A WELCOME FROM
EDDIE HEARN
W
ow. We’re just about catching our breath after an incredible night of boxing last Saturday here at The SSE Arena, Wembley, live on Sky Sports across the UK and DAZN all around the world. Last Saturday was special. Last Saturday reminded us why we love the sport of boxing. The pain of defeat, the harrowing silence of Josh Warrington’s shock loss at the hands of Mexico’s Mauricio Lara, which has spurred on a nation of fighters, particularly Cesar Juarez
and Gabriel Valenzuela who feature on tonight’s bill. What a thrilling night from top to bottom. I haven’t looked forward to a show this much for a long long time. This is a brilliant night of boxing, and we’re so pleased to be keeping the sport going, keeping the momentum going. This is a huge step up for Josh Kelly and David Avanesyan has looked like a wrecking ball over the past few years. There’s been bad blood during the buildup to this one but it’s finally time to settle the score. ■
Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard Fighter Interviews: Jamie Ward and Scott Hammerton Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Cover: Adam Insam Photographs: Mark Robinson Master of Ceremonies: David Diamante
3
AVA
D
avid Avanesyan has vowed to deal with Josh Kelly “once and for all” ahead of their long-awaited showdown for the European Welterweight Title. The rivals were due to meet at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield back in December 2018 before an illness forced Kelly to withdraw from the contest on the day of the fight, leading to “bottle job” jibes from Avanesyan’s manager Neil Marsh as bad blood boiled over between the camps. After ripping the European Title from Bilbao’s Kerman Lejarraga on away soil in March 2019 and making two successful defences later that year, Avanesyan (26-3-1, 14 KOs) finds himself on the cusp of another World Title shot should he hand a first defeat to former Team GB standout Kelly. “The first time we were supposed to fight Kelly said ‘no fight’ three hours before the first bell,” said Avanesyan. “It was very difficult for me. You give everything to this sport, all of that hard work and losing the weight. I still don’t understand why. People say that Kelly was feeling unwell, but I saw Kelly in the evening after the weigh-in looking happy and speaking with friends. Everything was good. “I’ve been training for this fight for over two years. I hope everything will be okay this time. I will never disrespect any fighter, but let’s just say the events of the past couple of years have made me
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
“I’LL DEAL WITH KELLY ONCE AND FOR ALL” very angry. The fact I had to spend Christmas away from my family and young child has given me extra motivation, not that any was needed.
“Kelly is a good fighter. He was a good amateur boxer. His professional record is good so far. He’s sharp and fast. I have the experience over him. Now is my time. I need to take the big fights. I’m ready. I’m working with my team to give everything for another World Title. My style is to give everything, take my time and ensure that I get the win. “I want to show the fans a good fight. I’ll do my best and give everything to win. After Kelly I need another World Title fight. For now, all of my focus and energy is on my fight on February 20 and defending my European Title. I am here to deal with Kelly once and for all.” ■
5
PBK
J
osh Kelly will finally settle his rivalry with David Avaneysan tonight as he challenges the Russian for his European Welterweight Title. Kelly (10-0-1, 6 KOs), a Rio 2016 Olympian from Sunderland, outclassed the previously undefeated Pole Przemyslaw Runowski at The O2 in April 2019 before drawing with Ray Robinson two months later on his US debut in New York. ‘PBK’ decisioned Nicaragua’s Wiston Campos in his last outing in Phoenix to set up his long-awaited showdown with Avanesyan, and the North East talent is determined to silence his critics by producing a career-best win. A meeting between the pair was rescheduled for March 2020 at The O2 in London only for the outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK to scupper their plans once more, but the rivals have a chance to settle their feud once and for all this evening in a fight that has been brewing for nearly three years. “This fight has been a long time coming and it’s finally time to silence my doubters,” said Kelly. “He is the favourite heading into the fight. He has proved how good he is in his last three fights. It’s going to be a good fight, but one I’m quietly confident about. “I feel like this is a turning point in my career. When I win, then I take it to the next level. A
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
“I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A TURNING POINT IN MY CAREER” lot in the future is lying on this fight. Two fights ago I fought Ray Robinson, which was a massive step-up. I don’t think people realised how big of a step-up that was, but now I’m fighting Avanesyan, I should get the credit I deserve. “I’ve got great respect for David. We’ve got to get a job done on Saturday. It’s my main aim in 2021 to start off with this European Title. I’ve stepped up to levels that I couldn’t even imagine I could do in the gym. “I thought last time I was ready, but COVID came and it got cancelled. I was nowhere near ready compared to what I am now. All I need to do is go and put a show on. I’ve done a lot of talking this week and I feel like I’ve expressed myself fully on what I believe will happen. “We’ve just got to do the dance now. I think David is a strong capable fighter. I believe that I’m a big Welterweight, and I’m strong. I’m a very strong Welterweight. Saturday night is going to be a night for everyone to enjoy. Now it’s time to quiet down, focus in and get the job done.” ■
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SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY
THE ALBANIAN
KING F
lorian Marku says he will make Rylan Charlton “look stupid” when they clash over ten rounds. The undefeated Welterweights have been embroiled in a war of words on social media since the original fight date of January 30 was announced back in December, and ‘The Albanian King’ (7-0-1, 5 KOs) has promised to “humiliate” Norwich’s ‘Pint Size Powerhouse’ when they lock horns in the evening’s chiefsupport bout. “I will knock Rylan Charlton out 100%,” said Marku. “He has said many bad things about me, so I just hope he comes to fight. In his other fights his approach is to come forward and be aggressive but when he is face to face with me, he will change his game plan. “He will feel my power and my speed, then he will change his mind. I know he says he will wipe the floor with me, but I don’t know how he will recover from saying that when he loses. He will be humiliated. I am going to make him look stupid in the ring and he will see my boxing ability. He says he doesn’t rate it, but he will see.
