An exciting Matchroom bill will see former Olympian Josh Kelly co headline alongside lightweight boxer Lewis Ritson this weekend. The show will be hosted at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. Welterweight, Kelly takes on Australian Kris George for the Commonwealth welterweight title. The night of boxing will also see Ritson try and defend his British Lightweight Title against Paul Hyland JR.
Ritson looks to impress in title defence.
Ritson captured his Lightweight Title back in October, by way of stoppage over opponent Robbie Barrett, He now faces a tough match up in Hyland who is the mandatory for the British crown. The star from Belfast is unbeaten in his 18 fights, landing the IBF European title, back in June 2017 along the way. Ritson (24) is no doubt facing a stern test in Hyland JR, but will be full of confidence after his recent performances, including a first round overhaul of rival Joe Murray back in February.
Fight prediction: Lewis Ritson to win by KO in the third. Hyland is on a very good run himself, but I do believe Ritson will go on and achieve big things in the Lightweight division and ultimately his skill and power will prove to be too much for Hyland.
One for the future: Josh Kelly faces Kris George in commonwealth bout.
The event features Kelly putting his WBA international title on the line, which he won off the back of a unanimous decision win against former IBF world champion, Carlos Molina back in March. The bout will no doubt be the biggest fight of Kris Georges career in Briton Kelly. Kellys trainer, Adam Booth describes the 24 year old as the most talented fighter he has ever worked with and has been tipped to be a future world champion by many involved in the boxing world. The star from Sunderland is aiming to earn his second title on Saturday night from what will be only his seventh professional fight. Australian, George (28) is however more than happy to take on the so called ‘underdog’ status, as he plans to cause a major upset on the 16th of June.
Fight prediction: Josh Kelly to win by way of stoppage, Within the first six rounds. I believe Kelly will be too fast and too classy for his opponent, who I don’t feel has the power to finish the fight, I see him missing and Kelly making him pay.
McDonnell and Hall go head to head.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn seems to have provided the crowd on Tyneside with a bumper set of fights to support the co headlining bouts. Former world title competitor Gavin McDonnell will go head to head against Stuart Hall, where he looks to defend his WBC international Super – Bantamweight crown. The matchup between the two fighters has a fair amount of history and drama behind it. Gavins twin brother Jamie has already beaten former world champion Hall back in 2011 and after gaining a world title two years later, Hall has been wanting the rematch ever since. The former IBF champ will also want to get the win to avenge Gamal Yafai, who trains at the same gym as Hall. Yafai lost out to Gavin McDonnell in March where in what was a sublime performance, the Doncaster fighter picked up the belt he defends this weekend.
Fight prediction: McDonnell to win by unanimous decision: Gavin caused a huge upset when he fought Gamal Yafai and I believe he will get the win vs Hall. I feel a few years ago, this fight might have been a lot closer, but Hall now has a lot of miles on the clock. I see the slight weight advantage and freshness that McDonnell possesses being enough to get him the win.
The vacant WBA continental Super-flyweight title will be on the line in what is a vital matchup for former world title challenger Charlie Edwards, who takes on Anthony Nelson. English Cruiserweight champion Arfan Iqbal will also be in action against Simon Vallily in what hopes to be an epic night of boxing in Newcastle.
Fight prediction: Charlie Edwards to win by decision, I believe this fight will be very competitive but Edwards will edge it and get the decision win.
I believe that Arfan Iqbal will get the decision win over his opponent, Iqbal is young, confident and unbeaten, I don’t believe he has the power to stop the fight but the decision win will be unanimous.
