'Pretty Boy' will take aim at the IBF light-middleweight crown just up the road from his native Sunderland, seeking to place himself amongst the history books.

If he succeeds, not only will he join a small band of current stars flying the flag for his home country, but an even rarer band of North-East champions to boot.

Ahead of his latest test, DAZN News looks back on some of the biggest fighters to come out of the region, ranging from two-weight queens to unsung heroes.

Glenn McCrory

'The Gentleman' was a familiar face on the journeyman circuit for much of his early career, but he made history in 1989 when he achieved a major first at cruiserweight.

McCrory defeated Patrick Lumumba to win the vacant IBF title, and become the first Briton to hold a world title in the division, kickstarting a proud lineage of champions.

He would lose it nine months later to Jeff Lampkin and, following a second-round loss to Lennox Lewis, retired in 1993 after a bid to regain the strap against Alfred Cole.

Savannah Marshall

The Hartlepool-born star may have clocked less than a dozen-and-a-half professional fights, but with titles in two weight classes, she has certainly left a lasting mark so far

Marshall first conquered the middleweight division with a 2020 win over Hannah Rankin for the vacant WBO crown, before losing an undisputed bout with Claressa Shields.

PFL

Undeterred, she promptly stepped up to super-middleweight and swept all four belts there against Franchón Crews-Dezurn in 2023, though she is currently without belts.

Stuart Hall

Born in Darlington and with a mean power behind his frame, 'Stuey' was a regular face across the bantamweight division for a stirring decade between 2008 and 2018.

During that time, he claimed the IBF crown against Vusi Malinga in Leeds back in late 2013, defending it once before he lost it to domestic rival Paul Butler six months on.

Hall made two further bids for the belt two years apart in 2014 and 2016, but came up short in decisions against Randy Caballero and Lee Haskins on both occasions.

John Davison

Arguably the finest Newcastle fighter to never become world champion in the modern era, Davison operated with success at domestic level between 1988 and 1993.

Twenty fights were packed into his five-year run, with the star claiming several minor belts and the British featherweight title in 1992 against Tim Driscoll along the way.

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His one world title shot came in his penultimate bout, when he was defeated by Steve Robinson for the WBO crown. He retired after a loss to Duke McKenzie the same year.

Troy Williamson

Like Davison, the Darlington fighter is yet to taste world title glory - but were it not for an impending rematch, he could well have had his opportunity in the sun this year.

Williamson upset Callum Simpson in Leeds last December to take the British super-middleweight title, and was in line for a shot at the IBF crown with Osleys Iglesias.

However, a clause that tied him to a second dance with his domestic rival was subsequently activated. Williamson will hope he can further climb the ranks in 2026 though.

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