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...
Willy Hutchinson Division: Super middleweight
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, said: “I’m the greatest amateur Scotland has ever produced.
“I’m young, I’m hungry, I’m excited and raring to go.”
Wins KOs Losses Height 0 0 0 186cm Ian Lewison Division: Heavyweight Wins KOs Losses Height 12 8 3 185cm Tamuka Mucha Division: Welterweight
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 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Michael ‘Venom’ Page Division: Super middleweight Wins KOs Losses Height 0 0 0 191cm Joe Joyce Division: Super heavyweight
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.”
John O’Donnell Division: Welterweight 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