ANTHONY CROLLA says it will take just ONE fight for all the top boxing promoters to queue up to sign his new prospect Kiaran MacDonald.
MacDonald spent ten years on the Team GB set up but now turns professional – live on DAZN.
MacDonald is trained by ex-world champ Anthony Crolla, rightCredit: Instagram
The red-headed flyweight won silver at the 2022 European Championships but has now linked up with former lightweight world champion Crolla as a pro.
And Crolla – who has moved into coaching and managing since – boasts of having a hidden gem on his hands.
He said on SunSport’s No Glove Lost show: “He knows he has to move fast, but he’s also got that talent, the boxing IQ and I’m really excited.
“Listen, I’ll be deadly honest as well, I think in a different time, contracts would have been thrown to this lad but we know how hard boxing is at the minute.
“There’s lads there sat with you and they’ll know it themselves, boxing at the minute, it’s really tough.
“I believe once this lad fights, a contract will be put in front of him.”
MacDonald, 28, turns pro on the same night fellow Sunderland supporter Josh Kelly, 31,
Kelly faces feared Russian danger man Bakhram Murtazaliev, 31, in Geordie territory at the Newcastle Arena.
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is expected to make his return, is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora could fight for the 50th and final time and Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of , Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Up first we have a massive fight with Stateside superstars and Teofimo Lopez meeting later this month in Madison Square Garden.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
January
- Sat 24 – Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz – IBF lightweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson – WBO super-lightweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 31 – Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly – IBF super-welterweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie Bouttell – BBC2
February
- Sat 7 – Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa – WBA featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 21 – Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington – DAZN
- Sun 22 – Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn – heavyweight unification – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN
March
Josh Kelly vs Bakhram Murtazaliev - all the info
The Toon hosts two world title fights!
The North East will welcome an absolutely PACKED night of boxing this Saturday as Josh Kelly tops a massive bill at the Newcastle Arena.
Sunderland star Kelly will sell out the venue for his IBF super-welterweight title shot against unbeaten Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev.
It is a huge test for Kelly – who battered Flavius Biea with a round one KO last June – against hard-hitting Murtazaliev.
The undercard also offers plenty of intrigue, with popular Josh Padley fighting Jaouad Belmehdi fighting for a European title.
Highly-rated heavyweight prospect Leo Atang is also in action, while Elif Nur Turhan faces Taylah Gentzen for the women’s IBF lightweight title.
WATCH KELLY VS MURTAZALIEV ONLY ON DAZN
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But Black Cats die-hard MacDonald is hoping the North East will come together on the night – as he already dreams of fighting at his beloved Stadium of Light.
He said: “I go to the games, so I’m part of the culture in there.
“I’m there and I’m showing my face and support for the team and likewise I’d like that in the return.”
– who held the WBA lightweight title – squeezed in one last sales pitch to promoters ahead of MacDonald’s anticipated debut.
He said: “This lad, I believe he’s got it all.
“I believe he’s got it all, he had his last spar and it genuinely was one of them where a lot of the lads in the gym are watching and like, ‘Wow, he’s ready.'”
MacDonald won silver at European Championship levelCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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