The Telford International Centre hosts a European title fight this Friday night at the top of the bill, as fan-favourite Sam Eggington and Abass Baraou contest the vacant strap at super welterweight.
Channel 5 televise Baraou vs Eggington live, while Wasserman promote.
Eggington (34-8, 20 KOs) has had some career that has spanned over 40 contests at aged just 30.
After appearing in two Prizefighter tournaments, Eggington upset the likes of Denton Vassell (TKO8) and Shayne Singleton (TKO5) before winning British and Commonwealth crowns at welterweight.
2016 and 2017 saw more eye-catching wins against Frankie Gavin and Paulie Malignaggi, both in eight rounds, before he won and lost the European title.
Since then, there have been many ups and downs for the Midlander, but he has only lost once in his last seven outings, the last a majority reverse to Dennis Hogan in Australia in the first defence of his IBO belt at super welterweight.
‘The Savage’ impressed last time out, stopping the unbeaten Joe Pigford in five in Bournemouth last May.
Throwback to @eggington_sam 2021 fight of the year!💥
Expect fireworks when he returns to fight for European Glory on March 1st, live on @Channel5Sport 👀@Ladbrokes | #BaraouEggington pic.twitter.com/I7QuAtEOwY
— Wasserman Boxing (@WassermanBoxing) February 21, 2024
Baraou (14-1, 9 KOs) is no stranger to UK shores, having upset John O’Donnell in a sixth round win at the O2 Arena in October 2019, and an appearance at the York Hall last March saw him halt Ferenc Katona in three.
The 29-year-old based in Berlin was last out in December 2023, winning an eight round decision against Hugo Noriega in Orlando. The German’s only loss was a close split decision one to Jack Culcay in 2020.
Prediction: There are always fireworks whenever Eggington is in town, and I think this one will be another toe-to-toe encounter. I think Baraou, as the fresher man, can take a thriller on the cards.
Area title on the line, Kazakh power and prospects on the rise – undercard preview:
The vacant Southern Area super middleweight title is also up for grabs in Telford, and Andrei Dascalu (9-0, 2 KOs), a Romanian based in Barnet, can outscore Joe Jackson-Brown (7-0, 4 KOs), who has never been past four rounds previously.
The highly-talented Sultan Zaurbek (16-0, 12 KOs) is involved in the sole eight rounder on the bill, and the Kazakh super featherweight can force a stoppage against Carlos Daniel Cordoba (16-11, 4 KOs).
The most avoided man in the super featherweight division Sultan Zaurbek getting ready to fight in two weeks time.
Speed, Skill & KO Power=👑 pic.twitter.com/r9aEz9hsRQ— Billy Nelson (@L2Box1) February 13, 2024
In six rounders, Kaisee Benjamin (17-3-1, 6 KOs) continues his rebuild since back-to-back losses to Dalton Smith and Sean McComb, and he can take a points win at welterweight against Jan Marsalek (10-7, 8 KOs).
At super welterweight, Dan Toward (2-0, 1 KO) can handle Frank Madsen (8-7, 4 KOs) inside schedule, and Ryan Kelly (18-4, 8 KOs) can outscore Ioan Alexandru Lutic (2-6, 2 KOs) at middleweight.
Wolverhampton super featherweight Gully Powar (7-0, 1 KO) can come through on points against Angelo Turco (8-33-3, 3 KOs), and at welterweight, Elliot Whale (8-0, 4 KOs) should also triumph on the cards against Fernando Mosquera (6-15, 3 KOs).
In four round action, Matty Harris (5-1, 4 KOs), who is coming off a shock loss, should return with a points win at heavyweight against Amine Boucetta (8-10, 0 KOs), and unbeaten featherweight Tom Welland (2-0, 1 KO) can halt Esteban Troetsch (1-2-1, 1 KO). Welterweight debutant Nick Leahy should start with a points win against Jake Osgood (1-40, 0 KOs).
