Weigh-In Results:
David Avanesyan – 146lb 8oz
Oskari Metz – 146lb 6oz
Hamzah Sheeraz – 159lb 3oz
Jez Smith – 159lb 9oz
Mark Chamberlain – 136lb 7oz
Jeff Ofori – 138lb 3oz
Sam Noakes – 134.4lb
Vicenzo Finiello – 134lb 2oz
Dennis McCann – 121lb 4oz
Charles Tondo – 118lb 2oz
Masood Abdulah – 124lb 8oz
Sandeep Singh Bhatti – 126lb 4oz
Henry Turner – 141lb 8oz
Ivan Njegac – 146lb 5oz
Sonny Ali – 141lb 5oz
Lee Glover – 142lb
Khalid Ali – 150lb 4oz
Josue Bendana 145lb
EUROPEAN WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION David Avanesyan returns to the ring on March 19 at the OVO Arena, Wembley, with a defense of his title on a night of multiple championships clashes at the historic London venue.
Avanesyan, bidding to return to world title contention in 2022, takes on the unbeaten Finn Oskari Metz, 15-0, in what will be the fifth defense of his EBU belt, with him also having recently joined forces with Frank Warren and Queensberry.
For the 33-year-old Russian, who is trained out of Newark by Carl Greaves, it is a return to a happy hunting ground as the formerly known Wembley Arena hosted his stoppage triumphs over both Josh Kelly and Liam Taylor.
“I am thrilled to be fighting in front of my British fans at my favorite venue in Wembley, where I had great nights in the past year,” said Avanesyan, 28-3-1. “I promise I am back with absolute determination to put a big show on before a big fight.
“I am fit, I am ready, and Metz is a good fighter and unbeaten, but I will win and win in style. I look forward to my debut under Frank Warren, who I am grateful for getting me out on this show, and I look forward to performing for BT Sport and their fans.
“Enjoy the show. I am back!”
An array of the country’s finest young prospects/contenders feature on the card, headed by Hamzah Sheeraz (14-0, 10 KOs), the WBO European super welterweight champion, who will take on Jez Smith (13-4-1, 6 KOs) for the WBC International Silver middleweight title in a fight that is sure to bring fireworks and a harsh welcome to a new division.
Thrilling bantamweight star Dennis McCann is entering the title business for the first time. ‘The Menace’ (11-0, 6 KOs) will fight for the WBO Youth world title over eight rounds against Charles Tondo (12-4-2, 5 KOs), a southpaw from Tanzania.
The two leading young lightweights in Britain are also in action at Wembley, with Mark Chamberlain (9-0, 6 KOs) taking on a 10-rounder for the first time and Sam Noakes (8-0, 8 KOs) making the first defense of his WBC International Silver title against the Italian Vincenzo Finiello (15-4-2, 1 KO).
Further title action comes with relentless featherweight star Louie Lynn (10-0, 7 KOs) defending his WBC International Silver belt for a second time against James Beech jr (14-2, 2 KOs) from Bloxwich.
Completing the card, talented, super lightweight prospect Henry Turner (6-0) will have a fourth six-rounder, explosive super feather Masood Abdullah (3-0, 3 KOs) goes in with Engel Gomez (8-4, 4 KOs) over six rounds and super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (2-0) fights Birmingham’s Sean Davis (14-18), also in a six-rounder.
In four-round action, Khalid Ali (1-0, 1 KO) will look to double his win tally against Kris Pilkington (2-10-1).
Finally, Frank Warren gets to unleash his latest young star onto the professional ranks, with two-time European championship gold medallist Royston Barney-Smith making his pro debut, having turned 18 in January.
Barney-Smith enjoyed a glittering stint in the amateur code of the sport, with 50 fights under his belt bringing about 45 wins. The product of Pinewood Starr has represented England at four international championships and worn the colors of his country on 37 occasions, winning 36.
Promoter Warren said of his Wembley show: “I am thrilled to get our partnership underway with David Avenesyan and his manager Neil Marsh with another defense of his European title ahead of the more enormous challenges on the horizon. I think everybody knows who the best welterweight knocking about these parts is, but there is no clamor to fight him so we will look for a swift ascent back to world title contention for him as soon as possible.
“This show features a number of the best and most exciting young fighters currently coming through the ranks in this country, and I am looking forward to seeing them all take the next step at the beginning of a big year for them.
“I am also personally very excited to launch the professional career of Royston Barney-Smith, and I urge you all to get behind this young man from the off because he is a special talent who is destined for big things in the years ahead.”
Tickets for an incredible night of Championship boxing at the OVO Arena go on general sale at 11 am on Wednesday 16th February at AXS.com.