Heavyweight action heads up Dennis Hobson and Steve Crump’s Fight Academy card on May 28 at Sheffield Arena Car Park.

Rotherham’s Kash Ali will seek to become the IBF European Champion when he clashes with Czech Tomas Salek for the vacant title.  With a solitary disqualification loss on his 19 fight record, Ali is ready to step up against the East European.  Salek is a come-forward banger, who has tasted defeat just twice in 17 contests and, with 21 big KOs between them, this promises to be a ‘don’t blink’ affair.

Kash Ali, said: “He can whack, and I know I have knockout power.  I think this is going to be a case of whoever lands first will get the KO – and I can promise you it’ll be me!”

Chief support comes in the form of a Midlands Area Title fight with Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker and Walsall’s Levi Ferguson going head-to-head for the vacant crown.  A well-matched affair – Conah has eight wins and a draw, with two KOs; Ferguson has been only beaten once in six – this 10-rounder promises to be keenly contested as both look to pick up their first belt.

“An Area Title is a fantastic achievement for any boxer,” said promoter Hobson, “I’d love to have one sitting on my mantlepiece!  I’ve put on lots of Area contests over the years and you see how much it means to the boxers.  This is a real 50-50 fight, both boxers will give it their all to come out on top, and it won’t fail to be great viewing.”

The pick of the undercard sees a return to action for hot, undefeated middleweight prospect, Mark Jeffers 11-0 (3), who takes on well-regarded Czech fighter Tomas Bezvoda, 9-14 (6) in a decent test.  Belfast’s Ciaran McVarnock, 10-0-1 (3), will also make a two-year ring return after taking time out from the sport to support partner Nicole, who has had her own fight with cystic fibrosis.

Also on the bill are a trio of undefeated Lancashire fighters – Josh Holmes 5-0, Dan Catlin  5-0 (2), and Zak Miller 3-0 (1); whilst Burnley’s Reece Farnhill and Blackburn’s Jack Fay will take their first steps in a professional ring.

Manager Kevin Maree – who guides Jeffers, McVarnock, Holmes, Catlin, Miller, Farnhill and Fay – stated: “In these crazy times, there aren’t many managers getting their fighters out and I can’t thank Dennis, and partners, enough that my guys are getting showcased.

“Dennis does his events right and they’re always exciting events.  A few of my fighters have been signed by Dennis after appearing on his December show, and I’ve said to my other boxers ‘now it’s your time to shine, go out and impress Dennis and earn yourself a contract.”