Tony Bellew’s world title clash with Oleksandr Usyk is the main attraction in Manchester on Saturday night.
The Liverpudlian bids to upset the unified cruiserweight champion in what he has promised will be the final fight of his career.
Bellew returns to the 200lb division after back-to-back wins over David Haye at heavyweight while Usyk defends all four belts for the first time since his win over Murat Gasiev.
Usyk also won the first World Boxing Super Series tournament with his victory back in July.
But there are a number of other fights on the undercard at the Manchester Arena…
Anthony Crolla vs Daud Yordan
Former world champion Crolla returns to the ring for the first time since his points win over Edison Ramirez in March. The 31-year-old has won two on the bounce since his back-to-back defeats by Jorge Linares saw him relinquish his lightweight world title. Crolla faces Yordan in a final eliminator for the WBA strap with a fight against pound-for-pound great Vasyl Lomachenko awaiting the winner. Yordan has won 38 of his 41 fights but should prove more than beatable for the home favourite.
Ricky Burns vs Scott Cardle
A short notice fight after Cardle’s initial opponent Joe Cordina pulled out with an injury. In his place steps Scotland’s former three-weight world champion Burns who can’t afford to lose this one. Cardle has won two of his last four fights, suffering British lightweight title fights against first Robbie Barrett and then Lewis Ritson. He warmed up for Burns by outpointing journeyman Michael Mooney in August. Burns has also won two his last four bouts and defeats by Julius Indongo and Anthony Crolla suggest he is on the slide.
Sam Hyde vs Richard Riakporhe
An intriguing fight between two unbeaten cruiserweights with the lightly-regarded WBA Inter-Continental belt on the line. Hyde has won 13 of his 14 fights while drawing the other but faces his toughest task to date against Riakporhe. The Londoner has won all seven of his fights but will also take a big step up in class Hyde his first opponent to possess a winning record
David Allen vs Ariel Esteban Bracamonte
Likeable heavyweight Allen returns in a tick-over fight against an Argentinian yet to fight out of his own country.
Josh Kelly vs Walter Fabian Castillo
Like, Allen, Kelly takes on an Argentinian not used to travelling and the amateur stand-out should have little trouble.
Dmytro Mytrofanov vs Gino Kanters
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