FULL WEEKEND BOXING PREVIEW - 06/06/2025

Five shows from five different cities across three days — big-time boxing is well and truly back this weekend. We’ll be taking a look at all of the major fights over the next few days, starting off in Newcastle, where the exciting super-welterweight Josh Kelly will be looking to take one step closer to a world title shot against Flavius Biea.

After defeat to David Avanesyan back in 2021, Kelly has been faultless since, picking up six straight wins — including an impressive showing against Ishmael Davis in his last fight at Wembley Stadium, up at middleweight.

Now back down at super-welter, he takes on Romania’s Flavius Biea.

With 24 wins from 25 fights, Biea’s only defeat came back in 2017, and since then, he’s won 12 on the bounce — so he comes into this fight with plenty of momentum.

However, one thing that is clear is the calibre of opposition these two have faced.

Kelly has beaten the likes of Troy Williamson and Ishmael Davis, whereas the only notable name on Biea’s record is Darleys Perez, who is currently on a seven-fight skid at the age of 41.

On paper, this is a keep-busy fight for Kelly — and in reality, it very much is that. Expect him to start fast and look to get an early stoppage. Biea’s sole career defeat came via stoppage, so his durability when stepping up in class is certainly in question — and no doubt Kelly will look to test that.

On to Saturday night, where we’ve got two stadium shows in the UK on the same night.

First up, the hard-hitting Callum Simpson takes on the equally powerful Italian Ivan Zucco in what is poised to be one of the fights of the weekend.

Since being picked up by Boxxer in early 2023, one of Barnsley’s finest, Simpson has taken the 168lbs scene by storm.

Seven fights in just over two years under the Boxxer banner — with four coming by way of stoppage — he’s been a breath of fresh air for Sky Sports viewers.

He’s won the British and Commonwealth titles in the process, and if that wasn’t enough, he’s frequently headed over to Canada to serve as one of Artur Beterbiev’s main sparring partners.

Experience money can’t buy.

Here, though, he comes up against another fighter who carries a bit of that “unknown quantity” factor.

Despite having fought outside of Italy just three times in his 21-fight career, Ivan Zucco has shown enough to suggest he’ll be a solid test for Simpson — not just with his power, but with a dominant points win over former English champion Germaine Brown in 2023.

Simpson, by a distance, has the better CV — but Zucco has nothing to lose. And a man with nothing to lose is often the most dangerous. To make things even trickier, Zucco is a southpaw.

Still, we’ve seen Simpson handle pressure time and again. And like they say: pressure makes diamonds — and in Simpson, British boxing may well have unearthed a gem.

Don’t be surprised to see both fighters plant their feet early to gauge who carries more power. That could well lead to an early stoppage for either man. But if Simpson sticks to his game plan, he should come out the victor.

Now down to East Anglia, where two undefeated heavyweights are looking to put themselves in pole position for a world title shot — all at the home of Ipswich Town.

Local favourite Fabio Wardley will be hoping to shine in front of his home crowd against Aussie Justis Huni. Both men showed why they’re highly regarded as two of the division’s best contenders in their most recent fights.

Wardley, now 18-0-1 with 17 KOs, secured an emphatic first-round stoppage in his rematch with Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke. Meanwhile, Huni proved too much for Shaun Potgieter, obliterating his South African rival inside two rounds.

So, to the fight.

The power advantage is undoubtedly with Wardley. He’s stopped every opponent since his points win on debut in 2017. But what’s becoming more and more impressive is his skill.

Coming from a white-collar background, he lacks the amateur pedigree Huni has — but under long-time trainer Robert Hodgins, now assisted by Ben Davison, he’s developing into a well-rounded heavyweight.

He’s no longer just windmilling like earlier in his career — he’s setting up shots and showing patience, which is crucial at this level.

Huni, meanwhile, is a fascinating fighter.

Now 12-0, it’s fair to say he’s often boxed within himself. He seems like the type who needs a real test to bring the best out of him.

He looked sharp against Kevin Lerena until his gas tank ran low late on. Still, he toughed it out and earned a unanimous decision — a proper test of chin and heart, which he passed. But Wardley is a different kettle of fish.

Clarke gave Wardley real problems in their first bout, so expect Huni to adopt a similar game plan: don’t get drawn into a dogfight, box smart, pick your moments, and use feints to drain the Brit mentally.

For Wardley, targeting the body will be key. Huni’s going to move a lot, and that may frustrate him. But patience and persistent bodywork — like Lerena used — will create openings and sap Huni’s energy.

It’s as close to a 50/50 fight as you’ll see this weekend — and with so much at stake, expect it to deliver.

A fight worth mentioning on the undercard is Pierce O’Leary vs Liam Dillon.

Irishman O’Leary has been lighting up the domestic 140lbs scene, and here he takes on former British Super-Featherweight champ Liam Dillon — who quite literally doesn’t know how to take a backward step.

Dillon was involved in Fight of the Year contenders with both Reece Bellotti and Ryan Garner last year. But now, with two wins since those back-to-back defeats, he’ll be looking to continue his form and be the man to hand O’Leary his first loss.

This is a guaranteed banger between two who love a tear-up — make sure you catch it before the main event.

And finally, the last instalment of the weekend’s action: Jai Opetaia returns to continue his dominant run at cruiserweight against Italy’s undefeated Claudio Squeo, in Australia.

Opetaia has been lethal since winning the IBF world title in July 2022 against Mairis Briedis. Five world title defences, five wins — four by stoppage — with his only points win coming in the Briedis rematch in May 2024.

To call him a boxing phenom would be an understatement.

Against the 17-0 Italian Squeo, it’s a familiar pattern this weekend. The B-side has an impressive-looking record, but the quality of opponents has been nowhere near world-class — and Squeo is no exception.

His 17 opponents so far average nearly 10 defeats each. Not great.

Compare that to Opetaia, who has faced three undefeated fighters in his last five — with a combined record of 42-0.

The size difference, as we saw at the face-off, is huge. Opetaia stands at 6'2", while Squeo is a much smaller 5'10".

If ever there was an opponent tailor-made for Opetaia, it’s Squeo. Don’t be surprised if this doesn’t go past two rounds — and ends with another highlight-reel knockout for Jai.

A huge weekend of boxing ahead, so get the coffee stocked up — it’s going to be a lively one in front of the telly.