Champion set to defend title on big London bill

Former Repton amateur Frank Buglioni will defend his British light-heavyweight title against Ricky Summers at The O2 in London on Saturday July 1, live on Sky Sports.

Buglioni puts the belt on the line for the first time since winning it in stunning style against Hosea Burton in December, flooring the hometown favourite in the 11th round before stopping him in the final session.

Unbeaten Tipton man Summers and Buglioni were set to meet in Greenwich in March but a cut in sparring forced the champion out of the fight, and the 28-year-old is now relishing his chance to top the bill as the domestic season ends on Sky Sports.

“I felt sick with the injury at the time but I’m raring to go now,” said Buglioni.

“I saw the surgeon and he said that my skin is fine and that I’m not susceptible to cuts so that’s a positive for me. It was the headguard that caused it so we’ve changed that.

“I live in the gym, always keeping sharp and fit, so it was a setback but I’m on track and I’m thrilled to be topping the bill at The O2.

“There’s no light-heavyweight in Britain that can beat me, including Nathan Cleverly, so line them up. It’s a new chapter in my career.

“Hosea is above British level and I beat him so I think that shows how good I am. I want to win the Lord Lonsdale belt outright and then move on to European and World honours, and if the rematch with Hosea presents itself, great.”

Buglioni tops a stacked bill of young unbeaten London talents as Ted Cheeseman challenges Matthew Ryan for the English super-welterweight title in an eliminator for the British title and Reece Bellotti looks to build on his impressive British featherweight title eliminator win over Dai Davies in March.

Former Repton and Dagenham amateur Lawrence Okolie, a Team GB Rio Olympian, goes on the hunt for a fourth straight first round KO in the paid ranks on the same bill with his potential cruiserweight local rival Isaac Chamberlain.

Meanwhile, Conor Benn makes a welcome return from injury and there’s action for Southern Area super-middleweight champion Craig Richards, super-middleweight Danny Dignum and light-heavyweight Jake Ball.

Tickets are on sale to O2 Priority members priced £40, £60, £100 and £150 VIP and also go on sale to Matchroom Fight Pass members via stubhub.co.uk.

They go on general sale at midday on Monday (June 5), priced £40-100 at theo2.co.uk, with £150 VIP tickets available exclusively from matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for July 1 are also be available fromstubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.