Tony Conquest

Tony Conquest challenges Dubliner Ian Tims for the vacant WBO European Cruiserweight championship at York Hall on September 7.

Tony Conquest, boosted by his best ever performance – the first-round demolition of former British cruiserweight champion Leon Williams in July – challenges Dubliner Ian Tims for the vacant WBO European Cruiserweight championship at York Hall on September 7.

The new season opener tops the bill on Queensberry Promotions’ latest BoxAcademy event and sees the reigning Southern Area champion get the chance to claim the the WBO European belt and gatecrash the WBO world rankings.

The 28-year-old ‘Conqueror’, winner of his nine pro bouts under the guidance of Canning Town trainer Jason Rowland, wanted to keep busy after his explosive first round victory over Williams – his first bout since last November.

He enjoyed his revenge win over his former gym pal at Canning Town’s TKO Gym, for Williams had stopped Conquest in their amateur days.

However, Tims is certainly no soft touch after scoring nine straight victories, before losing a tight decision in a EBU EU title clash against Finn Juho Haapoja in Finland earlier this year.

Francis Warren of Queensberry Promotions said “We’re looking to really fast-track Tony and the chance of securing a WBO ranking that will come with the WBO European belt can get him that springboard to really kick-on through the ranks.

“That is essentially what the BoxAcademy format is all about.

“It’s a really good match up, Tony has made his intentions clear by blowing away Leon Williams in his last outing, whilst Ian Tims will come to fight and won his first nine contests in a row, before suffering his first loss in his last fight when he challenged for the EBU EU title.”

The bill also features bright young prospects from the TKO Gym – flyweight Charlie Hoy and middleweight Tom Baker – alongside former ABA champion John Dignum in supporting bout action.

Joey Taylor and Darryll Williams are also named on the show that features the challenge of Lewis Pettit against Ian Bailey for the Southern Area featherweight belt.

Once again sponsors Rainham Steel will be providing a bonus of £1,000 to each of the fighters in the ‘Fight of the Night’. Last time out, the feature contest of the evening saw Ashley Sexton beaten by Paul Butler and both men were deservedly handed their £1,000 bonus in the ring by Rainham Steel chairman Bill Ives.

The action will be shown live on the BoxNation satellite channel.