Never has a boxing show been handed a more fitting name.
‘RESURRECTION’ Matchroom’s foray into the British heartlands – set to take place this Saturday in Birmingham – has been impacted by schedule changes and drop outs that have seen the UK’s premier promotional outfit call in the cavalry.
Premier prospects Anthony Joshua, Luke Campbell and Callum Smith will step in to fill the void left by home favourite Frankie Gavin – who will now challenge IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook on 30th May in London’s O2 Arena.
Heavyweight superstar ‘in the making’ Anthony Joshua, 11-0 (11KO’s), tops the bill in the continuation of his nomadic journey across the British Isles, aimed at endearing him to the wider population. So far a successful tactic if his reception in Newcastle – when he destroyed the hopelessly outgunned American Jason Gavern inside 3 rounds – is anything to go by.
In the opposite corner, Brazilian Raphael Zumbano Love, 36-10-1 (29KO’s), will be the latest man to attempt to extend the ferocious 2012 Olympic Gold medalist beyond 3 rounds.
On paper at least, Love looks a stubborn sort, having took decent American prospect Charles Martin, 21-0-1 (19KO’s), – who recently destroyed Tom Dallas inside a round – 10 rounds before being stopped with 1:13 remaining in February.
But, this is Anthony Joshua and he will be looking to make a statement in front of a new audience ahead of his first real test against Kevin Johnson on 30th May.
Meanwhile, fellow 2012 Olympic Gold medalist Luke Campbell, 10-0 (8KO’s), will tune up ahead of a proposed open-air summer showdown with Tommy Coyle, in an 8-round contest with 6-times defeated Frenchman Aboubeker Bechelaghem, 9-6-1.
Whilst Callum Smith, 15-0 (11KO’s), makes his return to the ring after a 6 month layoff with a hand injury, following his impressive win over Nikola Sjekloca to claim the WBC international super-middleweight title.
The stubborn Latvian Olegs Fedotovs, 19-21 (13KO’s), provides a decent yard stick for the unbeaten Smith, having taken feared prospect Vincent Feigenbutz 7 rounds and Rocky Fielding the full 8. Fedotovs will be around long enough for Smith to knock some rust off, but an impressive stoppage will be on his mind ahead of his next step up in Liverpool at the end of June.
The big three will be supported by the exciting local flyweight Kal Yafai,14-0 (9KO’s), who cruelly lost his place at the pinnacle of his hometown bill earlier this week, when Filipino flyweight Rey Megrino withdrew from their 12 round contest for the WBC silver flyweight title for reasons yet to be explained – torn rotator cuff maybe?
It’s disappointing for Yafai who impressed last time out when outpointing dangerous Nicaraguan Cristofer Rosales over 8 rounds on the Kell Brook v Jo Jo Dan undercard in Sheffield in his first contest at 112lbs. Veteran Ghanaian Isaac Quaye steps in to provide the resistance over 6 difficult rounds – for the African at least.
Kal Yafai’s unbeaten brother Gamal will also appear on the show, alongside Midlands fighters Lennox Clarke, Dan Breeze, Michael Rooney and Jordan Cooke who will all be looking to impress on home soil.
