Philippines, 20 Jun 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:

  • Finals Go All the Way to Game 7 as Indiana Bludgeons Oklahoma in Game 6, 108-91
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Araneta Loses on Points in Odd Judging Setup; Still no Japanese World Welterweight Champion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Espinas, Cao Make Weight, Ready for WBC Asia Battle Saturday in China
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • ASAPHIL Taps World-Class Coach to Lead RP Blu Girls to Greater Heights
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Set for Homecoming Versus Kamil Gardzielik
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • DUARTE VS. SIMS JR. TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Day Three Finalized at the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Normel De Jesus rules IIEE Central Luzon Region leg chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Thanongsak Simsri Edges Christian Araneta by Split Decision, Claims IBF 108 World Title; Could Vayson Be Simsri's First Challenger?
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Tokyo Fist: Brian Norman Jr. KOs Jin Sasaki to Retain Welterweight Crown
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Araneta Scores Knockdown But Loses Title Bid to Simsri by Split Decision
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Indiana Must Control Jalen Williams, Challenge at Slot to Extend Series
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Intensity Builds as Barrios Warns of Bad Intentions, Potential Future Fights, and Expert Takes Dominate News Cycle
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Tickets On Sale Now for “Night of Champions” July 18 Live on DAZN from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated Boxer Dante Kirkman Makes History as First Pro Fighter to Graduate from Stanford University
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Day Two Concludes
    , Thu, 19 Jun 2025
  • WBC Legends of Boxing Museum reopens on June 22 in Los Angeles
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • AFBC Extraordinary Congress declared invalid: Former Board's authority nullified
    , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Winners of 2025 UTP Elite Eight Playoffs Named; 18 Junior Tennis Standouts to Represent PH in International Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Tokyo: Christian Araneta 107.6, Thanongsak Simsri 107.1 for Vacant IBF Light Flyweight World Title
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Brian Norman Jr. vs. Jin Sasaki
    , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Brian Norman Jr.: "This Championship Belt Means Everything to Me!"
    , Wed, 18 Jun 2025
  • Julian Gonzalez Takes on Former World Title Challenger Jason Sanchez in Main Event on Friday, June 27th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 18 Jun 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.