Philippines, 10 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


JAMES METCALF SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM BOXING

PhilBoxing.com





‘Kid Shamrock’ targets career defining fights at 154lbs

Liverpool Super-Welterweight contender James Metcalf has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing following his impressive career-best win over Kerman Lejarraga at the Bilbao Arena in Spain last month that earned him the WBA Continental crown.

The former Commonwealth and WBC International Super-Welterweight Champion (23-2, 14 KOs) rejuvenated his career by outpointing hometown hero Lejarraga, a two-weight European Champion, in an excellent display of patience and boxing IQ.

Metcalf’s only defeats in the professional ranks have come at the hands of Bermondsey’s Ted Cheeseman in a jaw dropping battle for the vacant British Title in Gibraltar in March 2021 and Northampton’s Kieron Conway at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in October 2021.

The son of Liverpool fight legend Shea Neary has earned back-to-back wins since teaming up with fast rising trainer Joe McNally at the renowned Rotunda ABC in Kirkdale, where he trains and fights alongside former WBO 154lbs World Champion Liam Smith.

“I’m delighted to be teaming up with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom,” said Metcalf. “I was made up to get the win over Kerman Lejarraga out in Bilbao last month. I needed to get that win to set me up for what comes next in my career. I’ve rectified the mistakes and I’m looking forward to a big chapter in my career.

“The win over Kerman moved me past the British level where I lost to Cheeseman and Conway. In my opinion it righted all of my wrongs. That win has pushed me on towards World Titles. Whatever they come up with, I’ll take. Everyone already knows that I’ll fight anyone, anywhere. Whatever Eddie fancies, I’ll go with him.

“My father has always been a massive part of my career; he’s trained me all the way through really. It’s great having Joe McNally and Declan O’Rourke in my corner. I’ve worked with Joe in the past, so I know how it feels. I’ve got a great team around me now and I’m confident they can secure me some big fights in the Super-Welterweight division.”

“The Lejarraga win was a great performance from JJ on away territory,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “It was a very disciplined and intelligent performance from JJ and the team. They put the perfect game plan in place to get the win. There’s nothing like an away day win. He’s in the top 15 with the WBA now and we’ll look through all of the options.

“JJ has suffered defeats and he’s bounced back. They’re the kind of fights that you have to be in to grow as a fighter. He jumped in with Ted Cheeseman in a Fight of the Year contender in Gibraltar and boxed Kieron Conway in a fight that was very close as well. He’s looked brilliant since he teamed up with Joe McNally and they want more big fights.

“He deserves a big fight next. He deserves his big night and big money. He wants the big one and as much money as possible out of the game. Every fighter wants that. People that have continuously stepped up and taken the challenges put in front of them deserve to get the big opportunities when they win.”

You can follow JJ's journey on Twitter: @kidshamrock88 and Instagram: kidshamrock88




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 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
  • McCormack Stops Parra in 9
    , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Monika Singh Makes History as India's Newest Youth World Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Who is Nico Walsh?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • Kelvin Watts Highlights Day Two of World Boxing Championships for Team USA
    , 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.