Jack Rafferty lands world title shot

Jack Rafferty lands world title shot

Undefeated Brit Jack Rafferty (27-0-1, 18 KOs) will fight for the vacant IBO World welterweight title against Hovhannes Martirosyan (20-1, 12 KOs) on November 7 in Manchester, live on DAZN.

The welterweights will clash on the Joshua Buatsi-Willy Hutchinson undercard at the AO Arena.

Rafferty is 31 from nearby Shaw and has won British, Commonwealth and WBC International Silver Super-lightweight titles during his nine-year career.

Following a draw with Mark Chamberlain in August 2025, the 'Demolition Man' moved up to welterweight and stopped in-form Ekow Essuman, not long after Essuman had sent Josh Taylor into retirement.

Belgian champion Martirosyan, 34 from Genk, has won IBO International and IBO Inter-Continental titles before.

He has only lost once in his career - to future IBO World super-lightweight champion, Pierce O'Leary.

The vacant IBO World welterweight title up for grabs was recently in the hands of Jaron Ennis, but has only been won by one British boxer in the past - Jawaid Khaliq. The Nottingham boxing legend held the title over two reigns during 2001-2004.

The rough, rugged Rafferty will be favourite to bring the belt back to Britain.

DID YOU KNOW? The IBO World welterweight title on the line originated in 1993 and has been held by the likes of champions Roger Mayweather and his nephew Floyd Mayweather.