Philippines, 23 Mar 2026
  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:

  • SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • "I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
    , Mon, 23 Mar 2026
  • Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
    , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • Loaded boxing schedule
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 22 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS, IMAGES, RUNNING ORDER AND THE LAST WORDS AHEAD OF ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS IN ORLANDO
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • COPPER BOX ARENA FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS LIDDARD AND DENNY FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Martinez vs. Aleem’ Event from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Training Camp Notes
    , Sat, 21 Mar 2026
  • Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: The WBC Continues the Fight for the Good of the Sport
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • AMMO: ADAMES FIGHT WILL BE EXPLOSIVE
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Carlos De Leon Training Camp Notes
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • The Highly Anticipated  Box Fan Expo Invitational 2026 Returns with A  USA Boxing Amateur Show
    , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Placibe, Sales tops Sprint Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026
  • Lester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem Los Angeles Media Day Quotes
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • MAPUA, PSKAI R-10 to play in Best of Best
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • IIEE Metro East dominates the 4th D’ Engineers’ Darts Cup 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • LIDDARD: WHY I'M RUNNING MATCHROOM HALF MARATHON AFTER TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST DENNY
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: DAZN and Top Rank Sign Multi-Year Rights Deal
    , Thu, 19 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.