Boxing fans in Sheffield are in for a thrilling night on Friday, October 6th, as WBA Continental Lightweight Champion Reece Mould faces challenger Martin McDonagh in what promises to be an intense showdown. The two fighters met face-to-face for the first time at BEJU Restaurant & Bar in Sheffield during the media launch of the event, with both men expressing their readiness for battle.
Promoter Izzy Asif’s GBM Sports, the fastest-growing boxing promotional company in the UK, has organized this event. Alongside the main event, the fight card also features Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Champion Emma Dolan’s title defence against rival Nicola Hopewell. The 12-fight card is hailed as GBM Sports’ biggest and best event yet, with the venue in Sheffield set to be officially announced soon.
At the media launch, both Mould and McDonagh expressed their excitement and determination to win. Mould acknowledged McDonagh’s strong record and amateur pedigree, saying, “It will be a great fight between me and McDonagh, and I’m really geared up for this challenge. He’s coming for a real fight and to take my title. I’ve got future plans, but I need to make sure I deal with him.” Mould, who’s currently world-ranked at number 12 with the WBA, looks to further climb the rankings by defeating McDonagh.
McDonagh, equally confident, stated, “This is what I’ve been in boxing for all my life, to be in big fights like this. If I win, it gets me the title and top 15 ranking and opens the doors up for me. I wanted an English title opportunity, but this opportunity against Reece came up, and I took it with both hands, and I’ll be victorious. Strictly business Reece, strictly business!”
The event also features a notable women’s match between Emma Dolan and Nicola Hopewell. Dolan expects a tough fight, remarking, “I expect a high work rate from Nicola in the first four or five rounds, and then I think the pace will get to her, and then I’ll come on top.” Hopewell, embracing the role of the underdog, shared her excitement, “I’m really excited as I’m going in the underdog, but I’m going in there to win. We’re both coming to win, and it’s going to be an exciting fight, and you’re not going to want to miss it!”
Promoter Asif is equally enthusiastic about the double-title header, declaring, “Mould v McDonagh will be an all-out war between these two proud fighters with so much on the line between them. Mould wants to move forward to bigger things but he knows he has to deal with McDonagh first before he can attempt anything else, and McDonagh is coming for a fight. Dolan and Hopewell is another real fight, and it’s very hard to call. With a cracking undercard featuring some top up-and-coming prospects, I’m really excited for this show which is GBM Sports’ most impressive to date and takes us as a company to a new level.”