Former UFC welterweight title contender Darren Till is set to embark on a new journey as he transitions from MMA to professional boxing. The 31-year-old fighter from Liverpool, England, will be making his boxing debut against former WBC world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The fight is scheduled for six rounds and will take place on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This bout will mark Till’s first foray into the world of professional boxing following a successful career in the UFC, where he competed in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
After beginning his MMA career with an impressive record of 17-0-1, Till faced a series of setbacks, including losses to notable fighters such as Jorge Masvidal, Robert Whittaker, and current UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. His most recent fight in the Octagon was against du Plessis in December 2022, which ended in a defeat for Till. Despite rumors of a potential move to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships to challenge Mike Perry, Till ultimately decided to pursue a career in professional boxing. Expressing his excitement for the upcoming bout, Till stated, “I am coming to knock him [Chavez Jr.] out in the first round. I am happy with where I am in life, and I am coming to make a statement on July 20th in Texas.”
On the other side of the ring, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will be looking to assert himself as a formidable opponent as he faces Till in the upcoming bout. The son of legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Chavez Jr. has faced challenges in stepping out of his father’s shadow despite his own achievements in the sport. As the first Mexican fighter to win the WBC middleweight title in 2011, Chavez Jr. has defended the championship multiple times before ultimately losing it to Sergio Martinez.
Throughout his career, Chavez Jr. has encountered setbacks and criticisms regarding his dedication to the sport. Despite suffering losses to fighters like Andrzej Fonfara, Canelo Alvarez, and Daniel Jacobs, Chavez Jr. remains focused on rewriting his narrative and reclaiming his status as a champion. Expressing his determination ahead of the fight, Chavez Jr. declared, “I was the first Mexican middleweight champion in the history of Mexico and want to prove that I can again become a champion. My return to the ring at this historic event is an honor. On Saturday, July 20, I’m going to win by KO and continue my journey.”
In addition to the highly anticipated matchup between Till and Chavez Jr., the Paul-Tyson card will also feature a compelling lightweight battle between two rising prospects – Ashton “H2O” Sylve and Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield. Sylve, hailed as the next big star in boxing, holds an impressive record of 11-0 with 9 knockouts. The 20-year-old prospect recently secured a unanimous decision victory over Estivan Falcao and is eager to continue his winning streak.
His opponent, Floyd Schofield, enters the ring with an undefeated record of 17-0, with 12 knockouts to his name. The 21-year-old fighter made his professional debut in 2020 and has since impressed with his dominant performances in the lightweight division. Despite a recent bout that was marred by his opponent’s disqualification, Schofield remains focused on climbing the ranks and securing a title shot in the near future.
The matchup between Sylve and Schofield promises to be an exciting showdown between two young talents vying for recognition in the competitive world of boxing. Both fighters understand the significance of this bout in shaping their careers and are determined to showcase their skills on July 20. The outcome of this fight could potentially chart a new course for either fighter, propelling them closer to championship contention in the lightweight division.
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