Ex-Champs McDonnell, Smith Knocked Back To Eight Rounders

Jamie McDonnell and Stephen Smith will box on the undercard of Carl Froch’s IBF/WBA Super Middleweight blockbuster live on Sky Sports Box Office from the sold-out Phones 4u Arena in Manchester.

Former IBF Bantamweight champion McDonnell and former British Featherweight and Super Featherweight champion Smith will both fight in eight round bouts on the stacked undercard in Manchester.

Scott Quigg defends his WBA Super Bantamweight title against Diego Silva, Quigg’s gym-mate and resurgent Lightweight star Anthony Crolla will defend his WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title following the withdrawal of British champion Martin Gethin on a busy night for trainer Joe Gallagher, who also has unbeaten Lightweight talent Scotty Cardle on the bill, but Super Middleweight sensation Callum Smith has been forced to pull out of the show through injury.

There’s also a late spot on the bill for St. Helens’ Middleweight star Martin Murray, who is back in action after his controversial loss to Sergio Martinez in his second World title challenge in April.

The 31 year old will now box in Manchester after his December fight in Australia fell through, with an opponent to be announced soon as Murray looks to secure a third World title shot in 2014.

Rocky Fielding defends his Commonwealth Super Middleweight title and Olympic Gold medal heroes Anthony Joshua, MBE, and Luke Campbell, MBE, are both in action in their fourth pro contests, as Heavyweight star Joshua takes his first significant step in the paid ranks against Hector Avila, who took Dereck Chisora nine rounds in April, while unbeaten Super Flyweight Kal Yafai continues his comeback from injury.