Professional boxing returns to Swindon on Saturday 19th September as Neilson Boxing stages an 11-fight professional card at MECA, bringing together some of Wiltshire’s established fighters and emerging talent.
The show is headlined by Calne’s Connor Gray, who takes on Arnie Dawson in a 10-round Super Lightweight English title eliminator, while Swindon’s Jensen Irving returns to fight in his hometown.
Another major local story will see Klayson Young make his professional debut, following in the footsteps of his father, former Swindon champion Kelvin “Young Gun” Young.
CALNE’S CONNOR GRAY CLOSING IN ON ENGLISH TITLE OPPORTUNITY
At the top of the bill, Wiltshire’s Connor Gray faces Arnie Dawson over 10 rounds in a Super Lightweight English title eliminator.
Gray, from Calne, who boasts an impressive 17-1-1 record, has developed from prospect to contender during his professional career and now gets the opportunity to move another significant step towards an English title challenge.
The southpaw has become a familiar face on Neilson Boxing shows and previously fought 12 of his 19 fights at MECA, including a successful Commonwealth Title challenge in Swindon in 2024.
SWINDON’S JENSEN IRVING BACK IN HIS HOMETOWN
There will be further local interest when Swindon boxer Jensen Irving steps into the ring against Muhammad Akram.
Fighting in front of his hometown crowd gives Irving the opportunity to add another chapter to his professional career on one of Swindon’s biggest nights of boxing this year.
YOUNG GUN JR – KLAYSON YOUNG BEGINS HIS PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening for Swindon boxing fans will come when Klayson Young makes his professional debut against Jacob Marrer.
Klayson is the son of former Swindon professional Kelvin “Young Gun” Young, who became one of the town’s best-known fighters during a professional career spanning 28 contests.
Kelvin compiled an 18-8-2 professional record and became a two-time Southern Area champion and IBO Inter-Continental champion.
He won and defended the Southern Area title in front of his home supporters in Swindon and went on to capture IBO Inter-Continental honours, now it is his son’s turn.
Klayson arrives in the professional ranks following his own impressive amateur career and will make his professional debut in the same town where his father’s career produced some of its biggest nights.
The father-and-son story adds another generational element to an event promoted by a family whose own boxing history is deeply connected with Swindon.
THREE GENERATIONS OF THE NEILSON FAMILY
Neilson Boxing was founded by former local professional boxer Eddie Neilson, beginning a family involvement in boxing that has now extended across three generations.
Eddie’s son, Mark Neilson, continued that involvement as a professional boxing promoter and manager and has spent more than a decade staging professional shows and developing fighters through the professional ranks.
Today the next generation is involved too, with Kyle Neilson – Eddie’s grandson and Mark’s nephew – working alongside Mark at Neilson Boxing.
It means Saturday’s show brings together two different Swindon boxing families whose involvement in the sport has passed from one generation to the next.
Neilson Boxing promoter and manager Mark Neilson said: “There is a real sense of Swindon and Wiltshire boxing history around this show.
“My dad Eddie started the Neilson name in boxing here, I’ve been fortunate enough to continue that journey as a promoter and manager, and now Kyle, Dad’s grandson and my nephew, is part of what we’re building.
“Then you have Klayson making his professional debut. I remember Kelvin’s career and the big nights he had as a champion, so seeing his son starting his own professional journey at MECA is a great story for Swindon boxing.
“We’ve also got Jensen Irving representing Swindon and Connor Gray from Calne headlining in an English title eliminator. Connor has come a long way since we first put him on our shows, and this is a really important fight for him.
This documentary takes you behind the scenes to see what it really takes to scale up a promotional powerhouse—managing high-stakes main events like Harlem Eubank vs. David Papot, handling fight-week friction, and navigating the harsh financial realities of British boxing.
“We’ve got 11 professional contests scheduled and a great mixture of established fighters, prospects and a debutant beginning his journey. We’re looking forward to another fantastic atmosphere at MECA.”
PACKED 11-FIGHT CARD
The remainder of the card sees Antonio Soares face Kasey Brandum, along with some of the area’s best talent including Cheltenham’s undefeated Louis Bacon, Gloucester’s Shaq Marks, Charlie Ryder meet Stefan Vincent, McKenzie Hand face Cesar Ignacia Parades, Kiall Goodhall take on Artem Pugach, and debutant Amelia Barker faces the experienced Kerry Orton. Jordan Di Carluccio is also scheduled for a six-round Light Heavyweight contest, with his opponent to be confirmed.
Over the past decade, Neilson Boxing has staged professional boxing events across the UK and developed fighters who have gone on to compete for and win honours at Area, English, British, Commonwealth and IBO World level.
On Saturday 19th September, the focus returns to where the Neilson boxing story began – Swindon and Wiltshire – for another major night of professional boxing.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Venue: MECA, Swindon
Tickets: Click HERE.
Website: https://neilsonboxing.co.uk/
Entertainment Swindon 
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