'Hammer Time' bill confirmed

12th May 2010

The full bill for Saturday's eagerly-anticipated 'Hammer Time' show has been confirmed by promoter Frank Warren.

West Ham United fan Kevin 'The Hammer' Mitchell's interim WBO World lightweight title fight with Australian Michael 'The Gladiator' Katsidis will be the main event, with the first bell scheduled to ring at 10pm.

The evening will kick-off nearly five hours earlier with Mitchell's younger brother Vinny taking on Daniel Thorpe in a super-featherweight contest.

In between, three of Great Britain's 2008 Beijing Olympics stars will take to the ring, including heavyweight James DeGale's challenge for the vacant WBA International super-middleweight belt.

A second Hammers supporter, Danny Williams, will defend his British heavyweight title against unbeaten challenger and fellow Londoner Derek Chisora.

In all, a total of 12 bouts are scheduled to rock the foundations of the Boleyn Ground on Saturday evening, with more than 20,000 fight fans expected through the turnstiles to cheer their heroes on.

Meanwhile, preparations to turn the football stadium into a boxing arena got under way on Wednesday morning, when protective flooring was placed over the pitch.

Further work will be carried out before Saturday's event, with the ring, canopy, lighting and surrounding seating being installed.

HAMMER TIME

Vinny Mitchell v Daniel Thorpe
Super-featherweight (four rounds)

Ryan Walsh v Eugene Heagney
Super-bantamweight (four rounds)

George Michael Carmen v Johnny Greaves
Welterweight (four rounds)

Billy Joe Saunders v Andy Butlin
Middleweight (six rounds)

Frankie Gavin v Gavin Tait
Light-welterweight (eight rounds)

Liam Walsh v Ibrar Riyaz
Super-featherweight (six rounds)

Craig Evans v Dan Carr
Super-featherweight (four rounds)

Ricky Burns v Yousef Al Hamidi
Super-featherweight (eight rounds)

James DeGale v Sam Horton
Vacant WBA International super-middleweight championship (12 rounds)

Freddie Turner v Duncan Cottier
Welterweight (four rounds)