Manchester’s lightweight king Terry Flanagan will make the third defence of his WBO world title against South Africa’s former two-time world champion Mzonke Fana in the chief-support bout to World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury’s rematch with Wladimir Klitschko at the Manchester Arena on July 9, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
Undefeated Flanagan, 30-0 (12 KOs), makes a hero’s return to Manchester after successfully defending his world title in enemy territory against Liverpool’s Derry Mathews in March. Before that, in October, all-action ‘Turbo’ smashed mandatory challenger Diego Magdaleno inside two rounds at the Manchester Arena, a devastating performance he looks to replicate on July 9.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than fighting as chief-support right before the lineal heavyweight championship of the world,” said Flanagan. “The world will be watching as a fellow Manchester man, Tyson Fury, aims to show he’s the best heavyweight on the planet once again.
“Fana is a two-time world champion at super-featherweight, he’s highly-experienced, tough and has a very good jab. He will be coming over here looking to take my title but it’s not going to happen.
“There’s going to be 20,000 Mancunians cheering on two of their own in world title fights. I’m going to pick up where I left off and continue to show everyone that I am the number one lightweight in the world.”
Flanagan, 26, has come a long way since his impressive BoxNation debut against Yordan Vasilev back in May 2014. Since then the Mancunian has gone on to become a world champion and says he owes a lot of his success to his loyal support.
He said: “It’s great to get back home in front of my own fans, especially on such a big bill. The Manchester Arena is right on my door step, so it will be good for my fans; it’s only a five-minute walk from the estate. The atmosphere is going to be something else.”
The Channel of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.
