David Avanesyan vs Oskari Metz weigh-in open to the public
It is fight week for the bumper Queensberry card at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday, with European welterweight champion David Avanesyan (28-3-1, 16 KOs) returning to the ring with a defence of his title on a night of multiple championship clashes at the historic London venue. Avanesyan takes on the unbeaten Oskari Metz (15-0, 5 KOs), in what will be a fifth defence of his EBU belt.
An array of the country's finest young prospects/contenders feature on the card, headed by Hamzah Sheeraz (14-0, 10 KOs), the WBO European super welterweight champion, who will take on Jez Smith (13-4-1, 6 KOs) for the WBC International Silver middleweight title in a fight that is sure to bring fireworks and a tough welcome to a new division.
Thrilling bantamweight star Dennis McCann is entering into title business for the first time. 'The Menace' (11-0, 6 KOs) will fight for the WBO Youth world title over eight rounds against Charles Tondo (12-4-2, 5 KOs), a southpaw from Tanzania.
The two leading young lightweights in Britain are also in action at Wembley, with Mark Chamberlain (9-0, 6 KOs) taking on Jeff Ofori (10-3-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the first time and Sam Noakes (8-0, 8 KOs) making a first defence of his WBC International Silver title against Vincenzo Finiello (15-4-2, 1 KO).
Completing the card, gifted super lightweight prospect Henry Turner (6-0) will have his fourth six-rounder versus Ivan Njegac (13-22, 4 KOs), explosive super feather Masood Abdullah (3-0, 3 KOs) goes in with Sandeep Singh Bhatti (6-2-0, 0 KOs) over six rounds and super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (2-0) fights Lee Glover (11-8, 3 KOs), also in a six-rounder.
In four-round action, Khalid Ali (1-0, 1 KO) will look to double his win tally against Josue Bendana (10-22-4, 6 KOs). Finally, Frank Warren gets to unleash his latest young star onto the professional ranks, with two-time European championship gold medallist Royston Barney-Smith, who turned 18 in January, making his pro debut against Adan Martinez (0-2).
A shoulder injury sustained in training last week has unfortunately ruled featherweight favourite Louie Lynn out of this Saturday's show.
Lynn (10-0) was due to defend his WBC International Silver title against James Beech Jr. (14-2).
It is further misfortune for the 26-year-old Lynn, who has been out of the ring since September after suffering a nasty gash to his forehead against Amin Jahanzeb, who he overcame on points after the fight was stopped following the ninth round.
Fight Week Schedule
Press Conference (Media Only)
Date: Thursday 17th March
Time: 11am for a 11:30am start
Location: Hilton London Wembley, Lakeside Way, Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0BU
Weigh-in (Open to Public)
Date: Friday 18th March
Time: 2pm
Location: The Drum, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ
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