Stephen McKenna vs Joe Laws
Zak Chelli defends his British and Commonwealth Super Middleweight Titles against local star Callum Simpson in the main event, with all the action available to watch live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.
Ireland’s undefeated Stephen McKenna will face Joe Laws for the WBC International Silver Super Welterweight Title as part of an action-packed night of boxing on Saturday, August 3rd at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley, presented by BOXXER.
This mouth-watering contest is the first in a series of exciting undercard announcements to be revealed for a stacked stadium show at Oakwell, home of Barnsley F.C, topped by the British and Commonwealth Super Middleweight Title fight between defending champion Zak Chelli and local star Callum Simpson.
McKenna returns having dispatched Yorkshire’s Darren Tetley inside six-rounds last time out at York Hall in September 2023 to continue his unbeaten run, while the ‘Benwell Bomber’ Laws is back in action following an upset win over Michael Hennessy Jr at the same venue a month later.
Fans can expect a fiery build up with McKenna and Laws having already exchanged a series of barbs online and Laws pulling no punches in his assessment of his opponent.
Stephen McKenna said: “These are the type of matchups that excite me, especially in an open-air stadium in the middle of summer. I’ve been getting world class sparring out here in the States, and I’m feeling bigger, stronger and hitting harder than ever. And I can’t wait to show this come August 3rd.
“Joe Laws is game. He’s full of energy and won’t shy away from a scrap. He’s good at running his mouth and on the night he’ll try to put up a fight, but that just raises the ante for me to do more damage. Credit to him for taking this, because when those fists start flying it won’t look too pretty for him.
“Fans can expect nothing less than pure carnage. Our styles guarantee a high-action, high-volume fight at a ferocious pace. But whether I blast him out early or drown him late on, it’ll end with my hands raised.”
Joe Laws said: “McKenna is about as well liked in boxing as Boris Johnson was during lockdown. I don’t need a reason to punch someone, but he’s got one of those faces. I’m going to spark him and bring the belt back to Benwell. And the new!”
BOXXER Founder & CEO Ben Shalom said: “Fight fans can look forward to a night of non-stop action at Oakwell on Saturday, August 3rd. McKenna vs Laws is an excellent addition to the card. Neither man will want to take a backwards step so expect fireworks when these two step into the ring.”
Battle Lines: Chelli vs Simpson will kick-off the 2024/25 season for Barnsley F.C. with local star Callum Simpson challenging Londoner Zak Chelli for his British and Commonwealth Titles at Oakwell Stadium on Saturday, August 3rd, one week before the new season begins.
Tickets are sold out. Limited hospitality packages are still available via BOXXER.com and Barnsley Football club, enquiries via: commercial@barnsleyfc.co.uk
