Frank Buglioni To Return On March 12 at Light Heavyweight

By Shaun Brown

Former world super middleweight title challenger Frank Buglioni (17-2-1, 13 KOs) will make his light heavyweight debut on March 12 at the Copper Box, London.

Buglioni’s maiden professional bow, just over four years ago, was nearly bang on the 175lb limit and then flirted between 168 and 172lbs during his first ten fights as professional.

After winning the WBO European super middleweight belt and the Southern Area title the 6ft 1ins ‘Wise Guy’ will dip his toes into a division that his promoter Frank Warren says will suit him.

“He's not the sort of guy that walks around with a lot on him anyway,” Warren told Boxing Scene.

“He'll have a fight at light heavy (opponent still to be announced), see how he feels. He won't want to sit around, he'll want to be moved on. Sometimes when you're making the weight it might take a bit more out of you. Stepping up a weight will give him a bit more strength and he may settle down and look good in that division.”

The Londoner had a taste of the world scene at 168lbs last September – his most recent fight – when he challenged WBA World super middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov.

Despite losing a unanimous decision of 118-110, 120-106, 117-109, and being deducted two points after dropping the champion after the end of round six, the Brit came out with enormous credit and showed great resilience. Four months prior Buglioni was involved in a fight of the year candidate when he and Lee Markham fought out a draw after going toe-to-toe for ten non-stop rounds for Buglioni's fringe WBO strap.

“He fought Chudinov, he's fought for a world title. He knows what it's all about, he's been there. That's the level he wants to box at, quite rightly, we'll try and make that happen for him,” said Warren.

Warren told Boxing Scene that the March 12 card at London’s Copper Box Arena, to be shown live on Boxnation, will be formally announced next week.

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 Contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com