Junaid Bostan eyes Yorkshire derby battle in near future

JUNAID BOSTAN and Ishmael Davis spoke of their desire to fight one another after Bostan’s win in Manchester last night.

The first-ever boxing event at the Co-op Live Arena was headlined by Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis, but on the undercard, Bostan caught the eye with a classy performance against Maico Sommariva. The Rotherham super-welterweight ended the fight midway through round three with a crunching uppercut to the body that the Argentinian couldn’t recover from.

At Thursday’s press conference the 22-year-old was clearly a frustrated figure at not being active enough in 2024 but last night he gave a glimpse into a potentially exciting 2025.

“There’s two belts I want in this career. The British title and the world title. By the end of the next year I’ll have the British title,” he said in his post-fight interview.

Bostan was joined by promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom stable-mate Ishmael Davis during the conversation. And Hearn spoke of his desire to make Bostan vs. Davis.

“I think it’s one of the best fights in British boxing,” he said.

“I think we’ve got the two best domestic 154-pounders in Junaid and Ishmael. I’d just to love see them fight. I know Junaid would take that fight, I know Ishmael would take that fight.”

Bostan commented that the stock of Davis, from Leeds, has gone up since his defeat to Josh Kelly last month at Wembley Stadium having taken the fight at short notice.

Ishmael Davis (R) beat Troy Williamson (L) in March but lost to Josh Kelly in September at short notice. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

“Nowt but respect for Junaid,” Davis said.

“Top talent. Me and Junaid are definitely a headline fight or co-main and we need to be doing it for nowt less than the British so Eddie get me them fights, get me that British…”

The British super-welterweight title is currently in the hands of Sam Gilley who made a successful first defence against Jack McGann on October 18. Gilley is expected to fight Louis Greene later this year in a rematch from their first encounter 12 months ago.

Hearn admitted he would like Davis to fight for the British and have Bostan fight once or twice more before a potential Yorkshire derby between the two.

“When it happens, it happens,” Bostan said.

“The first time me and Ish’ sparred, we touched gloves and we laughed at each other. We went, when we fight let’s get paid.”

Davis then told Hearn, “Eddie, I want the British and we can do it.”

“I think they’re right it could be a headline fight,” Hearn said. “Sheffield Arena, Leeds Arena, we’ll get there.”