| Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman “I’ve always wondered to myself, “why can’t we get it going in Birmingham?” You guys love your boxing, you’ve got some tremendous fighters and now all of a sudden things are just starting to change a little bit. “June 22 at the Resorts World live on DAZN around the world, I think we’re going to do a huge gate, I think we’re going to have a brilliant night of boxing and it’s time for you guys to keep spreading the word and supporting these great fighters and making sure that this city a vibrant one for the sport of boxing in this country. “Tyler Denny is local to these parts, the European Middleweight Champion will take on Felix Cash who was on the verge of fighting for his own World Championship at 160lbs, now we’ve won the purse bid, we’ve got a great fight. “Felix is coming back after a long lay off, it’s a very dangerous fight coming into the lion’s den. Tyler Denny in Birmingham with all of his fans looking to defend his Middleweight Championship. “For me, one of the best fights that can be made in this country and for Irish boxing, Conah Walker against Lewis Crocker. This fight is an absolute war, well done to both men for taking it. There’s something about Conah Walker – he beat Cyrus Pattinson, then went to Belfast to win as well, he’s a tough, tough, tough son of a gun. “Lewis Crocker has plans to go on to fight for a Welterweight World Championship, he’s one of the biggest punchers in the division. Everyone knows how good Conah Walker is and then you phone up Lewis Crocker and his team and say, “do you want to come and fight an in from guy at 147lbs in his back yard?” And the answer is, “yes” straight away. It’s what we need in boxing. It’s a brilliant fight. “Cameron Vuong against Jordan Flynn is such a good fight. Cameron Vuong who is just a baby in the professional game jumping straight in the deep end for 10 rounds against Jordan Flynn. This is a great fight, it’s very important for both of their careers. “Shannon Ryan against Emma Dolan, the British and Commonwealth Championships on the line. A fight that was previously scheduled for February this year, it’s a brilliant 50/50 fight. “I want to mention this fighter too: Kane Baker. He has been someone I’ve really enjoyed seeing change his life through boxing, but improve too. He always gives 110% and on June 22 he will be having his last ever professional fight and he’ll be doing it against Aqib Fiaz, who he’s had a war with previously, he’s coming off a defeat and is fighting for his career. We’ve put that fight on as well out of respect for Kane Baker, who has been a tremendous servant for the sport of boxing and I know he will give every ounce of his soul on June 22 against a very good talented Aqib Fiaz. “Throw that all in with Hamza Uddin, who we have to keep humble, because he is a little bit of a superstar. He is a bit shy but last Saturday in Liverpool, what a performance. A performance that made everybody stand up and say, “this kid could be something very special for the sport.” “Sam Jones told me a couple of months ago, he says this about every one one of his fighters, “this kid is very, very special and he’s going to sell a huge amount of tickets for June 22.” “Ibraheem Sulaimaan, again, a massive ticket seller, a massive talent from the area. “Muhammad Ali coming back as well after a great start to his pro career. “These guys are the future of, not just boxing in these parts, but boxing in this country and hopefully around the world as well. They have all got the opportunity through Matchroom Boxing and DAZN to follow whatever path they want, it’s all there right in front of them. They’ve just got to be good enough, they’ve got to work as hard as they can, they’ve got to have a little bit of luck along the way, but it’s right there, go and take it. “June 22, a tremendous card.” Tyler Denny “I’m more than ready. Treating it as a warm up? He needs to treat it as a retirement plan. I just hope he turns up because he’s gone missing too many times. “I respect Felix as a fighter, he’s very good but while he’s had his time off, I’ve been building. I’m on fire. “I’m ready and it’s going to be a great fight. 100% I win, I’ve got loads of support and I’m more than confident.” Felix Cash “This is a great fight to come back to. I was meant to fight for the European Title over a year ago now but life had other plans. I had an operation on my hand and I’m all good now. I’ve had a change of trainer and I’m excited, I can’t wait to get my hands on that belt. “I’ve boxed all over the world, I don’t care where I fight. His people can’t fight for me, it’s just me and him in there. I could’ve had a warm up fight but I feel good in the gym and don’t want to miss the opportunity to pick up the European belt. I’ll treat this as my warm up anyway because I’m coming for bigger things afterwards. “He’s a decent fighter but he’s been beaten before and he’ll get beaten again on June 22. I respect any man who steps in the ring but it’s a shame for him that he’s got to step in there with me. “I’m making up for lost time and I believe that once I clip him, it’s good night.” Lewis Crocker “It’s great to be back on a Matchroom card. This fight is a war and it’s going to be toe-to-toe from the first bell. I could easily out-box this guy but it won’t be that way. “Conah is in form and in his last two fights he’s looked great. I just believe he’s bitten off more than he can chew this time and I’m just the better fighter. “Fighters should be taking these type of fights! I’m excited and I can see the dread he