by Alex Howard @alexleboxe
AVENGE at YORK HALL This weekend brings a double bill of boxing like British soil has never seen. Neilson Boxing and TM14 Promotions take over the legendary York Hall with two stacked, competitive events under one banner: AVENGE.
For those yet to witness the rise of Mark Neilson (pictured) and John Tretheway joining forces, it’s a masterful mix of experience, know-how, and an instinctive feel for how the sport ticks. With powerful names like TalkSport and Boxing News now backing from a broadcast perspective, this is no small-hall show, this is boxing done big.
Friday night delivers a rip-roaring card with standout names like Lerrone Richards, Jordan Flynn, and Alfie Winter all stepping under the lights of a venue that builds atmosphere like no other.
Saturday night raises the bar again, a genuine schedule of 50/50s, barnstorming heavyweights, and knockout artists all sharing the stage.
This, people, is boxing. How it should be done.
Lerrone Richards is a name many boxing fans will already know, a slick operator with the flow and technique to mix it with the very best. A stop-start career has created its share of frustrations, but with a new promotional team behind him and a fresh challenge at a new weight, Richards will be looking to dazzle under the York Hall lights against the durable and game Dylan Courtney.
Jordan Flynn makes his return to York Hall with fire in his belly. Coming off a hard-fought loss to the talented Cameron Vuong, Flynn is determined to bounce back in style, to charm, wow, and whip the crowd into a frenzy at Super-Featherweight. Standing across the ring, however, is Mihail Burlac, a seasoned fighter who won’t be there just to make up the numbers. Expect fireworks.
Alfie Winter is a fighter who’s simply a joy to watch. His bouts are always packed with action, sometimes at the expense of the result, but his natural ability is clear for all to see. Now, with momentum back on his side after a recent victory, Winter is ready to kickstart his push toward domestic titles. Standing in his way is Harley Hodgetts, a boxer who has made a similarly strong start to his pro career and will be just as eager to make a statement in front of a buzzing York Hall crowd. This one has all the ingredients to steal the show as fight of the night.
Moving into Saturday Night with the dust settling from the previous night will be an action packed, hard hitting, heavyweight showdown.
The exciting and much talked about Lucas Roehrig will be out to carve a path of destruction at York Hall as he continues his rapid rise through the domestic Cruiserweight rankings. Trained and managed by former World Champion George Groves, Roehrig is moving fast, and this could be one of the last chances to catch him up close before he makes the leap to arena shows. Standing across from him is the battle-tested Vladimir Belujsky, a seasoned campaigner who won’t be coming to roll over. Expect fireworks as Roehrig looks to impress and Belujsky aims to spoil the party.
It’s then onto the heavyweights with an absolute war in the making between giants Dorin Krasmaru and Harvey Dykes. Dykes, a decorated amateur, will be desperate to make a statement and properly ignite his professional career under the York Hall lights. Krasmaru, meanwhile, comes in brimming with confidence after a ferocious knockout of British prospect Gideon Antwi last time out. Don’t expect the judges to be needed, this one has explosive written all over it.
To cap off the evening and this stunning double bill of boxing, we’re treated to three genuine 50/50s. Chief among them is the mouthwatering clash between rising stars Arnie Dawson and Marley Mason. With domestic titles firmly in their sights, neither man can afford to lose. Add in the spice of former sparring partners going toe-to-toe, and this Lightweight showdown has all the ingredients for fight of the night.
The night is rounded out with Jordan Dujon vs Ibrahima Diallo at super-welterweight and Bas Oosterweghel vs Mark Williams at light-heavyweight. Oosterweghel is the kind of fighter who looks for the knockout from the very first bell, and Williams will need every ounce of grit, plus inspiration from his travelling Battersea faithful, to weather the storm.
Two nights of boxing not to be missed, delivered by a promotional team who aren’t just putting on fights, but crafting an atmosphere worthy of any stage in the sport. It’s unique. It’s accessible. It’s pure boxing at its finest.
Catch all of the action on the Boxing News YouTube channel
