Ricky set for fifth World title defence against unbeaten American

Ricky Burns will defend his WBO World Lightweight title against Terence Crawford at the SECC in Glasgow on March 1, live on Sky Sports.

Burns makes the fifth defence of his crown against American hotshot Crawford, the unbeaten Omaha star with 16 KO wins from his 22 bouts. Tickets for the event will go on sale at 1pm on Monday January 13, with promoter Eddie Hearn holding a press conference in Glasgow that day where he will reveal details on the undercard.

The Scotsman had a tough year in 2013, with a ninth round stoppage win over Jose Gonzalez in May followed by a draw against Raymundo Beltran on a dramatic night in Glasgow in September, surviving a broken jaw and a knock down to set up a clash with the 26 year old mandatory challenger Crawford.

Burns is back in training after getting the all-clear from the doctors on his jaw, and the 30 year old is determined to kick 2014 off with a big performance to prove he’s a force to be reckoned with in the Lightweight division

“I have a point to prove,” said Burns. “I've had two bad performances, we've made a few changes and some adjustments, we're going to be doing things differently, and fingers crossed that we see a new Ricky Burns on March 1.

“As soon as the jaw injury happened against Beltran I went into survival mode. Everybody knew that something was wrong, even if they didn't know exactly what it was. When the final bell went I wasn't caring about the decision, I just knew that I had done damage.

“The first couple of months after the operation were a nightmare. They told me to watch what I was eating and I could hardly open my mouth, I couldn't speak.

“Everybody is writing me off again with Terence but that doesn't bother me, I like being the underdog and I can’t wait to get back out there again in front of another great Glasgow crowd.”

Crawford fights outside America for the first time in his career, and he’s warning Burns that he’ll go one better than Gonzalez and Beltran and rip the title from his hands.

“I hope Burns is ready to walk to hell and back,” said Crawford. “I'm going to fight with all my heart. I have the determination and the skill to win the world title and bring it home.”

Crawford’s promoter Bob Arum added: “We believe Terence Crawford is ready to win the title and take it home to Omaha.”

It’s another massive night in Glasgow for Burns, and Hearn says March 1 is a make-or-break fight for his man.

“This is a must win fight for Ricky and perhaps the toughest of his incredible career,” said Hearn. “Ricky is more determined than I've ever seen him and to have that frame after the injury that he suffered during the Beltran fight is testament to the type of character and fighter he is.

“Crawford is hot property in the States but we managed to bring him here, out of his comfort zone and right now Ricky needs the people of Scotland behind him more than ever. March 1 will be a special night at the SECC, the latest chapter of the remarkable Ricky Burns story.”

Rees vs. Buckland, Joshua vs. Darch, Jenkins, Ochieng and Hope on huge Matchroom bill in February

Lee Selby will face Rendall Munroe for the vacant European Featherweight title at the top of Matchroom Sport’s stacked ‘Reloaded’ card at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on February 1, live on Sky Sports.

The Barry star will also defend his British title in the Welsh capital, on a show which also sees Newport’s Gavin Rees in a tasty domestic dust-up with Cardiff’s former British Super Featherweight champion Gary Buckland, who steps up to Lightweight for the clash.

Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua fights in the fourth time as a professional on the bill, with Aberdare’s Dorian Darch providing a tough test for the exciting Heavyweight.

The stacked undercard will also feature Erick Ochieng vs. Dale Evans, Welsh Middleweight Kerry Hope, Liverpool’s Thomas Stalker, Prizefighter Light Welterweight champion Chris Jenkins, Jason Cook and Tony Pace.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £30, £40 and £60 ringside available from www.livenation.co.uk or by calling 02920 22 44 88, or from Sanigar Events on 0117 949 6699.

VIP Packages priced £120 are available from www.matchroomboxing.com or by calling 01277 359900.

Lightweight says change of opponent doesn’t bring him an easier fight

Kevin Mitchell wants to do a demolition job on Karim El Ouazghari but says the late change of opponent doesn’t mean he will have an easier fight when he defends his IBF Inter-Continental Lightweight title at the ExCeL London on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Spaniard El Ouazghari replaced Brunet Zamora on the stacked 16-fight bill after the Italian was denied exit from Italy. El Ouazghari, who weighed in today at 9st 8lbs 7oz, challenged John Murray for the European title in 2011, losing on points. Mitchell (9st 8lbs 5oz) recalls watching that fight and knows he won’t be getting any easy a ride despite the change of opponent.

