It’s the seventh instalment of the successful Ultimate Boxxer tournament this Tuesday night from the BT Sport Studios in London.
ITV4 get on board to allow the bill to be viewed on terrestrial UK television alongside BT Sport who are also broadcasting the event.
It’s a different twist on the usual eight man tournament. The latest tournament is a four man affair, with a quartet of Super Middleweights going for the Golden Robe and the lion’s share of the prize pool.
Rather than three, three minute rounds all the way through, the semi finals will be the traditional distance, but the final will be contested over five rounds.
There are some quality domestic operators in the field, and here, I go through the runners and riders, and try to pick a winner.
Zak Chelli (7-1-1, KO3)
Fulham-based Chelli is still only 22, but has some decent scalps on his record and has arguably the best pedigree of the four combatants here.
Big at the weight with heavy hands, Chelli is a former Southern Area Champion. His only loss came in moving up to Light Heavyweight, although he dropped Kody Davies before losing a close decision.
His last fight came in August, where he was held to a draw in the Matchroom back garden by Jack Cullen, in a fight it looked as though he had done enough to win.
Ben Ridings (3-0, KO0)
Bury’s Ben Ridings is the unknown quantity in the field, and the Kieran Farrell managed and trained Lancastrian was due to appear in the Ultimate Boxxer tournament scheduled for April 2020 before the Pandemic took hold.
Ridings has a hat trick of four-round points wins, and at only 22 with little professional experience, It’s a big ask for him to be crowned the winner.
Prediction: Although these tournaments are unpredictable, I can’t see past Zak Chelli, as he has boxed at a much higher level and is huge for the weight.
Much will depend on the draw, but barring disaster, my money is on Chelli to take the top prize.
Previous winners of the tournament are in action on the bill, with Mikael Lawal (12-0, KO7) who won the fourth edition of the competition, taking on Ossie Jervier (6-13, KO5) at Cruiserweight in a six-rounder.
Event three winner, Derrick Osaze (10-0, KO2) faces off with John Telford (11-2-1, KO2) at Middleweight, also over six rounds.
The Albanian-born Londoner with the big following, Florian Marku (6-0, KO4) has a Welterweight contest scheduled for six against Muma Mweemba (4-1, KO2).
Finally, former Love Island winner, Jack Fincham, makes his professional debut at Light Heavyweight under the guidance of Ben Davison, and he meets Richard Harrison (4-44, KO0) over four.
