Philippines, 21 Jun 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:

  • Weigh-In Results: Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Kamil Gardzielik
    , Sat, 21 Jun 2025
  • ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 2’ 6 P.M PST/9 P.M. EST TONIGHT, LIVE ON DAZN, FEATURING STEVENS VS. KHAMUKOV
    , Sat, 21 Jun 2025
  • YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • Thursday’s Action Featured Stellar Showings at the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
    , Fri, 20 Jun 2025
  • 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




  •  



     
    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.