The Ring Magazine Cruiserweight title will be up for grabs on UK shores for the first time in over 15 years this weekend as Australian Jai Opetaia makes the first defence of his belt against the hard-hitting Mancunian Jordan Thompson.

On the undercard are potential future stars of British boxing, who are competing in some cracking contests, and here we’ll be taking a look at two bouts, and two fighters, to keep your eye on this Saturday! 

FIGHTERS TO WATCH:

JIMMY SAINS 

The only debutant on the card, Sains is a fighter who looks destined for success in the professional ranks. Out of the infamous Repton gym, he was beaten in last year’s England Boxing National Amateur Championships by the tricky southpaw Dan Toward. His final bout as an amateur came in the Three Nations where he stopped Stephen Clarke in the final to claim gold.

Turning over at middleweight under the tutelage of Tony Sims and Kevin Mitchell at Matchroom’s gym in Brentwood, the hard-hitting 22-year-old will be looking to continue his impressive amateur form in the paid ranks and produce a big performance on his big night.

Strong, light on his feet, Sains has quick hands and can certainly take a shot. This could well turn out to be one of the most impressive debuts of 2023.

IBRAHEEM SULAIMAAN 

It was a debut to remember for the young lightweight prospect from Birmingham as he became the first man to stop Michel Gonxhe on his professional bow in front of a home crowd last month.

In what is a fairly quick turnaround, he now faces the durable Colombian Joshua Ocampo and he’ll be hoping to record another emphatic stoppage.

Massive for the weight, Sulaimaan can box out of either the southpaw or orthodox stance, while also boasting the capabilities to showcase his talents on both the inside and outside. 

He’s already built up a big fanbase, most notably backed by rapper Jaykae, and with another big performance here, the hype train will be well and truly nearing full capacity.  

FIGHTS TO WATCH:

RHIANNON DIXON VS KATHARINA THANDERZ 

One of our prospects to watch in 2023, Rhiannon Dixon has only been seen once this year, back in March when she picked up the first stoppage win of her career against Vicky Wilkinson to claim the Vacant Commonwealth Lightweight Title.

This weekend, she makes the big step for the Vacant European Title against the 16-1 Norwegian Thanderz. 

A former European and ‘Interim’ world champion, Thanderz’s only career defeat to date came at the hands of Terri Harper back in 2020, so she’s certainly mixed it at the highest level and will undoubtedly be looking to upset the odds at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

Dixon, who is trained by former world champion Anthony Crolla and comes from a white-collar background, will have acquired plenty of confidence from her victory last time out, and a repeat here will be a real statement in just her ninth fight as a professional.

CHEAVON CLARKE VS VASIL DUCAR 

If ever a fight screamed “war” on paper, it’s this one. 

A Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in 2018, Clarke has been faultless since making his professional debut last year. 

With five knockout wins from six fights, including a dominant display against the tough David Jamieson last time out, Clarke has shown he is one of the best prospects in British boxing but at the age of 32, there is little room for error.

A late replacement opponent for Chris Billam-Smith in 2021, Ducar caused the current WBO world champion plenty of problems, while also coming close to upsetting Jordan Thompson, who headlines Saturday’s card in his first world title fight, in the final round of their clash last year.

Clarke has already shown that he is more than happy to mix it on the inside and doesn’t mind an old-fashioned tear up.

With Ducar in the opposite corner, this has got fight of the night written all over it.