LEO Fanthome feels like he is ‘living in a dream’ with the Redditch fighter due to fight on Zuffa Boxing’s first-ever UK card this weekend with the bout live on Sky Sports.
Fanthome, nicknamed ‘The Lionheart’ features as a late replacement and will fight Alex MacMillan on the preliminary card at the Bournemouth International Centre.
The Redditch fighter has a 7-2 record in the pro ranks while opponent MacMillan boasts a perfect 3-0 record.
And the six-round welterweight match-up will kick-off the action with the card headlined by former world champion Chris Billam-Smith’s cruiserweight bout against Canada’s Ryan Rozicki.
Fanthome only stepped in to take the bout during fight week owing to MacMillan’s original opponent Tyler Rivers pulling out due to circumstances beyond the fighter’s control.
The event marks UFC-owned Zuffa Boxing’s first-ever show outside of the United States of America.
And with the show to take place live on Sky Sports, Fanthome felt the opportunity to fight on the card was too good to turn down.
Fanthome said: “I got a call from my manager earlier this week saying that a lad had pulled out of this massive Zuffa Sky Sports boxing show in Bournemouth.
“It’s the first show they’ve ever done in the UK and Chris Billam-Smith is headlining the show.
“Straightaway I said to my manager: ‘would you be able to get me on it?’
“And he said: ‘Leo, it’s big money and bucket list stuff. If you want it, you can have it.’
“I said yes so I packed my bags straightaway and drove down from Redditch to Bournemouth.
“I’ve been doing media days, the ceremonial weigh-in and press conferences.
“I am a late notice replacement and in the away side but I really do fancy it and I’m game, strong and fit.
“This is stuff I’ve dreamt of and feel like I’m living in a dream.”
Sky Sports will broadcast the event live on Saturday, June 6 with Fanthome to take to the ring at around 5pm.
Fanthome has won his last three fights on points and faces the toughest test of his career to date in Bournemouth.
Opponent MacMillan has won two of his three pro fights by TKO and last took to the ring in March while Fanthome boxed as recently as last month.
Fanthome works at Goodstock Gym in Studley as a coach and personal trainer.
The other fights on the card include Jack Massey versus Chev Clarke with the bout the co-main event.
Lee Cutler faces off against Aaron Sutton while Stevie McKenna fights Casey Streeter and Sam Hickey trades off against Todd Tompkins in the other main card bouts.
Following Fanthome’s fight, Leon Hughes takes on Mario Vergiev while Harvey Dykes faces Ivan Dychko in the other preliminary card bouts.
