Eddie Hearn was speaking after Molly McCann beat Beata Dudek on the undercard of Leigh Wood’s win over Josh Warrington at the Motorpoint Arena
Molly McCann celebrates after her victory against Beata Dudek (Image: (Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images))
Molly McCann will make her Liverpool boxing debut in April after continuing her smooth transition in the sport with a third straight victory on Saturday night. The former UFC star moved to 3-0 with a convincing points victory over Beata Dudek on the undercard of Leigh Wood’s win over Josh Warrington at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
Nicknamed ‘Meatball’, McCann, who beat Ebonie Cotton just before Christmas, dominated from the first bell as she produced her best performance yet in the ring. So it was no surprise that after six rounds of boxing, referee Peter McCormack scored the fight 60-55 in McCann’s favour.
And when asked what was next for his fighter, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn revealed: “Something very exciting because one of the reasons we signed her is because of her incredible fanbase in Liverpool and April 18 one of the biggest fights in the city for a long time, Callum Smith vs David Morrell it is going to be completely sold out and Molly McCann will make her Liverpool boxing debut on the card.
READ MORE: Liverpool boxer celebrating after winning seventh national title and receiving England call-upREAD MORE: Callum Smith sets sights on becoming two-weight world champion as Liverpool homecoming confirmed
“It is a big night for her because much better tonight (Saturday), still a lot to learn, but it is a transition to a completely different sport and it is going to take much more than a dozen rounds, but a good tricky opponent, another step up in Liverpool.
“Only the fourth fight, but it will be a special night, that will. It will be a packed-out M&S Bank Arena, and Molly will sell a lot of tickets.”
The huge Everton supporter hasn’t fought in her home city since her UFC debut in May 2018, when she was submitted by Gillian Robertson.
And when reflecting on her performance, McCann revealed that she now plans to move down weight divisions.
Molly McCann in action against Beata Dudek at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham (Image: (Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images))
“You know what, I’m a little meatball who is ready to drop down a weight,” she said. “I’ve only been up here because Tiah Mia Ayton has been at 118lbs.
“But we are switching that up, and I’m going to drop down 118lbs to fight people my size. I was proud that I wasn’t just kept at the end of her jab.
“I worked inside, I tried not to take as many steps backwards, I caught and countered more. With some of the shots, I know I hurt, but I’m trying to not be as reckless.
“I know my left hook was just missing, but I listened to the coaches all the way through. Little steps, baby steps, and I’m ready to get back out there in eight weeks I’m loving boxing, the UFC was a tough road, Matchroom feels like home, boxing feels like home.”
Molly McCann punches Beata Dudek during their fight on Saturday night(Image: (Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images))
Meanwhile, over at the Greenbank Sports Academy, Mikie Tallon moved to 12-0 in the professional ranks with a points victory over Nabil Ahmed. Managed by Natasha Jonas, and trained by Joe Gallagher, Tallon won every round of the six-round contest.
“He’s in Turki Al-Sheikh’s radar which is a good thing,” Jonas told the ECHO ahead of Saturday night’s show when asked about Talon.
“Hopefully he can be on some of the big cards that are expected this year and he just has to keep developing and growing.
“He is now at the age where he can fight for titles, so we will see what titles we can get him in line for.
Mikie Tallon training with Joe Gallagher ahead of his fight against Fezan Shahid (Image: (CHRIS DEAN FOR BOXXER))
“But he also has to be in fights that help him grow and develop as a fighter because the ultimate goal at the end is to get him a world title, but we are not in a rush to do that.
“People thought he was about 10 when he first turned over, but he’s only just turned 21 and you can’t even fight for the British until you are 21.
“He is still growing and developing as a man and into the sport. Joe always says 20 to learn and 20 to earn so he is well on his way.”
While Hakeem Palmer, who fights out of the Golden Gloves gym, also won every round of his six-round light-heavyweight contest against Dmitri Protkunas.
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