JOHN McDERMOTT will defend his English heavyweight title against unbeaten hope Tyson Fury when the ring giants clash at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on Friday September 11. In the chief support a battle of little big men sees St Helens Gary Davies risk his British bantamweight title against Ian Napa. It kicks of a new season of boxing for FTM Promotions who will showcase the best fights and the cream of British talent on their Sky televised shows. FTM won the purse bids for McDermott’s much anticipated fight against the Manchester knockout artist who has won all seven professional contests by KO. McDermott (25-5) won the English crown with a sensational two round blast out of Pele Reid in April 2008 and will be making his first defence..
The big Essex man, 29, has been controversially outpointed in his last two fights in British title showdowns against Danny Williams, and knows he is at a crossroads.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “There is no doubting Tyson’s promise, but this fight has come too soon.
“John knows that if he loses this one there will be little chance of him ever winning the British title let alone getting another challenge.”
Fury, 21, has received mass attention since turning professional, but Maloney dismisses his calibre of opponents so far.
He added: “They have been ordinary and the one name he did beat, Scott Belshaw is someone I released from his contract because he was so disappointing.”
Hard hitting Davies (9-2-1) had been due to defend against when top class Londoner Ian Napa (18-7) this Friday, but the show was scrapped.
But he vows to be ready when he finally comes face to face with the former European champion adding: “If I beat him it proves I am the number one in Britain.”
The National Sports Centre is the capital’s biggest small hall venue and can hold up to 2000 fans
The most famous fight ever stage there was in October 1990 when Lennox Lewis beat Frenchman Jean Chanet to become European heavyweight champion.
Tickets for the show priced £90 (ringside) and £35 (body of the hall) are available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508. There is a discount for those who buy from the web.