“I have trained really hard,” he said. “I had a change of opponent, which I was told about late on Wednesday night but those things happen. I am lucky I am still on the bill, thanks to Eddie Hearn who got me a good opponent.

“This kid I have got now, I remember him fighting John Murray a couple of years back. He is very tough, awkward, throws some big shots, is a bit of a puncher and it looks like it will be a good fight. I am looking to take him out and do a demolition job on Saturday night.

“Next year is going to be an exciting year for me and I hope end up with a World title shot against Miguel Vazquez. Previously I’ve been inactive and in and out of the gym, but now Matchroom have made sure I’m very active and moved me along nicely towards another World title fight.”

The stacked card at ExCeL London features 16 fights, with recent World Welterweight challenger Lee Purdy aiming to take the European title from Italian Leonard Bundu, the fifth defence for the Lazio man.

Recent IBF Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell is out for the second time in four weeks, two-time World Middleweight title challenger Martin Murray is also back in action against Sergey Khomitsky and British Super Middleweight champion Paul Smith was added to the bill earlier this week.

There are two tasty Southern Area title clashes as Tony Owen defends his Light Welterweight strap against fellow Carshalton man Ricky Boylan, and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor meets Floyd Moore for the vacant Lightweight belt. Danny Connor lost to Owen in their October meeting for the title, and he is in an eliminator for the English Light Welterweight belt against Tyler Goodjohn.

Erick Ochieng is back in action after his battle with Liam Smith for the British Light Middleweight title, moving down to Welterweight to face Welshman Dale Evans, unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai moves into double figures in the pro ranks, there’s a welcome return to the ring for unbeaten Lightweight prospect Martin J Ward and Essex Light Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert looks to build on his British Masters triumph. Cruiserweight duo Wadi Camacho and Ben Ileyemi and unbeaten Bristol Welterweight Tamuka Mucha complete the line-up.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 through www.seetickets.com and on 0871 230 7148. VIP packages priced £150 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.



                                  

PROPOSED RUNNING ORDER WITH WEIGHTS (where available)

4:45pm                 4 x 3 mins Cruiserweight Contest

WADI CAMACHO (Canning Town) v JOHN ANTHONY (Doncaster)

 

                                10 x 3 mins Vacant Southern Area Lightweight title

RYAN TAYLOR 9st 8lbs 5oz (Upminster) v FLOYD MOORE 9st 8lbs 4oz (Fareham)

                                4 x 3 mins Cruiserweight Contest

BEN ILEYEMI (Edgware) 14st 4lbs 15oz v DANNY FLEARY 14st 4lbs 6oz (Darlington)

  

                                6 x 3 mins Super-Flyweight Contest

KAL YAFAI (Birmingham) 8st 4lbs 5oz v ASHLEY LANE 8st 7lbs 5oz (Northampton)

 

                                8 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight Contest

PAUL SMITH (Liverpool) v JAMIE AMBLER (Aberystwyth)       

 

                                10 x 3 mins Southern Area Light-Welterweight title

TONY OWEN 9st 12lbs (Carshalton) v RICKY BOYLAN 9st 12lbs 14oz (Carshalton)

 

                                6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest

MARTIN J WARD 9st 12lbs 12oz (Brentwood) v BEN WAGER 10st (Barnsley)

                                6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

ANTHONY OGOGO 11st 6lbs 11oz (Lowestoft) v DAN BLACKWELL 11st 6lbs (Trowbridge)

                                8 x 3 mins Bantamweight Contest

JAMIE McDONNELL (Doncaster) 8st 9lbs 10oz v ABIGAIL MEDINA 8st 8lbs 11oz (Barcelona, Spain & Dominican Republic)

 

                                10 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

MARTIN MURRAY 11st 9lbs 12oz (St Helens) v SERGEY KHOMITSKY 11st 8lbs 8oz (Minsk, Belarus)

 

                                12 x 3 mins IBF Inter-Continental Lightweight title

KEVIN MITCHELL 9st 8lbs 5oz (Dagenham) v KARIM EL OUAZGHARI 9st 8lbs 7oz (Spain)

 