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“I AM GOING TO MAKE HIM LOOK STUPID” “I am confident like nobody else, you can bring me whoever you want inside of the ring. I will never think my opponent is better than me. I am in the best shape I have ever been and will show that in this fight. Crowd or no crowd it will just be me and Rylan Charlton, we fight alone. I am no Joe Laws trust me; I am going to knock him out!” ■
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
PINT SIZE
POWERHOUSE
R
ylan Charlton has laughed off Florian Marku’s ‘body builder’ jibes and promised to ‘beat him up’ when they clash over ten rounds in this evening’s chief support bout. Charlton made easy work of the previously undefeated Benwell prospect Joe Laws last time out in October, sending him crashing to the canvas three times en route to a brutal third round KO, and the recent Matchroom signing is predicting a similar outcome against Marku. “Joe Laws is a great fighter and he’ll be back,” said Charlton. “I took it on two weeks’ notice. I’d been ticking over, two or three days a week kind of thing, I wasn’t 100% fit from having a full camp. You’ve got to take risks otherwise you don’t go anywhere in life. We took the risk and it paid off. It was easier than I thought to be honest. “Florian’s last performance wasn’t any good. He’s got to come to the table with everything this time. He’s got to perform in this fight. We’ll see the best Florian Marku against me, but it’s not going to be enough. He’s alright, I don’t rate him that much. “He was a kickboxing World Champion, so I respect that. If you come into the boxing game calling
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
“I DON’T RATE MARKU, I’LL BEAT HIM UP!” everyone out, you’re going to come unstuck. I don’t think his boxing skill is up there at all really, I don’t rate it. He can call me what he wants. When I beat him up, it’s just going to look bad on him because he got beaten up by a body builder. “I’ve got respect for everyone that gets in the ring, especially anyone that gets in the ring with me – I wouldn’t want to get in the ring with me! I’m there to do a job. We can get in the bubble and he can mouth off all he wants, but I’m there to do a job. By any means necessary, I’m there to win – knockout or points, whatever. It’s going to be a Charlton win.” ■
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RDJ L
iverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr is plotting a big 2021, starting with a victory over Gabriel Valenzuela which would see him pick up the vacant IBF Intercontinental Title and a top 15 ranking. Former British, Commonwealth and European ruler Davies Jr (20-2, 13 KOs) has boxed just once since his thrilling 12-round war with rival Lewis Ritson in Newcastle, securing a shut-out points victory over Damian Yapur in March last year in his first fight under renowned trainer Dominic Ingle. “I’m so excited to be back, it’s been almost a year so I am raring to go,” said Davies Jr. “I’m in some of the best shape of my life. The gym is buzzing at the moment and everyone is working hard. I was feeling like the opportunity wouldn’t come but now I feel ready to showcase everything I’ve been working on.” Valenzuela (22-2-1, 13 KOs) has only fought outside of his native Mexico on one occasion, but Davies Jr insists there is no chance of him overlooking ‘Nini’, especially after watching his Matchroom stablemate Josh Warrington suffer a shock defeat to Mexico City’s Mauricio Lara over the weekend. “I’m expecting Valenzuela to bring his A-game,” added Davies Jr. “I’m
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
“I WANT TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE THIS YEAR” expecting a hard fight but I want to move as quickly as possible this year. I want to get a big fight in the summer and another big name at the end of the year. I want this year to really push me on. “My manager Neil Marsh and my trainer Dom Ingle have got this fight together against Valenzuela and it’s for a belt as well. When I win the IBF Intercontinental Title it will be great to get myself back into the top 15 rankings. The plan is just to win this fight and then push on to a big year. “In my life in general I’ve always been chasing more, and worrying about things I need in life. Since having my little girl, I’ve realised I have everything I want and more. Real happiness. The motivation to provide and better her little life growing up is a burning fuel inside me.” ■
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NINI G
abriel Valenzuela has been inspired to follow in the footsteps of his countryman Mauricio Lara by knocking out Robbie Davies Jr when the pair meet for the vacant IBF Intercontinental Super-Lightweight Title. ‘Nini’ (22-2-1, 13 KOs) arrives in London in what is his second fight outside of his native Mexico, boxing to what he labels as a ‘controversial draw’ in Canada back in 2018. Based on his previous experience on away soil, the 26-year-old from Guadalajara is determined not to leave the fight in the judges’ hands. “The fight between Mauricio Lara and Josh Warrington was amazing,” said Valenzuela. “It was a great night. We were all watching back in Mexico. I want to get the stoppage in this fight like Mauricio did! “I’ve watched videos of Robbie Davies Jr; I know he’s strong and fast, but I have been preparing hard for this and I am here to win. We are aware of some of the questionable decisions from the judges in the UK recently. I don’t want to let this fight go to the judges, I’m coming for the knockout.
