Another Friday, another train journey! This time I am travelling from Bradford to London Kings Cross to film some exciting content for a new concept we are bringing out very soon (stay tuned)!

It has been another engrossing week in the world of combat sports. From Boxxer and the newly formed MF Pro announcing broadcasting deals with DAZN to Deontay Wilder volleying verbal insults to the often outspoken Simon Jordan.

Before that, I want to briefly talk about Josh Kelly’s recent performance against Bakhram Murtazaliev. Kelly was up against it considering Murtazaliev was undefeated, avoided and awkward. Yet Kelly stuck to the plan he cooked up with trainer Adam Booth, delivering a memorable performance. He frustrated Murtazaliev, boxing in and out of range constantly catching the Russian with those fast hands. Perhaps the game plan was working too well at times as Kelly lost concentration. That almost cost him in the ninth when Murtazalie threw a clubbing left hook which rocked Kelly and sent him crashing to the floor. The Sunderland man regained his composure and was able to see the victory out.

Kelly is now in a strong position. A summer fight at the stadium of light is already whetting the appetite of Sunderland’s passionate fanbase. However, as is so often the case with Boxing you need the right dancing partner to etch your name amongst the greats. A domestic showdown with Connor Benn or newly crowned WBO and WBA junior Middleweight champion Xander Zayas would almost definitely sell out the Stadium of light.

A rematch with Murtazaliev could also be on the cards given the team have submitted an appeal over the scoring of the final round from experienced referee Steve Gray. Gray scored the final round 10-10 which is frowned upon. Had he scored the round to Murtazaliev, the contest would have been declared a draw and the Russian would have kept his world title.

Shakur Stevenson delivered a Boxing clinic when he defeated Teofimo Lopez at a sold out Maddison Square Garden last weekend. The undefeated fighter from Newark, New Jersey made his debut in the superlightweight division, in a fight that was billed as a real 50/50. However, Stevenson used his Mayweather like defence to a tee winning every round and bullying Lopez in the process.

Stevenson’s victory has been slightly muddied upon by the WBC who stripped the Newark man of his 135lbs title. The sanctioning body claim that they stripped Stevenson of his title in accordance to its rules. However, Stevenson claimed that this was down to him not paying the $100k owed in sanctioning fees to the organisation.

Jarell “Big Baby Miller” nearly broke the internet when it was revealed that he was wearing a toupee in his heavyweight contest against Kingsley Ibeh. Ibeh, landed a well-timed uppercut which knocked the toupee completely off its perch, exposing Miller’s headline. Despite the embarrassment, Miller made light of the situation and regained his composure to win the fight.

It’s been an interesting period for the self-proclaimed Global home of Boxing DAZN. There has been a lot of talk and speculation about other broadcasters coming into the sport and competing with DAZN.

However, it has been confirmed that MF PRO has inked a long-term promotional deal with DAZN. The first fight is a heavyweight blockbuster featuring the much-loved Derek Chisora who will take on the Bronze Bomber Deontay Wilder. The fight is called 100 which signifies the total number of fights both men have had in their professional careers. Chisora (42) and Chisora (40) are at the latter end of their careers. The winner could get an unexpected title shot against Oleksander Usyk while the loser will almost certainly bow out of the sport.

MF PRO is partnering with the established Queensberry Promotions and Frank Warren, who are also Chisora’s promoters. Promoting a card as big as this is a real statement if intent from MF PRO who look to compete with the dominance of Matchroom and Queensberry.

Matchroom announce deal with FOX

Matchroom have just agreed an eight fight agreement with Australian broadcaster Fox sports. The agreement includes four promotions and up to four PPV events with FOX. Matchroom previously worked with DAZN Australia when they promoted the likes of Jai Opetaia and George Kambosas Jr.

While DAZN is Matchroom’s exclusive broadcaster, this is unlikely to cause a conflict of interest as DAZN owns Foxtel who in turn own Fox Sports.The company’s Australian ambitions are likely to be led by Skye Nicholson and Jake Wylie. Matchroom has long admired the Australian market and this is a step in that direction.