A Complete Guide to the Card at the First Direct Arena in Leeds

The emergence of Josh Warrington has helped put the city of Leeds in England back on the boxing map.

Local boy Warrington is a Leeds United fan. The football club's anthem is "Marching On Together," and the featherweight certainly doesn't lack for support when fighting in his own back yard.

On July 30, he continues his push for a shot at a world title by taking on Patrick Hyland at the First Direct Arena.

However, the Matchroom card is about more than just the main event.

Here, Bleacher Report breaks down some of the intriguing fights on a bill that rounds out the schedule before British boxing takes a summer break.

Best of the Rest

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

Frankie Gavin (right) has not been seen in a ring since losing to Kell Brook in May 2015.

According to BoxRec, there are just the 15 fights on the bill in Yorkshire.

Rising stars Jake Ball and Felix Cash continue their development with bouts against Krzysztof Golec and Sonny Whiting, respectively.

Welterweight Darren Tetley—who is unbeaten in 11 pro fights—takes on Ryan Hardy.

There's also an appearance from German Vincent Feigenbutz, as the former WBA super middleweight champion takes on Wilmer Gonzalez in a six-rounder.

However, there are two particularly intriguing names buried down on the long list of bouts.

Welterweight rivals Sam Eggington and Frankie Gavin are both in action. The two Birmingham, United Kingdom, boxers get the chance to blow away the cobwebs before their long-overdue showdown, scheduled for October.

Eggington (17-3, 9 KOs) has not fought since losing his grip on the British and Commonwealth titles against Bradley Skeete back in March. He takes on Daza Usher over six rounds.

Gavin (22-2, 13 KOs), meanwhile, has been out of action for over a year.

Blitzed by Kell Brook in May 2015, his comeback sees him go up against Ivo Gogosevic.

Ryan Burnett vs. Cesar Ramirez

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ryan Burnett (right) could fight for a world title early in 2017.

Unbeaten bantamweight Ryan Burnett (13-0, 9 KOs) is on a tight schedule.

According to Isaac Robinson of Sky Sports, promoter Eddie Hearn said at the press conference to announce the Leeds show: "There's a three-fight plan now for Ryan Burnett; to box on July 30, then again in September, then again in December—and then he's ready to fight for the world title."

The first part of that plan sees the Northern Irishman take on Cesar Ramirez (12-2, 6 KOs), a Mexican who has never previously boxed outside of his homeland.

Burnett defends the WBC International title he claimed last time out with a points victory over Anthony Settoul.

He will be hoping to add another win to his record before enjoying a well-earned pizza, as he explained to Bleacher Report.

Prediction

Burnett will have few problems dealing with Ramirez, recording a stoppage win to extend his perfect record to 14-0.

Dillian Whyte vs. David Allen

Leigh Dawney/Getty Images

Dillian Whyte (right) returned from a shoulder injury against Ivica Bacurin in June.

Thanks to social media and the power of positive thinking, English heavyweights Dillian Whyte and David Allen go toe-to-toe.

The pair had seemingly missed out on the opportunity to settle their Twitter beef in the ring when the British Boxing Board of Control ruled Allen was an unsuitable candidate to fight for the Lonsdale belt.

However, Kell Brook's decision to step up two divisions to fight Gennady Golovkin led to another surprise announcement.

Promoter Eddie Hearn unexpectedly confirmed on Twitter that Allen had agreed to face Whyte (17-1, 14 KOs) on short notice.

However long it lasts, the bout should be fun to watch.

Allen (9-0-1, 6 KOs) intends to put Whyte's fitness to the test, as he told Stephen Turner of SkySports.com: "I come from a track and field and football background—I am a fit man. No heavyweight in the country bar Anthony Joshua can match me for fitness."

Prediction

Allen had previously suggested he needed more time to prepare for easily the biggest bout of his career to date. His willingness to scrap that plan is admirable, but Whyte will have too much for him.

Gamal Yafai vs. Josh Wale

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Gamal Yafai became Commonwealth champion in just his ninth pro fight.

Gamal Yafai (9-0, 4 KOs) makes the first defence of his Commonwealth super bantamweight title when he takes on the experienced Josh Wale.

Yafai—whose brother Khalid is an unbeaten super flyweight on the brink of a world title opportunity—is a promising prospect with lofty ambitions of his own.

