FORMER world champion Amir Khan will return to Africa on October 1 as co-promoter of a card in Lagos, Nigeria, featuring several ex-champions.
Khan’s AK Promotions has joined forces with Balmoral Group Promotions to stage Chaos in the Ring, an Independence Day event to be broadcast live on DAZN.
The announcement comes just two months after Khan’s outfit promoted a show in Ghana on June 13. That night, Ohara Davies ended his brief retirement with an eight-round points win over Mohamed Aliseni, while former world cruiserweight title challenger Andrew Tabiti stopped Jacob Dickson in four rounds at Bukom Boxing Arena.
The Lagos card will see two men who shared a ring three years ago return in separate bouts.
Back in December 2022, a then-rising Dan Azeez stopped Rocky Fielding in Bournemouth to retain his British light-heavyweight crown and add the Commonwealth title. One month later, Fielding announced his retirement. Now, nearly three years on, he returns to face WBC No.8 cruiserweight contender Brandon Glanton in the main event.
Fielding, who campaigned for most of his career at super-middleweight and briefly at light-heavyweight, enters a third weight class. Having shared the ring with world-level opposition including Callum Smith, John Ryder and Canelo Alvarez, the Liverpudlian is confident he can make his mark at 200 pounds.
“After three years out, I’m back with a fire to claim my place at the top,” Fielding said.
“Beating Glanton in Lagos will show everyone I’m ready for a world title shot. The cruiserweight division is wide open, and I’m coming for it all.”
Glanton, 33, is five years younger than Fielding but comes into the bout off a setback in April, when he was beaten by former WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith in Bournemouth.
“I’m coming to Lagos to settle the score with Rocky Fielding,” Glanton said.
“Our styles guarantee fireworks, and I’m ready to prove I belong at the top of the cruiserweight division. This fight is my chance to show the world what I’m capable of.”
Meanwhile, Azeez (whose opponent is still to be announced) has struggled to regain the momentum that once carried him to European title success. The 35-year-old lost to close friend Joshua Buatsi in a thrilling February 2024 clash and has since gone 1-1-1 in his last three outings. Now, he says he is motivated by the chance to perform in the land of his family’s roots.
“Fighting in Nigeria on Independence Day is a dream come true. This is for my heritage, my people, and my pride. I’m ready to put on a show and honour Nigeria with every punch I throw.”
In the co-main event, former IBF lightweight champion and African boxing icon Richard Commey returns to face Kazakhstan’s Ray Seitzhanov.
