Chris Jenkins will face Tyrone Nurse for the vacant British Light Welterweight title at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on April 11 after champion Willie Limond was forced out of his defense against Jenkins with a shoulder injury.
Unbeaten Welshman Jenkins was set to challenge Limond for the title, but will now face Huddersfield man Nurse instead, who was due to fight over eight rounds on the bill in Yorkshire.
Jenkins has been waiting for his shot at the British title since romping to victory in Prizefighter in July 2013. The 26 year old picked up the WBC International title last February and a first round stoppage of Jacek Wylezol in October extended his unbeaten record in the pros to 16 wins with eight inside the distance.
Nurse returns to the scene of his last title outing and will be hoping for better fortunes. The 25 year old met Dave Ryan for the vacant Commonwealth title in October and was edged out via a majority decision having hit the canvas in both the first and second rounds. Nurse bounced back a month later with a KO win in Manchester taking him to 30-2, and promoter Eddie Hearn believes this fight could be a show-stealer.
“This is a great fight and a huge opportunity for both fighters to pick up one of the most prestigious belts in boxing,” said Hearn. “Tyrone was due to box on the bill regardless and will have plenty of support from the Yorkshire faithful but Chris has been waiting a while for this opportunity and is in great shape. The Light Welterweight domestic division is wide open and next Saturday’s winner will be in pole position.”
Jenkins’ meeting with Nurse is part of a massive night of action in Leeds, topped by local star Josh Warrington’s showdown with Dennis Tubieron for the vacant WBC International Featherweight title.
Bob Ajisafe in Action April 11
Bob Ajisafe will face Daniel Wanyonyi for the vacant Commonwealth Light Heavyweight title on the same card.
Ajisafe is on a roll after a hot 2014 where he picked up the British title against Dean Francis in March, and took out Leon Senior and Matty Clarkson inside five rounds to establish himself as one of the top dogs in the division in Britain.
Now the Leeds man is aiming to add the Commonwealth crown to his Lonsdale strap and move onto more top honours, but he’ll face stiff opposition in Wanyonyi, the 26 year old Kenyan who picked up the African title in June.
“This is a great chance for Ajisafe to pick up a major title in his first action of 2014,” said Hearn. “Wanyonyi is an exciting fighter who can really bang, but Bob will have huge support in his home city and is looking to make a statement in the division.”
Kal Yafai will face Rey Megrino at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on May 9.
Yafai is gunning for a World title shot at 112lbs after making a successful debut at the weight in Sheffield on Saturday night, and victory of Megrino will catapult him into the mix for the green and gold belt.
Philippines ace Megrino is ranked at number eight with the WBC and has been a feature in the top ten of the rankings since a famous third round stoppage of former WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam for the International title in 2012.
“Now is the time for Kal to dive in at World level,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “The WBC Silver title is a huge one to collect on your way and Megrino will bring huge ambition. The atmosphere at the Barclaycard Arena will be fantastic – this is his breakout night on the World scene, victory here and we expect a World title shout within the next six to nine months.”
Yafai’s clash with Megrino is part of a huge night of action in Birmingham, as Frankie Gavin faces a crunch clash on home turf against Chris van Heerden for the South African’s IBF International Welterweight title
