By Jonathon Fell: Following the fantastic week we got last week in Las Vegas, boxing now switches its attention to more modest climes. Hidalgo, Texas, USA & Birmingham, England respectively.
On these shows you will see two stalwarts of British boxing over the past decade who are giving it one last crack in an attempt to land a world title. For Matthew Macklin (record) his first and for Ricky Burns, to capture a version of a Lightweight crown.
Both fighters under the Matchroom stable have found themselves not short of options and opportunities to reach the pinnacle of their sport over the past 12 months. While Burns surrendered his WBO strap to one of the sports rising starts, Terence Crawford. Macklin has sought to reignite his career, basing himself in his native UK as opposed to the US over the past year.
Firstly, Ricky Burns 37 – 4 – 1 this weekend will tackle the unbeaten Omar Figueroa 24 – 0 – 1 in a fight at 140lb. Matchroom sport must be commended for landing this shot for Burns who since fighting Raymundo Beltran in 2013 coming out with a highly disputed draw has not seemed the same fighter. Crawford dominated him, he then lost to Dejan Zlaticanin in a really poor performance, he then made his debut at Light welterweight in a drab bout, there was then talk of Burns returning to lightweight but this opportunity to get back in the world mix has no doubt persuaded him to stay at 140lb.
Matthew Macklin 31 – 6 meanwhile takes part in very much a tune up bout in the slightly more humble surroundings of Birmingham, England. Macklin will take on Ferenc Albert with a questionable record of 12 – 7 in his first fight since a sickening knockout loss to Jorge Sebastian Heiland in 2014 which was an eliminator for the WBC Middleweight title. In a fight in front of his home crowd in Dublin, Ireland, this was a fight he was expected to win. In reality, Macklin looked a little slow, fleshy and quite frankly not ready for another world title shot. The knockout was worrying and reminded me of the Tommy Coyle knockout of Michael Katsidis where Katsidis appeared to have lost all punch resistance. A consequence of a tough, tough career. I fear the same fate lies in store for Matthew when he again challenges at world level.
For me it seems that both Macklin and Burns are in a similar position and 2015 will hold a similar path for them. Both now the wrong side of 30, having had tough careers and suffered some damaging defeats (Macklin more than Burns) I do wonder what is left in the tank. Macklin will no doubt come through his tune up fight on Saturday and if looking good, Eddie Hearn will be talking about another final eliminator for a version of the 160lb world title. Burns however is one step ahead of Macklin and his eliminator with Figueroa is a difficult fight. Certainly if he can’t replicate his performances such as against Kevin Mitchell, Paulus Moses, Michael Katsidis etc. he will not win. However, despite their advancing years, I hold admiration for them both for their continued dedication to the sport and cannot criticize them for wanting another crack at reaching the top of boxing again as well as to support themselves and their families to secure their future financially. I wish them both luck but I d be very surprised to see either of these great battlers with a world title strap around their waist again.
Comments are closed.