GATHER A boxing card may remind you of Tom Hanks’ memorable line in the movie Forrest Gump, where he compares life to a box of chocolates and concludes, “You never know what you’re going to get.”
Boxing can be a bit like that at times but, on Saturday in Manchester, it’s Quality Street all the time, minus the soft centers.
The AO Arena, interconnected with Manchester Victoria Station and the largest and grandest indoor venue in the UK, will play host to what surely should be a truly special night of boxing headlined by a spectacular heavyweight.
This is a night where Big Joe Joyce can really herald himself as a major player in the top echelon of boxing’s marquee and most popular division. His high-stakes collision with his closest ranked rival, Joseph Parker, for the interim WBO world championship will confirm or disprove our firm belief that he is ready to take his place in the elite heavyweight kingdom currently ruled by Tyson. Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
A rejuvenated former world champion in Parker represents a perfect road test for the Big Juggernaut and it’s the kind of fight people want to see as he’s between No. 1 and No. 2 in the WWE heavyweight rankings. WBO.
With Joe sitting in the No. 1 spot, he could have chosen to sit on his hands and wait for his chance at the big time. This, while perhaps understandable, would have been counterproductive.
Joe has taken on significant challenges throughout his career and there is no value in simply marking time when the biggest obstacles are fast approaching. If he succeeds against Joseph on a big occasion on Saturday, he will be ready to take on the best next year in a big stadium clash.
That is for the future though, first of all Joe has a tough job on his hands against the gruff Kiwi who firmly believes he is the one to inflict a first loss on our man.
It is a real pleasure to welcome Amanda Serrano to our Manchester card, a true superstar of the sport who normally faces another unification test against the undefeated Sarah Mahfoud.
Thanks to both Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions for their partnership in bringing Amanda to such an important fight that I’m sure the Manchester crowd and BT Sport Box Office viewers will enjoy.
Ditto for Lou DiBella, who guides the career of IBO super featherweight world champion Michael Magnesi. The undefeated Italian defends against our British champion Anthony Cacace and I really think we have a crack on our hands with this one.
Sleek welterweight Ekow Essuman has a chance to give his Lonsdale belt a permanent home in Nottingham when he takes on the mandatory challenge from tough Londoner Samuel Antwi in another all-out collision sure to excite.
Then we have Nathan Heaney, our middleweight fan magnet, facing a tough domestic fight against Jack Flatley, with him once again running out of his entire ticket allotment. I suspect we will hear a certain song belted out by the Stoke Choir more than once in the course of the evening!
Before Amanda Serrano steps into the ring, our very own featherweight First Lady, Raven Chapman, faces a major test in just her fourth fight as a professional. Raven is facing former IBF World Champion Jorgelina Guanini for the WBC International title and taking this fight is a true statement of intent from Raven and her team.
I’m so impressed with what I’ve seen of Raven so far, which is certainly not that much, as her Queensberry debut lasted a matter of 58 seconds! I really think it’s only a matter of a short time before we’re plotting a world title for her, so I’m sure she’ll be watching the Serrano-Mahfoud fight closely.
I also expect to see Mark Heffron make a quick return to action after becoming British, Commonwealth and IBF Intercontinental Super Middleweight Champion. Mark is an example to all because of the way he has stood his ground and he showed what he’s all about with the way he spoke about Lennox Clarke last time in July. Being such a quick turnaround, this fight will be about Mark keeping the momentum going in front of a hometown audience for him before a big career boost from him later in the year.
Mark is an exciting fighter who has now found his optimum weight. It is an absolute pleasure to work with him and I am delighted that he is now receiving the rewards that his talent and application deserve.
I’m sure you’ll agree there’s plenty to feast your eyes on Saturday night, a show with something for everyone, much like a Quality Street big can.
