The news that Chev Clarke and Ellis Zorro will contest the vacant British cruiserweight title was the standout piece of news from the British Boxing Board of Control’s latest monthly circular.

After Isaac Chamberlain decided to vacate the cruiserweight title and pursue his mandatory shot at Poland’s European champion, Michal Cieslak, Clarke and Zorro now will contest the 200lbs title on the undercard of the eagerly awaited grudge match between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall on May 25.

Clarke, 8-0 (6 KOs), stopped Tommy McCarthy in impressive fashion in January and has been waiting for this opportunity for some time. Zorro, 17-1 (7 KOs) was beaten in emphatic fashion by the outstanding Jai Opetaia in December but before that, he had been building a solid C.V, outpointing Dec Spelman and knocking out Hosea Burton. 

Sam Gilley, 17-1 (8 KOs) and Louis Greene, 17-4 (11 KOs), will contest the vacant super welterweight title. 

Gilley beat Greene in a war to win the Commonwealth title in October and the pair will now rematch with the British title on the line. Greene rebounded and earned his shot by knocking out Jack McGann in a round last month. 

The Board also decided to order a fight between middleweight champion, Nathan Heaney, and the unbeaten Hamzah Sheeraz. Although both fighters are promoted by Queensberry, Sheeraz is heavily rumoured to be part of the upcoming ‘5 vs 5’ card in Saudi Arabia while Heaney recently retained his title after a brutal draw with Brad Pauls and is believed to be edging closer to a big summer fight at the home of his beloved Stoke City. 

The Board provided the following updates on the rest of the British titles;

HEAVYWEIGHT

FABIO WARDLEY (Holder)

CRUISERWEIGHT (Vacant)

CHEAVON CLARKE v ELLIS ZORRO

The Stewards decided to approve a request from Promoter Eddie Hearn for the above contest, which will take place on Saturday, 25th May 2024 in Leeds. The winner to defend when called upon.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

JOSHUA BUATSI (Holder)

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT

ZAK CHELLI (Holder) v CALLUM SIMPSON

A date and venue are awaited from Promoter Ben Shalom.

MIDDLEWEIGHT

NATHAN HEANEY (Holder) v HAMZAH SHEERAZ

The Stewards decided to put out the above contest to Purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the Terms and Conditions to the Board’s Head Office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 8th May 2024, the contest to take place by the end of September 2024.

SUPER WELTERWEIGHT (Vacant)

SAM GILLEY v LOUIS GREENE

Following agreement being reached between the parties, the above contest to be promoted by Ben Shalom will take place on a date and at a venue to be advised.

SION YAXLEY v DEAN SUTHERLAND

The above eliminator contest to be promoted by Sam Kynoch, will take place on Saturday, 11th May 2024 in Aberdeen.

WELTERWEIGHT

HARRY SCARFF (Holder) v LIAM TAYLOR

The Stewards decided to consider this division at a later date.

DOMINIC HUNT v MATHEW RENNIE

The above eliminator contest to be promoted by Stefy Bull, will take place on Saturday, 29th June 2024 in Rotherham.

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT

DALTON SMITH (Holder) v ADAM AZIM

Adam Azim withdrew from the above mandatory defence contest. This contest was also for Adam Azim’s EBU Championship.

LIGHTWEIGHT

SAM NOAKES (Holder)

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT

REECE BELLOTTI (Holder)

FEATHERWEIGHT

NATHANIEL COLLINS (Holder)

SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT

DENNIS MCCANN (Holder)

PETER MCGRAIL v MARC LEACH

The Stewards decided to approve a request from Promoter Eddie Hearn for the above eliminator contest, which will take place on Saturday, 27th April 2024 in Liverpool.

BANTAMWEIGHT

ASHLEY LANE (Holder)

SUPER FLYWEIGHT

MARCEL BRAITHWAITE (Holder)

FLYWEIGHT

JAY HARRIS (Holder)