Rising stars Pierce O'Leary, Mark McKeown and Hassan Azim have all been added to next month's #MTKFightNight event.

The three boxers will be part of the card that takes place on Friday 22 January at Production Park Studios, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

O'Leary (5-0, 2 KOs) returns following an impressive showing in August, where he stopped Jacob Quinn in the fourth round.

McKeown (3-0, 1 KO) is back too after a TKO win over Levi Dunn in his last outing, while Azim finally gets the chance to make his professional debut.

They join an already stacked line-up, as Karim Guerfi defends his EBU bantamweight title against Lee McGregor, Sean McComb faces Gavin Gwynne for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title, and Craig MacIntyre takes on Mikey Sakyi.

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: "We're pleased to add even more big names to our event next month by having Pierce O'Leary, Mark McKeown and Hassan Azim join the bill.

"All three look destined for big things in the sport, so we're excited to have them showcasing their skills on a massive stage."

Promoter Mick Hennessy is thrilled to announce the signing of sensational Irish prospect Brett McGinty ahead of his long-awaited professional debut tomorrow night in Redditch.

Light-middleweight McGinty has signed a long-term promotional agreement with Hennessy and begins his pro career in a six-round contest against Jan Ardon on the undercard of the British Light-Heavyweight title clash between Shakan Pitters and Craig Richards.

The 22-year-old from St, Johnston, County Donegal in Ireland leaves behind a glittering amateur career that saw him crowned eight-time National champion; Irish Elite finalist in 2018; European Schoolboys Bronze medallist and Commonwealth Youth Games Silver medallist and is heralded as one of the hottest young talents to turn pro in recent years.

McGinty holds a highly regarded victory over the former elite US amateur star Nikita Ababiy in 2018 in an Ireland v USA match in Boston.  Ababiy is now a top undefeated prospect.

He will be managed by Ken Lyle’s Sheer Sports Management and trained by the former Four-Time, Two Weight World Champion and British great Ricky Hatton at his gym in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

McGinty possesses an exciting all action, body-attacking style that mirrors Hatton’s trademark style in his heyday and he’ll be the ideal trainer to develop the young talent.

McGinty said, “After what has been a very challenging year, I’m delighted to be joining Hennessy sports to help guide and progress my career. I was days away from making my pro debut back in March and COVID KO’d the world which stalled my debut plans. With the help of my family and team I managed to get through knowing something amazing and exciting was just around the corner for me. And here I am signing with Mick Hennessy and Hennessy Sports.  I’m delight and can’t wait to step through the ropes on Friday night. I’m on way to achieving all that I have trained for.”

Hennessy, who recently signed McGinty’s Sheer Sports managed teammate, the talented  Stephen McKenna, said, “Brett is a fantastic world class talent and I’m delighted that he has joined the Hennessy Sports team.  I have seen Brett develop over the years since he was a young amateur and have always been aware of his enormous potential.  I always felt that with the way he fights he was always more suited for the pros.  I'm over the moon that Ricky is training him as they both have similar styles and he will definitely bring out the best in Brett.  I’m delighted that he’s now joined me as he embarks on his professional career and I believe that he can thrill a new generation of fans’ with his exciting and explosive style.”

Hatton said, “I’m extremely excited about Brett’s potential. He has a fan favourite style that people are gonna love. Even though he has a strong, attacking style he has a huge amount of talent as you can imagine with his amateur pedigree. Which he sometimes forgets but given time when all the ingredients fall in to place I think we have a champion of the future.”

Rachel Charles, V.P Operations & Publicity for Sheer Sports Management said, “All good things come to those who wait..unfortunately for Brett it’s been a long time coming. We are delighted for him. It’s a great day for McGinty..he has the best team around him. You can’t go wrong with a legend in your corner..we can’t wait to see him succeed. We have all the belief in the world that Brett is special..after Friday..everyone else will know it too.  Many thanks to Mick Hennessy and his team. Let’s get ready to rumble.”

Undefeated Welterweight Rylan Charlton has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. 

‘Pint Size Powerhouse’ (6-0-1, 3 KOs) was last seen wiping out the previously unbeaten Benwell prospect Joe Laws in three destructive rounds on the Lewis Ritson vs. Miguel Vazquez undercard in October.

Charlton sent Laws crashing to the canvas three times as he inflicted a brutal first loss on the 26-year-old; hurting him with a sickening body shot in the earliest exchange and then flooring him with a big left hook in the opening round.

Laws never recovered – Charlton did major damage with the second knock-down then landed a massive uppercut which ended the fight in explosive fashion, sealing an impressive win on his first-ever TV appearance.

The Norwich native is willing to take on anyone at 147lbs and has already set his sights on the ‘Albanian King’ Florian Marku, with his new Matchroom stablemate also expressing a desire to meet in 2021.

“It feels great to finally be signed with Eddie Hearn & Matchroom Boxing,” said Charlton. “It has been a long and hard road to get here. I couldn’t have done it without my trainer Frank Sictorness and my manager Daniel Naylor; we've all worked very hard. This is where the fun begins. 

“Life has been pretty normal since the Laws win. I've got a few more followers and had some lovely messages, but life stays the same; I work hard in my day job and train even harder. Fans can expect to see more big knockouts from me. My last fight was taken on two weeks’ notice, with a full camp under my belt I will be finishing my opponents in style!

“Norwich is tucked out of the way and I’m proud to be getting it on the boxing map. Eventually Eddie can stick a show on in Norwich with me headlining it for titles. That'll really get Norwich out there. I'm very excited to be representing my city.

“I saw Florian Marku get the draw on the AJ card. I think he deserved to win the fight. It’s a fight I'd like to have but it would just another stepping stone for me. I'll wipe the floor with him. I respect the fact he was kick boxing champion but he's in my game now, I don't rate him as a boxer and I won't be letting it go to the judges when we meet.

“My goal for 2021 is to have a title wrapped around my waist by the end of the year. I’m not in this game to mess around. I want to go as far as possible and I want to fight the best opponents out there as I work my way to the top. The Pint Size Powerhouse is coming!”

"I'm delighted to add Rylan Charlton to our growing stable of talent," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "We saw a glimpse of Rylan's destructive power when he blitzed Joe Laws in three-rounds last time out and it's clear he possesses the power to be a problem for anyone in the Welterweight division. We're going to have a lot of fun with the 'Pint Size Powerhouse' and there's some exciting fights to be made for him in the domestic 147lbs scene."