BOXXER latest offering comes from the OVO Arena, and Richard Riakporhe takes a tricky assignment in the main event, as he faces late replacement Deion Jumah over ten rounds at cruiserweight.
Sky Sports televise Riakporhe vs Jumah live in the UK.
Riakporhe (13-0, 9 KOs) is looking to push towards a world title shot in the near future, and he has impressively gone about his business so far, with some good names on his record to date.
The 32-year-old holds a stoppage win (TKO4) over Tommy McCarthy, and he backed that up with a split decision win over Chris Billam-Smith in his next outing.
He took nearly two years out before returning under the BOXXER banner, and he has won two fights under his new promotional team, his last a fifth round stoppage of Olanrewaju Durodola in November 2021.
The Londoner was due to face Fabio Turchi here, but the Italian has been ruled out, bringing Jumah (14-0, 7 KOs) in at a couple of weeks notice.
‘The Ghost’ has had a stop-start career due to health issues, but has always been highly touted, and he turned over under the Sauerland’s in 2013.
The 32-year-old won the English belt in 2020, but was then out for over two years, and returned last month in Purfleet, ticking over with a four round points win over Willbeforce Shihepo.
Prediction: Had Jumah been regularly been in action, and had a full training camp, I would give him a real live chance in this one, but Riakporhe may well be fresher and sharper. I still expect Jumah to give Richard a tough nights’ work, but Riakporhe should prevail on the scorecards.
Azeez faces late-replacement Cartwright
British light heavyweight champion, Dan Azeez has now signed with BOXXER, and he faces late-replacement, Reece Cartwright in a non-title bout.
Azeez (15-0, 10 KOs) impressively took the vacant belt in his last fight, as he ruthlessly stopped Hosea Burton in seven rounds, and he has impressed in a 15-fight career.
The 32-year-old was set to face old amateur foe, Matthew Tinker but he was withdrawn, reportedly due to a medical issue with Cartwright (23-2, 14 KOs) stepping in.
Prediction: Azeez should retain in style within four.
Greene & Scarf battle for English strap
The vacant English title is on the line at welterweight, as Louis Greene meets Harry Scarff over ten rounds.
Scarff (10-2, 3 KOs) makes a move down in weight from 154 pounds, with his only losses coming in good company to Anthony Fowler and Troy Williamson on the cards over ten.
Oh yeahhh let’s go ! 🎉🏆🐏 #boxing https://t.co/vdneq637sr
— HorribleHarryScarff (@HarryScarff) March 21, 2022
Greene (13-2, 7 KOs) was stopped in seven by Lewis Crocker in 2020, and has fought once since, a November 2021 points win over six.
Prediction: Scarff can take this one on points.
Azim steps up
Shane McGuigan-trained, Adam Azim (3-0, 2 KOs) fights for the fourth time as a professional taking on Southern Area lightweight champion, Connor Marsden, although the belt is not on the line in this one.
It’s Azim’s first scheduled ten rounder, having been six rounds on debut. Marsden (5-1, 2 KOs) won the vacant title in June last year, stopping Boy Jones in six.
Prediction: Azim can halt Marsden late on.
Remaining Undercard
Adam’s brother Hassan Azim (2-0, KO1) is also in action, welterweight can halt Yoncho Markov (4-3, KO2) inside the four round distance.
Chris Kongo (12-1, 7 KOs) returns after his first pro loss to Michael McKinson last March, and the welterweight can take a points win against Kelvin Dotel (14-6, 7 KOs).
Caroline Dubois (1-0) makes a second pro start, and the lightweight may need all six rounds to take victory over Hungary’s Martina Horgasz (5-8, 4 KOs).
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Unbeaten super welterweight, Joe Pigford (18-0, 17 KOs) can keep up his impressive knockout run with an inside schedule win over David Ezequiel Romero (12-14-1, 5 KOs) over six.
Debutants on the card include heavyweight hope Jeamie Tshikeva, and he can stop Alvaro Terrero (5-15-2, 3 KOs), and at featherweight, Jimmy Lee may need the distance to beat Jose Hernandez (4-40-1, 3 KOs).
Shannon Ryan can take a points win over four against Claudia Ferenczi (20-89-8) at super flyweight.
