MTK Global adds more names to Golden Contract Tournament
These tournaments that MTK Global are forming keep getting better and better as they announced even more names for the Golden Contract tournament.
In the featherweight tourney, IBF European champion and IBF no. 9 Jazza Dickens, unbeaten WBO European featherweight champion and WBO no. 11 David Oliver Joyce, and unbeaten WBO European super-bantamweight champion and WBO no. 8 Tyrone McCullagh will all be part of the competition.
In the super-lightweight tourney, former IBO champion, European champion and WBC no. 12 Mohamed Mimoune, unbeaten IBF European champion Akeem Ennis Brown, and WBO Inter-Continental champion and WBO no. 9 Zhankosh Turarov are part of the tournament.
Finally, in the light-heavyweight tournament, former British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe and former English light-heavyweight champion Liam Conroy have both entered the competition as well.
To add to the excitement, fighters will not know their opponents until fight week, at the start of which the highly anticipated draws will be made. All titles held will be on the line in each fight and knockout bonuses are also on offer.
? FIGHTERS CONFIRMED ?
Entering the Golden Contract featherweight tournament:
✅ IBF European champion @JazzaDickens10
✅ WBO European featherweight champion @daveyoliver101
✅ WBO European super-bantam champion @WhiteChoc90
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— MTK Global ? (@MTKGlobal) August 12, 2019
In the featherweight bracket, Dickens (27-3, 11 KOs) is ranked #9 in the world by the IBF and heads into the tournament on the back of his impressive win over Nathaniel May for the IBF European title in July, whilst also knocking out Nasibu Ramadhani in April too.
Dickens said: “There are two reasons why I wanted to be part of the Golden Contract tournament. I love to fight and show the world what I can do and I want to be a global name and become a world champion.
“It’s a massive opportunity to change my family’s lives. I will win the tournament because I’m dedicated, determined, motivated and hungrier than I’ve ever been. I’m looking forward to being the champion, and I hope everyone enjoys the massive the tournament.”
Unbeaten Joyce (11-0, 8 KOs) is ranked #11 in the world by the WBO and has been in fantastic form since making his professional debut two years ago, winning all 11 of his fights, including an impressive stoppage win over Stephen Tiffney in April.
Joyce said: “I’m confident I will win this tournament and then it gives me an amazing opportunity to become world champion. “I don’t mean to disrespect any of the other boxers that enter, but I truly believe I have got the ability to win it all.”
Fellow undefeated fighter McCullagh (13-0, 6 KOs) is stepping up from super-bantamweight to compete in the tournament, having won the WBO European title and earned a #8 world ranking by the WBO in that weight class.
McCullagh said: “I entered the tournament because it’s a massive opportunity for me to make a name for myself. It’s a life-changing award for the winner. I’ll win this tournament because I’m not only doing it for me, I’m doing it for all of my fans.
“You are going to see a different, more serious side of Tyrone McCullagh. I’ll eat, sleep and breath boxing from now until the day I win that tournament.”
Dickens, Joyce and McCullagh join Ryan Walsh, Leigh Wood and Hairon Socarras as fighters already confirmed for the featherweight bracket.
? FIGHTERS CONFIRMED ?
Entering the Golden Contract super-lightweight tournament:
✅ WBO Inter-Continental champion @zhankoshturarov
✅ Former European & IBO champion @MimouneMohamed1
✅ IBF European champion @RiiddyRiival
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— MTK Global ? (@MTKGlobal) August 12, 2019
At super-lightweight, Mimoune (21-3, 2 KOs) defeated Sam Eggington to win the European title back in 2017, and also went on to win the IBO world title. Earlier this year he shared the ring with Viktor Postol, and is hoping to win the Golden Contract tournament under the guidance of trainer Roy Jones Jr.
Mimoune said: “I’m really excited for the Golden Contract tournament. We’re working hard in training getting ready for it and I want to win it to get the contract with a major promoter.”
Unbeaten Brown (13-0, 1 KO) enters after putting together an impressive win streak which has seen him defeat Chris Jenkins, Freddy Kiwitt, Glenn Foot, Darragh Foley and Bilal Rehman, winning the IBF European title along the way.
Brown said: “As soon as I heard about the Golden Contract tournament, I said sign me up. I’m entering because not only does it help me climb up the rankings, but I can fight top level fighters from around the world and show everybody what I’m about.
“The fans should be happy I’m a part of this too. Now that I’ve entered, the tournament has got 100 times better. Tyrone McKenna is in it too, and hopefully we can get it on so I can take his title. None of the fighters in this tournament are on my level.”
Fellow undefeated fighter Turarov (24-0, 17 KOs) has returned to action this year and reminded everyone just what he is capable of, as seen when he made it a homecoming to remember by knocking out Mauro Maximiliano Godoy in three rounds at the Bary Arena in Kazakhstan last month.
Turarov said: “I have entered the Golden Contract to become the king of the super-lightweights. Remember my words. In the next 18 months I will become a world champion.”
? FIGHTERS CONFIRMED ?
Entering the Golden Contract light-heavyweight tournament:
✅ Former English champion @LiamConroy92
✅ Former British and Commonwealth champion @BobAjisafe
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— MTK Global ? (@MTKGlobal) August 12, 2019
At light-heavyweight, Ajisafe (19-3, 9 KOs) has been a big part of the British scene for a number of years, having held the British and Commonwealth titles, and also challenging for the IBO world title in 2016. He holds wins over the likes of Ovill McKenzie, Travis Dickinson, Dean Francis and Matty Clarkson.
Ajisafe said: “I’m really excited to be entering the Golden Contract tournament, and I’m extremely confident that I will be the last man standing.”
Conroy (17-5-1, 9 KOs) heads into the tournament on the back of his incredible Fight of the Year clash with Steven Ward, and he’ll be looking to replicate the form that saw him earn three straight knockout wins during his English title fights with Miles Shinkwin, Chris Hobbs and Joel McIntyre.
Conroy said: “This is a brilliant opportunity given to me by MTK Global. I’ve been grafting hard for a long time, and it’s my time now. I’m going show to everybody that I’m the best.”
Three quarter-finals nights will take place in October / November, three semi-finals nights in February / March and the all-important finals will be staged in May / June.
