Edwards lands title clash with Casimero
Charlie Edwards will challenge Johnriel Casimero for the IBF Flyweight title at The O2 in London on September 10.
Former Team GB star Edwards lands the golden opportunity on the undercard of the colossal World Middleweight title clash between pound-for-pound king Gennady Golovkin and IBF Welterweight ruler Kell Brook.
Edwards has made a big impact on the paid ranks in quick time, picking up the English title in just his fifth fight and the WBC International strap in his seventh, and the 23 year old talent now faces a huge step-up in what will be his ninth pro fight after he boxes in Berlin this weekend.
Casimero landed the IBF Flyweight crown in May with a fourth round KO over Amnat Ruenroeng, gaining revenge for a points loss for the belt in June 2015. That win made the 26 year old Filipino a two-weight champion having previously held the IBF Light-Flyweight crown, but Edwards believes he will rip the title from Casimero’s hands.
“Many people may think this is too early but believe me when I say this that IBF World title is coming home with me,” said Edwards. “People underestimate my engine. Half way through the fight, when he’s behind, he will not be catching up.
“I didn’t turn pro to knock over journeymen I’m in this game to take over the lighter weight divisions. The team behind me at MGM know I am more than ready for this and I would like to thank them, Eddie and Barry Hearn for giving me this chance – I won’t let anybody down.”
“This is a huge gamble for Charlie at this stage in his career but him and the team feel very confident they can beat Casimero,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “At Flyweight, there is only so much experience you can gain and this is a huge opportunity for him to become World champion on home soil in what will be just his ninth fight. September 10 is the biggest night in World boxing so far in 2016 and I’m delighted to provide this opportunity for Charlie – I believe Britain will have yet another World champion that night.”
Whyte and Allen promise war in Leeds
Dillian Whyte and David Allen have promised fans they will see a Heavyweight war when the bitter rivals meet at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on July 30, live on Sky Sports.
After months of heated exchanges on social media, Whyte issued a challenge to Allen’s manager at last week’s press conference – one that was accepted over the weekend by the Sheffield man’s team.
The pair will get in the ring in Yorkshire for the vacant WBC International strap – but both men say that there’s more at stake than the belt and there’s no way the fight can go the distance.
“He’s been shouting my name for ages now so he’s got to step up – he’s going to get KO’d on July 30,” said Whyte. “He said that he’s 100 per cent convinced he can beat me – so we’ll see.
“I just want to get in there and have a fight with a Heavyweight that’s going to come and have a go, so I hope he backs it up.”
“This isn’t about belts and titles, it’s about bragging rights – I don’t like him and he doesn’t like me,” said Allen. “We’re going to stick it on each other and there’s no way that it’s going to go 12 rounds – it’s going to be chin down and bombs away, let’s see who is the last man standing.”
“I’m so pleased these two have finally agreed to get it on,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s one of the best domestic Heavyweight fights out there and it’s added to a massive Leeds show. I will be re-applying to the board to make this fight for the British title with both agreeing to fight Sam Sexton in their first defence – I hope common sense prevails and we can get one of the most prestigious belts in boxing active.”
Whyte and Allen’s clash is part of a huge night of action in Leeds where Josh Warrington defends his WBC International Featherweight title against Patrick Hyland.
Benn lands on Brook and Crolla bills
Conor Benn will be back in action in September when he appears on two huge World title unification bills – Gennady Golovkin vs. Kell Brook at The O2 in London on September 10 and Anthony Crolla vs. Jorge Linares at the Manchester Arena on September 24.
Benn has made an impressive start to life in the paid ranks, making his debut at The O2 in April with a first round KO and added a second first round win in June at the same venue after going the four round distance with Luke Keleher in Glasgow in May.
The 19 year old’s appearances on Brook and Crolla’s special nights will make it five blockbuster World title nights that Benn has appeared on, but the son of British being legend Nigel insists he’s not looking at fighting for titles himself but concentrating on learning his craft.
“It’s brilliant being on these huge shows but I’m not complacent,” said Benn. “I know I have a lot to learn and a lot of improving to do. I want to have four more fights before the end of the year and then seven in 2017 – after that, I’ll be ready to start challenging for titles.
“I’m learning every day in the gym and being on the big shows and seeing how these top fighters like Anthony Joshua, Ricky Burns, Kell Brook and Anthony Crolla go about their business is invaluable to me.”
Benn’s outing in Manchester is part of a huge night of action as Crolla and Linares lock horns in a mouth-watering unification battle for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships, with Isaac Lowe defending his Commonwealth Featherweight title against Tshifhiwa Munyai.
