Anthony Yigit (22-1-1, 7 KOs) will have a familiar face in his corner when he takes on Sandro Hernandez (15-7-3, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt, available to watch live on Viaplay in Sweden.
Yigit returns to action following a one-sided points win over Mohamed Khalladi in Koblenz, his first fight back since challenging Ivan Baranchyk for the IBF World Super Lightweight title in New Orleans in October 2018.
As the 27 year-old plots his route back into World title contention, he has enlisted the help of Erik Skoglund, one of Swedish boxing’s greatest exports, who was forced to cut short his own career after suffering a sparring injury.
“Erik has always been a great inspiration and motivator for me,” said Yigit. “Ever since we first got to know each in Berlin, when I turned pro and we trained together, I knew I'd found a great supporting arch in him, and him in me.
“He's been in big fights and he knows how to stay cool so I'm hoping some of that experience will rub off on to me. It's also nice to know I have someone in my corner who genuinely wants what's best for me and is looking out for me.
“I believe he's got a lot of experience that I can benefit from. We both approach fights in different ways. I can be quite hotheaded and too eager in the ring, while Erik always keeps a cool head, and that's what I need in my corner.”
Skoglund, who spent two weeks in Gran Canaria in training camp with Yigit, will join head coach Carlos Formento and Joel Grandel in his countryman's corner.
“Anthony asked me a few months ago if I’d like to be a part of his team and help him out in his corner,” said Skoglund. “He already has an amazing head coach, but I hope I can help get the best out of him on fight night.
“I hope I can bring him some confidence and help him pick the right tools. He is an amazing fighter, but sometimes he could choose an easier way to win, and hopefully I can help him with that.
“I really enjoyed spending time with him in camp. He's a one of a kind fighter. Nobody I’ve ever seen works the way he does. I was already certain Anthony has the potential to be world champion one day, but now I'm even more sure."
Yigit faces Hernandez in an eight-round super lightweight clash on the undercard of the IBF International Light Heavyweight title showdown between Leon Bunn and Leon Harth at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt, Germany.
Chantelle Cameron will tackle Commonwealth champion Anisha Basheel in a WBC final eliminator on the #MTKFightNight at York Hall on June 28 – live on ESPN+.
‘Il Capo’ (9-0, 6 KOs) battered Feriche Mashauri to a halt at the London venue on April 26 and can now book a clash with the winner of Katie Taylor vs. Delfine Persoon by beating the dangerous Basheel, who is on a run of eight straight stoppage wins.
With her career rapidly gaining momentum since signing with MTK Global, Cameron is thrilled to be heading into such a crucial fight as chief support to Ohara Davies’ clash with former world champion Miguel Vazquez.
Cameron said: “This feels like it’s my first big fight and it’s a final eliminator. Winning this one will put me in perfect position to face the winner of Katie Taylor vs. Delfine.
“I know I’ve got to pull this off because if I don’t, I’m out of the picture. It’s making me hungry and it’s spurring me on. I’ve got to get rid of Basheel to get where I want to be, which is right at the top.
“I love boxing at York Hall – it’s an amazing venue. It’s only an hour and a half from Northampton so my local fans can come and watch me. It’s the home of British boxing and I love that arena.
“I’m also really looking forward to boxing on ESPN+ because it’s huge exposure. It’ll be exciting for the TV fans because there’ll be lots of heavy shots thrown. It’s great to be able to showcase myself on such a big channel.”
Former Team GB star Cameron has already blasted her way to the IBO world lightweight title and WBC Silver belt in her nine-fight professional career.
Stay tuned for more additions to a fantastic fight card at an iconic venue.
Undefeated ‘Trojan’ Troy Williamson forecasts an #MTKFightNight to remember in the plush surroundings of Newcastle’s Eagles Community Arena tomorrow.
The Darlington star (9-0-1, 6 KOs) returns to action against Romania’s Ionut Trandafir Ilie – live on iFL TV – and believes boxing in the north-east will receive a timely boost from the event.
Williamson said: “The atmosphere in Newcastle will be unbelievable. I’m taking a good crowd of my own there and the Newcastle fans are always awesome, making lots of noise.
“There are a lot of local fighters on this bill and the local fans in the north-east always get behind their guys. I can’t wait to get in there and put on a show for everybody.
“It’ll be electric and for the fighter, it’s all about soaking it up and enjoying it without letting the situation get to you.
“I’ve been working on all aspects of my game since the last fight but I’ve really tightened up my defence and I’m also becoming better and punching in bunches.
“The middleweight division is thriving at the moment. I’m excited by that but I can also get down to super-welterweight so there are so many opportunities for me out there. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.
“It’s a massive inspiration for all the fighters to see the statements MTK Global is making right now with the Top Rank and ESPN+ deal. For me, fighting in the States one day would be a dream come true.”
Topping the bill in Newcastle is Tyrone McCullagh’s WBO European super-bantamweight title defence against Alvaro Rodriguez with the likes of Simon Vallily, Chad Ellis, Darren Reay, Jay Hughes, Azhbenov Nurtas and Adam Gair also looking to please the crowd.
WHEN LISA WHITESIDE embarks on her professional voyage, with the first stop being Stevenage FC on May 18, there is one port of call - or rather person - she cannot wait to encounter.
Nicola Adams is the primary name on the radar for the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who is also a seven-time national champion and silver medallist at the 2014 world championships, having won bronze at the 2012 edition.
But it is missing out on the chance of selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics that gnaws away at the 33-year-old flyweight from Chorley.
The veteran of over 140 amateur fights - with roughly only 15 losses - admits she has an Olympic score to settle with the Golden Girl, Adams, who denied her a place at the 2016 Games in Rio by withdrawing from a qualification contest.
"My weight is the same as Nicola Adams," explained Whiteside on her Olympic omission.
"We should have boxed each other before the last Olympics but she pulled out. Hence why we need to have that fight in the pro game, don't we?" suggested the professional newcomer, who was asked whether she now considers Adams as a teammate, friend or rival.
"Rival," responded Whiteside, who intends to play catch-up on the soon-to-be world title challenger. "The main thing now is to be fast-tracked because I want that fight and so does my management team and I am sure the public, as soon as possible.
"It is a fight that never happened that should have. It would be a War of the Roses fight and would be fantastic."
"I could have stayed on the GB team for Tokyo 2020 and I had the No.1 spot, but having the Commonwealth gold made me feel like I had done enough in the amateur game and happy to finish on a high.
"I didn't want to miss out on the opportunity of the pro game and I felt it was the right time to go. I am not a big-headed person, but I do believe that I can become a world champion."
Whiteside admits the prospect of turning professional was not on the horizon when she first sported the gloves, but with the popularity of the women's game increasing all the time, she believes her entry is perfectly timed.
"It wasn't really there when I started boxing, but after the Commonwealths I just felt like I had outgrown the amateur side and seeing how open it is now, with the publicity and liking for female boxing, I thought 'wow, the pro game is my style'.
"My super-strength is my fitness and power, so to do it in the pro game with eight ounce gloves and no head guard is just going to suit my style.
"After the games I thought it was the right time to give this a dabble."
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