The super featherweight fight between Jordan Gill and Zelfa Barrett will headline Matchroom’s return to the Manchester Arena on April 13th and today it was announced that the show has been bolstered by another 130lb fight.

Local man Michael Gomez Jnr (20-1, 5 KO’s) will defend his English belt against Birmingham’s Kane Baker (19-10-2, 1 KO).

The fight between Gill and Barrett is a quality domestic fight which should have real world tile implications for the winner. Barrett is gaining popularity in his hometown, but this will be his first time headlining at the city’s famous arena and the task of filling the undercard with ticket selling local fighters is underway. 

Warrington’s Rhiannon Dixon (9-0, 1 KO) will contest the WBO lightweight title recently vacated by Katie Taylor with Argentina’s Karen Elizabeth Carbajal (21-1, 3 KO’s) and rumors abound that there could be two more title fights added to the show over the next week or two.

The addition of the fight between Gomez and Baker ensures some local interest and should all but guarantee a crowd pleasing spectacle.

Gomez Jnr’s dad, Michael, played a major role in the boom Manchester’s boxing scene enjoyed at the turn of the century. His unpredictable, thrill a minute way of fighting and chaotic lifestyle ensuring that he remains a firm favorite with the city’s fight fans to this day. 

29 year old Gomez Jnr’s has been a professional for ten years. His career has been a slow burner but he has developed an all action fighting style himself.

In October 2022 he engaged in an all-out war with Liverpool’s Brian Phillips in a successful defense of his Central Area super featherweight title. That victory earned him a shot at the vacant English title. The fight took place on the undercard of Lawrence Okolie’s WBO cruiserweight title defense against David Light which also took place at the Manchester Arena last March.

Gomez handed Levi Giles his first professional defeat that night, overcoming a slow start to grind out a split decision but won few friends after pushing Giles to the floor at the weigh in.

The fight against Baker will be his first title defense. Despite his patchy record the former Midlands Area lightweight champion as a determined operator and remains a difficult night's work at this level.

BoxingScene.com will have further details of the undercard as news filters through.