After sustaining a shoulder injury in training yesterday (28 October 2019) afternoon, Nigel Benn informed his fans and supporters that will not be fit to box on November 23rd. Benn rejects talks that father time has  caught up with him, and indicates that his preparation and sparring had actually progressed better than expected at this stage of his preparation.

Nigel had several anti-inflammatory injections, primarily into one shoulder joint last week, but this treatment has failed in its efforts to reduce the acute pain that is significantly affecting his punching power and full movement on one side.

The former champion is devastated at this setback, and says years of organisation has gone into this event, and many people (aside from himself) will be affected by his inability to fight.

Benn admits that this setback will likely mean that he will never get the closure he sought.

In his own words “I hope my fans will respect that I have no say in this decision. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause to my loyal fans who have bought tickets, The British and Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) for sanctioning me, undercard fighters, the venue, suppliers and anyone else who is affected by my announcement. God bless you all.”

The venue (Resorts World Arena) and the 2 appointed ticket agencies - The Ticket Factory and Eventim are currently in dialogue with the head of BIBA (Gianluca Di Caro), in an effort to rescue the event, given 10 fights are still arranged. However, refunds for ticket holders are available from the respective agents upon request.

Two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders will manage exciting amateur prospect Donte Dixon, under the guidance of MTK Global.

BJ Saunders with Donte Dixon

Dixon has won 32 of his 34 amateur contests, stopping 17 in the process, and has won two National Championships, seven Yorkshire Championships and one Box Cup Championship.

He has also sparred the likes of Kid Galahad, Leigh Wood and Jordan Gill, and WBO super-middleweight champion Saunders is delighted to be working with him.

Saunders said: "I'm very happy to be working with such a great young talent. He reminds me a lot of myself at his age only a more polished version.

"Watching him sparring, he's the very best in the game and does not look one bit out of place for a second against the top sparring partners out there like Leigh Wood, Jordan Gill and Kid Galahad.

"I look forward to seeing him become world champion, which I'm confident not only can happen, but will happen under my guidance and MTK Global's, who have guided me to the very top of the sport, so it's exciting times ahead."

Dixon added: "I’m very excited to be guided by two-weight world champion Billy Joe Saunders and the biggest management team in the world MTK Global. I have seen what they have done for their fighters and I'm very excited to be part of that team.

"I feel privileged to be working alongside such a professional outfit and I'm looking forward to my debut in December where I'll showcase my skills and show what I am about. I want to be successful so I can help my mum and family have a better life.

"I felt at home and comfortable with all of the professional sparring partners I've been in with. I am very much looking forward to becoming the best young fighter Britain has seen since the Prince Naseem days."

FORMER World Heavyweight Champion Frank Bruno MBE has become a patron of  Nottingham charity Switch Up and its sister organisation Nottingham School of Boxing.

Whilst Frank Bruno will be helping to raise awareness of the charity’s vital work, his team at The Frank Bruno Foundation will be working closely with Switch Up to achieve their common goal of helping young people at risk of gang crime and violence, often from a lack of access to education or counselling for mental health issues.

Marcellus Baz BEM, founder and CEO of Switch Up and Nottingham School of Boxing, said: “Frank is a British legend; having his experience of mental well-being alongside our team’s specialist knowledge of serious youth violence and knife crime will provide two expert resources that will have a real impact on our community and country.

“Officially partnering with Frank and his foundation means we’re all going to be stronger, both in Nottingham where we are based but also in Northampton where Frank’s gym is due to open at the end of this year.

“We want all young people to have easy access to mentors and role models who can give them hope that they can find their way out of the dark places in their lives. This partnership takes us a step closer to making this possible for even more of those in need.”

The Frank Bruno Foundation provides a base for structured, non-contact boxing sessions and well-being programmes.

Frank Bruno MBE, said: “I think young people are starting to lose their path – its trendy to be in a gang and have a knife. If we can all link together and have some understanding of these problems, we’ll make a real difference. Providing somewhere they can go, with people who’ve experienced their side of things whilst also advising, educating, and slowing them down is crucial.”

Olympic ice skating legends, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, are also patrons of Switch Up and Nottingham School of Boxing alongside Johnny Nelson.

Switch Up and Nottingham School of Boxing use physical activity, mentorship, counselling and education to help young people with complex issues. For further information visit http://www.marcellusbaz.co.uk/.