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
“I’M COMING FOR THE KNOCKOUT” “I like to counter-punch and feint which encourages my opponent to throw, I can then land my big shots. I have the chance here to surprise the British public, they don’t really know who they are getting but they will after Saturday. “A win will mean everything to me. I’m here on a mission which will be the beginning of even greater things in my career. I would like to reserve any predictions, but you can certainly expect an excellent fight.” ■
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MAIN
HEADING
B
ody copy ■
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FEBRUARY 13 2021
WARRINGTON VS LARA
THE ROMFORD
BULL
J
ohnny Fisher is planning on announcing himself as the latest contender in a thriving domestic Heavyweight scene when he takes on Matt Gordon on his highly anticipated professional debut. ‘The Romford Bull’ stands at 6ft 5ins and has already gathered invaluable experience from sparring with British, Commonwealth and European Champion Joe Joyce and undefeated English Champion Fabio Wardley. A brief but explosive stint in the amateurs saw Fisher score nine first round knockouts in ten wins, and now the big-hitting 21-year-old will look to climb the ranks in the paid code under the guidance of respected trainer Mark Tibbs. “To finally have the date is so exciting, to be making my professional debut on Sky Sports and DAZN is incredible bearing in mind six or seven months ago I wasn’t sure what I would be doing,” said Fisher.
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“I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE” “I can’t wait for the whole experience; I’ve been watching all the shows since Fight Camp last summer and to be involved in one is amazing. I’ve learnt so much since I started with Mark. I have still got a long way to go but with the great team I’ve got around me I’m in good hands.” Standing in the opposite corner of Fisher will be 36-year-old Gordon (2-5-1), who has shared the ring with the likes of David Adeleye, as well as other highly-rated young prospects. Despite being aware of the dangers Gordon poses, Fisher is embracing the challenge ahead and is targeting a statement KO victory. “Matt Gordon has got to be given a
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
lot of respect. He’s been in there with some good prospects and it’s going to be a good test for me. There’s not going to be any easy fights given the circumstances we find ourselves in and Matt Gordon comes to fight, this is a good starting point for me to get the ball rolling. “I’ve got tools, I can have a scrap and a tear up but it’s about using my skills correctly. I’m going to be controlled in this fight, I’ve got a great jab and I don’t have to get involved in wars even though I’m capable of doing it. “I want to get the knockout win as it’s my professional debut on Sky Sports and I look forward to showing all the fans what I’m about in this fight.” ■
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
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FLASH
GORDON M
att Gordon is confident he will end his bad run of form and spring an upset when he takes on Heavyweight debutant Johnny Fisher over six rounds. Gordon, 36, made a good start to his professional career, securing back-to-back wins and a draw in his first three fights before returning in 2019 after a two-year hiatus from the sport. Since his return, Gordon has been matched with some top prospects, including Ladbroke Grove’s David Adeleye, and the West Midlands native feels 100% motivated to put on a career-best performance against Romford’s fisher. “I need an upset, I need to cause an upset and show what I’ve got,” said Gordon. “I’m looking to put on a careerbest performance. I’ve been a bit unlucky with a few of my recent results. “Johnny looks athletic and he’s game. I know he’s going to come forward. That style and mine will make for a good fight. I’m 100% motivated to win this fight, I’ve been training really hard and I feel really good heading into this fight. “At the start of this camp I had a talk with my trainer, and we picked up on things that were going wrong. I’m a lot more confident now and I’m learning with every fight I have. “A lot of the opponents I have faced have come from good amateur backgrounds. I’m game and focused on being the best I can be. If he tries too hard it could go against him, whether he comes out looking to brawl or box I’m ready for anything.” ■
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
THE
THRILL
J
ordan Gill is looking to throw himself back into Featherweight Title contention by beating Mexico’s former World Title challenger Cesar Juarez in style when they collide over ten rounds. This will be the second behind closed doors appearance for ‘The Thrill’, who was last seen dominating Reece Bellotti in the curtain raiser of Matchroom’s Fight Camp series last summer. Juarez, an experienced operator who took fearsome puncher and then WBO Super-Bantamweight World Champion Nonito Donaire 12 rounds in 2015, may well be Gill’s toughest test to date on paper, something that the Dave Coldwell-trained talent has prepared for. “This is a great fight against Juarez, it’s going to be all action,” said Gill. “You only have to look at his resume, he had one of the fights of the year against Donaire in 2015 and the only guys that have beat him are World Champions or top ten world ranked fighters.
