Busy spell for Bethnal Green’s York Hall

Bethnal Green’s York Hall is preparing for a busy spell of boxing under the Queensberry Promotions banner.

Francis and George Warren, sons of Frank, are promoting the latest Box Academy events which begin next Friday (September 7).

Former Lion ABC fighter Joe Taylor, of Hoxton, is set to make his second professional appearance on the undercard of the vacant WBO European Cruiserweight title fight between East London’s Tony Conquest and Ian Tims, from Dublin.

Former Olympian Billy Joe Saunders is in action a week later (September 14) as he tops the bill with a mandatory defence of his Commonwealth Middleweight title against Australian Jarrod Fletcher.

Saunders was crowned champion in stunning style after a first-round stoppage of Tony Hill inside 30 seconds, then made the first defence of his title against Welshman Bradley Pryce in June, where he was made to work much harder before earning a points win.

A top-class amateur before joining the paid ranks, Saunders’ goes up against the equally impressive Fletcher, who has a win over Olympic gold medalist James DeGale on his boxing CV.

The contest was due to have taken place at Wembley Arena on the undercard of George Groves’ British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title fight, which is expected to be against Scotland’s Kenny Anderson.

But Groves suffered a bad cut over his right over during his win over Mexican Francisco Sierra at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California last month and the venue was switched to York Hall to give him time to heal.

Penge welterweight Bradley Skeete gets a Southern Area title shot against Chas Symonds and former Repton fighter Frank Buglioni will look to extend his unbeaten record to six.

It will be a busy night for father-and-son trainers Jimmy and Mark Tibbs who, as well as having Saunders and Buglioni in their Canning Town TKO Gym stable, also work with Gary Corcoran and Billy Morgan.

Ediz Hussain, who also uses the gym and is trained by his father Mo, will also be in action against selected opponents, along with 2011 ABA National senior featherweight champion Mitchell Smith, an unbeaten fighter from Harrow Weald.

The Warren promotion then moves camp to Glasgow, where Kevin Mitchell will challenge Ricky Burns for his WBO World lightweight title in a fight televised live and exclusive on Box Nation.

Mitchell, also trained by the Tibbs, said: “I have a big following in East London and will have a lot of support in the arena.

“In the past Ricky has spareed with me here at the Canning Town gym. He is a mate of mine. That friendship will end once we enter he ring and I return with his world title as I’m determined to win it.”

York Hall stages a Goodwins Promotion on September 15, where Brentwood’s Kris Agyeu-Du takes on Eddie Corcoran, of Neasden, for the vacant Southern Area light-middleweight title, as well as 15 further fights on the undercard.

Miranda Carter promotes a show on September 23, which includes a debut for former Repton light-heavyweight Michael Evans.

London boxing fans can also look forward to a Matchroom show at Alexandra Palace on September 8, where Stoke Newington’s Erick ‘the Eagle’ Ochieng defends his English light-middleweight title against Ryan Toms, of Northolt.

But former Repton boxer Darren Barker has withdrawn from his IBF continental middleweight title fight with Italy’s Simone Rotolo, having injured tendons in his arm during sparring.

Lee Purdy will now top the bill against Argentina’s Gumersindo Carrasco for the IBF inter-continental welterweight title.