BRITISH boxing is back with a bang in spring after Eddie Hearn announced a strong start to 2022, with two Englishmen fighting for major world titles in just two months.
Josh Warrington, a Leeds legend, will have a chance to redeem himself and win his IBF featherweight world title. He will be facing his old foe Kiko Martinez in his hometown on March 26th.
Eddie Hearn announced six major Matchroom fights, including Josh Warrington vs Kiko Marti
This comes just a month after Hackney's light-heavyweight WBO champ Lawrence Okolie defends the title in London on February 27,
Leigh Wood, a Nottingham ace, and Michael Conlan from Ireland will attempt to clear up the confused featherweight division at WBA on March 12.
Mexico's Leo Santa Cruz, the bonafide super champ, hasn't defended his title since 2018.
Wood beat Can Xu to win the regular title, while Conlan is the interim champion of the cash-grabbing sanctioning agency.
The winner of the City Ground clash may be promoted to super-champion status, or will face Santa Cruz.
Michael McKinson, a tricky southpaw from Portsmouth, bravely travels to America to confront Vergil Ortiz, KO artist on an away Golden Boy Show on March 19.
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To win the upset on foreign soil, Southpaw must perform at a high level and be fair to all judges.
John Ryder, an Islington fighter who was cruelly denied a super-middleweight title victory over Callum Smith in 2019, finally has another big fight when Danny Jacobs is lured to the Ally Pally on Tuesday February 12.
Liverpool's Liam Smith will kick it off with a trip to America on February 5, where he will face Jessie Vargas.
Hearn, Matchroom boss, said that "We ended 2021 in a bang" and that he can't wait for 2022 to get going.
"It's going be an exciting year for Matchroom & DAZN with huge events all around the globe.
"And I'm thrilled with the early schedule that we've put together. Unifications, world title action, career-defining nights.
"These nights are packed with drama, and there's more coming soon."
Hearn is also close in agreeing to a fight between Julio Cesar Martinez, his Mexican WBC flyweight champion, and Sunny Edwards, Croydon's IBF master.
The Essex fight magnate, Oleksandr Usyk, will also be involved in organizing Anthony Joshua's rematch.
He will also file a purse bid to the WBC on January 11, in an attempt to have Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte on his streaming channel.
UK fight fans will soon have Frank Warren and BT Sports shows.
Sky Sports will hope that their February schedule, which includes Chris Eubank Jr. vs Liam Williams (Feb 5, Amir Khan (Feb 19), and Josh Taylor (Feb 26), are not disrupted by Covid restrictions.
The complete fights list
February 5, Cardiff - Chris Eubank Jr. vs Liam Williams
Feb 5 - USA - Jessie Vargas vs Liam Smith
February 12, 2012 - London – Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
February 19, Manchester - Amir Khan against Kel Brook
February 26th - Glasgow – Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall
Feb 27 - London - Lawrence Okolie vs TBC
Mar 12 - Nottingham - Leigh Wood vs Mick Conlan
Mar 19 - USA - Vergil Ortiz vs Michal McKinson
Mar 26 - Leeds - Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington 2
