168LB RIVALS BUGLIONI AND MARKHAM CLASH AT SSE ARENA, WEMBLEY

Hard-hitting super-middleweights Frank Buglioni and Lee Markham collide in a potential thriller at the SSE Arena, Wembley, on Saturday 9th May.

Enfield ace Buglioni makes the second defence of his WBO European crown against the all-action Essex banger on the undercard of the joint headlined show between Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jnr. in separate fights.

The showdown between Buglioni and Markham is expected to be a fiery affair with both fighters winning one apiece in the amateur ranks – Markham winning the last encounter – and taking their rivalry into the pros.

Buglioni has made a stunning return to form following his sole career loss to Sergey Khomitsky last year with a winning run of four fights and three big stoppages. In his last fight he blasted out Ivan Jukic inside one round to defend his title.

The 25-year-old has fought his way back into the top ten of the WBO rankings, regained the WBO European crown and is now firmly back on the road to a world title.

Markham is one of the most exciting 168lb fighters in the UK with 14 wins from 16 fights, seven knockouts and a five-time winner of versions of the British Masters title.

He was involved in a thrilling showdown with Jahmaine Smyle last month – that could be a contender for Fight of the Year because of the pulsating, toe-to-toe, battle both men put on – and lost on tight split decision.

Buglioni said, “This is a real grudge fight between Markham and me that had to happen,”

“Full credit to him for taking it, he’s wanted it for the last few years and now he’s got it, which he may regret. He’s a good all round fighter, he’s fit and strong and applies plenty of pressure, matched with my style, it’s bound to end up in a thriller for the fans,”

“Boxing is all about levels though and I know that I’m levels above him. I can outdo him in every department and better anything he brings. There’s only winner in this fight and that’s me, I’ll stop him.”

Markham, who has agreed terms to face Buglioni, replied, “I can’t wait to fight Buglioini, I’ve never been so up for a fight like this one,”

“With us coming from rival towns, plus plenty of professional rivalry and needle thrown in as well, seeing as I defeated him in the amateurs last, it’s going to be a cracking fight,”

“Buglioni’s done well to get himself back up there after his loss, but I’m going to have bring him crumbling back down again. We’ve both got aggressive, come forward, styles, he can bang, I can bang, it won’t be going the distance.”

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £200 are available from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk and SSE Arena, Wembley, on 0844 815 0815 or www.ssearena.co.uk (Disabled Line 0208 782 5629).

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