Red-hot super-featherweight Mitchell Smith says that he’s punching harder than ever after recovering from a hand injury and will show he’s back to his best this Saturday (22nd February) at the York Hall.

The Harrow Weald talent faces Holyhead’s Mark Evans over eight-rounds - his first fight in five months since winning the Southern Area title against Scott Moises when he damaged his left hand - on the undercard of his stablemate Tony Conquest who tops the bill in a Vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight title challenge against Daniel Ammann.

Smith, who’s undefeated in seven fights with three knockouts, is looking forward to having a test against Evans, the unbeaten Welsh Area champion, in his comeback fight.

Many pundits have tipped Mitchell for the top and the 21-year-old is looking to justify their faith this year.

“This is good fight against Evans and will raise my performance against someone who’s undefeated,” Said Smith.

“It’s been frustrating being out of the ring and not being able to punch, but the hand is absolutely perfect now, I’m punching hard and confidently so I’m raring to go.  I can’t wait to get back in the ring, start fighting regularly again and showing everybody what I can do,”

“I’ve had good spars against Lewis Pettitt, Tommy Martin and Michael Grant to name a few and I’ve been banging away on the bags and pads and the hand is great, right as rain, all I need to do is test it out against Evans on the night,”

“Tony’s topping the bill and he’s my mate, but I’m looking to steal the show by putting on a dazzling performance and get the fans and press talking about me again,”

“I hope that this is the start of busy year for me, last year I only got two fights in and the year before I had five so I’ve got a bit of ground to make up.  Boxing News has me at 15 in the latest rankings and by the end of the year I’d like to have broken into the top ten and at least have the English title or be looking at the British title.”

Tony Conquest headlines the show at the York Hall when he challenges for the Vacant Commonwealth Cruiserweight title against Daniel Ammann, plus an action-packed undercard featuring:

8 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Middleweight Contest

Gary Corcoran v Faheem Khan

6 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Heavyweight Contest

Andreas Evangelou v Sam Couzens

6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Middleweight Contest

Tom Baker v Jamie Ambler

6 X 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest

J.M Coyle v Max Maxwell

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Welterweight Contest

Josh Leather v Jason Nesbitt

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Welterweight Contest

Chris Evangelou v Dan Carr

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Featherweight Contest

Ediz Hussein v Yousef Al Hamidi

4 X 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest

Conrad Cummings v TBA

Remaining tickets priced at £40 and £60 are available from Queensberry Promotions on 01992 550 888.

The show will be televised live and exclusive in the UK on BoxNation (Sky 437/HD 449 and Virgin 546).  Join at www.boxnation.com

DOVER, Del. — This Friday’s championship boxing event in the Rollins Center features a headline bout between “The New” Ray Robinson (16-2-0, 7 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pa., fighting for the NABO Welterweight Championship Title against Aslanbek “The Warrior” Kozaev (25-0-1, 7 KOs), of Vladikavkaz, Russia.  Doors open at 6 p.m. for the first bout at 7 p.m.  Will call open between 5-9 p.m.

The undercard includes featherweight Cornelius Lock, lightweight “Jolt’n” Joey Tiberi, light middleweight Anthony Miller, super middleweight John “Church Boy” Bowman, cruiserweight David “One Two” Murray, middleweight Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis (pro debut), and junior welterweight Milton “El Santo” Santiago (pro debut).

Tickets may be purchased by calling VIP Services at 800-711-5882 and may be ordered online at doverdowns.com through Wednesday.  Event, times and card are subject to change or cancellation without notice

Fighting for at Risk Youth in Dallas, Literally

The URHOPE Foundation and Standing 8 Promotions are teaming up to fight for kids at the A NIGHT TO FIGHT Professional Boxing Fundraiser on February 27, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) at the Dallas Frontiers of Flight Museum. All proceeds will support the URHOPE Foundation’s cause to reach at risk youth through The Ring of Hope Boxing Club, which uses the sport of boxing to mentor the inner-city youth of Dallas.

A NIGHT TO FIGHT will feature 6 live professional boxing matches organized and donated by Standing 8 Promotions, as well as dinner, an auction with prizes such as weekend getaways, sporting event suites and many other items.  A NIGHT TO FIGHT will be emceed by Mark Elfenbein of 103.3 FM ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth and it will also spotlight past professional boxing champions and several Dallas Cowboys.  The main event for the evening features defending Super Welterweight Champion Hector “El Diamante” Vazquez of Irving, TX 12-1 2 KO’s attempting his 3rd defense of the belt against 33 fight veteran and former belt holder Taronze Washington of Dallas, TX.

 “We know that this is not going to be an easy contest. Taronze has been in the ring with everyone and always comes to win…and he wants his belt back,” said Vazquez who is coming off a win against 14-2 Anthony Lenk of Las Vegas, NA. “This is a vital year for my career and I am happy to fight at this event. This charity has grown as my career has grown. I am proud to have fought at the first A NIGHT TO FIGHT charity event in 2012 and now to fight in this one. I am training extremely hard for this fight. I am coming back to the ring with a title and I plan to leave with that same title,” added Vazquez.

Taronze Washington is also looking forward to the event.  “I have been in there with 5 future champions, so I know what it takes. This has been the best preparation before a fight that I have had my whole career. That title was mine and it will be mine again! This win will be special too, since it represents more than a title. The money from the event helps a whole lot of young people right here in Dallas.  I get to win back my belt and help youth in my own city. This is the perfect night,” said Washington.

Also featured on the card is media favorite Juan Antonio (Tony) Lopez 8-0 of Fort Worth, TX and highly touted former national amateur champion Marquis Taylor 1-0 of Houston, TX. Additionally, local prospects Kenny Grammer of Wichita Falls, TX and Hector Valdez of Dallas are both making there long awaited professional debuts at A Night to Fight.  Ring of Hope veteran Christian Faz 2-2 of Dallas is also on the card. A total of 30 rounds of professional boxing are scheduled for the evening. This event is a private charity fundraiser, but a very limited amount of mezzanine tickets that include dinner are available for $30 dollars. These will only be offered while supplies last. They can be purchased by calling DK Haney Roofing, a supporter of the event, at 817-546-2266.

The Ring of Hope Boxing Club was founded by The URHOPE Foundation in 2010, and is maintained by the Dallas Leadership Foundation (DLF).  The Ring of Hope Boxing Club is just one of the Dallas Leadership Foundation’s (DLF) many programs developed to help facilitate the re-development of disadvantaged communities through rehabilitation services and collaborative relationships. The foundation plays a vital role in the city by linking businesses, churches, and civic groups to communities in need. DLF's community revitalization efforts impact seven Dallas neighborhoods. Since its inception, DLF has served over 5,200 families and individuals and partnered with other community organizations to serve an additional 9,000 people. They have provided affordable housing services for approximately 550 families and provided over $5.1 million in direct services, while mobilizing 14,225 church, community and business volunteers for service in the community. You can also learn more about the Dallas Leadership Foundation at www.DLFTX.org .

The other event organizer, Standing 8 Promotions has gained prominence in the boxing world by staging consistent cards, competitive fights, exciting entertainment and featuring some of the very best young boxing talent from around the globe. From the very beginning of Standing 8 Promotions, its boxers have been consistent in reaching out to the community through different organizations and events like A NIGHT TO FIGHT.