The Matchroom Boxing and DAZN five-year partnership officially kicks off on July 31 with week one of Fight Camp.
The success of last year’s edition of the outdoor fight series at Matchroom HQ in Essex is being used as the platform to launch Eddie Hearn’s plans with the streaming service.
Opening night is headlined by rising welterweight star Conor Benn as the Londoner faces 31-year-old American Adrien Granados. The remainder of the card sees Tommy McCarthy put his European cruiserweight title on the line against Commonwealth champion Chris Billam-Smith. The highly anticipated bout will also see the British title on the line. Shannon Courtenay returns after her memorable world title win against Ebanie Bridges while Jack Cullen gets a chance to boost his record against Avni Yildrim while. Anthony Fowler continues his progression against the veteran Robert Garcia who went the distance with Liam Smith 18 months ago and Campbell Hatton gets his third outing on week one that also sees the debut of amateur star Sandy Ryan.
“Last year’s line-up had it all – and this year’s series is set to be even bigger and better with addition of fans,” said Matchroom Boxing Chairman Eddie Hearn via today’s press release.”
Week two of Fight Camp on August 7 will see the vacant IBF featherweight title up for grabs when the highest ranked contenders Kid Galahad and Jazza Dickens square off. The two former world title challengers fought one another for the British super-bantamweight title in 2013 when Galahad came out on top with a tenth-round stoppage. British heavyweight Fabio Wardley returns on the bill as does Albanian welterweight Florian Marku who puts his unbeaten record up against another yet to taste defeat in the shape of Romania’s Maxim Prodan. ‘The Savage’ Alen Babic looks to add another victim to his record on week two while Australia’s Ebanie Bridges faces Bec Connolly. The talented Ellie Scotney also features on the show as does heavyweight prospect Johnny Fisher and the promising Aqib Fiaz.
The following week, the final night of Fight Camp, will give Joshua Buatsi, now trained by Virgil Hunter,the biggest test of his career against MTK Golden Contract light-heavyweight winner Richard Bolotniks. Savannah Marshall defends her WBO middleweight title for a second time while American featherweight prospect Raymond Ford crosses the pond to face former Commonwealth champion Reece Bellotti. One of Matchroom’s most recent signings Michael McKinson looks to prove his welterweight worth when he fights Poland’s Przemyslaw Runowski and Felix Cash returns to the Matchroom base to defend his Commonwealth middleweight title after winning the British version on a rival show against Denzel Bentley in April. The remainder of the show sees appearances from talented Scot Kash Farooq, former world title challenger Tasha Jonas and rising star Hopey Price.
“We’re proud to unveil a Fight Camp season packed with some of the world’s best talent, with a few surprises still to come. We can’t wait to give fans a glimpse into our brand new boxing offering this summer – and we’re just getting started,” said DAZN’s Co-CEO James Rushton