Former WBO World heavyweight championship number one contender Hughie Fury will return to the ring on May 12th. Fury (20-1) is set to challenge for another title as he faces British heavyweight champion, Sam Sexton (24-3).
The fight will take place at the Macron Stadium in Bolton. It also marks the first time in nearly seven years that a British heavyweight title fight will be broadcasted on terrestrial tv as the bout will be shown exclusively live on Channel 5.
🥊 Big-hitting heavyweight news!
🏅 Prestigious British Heavyweight Title back on terrestrial TV for first time in nearly 7 years!
🇬🇧 @Samsexton84 v @hughiefury
📅 12th May
📺 @channel5_tv@Channel5Sport
📍 @BoltonWhitesHtl#SextonvFury#freetoair— Hennessy Sports (@HennessySports) February 14, 2018
Hennessy Sports promoter Mick Hennessy is excited about the opportunity to reach a wider audience and he believes the UK will ‘sit up and take notice.’
“I’m delighted to bring the historic British Heavyweight Championship back to mainstream, free-to-air, television on Channel 5 where it will be seen by the biggest viewing audience possible due to their considerable reach and exposure.
“I can’t believe that it will be nearly seven years since the British Heavyweight title was last seen on free-to-air in the UK on Channel 5, which we also promoted. We’re back with a bang along with our partners Infinitum and thrilled to deliver a great fight for the fans between two proud and fierce warriors in Sam and Hughie and one that will make the whole country sit up and take notice.
“I’d like to thank Channel 5, Infinitum, Peter Fury and Graham Everett who were involved to make this happen and I can’t wait for May 12th,” said Hennessy.
Sexton won the title against Gary Cornish in October, 2017 and plans to retain his belt near Fury’s backyard.
“I’m really excited to be boxing on a Mick Hennessy and Channel 5 show which is on free-to-air TV. It’s a great fight against a young world class opponent, but I believe I have the experience and ability to win and I won’t be at all phased going into Hughie’s homeland as I’ve proved in the past with Championship victories in Belfast, twice, and in Edinburgh,” said Sexton.
Fury’s trainer and father Peter Fury says the plan is to finally put the controversial decision loss to WBO World champion Joseph Parker behind them with a fresh title win.
“We are delighted to be back in action on terrestrial TV in the UK on Channel 5 where Hughie has fought many times, challenging for the British title and delighted that it’s in Bolton.
Great technical training session this evening with @peterfury Keep watch for an exciting year ahead @mtkglobal@AppliedNutri@HennessySportspic.twitter.com/kQNNAfNVUJ
— Hughie Lewis Fury (@hughiefury) February 9, 2018
“Hughie has proven he belongs on the world scene and what better way to have his comeback fight for the British title.
“Hughie has learned a lot from his controversial WBO World title fight and aims to be right back up there in good fights.”
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