FRANK Warren’s Magnificent Seven feature returns to Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, on July 20 with a host of domestic dust-ups on the roster.
This is the best line-up since, well, the last one, which was on March 16 at the same venue. Some of the protagonists that night enjoyed themselves so much that they’re back for another go.
Telford tornado Liam Davies heads the pack, defending his IBO super-bantamweight against Shabaz Masoud. Well-supported Davies is extremely fun to watch. He can fight a bit too; see last win, over Erik Robles Ayala, for evidence.
Robles had defeated Lee McGregor to win the IBO trinket in a fiercely competitive scrap. It was vacant again and heading Davies’s way by the time he blew the Mexican away in two rounds. Masoud, meanwhile, has yet to taste defeat in 12 fights and has some decent wins over fading international opposition on his record.
If he can stay calm and handle the atmosphere, things could get interesting. Keeping Davies at bay for 12 rounds will be a hefty task.
Powerful ticket seller Nathan Heaney will seek to remove Brad Pauls’s pesky threat as they enter round 13 and beyond of their unexpected rivalry. In March, when the pair fought to a draw, Heaney held on to his British middleweight title.
A rematch in Birmingham makes sense. Stoke man Heaney will fancy he can establish his dominance, while Cornwall native Pauls did his reputation no harm at all with a sterling 12-round display.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: Referee Lee Every raises the hands of both Nathan Heaney and Brad Pauls after announcing the bout as a draw following the British Middleweight Title fight between Nathan Heaney and Brad Pauls at Resorts World Arena on March 16, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Chantelle Cameron has a swift outing under her new employers, taking on Elhem Mekhaled for the vacant WBC Interim super-lightweight title.
Chantelle split back-to-back fights with Katie Taylor, both on away soil in Dublin. Sounding vibrant in her new situation, Chantelle will now find out in real-time exactly how the training and promotional refresh have suited her.
Ashley Lane makes the first defence of his newly acquired British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles when he faces puncher Andrew Cain. Lane wasn’t expected to beat Chris Bourke in York Hall and is embarking on a bit of a Cinderella run, akin to the late Chris Edwards of Stoke, who refused to be defined by his wobbly record and enjoyed lower weight success late in his career. 11-1 Cain’s sole loss came to Ionut Baluta. No shame there.
The crossroads are calling for Ekow Essuman, who had a very solid run at British title level that was abruptly ended by Harry Scarff. Rebuilding will be tough for the 35-year-old, who is under pressure to dip down to English level and defeat Owen Cooper, who arrives off the back of a career-best win over Eithan James.
No card would be complete without a heavyweight rumble and Solomon “The Real Deal” Dacres has his hands full with David Adeleye. Dacres shed a pile of rust at the tail end of 2023, defeating Michael Webster in an English title slugfest.
Adeleye, meanwhile, lost to Fabio Wardley out in Saudi Arabia. Two big men coming from different places in their respective careers. Neither can really afford a loss at this stage.
Returning to the same location where he starched Prince Oko Nartey in March, Ezra Taylor will be looking to hit 9-0 against an opponent yet-to-be-named.
Pleased with his activities, promoter Frank Warren reckons this is exactly the kind of action the fans will love.
“The depth and quality of this fight card in Birmingham is unrivalled in this country,” said Warren. “The Magnificent Seven concept is proving hugely popular and getting stronger each time.”
