Since Irrar Asif linked up with GBM Sports at the start of the year, the company has redefined the meaning of small-hall British promotion. With DAZN desperate for more intimate affairs and young, hungry talent to showcase alongside their large, Saudi-backed offerings, Asif brokered a deal that allowed GMB shows to broadcast globally on DAZN; as well as coverage by TalkSport, a key broadcaster in the United Kingdom.
And, their first show is a promising affair.
Super-featherweight Danny Quartermaine (11-0) has carved out a nice niche for himself as a key face of the promotion, moving on from a fairly underwhelming amateur career to excel in the professional ranks. Last time out, the effective Warwickshire native won the IBF European Super-Featherweight strap in a headlining contest against Alex Rat (17-7-2), who put up a spirited effort, but relented against Quartermaine, who cut Rat over the right eye.
The momentum does not seem to be slowing down for the busy super-featherweight as he looks to earn the vacant WBO European Super-Featherweight belt, whilst also putting his own on the line against Karim Guerfi (32-7), a Frenchman who has long since circled around the European level, earning the EBU belt at bantamweight and featherweight; other minor trinkets also line his arsenal.
However, with the gaze of those on DAZN watching on, Quartermaine will be determined and unrelenting in his approach.
Also on the card, more belts of this calibre are on the line as Nyall Berry (10-0) will be gunning to impress against unknown Italian quantity Francesco De Rosa (8-0), who will be taking a risky step-up by facing Berry, who is as ‘Non-Stop’ as his nickname would suggest.
Given that the IBF European Super-Featherweight title is on the line for this bout, both men will be eager to best the other in this brilliant competition.
Familiar Coventry resident River Wilson-Bent (16-4-2) will be making his return as he seeks to turn his 2024 around after suffering many setbacks in recent years against the likes of Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (16-1), Hamzah Sheeraz (20-0) and Tyler Denny (18-2-3).
Being positioned against struggling challenger Matt McCallum (7-3), Wilson-Bent is being set-up to succeed under the new promotional banner, after being fed to higher talent in other promotional outfits.
Hughie Fury (28-3) will also make an appearance as he continues to mount a successful comeback, having two successful scraps against Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (10-16-1) and Patrick Korte (21-4-1).
Although his opponent has yet to be determined, it can be deduced that whoever is matched-up with the hungry heavyweight on this late notice will be in for a tricky night, come June 29th.
Overall, GMB Sports will be eager to prove themselves amongst the current crop of British small-hall promoters and, with successful and passionate names – and a DAZN partnership – it seems that now is the time for them to march ‘into the fire’.
