By Elliot Foster
Scott Fitzgerald will return to the ring next month.
The Preston man, who won Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow back in 2014, had been set to make his comeback on Friday at the Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle.
But ‘Fitzy’, 25, suffered what he called a “little injury”, leaving him unable to spar and it was then decided that his next fight would be pushed back.
Fitzgerald revealed on his Instagram feed that he will be back in the ring on July 15 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The show, which is to be screened exclusively live on BoxNation, is topped by Jack Arnfield and also features Ryan Mulcahy in a clash against Ben Wager for the vacant Central Area super-lightweight title.
WBA International super-lightweight champion Tom Farrell will box on the card alongside Ricky Hatton-trained undefeated heavyweight Nathan Gorman.
There will be action on the night for Adam Machaj, Mickey Ellison, Jack Cullen and Ross Cooksey, who fights for just the second time in the paid code.
Meanwhile, Mark Jeffers is looking to move to 6-0, Alex McCloy wants a ninth win in the paid ranks and Ben Swarbrick, James Moorcroft and Ryan Oliver complete the card on which Liverpool’s James Metcalf is also expected to feature.
IN OTHER NEWS: Ryan Burnett met the Lord Mayor of Belfast at Belfast City Hall yesterday – and vowed to bring huge shows to the city as the new IBF World Bantamweight champion.
Burnett landed the IBF strap with a brilliant performance against defending champion Lee Haskins at the SSE Arena earlier this month, and now takes time off to relax and allow the nasty cut he sustained from a second round head-clash to heal.
The 25 year old is aiming to return to his hometown for a first defence early in the new season and Burnett knows that there’s a target on his back now as a World ruler – and that’s something he’s relishing.
“I know that staying World champion is tougher than becoming World champion – and that’s the challenge that I’m looking forward to,” said Burnett. “There’s some great fights out there and I’ve already beaten a top World champion in Lee so I feel ready to take on all comers.
“I’ll move at the pace that Adam Booth and Eddie Hearn decide is right and take on anyone that they put in my path. Winning the title on my home patch was a dream come true and we can have some massive nights in Belfast now.”
Ted Cheeseman believes he can become a major player in the Super-Welterweight division if he can beat English champion Matthew Ryan in their British title eliminator at The O2 in London on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Cheeseman enters his first title fight full of confidence having moved to 8-0 in March and the 21 year old talent wants to make a big impact in the new season where he feels the British title is his for the taking with Liam Williams likely to vacate the crown.
“If I can beat Matthew I believe the division is open and I can take advantage,” said Cheeseman.
“It’s going to be a good test. I'm pushing on with every fight and the last three fights the guys I've boxed have been unbeaten or had good records and come to fight with ambitions to win, so I feel that I am stepping up a lot.
“Beating Lloyd Ellett pushed me right up in the rankings. You can wait around and clock up lots of fights against journeymen or you can test yourself.
“I’ve only had eight fights but I'm already right up there so there's no point sticking around. I had a lot of fights as an amateur and I've learnt a lot in my pro outings so let's push on and see how far I can get.”
Cheeseman’s clash with Ryan is part of a big night of action with Frank Buglioni defending his British Light-Heavyweight title against Ricky Summers.
Team GB Rio Olympic bronze medal man Joshua Buatsi makes his hotly-anticipated pro debut, Reece Bellotti goes for his first pro title against Jamie Speight with the WBC International Silver Featherweight strap on the line and there’s a rivalry brewing between London Cruiserweights Isaac Chamberlain and Lawrence Okolie who both have six rounders on the slate.
Welterweight talent Conor Benn returns from injury and there’s action for Jake Ball, Danny Dignum, Craig Richards and Morgan Jones.
Tickets are on sale now priced £40 - £100 via www.theo2.co.uk. £150 VIP tickets are available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com