By Adam Fillingham: Yes this is the return of UK boxing weekly and this week’s edition is back with a bang. This Saturday brings us two super match ups including the heavyweight champion of Britain and the world light welterweight champion.
Last Weekend
In what looked on paper an amazing card did not live up to expectations last Saturday. With a British, Commonwealth and World title on the line it was hoped that this night was going to be big for British boxing. Only one fight was entertaining!
But first we go to Tony Bellew’s boring win over Ovill McKenzie. The pundits on Sky Sports built this fight up to be the biggest of the night, which in fact made it the worst. Bellew fought well on the back foot, never giving McKenzie a chance to land anything. But that made it boring and the match ended up a wide decision victory to Tony Bellew. The three scoring judges had it 118-111, 118-11 and 119-110. I had the bout 119-111 after round twelve.
Next up on the bill was Scotland’s world champion Ricky Burns against England’s ex World champion Nicky Cook. Within six seconds and around three light punches Cook went down holding his back. Cook was down again twice in the round before the towel was thrown in at 1:33 of the round. Cook had to be carried out on a stretcher due to his prolapsed disk.
Finally the most entertaining fight of the night and a contender for fight of the year came. John Murray, Britain’s number one lightweight against Kevin Mitchell, Britain’s number two lightweight. The fight started quick, right from the first bell. Both Mitchell and Murray landed some good shots but the round probably went to Mitchell. From rounds two to four Murray took charge on the inside, giving Mitchell a hell of a lot of problems and it seemed as though there would be one clear winner. But in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds the tide changed. Murray was wobbled by Mitchell on a couple of occasions before being knocked down and out in the eighth. Many expected Mitchell to win, but a knock out victory over John Murray is something to be proud of. I watched this expecting a win for Murray so I congratulate Mitchell on the win and hope he moves on to a world title shot.
This Saturday
Across the pond World Boxing Association (WBA) light welterweight champion Amir “King” Khan will attempt to unify the division when he takes on American veteran Zab Judah for his International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown. Not many are giving Judah much of a chance in this fight due to the American’s age but don’t write him off. “Super” Judah still possesses a hard hitting right hand, quick hands for an aging fighter and has won five on the bounce.
Amir Khan has slowly crept up the pound for pound ranks since his defeat of Andriy Kotelnik for his WBA world title. Since that win Khan has defended his belt four times including an emphatic victory of Marcos Maidana. He possesses some of the fastest hands in boxing, underrated power and the heart of a lion when it is called upon.
If I had to lean either way I would swing towards Amir Khan in this one. Amir is the younger, faster and more skilled fighter but with both fighters known to possess stamina problems in the later rounds this could be a 50/50 fight.
Also this Saturday brings us the much anticipated matchup between English champion Tyson Fury and British champion Derek Chisora. Both fighters have something to prove in this fight as World number one Wladimir Klitschko has billed this fight as an eliminator for a shot at his belts. Tyson Fury has a massive size advantage in this one, being 6”8’ in height but in my opinion Chisora has the better skills and the bigger, more explosive power.
I have never been a huge fan of Tyson Fury due to his unflattering physique, slow hand speed and the way he flinches and covers up rather than take a shot. I can’t see the winner of this fight going on to win a world title, European honors maybe, but if I were to put my money on either man it would be the shorter Chisora.
Quick News
It has been released that Carl “The Cobra” Froch will be fighting WBA champion Andre Ward In Atlantic City on the 29th of October.
Amir Khan victim Paul McCloskey and Khan conqueror Breidis Prescott will battle it out on the 10th of September to become mandatory for Amir’s WBA light welterweight title.
British heavyweight champion Derek Chisora is the bookies favourite in his bout with Tyson Fury this weekend. The Bookies are also tipping Amir Khan and Ashley Theophane this Saturday.
And another news about Amir Khan, he has refused to fight fellow Brit Kell Brook now or in the future if Brook stays with his current promotional team. Kell is currently in Barry Hearn’s stable who promoted Khan’s recent victim Paul McCloskey.
Nathan Cleverly will most likely be facing Tony Bellew in his first defence of his world light heavyweight title.
Kevin Mitchell has promised John Murray a rematch as soon as he becomes world champion. The new intercontinental champion would rather chase up a world title shot than give Murray an immediate rematch.
UK boxing weekly will return on Wednesday 27th of July
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