Matchroom Boxing have announced the launch of ‘Fight Camp’ with four weeks of boxing to commence in their headquarters, starting on August 1st and culminating with Dillian Whyte’s clash with Alexander Povetkin on August 22nd.
The four weeks of behind closed doors action will be shown on Sky Sports, whilst the last card will be on Sky Sports Box Office, as Matchroom resume their schedule after almost five months following an enforced break, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former European champion Sam Eggington (28-6, 17 KOs) will headline week 1 on Saturday August 1st against Ted Cheeseman (15-2-1, 9 KOs), with the IBF international Super-Welterweight title at stake, whilst the vacant British Lightweight title will be contested between James Tennyson (26-3, 22 KOs) and Gavin Gwynne (12-1, 2 KOs).
Doncaster favourite Terri Harper (10-0, 5 KOs) will make a first defence of her WBC Super Featherweight crown in a rescheduled battle with Natasha Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs) on week 2 commencing on Friday 7th August, following her stunning win over Eva Wahlstrom in February, whilst Bournemouth native Chris Billam-Smith (10-1, 9 KOs) will defend his Commonwealth Cruiserweight title against Cardiff’s Nathan Thorley (14-0, 6 KOs) on the same bill.
Commonwealth Middleweight titlist Felix Cash (12-0, 8 KOs) faces a stiff test in former World title challenger Jason Welborn (24-8, 7 KOs) on week 3 starting Friday 14th August and undefeated Super Featherweight Zelfa Barrett (23-1, 14 KOs) will make his much-anticipated Matchroom debut on the undercard.
The four-week extravaganza will conclude on Saturday 22nd August with Dillian Whyte’s (27-1, 18 KOs) crunch Heavyweight battle with seasoned, former World title challenger Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), as he puts his WBC mandatory status on the line on Sky Sports Box Office.
Four weeks of action 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Welcome to #FightCamp 👊
We’re live on @SkySportsNews any minute for the announcement! pic.twitter.com/zCtNmg4woq
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 26, 2020
Irish great Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) will defend her undisputed Lightweight titles on the undercard with an opponent to be announced and Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) and Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs) will settle their grudge, with Clay’s WBO Global Welterweight title at stake.
“Eddie Hearn has supplied a sizzling summer schedule in August, starting with three Sky Sports shows packed with British talent,” Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development, said.
“Sam Eggington against Ted Cheeseman should be a classic clash, while the exciting trio of Jordan Gill, Fabio Wardley and Dalton Smith will be eager to impress.
💥💥💥💥#FightCamp pic.twitter.com/biO5dhG3WK
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) June 26, 2020
“Terri Harper has already endeared herself to fight fans with her remarkable success story, but Natasha Jonas is a genuine threat as we return to Matchroom HQ with a high-class World Title fight.
“Anthony Fowler and Chris Billam-Smith have big ambitions and cannot afford slip-ups on the same bill.
“Felix Cash defends his Commonwealth belt against the dangerous Jason Welborn on our third action-packed show.
“We’ll get another chance to see Shannon Courtenay in action – she is a rising talent with an entertaining style – and it’s a perfect platform for Kieron Conway and Zelfa Barrett to showcase their skills.
“Fight Camp ends with fireworks as Dillian Whyte risks his World Title ambitions against the big-hitting Alexander Povetkin, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
“Katie Taylor can cement her status as one of the sport’s finest fighters when she returns to action on another fantastic bill. We’re back with a red-hot line-up of live boxing!”
All fighters will be required to stay in a hotel prior to their fights and maintain social distancing in line with government regulations, whilst being regularly tested throughout the week.
Full Fight Camp Schedule:
Week 1 – Saturday 1st August
Sam Eggington (28-6, 17 KOs) vs Ted Cheeseman (15-2-1, 9 KOs) IBF international Super Welterweight title
James Tennyson (26-3, 22 KOs) vs Gavin Gwynne (12-1, 2 KOs)- vacant British Lightweight title
Jordan Gill (24-1, 7 KOs) vs Reece Bellotti (14-3, 12 KOs) Featherweight contest
Fabio Wardley (8-0, 7 KOs) vs Simon Valley (17-2-1, 7 KOs)- vacant English Heavyweight title
Dalton Smith (5-0, 4 KOs) vs Nathan Bennett (9-1, 2 KOs)- Super Lightweight contest
Week 2 – Friday 7th August
Terri Harper (10-0, 5 KOs) vs Natasha Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs)- WBC & IBO Super Featherweight World titles
Chris Billam-Smith (10-1, 9 KOs) vs Nathan Thorley (14-0, 6 KOs)- Commonwealth Cruiserweight title
Anthony Fowler (12-1, 9 KOs) vs Adam Harper (9-1)- Super Welterweight contest
Aqib Fiaz (5-0) vs Kane Baker (13-6)- Lightweight contest
Hopey Price (2-0) vs TBC- Featherweight contest
Week 3 – Friday 14th August
Felix Cash (12-0, 8 KOs) vs Jason Welborn (24-8, 7 KOs)- Commonwealth Middleweight title
Zelfa Barrett (23-1, 14 KOs) vs Eric Donovan (12-0, 7 KOs)- Super Featherweight contest
Kieron Conway (14-1-1, 3 KOs vs Navid Mansouri (20-3-2, 6 KOs)- Super Welterweight contest
Shannon Courtenay (5-0, 2 KOs) vs Rachel Ball (5-1)- Super Bantamweight contest
John Docherty(8-0, 6 KOs) vs TBC- Super Middleweight contest
Week 4 – Saturday 22nd August
Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) vs Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs)- WBC Interim Heavyweight World title
Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) vs TBC- unidsputed Lightweight World titles
Martin Bakole (15-1, 12 KOs) vs Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs)- Heavyweight contest
Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) vs Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs)- WBO Global Welterweight title
