Blackwell and Fury look to take Derby by storm on July 25

LONDON (25 JUNE) Hennessy Sports in association with Mitchell Sports Promotions are pleased to announce that new British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell will defend his title on Saturday, July 25 against challenger Damon Jones at Derby Arena, live on Channel 5.

Not only that, the night’s chief support contest sees fast-rising heavyweight prospectHughie Lewis Fury again step up in class to face respected international opposition over a scheduled ten rounds.

Also appearing on the July 25 undercard – televised live on Spike – will be current European Union light-welterweight champion Lenny Daws, former British super-bantamweight title challenger Leigh Wood, current English flyweight champion Louis Norman, as well as exciting prospects Yusuf Safa and Young Fury.

The likes of Myron Mills, Indi Sangha, Sajid Abid, Jamie Robinson, Nathan Kirkand Russell Henshaw will also see action in Derby.

Twenty-four-year-old Blackwell won the British middleweight title in May at London’s sold-out O2 Arena with a stunning upset victory against Londoner John Ryder, live on Sky Sports Box Office. The pair went toe-to-toe for six-and-a-half rounds before Blackwell’s better fitness and strength saw him halt Ryder in a dramatic seventh round. Now champion, Blackwell intends to clean up the domestic scene before pursuing world honours.

Yorkshireman Jones, meanwhile, his first challenger, is unbeaten in 13 professional fights and has barely put a foot wrong since turning professional in 2012. The six-foot southpaw won an English middleweight title eliminator against fellow unbeaten Grant Cunningham last time out and, at 22 years of age, believes he’s ready to fight for top honours in Britain.

“We’re only just getting started with Nick Blackwell,” said promoter Mick Hennessy. “He’s twenty-four years of age, but already has a wealth of experience, and it showed in his tremendous win against John Ryder.

“I truly believe Nick can now go on to dominate the other middleweights in Britain before looking to climb his way further up the world rankings. He’s young enough and good enough to one day be in the mix for world titles.

“His first defence on July 25 should make for a a fascinating blend of styles, as Damon Jones is a tall, awkward southpaw with plenty of ambition. He’s undefeated as a pro and will feel he has the style and ability to dethrone Nick in Derby. Nick will, of course, have other ideas.”

Derby Arena is located on Derby’s Pride Park next to the iPro Stadium, and development of the £27.5 million Arena heralds the most exciting and important changes to leisure facilities in Derby in the last 40 years, as part of Derby City Council’s Leisure Strategy.

The new arena is primarily a space for sports and physical activity, yet also serves as a venue to host cultural events, exhibitions, product launches and conferences, and can hold up to 5000 people.

*** Tickets for Blackwell vs. Jones can be purchased from the Derby Arena Box Office on 01332 255800 or by visiting www.derbylive.co.uk ***

*** Blackwell vs. Jones will be televised live on Channel 5 on July 25, while the supporting undercard will be televised live earlier in the evening on Spike ***