We are in for another historic night on March 16th as four of BCB’s stable are in action on the Queensbury Promotions ‘The Magnificent Ride Again’ show in Birmingham live on TNT Sports.
Nathan Heaney is set to headline the card as he makes the first defence of his British middleweight title against English champion Brad Pauls. The unbeaten 34-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent caused one of the biggest upsets of last year when he dethroned Denzel Bentley in a near-perfect performance at the AO Arena in Manchester on October 17th.
Pauls is also coming into the bout on the back of a career-best win when he stopped Mitchell Frearson inside eight rounds to claim the vacant English crown last September. It was the 30-year-old’s second shot at that belt; his first was a loss to current European champion Tyler Denny, where he put up a spirited showing and will feel full of confidence as he gets a crack at the Lord Lonsdale belt.
A dream fight at the BET 365 stadium could be on the cards this summer, so the ‘Hitman’ can’t afford to slip up, but as he showed against Bentley, he has all the tools in his locker to make for another successful night.
The exciting Liam Davies steps up to the world level for the first time as he faces IBO super bantamweight champion Erik Robles-Ayala. It has been a whirlwind couple of years for the 27-year-old from Telford as he has blown away domestic and European challengers, picking up the English, British, European, WBO, and WBC international belts along the way.
The Mexican ‘Robles’ has had success on his travels against unbeaten Brits, winning the IBO belt against Lee McGregor in Edinburgh in July last year. That victory was followed by a points win against fellow Mexican Cesar Vaca Espinoza, adding the WBO NABO title to his collection, and he has spent time in camp with pound-for-pound great Naoya Inoue.
Davies has been away in Tenerife getting in some warm weather training and is already looking in superb shape as he prepares for his first shot at world honours.
Zach Parker is looking to get back in the mix at the world level and faces a tricky test against former WBA super middleweight champion Tyrone Zeuge. The 29-year-old from Swadlincote has been rebuilding from a serious hand injury suffered in a loss to John Ryder back in November 2022. After a lengthy period of recovery, he returned in September with a seventh-round stoppage of Khalid Graida.
German Zeuge made three winning defences of his world title before being knocked out in emphatic style by Rocky Fielding in 2018. After four years away from the ring, the 31-year-old returned last year with three wins and should provide a solid test.
A potential fight of the night sees two prospects clash as Owen Cooper faces Eithan James for the vacant English welterweight title. Cooper has won nine straight since turning pro in 2019 and claimed the Midlands Area title with a shutout points win over Jamie Stewart in November 2022, dropping him in the fifth round.
The 23-year-old from Telford has featured on several Queensbury shows, as has his opponent, Eithan James who picked up the WBO European title last time out against James Moorcroft. James, who is also 23, is a former Haringey Box Cup winner and has taken to the paid ranks with confidence, winning all twelve contests.
It will be the first time either has faced an unbeaten opponent and has all the potential to be a classic.
“It’s another big night for us and shows the strength of our stable and how well we work with other promoters, said BCB’s Errol Johnson.” Nathan showed everyone his quality against Bentley; he thrives on the big occasions, and we know all about Brad Pauls ability, so it should be a brilliant matchup.
“Liam has grown and grown the last couple of years, and he is ready for a test at the world level. He has looked sharp in camp already and will be in great shape come March 16th.
We all know Zach has the ability to become a world champion, and he was very unfortunate with what happened against Ryder. This fight will be his biggest test since that night, but one we believe he comes through in style.
“Owen is a real talent and has been patiently waiting for a major fight to land, which has been delivered for him on the 16th. It’s another good match-up on paper between two unbeaten lads, but one I believe he comes through as he looks to have a big 2024.”
