Due to Tony Conquest and Michael Walsh both being unfit to box, the first instalment of Queensberry Promotions’ new concept of show, BoxAcademy, will be moved from its original date of April 12th. The withdrawal of these two fighters, both involved in the co-features of the event, has meant that Queensberry Promotions have been given no option but to move the first BoxAcademy event in London to a later date. The first event will instead take place on Thursday May 3rd at the Troxy, in East London.
With both Conquest and Walsh unable to box until later in the year, the bill for the first BoxAcademy show will instead feature Light Middleweight prospect and reigning Southern Area champion Steve O’Meara, in a 10 round contest with former Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce, a fight sure to test O’Meara’s development and his credentials as a potential future British title challenger. Replacing Michael Walsh on the bill will be Super-Flyweight prospect Ashley Sexton in an 8 round contest. In addition, the show will feature the rest of the prospects who were due to box on the original date of April 12th (Charlie Hoy, John Dignum, Mitchell Smith, Tom Baker, Gary Corcoran and Darryl Williams).
George Warren of Queensberry Promotions said “ We’re hugely disappointed that we’ve had to change the debut BoxAcademy event. I found out in the last 48 hours about both Tony and Michael not being fit to box, it’s a real shame especially as the Conquest v Simmons is a fight that has seemed to have captured the trades imagination. We tried to match Simmons with former ABA champion Chris Keane but due to the short notice felt it would be better to arrange this fight for a later BoxAcademy show in the summer. Tony is going to have an operation on his hand and isn’t back until September, where we hope to match him with the winner of Simmons and Keane.”
“This fight for O’Meara is what BoxAcademy is all about, Steve is a fantastic prospect, and taking on Bradley Pryce is a massive step up for him and a great development fight. Bradley comes with a wealth of experience and should show whether Steve can live up to his potential and go on to challenge for British honours. We’re also pleased to announced that Ashley Sexton will box in an 8 rounder and that we have managed to keep together the rest of lads from the original date that will all feature in competitive match-ups.”
In addition to the BoxAcademy London show, Queensberry Promotions are delighted to announce the second BoxAcademy will take place at the Oldham Leisure Centre on May 18th. The show, co-promoted by Steve Wood, will feature an eliminator for the British Welterweight Championship between two of the country’s best unbeaten welterweight prospects, ABA champion and amateur starlet Ronnie Heffron against former ABA champion Liam Smith, one of Liverpool’s most famous boxing brothers. In addition to this, former Commonwealth Games Champion, Callum Johnson, steps up to fight over 8 rounds for the first time as part of a bill that will feature some of the best prospects from the North-West, including unbeaten trio Jack Arnfield, Shane Singleton and Anthony Smith.
Warren added, “ It’s fantastic to announce our second BoxAcademy show, which features for me, a potential domestic fight of the year. Liam and Ronnie deserve the utmost respect for taking this fight and it will be very tough to pick a winner between the pair, who, in my opinion, can both go on and win championship honours. With Callum Johnson also featuring, fans will get the opportunity to see some of the best talent from the North West. It’s great to be working with Steve Wood on this event and seeing some of his young charges fight live on TV”
Both BoxAcademy events will be broadcast live on BoxNation, the UK’s home of televised boxing, available on Sky channel 456 and Virgin channel 546.
Tickets for BoxAcademy on 3rd May at The Troxy are priced at £35 and £50 and are available from the Queensberry Promotions Box Office on 01992 550 888 or www.frankwarren.tv
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