JACK Rafferty wanted to fight Mark Chamberlain and now he’s got his wish.
The two super-lightweights will collide on August 23 at the Altrincham Ice Dome.
Dubbed ‘Make or Break’ Rafferty, 26-0 (17 KOs), puts his British and Commonwealth 140lbs titles on the line against Chamberlain who seemed on course for a world title shot at lightweight until Josh Padley put a stop to that 10 months ago.
Rafferty, 29, told The Ring in May that he wanted to face Chamberlain on the Usyk-Dubois 2 card at Wembley Stadium on July 19.
“Mark’s got a name, I’ve got a bit of a name for myself now and I think it could be a show-stealer on a massive card. Two proud British lads fighting for a British title on a massive card in a packed out stadium in front of the boxing world and we’ve both got a point to prove.
“The fight’s going to happen eventually. Why can’t it happen on July 19th?”
Chamberlain, 17-1 (12 KOs), answered the call-out just a couple of days later telling the same publication, “I’d fight him in the telephone box but at the end of the day it’s a big fight, isn’t it? It’s a tough fight. If the numbers make sense, why not?”
Rafferty, nicknamed ‘Demolition Man’, has made the most of his opportunity since moving to 12-rounds. A first-round stoppage win against Lee Appleyard earned him the Commonwealth before a spot on the Nick Ball-Ronny Rios undercard paired him against Henry Turner for the British. Rafferty’s ninth-round win carried the momentum on to wins against Reece MacMillan and Cory O’Regan, respectively, both on Queensberry cards.
Chamberlain, once touted by Turki Alalshikh, has fought just once since his shock defeat to Padley at Wembley Stadium last September. Now up at 140lbs the 26-year-old got back in the winning circle with an eight-round points victory against Miguel Angel Scaringi.
