Babyface is set to face Edwards on Arena bill
NELSON FOLLOWS UP COMEBACK WIN WITH TOUGH BOUT
FORMER Commonwealth champion Anthony Nelson goes straight from his comeback win in front of his own South Shields fans to star on Eddie Hearn’s big Sky bill at the Newcastle Arena on June 16.
Nelson faces a tough task against former world title challenger Charlie Edwards, who is threatening to “give him a boxing lesson in front of his home crowd.”
The fight is for the vacant WBA Continental super flyweight strap and Nelson believes that, despite his recent period of inactivity and the threats of Edwards, he is ready for it.
He said: “I was out for a while, semi-retired, before Temple Park but I am back now and into a big fight with Charlie.
“That’s the sort of fight I want to be in and I deserve to be in.
“I have proved I belong at that higher domestic level so it is a massive opportunity. These sorts of chances do not come around that often and if you don’t take them they may never come again.”
Edwards insisted: “I have been wanting to face Anthony since he had that great fight with Jamie Conlan and it is a bout I am very confident will showcase my skills.
“I believe he is made for me. He needs someone to stand there ‘you hit me, I hit you’ so I am going to give him a boxing lesson in front of his home crowd.
“The last year has been a bit frustrating with fights falling through so I am buzzing to be back in a big fight.”
It was a tough though successful comeback for Nelson at Temple Park as he went the full six rounds with Simas Volosinas.
Journeyman Volosinas stifled Babyface throughout, Nella’s team admitting their fighter was “belowpar” but crediting him for the victory and getting much-needed rounds under his belt.
It had been two years since he entered the ring opposing Conlan in the 2016 Fight of the Year at the Copper Box Arena.
Trainer Mal Gates said: “We have a lot of work to do before his next fight.
“Anthony was not at his best but two years is a long time to be out and his timing was just not there.
“He was not well either, you could see that. I am not making excuses but the problem is he sets himself such high standards and rightly so as he is a three-time champion (Northern Area, English, and Commonwealth super flyweight).
“Volosinas was 9st 9lb and I know Anthony was too but that is not his ideal weight category, which meant it took an awful lot out of him.”
The undercard to the Lewis Ritson-Josh Kelly double header is littered with top North East fights.
Former World champion Stuart Hall challenges Gavin McDonnell for the WBC International super bantamweight title while Middlesbrough’s Simon Vallily takes on English cruiserweight king Arfan Iqbal from Derby.
Stuart Hall revealed: “When the fight was mentioned I thought ‘I have been chasing Jamie (his twin) for years and this might be the closest I get to a rematch’ so I jumped at the chance. “I think I have the tools to beat Gavin in a great fight. “Super bantamweight is really going to suit me. In the Paul Butler fight I did a lot of things wrong but I have changed a few things so let’s see if it works on the night.” Gavin McDonnell is aiming to uphold family pride. He said: “Stuey has been looking for revenge over my twin brother and he has been asking for that fight for a long time but this is the nearest he is going to get and I know he will bring his A-game. This puts the bit between my teeth and is another step towards a world title fight.
“Eddie Hearn has said if I come through this he will deliver another shot at a world title and that is all the motivation I need.”
Tickets are on general sale at www.metroarenaonline.co.uk, on 0844 493 6666 or in person from the Newcastle Arena box office.