                                12 x 3 mins European Welterweight title

LEONARD BUNDU (Florence, Italy) 10st 6lbs 1oz v LEE PURDY 10st 6lbs 5oz (Colchester)

 

                                10 x 3 mins Eliminator, English Light-Welterweight title

DANNY CONNOR 9st 13lbs 2oz (Charshalton) v TYLER GOODJOHN 9st 13lbs 4oz (Ely)

                                6 x 3 mins Light-Middleweight Contest

ERICK OCHIENG 10st 9lbs 11oz (Stoke Newington) v DALE EVANS 10st 9lbs 14oz (St Clears)

                                6  x 3 mins Light-Welterweight

JOHN WAYNE HIBBERT 10st 2lbs 5oz (Horndon-on-the-Hill) v ASHLEY MAYALL 10st 1lbs 15oz (Oldham)

                                4 x 3 mins Welterweight

TAMUKA MUCHA (Bristol) v DUANE GREEN (Norwich)

*Please Note: Bout schedule subject to change

Welterweight describes European title challenge as ‘must win’



Lee Purdy and has vowed to show he has become a different fighter since losing to Devon Alexander when he challenges Italian Leonard Bundu for the European Welterweight title the ExCeL London on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

The Colchester man has described Saturday’s fight as a ‘must win’ and says that if he does take Bunndu’s belt he wants to put himself in a position where champions will have no choice but to fight him.

“Every fighter says it but I really am in the best shape of my life,” he said. “If there was an opponent that I could choose stylistically, then Bundo would be it. It’s going to be a cracking fight for me and the fans and I’m just really looking forward to fighting now, putting on a big show and finishing off the year with a bang.

“Obviously in my last fight against Devon Alexander I struggled with the weight a little bit but since then I’ve changed things and I’m a different fighter. You will see a different Lee Purdy on Saturday.

“I hope that I have taken enough from that fight to get me to the next level and prove a lot of doubters wrong.

“Saturday is a must win fight for me. He’s older, but a good name for me. He’s unbeaten, knows his way around the ring and stylistically I think it’s going to be a great fight. We both like to come and have a fight, so I think the fans are in for a treat.

“I have been in training for quite a while for this fight which meant I brought my weight down nice and slowly so I made the weight no problem. All the good preparation means that the crowd will see a different animal in there tonight.

“When I win this European title it will shoot me up the rankings because of the title but also because Bundu is rated highly. So next year I’m going to be looking to fight myself into a position where champions are going to have to fight me. I believe that’s the level I should be operating at and I can’t wait to prove that to people. A win tonight will go some way to starting to do that.

“I believe I’m in the best shape both physically and mentally. I’m going to finish the year on a high.”

The stacked card at ExCeL London features 16 fights with former World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell now defending his IBF Inter-Continental title against Karim El Ouazghari after Brunet Zamora was denied exit from Italy.

Recent IBF Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell is out for the second time in four weeks, two-time World Middleweight title challenger Martin Murray is also back in action against Sergey Khomitsky and British Super Middleweight champion Paul Smith was added to the bill earlier this week.

There are two tasty Southern Area title clashes as Tony Owen defends his Light Welterweight strap against fellow Carshalton man Ricky Boylan, and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor meets Floyd Moore for the vacant Lightweight belt. Danny Connor lost to Owen in their October meeting for the title, and he is in an eliminator for the English Light Welterweight belt against Tyler Goodjohn.

Erick Ochieng is back in action after his battle with Liam Smith for the British Light Middleweight title, moving down to Welterweight to face Welshman Dale Evans, unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai moves into double figures in the pro ranks, there’s a welcome return to the ring for unbeaten Lightweight prospect Martin J Ward and Essex Light Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert looks to build on his British Masters triumph. Cruiserweight duo Wadi Camacho and Ben Ileyemi and unbeaten Bristol Welterweight Tamuka Mucha complete the line-up.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 through www.seetickets.com and on 0871 230 7148. VIP packages priced £150 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

St Helens Middleweight ready for tough 2014 if he can pass Khomitsky test

Martin Murray has big plans for 2014 but knows he must first get past Belarusian Sergey Khomitsky at the ExCeL London on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Murray rematches a man he beat in 2009 as part of a stacked 16-fight card this weekend but will have to be wary of the underdog against a former sparring partner.

If he is successful an exciting New Year beckons for Murray, who has been linked with a blockbuster fight against WBA World champion Gennady Golovkin.



