The Copper Box Arena in Hackney Wick should have been hosting the mouthwatering meeting between Jamel Herring and Carl Frampton this Saturday, but, after injury to the Irishman, the fight had to be postponed, and has now been rescheduled for Dubai in early April.
The card in London was then due to be topped by the intriguing British Super Featherweight title clash between the champion, Anthony Cacace, and Leicester’s Lyon Woodstock.
That fight had been canned in Summer 2020 when Cacace suffered an infection after dental surgery, but, in another cruel twist of fate, just two days out from fight night, Woodstock tested positive for COVID-19, so the contest must be pushed back once again to a date to be confirmed.
Thankfully, BT Sport have kept faith in the card, and it continues with the remainder of what would have been the undercard, with Kaisy Khademi headlining against Ijaz Ahmed.
Kaisy Khademi makes a defence of his WBO European Super Flyweight title, and looks to add the vacant IBF European belt, in a rescheduled ten rounder against Birmingham’s durable, Ijaz Ahmed, who was last seen in November 2019, losing on points in a bid for the WBO European belt against Harvey Horn.
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East Ham-based Afghan, Khademi (8-0, 2 KOs) won the same vacant belt a month later, in a closer than expected points win over Pedro Matos at York Hall and was set to face Ahmed (7-2) in November, prior to Khademi testing positive for Covid-19.
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Prediction: It should be a well contested battle, but I favour Khademi to get the nod on the cards.
Stoke man Heaney faces Oliver
Stoke ticket seller, Nathan Heaney (10-0, 3 KOs) is one to watch, with his fanbase alone a huge one.
The man from the Potteries takes on Ryan Oliver (7-2, 1 KO) over ten in his Queensberry Promotions debut at Middleweight.
10-0 middleweight Nathan Heaney’s ring walk with the Stoke City supporters has to be one of the best in British boxing…
[📽️ @BCB_Boxing]pic.twitter.com/E1DsrguAh3
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 13, 2021
Prediction: Heaney went ten rounds in his last outing, a wide points win for the IBO Intercontinental strap, while Oliver hasn’t been stopped in either of his defeats. With neither a noted puncher, the pick here is for a comfortable points win for Heaney.
Noakes clashes with Thomas in battle of unbeatens
Someone’s ‘0’ has to go at Lightweight, as Sam Noakes (4-0, 4 KOs) and Delmar Thomas (5-0, 2 KOs) clash over six rounds. Noakes has impressed thus far in his fledgling career, and he can add a fifth consecutive stoppage to his slate with an early victory here.
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Fury returns
Tommy Fury (4-0, 3 KOs) is back in action, and the Light Heavyweight meets an opponent to be announced.
Three debutants make their bows on the bill, and all should be points winners against durable opposition.
Amaar Akbar takes on Chris Adaway (10-68-4, 1 KO) at Super Lightweight, and at Featherweight, Adan Mohamed meets lively journeyman, Brett Fidoe (13-64-5, 6 KOs). At Super Featherweight, Masood Abdulah and Zimbabwean, Taka Bembere (1-16, 1 KO) collide.
