Munroe-Martinez rematch set

Rendall Munroe has landed home advantage for his European super-bantamweight title defence against old rival Kiko Martinez. The Leicester binman, 28, will make his fourth title defence against the Spaniard (20-1) at Barnsley Metrodome on February 27.

Promoter Frank Maloney managed to lure the mandatory challenger to England with a big enough offer, but he refused to fight in Rendall’s beloved East Midlands.

Brook surprisingly given green light to defend British title

By Ben Carey

Sheffield switch-hitter Kell Brook will make the second defence of his British welterweight title against Stuart Elwell at York Hall in Bethnal Green on January 30. The 31-year-old Elwell, 12-3 (2), has been handed this shock opportunity despite losing two of his last three contests by stoppage, against former European light-welterweight champion Ted Bami and unbeaten Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko.

The Walsall southpaw did rebound with a six-rounds points win over the previously unbeaten Paul Burns in November, though Burns was a relative novice of 11-fights and has three draws on his record. Elwell’s other defeat came on points against John O’Donnell in March 2007 when he challenged for the vacant English title.

Edwards tops Stoke bill as Napa pulls out of European defence

Chris Edwards has been given a double boost at the expense of the unlucky Ian Napa.

Stoke-on-Trent warrior Chris, 32, will now top the bill in his hometown at Fenton Manor Sports Complex on Friday January 23 when he challenges Wayne Bloy (5-3-1) for the vacant British flyweight championship. Their match-up will now be a double title battle with the vacant Commonwealth crown also on the line.

Londoner Napa was meant to headline the Potteries card but went down with a severe bout of flu over Christmas and has been forced to withdraw from his European bantamweight title defence.