By Adam Fillingham:
Last Weekend
Last weekend saw the unfortunate defeat of Ireland’s IBF Super middleweight title challenger Brian Magee, at the hands of the champion Lucian Bute. The fight seemed (in my eyes) a relatively close one up until the sixth where Magee was dropped by a solid body shot. After that Magee turned into a human punch bag before being taken out in the tenth by a solid uppercut. Even with all the determination and heart the Irishman brought to the table, the Canadian champion was on another level.
Magee fought well and a lesser champion could have folded to his pressure but unfortunately Bute isn’t a paper champion and is arguably the number one in the division. It is back to European duty now for Brian and hopefully if he can rack up a couple of solid defences of his EBU title he will be in world title contention once again.
Also last weekend saw Liam Walsh defend his Commonwealth super featherweight title for the first time in an okay performance. Walsh did not set the world alight in his defence but he did show potential against a surprisingly good challenger.
This challenger was Jon Kays. As soon as the fight was announced I was routing for the Norwich champion but I could not help but cheer on the challenger from Lancashire. His determination, chin and overall will to win had me at the edge of my seat as I began to believe the unbeaten Walsh could be out boxed.
It was not to be in the end and Walsh gained a tenth round KO. Kays eventually gassed out and the youth of Walsh came through. It was apparent in the final two rounds that Walsh was a different level and will defiantly go on to bigger and better fights.
Wednesday
This Wednesday afternoon sees the seventeenth instalment of the Prizefighter tournament, named “super middleweights 2”. Entering the contest will be:
Ex commonwealth title challenger Carl Dilks (14(5)–3),
once defeated Jahmaine smyle (3(3) – 1),
Robin Reid the ex WBC and IBO world champion (40(27)-6-1),
undefeated Tobias Webb (4(0)-0-1),
Liverpool’s Joe Ainscough (7(1)-2-1),
six fight novice Wayne Reed (5(2)-1),
the “Patrick Drinkwater” Patrick J Maxwell (16(11)-3-1)
and last but not least Rocky Fielding (3(0)-0) who is undefeated in three fights.
James Degale victim Carl Dilks is the favourite to win the £32,000 grand prize but if you have ever watched prizefighter before you will know past achievements mean nothing. “The favourite never wins Prizefighter!” said Dilks. “Being the bookies pick is a bit of added pressure but I am well up for this, don’t worry about that. I know Prizefighter is a great springboard and after DeGale, it’s the right thing for me to do.
I would love to hazard a guess as to who will win this installment but I cant even begin to make such a prediction. If I had to put some money on it, I would go with Robin Reid due to his experience at the top level but as I stated earlier it will mean nothing this Wednesday.
Next Weekend
This Saturday Hatton Promotions brings us the intriguing match up between unbeaten Commonwealth welterweight champion Denton Vassell and also undefeated African champion Bethuel Ushona. It is the first defence of Vassell’s crown since he won the strap eleven months ago and Hatton is giving his fighter a tough challenge.
I think Vassell will win though. I can not see Hatton Promotions putting Denton in the ring with a fighter he can not beat at this stage in his career. Also Vassell looks to be one of the brightest young stars Britain has coming through, so hopefully British and European honours will be on the way.
Prediction – Vassell tenth round KO
Quick News
Saul Alvarez will almost definitely be fighting Brit Ryan Rhodes in his first defence of his WBC light middleweight title. The Mexican champion is being made to fight Rhodes due to his newly instated mandatory position. European champion Rhodes will have to challenge for the title in Alvarez’s back yard of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
David Haye could end up fighting Vitali Klitschko rather than his brother Wladimir
as Wlad’s abdominal injury may take longer to heal than originally expected. Vitali should be fit and ready for the June/July fight due to the Ukrainian taking next to no damage in his last fight on Saturday.
James Degale and George Groves battled it out earlier than expected on the latest edition of Sky’s Ringside. The two super middleweights battled it out mouth to mouth in an hilarious battle of words.
After defending his Commonwealth title for the first time last weekend Liam Walsh is now targeting a British title shot. The current British title holder is Gary Sykes.
Katy Price has dumped her current boyfriend Argentinean model Leandro Penna or Amir Khan’s best friend Saj Mohamed. Saj is thought to be very happy.
Finally I would like to recommend “Tony Jefferies life as a pro”. You can find the documentary on Youtube by searching the above name or checking Tony’s channel Jaffaboxer. The show is split into ten parts and so far six have been released. I have enjoyed every episode released so far and cannot wait for the next four installments.
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