Philippines, 10 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Gavin Gwynne and Luke Willis face off ahead of MTK Fight Night

PhilBoxing.com




Gavin Gwynne and Luke Willis each made their intentions perfectly clear as they met prior to their British and Commonwealth lightweight title fight on Friday's #MTKFightNight.

This week’s stacked show is broadcast live on IFL TV and takes place at York Hall in London, and also features an English super-welterweight title fight between Sam Gilley and Drew Brown.

Elsewhere on Friday’s card, Nina Hughes takes on Bec Connolly, plus Sultan Zaurbek, Carl Fail, Elliot Whale, Dean Richardson, Paul Ryan and Jimmy Croxson are all in action.

The fighters went head to head on Wednesday before Friday's all-important fight night, and here's what everybody had to say.

Gwynne said: "I've put everything into this camp, and I'm leaving on Friday with two belts wrapped around my waist. I can't wait and I wish it was tomorrow. I just want to get in there and fight.

"I think it will be a fight of two halves. One of my strongpoints is my stamina and I could probably do 24 rounds if I needed to. I've always believed in myself, and that's what's got me this third crack at the British title.

"This is my time, and I know what I have to do to win. If it comes by stoppage so be it, or if it's on points that's fine, all I know is I'll be leaving the ring on Friday as the British and Commonwealth champion."

Willis said: "Talk is cheap, it will be me leaving with the belts. I respect Gavin and what he's done, but the best version of me beats the best version of him, and on Friday night you'll see.

"There is so much talent in Liverpool, and I want to thank Tony Bellew and MTK Global for getting me this shot at the British and Commonwealth titles, I'm going to grab it with both hands.

"This might be my first 12 rounder, but I've prepared for this not only the last 10 weeks, but my whole life. I have never stopped believing in me, and I always felt I would be a champion. On Friday night it happens."

Hughes said: "I feel like I've been training for four months for this fight. I need to get this out the way first so I'm not looking past it, but after this fight, world titles are what I want.

"I'm just really excited to be stepping back in the ring again, so I can't wait for Friday night. I know that I'll be coming out with the win."

Connolly said: "I always want to test myself against the best in the world and when I retire I can say that I've fought the best. I have every confidence in myself and I'm going to put on a cracking performance and go for the win.

"Anything can happen in boxing, one punch changes everything and it comes down to small margins, so I'm excited to go in there and show what I can do."

O'Leary said: "The last time I was fighting was October, and I wanted to spend Christmas with my family. I've been back training really hard since January, and I have a great team around me.

"People haven't seen half of what I can do, and I'm excited that you'll see the best of me soon. It's only a matter of time."

Fail said: "I'm in the gym all year round and I just want to stay busy and stay active. We'll get this opponent out of the way on Friday and then I want to move forward.

"I want to push for titles. I know that I can't run before I can walk, but I believe that I'm ready and I will truly fight anybody."

Richardson said: "It's been two years since my last fight and a frustrating time, but I believe I've made a lot of improvements in the gym while I've been out, and on Friday night I will show it.

"York Hall is a great venue and it's the home of British boxing. I've got another night fighting there and it's going to be another win. We'll get the momentum going again, and then I'm looking for the English title next."

Croxson said: "I can't wait. I have got this opportunity and now it's down to me to perform, and I'm sure I will. I've been in the gym working hard and I'm going to 100% get the win on Friday."

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: "It's a great card. The top of the bill speaks for itself. British and Commonwealth titles is what fighters are involved in the sport for, so it's going to be a special night at York Hall. Gavin is already the Commonwealth champion, and now he gets his chance to fight for the British title.

"Elsewhere on the card we have Sam Gilley in a great fight against Drew Brown, and also Nina Hughes and Bec Connolly finally getting it on. The winner of that should move on and hopefully go straight into a Commonwealth title fight.

"Pierce O'Leary is back and he is one of the most exciting prospects we have on the roster, and he's one of the nicest kids you'll meet too. After this it will be titles next, and he's going all the way.

"Jimmy Croxson is making his debut, and I've known him since he was a kid, he's grown into a man now, and I'm excited to see him make his professional debut. He'll admit himself he wasn't very good when he started, but he's trained hard and put his whole life into boxing.

"Carl Fail is one of the best young prospects in British boxing. He was on Team GB and is now 5-0 already having taken on some tough tests. He's got another difficult opponent this week, and then we'll maybe look at a Southern Area title eliminator next.

"Dean Richardson has had two years out, but now he's signed with MTK Global and we're looking forward to getting him straight out and then into championship fights in the summer."




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: It´s Fightweek Fight: Canelo vs. Crawford
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • Casimero comeback next month in Kyrgyzstan?
    By Nick Giongco, , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • Team USA Concludes Day Six of 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • Andrade, Garras rule Milo marathon in Tagum
    , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
    , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 10 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • “The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
    , Tue, 09 Sep 2025
  • Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
    , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
    , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 08 Sep 2025
  • Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
    , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Team USA Captures Two Wins on Day Three of 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Sun, 07 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.