Highly-rated Heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (11-0-0) will headline against former world champion Michael Hunter (14-1-0) as part of a huge evening of action at York Hall tomorrow night. All fighters on the bill successfully weighed in today before gathered media at the Alma Hotel in London.
The undefeated Bakole weighed in at 18st 4lbs, before former-Olympian Hunter tipped the scales at 15st 3lbs 4oz. Both men looked in fine shape ahead of what could well unfold to be a York Hall classic tomorrow night.
Edinburgh’s Bantamweight sensation Lee McGregor (4-0-0) fights for the coveted Commonwealth title in just his fifth fight, as he squares off against the teak-tough Thomas Essomba (8-4-0). The pair both made weight comfortably, with McGregor weighing 8st 5lbs 7oz, and challenger Essomba weighing 8st 6lbs
Northampton’s explosive talent Chantelle Cameron (7-0-0) faces former world title challenger Jessica Gonzalez (7-4-2). Both fighters came in under the lightweight limit, with Chantelle Cameron weighing 9st 8lbs 1oz, and Gonzalez tipping the scales at 9st 8lbs 4oz.
Also fighting for a title on the card is highly-rated Cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith (6-0-0), who faces Dagenham’s Robin Dupre (13-1-0) in a Commonwealth title eliminator. ‘The Gentleman’ weighed in at 14st 3lbs 4oz, whilst Dupre weighed 14st 1lb 8oz.
QUOTES
Martin Bakole: “I have not been playing games in this camp. I have given everything in training and I have been hurting guys in sparring. I don’t believe Hunter will be able to take my power when I’m wearing smaller gloves, and I think I will break him down tomorrow night.”
Michael Hunter: “You’re going to see a boxing masterclass tomorrow night. This guy has no experience, and that’s where he’ll go wrong. I’ll outbox Martin Bakole, and I do not see this fight going the distance. Expect fireworks from the first bell.”
Lee McGregor: “Camp has been fantastic, and I am certain I will be crowned Commonwealth champion tomorrow night. Thomas Essomba has good amateur pedigree, and he’s been involved in big title fights before. I won’t be denied, though, and that belt is coming back to Edinburgh with me.”
Thomas Essomba: “I have been fighting like a man possessed in the gym, and this is a great opportunity for me to show fans up and down the country what I can do. Lee McGregor is clearly talented, but this fight is too soon for him. I expect to become a two-weight Commonwealth champion tomorrow night.”
WEIGHTS
Martin Bakole vs. Michael Hunter (Vacant IBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title, 10×3 mins)
Bakole: 18st 4lbs
Hunter: 15st 3lbs 4oz
Lee McGregor vs. Thomas Essomba (Vacant Commonwealth Bantamweight title, 12×3 mins)
McGregor: 8st 5lbs 7oz
Essomba: 8st 6lbs
Chantelle Cameron vs. Jessica Gonzalez (IBO World Lightweight title and vacant WBC Silver Lightweight title, 10×2 mins)
Cameron: 9st 8lbs 1oz
Gonzalez: 9st 8lbs 4oz
Chris Billam-Smith vs. Robin Dupre (Commonwealth Cruiserweight title eliminator, 10×3 mins)
Billam-Smith: 14st 3lbs 4oz
Dupre: 14st 1lb 8oz
Jack Hillier vs. Kamil Jaworek (Featherweight contest, 4×3 mins)
Hillier: 8st 13lbs 4oz
Jaworek: 8st 11lbs 4oz
