Frank Warren’s show planned for the ExCeL London on Friday 9th December – joint-headlined by James DeGale and George Groves in separate championship fights – has been switched to the Liverpool Echo Arena on the same date.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, ExCeL were unable to stage the event due to their Olympic test event commitment and, with no other London venue available, Ian Congdon from the Liverpool Echo Arena jumped at the chance to stage another international boxing event at the city’s premier venue.
Last month Liverpool star Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly fought a tremendous battle for the WBO World Light-Heavyweight title at the venue in one of the best fights seen in recent years, and in July John Murray and Kevin Mitchell were also involved in a thrilling fight at the same venue.
DeGale will take on tough Spaniard Jose Guerrero in the first defence of his WBO Intercontinental Super-Middleweight title, while his great rival Groves will defend his Commonwealth title against a challenger to be confirmed.
The top quality card, televised live on BoxNation (Sky Platform Ch. 456), will also feature Olympian Billy Joe Saunders in a ten-round international contest, backed up with Merseyside’s best talent including: former British and Commonwealth Featherweight Champion Stephen Smith; his younger brother, unbeaten, welterweight Liam Smith; big-punching light-middleweight talent Joe Selkirk, plus hugely popular Ellesmere Port super-flyweight Paul Butler as well as Commonwealth Games Champion Callum Johnson.
Promoter Frank Warren said, “I’m grateful that Ian Congdon and his team at the Liverpool Echo Arena stepped in to stage the event. With the great fights we’ve had recently at the arena with Cleverly v Bellew and Murray v Mitchell, plus cracking title fights with Paul Smith in the past, Liverpool has now become the hotbed of British boxing. The fans are fantastic and really love their boxing and come out and support the shows so I’m delighted that James and George plus all the local lads will feature on the card.”
Customers who have purchased tickets for the ExCeL show can contact Frank Warren Promotions Box Office manager Tony Vincent on 1992 550 88 to upgrade their ticket or get a full refund from their original point of purchase.
Ticket for the Liverpool Echo Arena show are priced at £40, £50, £75 and £100 and are available from:
Liverpool Echo Arena
Box Office: 0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com