Michael Hunter vs Eli Frankham heavyweight headliner at York Hall announced
It was recently announced that American #1 and World #10 ranked Heavyweight star Michael ‘The Bounty’ Hunter (24-1-2) will be fighting in London on the 5th December, headlining the William Storey-promoted Rich Energy event at the legendary York Hall in Bethnal Green against England’s Eli Frankham (9-0).
Every boxing fan knows who Michael Hunter is, after he stopped Martin Bakole at the York Hall in 2018, and what his achievements are, and there are plenty of them, but most fans of the sport, and even the media really don’t know much about Eli Frankham at all, so let’s get down to the nitty gritty and put the record straight.
Boxing is in Eli’s DNA; his father, Eli Frankham Snr, was a bare knuckle fighter and his cousin, ‘Gypsy’ Johnny Frankham, was a British light-heavyweight champion in the 70s, so no surprise the young Eli took up the family tradition.
Eli joined his local boxing club, Wisbech ABC, when he was just 10, and had enjoyed a stellar amateur schoolboy career, winning multiple national and European titles, including becoming European Schoolboy Champion in September 2007, which was an even bigger accomplishment considering his father passed away just days before the finals.
In 2009, Frankham, who was ranked British #2 in class one and two of his weight category, was selected from thousands nominated to SportsAid by the sport’s national governing body and received a £500 stipend as a potential Olympian.
Unfortunately Eli didn’t progress his amateur career to the seniors, which is a shame as those in the know say he would have been in the Team GB Olympic and World squads. As a youth, Eli fought 33 times and won 29 of them.
After a brief retirement from the sport around 2010, Frankham announced his plans to turn professional in 2012 at age 19, however, it wasn’t until the 11th May the following year that he made his professional debut and earned his maiden victory over Paul Morris at the East of England Arena in Peterborough.
A couple of months later on June 22nd, Eli was back in action at the same venue, where he secured his second points victory, this time over Simeon Cover.
It wouldn’t be until 2020 before Eli was back in the ring again. In February 2020, the Wisbech warrior travelled to Poland to face and beat Artsiom Charniakevich in a four-rounder.
Eli then endured a forced sabbatical from the sport, after receiving a prison sentence for possession of a firearm in 2020, the firearm in question was an antique shot-gun walking stick.
In November 2024 Eli applied for his British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) boxers license and made a successful return to the ring on the 14th December at York Hall against Daniel Coker. Eli made short work of things, stopping his opponent in just one minute and twenty three seconds of the first round.
On the 22nd March 2025, Eli, who is coached by former British, Commonwealth and European Champion Jon Thaxton, faced tough Nigerian Kabiru Towolawi (24-14-0) in a six rounder on a Mollie Edgington promoted event at the Arlington Ballroom in Leigh-on-Sea. Eli secured the victory when Towolawi retired in the corner at the end of the fourth.
Three months later, Eli was offered the opportunity to headline Ms. Edgington next event, which took place at the Basildon Sport & Leisure Centre on the 14th June 2025. On this occasion, Frankham’s opponent was Indian prospect Arjun (6-2-0) stepping up in an eight-rounder, however it didn’t go the distance, as Eli stopped the tough opponent right as the closing bell of the sixth round chimed.
On the 16th August 2025, Eli headlined a show in his home town at the Wisbech St Mary Sports & Community Centre. His opponent for his first hometown fight was Benin’s Naimou Aziz Samson (6-4-0). Another stoppage win for the Wisbech lad, this time on the 2:50 mark of the second round.
Frankham’s eighth fight took place in Liverpool on a Mollie Edgington and Sean Keshahoya co-promoted event at the Fusion in Fleet Street. Eli’s opponent was due to be Ghana’s Agoe Ashong (13-4), however due to travel woes the Ghanaian never made it to the UK, however following frantic phone calls by the promoters a very late replacement was found, in pro debuting Simon Edwards. The contest lasted just 2:34 and Eli’s record was now 8-0 with 5 wins by way of knockout.
It was just days later that Eli, who is self managed, received a call from Rich Energy’s head honcho William Storey with an offer to be the main support for Michael ‘The Bounty’ Hunter’s headlining fight, which soon developed into discussions of Eli being the Bounty Hunter’s opponent.
The Englishman eventually got to fight the elusive Agoe Ashong (13-4), albeit a few weeks later at the Basildon Sport & Leisure Centre on the 1st November 2025.
Eli was looking to get a good eight rounds under his belt against Ashong, however, he caught the Ghanaian with a pinpoint accurate shot to the sternum after just 22 seconds of the second. This victory elevated Eli’s record to 9-0 with 6 wins by KO ahead of the showdown with Michael ‘Bounty’ Hunter at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on the 5th December 2025.
Frankham shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight against Hunter, “How do I feel about this upcoming opportunity? It all Feels so surreal, like I know I deserve my chance and I’m more than capable of the challenge ahead, it’s just that I come from a small town and only returned to boxing two years ago and only fought on small hall shows.
“Thanks to William Storey and Rich Energy who has given me a chance of a lifetime and between conversations I never once talked it down, in fact I was pretty full on yes, yes, yes to the fight and date given.
“I have boxed from the age of 10, so the last 22 years have been for this one moment.
“I had a decent amateur career but not that many fights, Michael also had a great career and was a two time Olympian. He’s had an on/off career but with fights at the highest level, although he has been inactive recently.
“I have had a more off than on career and going to jail twice for a combined six years nearly, miss so much of my kids’ lives, so much in life in general, especially lots of experience fighting at a level anywhere near Michael has.
“Through consistency, hard work and pure grit and determination I am at a strong fighting weight and in the shape of my life.
“Since my comeback not just in boxing but in my life, I secured a full time job which I still have, train hardcore and have a young family so life is 100mph but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This comeback is one of greatness. I work hard so time to let the talent do the rest.
“I have the upmost respect for Michael and I’m grateful for him and his team giving me my shot.
“So many people have got me to this point even though so many thought I was down and out.
“As I always say, ‘it’s never too late’, and I want this to be a sign for any kids or adults who hit the wrong path and feel like there is no way out, just keep on going.
“I’m giving 110% come December 5th and I’m going to show the boxing world exactly who Eli ‘Fatboy’ Frankham really is!”
On Friday 5th December 2025 Michael ‘The Bounty’ Hunter vs Eli ‘Fatboy’ Frankham headlines the William Storey promoted Rich Energy event at the iconic York Hall in Bethnal Green, London. Tickets are available from www.hunterfrankham.eventbrite.co.uk