After being informed that he must defend his European junior featherweight title against Peter McGrail, British champion Denis McCann has now been ordered to also defend the Lonsdale belt against a 2020 Olympian.
The 23-year-old McCann (16-0-1, 8 KOs) defeated Brad Strand on points to win the title in March and then produced the best performance of his career by beating Ionut Barta in a rematch in July.
McGrail (9-1, 5 KOs) bounced back from a shock knockout loss to Jarico Quinn in December and then handily defeated former British bantamweight titleholder Mark Leach in April. McGrail will face Brad Foster on September 28 and a win would put him on track for a major bout with McCann.
Brad Pauls (19-1-1, 11 KOs) fulfilled a lifelong dream when he took the British middleweight title from Nathan Heaney in July. “The Newky Bomb” will make the first defence of his title against Kieron Conway (21-3-1, 6 KOs).
After facing Heaney in March to a thrilling draw, Pauls looked better than ever when he stopped Heaney in the final round of the rematch.
However, Conway is currently competing in a $1 million Prizefighter tournament and after defeating China’s Ainwael Elishaty in Japan in July, is awaiting a date for an exciting, action-packed semi-final against Aaron McKenna. Given the potential prize money on offer, a return to Japan may be a priority over challenging Pauls.
Having recently announced he has signed a promotional deal with Queensberry, Commonwealth junior middleweight titleholder Sam Gilley (17-1, 8 KOs) will face old rival Lewis Green (17-4, 11 KOs) for the vacant British 154lb title. The two fought last October and although Gilley has been unable to capitalise on his exciting win, he will be looking to make up for lost time in a rematch against Green on October 18th.
On Thursday it was announced that junior bantamweight titleholder Marcel Braithwaite (17-4-1, 2 KOs) will fight Ryan Farag for the minor IBO title on Nov. 16. The fate of his mandatory title defence against Liverpool rival Brandon Daood (10-0, 3 KOs) will have to be discussed at a meeting next month.
The latest British Boxing Board of Control circular in full (BBBoC commentary in italics):
Heavyweight
Fabio Wardley (Holder) vs. Fraser Clarke
The said contest, hosted by Frank Warren, will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
Cruiserweight
Chivon Clark (Holder)
Light Heavyweight
Joshua Buatsi (holder)
Super Middleweight
Callum Simpson (holder)
Middleweight
Brad Pauls (Holder) vs. Kieron Conway
The Trustees have decided to make the above competition open to prizes for bids submitted to the Board’s headquarters by noon on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in accordance with the terms and conditions, with the competition scheduled to run by the end of February 2025.
Junior Middleweight (Vacant)
Sam Gilley vs. Lewis Green
Once an agreement has been reached between the parties, the above contests sponsored by Lee Eaton will be held at the date, time and venue to be notified.
Welterweight
Harry Scarfe (Holder) vs. Liam Taylor
The above contest, sponsored by Nisse Sauerland, will take place at a date and venue to be notified at a later date.
Junior Welterweight (Vacant)
Henry Turner vs. Jack Lafferty
The said competition, organised by Frank Warren, will take place on Saturday 5th October 2024 in Liverpool.
Ben Maerskby vs. Khalil Majid
The Stewards hereby approve the request from Promoter Nisse Sauerland for the above mentioned Eliminator Contest, which will take place on a date and at a location to be notified.
lightweight
Sam Noakes (holder)
Regan Glackin vs. Kyle Boyd
Following an injury to Kyle Boyd, the final eliminator event is awaiting announcement of a new date and venue from promoter Sam Kinnock.
This contest is also the Celtic Lightweight Championship.
Junior Lightweight
Reece Bellotti (holder) vs. Michael Gomez Jr.
Pursuant to an agreement between the two parties, the said contest, hosted by Eddie Hearn, is scheduled to take place in Manchester on Saturday 26 October 2024.
Featherweight
Nathaniel Collins (Holder)
Junior Featherweight
Dennis McCann (Holder) vs. Peter McGrail
The Stewards have decided to open the above-mentioned Essential Defence Competition to bids to be submitted to the Board Headquarters by noon on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in accordance with the terms and conditions, with the competition scheduled to take place by the end of February 2025.
Bantamweight
Andrew Kane (Holder)
Junior Bantamweight
Marcel Braithwaite (holder) vs. Brandon Daood
The above contest, sponsored by Lee Eaton, will take place at a date and venue to be announced at a later date.
Flyweight
Jay Harris (Holder) vs. Conor Kelsol
The above contest is sponsored by Frank Warren and the date and venue will be announced at a later date.
The bout doubles as the European and Commonwealth flyweight championships.
John Evans has been a contributor to numerous popular publications and websites for over a decade. Follow John at x John Evans
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