Unbeaten duo to clash on Burns-Di Rocco undercard

Welterweight prospects George Hennon (3-0) and Sam Ball (5-0) will both lay their unbeaten records on the line at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on May 28, live on Sky Sports.

Local fighter – Ball, 20-years-old from Greenock, currently boasts two stoppages from his five victories, boldly taking on and stopping winning fighter Ashley Mayall (5-4) in the second round on his debut in his hometown in May last year.

The Scot previously represented his country at World and European championships, and won eight Scottish national titles before losing in the 2014 finals to Josh Taylor, who went on to win the Commonwealth gold.

Managed by Colin Bellshaw, who runs Saltire Boxing Promotions, Ball is seeking his sixth success in the pro ranks in what will complete his maiden year punching for pay.

Travelling over 400 miles from Kent, 21-year-old Hennon, trained by Johnny Greaves, can’t match the home fighter for amateur experience, but was a former English and European kick-boxing champion during his teenage years.

The 147-pounder from Snodland is also undefeated as a pro, overcoming his trio of opponents in Ali Wyatt (4-28-2), Matt Seawright (5-115-5), and Danny Donchev (6-86-2) on points, respectively.

‘Georgey-boy’ was only in action last month at the York Hall when he defeated Bulgarian journeyman – Donchev, on the last weekend of April to secure his third win in the paid ranks.

The busy fighter will also be back out in front of his home crowd on July 1st in Essex on the Carl Greaves Promotions event titled, ‘The Future’.

Hennon was quoted recently stating his ambition to fight a better quality of opponent, specifically declaring his interest in facing someone similar that’s unbeaten who wants to win to present a challenge.

The Kent puncher has certainly been granted his wish and will have his hands full with the decorated Scot, who seems to be replicating the success in the professional ranks that he enjoyed for so long in the amateurs.

The headlining fight will see world title action in Scotland’s largest city. Ricky Burns (39-5-1) is aiming to become a three-weight World champion when he takes on Italian Michele Di Rocco (40-1-1) for the vacant WBA World super-lightweight title at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on May 28, live on Sky Sports.

32-year-old Burns will be roared on by his hometown faithful as he returns to Scotland in his first fight there in nearly two years as he aims to add world title glory at 140lbs to his previous reigns as WBO champ at super-featherweight and lightweight.

Italian Di Rocco stands in ‘Rickster’s’ way as the 33-year-old long-reigning European king gets his first shot at a world title after an 11-and-a-half year-long career.

Chief support on the card will see Tyrone Nurse (32-2-1) defend his British super-lightweight crown against Glasgow’s Willie Limond (39-4).

Former British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion – Jon-Lewis Dickinson (17-4), 30-years-old from County Durham, takes on unbeaten, top-10 ranked – Tommy McCarthy (8-0), 25-years-old from Belfast, in a British cruiserweight title eliminator over 10 rounds.

‘The Gorilla’ John Ryder (22-2) will look to continue his march towards a world title shot after his career-best win over Sergey Khomitsky (30-12-3) last January to pick up the vacant WBA International middleweight title.

There’s a further half-a-dozen unbeaten rising stars on the stacked show in Commonwealth games hero – Charlie Flynn (7-0), plus Joe Ham (7-0), Lewis Paulin (5-0), Conor Benn (1-0), Marc Kerr (5-0), and the return of Olympic bronze medalist – Anthony Ogogo (8-0) following a long-term shoulder injury.

Tickets are on sale now at www.matchroomboxing.com with tickets priced at £40, £60 and £100, with VIP tickets priced at £200 or from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110

To follow George Hennon on Twitter click here @georgehennon12

George Hennon would like to thank his sponsors SL Roofing and Alternative Insight and AAPM Construction and PR Manager Tim Rickson