UK boxing news round up.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Seems a terrific prospect, but do you think it's a risk turning pro without a senior bout in the ams?

I’d have preferred for him to do another year in the Ams and go and win an ABA title. Hopefully they don’t rush him but it’s admittedly difficult with a HW.

I’m super excited about this kid though. I’ve heard he was giving Dubois and Okollie some work when he was training at the McGuigan gym and obviously his pedigree speaks for itself.

[BrilliantAJ]

I’d have preferred for him to do another year in the Ams and go and win an ABA title. Hopefully they don’t rush him but it’s admittedly difficult with a HW.

I’m super excited about this kid though. I’ve heard he was giving Dubois and Okollie some work when he was training at the McGuigan gym and obviously his pedigree speaks for itself.

Speaking of Okolie, do you reckon he could make any noise at heavy in the future? As the WBO champ, he could automatically bank a mandatory shot if he elected to move up couldn’t he? Maybe that’s part of the appeal to Sky of making him their face if he can mix it with Parker etc in the near future?

[adotd]

I’d have preferred for him to do another year in the Ams and go and win an ABA title. Hopefully they don’t rush him but it’s admittedly difficult with a HW.

I’m super excited about this kid though. I’ve heard he was giving Dubois and Okollie some work when he was training at the McGuigan gym and obviously his pedigree speaks for itself.

Brilliant signing for Warren. Passes the eye test massively. Ridiculous reflexes, it won't be long until he's challenging for titles.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Speaking of Okolie, do you reckon he could make any noise at heavy in the future? As the WBO champ, he could automatically bank a mandatory shot if he elected to move up couldn’t he? Maybe that’s part of the appeal to Sky of making him their face if he can mix it with Parker etc in the near future?

I think so yeah. Probably depends on well his frame copes with the extra weight but I think there’s definitely potential there at HW.

I think he’ll move up within the next 18 months so you’re probably onto something with the Parker fight. Would make sense.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Brilliant signing for Warren. Passes the eye test massively. Ridiculous reflexes, it won't be long until he's challenging for titles.

Yeah he has a lot of tools. Very excited to see how he transitions. I’d somewhat copy the Wilder blueprint and just keep him active. Have him fight 8 times a year even if it makes his record look a bit padded. As good as he is, he’s 18 in the HW division, they need to get him as much experience as possible IMO.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Keep seeing reports of AJ fighting 3 times in 2023. Complete nonsense. I’d honestly be surprised if he fought twice. Joshua hasn’t fought 3 times in a year since 2016 I believe.

[BrilliantAJ]

Keep seeing reports of AJ fighting 3 times in 2023. Complete nonsense. I’d honestly be surprised if he fought twice. Joshua hasn’t fought 3 times in a year since 2016 I believe.

Whyte II in mid-late June is all I can really see happening. If he fights earlier than that it'll be an absolute walkover (like sub-Wallin standard; McKean or someone of that ilk). If he fights Wilder I'll eat my hat. What's happening with Ruiz-Wilder anyway as the WBC eliminator?

Would be interested to hear your thoughts or anything you've got on the following:

* Is Hunter-Bakole II still looking at all likely for the Taylor-Catterall II undercard?

* Anything on any Queensbury/Boxxer shows in February?

* Okolie/Light card - any news?

* If March 11 still goes ahead for the Liverpool Callum Smith card, might Pacheco be on the bill? Saw he said on Insta under Eddie's post that he's back in camp this week, sounds about right doesn't it? If not then maybe March 25th on Bam's card.

* Anything Feb 26 at the O2 for Matchroom?

* Your thoughts on the likelihood of these two fights; Azeez-Arthur sometime in the summer, and Riakporhe getting a world title shot this summer at Selhurst?

Cheers for the updates, appreciated.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Whyte II in mid-late June is all I can really see happening. If he fights earlier than that it'll be an absolute walkover (like sub-Wallin standard; McKean or someone of that ilk). If he fights Wilder I'll eat my hat. What's happening with Ruiz-Wilder anyway as the WBC eliminator?