has.” Conah Walker “We don’t need to sell the fight, it sells itself. He’s undefeated and meant to be this big puncher, I’m yet to find that out. Is it the toughest fight of my career? Who knows? Eddie keeps giving me opponents that are made for me. “It depends which Crocker comes out on the night, he claims to be a dog but we’ll see when he meets a real dog in me. I’m there to have a real good ding dong.” “Lewis Crocker is the first step towards massive fights and he won’t get in the way of where I want to go. I’m really excited for this one. “This time I’m co-main on the top table against a great fighter. We sold a few tickets last time but now my profile is getting bigger and I’m expected to sell big on this. Eddie, I won’t let you down!” Cameron Vuong “I’m the best prospect in British boxing. I’m the full package: I can talk, I look good and I can fight for fun. “I’m going to out class him, I’m better than him across the board. If he wants to stand in the pocket, I’ll out-dog him. If he wants to box at range, he might as well be shadow boxing because he won’t hit me. “I’m excited to embarrass this fool and move on. Jordan Flynn for me is just a stepping stone. I’m destined for big things. I don’t just want to win a World Title, I want to be a superstar.” Jordan Flynn “Cameron pulled out last month with a fake injury. He was talking about playing with me with one hand, then he had one hand and he didn’t want to play anymore. “I’m a better fighter than him, he’s boxed journeymen. He’s only won the ABAs and I don’t see why he thinks he’s so special. Just don’t pull out this time. “His boxing is overrated. We haven’t seen any proof that he is the “next big thing.” Shannon Ryan “It’s a pleasure to be back so thanks to Eddie and Matchroom as always. I’m excited because on June 22 I want to give the fans a show. “The cut in my last fight was a good experience, I proved to myself that I can bite down on my gum shield and proved how much I want boxing!” Emma Dolan “I’m looking forward to it and I’m pleased the fight is actually happened. Shannon had to pull out earlier in the year but I want to thank Matchroom for the opportunity. “Shannon’s not an idiot, she’s a good fighter and that’s what motivates me but it’s definitely a winnable fight for me.” Aqib Fiaz “Kane was my first fight as a signed Matchroom fighter and back then I was only 19/20 years old. I’ve taken every fight Eddie has ever given me and I’m doing the same again. I’m willing to put it all on the line and he’s going to give everything but my everything will be more than his. “Kane has been a great servant to the sport but he’ll be done on June 22. “Life changes when you lose and I didn’t understand that until it happened. The loss was controversial, the towel went in a bit early but I spoke to Jamie and we had our conversations and that’s behind us now. I’m ready to just crack on, I’ve been Aqib Fiaz 2.0 in the gym, tuning up early and leaving last. You’re going to see a different me.” Kane Baker I’m absolutely honoured to be on this card, this is my home stage and it’s my last one. What a platform to be on! I couldn’t have prayed for a better finish to my career and a good performance, I’ll give it to Fiaz and then that’s it, job’s a good’un! “I cancelled a job interview this morning because I found out about the press conference. I don’t think they will still have me but I don’t know what I’ll do after, I’ll roll the dice. I’m happy to retire. “The reason for my retirement is I’m 33 and this will be my 33rd fight and I said to my partner, “if I get level on age and fights, I’ll retire” so that’s what I’m going to do. “I’ve done things that I only dreamed of when I weighed over 100kg and Matchroom has changed my life. I’ve inspired some of the younger generation that were like me, that thought they could never make it to this place. Keep working and you can be where I’ve been. If I can do it, anyone can do it. “Boxing is all I know and I owe so much to Matchroom, to all my friends and family. I’m saving the best dance until last. Hamza Uddin “I can’t wait! This is as close to a homecoming as it can be. I put on a show last week and the same again this time. I’ve got some great fighters to my right, left, behind me, above me, but I want to steal the show again. “Whatever my team says, I’m ready for. I’m a simple man: I get in the ring, I knock them out and I get out, so whoever has got to get knocked out, I don’t mind who it is. Whether it’s for a British Title or World Title, whatever pace my team want to move me at, I’m ready.” “There were over 250 people who came to Liverpool so if they’re all traveling there, you know they’re serious. In Birmingham, we’re looking at big numbers and I’ll have a lot of new supporters from my last fight. We’re going big! Big performance and plenty of people to watch it.” Muhammad Ali “It’s been a good few months since my last fight, I’m just excited to get back in the ring and show what I can do. “I changed coaches, I’m now with Anthony Crolla and I’m learning a lot from him. He’s taught me so much that I wouldn’t be learning with different coaches. He’s got his own style and he’s really helping me, I can’t wait to showcase those skills.” Ibraheem Sulaimaan “I’m on the biggest platform! I’m moving to my first six rounder and this time I’m looking to show a bit more because I haven’t shown anything yet. I’ll put on a great performance and get another stoppage. “This is my time to shine and my time to put Birmingham on the map again. We’re on the rise, let’s go!” |
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