James Tennyson agreed to a European title fight v Martin J Ward

James Tennyson [21(17)-2(2)] had agreed to fight Martin J Ward in a European super featherweight title fight on April 14th revealed promoter Mark Dunlop.

The WBA world #4 was set to challenge the Matchroom fighter for a strap won versus Juli Giner in December, on the proposed Katie Taylor homecoming card in Dublin.

However, rather than fight at the 3Arena on April 14th, WBA lightweight champion Taylor will now try and become a unified champion when she takes on IBF titleholder Victoria Noelia Bustos at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday April 28th.

The knock-on effect of this Dublin date falling through has been substantial in relation to some of the proposed undercard fights. A Jono Carroll v Deco Geraghty rematch has returned to the long finger, Conrad Cummings v Luke Keeler has been moved up North, and a Paul Hyland Jr v Stephen Ormond repeat looks off the table.

Now MHD Promotions boss Mark Dunlop has revealed another major fight that Dublin has missed out on – although we may not have to wait too long to see Martin J Ward v James Tennyson.

A fight on the Tony Bellew v David Haye pay-per-view rematch card had been suggested by Eddie Hearn – who has promised undercard announcements next week – however, in the meantime, Tennyson is slated to keep busy on April 14th.

‘The Assassin’ will trade leather on the undercard of Paul Hyland’s clash with two-time BBBoC Southern Floyd Moore on the ‘Collision’ card at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

MHD boss Dunlop claims the big punching super featherweight is, for now, content to keep busy until the right offer lands on the table.

“James is a very very dedicated young man, he does not want to sit idle and wait for the big nights. He is happy to keep fighting and stay in shape,” said promoter Mark Dunlop when speaking to Belfast Live.

“It’s ironic that he returns on April 14th as this was the night he was meant to face Ward for the European title in Dublin before the Katie Taylor homecoming show was shelved.”

While Ward may perhaps be the most financially appealing option, Tennyson remains firmly in the world title frame. The Poleglass 24-year-old turned down a low-money offer to face WBC champion Miguel Berchelt last month in Mexico, but could find himself in line for a shot at the WBA belt soon.

Champion Alberto Machado is due to defend against Ghanaian Rafael Mensah, with an undercard slot on the Gennady Golovkin v Canelo Alvarez rematch card in Las Vegas on Saturday May 5th. Negotiations though for this fight have been fractious and Tennyson, who is set to climb the rankings regardless, is remaining sharp just in case.

There are different options and different routes – and all should become clearer over the next fortnight – but, for now, Tennyson is due to fight next at the Europa Hotel.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)