“I beat Khomitsky back in 2009 and I had him over for sparring in the build-up to my fight with Felix Sturm,” he said. “He’s had a lot of notice for this fight so we know he’s ready. He’s no walk-over, he’s game and he’s going to come here to look for the win. The fans will see two people in there who want to win so it should be an interesting fight.

“From sparring I know he can punch and although a few people aren’t giving him a chance, sometimes that can motivate you more to do well. But I’m looking forward to getting back out there and fighting in London is fun. I haven’t fought down there for a while so I’m looking forward to putting on a good show.

“As long as I get through this and get through it well, we’ve got some good plans for the spring. I’ve got big plans for next year. I want to stay in the mix with the elite fighters and fight for World titles and that’s what I intend to do in 2014.

“I’d definitely be up for a fight with Golovkin. I want that fight but when it comes round I want to be a big as it can be to generate the most money. If the money is right the fights are there. Golovkin is definitely someone I’m looking at as a future opponent.

“I think I can beat anyone on my day, including Golovkin, I truly believe that. He is bound to say he can't be beaten because of the way he dealt with Matthew Macklin and there's a lot of hype around him and rightly so. But I think that he looked better than he really is against Macklin.”

The stacked card at ExCeL London features 16 fights with former World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell facing Italian Brunet Zamora for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title while recent World Welterweight challenger Lee Purdy aims to take the European title from Italian Leonard Bundu, the fifth defence for the Lazio man.

Recent IBF Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell is out for the second time in four weeks, Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks and British Super Middleweight champion Paul Smith was added to the bill earlier this week.

There are two tasty Southern Area title clashes as Tony Owen defends his Light Welterweight strap against fellow Carshalton man Ricky Boylan, and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor meets Floyd Moore for the vacant Lightweight belt. Danny Connor lost to Owen in their October meeting for the title, and he is in an eliminator for the English Light Welterweight belt against Tyler Goodjohn.

Erick Ochieng is back in action after his battle with Liam Smith for the British Light Middleweight title, moving down to Welterweight to face Welshman Dale Evans, unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai moves into double figures in the pro ranks, there’s a welcome return to the ring for unbeaten Lightweight prospect Martin J Ward and Essex Light Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert looks to build on his British Masters triumph. Cruiserweight duo Wadi Camacho and Ben Ileyemi and unbeaten Bristol Welterweight Tamuka Mucha complete the line-up.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 through www.seetickets.com and on 0871 230 7148.

VIP packages priced £150 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

Middleweight boxer aims to make big impression on stacked Matchroom card

Anthony Ogogo will fight at the ExCeL London on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports, for the first time since winning a Middleweight bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

The East Anglian boxer, 3-0 in the pro ranks, is rightly proud of his achievements and says he is looking forward to returning to the venue. However, he says he was unable to do himself justice in the semi-final given the serious illness his mum was suffering at the time.

“I am really looking forward to it and I am really glad Golden Boy and Matchroom are working together and I am able to get on the card,” said Ogogo. “I definitely have unfinished business.

“At the Olympics I had had a torrid previous 12 months with my mum having a life-threatening brain haemorrhage. Before the games I couldn’t concentrate on boxing and I nearly pulled out of the Olympics but my family told me I had to fight, so I went ahead with it and the whole time she was in a critical condition.

“Looking back, I don’t really know how I managed to do it. I had some good wins there but by the time I got to the semi-final I was physically, but more mentally than anything else, just spent. I had nothing left, I was drained and that came out in my performance. By that point I just wanted to get home because I had been away from my family for so long, mum hadn’t made much of change while I was down there and I just wanted to get back and spend time with my mum and my family.

“In the semi-final I didn’t do myself justice at all. Not through lake of trying, just because I had nothing left, nothing to give, I was completely empty. It was nice to get home and now my mum, in the last 18 months, has made the most miraculous recovery.

“She is healthy and everyone is really well and I am focussing on my boxing. I am in a really good state of mind now and I am looking forward to getting down there and putting that performance to bed because I am in a good position now.

“I love coming to London, it’s a great city and one that is very special given my Olympics experience. I have a lot of people coming down from East Anglia to come and support me which is great and I’m really excited.”

