Skate Central will echo with steel-city pride on 19 July, when local favourite Nicola Hopewell (7-1, 1 KO) challenges London-based Frenchwoman Marie Connan (7-3, 0 KOs) for the vacant IBO world flyweight title. Promoter Dennis Hobson Jnr brings Fightzone back to Sheffield, matching the Commonwealth champion with the experienced Connan over ten two-minute rounds in what promises to be the biggest night of Hopewell’s career.
Backing the women’s head-liner, unbeaten super-lightweight southpaw Billy Pickles (17-1, 1 KO) meets fellow prospect Hughie Wilson (9-1, 2 KOs) in a ten-round Yorkshire derby, while touted welterweight Harvey Lambert (5-0, 1 KO) tests his upside against India’s seasoned Rajesh Kumar (16-5-1, 7 KOs) over six. Super-welter crowd-pleaser Dylan “Tricky Trevva” Trevor (2-0, 0 KOs) kicks off the card in a four-round assignment with evergreen spoiler Dale Arrowsmith (6-132-5, 1 KO).
Matchmaker Daniel Francis has blended local intrigue with international stakes, all under British Boxing Board of Control sanction. For Hopewell - who dazzled in March with a cut-short win over Kate Radomska - victory would crown a swift rise from Worksop hopeful to Sheffield’s newest world champion. Connan, 40, upset Radomska in 2023 and now aims to silence a partisan crowd.
Fightzone will stream the card live across the UK, with first bell set for 7 p.m.
Fight card:
▪️Marie Connan vs. Nicola Hopewell, 10 x 2 rounds, for the IBO World flyweight title
▪️Billy Pickles vs. Hughie Wilson, 10 rounds, super lightweight
▪️Harvey Lambert vs. Rajesh Kumar, 6 rounds, welterweight
▪️Dylan Trevor vs. Dale Arrowsmith, 4 rounds, super welterweight
▪️Harrison Hobson vs. TBA, 4 rounds, super welterweight
▪️Dan Garber vs. TBA, rounds TBA, heavyweight
