Big Night for British Boxing Beckons: Previews and Predictions
Set aside Amir Khan’s world title clash with Marcos Maidana and the disappointment of an injured Wladimir Klitschko pulling out of facing Derek Chisora and there is still a sizzling night’s boxing ahead for British fight fans. Live from Liverpool’s Echo Arena, six of the country’s best pugilists will be looking to progress. James DeGale, Paul Smith, Nathan Cleverly, Matthew Macklin, Kell Brook and Tony Bellew are all on show and eager to take attention away from Amir Khan and Las Vegas.
Headlining the event is Olympic gold medalist James ‘Chunky’ DeGale as he takes on Liverpool’s very own rising star Paul Smith for the Scouser’s British super middleweight strap. This will be Smith’s second defense and third back to back fight in front of his home fans at the Echo arena. DeGale’s limited experience, having never progressed beyond five rounds in his eight fight career, is worrying. Smith is a shrewd operator who can out think opponents. Suffering only one loss out of thirty fights and gaining a wealth of experience in that time is certainly his way in. If Smith can cope with DeGale’s fast hands and accurate punching the Liverpool lad could well cause an upset. His two previous fights were impressive as he proved he could happily cope with the championship distance but DeGale will bring a hell of a lot more to the ring than Smith’s last two victims. I fancy DeGale in this one but think he may well have to dig deep and play the long game.
Prediction: DeGale win on points.
Welsh wizard Nathan Cleverly is considered by many in the know as the next superstar of the British game and his rapid rise from University student to WBO contender is nothing short of remarkable. He will now be facing Nadjib Mohammedi (23 (12)-1), the European belt holder, after the withdrawal of thirty-seven year old Spanish based Romanian, Alejandro Laktos, for the right to be the WBO’s number one contender. With the winner lined up to face either Jurgen Braehmer or Beibut Shumenov, following the pair’s unification bout in January, Cleverly must keep his mind focused as his goal of attaining world honors are right in front of him. I don’t however see the distraction of a major title fight affecting the Welshman, whose analytical brain both helps him discover opponents’ weaknesses in the ring, but also helps keep his feet on the ground. A fantastic tenth round destruction of the feared Karo Murat in September allowed the world to see Cleverly’s potential and another strong showing here would be a cert.
Prediction: Cleverly win via fourth round TKO.
Mathew Macklin will look to shine as he defends his European middleweight title against the Spaniard, Ruben Varon. Macklin will need to be sharp and focused as Varon does have a decent pedigree. He is a former European light middleweight champion who unsuccessfully challenged Felix Sturm for the WBO world middleweight title back in 2003. Like Cleverly, Macklin may well be looking past this fight with a bout against Germany’s IBF champion, Sebastian Sylvester, apparently in the pipeline. This may test Macklin’s desire as he will need to be solely focused on Varon. The Spaniard has however suffered five defeats in a forty fight career, two of which came against domestic opponents. Macklin knows Varon has weaknesses to exploit and if he is focused will win. While Varon can bang and has a wealth of experience to draw upon, the all action come forward style of Macklin should prevail. Varon is a limited fighter and Macklin, who boasts a strong chin, should be able to take whatever he throws at him. Macklin will look to utilize his jab and work-rate to subdue the Spaniard before proving his power with a KO shot.
Prediction: Macklin win via fifth round KO.
Sheffield’s Kell ‘Kid’ Brook is igniting rumors on both sides of the Atlantic as the British welterweight champion is apparently lined up as a possible opponent for the unbeaten American, Mike Jones. Much like Macklin and Cleverly, however, Brook will have to put rumors of future fights out of his head as he defends his WBO Inter-Continental bauble against the Ghanaian southpaw, Philip Kotey. With five defeats and two draws already against his name Kotey will start as a massive underdog but will hope to impose himself on Brook early on and take the ‘Kid’ out of his comfort zone, however this is easier said than done. Brook is flashy, skillful and unpredictable, exactly the type of boxer who thrives at the Ingle gym in Sheffield. The erratic talents of ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed and Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham both learned their distinctive styles at the gym, and Brook is built out of the same mould. With fast hands, an agile body and a passion for coming in at awkward angles, the ‘Kid’ often bamboozles opponents, even before he lands his powerful shots. Brook, undefeated in twenty-two bouts, should have no trouble with this less than prestigious opponent. I expect a fast start and should Kotey fail to cope with Brook’s style the ‘Kid’ may well have a short nights work ahead.
Prediction: Brook win via fourth round KO.
Tony Bellew will defend his Commonwealth light heavyweight title against the popular domestic slugger Ovil ‘The Upsetter’ McKenzie. Bellew has been somewhat of an enigma of late. The Liverpool lad was sensational in March, destroying Atoli Moore in one round, to become the Commonwealth light heavyweight champion. Since then he produced a dull and disappointing points victory over Bob Ajisafe, in which all sorts of weaknesses were highlighted. Britain’s top light heavyweight Nathan Cleverly was commentating on this bout and could hardly keep a straight face when Bellew announced he was gunning for the Welshman. Yet the Ajisafe fight apart, Bellew is a talented fighter. He has KO power but is very raw and certainly needs to work on stamina, footwork and most importantly patience. Despite suffering nine losses in a twenty nine fight career McKenzie is known as ‘The Upsetter’ and will be hoping to live up to his self professed nickname. Against the odds McKenzie won the prizefighter tournament in 2009, and believes he is in the best form of his life. But his unsophisticated come forward and fight approach will suit Bellew down to the ground. McKenzie doesn’t have the stamina to take Bellew the distance but I predict an explosive first few rounds in which both fighters will land leather, followed by Bellew taking control and ending the bout.
Prediction: Bellew win via seventh round TKO.
