After what was an explosive first weekend back for Boxing in 2021, we move forwards onto an even better card featuring fighters young and old as the SSE Wembley Arena takes centre stage once again.

This weekend sees a bitter rivalry finally settled in the ring, a rematch to settle the scores, a pro debut among other talented British fighters. 

Strap yourselves in, this is only week two on Eddie Hearn's boxing roster for the year as we preview this Saturday's action. 

Josh Kelly Finally Faces David Avanesyan

 

 

 

 

Josh Kelly (10-0-1, 6 KO's) finally takes on David Avanesyan (26-3-1, 14 KO's) in a fight that is over two years in the making. The pair were scheduled to face each other in December 2018 and have seen fights delayed on numerous occasions for different reasons. 

But here we find ourselves finally at fight week, as the pair face off for Avanesyan's EBU European Title. It's certainly a step up for Kelly, but he's highly rated and this fight is his toughest bout yet.

Avanesyan turned pro in 2009 and despite an early loss in his second fight, he's challenged for the world title losing to Lamont Petersen in 2017. 

He lost again two fights later to Egidijus Kavaliauskas, while challenging for the NABF Welter Title but has since had three stoppage wins in a row. 

Opposing the Russian is the fast rising, highly skilled Kelly who had 26, has amassed a solid résumé of fighters since turning pro in 2017. 

This isn't only a step up, it's a chance to settle a score with a fighter he's been due to fight since 2018. This is seen as a genuine 50/50 fight in what is a brilliant matchup to headline this weekend's card.

Florian Marku Returns

 

 

 

 

The outspoken, highly entertaining and exciting Albanian fighter Florian Marku (7-0-1, 5 KO's) is back this time facing unbeaten Rylan Charlton (6-0-1, 3 KO's) in another welterweight clash.

Coming off the back of a somewhat contentious draw against Jamie Stewart in December, Marku will be looking to remind everyone that he is a force to be reckoned with. 

For Stewart, the 28-year-old enters the contest as the underdog but he comes in fresh off a KO win versus Joe Laws, who was a 9-0 fighter before facing Stewart. 

Most of his fights have been against fighters with losing records and Marku will be eager to impose himself after suffering a disappointing draw last time out. 

Robbie Davies Jnr Challenges for Title

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Robbie Davis Jnr (20-2, 13 KO's) returns to the ring for the first time since March 2020 as he takes on Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (22-2, 13 KO's) for the vacant International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental Super Light Title.

The Merseyside based fighter recorded a rebound fight points win over journeyman Damian Leonardo Yapur in his last fight following his all British dust up with Lewis Ritson in 2019. 

He lost that night, but here he gets the chance to win a vacant IBF belt in what would be a good win to get him back on track for bigger fights down the line. 

His opponent is the little known Valenzuela, but as we saw with Josh Warrington's shock defeat, you can't take anything for granted. His Mexican opponent has an almost identical record but is the younger fighter.

His two defeats came early on his career and is currently on a 19 fight unbeaten streak and is fighting outside of Mexico for the very first time. 

It's a great chance for Davis to shake off ring rust whilst simultaneously winning a vacant belt to put his name back in the hat in the super-lightweight division. 

Debut for Fisher; Gill Returns

 

 

 

 

The last two fights on the list include a pro debut and the return of Jordan Gill (25-1, 7 KO's) Making his debut is the 'Romford Bull' otherwise known as Johnny Fisher. The 23-year-old heavyweight Fisher takes on Matt Gordan (2-5-1) who was beaten by young heavyweight David Adeleye in July 2020. 

Some background on Fisher; trained by Mark Tibbs, he was a university student with a Rugby background and has limited amateur experience. However, he has the size and power and has sparred with numerous British heavyweight and we will see what he brings to the table Saturday night.

Lastly, Gill takes on Cesar Juarez (25-9, 19 KO's) in a featherweight contest. The Brit is fresh off a points win in Fight Camp in the summer against Reece Bellotti. 

But he comes up against an experienced fighter, who has fought in and around world level with a points loss against famed Philippines fighter Nonito Donaire. 

 

Tune into Sky Sports Arena from 6PM on Saturday 20th February to see this Boxing card.