10 British Boxers Who Have Major Bouts Coming Up in the Month of September
After a break in August, boxing returns with a bang in the month of September.
While Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s bout with Andre Berto may be the main attraction, several British fighters have key dates in their careers coming up in the next month.
George Groves gets another crack at becoming a world champion, while Jamie McDonnell returns to Texas to take on a familiar foe.
There is also a big night in London that sees Anthony Joshua get the chance to claim the Commonwealth title.
Andy Lee's defence of his WBO middleweight belt against Billy Joe Saunders was due to be included.
However, that bout has now been moved back to October 10, per Chris McKenna of the Daily Star.
But, there are still plenty of other bouts to look forward to. Let us whet your appetite for the action to come with 10 fights that will make September spectacular.
Josh Warrington vs. Joel Brunker
1 of 10
When: September 5
Where: First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
The boxing fans in the city of Leeds will be back out in force when Josh Warrington looks to take another step towards challenging for a world title.
The featherweight is in action in his own back yard when he takes on Joel Brunker (28-1, 16 KOs) for the WBC International and Commonwealth belts.
The Australian's only pro defeat came at the hands of Lee Selby, who has since gone on to become the IBF champion in the division.
Warrington and Welshman Selby could meet at some stage, with promoter Eddie Hearn telling Sky Sports: "Selby did a good job on Brunker and I think if Josh can too, then he proves he's at world level."
Martin Murray vs. TBC
2 of 10
When: September 5
Where: First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
Martin Murray doesn't yet know who he will be facing in Leeds, after he was added to the card to replace Gavin McDonnell, who will now fight Jeremy Parodi in October.
So far Murray has recorded two wins since making the move up to super middleweight, defeating George Beroshvili and Mirzet Bajrektarevic.
However, per Matchroom Boxing, promoter Eddie Hearn wants a tougher test for the 32-year-old next: "Martin has already boxed twice on Sky Sports in the last seven weeks but this time he will step up the opposition in a title fight as he gears up for a shot at a world title at super middleweight."
Murray (31-2-1, 14 KOs) will be desperate for another chance to win a world title—he lost to Felix Sturm, Sergio Martinez and Gennady Golovkin in previous attempts at middleweight.
Jamie McDonnell vs. Tomoki Kameda
3 of 10When: September 6
Where: American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
The first clash between Jamie McDonnell and Tomoki Kameda was so good that the duo have agreed to do it all over again.
McDonnell handed Kameda a first professional defeat when he triumphed on the scorecards in May, despite being knocked down to the canvas in the third round.
The pair will go toe-to-toe in Texas again; though, this time the bout will be staged at the American Bank Center on a Sunday.
McDonnell's trainer, Dave Coldwell, believes his man can make sure the judges aren't needed in the rematch, per Boxing News: "We’re not planning on leaving it close and if all goes to plan, it wouldn’t surprise me if Jamie manages to pull off a stoppage late on."
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Tony Moran vs. Roy Jones Jr.
4 of 10When: September 12
Where: Aintree Equestrian Centre, Liverpool, England
Tony Moran is a little-known Liverpudlian who has compiled a 15-6 (5 KOs) record in his professional career to date.
He previously fought for the British and Commonwealth titles at cruiserweight, losing to Mark Hobson back in 2004 before hanging up his gloves in 2007.
Now, having made a comeback to the ring earlier this year, the 42-year-old is about to find himself facing an opponent by the name of Roy Jones Jr.
While the American is well past his best, it will still be a huge night for everyone involved. The Malta international title is on the line, but for Moran it is all about the chance to face an all-time great.
Anthony Joshua vs. Gary Cornish
5 of 10
When: September 12
Where: O2 Arena, London
Anthony Joshua will look to extend his perfect record to 14-0 when he faces fellow unbeaten heavyweight Gary Cornish in London.
The vacant Commonwealth belt is on the line as Joshua—who stopped Kevin Johnson inside two rounds back in May—continues on a path he hopes will lead to him becoming a world champion.
Cornish, though, should not be underestimated by the 2012 Olympic gold-medal winner.
The Highlander is 21-0 (12 KOs) and is confident he can cope with Joshua, per Sky Sports: "I've sparred top heavyweights, world class. Proper sparring. Going to war. Guys like Tyson Fury and Kubrat Pulev taking it to me—so I've felt power."
Dillian Whyte vs. TBC
6 of 10
When: September 12
Where: O2 Arena, London
Dillian Whyte will be an interested spectator when Anthony Joshua and Gary Cornish meet at the O2 Arena.
By the time the main event gets under way in London, the Villain will hope to have already recorded a 16th-straight victory when he fights an as yet unknown opponent on the undercard.
Whyte is lined up to face Joshua, whom he knocked down when they met in the amateurs, before the end of the year, per Sky Sports.
First, though, both men have to come through their September tests. Whyte demolished Irineu Beato Costa Junior in his last outing, stopping the experienced Brazilian inside a round in Hull, England.
Charlie Edwards vs. Louis Norman
7 of 10When: September 12
Where: O2 Arena, London
Charlie Edwards is a little man who wants to make a big impression in the paid ranks.
After leaving the Great Britain team to turn pro, the flyweight—who signed up immediately with Matchroom Boxing—has reeled off four straight victories.
Edwards gets the chance to win his first professional title when he takes on Louis Norman for the English belt on the undercard at the O2 Arena in London.
The 22-year-old is revelling the opportunity to become a champion, per Matt Horan of the Surrey Comet: "I’m buzzing to be fighting for the English title so early in my career, I’ve always wanted this fight and I am so glad it has been finalised."
George Groves vs. Badou Jack
8 of 10
When: September 12
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
George Groves takes on WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack on the undercard to Floyd Mayweather versus Andre Berto.
The Saint has twice before challenged for a world title, on both occasions losing to the now-retired Carl Froch.
He will be hoping it's third time lucky when he travels to Las Vegas to face Jack, a Swedish-born fighter who is now based in the United States. He claimed the title with a majority decision over Anthony Dirrell.
Groves, though, is confident he can get the job done on his travels, per Adam Smith of the Mail: "I plan to go out and dominate from the very first second, whether that be with boxing ability, with brute force, whatever needs to be done."
Frank Buglioni vs. Fedor Chudinov
9 of 10
When: September 26
Where: Wembley Arena, London
Frank Buglioni has had to be patient for his chance to take on WBA super middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov.
The duo were initially scheduled to meet on July 24, only for the unbeaten Chudinov (13-0, 10 KOs) to pull out of the bout after suffering a broken nose in training.
However, a new date has been set for the showdown. The popular Buglioni (17-1-1, 13 KOs) will still have home advantage for the biggest challenge of his professional career to date.
Wise Guy has issued a warning to his Russian opponent too, per Sporting Life: "He’s a very good fighter but if he doesn’t come at his absolute best then he will get knocked out."
Callum Smith vs. Rocky Fielding
10 of 10
When: September 26
Where: TBC
Per BoxRec, Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding are due to meet on the final weekend in September. However, to date, nothing has been officially announced.
The two unbeaten super middleweights from Liverpool are scheduled to face each other for the vacant British title.
Smith is 17-0 (12 KOs) and was last seen out-pointing Christopher Rebrasse. On the same bill in June, Fielding improved to 21-0 (12 KOs) by stopping the experienced Brian Vera inside two rounds.
We wait to find out if the bout will actually take place in September. Whenever it happens, it has the potential to be a domestic classic between two rivals that will split the support of a city.
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