Birmingham’s Gamal Yafai will challenge for the European 122lbs title against reigning champion Luca Rigoldi at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy, on December 17.
Yafai (17-1, 10 KOs) has reeled off three straight wins following his only career loss against former world title challenger Gavin McDonnell in March 2018. Southpaw Rigoldi (22-1-2, 8 KOs) has held the European crown for two years since defeating Jeremy Parodi (W12) in France in November 2018.
The bout is part of packed promotion from Matchroom Boxing Italy and OPI Since 82 featuring world-rated Belgian Francesco Patera (23-3, 8 KOs) against Italy’s Devis ‘Boom Boom’ Boschiero (48-6-2, 22 KOs) and Maiva Hamadouche (21-1, 17 KOs) defending her IBF 130lbs title against Serbia’s Nina Pavlovic (6-3-1, 1 KO). Barcelona’s European 140lbs champ Sandor Martin will also appear in an eight-rounder against Nicaraguan Nestor Maradiaga.
Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “This is a stacked night of title action and I’m pleased to end a difficult and challenging year out in Italy on a high. Francesco Patera has been in red-hot form since he claimed the European lightweight crown against Lewis Ritson back in 2018 and he’ll be knocking on the door for a world title shot in the brilliant lightweight division should he get past Boschiero.
“Gamal Yafai gets his European title shot but faces a tough task against reigning champion Luca Rigoldi. It’s great to see our recent signings Maiva Hamadouche and Sandor Martin out so soon, there’s some huge fights out there for the both of them in 2021 if they win on December 17. Don’t miss any of the action on DAZN.”