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
“IT’S GOING TO BE ALL-ACTION” “I want to win and look good; I know it’s not going to be an easy task but it’s a challenge that I’m relishing. I’m expecting a tough fight but at this stage of my career this is the step-up I need. He’s the best fighter that I’ve faced.” The only loss of Gill’s 26-fight career came against another Mexican in the shape of Enrique Tinoco, a stablemate of Juarez. Following Josh Warrington’s shock defeat to previously unknown challenger Mauricio Lara, there will be no risk of complacency for the Chatteris man. “I know Juarez will be coming to win. He’s going to be tough! You hit Mexican fighters with the kitchen sink and they still keep coming forward. I’ve got to make it as onesided as I can. “Juarez is from the same camp as Tinoco, who beat me, so they will be licking their lips! I see this as a step-up from Tinoco, so when I beat this guy, and beat him in the fashion I’m going to, it will prove a lot of people wrong and will be my career-best win. “In my view, the win over Bellotti was a controlled but conservative performance. In this fight you will see a bit more of me!” ■
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CORAZON F
ormer World Title challenger Cesar Juarez is fired up ahead of his WBA International showdown with Jordan Gill. Mexico City’s ‘Corazon’, who shares a hometown with fellow Featherweight Mauricio Lara, fought 12 hard rounds with Nonito Donaire in 2015, losing by UD and falling short in capturing the WBA World Super-Bantamweight Title. Two consecutive defeats against high level opposition hasn’t deterred Juarez, who believes a victory over Gill can leave him in good stead to achieve his dreams of becoming a World Champion at 130lbs. “I’ve had lots of hard and very tough fights,” said Juarez. “I’ve fought some of the best in the world.
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“MAURICIO LARA’S VICTORY GAVE ME A LIFT”
With all the respect that I can give to Jordan Gill, I am here to take the victory back for Mexico. “I am completely focused on my boxing at the moment. My aim is to become a World Champion and I believe I have the skills and the ability to do it. I am still very capable of achieving that dream. “Mauricio Lara’s victory gave me a lift. He has shown that Mexican’s are coming over here to win and that’s exactly what I am going to do. One man who should know that is Jordan Gill. “Myself and Enrique Tinoco, who beat Gill, share the same promoter, and I would put Jordan up there with one of the best fighters I have faced. He has a record that must be respected so he is certainly up there. “I always put it on the line in my fights, I am a come forward fighter who will give everything to have my hand raised tonight.” ■
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FEBRUARY 20 2021
AVANESYAN VS KELLY
12 X 3 MINS EUROPEAN WELTERWEIGHT TITLE
DAVID JOSH vs AVANESYAN KELLY (TABYNSKOE, RUSSIA)
(SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND)
10 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST
FLORIAN RYLAN vs CHARLTON MARKU
(LUSHN, ALBANIA)
(NORWICH, ENGLAND)
10 X 3 MINS VACANT IBF INTERCONTINENTAL SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
ROBBIE GABRIEL vs DAVIES JR VALENZUELA
(LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND)
(GUADALAJARA, MEXICO)
4 X 3 MINS HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST
JOHNNY MATT vs FISHER GORDON
(ROMFORD, ENGLAND)
(WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND)
10 X 3 MINS VACANT WBA INTERNATIONAL FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE
JORDAN CESAR vs JUAREZ GILL
(CHATTERIS, ENGLAND)
(MEXICO CITY, MEXICO)