Bitter rivals Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly are on a collision course and will both be boxing for bragging rights on Sky Sports this Saturday night in Liverpool.
The cruiserweights want to show each other they will be the favourite when they finally get it on with the pairs fights, against Julio Cesar Dos Santos and Alejandro Valor respectively, leading the way on a packed card at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, the scene of Bellew and Cleverly’s previous clash in 2011, when the Welshman retained his world title.
But they are not the only big names on the show, with Olympic heroes Anthon Joshua, Luke Campbell and Anthony Ogogo and plenty of local talent in action, not least two of the fabulous four Smith brothers, Callum and Stephen, and another Liverudlian prospect, Rocky Fielding.
There will be no fewer that eight live fights on the night as both Sky Sports and promoters Matchroom Sport serve up a treat ahead of Kell Brook’s world title challenge which will be broadcast live next month.
Liverpudlian Bellew, 31, is a big football fan and on the eve of the World Cup final he does not want to get knocked out by a boy from Brazil.
With a record of 26-2, Julio Cesar Dos Santos is a big hitter but so too is Everton fan Bellew and now he is up at cruiserweight, Bomber is back and wants to show Cleverly more than anyone that he is bigger and better these days.
Former world light-heavyweight champion Cleverly is making the short trip from South Wales into enemy territory, even if he is now a Matchroom fighter along with Bellew.
This is his second fight as a cruiserweight and will want to show it suits him even more as he takes on another big hitter, in Valori, an Argentinian from Buenos Aries.
Also on a packed fight night, British golden boy Anthony Joshua takes a step up in class against Matt Skelton, who despite being 47 is by far Joshua’s hardest opponent so far.
A former British, Commonwealth, European champion and world title challenger, the Bedford man will put AJ though his paces in an eight-rounder and it should bring the best out of him.
Another Olympic gold medallist is back in action after five months away from the ring as Luke Campbell takes on Craig Woodruff.
Campbell’s father is fighting cancer and the 26-year-old has rightly spent time with his family but is now ready to return and has a six-rounder to get back into the swing of things with Welshman Woodruff in the way of his largely untroubled unbeaten run so far.
Elsewhere, the Smith family flag will be flying when Callum and Stephen step into the spotlight.
Many feel the 24-year-old Callum could be the best of the brothers and he is moving up the super-middleweight ladder quickly, behind world-title hopeful big brother Paul, and here he faces American-based Vladine Biosse, with his WBC International strap on the local line.
Rocky Fielding failed to make the weight in his last scheduled so lost his Commonwealth belt but do not expect a repeat pre-fight performance.
Like fellow Liverpudlians Paul and Callum, he is also a super-middleweight looking to step up in class and he faces the expereienced Noe Gonzalez, who was sparked by George Groves in five rounds last time out.
Fans can also see Anthony Ogogo and Stephen Smith live, while the likes of local super-featherweight star John Quigle and youngsters Gamal Yafai and Tommy Martin are also on the card.
Sky Sports will be screening all the action from another top night of international boxing live from Liverpool with a total of eight televised fights on the menu on Saturday, July 12.
Then on Saturday evening, Johnny Nelson introduces live coverage from the Echo Arena alongside Glenn McCrory, with both casting their expert eye on the night’s proceedings.
Big fight commentary comes from Nick Halling and Jim Watt, while ringside reports and interviews will be conducted by Adam Smith.
All the action will be shown in a bumper five-hour live programme on Sky Sports 1 HD, starting at 7.00pm. Coverage will also be available to watch online via Sky Go for Sky Sports subscribers only.
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Saturday 12th July
Collision Course: Bellew v Dos Santos & Cleverly v Valori
LIVE: 7.00pm-12.00am Sky Sports 1
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