The stacked card at ExCeL London features 16 fights with former World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell facing Italian Brunet Zamora for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title while recent World Welterweight challenger Lee Purdy aims to take the European title from Italian Leonard Bundu, the fifth defence for the Lazio man.

Recent IBF Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell is out for the second time in four weeks, two-time World Middleweight title challenger Martin Murray is also back in action against Sergey Khomitsky and British Super Middleweight champion Paul Smith was added to the bill earlier this week.

There are two tasty Southern Area title clashes as Tony Owen defends his Light Welterweight strap against fellow Carshalton man Ricky Boylan, and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor meets Floyd Moore for the vacant Lightweight belt. Danny Connor lost to Owen in their October meeting for the title, and he is in an eliminator for the English Light Welterweight belt against Tyler Goodjohn.

Erick Ochieng is back in action after his battle with Liam Smith for the British Light Middleweight title, moving down to Welterweight to face Welshman Dale Evans, unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai moves into double figures in the pro ranks, there’s a welcome return to the ring for unbeaten Lightweight prospect Martin J Ward and Essex Light Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert looks to build on his British Masters triumph. Cruiserweight duo Wadi Camacho and Ben Ileyemi and unbeaten Bristol Welterweight Tamuka Mucha complete the line-up.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 through www.seetickets.com and on 0871 230 7148.

VIP packages priced £150 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

Shoulder problem means fourth pro fight is postponed to February

Anthony Joshua MBE has been forced to postpone of his clash with Dorian Darch on December 14 with a shoulder injury – but British Super Middleweight champion Paul Smith has been added to the bill at the ExCeL London, live on Sky Sports.

The Olympic Gold medal hero was set to return to the ExCeL in London to face the Welshman, returning to the scene of his London 2012 triumph for his fourth pro contest, hunting another KO win.

Sadly for the 23 year old, a shoulder issue has flared up and after consultation with medical staff it has been decided he will now meet Darch in Cardiff on February 1.

Smith claimed the vacant British crown in June with a sixth round stoppage win over fellow Liverpool man Tony Dodson, and the 31 year old joins a huge night of boxing on Sky Sports.

The stacked card features 15 fights with former World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell facing Italian Brunet Zamora for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title, recent World Welterweight challenger Lee Purdy aims to take the European title from Italian Leonard Bundu, the fifth defence for the Lazio man.

Olympic Bronze medal star Anthony Ogogo revisits the setting of his triumph at the London 2012 Games and also fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks, while recent IBF Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell is out for the second time in four weeks. Two-time World Middleweight title challenger Martin Murray is also back in action against Sergey Khomitsky.

There are two tasty Southern Area title clashes as Tony Owen defends his Light Welterweight strap against fellow Carshalton man Ricky Boylan, and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor meets Floyd Moore for the vacant Lightweight belt. Danny Connor lost to Owen in their October meeting for the title, and he is in an eliminator for the English Light Welterweight belt against Tyler Goodjohn.

Erick Ochieng is back in action after his battle with Liam Smith for the British Light Middleweight title, moving down to Welterweight to face Welshman Dale Evans, unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai moves into double figures in the pro ranks, there’s a welcome return to the ring for unbeaten Lightweight prospect Martin J Ward, Essex Light Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert looks to build on his British Masters triumph and Cruiserweight duo Wadi Camacho and Ben Ileyemi complete the line-up.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 through www.seetickets.com and on 0871 230 7148.

VIP packages priced £150 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.

IBF Middleweight champion says he’s in the perfect place ahead of Stuttgart test

Darren Barker has vowed to shine in his IBF World Middleweight title defence against Felix Sturm at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, live on Sky Sports 1 from 9pm.

The Londoner faces his first World title defence against the German hero, who is attempting to become the first four-time German boxing champion – but Barker said that won’t be happening tomorrow night.

“When preparation has been perfect you look forward to getting in there and that's where I am right now – I just can't wait to get in there and do my thing,” said Barker, who weighed in at 11st 5lbs, lighter Sturm who scaled 11st 5lbs 6oz.

“I've got a small and close team around me and that's how I like it. I've had a good week here, it's been enjoyable, we’ve been treated really well and the German fans have been great. I’ve got a lot of fans out here and they were brilliant in the weigh-in, there's even more coming tomorrow and it's going to be a great atmosphere.

