Josh Kelly and Harlem Eubank are set for a May 13 appearance on Channel 5
Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs), Harlem Eubank (13-0, 5 KOs) and the highly anticipated British middleweight title clash between Linus Udofia (17-0, 9 KOs) and Denzel Bentley ( 15-1-1, 13 KOs) will top a stacked card in the capital as Wasserman Boxing kicks off its first free live Channel 5 event on Friday May 13 at Indigo at The O2, in association with William Hill, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment.
Sunderland’s ‘Pretty Boy’ Kelly will make his long-awaited return to the ring after a twelve-month absence as the former British Olympian embarks on a new chapter in his career with Wasserman Boxing on Channel 5.
After suffering his only career loss last time out challenging David Avanesyan for the European welterweight title in February 2021, the 28-year-old trained by Adam Booth is eager to get back in the lights and get back to the form that kept him going. saw advertised as one. of the most exciting prospects in British boxing.
With world titles still in sight, the former Commonwealth and WBA international welterweight champion is eager to put on a show and secure a decisive victory in London.
“I’m thrilled to be back in the ring and starting this new chapter in my career,” Kelly said. “It’s where I belong, and I can’t wait to get back there and put on a show. I took some time to sort out some personal issues after my last fight, but now I’m ready to get back to this. what I do best. The rest of my career is going to be huge. I’m after world titles. I’m not in the game for anything less. I know I’ll have to dig deep to get there, but I’m ready to do whatever it takes to get a world title, whether at welterweight or super welterweight.
‘Lightning’ Udofia of Luton announced himself on the national stage with a points win over Tyler Denny to claim the English middleweight title in November 2019. The 28-year-old followed that up with a convincing stoppage victory over John Harding Jr to defend the belt. behind closed doors in Milton Keynes before blasting Xhuljo Vrenozi in three rounds at the OVO Arena Wembley. Udofia will now look to add the British title to his collection as he faces his toughest career test against former champion Bentley.
World-ranked Battersea’s Bentley returns to the ring after an emphatic third-round technical knockout win over Sam Evans as he seeks to reclaim the Lonsdale strap he won by stopping Mark Heffron in four rounds in November 2020, before losing the belt in his first defense to Félix Cash.
“It’s a massive fight for me. I’ve always wanted to box for the British title and to have the opportunity to do that as the headliner of a big show on Channel 5 is a dream come true,” said Udofia: “I want to thank my promoters the Sauerland brothers in Wasserman and my manager Steve Goodwin for putting me in this position. Now it’s time to show everyone what I can do. I’ve seen a lot of Denzel Bentleys. He’s a good operator, he’s very skilled and I think our styles are going to gel really well. This is going to be a good fight for the public.
“I am delighted with this opportunity to box for the British title again,” said Bentley. “I know my opponent Linus Udofia is a good boxer and it’s going to be a real 50-50 fight. I expect a bloody, fan-friendly affair. I can’t wait for fight night. I can’t wait to prove that I’m still one of the best fighters in the division.
Rising star Harlem Eubank will take on former Commonwealth champion and two-time British title challenger Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd (17-6-1, 3 KOs) in a thrilling ten-round Super Lightweight showdown.
Fresh off a fifth-round stoppage victory over former IBF Intercontinental champion Viorel Simion on the undercard of cousin Chris Eubank Jr’s blockbuster clash with Liam Williams, Eubank can continue his upward trajectory with a victory over the experienced Birkenhead-boxer Dodd.
“I remember watching my cousin Chris on Channel 5 at the time,” Eubank said. “It’s great to now have the chance to build my career on a great free platform. This will be the first of many fights on Channel 5, working with the Sauerlands in Wasserman, and it’s a good fight to start with.
“Sean Dodd is an experienced boxer. He’s been in the game for a long time. He’s tall and lanky and he likes to fight, so I think it’s going to be interesting, but I’m going to be more than prepared for what lies ahead.
“It’s the kind of opportunity I was looking for,” Dodd said. “I felt I was unfairly done in my last fight, but it’s going to be a real ten round fight and I’m going to make a big statement.”
In another thrilling domestic bout, “The Newquay Bomb” Brad Pauls (15-0, 9 KOs) will take on Ryan Kelly of Birmingham (16-3, 8 KOs) in a British Middleweight Title eliminator. The unbeaten Pauls will fight for the right to challenge Lonsdale’s belt sparring partner and friend Udofia who is in contention on the same night, but the Cornish fighter can expect fierce competition from the hardened battle Brummie Kelly, whose only losses have come against top domestic opposition. .
“I’m glad I finally got my chance on the big stage in a real fight against someone higher ranked than me,” Pauls said. “There is everything to gain for me with a chance at the British title on the line. Ryan Kelly is stopping me from getting my dream belt and I take this fight very seriously. I’m happy to get this fight on such a great platform. This is an opportunity for me to put Cornwall on the boxing map.
“I’m really happy to be on such a great show in a live fight against an undefeated fighter in Brad Pauls,” Kelly said. “I’ve been working away for this fight since before Christmas and I’m thrilled to finally get the date. People haven’t seen the best of Ryan Kelly yet, but for this fight I’m getting full prep and I’m in the best place for it. It’s my time.”
“We are delighted to kick off our partnership with Channel 5 with this fantastic free event,” said Kalle Sauerland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman. “When we signed the deal with Channel 5, we said we wanted to revolutionize free-to-air boxing in the UK by bringing the biggest and best possible fights to the masses. The revolution starts now. We have three national clashes sensational shows, including a tantalizing British middleweight title clash between Linus Udofia and Denzel Bentley, which promises to be a real tear-jerker at 50-50; Harlem Eubank against fan favorite Sean Dodd; and ‘The Newquay Bomb’ Brad Pauls in the British Title eliminator against Ryan Kelly. Not to mention the return of one of British boxing’s most exciting fighters, Josh “Pretty Boy” Kelly. This is an event not to be missed!
“We are delighted to be working with Wasserman Boxing to bring this first-class fight night to our Channel 5 audience,” said Caj Sohal, Head of Sports at Channel 5. “Josh Kelly is back and ready to fulfill his potential. of star. ; Linus Udofia against Denzel Bentley for the British title promises to be a contender for Fight of the Year; and having already featured Chris Eubank Jr on the channel, we look forward to welcoming Harlem Eubank to Channel 5 as he emerges as the latest boxing talent from this famous family of fighters.
“This is a great opportunity for Denzel Bentley to reclaim his British title,” said Francis Warren of Queensbury Promotions. “He is a top, top talent, and he has the chance to show what he is on May 13 against a very good opponent in Linus Udofia in his hometown. Denzel is ready for this great moment. The chance to become two-time British champion is up for grabs, and I expect him to grab it with both hands.