Alen Babic competes for WBC world title, and has Richard Riakporhe on the radar if victorious
Some of the biggest hitters in the BOXXER stable were on deck in Poland today for open workouts ahead of this Saturday night’s event at the G2A Arena in the historic city of Rzeszów, live on Sky Sports. Big opportunities await the winners, with Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois on the radar for Bakole and Richard Riakporhe on the radar for Babic.
WHAT TIME IS ROZANSKI VS. BABIC?
- Date: Saturday, April 22
- Main card: 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. BST / 6 p.m. ET
- Sky Sports will broadcast the fight in the UK
- The fight will take place at the G2A Arena, Rzeszow, Poland.
- The main card is set to get underway at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. BST / 6 p.m. ET.
With a history of strategic importance stretching back to the medieval era and beyond, Rzeszów has witnessed many a major battle during its long history and at the weekend will witness several more as BOXXER makes its first visit to Poland in association with regional partners Knockout Promotions.
The WBC World Bridgerweight Championship is on the line in the main event when Croatian wildman Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (11-0, 10 KO’s) steps up to face Polish counterpart Łukasz Różański (14-0, 13 KO’s) in what is sure to be an incredible firefight – for as long as it lasts.
With a combined record of 23 knockouts from 25 wins, both fighters have a deserved reputation for finishing fights early and throwing caution to the wind in pursuit of a crowd-pleasing conclusion.
The winner will become the inaugural WBC Bridgerweight Champion and reign over a newly-created division named in honour of American schoolboy Bridger Walker, who survived severe damage while protecting his 4-year-old sister from a wild dog attack.
Created by the WBC to “bridge” the gap between cruiserweight and heavyweight, the holder of the division’s championship will open himself up to opportunities in both of those weight classes.
BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom sees potential opportunities for Babic against the likes of Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and even Lawrence Okolie – if he wins on Saturday night.
“It’s a tough fight for Babic against a home fighter but he’s a huge fan favourite that brings numbers, so if he can win this belt then that’s going to open up big opportunities for him. Holding a WBC belt opens doors for you and I think he’ll have cruiserweights and heavyweights looking for him,” he says.
“Richard Riakporhe is interested in him. Frazer Clarke, Fabio Wardley and even Lawrence Okolie could all be possible. So let’s see what happens Saturday. Whichever way it goes, it’s going to be a war and someone is getting knocked out without a doubt. I expect it to be crazy.”
Saturday night also marks the BOXXER debut of newly-signed heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (18-1 13 KO’s), who has been in the headlines recently after being linked with potential marquee showdowns against Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.
First though he must face Ukrainian slugger Igor ‘Hulk’ Shevadzutskiy (10-0 8 KO’s), who is fighting just a few miles from the Ukrainian border and looking to take out a big name and open up opportunities of his own.
“If [Dubois’] fight against Usyk is not happening, after Saturday’s fight the only person I will call out is Daniel Dubois because he’s got the belt. I want to be No 1 for Usyk or anybody,” says Bakole.
“He’s No 1 regular in the WBA and I’m No 2 ranking so that is an easy fight to make so we don’t need to talk too much.
“People are avoiding me now, I have been calling them out, mentioning everybody and nobody has mentioned me or responded. I’ll work hard to be No 1 challenger, so no more avoiding.”
Shalom said, “He’s got to make a statement Saturday night, put him away in six rounds or less then look to see what happens with Usyk, Dubois, Joyce or Zhang. He also wants the Dillian Whyte fight, he wants the Anthony Joshua fight… he’s ready to go!”
Also competing from the BOXXER stable on Saturday night are rising heavyweight prospect Jeamie TKV (4-0, 2 KO’s), who faces Poland’s Michał Bołoz (5-4-2 5 KO’s), and an all-British showdown between Steed Woodall (17-1-1 11 KO’s) and Boris Crighton (10-2 7 KO’s).
In the main event, crowd-pleasing Croatian Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (11-0, 10 KO’s) competes for the inaugural WBC Bridgerweight Championship against hometown hero Łukasz Rozański (14-0, 13 KO’s).
The chief support slot sees heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (18-1 13 KO’s) make his BOXXER debut. He faces Ukrainian standout Igor ‘Hulk’ Shevadzutskiy (10-0 8 KO’s) and will be going in search of his opponent’s countryman Oleksandr Usyk if victorious tomorrow night.
Also on the card from the BOXXER heavyweight stable is Jeamie TKV (4-0 2 KO’s), who faces Poland’s Michał Bołoz (5-4-2 5 KO’s), joined by light-heavyweights Steed Woodall (17-1-1 11 KO’s) vs Boris Crighton (10-2 7 KO’s).
Today’s official weigh-in results are below. Watch live this Saturday night on Sky Sports.
WBC Bridgerweight World Title Fight
Łukasz Rozański (100.8kg // 15st 12 lbs 3oz) vs Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (95.6kg // 5st 13oz)
Heavyweight Bout (10 Rounds)
Martin Bakole (127.3kg // 20st 10oz) vs Igor Hulk Shevadzutskiy (125.6kg-19st 10 lbs 14 oz)
Heavyweight Bout (8 Rounds)
Jeamie TKV (117.7kg // 18st 7lbs 8oz) vs Michał Bołoz (101.2kg // 15st 13lbs 2oz)
Light-Heavyweight Bout (8 Rounds)
Steed Woodall (78.4kg // 12st 4lbs 13oz) vs Boris Crighton (77.3kg // 12st 2lbs 6oz)
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