rumours for several months now that this fight could materialise for late 2022/early 2023 in the North East.
Callum Smith To Make Ring Return On March 11 In Liverpool, Joshua Buatsi Fight In Discussions
The outlet also reports that Britain’s unbeaten Thomas Patrick Ward (33-0-1, 5 KOs) and US-based Uzbekestani Otabek Kholmatov (10-0, 9 KOs) will meet in a WBA-ordered final eliminator at Featherweight on the undercard. The pair were originally supposed to fight on the supporting cast of Tyson Fury‘s trilogy contest with Derek Chisora later today.
Ward and Kholmatov are respectively the #1 and #2 ranked boxers for Leo Santa Cruz‘s world championship. LSC has been ordered to make a mandatory defence first against Nottingham’s WBA (Regular) champion Leigh Wood in a title consolidation match.
Florian Marku Injured, Return Expected To Be Pushed Back Until The Spring Of 2023
The Uzbek turned professional just 15 months ago and has already accumulated ten professional outings. Kholmatov fought nine times in the last five months of 2021 and had just one bout in 2022 – a dominant 12-round decision win over 14-0 Andranik Grigorian.
Ward has been a professional for over ten years but still hasn’t fought for a world title despite being undefeated in 34 outings including a win over IBO champion Jazza Dickens. Ward, who is now represented by Probellum, will look to capitalise against an inexperienced professional in Kholmatov and secure his much-awaited world title chance.
Also Read; Ammo Williams vs Felix Cash Fight DONE, To Be An Eliminator For The WBA Middleweight Title
