Andrew Buchanan to fight for Northern Area title on August 21

Fighting Chance Promotions are delighted to announce that Andrew Buchanan will challenge for the Northern Area title on August 21 at the Academy For Sport, against Greg O'Neil, subject to the contest being approved by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Since returning to the professional ranks in 2013 after an eight-year absence, Buchanan has gone on a six-fight unbeaten streak, and has made a steady rise up the super-middleweight rankings.

At the age of 35, Buchanan is in a hurry, and the Northern Area belt could be a potential launchpad to further honours, including the English and British title.

The Newcastle-born boxer expressed his delight at landing the title shot, labelling the area title clash as the 'biggest fight of his career.'

He said: "It's a massive opportunity for me. I want to challenge for the English title, and this is something I have to do before then. I want to prove I'm the best in the region before looking up and down the country.

"I returned to the sport for the glory and to win titles, and because of my age I can't hang about. There is no way I will be looking past this fight, I know how much is riding on it.

"Ronnie Rowe and Lewis Pendleton have really got behind me. They have put their time, effort and money to get me these opportunities because they believe in me. It's up to me to prove them right when I get in the ring."

Greg O'Neil, who is based out of the Gus Robinson Developments gym in Hartlepool, will oppose 'El Cannon' over ten rounds.

The 24-year old has suffered two defeats in five outings, against London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo and Lewis Taylor, who currently holds the English middleweight title.

With O'Neil's defeats only being against top quality opposition, Buchanan is more than aware of the challenge that lies ahead.

"I'm expecting ten hard rounds, so that is what we are training for. I've never seen him box, but I've got a rough idea of what kind of style he's got and what he brings to the table.

"All of the boxers at Gus Robinson Developments gym in Hartlepool are tough, strong lads. I know I'm going to be in for a hard fight, and there is no such thing as a pushover. I've got to be at my best to beat him."

Fighting Chance director Lewis Pendleton is confident that Buchanan can challenge for domestic titles, and complimented the efforts of Mick Marsden, who matched Buchanan with O'Neil.

He said: “Navigating Andy to a Northern Area title shot is something we have aimed for in the past few months, and we are delighted to have landed this brilliant opportunity for him.

“Andy has exceptional boxing ability and like all our fighters, he needs challenged to see how far he can go. 

"We believe landing a Northern Area title clash for Andy is a stepping-stone towards bigger things, and that includes perhaps an English or even a British title shot. If Andy is to box for domestic honours, then these are the sort of fights he needs to win."

Fighting Chance Promotions are optimistic that Andrew Buchanan’s Northern Area title clash on August 21 will be a stepping-stone to bigger things, including potential title-shots for the English or British title.

If you, or your company would like to be part of Buchanan’s bid for title glory via sponsorship, please email fighting.chance@mail.com or personal message the Fighting Chance Promotions facebook page, and we’ll get back to you.

'Summer Showdown 1’ postponed

Due to minor injuries to key fighters on the bill, ‘Summer Showdown 1’ has been postponed.

The show was originally scheduled for July 24, but Relentless Promotions and Fighting Chance have made the decision to re-schedule.

Travis Dickinson was set to headline the bill, as he was looking to get back on track after suffering a first round stoppage defeat to Mustafa Chadlioui in April.

Speaking on the postponement, Fighting Chance director Lewis Pendleton said:

“Whilst we are disappointed to have to postpone the show, collectively myself, Ron Rowe, Steve Wraith and Danny Cox are all in agreement that postponing the show is the best option.

“Injuries are inevitable in boxing and it’s a shame that it has caused the show to be postponed. But with the injuries sustained we didn’t feel it was right to go-ahead, as the paying public deserve a card of high caliber.

"Those who bought tickets from the fighters can either use their ticket on the re-scheduled show, or alternatively can get a refund from the point of purchase."

An additional show was also planned for September 18, with Danny Wall making his highly anticipated professional debut. However, the postponement of 'Summer Showdown 1' has caused a knock-on effect, meaning the show in September will also have to be re-scheduled.

Further information will be available in due course and Fighting Chance would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Purse bids ordered for English title clash between Travis Dickinson and Miles Shinkwin

Miles Shinkwin has been named as the mandatory challenger for Travis Dickinson's English light heavyweight title.

The English Championship stewards have put the contest to purse bids, with the deadline being the 12th of August, and the fight set to take place before the end of November.

Dickinson captured the English title in March of last year, where he defeated Danny McIntosh in a third round stoppage victory.

In his first defence of the title, Dickinson was involved in an enthralling contest against Matty Clarkson, which was subsequently labelled as a contender for fight of the year. Both fighters tasted the canvas on three occasions, but the Birtley-born boxer was crowned the winner after the referee halted the contest -  due to Clarkson's broken jaw leaving him in no fit state to continue.

Shinkwin, who holds an unblemished record in 11 fights, will hope to add to his Southern Area strap, and a match-up against Dickinson would mark familiar territory, as the pair held a competitive rivalry in the unpaid ranks.

Back in April, Dickinson suffered a damaging first round defeat to Mustafa Chadlioui, but the 27-year old has the chance to put his career back on track when he headlines Summer Showdown 1 on July 24, which takes place at the Academy For Sport at Gateshead International Stadium.

Andrew Buchanan will also feature on the stacked card, and will be hopeful that an English title shot could be on the horizon after the proposed English title contest between Jahmaine Smyle and Kelvin Young received no purse bids.

Fighting Chance stablemates Jone TK and Mark White will make their professional debuts on the July 24 bill, while Lewis Scott is looking to avenge his defeat to Simone Lucas.

Tickets for the Relentless Promotions, in association with Fighting Chance Promotions, Summer Showdown show, at the Academy For Sport at Gateshead International Stadium, on July 24 are available from all fighters on the bill and direct from http://www.wraithpromotions.com or by calling 0191 2299632. Tickets start from £35.