“The confidence and belief from winning a World title is unreal – I've always believed I'm World class, but winning that World title I know that I am World class because I've proved it. I am as hungry as I've ever been, I'm proud to be a World champion and I want to have a long reign.

“Coming out to Germany to fight one of their great champions is a big statement. I've won the title abroad and I'm defending it abroad – it's a sign of my belief that I will beat him and move towards securing a legacy in this great division.”

Legendary promoter joins Calzaghe, De La Hoya and Trinidad in ‘Class of 2014’

Barry Hearn has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The legendary promoter joins fighting stars Joe Calzaghe, Oscar de la Hoya and Felix Trinidad in the list of inductees for 2014 and will attend the 25th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend on June 5-8 in Canastota, New York, with the culmination of a week of festivities being the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds.

Hearn started life in boxing when he co-promoted Frank Bruno’s Heavyweight showdown with Joe Bugner at White Hart Lane in 1987 and with it his love affair with the sport began. Hearn has promoted over 600 shows in his 25 years in boxing and his footprint is on some of the most memorable moments in a British ring, as well as his guiding hand behind some of the UK’s true greats in Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed.

“I am deeply honoured to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Hearn. “To stand alongside some of my heroes of this great sport in the ring, the great trainers and some important people behind the scenes, it’s a very proud moment.”

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2014 and are very much looking forward to honouring the 25th class of inductees,” said Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Edward Brophy.

Olympic Gold medal hero returns to the scene of his 2012 triumph next weekend

Anthony Joshua MBE says he can’t wait to box at the ExCeL in London once again as he prepares to return to the scene of his Olympic triumph on December 14, live on Sky Sports – but says it’s also time to move on.

The Gold medal hero brought the curtain down on Team GB’s sensational London 2012 Games in style on August 12, coming from behind to beat Roberto Cammarelle in a heart-stopping final in east London.

The 23 year old steps back into the venue to face Dorian Darch in his fourth pro contest on Matchroom Sport’s stacked Christmas bill, and while Joshua is excited to be back at the ExCeL – but says it’s time to look to the future.

“This is where I learnt a lot,” said Joshua. “It is where I can say the heights of my amateur career happened. I am back there again competing and it will be another tough night of boxing but it will hopefully be another great night of boxing for me and my camp.

“I will never forget the Games and especially that incredible Sunday when I won the Gold. I’m thrilled to be back there again and all the memories will come flooding back as it was indescribable.

“I’m at the start of a fresh new chapter now though, the Olympics was amazing but it’s in the past. I am loving life in the pro ranks and learning every day. Dorian is a tough test for just my fourth fight and he’ll want to make a name for himself, as all my opponents do.

“I am grounded, I am focused and I am taking every fight very seriously. It’s vital that I keep winning and keep learning because one lapse of concentration in the ring could be disastrous.”

Joshua’s return to the ExCeL is part of a huge night of boxing on Sky Sports.

The stacked card features 15 fights with former World Lightweight title challenger Kevin Mitchell facing Italian Brunet Zamora for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title, recent World Welterweight challenger Lee Purdy aims to take the European title from Italian Leonard Bundu, the fifth defence for the Lazio man.

Like Joshua, Olympic Bronze medal star Anthony Ogogo revisits the setting of his triumph at the London 2012 Games and also fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks, while recent IBF Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell is out for the second time in four weeks. Two-time World Middleweight title challenger Martin Murray is also back in action against Sergey Khomitsky.

There are two tasty Southern Area title clashes as Tony Owen defends his Light Welterweight strap against fellow Carshalton man Ricky Boylan, and Ryan ‘Crash Bang’ Taylor meets Floyd Moore for the vacant Lightweight belt. Danny Connor lost to Owen in their October meeting for the title, and he is in an eliminator for the English Light Welterweight belt against Tyler Goodjohn.

Erick Ochieng is back in action after his battle with Liam Smith for the British Light Middleweight title, moving down to Welterweight to face Welshman Dale Evans, unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai moves into double figures in the pro ranks, there’s a welcome return to the ring for unbeaten Lightweight prospect Martin J Ward, Essex Light Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert looks to build on his British Masters triumph and Cruiserweight duo Wadi Camacho and Ben Ileyemi complete the line-up.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 through www.seetickets.com and on 0871 230 7148.

VIP packages priced £150 are available exclusively through Matchroom Boxing – www.matchroomboxing.com – or call 01277 359900.