Mexico’s Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez makes the first defence of his IBF junior-lightweight title when he fights Christopher Diaz in Los Mochis, Mexico on September 6.
The 28 year old won the vacant title in May when he travelled to Japan to defeat Masanori Rikiishi in May. Diaz, 30, has previously challenged for world titles at featherweight and junior lightweight.
On the same evening at Sunderland Live in Sunderland, England, the Englishman Pat McCormack fights Miguel Parra of Mexico at welterweight.
There will also be a welterweight contest between Sandy Ryan and Jade Grierson, English super-middleweight champion Mark Dickinson defending his title against Troy Williamson, and fights for Leo Atang, Tiah-Mai Ayton, Adam Maca, Cameron Vuong, and the cruiserweight debutant Brad Casey against opponents to be confirmed.
Matchroom, the promoters of both bills, have also confirmed that on October 11, at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England’s David Allen will fight his fellow heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov of Russia, and that on October 17 Kieron Conway and George Liddard will fight for the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles at London’s York Hall.
“I’m buzzing to headline Sheffield’s Utilita Arena,” said Allen, 33. “It’s always been a dream of mine. I’m a big boxing fan and I’ve seen the likes of ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed, Kell Brook and Dalton Smith top the bill there over the years. So for me to have my name up there headlining at what is practically my home arena is amazing.
“And with that, I wanted to have the biggest fight possible. In Arslanbek Makhmudov I think it really is the biggest test available. He looks the part. He’s had some very good wins and he has a high world ranking. A win over him will put me right up there on the world stage. It might be a shot to nothing. And I might go in as the underdog. But I’m up for it. It’s one last shot at the big time for me.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to face a true warrior like David Allen on October 11,” said Makhmudov, 36. “I know he won’t shy away from going to war with me. But enough talk – it’s time to hunt, and soon, it’ll be time to have my hand raised.”
“There are some huge fights to look forward to,” said Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn. “‘Sugar’ Nunez defending his title for the first time. Pat McCormack headlining in his hometown. Kieron Conway and George Liddard going head-to-head. And perhaps none more bigger than Dave Allen against Arslanbek Makhmudov. To be honest, I think Dave is absolutely mad for taking this fight. In fact, he might just be one of the strangest men I’ve ever met.”
