The Skydome in Coventry hosts a night of championship action this Friday night, with the value for money Sam Eggington defending his WBC Silver middleweight title against France’s Bilel Jkitou.
Eggington (30-7, 18 KOs) and Jkitou (15-0, 6 KOs) headline the latest Mick Hennessy bill, live on Channel 5.
‘The Savage’ has had a long, hard career at just 27-years-old and he is looking to push towards a possible world title shot, with his WBC belt also doubling as a ranking builder.
Eggington served as British, Commonwealth and European champion at welterweight, but lost his way after losing his European belt to Mohamed Mimoune in October 2017, and was then subsequently stunned by Hasan Mwakinyo in two rounds in September 2018 after a move up to super welterweight.
Two fights later, the Birmingham man was halted by Liam Smith in five rounds, and it looked as though he may be on the slide, but four straight wins, including an impressive away win in Italy, got his career back on track.
However, a loss in a thriller to Ted Cheeseman via a tight points reverse forced a rethink, and a move from Matchroom to Hennessy Sports.
From there, Eggington stopped Ashley Theophane in six rounds in December 2020, and, in his last fight, he picked up the vacant belt he now owns with a points win over another veteran in Carlos Molina at the same Coventry venue that he appears in this weekend.
Jkitou is a young and hungry fighter, and will be looking rip the belt away.
The Nanterre native has gone both ten and twelve round distances, that should hold him in good stead here, and he has won WBC Mediterranean and Francophone straps in his career thus far.
The visitor last fought in March, stopping Gyorgy Mizsei in two rounds in his hometown.
!! FIGHT WEEK !!
Weigh in Thursday!
Last couple of days to purchase tickets..Ticket link…https://t.co/BO6Y7tjI2d pic.twitter.com/dPQDmeVwtT
— Sam Eggington (@eggington_sam) September 6, 2021
Prediction: Although unbeaten, this will be a big step-up for Jkitou, with Eggington a pressure fighter that constantly comes forward. The visitor may hang in there, but he should be soundly defeated on the scorecards.
Pitters faces Daku
Former British champion, Shakan Pitters (15-1, 5 KOs) continues his rebuild, and the Birmingham light heavyweight takes on Farouk Daku (21-18-1, 9 KOs).
Pitters lost his Lonsdale Belt in a thrilling ninth round stoppage loss to Craig Richards in December 2020, and returned in May to stop Jermaine Springer in five.
Prediction: Daku has lost nine of his last ten, and Pitters can remove Daku from battle in around four or five frames.
Wilson Bent clashes with Janjanin
River Wilson Bent (9-0, 5 KOs) has impressed on Hennessy Sports shows recently, and, after picking up the Midlands Area title, the Coventry middleweight now takes on continental opposition in the form of Bosnia’s Sladan Janjanin.
Wilson Bent’s last two fights have saw him end the unbeaten records of Troy Coleman and George Farrell in three and seven rounds respectively, and Janjanin (29-8, 23 KOs) is a good step-up for him.
The visitor has gone the distance with the likes of Martin Murray in the past, but he has been stopped in five of his eight losses.
Prediction: Wilson Bent can add to this with an inside schedule victory.
McKenna meets Gary
Welterweight Stephen McKenna (8-0, 8 KOs) puts his perfect knockout record on the line, and the Irishman will attempt to end the evening early of France’s Moussa Gary (11-3-2, 1 KO).
Gary has only been stopped early once in 16 contests.
Prediction: McKenna, 24, is a special talent, and he can deal with Gary in a few rounds.
Benjamin tackles Putkonen
Kaisee Benjamin is also in action, and the Birmingham welterweight has an assignment against Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen (17-7-2, 7 KOs).
Benjamin (12-1-1, 3 KOs) has won five in a row since a March 2019 draw with Danny Ball, while Putkonen has lost four of his last six contests.
Prediction: Benjamin can take this one early on.
McGinty faces Ulys
Irish middleweight, Brett McGinty (2-0) should be able to extend his winning run against the winless Lukas Ulys (0-2), but may need the distance.
Chamberlain, Virgo, Welch, Hennessy Jr feature
Isaac Chamberlain (12-1, 6 KOs), Idris Virgo (10-0-1, 1 KO), Tommy Welch (4-0, 4 KOs) and Michael Hennessy Jr (6-1-1) are also all set to see action, with opponents to be confirmed.
