The MaxiNutrition Knockout: A new direction for Boxing

Above: The MaxiNutrition Knockout fighters

Left to right top: Danny McIntosh, Matty Clarkson, Leon Senior and Dean Francis

Bottom: Bob Ajisafe, Travis Dickinson, Lee Duncan and Tony Hill

London (3 March) Hennessy Sports are proud to announce an exciting, brand new competition to put on the boxing calendar, the MaxiNutrition Knockout, live on Channel 5.

Starting on March 15 at Rivermead, Reading, eight boxers from the light heavyweight division will fight it out over four live events to become the MaxiNutrition Knockout champion and in doing so the British champion.

The eight fighters competing are Bob Ajisafe, Dean Francis, Danny McIntosh, Travis Dickinson, Matty Clarkson, Leon Senior, Lee Duncan and Tony Hill.

Ranging from up-and-coming stars with world-class ambitions, to former British, Commonwealth and European champions, the fighters give a fair representation of the hard-working, hard-training boxers who keep the British light heavyweight scene alive; offering them a deserved share of the television spotlight, as well as the chance for British championship glory.

They have been seeded and drawn into four quarter-finals, one side of the draw holding the coveted British and Southern Area light heavyweight titles and the other holding the prestigious English light heavyweight title.

Channel 5 will broadcast the quarter finals in 2 x two-hour programmes, each featuring two live contests, the first at Rivermead, Reading, on March 15th and the second onMarch 22nd live from Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield.

The winners of each quarter-final will be drawn to meet in two semi-finals, competing over 10 x 3 minute rounds for the English title and 12 x 3 minute rounds for the British, to be shown live in programme three.

The final will be over 12 x 3 minute rounds, broadcast live within six months of the series launch programme, as the British champion meets the English champion.

All contests will be under British Boxing Board of Control supervision, with a referee and three scoring judges.

The event will be completed over a maximum of six months and the contests will be over ten and the full 12 championship rounds – ensuring that this is a true test of boxing skill, toughness and endurance.

Each of the four live events will be supported by a quality undercard, to ensure maximum entertainment for the event spectators and, where necessary, for the TV audience.

FIRST SET OF QUARTER FINALS

RIVERMEAD, READING, MARCH 15

LIVE ON CHANNEL 5

BOB AJISAFE VS DEAN FRANCIS

British Light Heavyweight title

SECOND SET OF QUARTER FINALS

Bob Ajisafe and Dean Francis clash for the vacant British light heavyweight title at Rivermead, Reading, on March 15th, live on Channel 5.

The English light heavyweight champion, Ajisafe, faces the former British, Commonwealth and European champion, Francis, with both men focussed on claiming the coveted Lonsdale belt and progressing to the next round of theMaxiNutrition Knockout.

Francis boasts 34 wins with 26 knockouts in a 39 fight career to date, which has seen him claim WBO Inter-Continental, British and European super middleweight titles, along with the English cruiserweight and Commonwealth light heavyweight championships.

The Basingstoke man fondly known as “Star” has experience on his side and is determined to prove he still has what it takes by winning his second British title and progressing to the semi final.

But Ajisafe, known as “Lionheart” will have other plans.

At 28-years-old he is an English champion, having won the belt against Darren Stubbs in Oldham and defended it against MaxiNutrition Knockout rival and formerly undefeatedTravis Dickinson in Sheffield, Ajisafe has also traded leather with world title contender Tony Bellew in a hard fought contest over 12 rounds.

Trained in Sheffield with the Ingles, the Leeds based Ajisafe will be looking to win his first British title and add another Lonsdale belt to the famous St Thomas Gym in Wincobank Sheffield.