Martin J Ward, Ted Cheeseman, Gamal Yafai, Jake Ball and Felix Cash also in action
Monday 11 December 2017 07:56, UK
Katie Taylor tops a stacked card at York Hall which sees many of Britain's most exciting prospects in action, including Josh Kelly, Joe Cordina, Lawrence Okolie and Conor Benn.
Taylor makes the first defence of her WBA lightweight world title as the Irish sensation takes on Chicago's Jessica McCaskill this Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports.
The Bray star is joined on the bill by Martin J Ward, who having won the British title in his previous appearance, steps up a level to take on Spain's Juli Giner for European honours, while Jake Ball can claim his maiden title with victory over Miles Shinkwin.
Former amateur standouts Josh Kelly, Joe Cordina and Lawrence Okolie will all be looking to finish their first year in the paid ranks in style, while Conor Benn will hope to a produce another destructive performance under the iconic York Hall lights.
After producing a scintillating performance at Cardiff's Principality Stadium to claim world gold in just her seventh fight, Taylor returns to the ring just six weeks later to make her first defence.
Few have openly offered to take on the Olympic gold medallist from 2012, but Chicago's McCaskill, who herself has a successful amateur background, is one fighter brimming with confidence and after a year of chasing Taylor, she finally has her shot.
Ward edged out Belfast's Anthony Cacace to earn the Lonsdale belt for keeps in July and following a learning spell on the domestic scene, the 26-year-old moves up to European level and faces his toughest test to date in Spain's Giner.
'The Rock' Giner previously held the title in 2015 and now, having lost to Mexican brawler Miguel Roman in the meantime, the Spaniard will be determined to show that he is still one of Europe's finest.
Kelly continues to rise through the ranks and impress on every occasion and, after dazzling in Belfast last time out, the 23-year-old now heads to London to take on Frenchman Jean Michel Hamilcaro over 10 rounds.
Under the tutelage of Adam Booth, Kelly is destined for big things and title opportunities are more than likely to come his way in what could be a huge 2018 for the flamboyant Sunderland star.
It's five wins from five so far for Cordina and 'The Welsh wizard' will hope to round off the year with another knockout victory.
Much like fellow 2016 Olympian Kelly, Cordina is surging up the rankings and the super-featherweight sits on the brink of a maiden title. Experienced Mexican Ocura comes to the ring with a winning record and 'Veneno' defeated world title challenger Alexander Miskirtchian last time out.
After introducing himself to the American market in style last month, Benn returns to more familiar territory as he looks to improve his record to 11-0.
France's Peyanud will be the man in the opposing corner this time around, and the Paris welterweight is yet to be stopped in a 10-fight career.
'The Sauce' has six fights under his belt and, if successful on Wednesday night against Portugal's Sousa, the Hackney star is set for a grudge match with fellow Londoner Isaac Chamberlain in the new year.
Okolie wants to rise through the cruiserweight ranks as soon as possible and the destructive puncher will hope to send out a crunching message to his domestic rivals, including Chamberlain, come fight night.
Elsewhere on a bumper bill, Jake Ball battles fellow domestic contender Miles Shinkwin for the vacant WBA inter-continental belt, while Ted Cheeseman takes on Tony Dixon as he closes in on a British title shot.
'The Beast' Gamal Yafai will also be in action, while Felix Cash kicks off proceedings as he looks to extend his unbeaten run.
You can watch Katie Taylor against Jessica McCaskill, Martin J Ward versus Juli Giner and Conor Benn, Lawrence Okolie, Josh Kelly and Joe Cordina in action at York Hall live from 6pm this Wednesday on Sky Sports Action.
