CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULE

The 10 best fights to watch in Britain this weekend

1 LAWRENCE OKOLIE VS CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH

There is something compelling about the WBO cruiserweight clash between former gym-mates Okolie and Billam-smith. Throw in the fact it’s taking place in Bournemouth and it is elevated due to its uniqueness.

2 MAURICIO LARA VS LEIGH WOOD

We all saw how well Lara and Wood go together back in February and can expect more of the same in Manchester on Saturday. Last time Wood surrendered his WBA featherweight crown in seven rounds, but was doing well in the fight and therefore earned his chance to correct things. Another epic is expected.

3 LUIS ALBERTO LOPEZ VS MICHAEL CONLAN

After falling just short in his previous featherweight title shot, against Wood in 2022, Belfast’s Conlan gets a second chance at home, this time against Mexico’s Lopez, last seen upsetting Josh Warrington in Leeds.

4 JACK CATTERALL VS DARRAGH FOLEY

Out for over a year following that contentious loss against Josh Taylor, it is imperative Catterall now gets busy and impresses against Darragh Foley in Manchester. Foley, an Irishman based in Australia, stopped Robbie Davies Jnr last time out.

5 NICK BALL VS LUDOMO LAMATI

The exciting Ball will look to make it 18 straight wins when he goes up against South African Lamati, who is undefeated in 22 fights but yet to really be tested. He could be surprised by Ball’s ferocity in Belfast.

6 TERRI HARPER VS IVANA HABAZIN

Disappointed to see her fight last weekend cancelled, Harper gets a quick turnaround in Manchester, where she’ll put her WBA super-welterweight belt on the line against Habazin, a Croatian who, nine years ago, lost to Harper’s original opponent, Cecilia Braekhus.

7 SAM EGGINGTON VS JOE PIGFORD

Very much a trade fight, and one for the bloodthirsty, Eggington and Pigford meet in Bournemouth at a career crossroads, with Pigford unbeaten at 20-0 and Eggington firmly at the veteran stage of his career.

8 ANTHONY CACACE VS DAMIAN WRZESINSKI

Cacace will aim to follow last year’s fine win against the unbeaten Michael Magnesi with a similar display in Belfast against Wrzesinski, a 35-year-old, 26-2-2 Polish super-featherweight.

9 DANNY BALL VS JAMIE ROBINSON

The vacant English welterweight title will be up for grabs in Bournemouth. Both will know this fight represents a step up from recent competition.

10 LEE CUTLER VS STANLEY STANNARD

A good 10-rounder at super-welterweight matches two boxers full of ambition and with plenty to lose. It’s a hard fight to call and a bonus treat for Bournemouth fans.