UNDERCARD FIGHTERS LOOKING TO SHINE ON SHEFFIELD SHOW

Michael Gomez Jr

Headlining at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on March 15, live on Freesports (Freeview 64; Sky 422; Virgin 553; Freesat 252; TalkTalk 64; BT 64) will be local man Tommy Frank taking on Northern Ireland’s Luke Wilton for the vacant Commonwealth Super Flyweight Title.

Alongside the bill-topper is a strong undercard including three unbeaten Sheffield fighters who will all be having their second pro outings – Sufyaan Ahmed, Keanen Wainwright and Kane Salvin.

Also appearing on the card are two more experienced operators in Michael Gomez Jr (pictured) and Redouane Kaya.

Manchester’s Gomez Jr is looking to edge to 10-0, when he makes his first outing of 2019 at Ponds Forge.  Gomez – son of former British and WBU ‘World’ Super Featherweight Champion, Michael Gomez – turned pro back in 2014, and wants to ratch his career up a gear this year.  The 24-year-old – who rejects any comparison with his famous fighting father – says he wants to put on an exciting performance for the Sheffield fans, and believes titles are within his grasp.

“My main goal is to stay active, and I’d like to have at least three fights this year,” explained Gomez, who has three KOs on his record, and says he is looking for titles at anywhere between bantamweight to super featherweight.  “I’m doing a six rounder on this show, and think I’m three or four fights away from being in proper title fights.  I feel like I’m levels above the fighters I’m boxing at the moment.  I’ll destroy this next opponent then have a good chat with Dennis [Hobson] to see where we go from there.

“[My dad] has done what he has, and I’m doing what I do.  People always compare, whether I’m going to do this or that.  From a young age I’ve had that pressure.  I had a good 16-month break, and matured a bit.  I had a fight in Leeds that I won, then I had a first-round stoppage [October 2018], and now I believe it’s time for me to make my own path.  The pressure is always going to be there.  I now realise that what he did, and what I’m going to do, are two different things, and as of right now, no one can really judge.”

Redounae Kaya will be making his UK debut on the Ponds Forge show.  The Swedish fighter had a stellar 170-fight amateur career, and is currently undefeated as a pro, 7-0 (1).  After having had all his pro contests in his native Sweden, the 30-year-old is now trained by former heavyweight Richard Towers, and wants to impress British fight fans as he looks to kickstart his career on these shores.

“I made contact with Richard through Dennis Hobson,” explained Kaya.  “We started training and I like his mindset because he’s been a boxer and he knows how a boxer thinks, and the training is amazing.

“I’m really looking forward to the show, very much.  Now I can leave Sweden!  I can get bigger fights in the UK, go up the rankings and take the belts.  Boxing was illegal in Sweden until 2007, and you can only fight four rounds unless you apply for more rounds, and then you might not get it.

“I haven’t seen much of Sheffield yet, just the training facilities!  But it’s very different from Sweden, I can say that.  I’m looking forward to appearing in the UK though, and I hope everyone will be happy to see me fight.”

Promoter Dennis Hobson said: “I’m very much looking forward to watching these two fighters perform.  We’re looking for Michael to step up.  Hopefully this’ll be more of a test for him, and then we’ll up the ante after this fight.  It will be good to see how he’s developed since his last outing.  His pedigree speaks for itself, I think he’s a bit more stylish than his dad, who was more about tempo and momentum.  He’s a talent though and hopefully he will fulfil his potential.  We’ll be looking at eliminators after this fight, if all goes well.

“Redouane is another talent.  He was a world class amateur, and he’s someone we’re hoping we can push onto bigger things very quickly.  He’s been training with Richard for these last five weeks and he’s been down at Adam Booth’s sparring with the likes of Michael Conlan.  So, he should be sharp for this UK debut.  I’m really looking forward to seeing how he performs.  I believe he’s the real deal, but want to see him in real life.”

Dennis Hobson Promotions, in association with JJ Crump, present an evening of boxing at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on March 15.  Topping the bill will be Sheffield’s Tommy Frank and Belfast’s Luke Wilton contesting the vacant Commonwealth Super Flyweight Title.

Appearing on the undercard will be Manchester’s Michael Gomez Jr; Sheffield’s Kane Salvin, Keanen Wainwright; Chris Dutton, and Sufyaan Ahmed; and Sweden’s Redouane Kaya.

 For ticket information, call 0114 243 4443.

The show will be televised live at 9pm on Freesports (Freeview 64; Sky 422; Virgin 553; Freesat 252; TalkTalk 64; BT 64).

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