UPDATE: Lyndon Arthur faces a late opponent change in Bolton as Braian Suarez is unable to compete after failing a medical. In his place is former sparring partner Boris Crighton, who has cautioned Arthur not to expect an easy night. Arthur was set to challenge Suarez for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title at the University of Bolton Stadium, but medical issues meant he had to bow out. Crighton, recognizing Arthur’s weaknesses after their four rounds of sparring, is eager to make use of this knowledge. However, Arthur remains confident in his abilities to overcome Crighton in their 12-round bout.
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The dynamite-fisted Braian Nahuel Suarez has vowed to cause an upset and leave Lyndon Arthur’s plans for huge domestic clashes in tatters.
Suarez has arrived in the UK ahead of Friday night’s IBO light heavyweight world title showdown with Arthur, live and free-to-air on Channel 5 from 10pm, in association with Ladrbrokes, Numan and Infinitium Entertainment.
Arthur and Suarez headline a must-watch Wasserman Boxing card at the University of Bolton Stadium, with the winner taking home the IBO belt and putting themselves in the frame for some mega fights in the 175 lbs division.
WHAT TIME IS ARTHUR – CRIGHTON?
- Date: Friday, March 24
- Start time: 2:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GMT
- Viewers in the UK can watch the fight live on Channel 5
- The fight will take place at the Bolton White Hotel, Bolton, United Kingdom.
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 6:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. GMT
- The main card is set to get underway at 2:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GMT with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. GMT.
The British light heavyweight division is packed with top-tier talent and Suarez, who has KO’d 17 opponents, plans to muscle Arthur out of the way and put himself in the frame for fights with Joshua Buatsi, Dan Azeez and the rest of the big names on these shores.
“Everyone wants to fight in big fights and I believe that if I defeat Arthur I should be given my chance against Buatsi, Azeez and the other fights that he is chasing,” Suarez said.
“Arthur is a good boxer with great skills, he is tall and uses the distance well, but he also has weaknesses like everyone and I plan on taking advantage of them.”.
Argentine hero Suarez, who played youth football for Velez Sarsfield and River Plate before focusing on boxing, will be fighting outside of his homeland for the first time as a professional.
But the 30-year-old from Buenos Aires is not worried one bit about being the away fighter.
“I am fully prepared and ready to face my first fight abroad,” said the 18-1 puncher.
“For me this is an honour to be able to fight in the UK and represent my country abroad. I am extremely motivated for this fight.”
The dangerous Braian Suarez said: “I am so thankful for this opportunity, and I will do everything in my hands to bring the victory home to Argentina.
“I hope to win by KO, but the priority is just to win. Like every boxer, Arthur has weaknesses. I am not going to tell you what they are, but I am going to take advantage of them.”
Arthur and Suarez headline a stunning first show of 2023 for Wasserman Boxing, with the 12 fight card delivering 50-50 contests, a title eliminator and a host of local, national and international stars.
The future of female boxing in the flyweight division, the formidable Chloe Watson, has her fifth pro contest, while Kane Garnder and Conah Walker clash in a tasty looking super lightweight meeting.
Lyndon Arthur vs Braian Suarez, for the IBO World Light Heavyweight Title is live and free-to-air on Channel 5 at 10pm on Friday, March 24.
ARTHUR VS. CRIGHTON CARD
- Kane Gardner vs. Conah Walker; Light middleweight
- Chloe Watson vs. Carolina Ornella Ferrari; Women’s flyweight
- James Moorcroft vs. Nathan Bennett; Welterweight
- Sultan Zaurbek vs. Facundo Acre; Super featherweight
- Denis Radovan vs. Fouad El Massoudi; Middleweight
- Katharina Thanderz vs. Ioana Fecioru; Women’s super featherweight
- Nial Brown vs. Bahadur Karami; Middleweight
- Bobby Faulker vs. TBA; Welterweight
- Alex Murphy vs. TBA; Lightweight
- Ashley Marron vs. Daryl Pearce; Welterweight
- Oliver Zaren vs. Frane Radnic; Middleweight