Chris Jenkins will face Tyrone Nurse for the vacant British Light Welterweight title at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on April 11, live on Sky Sports, after champion Willie Limond was forced out of his defence against Jenkins with a shoulder injury.
Unbeaten Welshman Jenkins was set to challenge Limond for the title, but will now face Huddersfield man Nurse instead, who was due to fight over eight rounds on the bill in Yorkshire.
Jenkins has been waiting for his shot at the British title since romping to victory in Prizefighter in July 2013. The 26 year old picked up the WBC International title last February and a first round stoppage of Jacek Wylezol in October extended his unbeaten record in the pros to 16 wins with eight inside the distance.
Nurse returns to the scene of his last title outing and will be hoping for better fortunes. The 25 year old met Dave Ryan for the vacant Commonwealth title in October and was edged out via a majority decision having hit the canvas in both the first and second rounds. Nurse bounced back a month later with a KO win in Manchester taking him to 30-2, and promoter Eddie Hearn believes this fight could be a show-stealer.
“This is a great fight and a huge opportunity for both fighters to pick up one of the most prestigious belts in boxing,” said Hearn. “Tyrone was due to box on the bill regardless and will have plenty of support from the Yorkshire faithful but Chris has been waiting a while for this opportunity and is in great shape. The Light Welterweight domestic division is wide open and next Saturday’s winner will be in pole position.”
Jenkins’ meeting with Nurse is part of a massive night of action in Leeds, topped by local star Josh Warrington’s showdown with Dennis Tubieron for the vacant WBC International Featherweight title.
Martin J. Ward and Maxi Hughes lock horns in a British Lightweight title eliminator following their great first clash in December, Leeds’ British Light Heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe is in action on his home patch, Liverpool’s World-rated Super Middleweight Rocky Fielding continues his comeback from injury, Prizefighter champion Jono Carroll fights for the first time since winning the trophy in December and in his first contest under new promoter Hearn and Cruiserweight prospect Isaac Chamberlain fights for the second time in the paid ranks.
Limited tickets remain on sale for the show priced at £30 and £40 from the First Direct Arena on 0844 248 1585 and at www.firstdirectarena.com.
