With the addition of WBO World lightweight champion Terry Flanagan to the already stacked Williams v Corcoran card at Cardiff Ice Arena in July, the Queensberry Promotions event in association with RocNation and Caribe Promotions looks set to be a top evening of entertainment to be televised live and exclusive on BoxNation TV. The huge event in Wales boasts five major title fights, headlined by the top domestic showdown between bitter rivals Liam Williams (14-0-1) and Gary Corcoran (15-0) for the British and Commonwealth super-welterweight championship in what should be a fight of the year contender. Like the classic western film – Five Guns West – the show promises to deliver some epic shootouts with five top title fights on the bill.
Bradley Skeete v Alex LepelleyWBO European welterweight title British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Bradley Skeete (23-1) makes the fifth defence of his WBO European welterweight title. South Londoner ‘Super Skeete’ delivered a punch-perfect performance to completely outclass Sam Eggington to snatch the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles away from the Midlander in his own backyard last March. It was his second attempt at claiming both championships, previously failing to take the titles off of former owner Frankie Gavin back in November 2014 – still the only blemish upon his highly respectable record. The opposing 34-year-old Frenchman Alexandre Lepelley (19-6-1) comes into the contest off the back of a third round KO win in April in his hometown of Saint-Ló in Manche. The top-10 ranked French welterweight’s last trip abroad was against world title challenger Michele Di Rocco in May last year in Italy, in a failed bid for the Italian’s European super-lightweight title, ending in an eighth round KO. The 28-year-old from Penge should have no problem in dealing with the veteran from across the Channel. BBN’s verdict: Bradley Skeete W UD
Tommy Langford v Timo Laine WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title Commonwealth middleweight champion Tommy Langford (16-0) will defend his WBO Inter-Continental title for the fourth time back in the South West, where his boxing career originates, against former Finnish national champion Timo Laine (15-6), 32-years-old from Helsinki. Birmingham-based Langford was originally slated to defend against German national champion Ronny Gabel (21-5-1), 31-years-old from Berlin and the current Global Boxing Council Intercontinental super-welterweight champion. You could argue that he's been handed an easier task but Laine comes into the contest brimming with confidence having won all of his last five fights in 2016, four of those within the distance. He certainly brings momentum into this bout and will not be looking to change his luck against Langford. Bideford-born Langford regularly makes trips from his home in Birmingham to Bolton to spar with WBO World super-welterweight champ Liam Smith and his brother Callum, who is mandatory for the WBC World super-middleweight title. Headliner Liam Williams is also a regular sparring partner of Langford’s. Although the former England amateur captain’s record suggests that he doesn’t have a knockout punch, three of his last five contests – four of those being championship fights – have ended early. He sets a high pace from the opening bell and ramps up the pressure as he senses any weariness in his opponent. The punch power is accumulative and he systematically breaks his foes down until they’re ready for the taking. BBN’s verdict: Tommy Langford W TKO 5
Guillermo Rigondeauxv James Dickens WBA World super-bantamweight title The phenomenon that is Guillermo Rigondeaux (16-0) travels across the Atlantic – UK visa approved this time – to defend his WBA World super-bantamweight crown against challenger James Dickens (22-1) from Liverpool. The pound-for-pound superstar will provide UK fight fans with a real treat to be able to see the Cuban sensation in the flesh. The two-time Olympic gold medalist collected 15 gold medals in major tournaments during the amateurs throughout 2000-2006 and is currently unbeaten in the pro’s. However, despite the admiration and awe of the entire British boxing nation, the masses will be rooting for Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens on the night, who gets to live out his own ‘Rocky’ story. The task is tough and, although Dickens will provide a stern examination for the champion, ‘El Chacal’ is on a different level to his challenger. The 34-year-old lineal champion will likely assert his stamp on the fight early on and grow in confidence before taking out the challenger in the latter half of the fight. BBN’s verdict: Guillermo Rigondeaux W TKO 9
Terry Flanagan v Mzonke FanaWBO World lightweight title Late addition to the card will see WBO World lightweight champion Terry Flanagan (30-0) bid for his 31st victory against South African veteran Mzonke Fana (38-9), the fight postponed a week due to originally being scheduled on July 9th on the cancelled Fury v Klitschko bill in Manchester. Fana will provide Turbo with a tough test despite how the stats appear on paper – notably the difference in records and ages. The former IBF World super-featherweight champion has been involved in major title contests since his ninth pro fight back in 1997, losing out on his first attempt at the South African super-lightweight title, but winning it in his second stab the following fight. Since then, The Rose of Khayelitsha has competed in no less than 30 major title fights, famously sharing the ring with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in a failed bid for his WBC World super-featherweight title. Fana enters the world title contest as the South African and the WBO African lightweight champion, and when the bell tolls for the first round against ‘Turbo’, it will be the 42-year-old’s 399th round of professional boxing. After 22 years punching for pay, the seasoned vet will not be able to match the high pace that Turbo will set from the outset – youth, energy and pace will decide this one. Former WBA World lightweight champion Paulus Moses took just four rounds to get rid of Fana when they fought in 2013; like Flanagan, Moses also had 30 wins on his ledger heading into the bout. BBN’s verdict: Terry Flanagan W TKO 4
Liam Williams v Gary CorcoranBritish and Commonwealth super-welterweight The headlining act promises fireworks in what should be a top domestic showdown between two equally-matched super-welterweights with genuine needle between them. The bitter rivals, both unbeaten in 15 fights, will lock horns in a grudge match with a war of words already waged on social media followed by a hostile clash at the recent presser. Williams, 24-years-old from Clydach Vale, is raring to get back on his world title trail after being side-lined with hand injuries for most of 2015. He demonstrated his will by blasting through Gustavo Alberto Sanchez inside three rounds on his ring return just last month in Liverpool. Known as the ‘Hell Raiser’ for his ferocious fighting style, 25-year-old Corcoran from London has ripped through his first 15 opponents, claiming six knockouts along the way. Williams’ inactivity should be a factor in this fight, having fought just twice in 18 months, but it’s not due to the way that he demolished Carslaw and Sanchez, starting back exactly where he left off 12 months prior before the injury woes when he obliterated Michael Lomax in the first round to win the Commonwealth belt in November 2014. His previous five fights have all been against a decent level. The Welshman has a fine jab and devastating power in his right hand; the Londoner likes to apply pressure and get up close, so it will be fireworks for as long as it lasts! The fight will be hectic, thrilling and competitive throughout; Williams will get tagged and frustrated at times but Corcoran’s punches are more unrelenting than they are concussive and a perfectly executed game plan could swing the decision to the away corner. However, the challenger is likely to be more open with his style of boxing and the reigning champion’s power will likely be the deciding factor in this intriguing and exciting clash. BBN’s verdict: Liam Williams W TKO 8
Undercard The rest of the stacked card will see ‘The Mexican’ Jamie Conlan (16-0) return to the ring after his fight of the year contender with Anthony Nelson last April; Southampton’s red-hot Joe Pigford (10-0) looks to extend his unbeaten run; Welshmen Craig Evans (14-1-2), Alex Hughes (7-0), Gary Buckland (30-7), Dale Evans (10-3-2), and Jay Harris (7-0) all look to impress in front of their home crowd. Big-hitting cruiserweight prospect Gary Sweeney (1-0) looks to go double his win tally, and Belfast’s Tyrone McKenna (9-0-1) will be looking for his tenth win on his unbeaten record. Viewers can watch the show live and exclusive on BoxNation TV (Sky Channel 437/ HD 490, Virgin Channel 546, TalkTalk Channel 525)