Boxing fans will be able to watch another title fight on free-to-air television this December after the announcement that Yoan Pablo Hernandez’s world title defence against Britain’s Ola Afolabi is to be broadcast live on Channel 5.
The fight’s co-promoters Team Sauerland and Hennessy Sports have agreed a deal with the terrestrial broadcaster to screen exclusively live coverage of the IBF World Cruiserweight title showdown on Saturday, December 6, with coverage starting at 8.30pm.
British boxing fans will have the chance to follow London-born Afolabi as he attempts to dethrone the Cuban cruiserweight king at the EWE Arena in Oldenburg, Germany.
Hernandez has held the IBF world title since 2011 and has a fight record of 29 wins and one defeat, while London-born Afolabi has won 21 of his professional fights, losing his unbeaten record back in 2009 when he lost a very close decision against multiple world champion Marco Huck, who he would go onto fight twice more, with a draw in 2012 followed by a second loss to the German in 2013.
This cruiserweight world title showdown is teh second world title fight added to Channel 5’s live boxing schedule in the space of a few days, following the announcement that the station will also screen St Helens fighter Martin Murray’s world middleweight title attempt against Gennady Golovkin in February, continue its commitment to boxing into the new year.
Nisse Sauerland, promoter for Team Sauerland, said “We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with Mick Hennessy to bring UK fans this exciting cruiserweight clash.
“Channel 5 is a fantastic platform for boxing and fitting home for this world championship fight. Hernandez and Afolabi are two of the division’s top talents and will guarantee an explosive encounter on December 6.”
The fight in December will be the second world title fight to air on Channel 5 since the broadcaster entered the sport of boxing in July 2011.
Mick Hennessy added: “This is a great opportunity for British boxing fans to again watch a genuine world title fight involving a British fighter on free-to-air television.
“In the space of six weeks Channel 5 have delivered the IBF world bantamweight title fight between Stuart Hall and Randy Caballero and now the IBF world cruiserweight title fight between Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Ola Afolabi.
“Channel 5 are really delivering for boxing fans in this country and it’s great to be able to give fans free-to-air boxing on a regular basis.
“Finally, I’m thrilled to be working with Team Sauerland on this show and together we’ll be announcing an exciting British line-up very soon.”
UPDATE: Yoan Pablo Hernandez suffered a right elbow injury just over a week before the scheduled fight and withdrew from his mandatory defence of the title on December 6.
Promoters Sauerland are looking to reschedule the fight for early 2015.
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