Former light heavyweight world title challenger Callum Johnson and Seanie Monaghan, both coming off losses to top opponents, will look to get back on track against each other.
Johnson and Monaghan will meet in a 10-round fight on March 9 (DAZN) at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Friday.
The fight will take place on a card that features a pair of world title bouts in light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol against Joe Smith Jr. in the main event and junior welterweight titlist Maurice Hooker against Mikkel LesPierre in the co-feature.
Former British and Commonwealth champion Johnson (17-1, 12 KOs), 33, of England, came within a whisker of winning a 175-pound world title in his last fight on Oct. 6 in Chicago, where he knocked down titlist Artur Beterbiev in the first round and had him in major trouble only to lose by fourth-round knockout in an all-action brawl.
"I was gutted in the Beterbiev fight. I was gutted because I felt the occasion maybe got to me, but I still had good moments in the fight, and I've learned a lot from it," Johnson said. "I know that if a second shot comes my way, I will be more than ready for it with the experience of Chicago behind me. Sean always puts everything into his fights, and he badly needs this win, just like I do, so there should be fireworks."
Monaghan (29-2, 17 KOs), 37, of Long Beach, New York, is coming off a one-sided decision loss to former world title challenger Sullivan Barrera on Nov. 3.
"I've had my eye on Callum since before the Beterbiev fight," Monaghan said. "He has a come-forward pressure style, and our styles should make for a fan-friendly fight. I know these Brits always come in shape, so I'm already working very hard. This is a fight I absolutely need to win. No excuses, it's do or die for me."