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Tommy Frank vs. Craig Derbyshire – Live on Sunday & FREE on Fightzone

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Tommy Frank vs. Craig Derbyshire - Live on Sunday & FREE on Fightzone | Boxen247.com

Tommy Frank vs. Craig Derbyshire - Live on Sunday & FREE on Fightzone | Boxen247.comBoxen247.com YouTube Channel

Tommy Frank vs. Craig Derbyshire

Rotherham’s Magna Centre, England – 3 April 2022

What’s better on a Sunday afternoon than a quality show of professional boxing … including a British Title fight!

On April 3rd at the Rotherham Magna Centre; flyweight Tommy Frank will put his Lonsdale Belt on the line in what should be an absolute barnstormer against Yorkshire rival, Craig Derbyshire.

Don’t be fooled by Craig’s 8-28-3 (2) record, the Doncaster man is a real threat. Heading into the biggest fight of his life, ‘Dynamite’ has won three of his last four, picked up the English super flyweight crown, and has taken time off work for a full training camp – dedicating himself to overcoming Frank.

The pair have met previously, in 2018, with ‘Super’ Tommy boxing his way to a 10-round shutout win. Since then the fighter who was born with a hole in his heart has moved to 15-2-0 (3) and – along the way – added numerous belts to his collection including Commonwealth, International, and the British Championship.

Ahead of the Fight Academy show, which will be broadcast LIVE/FREE on Fightzone, both champion and challenger chatted to renowned fight-game journalist Steve Lillis about the big fight, and why they will come out on top… check it out below:

Fight Academy present an evening of boxing at Rotherham’s Magna Centre on Sunday, April 3 headlined by British Flyweight Champion Tommy Frank defending his title against Doncaster’s Craig Derbyshire.

The undercard will feature Sheffield’s Keanen Wainwright; Leeds’ Billy Pickles and Reece Cartwright; Grimsby’s Levi Giles; Wolverhampton’s Katie Healy; Barnsley’s Matty Heppenstall; France’s Ismael Francois and debutant Danny Hall.

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Keanen Wainwright: I’ll be in good company if I stop him

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Keanen Wainwright: I'll be in good company if I stop him | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Keanen Wainwright: I'll be in good company if I stop him | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Keanen Wainwright vs. Sean Davis

Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena, England – 12 February 2022

Sheffield banger Keanen Wainwright gets fight number eight at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on Saturday February 12, live on Fightzone.

On a show that also includes action from top heavyweight, Kash Ali; Keanen gets a good level-marker against a fighter who is always a hard night’s work, Sean Davis.

The Brummie has won 14 of 32 but, more tellingly, has only ever been stopped three times against top fighters – former European Champion Gamal Yafai, and top prospects Reece Mould and Michael Walsh.

Wainwright is also firmly in the ‘top prospect’ category, despite an early defeat on his 6-1 (3) record.  After a winning 2018 debut, Wainwright was dropped heavily before losing on points to Boris Shikunov in his second fight .  Russian Shikunov looked very strong on the night though and his patchy pro record was deceiving, with an extensive kickboxing career behind him.

Keanen is now on a five fight winning streak, and goes into the Ponds Forge contest on the back of two impressive KOs.  Trained by former pro, Glyn Rhodes, and a stable mate of British Flyweight Champ, Tommy Frank, the 24-year-old has his sights firmly set on the Central Area Title in 2022, but is looking to put on an impressive performance for Fightzone viewers first.

“I can’t wait for this fight, I’m so excited, and it’s brilliant that Fightzone are covering the show too. I’ve been watching some top fighters on there, and now people can watch me.

“I’m expecting a tough fight from Shaun.  He nearly always goes the distance and he has some good names on his record.  I think he actually went 12-0 when he started too, and I’ve not managed to do that!

“This is a six-rounder, and I always go in the ring hoping to do all the rounds to get more experience but I’m never going to hold my shots back because I always want to hurt them before they hurt me!

“If I did stop him then it’ll put me in the company of some good fighters and it would show I have knockout power.  People say I’m heavy handed but the shots I’ve knocked people out with I haven’t even loaded up, I’ve just landed!

“I’d like to get the Area Title in early doors this year.  I’ve been matched for it twice before and opponents have pulled out – people are asking for too much money to get in the ring with me!  I just don’t understand that, if you think you’re good enough then you should back your ability and go for it!

“I’m really not fussed about being looked after either or having easy fights.  I want to give people their money’s worth, and as long as I give my all, that’s all that matters.”

Fight Academy’s Steve Crump, said: “Keanen’s one to watch, we really do think highly of him.  He learned a lot from that early defeat and has pushed on with some very impressive performances.  Sean will be a good test for him on Saturday, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on.”

Fight Academy present an evening of boxing at Ponds Forge Arena on February 12. Appearing on the card will be Rotherham’s Kash Ali; Sheffield fighters Conner Daubney, Perry Howe, Zane Clark and Keanen Wainwright; North Shields’ Tommy Hodgson; Barnsley’s Matty Heppenstall, and Ashton under Lyne’s Zak Miller.

