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Ovill McKenzie will not be challenging Tony Bellew for the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight title next month, despite reports claiming that the fight is on.
Instead, the Derby knockout artist who gets a British passport later this month is targeting winningthe Lonsdale belt later this year.
McKenzie (18-9) proved he is of boxing’s most concussive punchers on Friday stopping Billy Boyle in Nottingham inside a round.
McKenzie, 30, will now have his next fight on April 23 on the undercard of Rendall Munroe’s WBC super-bantamweight title final eliminator against Victor Terrazas.
Promoter Frank Maloney: “With the right fights, Ovill can become a big attraction in Midlands and get attention all over Britain. Ovill is starting to shift tickets and his popularity is growing all the time. With the right fights he can become star.
“He has been offered a fight with Bellew in March, but it isn’t happening. Ovill is after the British title.”
Bellew was ringside for McKenzie’s triumph against Boyle and his behaviour angered the Prizefighter cruiserweight winner and his team.
Maloney added: “Bellew was out of order with his aggressive cut throat gestures and should know better than to behave like that towards another professional.
“Ovill should have been enjoying his moment of glory, but had to put up with the sort of behaviour seen in American gangster films.
“What has Ovill done wrong to upset Bellew in the past? His antics has made sure the fight doesn’t happen for now. I hope Bellew can dwell on the incident now and realise he was wrong.”
More details of Maloney’s mega St George’s Day show on April 23 will be announced next week.