Would be interested to hear your thoughts or anything you've got on the following:

* Is Hunter-Bakole II still looking at all likely for the Taylor-Catterall II undercard?

* Anything on any Queensbury/Boxxer shows in February?

* Okolie/Light card - any news?

* If March 11 still goes ahead for the Liverpool Callum Smith card, might Pacheco be on the bill? Saw he said on Insta under Eddie's post that he's back in camp this week, sounds about right doesn't it? If not then maybe March 25th on Bam's card.

* Anything Feb 26 at the O2 for Matchroom?

* Your thoughts on the likelihood of these two fights; Azeez-Arthur sometime in the summer, and Riakporhe getting a world title shot this summer at Selhurst?

Cheers for the updates, appreciated.

Completely agree in regards to AJ, even if he supposedly fights in April, the earliest he could possibly return would be September. There’s no way he’s fighting in the Summer after fighting in April. I suspect they go straight into the Whyte rematch too.

Hunter has been removed from the WBA ratings so I suspect that’s because he’s instead going to fight Bakole rather than in a WBA final eliminator.

I’ve got nothing on Queensberry tbh, I think they’re solely focused on finalising Fury-Usyk atm.

Azeez vs Faure will likely land on Okolie vs Light.

I’m not sure tbh, only fight I’ve heard that is likely for that card is Davies Jr vs either Paro or Meneses.

Arthur would definitely be available, Dennis Hobson had a deal for him to face Jack Massey up at Cruiserweight and he was also offered to Hearn as an opponent for Callum Smith, so Wasserman are open to working with people. It’s a make-able fight.

I think Riakporhe will either fight for a World title or rematch CBS in the summer. I’d be disappointed if they couldn’t secure him a title fight tbh, none of the foreign champions are that expensive to bring over and they’ve basically signed Okolie now.

[BrilliantAJ]

Completely agree in regards to AJ, even if he supposedly fights in April, the earliest he could possibly return would be September. There’s no way he’s fighting in the Summer after fighting in April. I suspect they go straight into the Whyte rematch too.

Hunter has been removed from the WBA ratings so I suspect that’s because he’s instead going to fight Bakole rather than in a WBA final eliminator.

I’ve got nothing on Queensberry tbh, I think they’re solely focused on finalising Fury-Usyk atm.

Azeez vs Faure will likely land on Okolie vs Light.

I’m not sure tbh, only fight I’ve heard that is likely for that card is Davies Jr vs either Paro or Meneses.

Arthur would definitely be available, Dennis Hobson had a deal for him to face Jack Massey up at Cruiserweight and he was also offered to Hearn as an opponent for Callum Smith, so Wasserman are open to working with people. It’s a make-able fight.

I think Riakporhe will either fight for a World title or rematch CBS in the summer. I’d be disappointed if they couldn’t secure him a title fight tbh, none of the foreign champions are that expensive to bring over and they’ve basically signed Okolie now.

Were Hunter and Bakole not both pretty high up in the WBA in the last rankings? I saw Bakole was up at 3 iirc? Seemed like that was shaping up to be a WBA eliminator but I suppose not. Saw Hunter on Twitter saying the fight should be in Vegas because he'll get robbed in Scotland. Not sure anyone's putting up the money to do that fight in America though where Bakole is an absolute unknown and Hunter isn't a big draw either to say the least.

Fair play re: Queensbury.

Azeez-Faure sounds right for that yeah. Hopefully they do Arthur after that in the summer, Azeez is well ranked with the WBA I believe (2?) and so I guess it'll just be waiting patiently for a shot + if they can make a good domestic fight in the meantime it's a win-win. Interesting about Arthur at cruiser.

They should be able to bring a champ over for Riakporhe yeah. I think Mikaeylan will be WBC champ after the Makabu fight, but definitely get him or Goulamirian over & it shouldn't cost them too much as you've said (somewhere in the £100-150k range?)

[adotd]

Any news on Scott Fitzgerald? Not necessarily for boxing, but how he's doing in his physical and mental health. Had a fair few chin wags with him prior to his bad turn, and he's a really top lad in person. Not sure why he randomly came to mind.