Fight Week 3/27-4/1
It's hard to follow last week's loaded week, but this week will give it a run for its money. The action kicks off once again in Italy, as Michael Magnesi, 21-1 (0) of Lazio, Italy, looks to bounce from his first career loss to Anthony Cacace in September. It was a very close and controversial decision loss, which came on the undercard of Joyce-Parker in Manchester. Magnesi will battle unbeaten Argentinian prospect Ayrton Osmar Gimenez 17-0 (3) in the evening's main event. The card is being held in Valmontone, Lazio, Magnesi's home city. It's co-promoted by Alessandra Branco of A&B Events with Star Boxing's Joe Deguardia and Lou DiBella.
The action then moves to the UK as the undefeated Harlem Eubank puts his perfect 16-0 (6) record on the line against rugged Mexican journeyman Christian Uruzquieta at the York Hall in York Hall in Bethnal Green. Uruzquieta, 21-5-2 (8), previously fought in the UK against Lewis Ritson and was stopped in nine rounds back in 2021. In two other noteworthy bouts, Harry Scharf will look to extend his win streak to four and capture the vacant WBO 154 European title as he battles Jordan Dujon, 8-1 (0). Dujon has won four straight since his lone career defeat, a close points loss to Chris Fail in Fail's pro debut in March of 2021. Also on the card is Nick Parpa, 10-1 (6), who battles undefeated Michael Webster, 7-0 (5), for the BBB of C English Cruiserweight title.
On Saturday, two big cards take place in the UK and the other in the US. Anthony Joshua looks to end his two-fight skid against Jermaine Franklin of Saginaw, Michigan, who lost a very close and competitive fight will Dilian Whyte in November 2022. Franklin sports a 21-1 (14) record. It will be the first fight for Joshua under the tutelage of Dallas, Texas, based trainer Derrick James. Joshua has lost three of his last five fights and is now 33 years old. A setback against a fringe challenger like Franklin could mark the end of AJ at the world championship level. The undercard features three highly regarded undefeated prospects. Austin "Ammo" Williams, a Houston, Texas native, returns to the ring and puts his 13-0 record on the line against River Wilson-Bent, 14-2-1 (6), in a 10-round middleweight contest. Undefeated heavyweight Fabio Wardley 15-0 (14), battles Michael Polite Coffee for the vacant WBA continental strap. Also on the card is the legendary Ricky Hatton's son Campbell Hatton, 10-0 (3) battles Louis Fielding 10-7 (1) in an eight-round lightweight bout.
In the lone major US card, Cuban Gold Medalist Robeisy Ramirez, 11-1 (7), takes a major challenge against Ghanaian former world champion Isaac Dogboe 24-2 (15), for the vacant WBO featherweight title. Dogboe held the WBO 122-pound world title in 2018 and defended it successfully once before losing it to Emanuel Navarrete in December 2018. The card also features a plethora of highly touted prospects. Jahi Tucker, Tiger Johnson, and Abdullah Mason.
