Frank Warren has confirmed that WBO lightweight titlist Terry Flanagan (32-0, 13 KOs) will meet Petr Petrov (38-4-2, 19 early) in Manchester on April 8 and that former WBO light-middleweight holder Liam Smith (23-1-1, 13 KOs) will face domestic rival Liam Williams (16-0-1, 11 stoppages) on the same bill.
Warren broke the news when revealing the early line up for BoxNation’s deal with BT Sports. “Cut us in half and we bleed boxing,” said Warren when announcing what he believes will be a “New era in boxing.
“I want the big fights and this is a big fight! I want to unify the division,” added Flanagan when speaking about his Russian challenger. “Every fight I’ve had in Manchester has been a knockout.”
“This will be fight of the year,” said Warren when announcing Smith versus Smith.
“He’s improved fast,” stated Liam Smith. “In April we’ll see if he’s ready to step up to the next level.”
Warren also confirmed that British middleweight titlist Tommy Langford (18-0, 6 KOs) will meet Craig Cunningham (17-1, 4 early) in Leicester on April 22 with Tyrone Nurse (34-2-1, 7 KOs) providing chief support in a British light-welterweight title defence against Shayne Singleton (23-1-1, 8 early).
Recent signing Josh Warrington (24-0, 5 early) will meet Marco McCullough (16-3, 10 KOs) on May 13th in Leeds, with more fights to be added to all three shows in the coming weeks and with more bills in the pipeline. “There’s still fights to be announced to the cards we have confirmed today,” Warren confirmed.
Heavyweight contender Hughie Fury (20-0, 10 early) was also in attendance, he wants to meet WBO holder Joseph Parker (22-0, 18 KOs). “My aim is to be WBO World Champion,” he said. “I’ve had all the experience with Tyson. Now I’m ready to up my game and fight the best.”
“He’s mandatory challenger,” added Warren. “We’re talking to Parker’s team—details soon. I have the faith Hughie can become World Champ.
News of Billy Joe Saunders’s next WBO middleweight defence will be revealed next week and the former Olympian still wants to meet Gennady Golovkin. “With GGG a lot of people are beaten before they get in the ring,” stated Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs). “I’ll back my talk up, he’s the man I want.”
This is going to be a WAR! @LiamBeefySmith v @LiamdullW April 8th at Manchester Arena pic.twitter.com/wftWrnnjlz
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) January 23, 2017
