Welsh boxing fans received an early Christmas present, when it was announced at Cardiff City Hall a fantastic show for February 1st, 2014 involving an impressive line-up of fights.
Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom Boxing, announced a mouth-watering line-up of fights headlined by a British and European featherweight clash between Lee Selby (17-1) and Rendall Munroe (27-3-1) with the chief support a tantalising lightweight clash between Gavin Rees (38-3-1) and Gary Buckland (27-3). Jason Cook (29-5-1) has his final fight against Tony Pace (4-6-1) for the Welsh light-welterweight title.
Olympic Gold Super-Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (3-0) takes on Dorian Darch (7-2) in a re-scheduled bout while Dale Evans (7-1-1) and Erick Ochieng (14-2) clash in a welterweight contest.
The rest of the bill will include: Prizefighter champion Chris Jenkins (12-0), Kerry Hope (19-6), Thomas Stalker (5-0), Tobias Webb (13-1-1) and Tamuka Mucha (6-0) in separate bouts. Ten fights in total, at this point, with a lot of Welsh talent on display.
Below are quotes from some of those involved in ‘Reloaded’
Eddie Hearn: As we announce our first show of 2014, after a fantastic 2013, ‘Reloaded’ – Welsh Boxing back in the big-time. Saturday 1st February, 2014 at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. I’m delighted to be back in Cardiff, Wales, the place of my first show, as a promoter. We’ve had a lot of calls from boxing fans, in Wales, to put on a big show here and we feel we’ve done just that.
Lee Selby: I’d like to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for bringing big-time boxing back to Wales; it’s been along time coming. I’m very excited to be top of the bill, challenging for the vacant European title. I’ve had a tough year, with the training and four twelve-round fights – now I’ve had a nice break and am ready, back and ‘reloaded’.
Rendall Munroe: I’m gonna go out there, February 1st, do what I’m good at and take the belt home and go onto another big thing. Two warriors in there; it’s going to be a great fight. I’ve had two, three comeback fights and proven I’m strong enough to be there.
Gavin Rees: It’ll be a great fight with Gary Buckland, we’re both come-forward fighters. I’ve been on the road for a couple of years and this is a great fight. If I was a fan, it’s a fight I’d be looking forward to. We’ve sparred a lot of rounds together, good friends outside of the ring, but we can put that aside for a couple of weeks and be friends after.
Gary Buckland: I’m happy to be on the show in Cardiff. Had a bad year this year, back in Argentina [fight was cancelled] and how the last fight went. What a show to be on now! Especially against Gavin Rees, I jumped at the chance, knowing what a great champion Gavin Rees is.
Chris Jenkins: I’ve had a good two years. My aim now is to become British champion. I can’t wait to get in the ring, on February 1st, onwards and upwards.
Jason Cook: It’s the last fight ever, I didn’t want to fight any journeyman – I wanted to be in a real fight. The Welsh public wanted me vs Tony Pace. It’s not an easy fight, to retire on, but that’s me, I want to be in a War.
Tony Pace: It’s a big opportunity for me, fighting Jason for the Welsh title. I changed my training, so it’ll help me now towards the fight. I’m ready to take the title.
Dorian Darch: Better off for me really, as I get my own fans behind me. I would have liked to have fought when it was [originally] scheduled but these things happen in boxing. We’ll have a scrap on the 1st of February.
Anthony Joshua: I planned to have five fights before the year ended. Unfortunately, due to a nerve injury, just a muscle injury – I had to withdraw from the fight [with Darch] I hope you guys welcome me on February 1st. I’m sure Dorian has trained hard, he wants to get back on Sky and has a lot to prove. Same with myself, I have a lot to prove and I’m coming like a contender. Tune in Feb 1st; it’ll be a good night of boxing.
Eddie Hearn: I want to thank everyone in Wales for getting behind the show. We’ve got plans to come here again and again. From what we have seen from the response, and ticket sales, I think we will sell-out the arena. If we can do that; we can make it a regular fixture. We are doing twenty shows a year and there’s no reason not to have three or four in Wales.
Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, or from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.
VIP Packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.
