Joshua vs Parker: A starring support cast including Ryan Burnett, Josh Kelly and David Price
Tuesday 27 March 2018 08:29, UK
Anthony Joshua's heavyweight unification clash with Joseph Parker heads a packed line-up this Saturday with some of British boxing's most talented and exciting featuring.
Alexander Povetkin vs David Price
Alexander Povetkin can send out a chilling warning to Anthony Joshua when he takes on Liverpool's David Price, live on Sky Sports Box Office, at the Principality Stadium. The dangerous Russian is the WBA's mandatory challenger and is a potential future opponent for Joshua or Joseph Parker.
With just a sole defeat to Wladimir Klitschko on a stellar professional record, Povetkin can announce himself in style, but Price will be coming to spoil the party and the towering Brit's devastating punch power can certainly finish things at any moment - so, don't blink!
Ryan Burnett vs Yonfrez Parejo
Belfast's Burnett, 25, seems to be getting better with every outing and, after showing differing qualities in his victories over Lee Haskins and Zhanat Zhakiyanov, he now takes on gritty Venezuelan Parejo, the mandated challenger for his WBA 'Super' bantamweight world title.
Those previous victories came in his home city of Belfast, but now the endearing Northern Irish favourite can showcase his undoubted talent, honed by trainer Adam Booth, on the biggest of stages as he looks to extend his unbeaten record and move towards further unification showdowns.
Josh Kelly vs Carlos Molina
Only five fights into his career but already North East star Kelly is touted as a future world champion. However, this is his acid test and 38-fight Mexican veteran Molina, 34, the former IBF super-welterweight world champion, is a huge step up in class.
Like Burnett, Kelly is closely and meticulously guided by Adam Booth, and with a future bout roughly penciled in for June 16 in Newcastle, the former amateur standout will want to set up a memorable homecoming by picking up his first international title.
Anthony Crolla vs Edson Ramirez
Having vitally beaten three-weight king Ricky Burns last time out, Anthony Crolla continues on the road to be a two-time world lightweight champion and the Manchester fighter will look to gather momentum ahead of a potential bid for world glory this summer.
You are almost always guaranteed to be in for a tough night's work when a Mexican takes his stand in the opposing corner and Ramirez, despite two razor-sharp early career losses, has never been sat on the canvas and comes to the immense Cardiff stadium with all to gain and very little to lose.
Joe Cordina vs Hakim Ben Ali
Cardiff native Cordina admits he is taking a "big step up" when he battles Ben Ali for the WBA international lightweight belt, but 'The Welsh Wizard' is determined to impress in front of his home fans and show it is already time to start mixing it at domestic level.
Cordina, 26, is only six fights into his professional career but with a standout and extensive amateur grounding this could be the start of a major and potentially title-laden year for the skillful technician.
Also on the bill...
Before our bumper Box Office showing kicks off, you can catch Rio Olympics bronze medalist Joshua Buatsi live on our Sky Sports' Facebook and YouTube channels.
The classy Croydon light-heavyweight will be joined by unbeaten Welsh pairing Morgan Jones and Sean McGoldrick in getting the show well and truly underway at the Principality stadium.
