European welterweight champion David Avanesyan will make a voluntary defence of his title against Oskari Metz. The Russian and his team, including promoter Frank Warren, have called for a fight against rival Conor Benn but it appears more and more unlikely each week. Metz is unbeaten in 15 fights but the Finn has never competed in a fight beyond the eight-round distance. The fight is scheduled to take place in March.
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The British super-bantamweight title may have a new keeper on March 11. York Hall will play host to Chris Bourke v Marc Leach who contest the vacant title fight following European champion Jason Cunningham’s decision to drop it and move on to bigger fights. The show will kick off Queensbury Promotions’ 2022 schedule on BT Sport. The likes of Karol Itauma, Willo Hayden, Joshua Frankham and other prospects are in support slots for a terrific looking main event. Click here to watch Boxing Social’s recent interview with Bourke.
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‘Pint-Sized Powerhouse’ Rylan Charlton will look to get back to winning ways when he returns on March 11 in Norwich, his home city. The 29-year-old burst on to the British scene with his demolition of Joe Laws in 2020 but two back-to-back defeats against Florian Marku and Luke Willis has Charlton having to climb back up the ladder again.
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Macaulay McGowan put up a spirited effort against Sergio Martinez on Thursday. The Wythenshawe fighter took the former world middleweight champion the 10-round distance in Spain having been dropped twice in rounds 7 and 10. ‘Maravilla’, now 46, is eyeing a fight against Gennadiy Golovkin.