Bragging rights at stake as unbeaten Scouse prospects Joe Kavanagh and Michael Hedges meet in March
Unbeaten Super-Featherweight prospects Joe Kavanagh and Michael Hedges clash in a brilliant six rounder at Eventim Olympia, Liverpool on Saturday March 5.
VIP Boxing chief Steve Wood announced that he wanted to match more of his talent stacked stable against each other. Kavanagh (4-0) v Hedges (3-0-1) in a local derby is some start.
Wood said: “I wondered what response I would get when I decided it was time to start putting VIP boxers against each other and it has been positive.
“When I contacted Michael and Joe’s camps it was pretty much, ‘Yes, where and when.’
“Many of the VIP boxers lost a year or more of their careers because of the pandemic and by boxing each other they can make up for lost time.
“It doesn’t mean the end for the losers of these fights. We will do our best to get their careers back on track. The winners are fast tracked and have made up time.”
Hedges who celebrates his 25th birthday next week drew against Lee Connelly in February 2020, but returned in November and outpointed Lithuanian Simas Volosinas.
“I’m really up for it and looking forward to this fight,” said Hedges who turned professional in September 2019 when he outpointed Jamie Quinn.
“The idea was always to have a couple of fights and push on. I’ve never wanted a record where I fight 14 people with loads of losses on their record.
“I would rather fight unbeaten kids to push myself up the rankings, challenge for a Central Area title then push for the British.
“Steve wanted to start matching VIP boxers against each other in 50-50 matches. When he said that, I was ready top grab these fights.”
Kavanagh, 25, made his professional debut in June 2019 and has comfortably outpointed Joe Beeden (twice), Ibrar Riyaz and Benjamin Lamptey, on his last appearance in November.
Southpaw Kavanagh said: “Some fighters try to get away with fighting nobodies for as long as they can, but when this fight was offered I took it straight away.
“It is going to be a crazy night. There is not just Michael and myself risking our records there are some incredible fighters on the card. It is a proper Scouse night – it is going to be mental.
“Michael and myself are familiar with each other and grew up in the amateurs together, but never even sparred. It’s a bit strange we didn’t fight each other as amateurs.
“If I win this I like to think I can have a Central Area title fight next and move on to English and British titles.”
Also on the bill staged by VIP Promotions in association with Trinity Entertainment is Isle of Man Super-Lightweight Matt Rennie (6-0-1) and big hitting Liverpool Cruiserweight Jay Farrell (9-2, 5 KOs) box six rounders.
Chester City midfielder Paddy Lacey (3-0) is back after his impressive points win against Vasif Mamedov at Liverpool’s Echo Arena in December. The Super-Welterweight is in four round action.
There will also be four rounder featuring Liverpool prospects, Lightweight debutants Josh Rooney Wright and Ethan Brown, Super-Bantamweight Jake Harrison (2-0, 1KO), Super Welterweight Sean Arkwright (2-0) and Welterweight Bryan Collins (2-0).
Boxers have tickets at various prices including ringside, but £35 tickets are available from www.vipboxing.co.uk and 01942 874241.
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