MTK Global is delighted to announce the signing of Joe Draper as he turns professional.

Draper has experience in both boxing and mixed martial arts, and he’s now looking forward to testing himself in the paid ranks.

Draper said: “I’m over the moon to be honest. It’s a great opportunity and the right time for me so I can’t wait.

“I was sparring with Luke Campbell before his last fight and that went really well, and I’ve been getting some good sparring at the Peacock Gym too, so I feel like now is the right time to push forward.

“I need to work with good people so to team up with MTK Global is a match made in heaven. The offer that has been set in place is perfect as I want to get as many fights under my belts as possible.

“I’ve got a good team around me that will help point me in the right direction. I feel more than ready to step in the ring later this year for my debut.”

Kieran Gething believes he’s found the right weight class for him as he prepares to face Henry Janes for the Welsh Area super-lightweight title on Saturday.

Gething (6-2-1) drops down to 140 pounds after previously competing at welterweight, and he has revealed the new methods he has adopted in order to prepare for the change.

Gething said: “I’ve been on a vegan diet so I’ve been approaching this fight differently. It’s been in my mind for a while to try the new weight and it’s something I spoke to my team about prior to my last fight.

“I felt I was an average size welterweight, but I think I’ll be a pretty big super lightweight. People forget that I’m only 24, so I’m still only young.

“It’s nice that I’m fighting for a title straight away again. I don’t want to mess around at lower level, I want these title opportunities.”

It’s already been a successful week for Gething after he was awarded Fight of the Year for his extremely tight contest with Tony Dixon at the BBBofC Welsh Area Boxing Awards over the weekend.

The 24-year-old was delighted with the accolade, and hopes a successful 2019 can lead to more trophies heading his way in the future.

He added: “I was very proud of that. I’ve been going to the Welsh Awards since they started around five years ago, so to be receiving an award myself is great.

“There were some big names there, like Liam Williams who is a fellow MTK fighter, so to be sharing an award ceremony with them is a big honour.

“I want to push on next year and win contest of the year again, but hopefully I won’t leave it that close a fight again! I certainly want to put on a good performance to get in with a shout though.  Hopefully I may even be able to win Boxer of the Year too if I can progress how I want to progress.”

Unbeaten former Team GB star Sam Maxwell has begun calling out big names but will ultimately let his talent carry him to fame.

 

The popular super-lightweight (10-0-KO8) is ready to send another message to his targets when he fights in Leicester on February 23 – live on BT Sport.

Maxwell said: “I’ve been quiet for two years and I don’t think I’ve got the notice I deserve. I think I’m talented and I’m trying to get my name out there more.

“None of these names are out of my reach. I might as well start building interest in these fights now because they’re fights I’m going to be in soon.

“By the end of the year, the likes of Ohara Davies will stand up take notice. He also knows I’m a top talent so I think that until I can offer him something, I think he’ll avoid me.

“All I’m lacking is that step-up test to show what I’m about. I know my ability and I’m ready for any names. I’d be more than confident that I beat all the top domestic names.

“I just want to be in big fights. Hopefully 2019 holds them for me.”

Maxwell, who fought Vasyl Lomachenko several times in the amateurs, became only the second man to stop 81-fight Jamie Quinn when he was last seen back in December.

Stephen Tiffney believes the only defeat of his career so far has made him a much better fighter ahead of his battle with David Oliver Joyce.

The two men will clash for the vacant WBO European featherweight title at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester on March 15 – live on iFL TV.

Tiffney (10-1) came up short in his last title fight when he was beaten by Lewis Paulin for the Scottish Area Featherweight belt in December 2017, but he feels that could have been a blessing in disguise.

Tiffney said: “I found out a lot about myself from that fight. It was my only defeat and there was a big amount that I learned, so it can sometimes be a good thing.

“There are some things that you only realise when you lose, so it definitely made me a better fighter and I don’t see it as a negative.

“I’ve got Joyce now and this is the perfect start to the year. I’m looking to pick up titles this year so I can’t wait.

“Once you get hold of that first title you can then push onto bigger and better things, but I’m not looking past Joyce and I’m fully focused on him.”

There are a number of talented local boxers on the undercard in Manchester, including Ben Sheedy, Craig Bunn, Macaulay McGowan, Adam Hague and Damian Chambers.

Talented super-lightweight Lewis Benson is brimming with enthusiasm and ready to make 2019 his after suffering back-to-back controversial points defeats.

 

Scotland’s ‘Kid Caramel’ (10-2-KO2) was denied by Johnny Coyle and Tyrone McKenna in close decisions but is confident of taking the first step back towards title fights when he returns on the MTK Global show in Glasgow on March 22.

Benson said: “I’m positive, upbeat and I feel amazing. Those defeats put me down but they didn’t put me out and 2019 will be a massive year for me. I’m buzzing, focused and I’m loving been back in the gym. I’m really looking forward to this year.

“The atmosphere for my last fight at Emirates Arena was fantastic. My supporters did me proud last time and I’m sure they’re going to be back again in their droves. This time, I’m going to get the result!

“Nobody had seen what I could do until my last fight and afterwards, people on social media were giving me such a lot of respect. Everyone in the boxing world knew what I put on the line and what I did.

“I’ve got to win a title this year. After my last performances, people can see the improvements so this year, I’m 100% going to win titles. This is why I’m staying in the game. I’ve got some fire in my belly.”

As a standout amateur, Benson won Scottish and British titles before turning professional in 2015 – winning his first 10 fights in the paid ranks.