Boxing legend Haye stages hot-ticket ringside special
THE glory days of British boxing on TV are back.
Two decades after the likes of Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Steve Collins and Michael Watson thrilled their fans – and millions of viewers at home – a new generation of top fighters has emerged.
And some of the hottest new talents are set to do battle in a landmark night of live boxing, staged by former two-weight world champion David Haye – and screened for free on Dave tonight at 9pm.
Haye said: “We’ve got an exciting lineup of emerging new stars, so the inaugural Hayemaker Ringstar Fight Night is set to be electric.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the fighters going for glory in the ring – seen live on Dave... Supremely ambitious teenager Willy Hutchinson says he wants to be the greatest Scottish boxer of all time, starting with his professional debut on Friday night.
The early signs are promising – he is the country’s only world youth boxing gold medallist and he has a stellar amateur record to back up his ambitions.
Willy, 19, from Lanarkshire, who is seven times Scottish champion, four times British champion and former European champion said: “I’m the greatest amateur Scotland has ever produced.
“I’m young, I’m hungry, I’m excited and raring to go.”
Coming from a strong family heritage of success in the sport, Hutchison has two uncles who fought in Madison Square Garden; One in a world title eliminator, the second went on to become World Champion. Wins KOs Losses Height Making a comeback after losing last year’s British title fight to Dillian White, Lewison is a big puncher who likes to get his business done early.
The 36-year-old Londoner, nicknamed Lay ‘Em Out Lewison, pledged to knock out hotly-tipped Joe Joyce tonight, before setting his sights on David Haye himself.
The former WBO Intercontinental champion said: “I’ll certainly show Joyce that I’m south London’s finest. After I’m done with him, I’ve eyes on his boss.” Wins KOs Losses Height 0 0 0 186cm 12 8 3 185cm Mucha was born in Zimbabwe before moving to Reading, Berks, as a schoolboy with his mum, a nurse. He took up boxing as a teenager after his weight ballooned.
The unbeaten 24-year-old, who has sparred with world champion Kelly Brook, said: “I never got fat in Zimbabwe because I’d be playing, running around. When I first came here, the kids would play Playstation. I played it myself.” Wins KOs Losses Height 16 4 12 170cm MMA fighter Michael Page is following in the footsteps of cage fighting superstar Conor McGregor by making the switch to boxing. McGregor starred in the fight of the year when he took on Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
Now Page, 30, is promising as much entertainment tonight. He said: “I love nothing more than to put on a show, but boxing is no exhibition event. I am looking to emulate the same success on the world stage in boxing as I have in MMA and kickboxing.” Wins KOs Losses Height 0 0 0 191cm After winning a silver medal at the Rio Olympics last year, superheavyweight Joyce is making his pro debut against Ian Lewison tonight.
And the 32-year-old Londoner is planning a swift rise up the professional ranks.
He said: “I’m looking to make a statement with my professional debut and give boxing fans the spectacular knockout win they crave.
“It means a great deal that I have the opportunity to make my professional debut in my home town. All due credit to Lewison for agreeing to step in the ring with me.” Wins KOs Losses Height Former Commonwealth champion O’Donnell is tearing up the comeback trail after a two-year break. The Irishman, who is based in London, didn’t fight between 2013 and 2015 but has notched up four straight victories since his return to action, and is now the English welterweight champion.
O’Donnell, 31: “I took a bit of time out, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but I am back now. Hopefully it will not be long before I get my shot at the British title.” Wins KOs Losses Height 0 0 0 198cm 32 11 2 180cm