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Kash Ali defends IBF Euro title against Germany’s Huenkar Polat Feb.12

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Kash Ali defends IBF Euro title against Germany's Huenkar Polat Feb.12 | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Kash Ali defends IBF Euro title against Germany's Huenkar Polat Feb.12 | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Kash Ali vs. Huenkar Polat

Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England – 12 February 2022

Kash Ali gets headline honours on Saturday February 12 at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena, on the first Fight Academy and Fightzone event of 2022.

Looking to continue an impressive run of form, the top rated heavyweight will take on Germany’s Huenkar Polat in – what could well be – a risky encounter. Young and ambitious, the 21-year-old German has won eight of 11 fights, with every one of his victories ending by KO. A heavy-hitter, Polat will head into the contest knowing that he can launch his career into orbit by landing just one of his big shots.

This year is a pivotal one for Kash – the big man from Rotherham. After claiming the IBF European Heavyweight Title with an impressive stoppage win over rated Czech fighter, Tomas Salek, in May last year; the 29-year-old is on the up and ready to prove himself at top contender level.

Kash’s game has improved immeasurably since teaming up with trainer and former heavyweight, Richard Towers. With just a single loss on his 21-fight record – a notorious disqualification defeat to Liverpool’s David Price – manager and promoter, Dennis Hobson, is convinced he has a man on his hands who will put some notable heavyweight noses out of joint this year.

“We’ve guided Kash perfectly since he’s been with us,” said Hobson, who has an enviable reputation for manoeuvring fighters onto world honours. “He has been developing – not just as a fighter but as a person – under Richard [Towers], and he has it all; a great skillset, the physical attributes and he hits very hard.

“It was unfortunate that we weren’t able to get him out before Christmas to make another defence of his IBF Title, but we’ve now got him in with this young fighter with a big punch, who will be coming to the UK to make a name for himself. If Kash can get through this fight, then we’ll be looking to let him loose on a big name.”

“We have some really exciting plans for the Fightzone channel this year, and we’ve made our ambitions clear with an already packed schedule of shows from February through to April,” explained Fightzone’s Chief Operating Officer, Asif Vali.

“Fightzone has achieved so much already since its launch just six months ago and has put on some great title fights and shows. We’re looking forward to working with promoters from up and down the country, and I’m excited to kick off 2022 with this show in the great boxing city of Sheffield.”

Fight Academy present an evening of boxing at Ponds Forge Arena on February 12. Appearing on the card will be Rotherham’s Kash Ali; Sheffield fighters Conner Daubney, Muheeb Fazeldin, Perry Howe, Zane Clark and Keanen Wainwright; North Shields’ Tommy Hodgson; Barnsley’s Matty Heppenstall, and Ashton under Lyne’s Zak Miller.

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Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hodgson returns on Fight Academy card on Feb.12

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Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hodgson returns on Fight Academy card on Feb.12 | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Sixto Suazo faces Rance Ward for UBO regional title in Atlanta on Dec. 19 | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

The Fight Academy stable is packed with young talent, none more so than Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hodgson.

A former England international and senior ABA winner, the 25-year-old has made a big impression already, with promoter Dennis Hobson – who has worked with some of the world’s best fighters – believing Hodgson’s debut last year was the best he’d ever seen.

Since that debut, Tommy has notched up another brace of wins, and gets his fourth outing on February 12 at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on a card headlined by heavyweight Kash Ali, live on Fightzone.

All three of Hodgson’s fights to date have been in Yorkshire, but that’s set to change for the man from North Shields who gets a Northeast homecoming on March 19 when he will make an eagerly anticipated appearance in Newcastle on another Fightzone show.

Ahead of that homecoming, the Newcastle United fan is slated to take on well-respected journeyman, Lee Connelly, on the Ponds Forge show.  Connelly, from Derbyshire, has only failed to hear the final bell eight times in 81 contests, and is known in the game as tough, durable and always up for a fight.

“I feel like I’m developing really well, and have shown a bit of everything,” said Tommy, who is trained by Dean Laing and Ross Wilkinson.  “I’ve shown I can box and get stuck in when needed. I’ve got a good boxing brain and can cover all aspects of the game.  I just need to keep busy, that’s the main thing.

“I’m pleased to be doing six rounds for the first time on this upcoming show.  You’ll see the best of me when I start getting into longer fights.  Lee [Connelly] will give me the rounds, one hundred per cent and it’s early in my career so I want to learn as much as possible.

“He’ll have a go and he’s a tough lad, and that’s what I want. I want to show some improvements, be nice and sharp and not get caught with anything silly. I’d love to get the stoppage, and if it comes it comes, and if not that’s fine.

“I’m looking forward to fighting again in Sheffield.  When it comes to Newcastle though it’ll be a different story. I’ve had so many people messaging me asking when I’m fighting at home.  When my fans go to Sheffield they’re the noisiest and craziest there, so it’ll be absolutely buzzing when I fight in Newcastle.”

Fight Academy present an evening of boxing at Ponds Forge Arena on February 12. Appearing on the card will be Rotherham’s Kash Ali; Sheffield fighters Conner Daubney, Muheeb Fazeldin, Perry Howe, Zane Clark and Keanen Wainwright; North Shields’ Tommy Hodgson; Barnsley’s Matty Heppenstall; Ashton under Lyne’s Zak Miller and Connor Lawrence from Nelson.

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