The second instalment of Matchroom’s Fight Camp sees a vacant world title up for grabs in the main event this Saturday night, as Kid Galahad and James ‘Jazza’ Dickens rematch for the vacant IBF featherweight title, live on DAZN.
Quite a lot has happened since Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) turned back the spirited effort of Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) to score a tenth round stoppage in their September 2013 meeting, for the vacant British super bantamweight crown.
The 31-year-old won an IBF eliminator with a clear points win against Toka Kahn Clary in October 2018, and that set up a shot at Josh Warrington’s world title in June 2019.
In what was a scrappy, hard to watch clash in Leeds, a fair few made a case for the Sheffield man winning the fight, but he went down via split decision for his first pro loss.
His last bout came in February 2020, where he immediately gained back his number one contender status with an eighth round retirement win against Claudio Marrero.
Dickens has also been climbing the IBF rankings, and has gone from strength to strength since back-to-back losses to Guillermo Rigondeaux and Thomas Patrick Ward respectively in 2016 and 2017.
The Liverpudlian has won eight on the bounce since, culminating in an MTK Golden Contract tournament win in December 2020.
Wins over Carlos Ramos (UD10) and now WBA featherweight world champion, Leigh Wood (MD10), set up a final meeting with long-serving British champion, Ryan Walsh, and ‘Jazza’ controlled the action in the main in an impressive points win.
Prediction: This could be a close-run affair, as both have come on in leaps and bounds since their original meeting. Galahad’s elusive, switch hitting skills is often hard for opponents to digest.
I think he will have enough in his box of tricks to take this one, but it could well be a tight and close win on the scorecards, as Dickens will be a tough nut to crack.
Wardley clashes with Webb
The undercard is quite low key, but there should be plenty of fun to be found at heavyweight. Fabio Wardley (11-0, 10 KOs) is coming off a fifth round knockout win against former two-time world title challenger, Eric Molina and he now defends his English title against Nick Webb.
Webb (17-2, 13 KOs). won the vacant IBO International belt on the same bill with a surprise second round stoppage of Erik Pfeifer.
Prediction: This should be entertaining while it lasts, but Wardley is spiteful puncher, and Webb can be hurt, so I expect Fabio to retain within four.
Babic meets Bennett
Alen Babic (7-0, 7 KOs) also features here, and the popular Croatian heavyweight meets Mark Bennett (7-1, 1 KO).
Prediction: Babic has blasted out all of his previous opponents, and he should be able to do the same here against Bennett, whose sole loss came in his last fight in an Ultimate Boxxer points loss to the aforementioned Nick Webb.
Bridges returns after Courtenay defeat
Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) has gained something of a cult following, and saw her reputation enhanced in her failed bid for the WBA bantamweight title last time out against Shannon Courtenay.
The Australian appears here against the always value for money Bec Connolly.
Connolly (3-9) should benefit from a full training camp this time, as she has provided late notice opposition for a number of up-and-coming prospects.
Prediction: I think this will be closer than a lot expect, and Bridges can get the nod by a close decision.
Fisher and Fiaz in action
Jonny Fisher (2-0, 2 KOs) is another heavyweight prospect in action, who looks to extend his unbeaten streak against Josh Sandland (5-3-1).
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Prediction: ‘The Romford Bull’ should be able to keep up his perfect knockout record in his bout with Sandland, who has lost each of his last two starts.
Aqib Fiaz (6-0) is in with Ecuador-born Spaniard, Kevin Baldospino (9-5-2, 1 KO), over six at Lightweight.
Prediction: Baldospino has never been stopped and Fiaz is yet to record an inside the distance win, so the smart money is for Fiaz to take a wide points victory.