Having flattened Bobby Jenkinson last time out on March 5 to become the new Commonwealth champion, he is preparing for his fourth fight in the space of a year.

Opponent Wale (20-8-2, 11 KOs) is always willing to accept a challenge.

He has been in against James "Jazza" Dickens, Kid Galahad and Stuart Hall. There were also two clashes with Gavin McDonnell, with their second meeting ending in a draw.

For Yafai, Wale is an ideal test at this stage of his career.

Prediction

Wale's desire to fight makes him a promoter's dream. He will make life tough for Yafai, but the champion will retain his title, most likely via the judges' scorecards.

Luke Campbell vs. Argenis Mendez

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Luke Campbell dismissed Gary Sykes inside two rounds in March.

After breezing by Gary Sykes to become Commonwealth champion in March, the new fighter-trainer combination of Luke Campbell and Jorge Rubio should get a much sterner test in Leeds.

Lightweight Campbell (13-1, 11 KOs) takes on Argenis Mendez, a former world champion at super featherweight.

The Brooklyn-based Dominican (23-4-1, 12 KOs) was last seen losing to Robert Easter Jr. on April 1.

As for Campbell, he has made sacrifices in pursuit of glory. The Englishman has been willing to leave behind his young family to go and work with Rubio at his Miami base.

He told James Smailes of the Hull Daily Mail: "I've been away for a long time and it was tough, but a necessary sacrifice. It's great to be back at home with my family and friends, but it's all about keeping focused on what's ahead and not resting up now I'm home."

A win over Mendez would push the 2012 Olympic gold medalist a little closer to a shot at a world title.

Prediction

Campbell is a classy boxer, but memories of that surprise defeat to Yvan Mendy in 2015 still stick in the memory. If he's sharp and focused, history wont be repeated against Mendez.

Tyrone Nurse vs. Tommy Coyle

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Tyrone Nurse makes the second defence of his British super lightweight title on July 30.

Tyrone Nurse's defence of the British super lightweight title against fellow Yorkshireman Tommy Coyle has the potential to be the best fight of the night.

Nurse (33-2-1, 7 KOs) is a skilled operator. He's had to wait for opportunities since turning pro as a teenager but is now reaping the rewards of staying patient.

The champion hasn't always been involved in entertaining fights, but he expects to serve up a treat against the ever-willing Coyle.

"There are going to be times when I’m jabbing his head off, but they’ll also be times when I stand there with him, without a doubt. I enjoy having a war, so I’m sure the fans will love it," he told Bleacher Report.

Challenger Coyle (22-3, 10 KOs) has only fought once before at the weight limit.

He defeated Reynaldo Mora in May on points in a gentle six-rounder. His clash with Nurse, however, will be far from gentle.

Prediction

Coyle is an admirable character who works hard in and out of the ring. However, he's bitten off more than he can chew against Nurse, who should control proceedings from a distance to win on points.

Josh Warrington vs. Patrick Hyland

Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

Josh Warrington hoped to face Lee Selby during the summer of 2016.

Will they or won't they? The saga over a fight between Lee Selby and Josh Warrington continues to rumble on.

According to promoter Eddie Hearn, there is potential for the two British featherweights to finally face each other before the end of the year.

He told BBC Radio Leeds (h/t BBC Sport): "That fight is there to be signed for November now for Lee Selby.

"Lee is a wonderful fighter. He's looking at some big fights as well and maybe we look at another champion but if we wants that fight we can make that fight."

Warrington (23-0, 4 KOs) still has two big dates coming up. The 25-year-old faces Patrick Hyland on home turf before getting married in August.

Hyland (31-2, 15 KOs) found WBC champion Gary Russell Jr. too much to handle in April. He was knocked down three times before being stopped in Round 2.

However, his next opponent isn't known for carrying the same level of power.

Warrington told Sky Sports (h/t Michael Kelleher of SkySports.com): "He [Hyland] comes to fight and has a dig on him, you need that bit of fear factor to go into fights and that's what I have got—it should be a great fight for the fans on top of a brilliant card."

Prediction

Hyland looks ideal for Warrington, who will out-work his opponent and record a landslide points win. The future wife will hope her man avoids any nasty cuts and bruises that could potentially ruin the wedding photos, too.