By Rachel Aylett: Despite recent setbacks for U.K. boxing involving Nathan Cleverly and Ricky Burns, there are wonderful fights in prospect over the next couple of years. Let’s look at five which may or may not happen.
Super-Bantamweight
Scott Quigg vs Carl Frampton: This is Britain’s own version of Mayweather-Pacquiao, in that it has been talked about and desired by fight fans for a couple of years now. They have been dancing around each other and have both taken their own paths up the world rankings. As it was with Money/Pacman, the consensus opinion as to who would win has changed back and forth over the months. There is still no obvious favorite. Let’s hope this doesn’t reach the point where the fans start saying “who cares?” Quigg, 26-0-1 (19), has a WBA title fight lined up in a fortnight against the talented Cuban Yoandris Salinas. Three weeks later Frampton, 16-0 (11), fights in what amounts to a final eliminator for the IBF title, when he defends his European belt against Frenchman Jeremy Parodi – they are ranked 3 and 4 by that organization. Assuming both Brits win, and they should, the option would be there for Quigg to defend his newly won title against Frampton. I feel this is unlikely as it would mean Quigg receiving the lion’s share of the purse. It is more likely that Frampton will try to win that IBF belt and therefore put himself on an equal footing if and when they come to the table to negotiate this mouthwatering showdown. Of course, now that they are fighting in top class, the possibility increases that one of them will suffer a defeat and therefore devalue the match.
Middleweight
Billy Joe Saunders vs Chris Eubank Jr.: This is one fight that could take place sooner rather than later. There is clear animosity between these two, which has been exacerbated very recently by personal comments made by Saunders in a YouTube interview. This is out of character for Billy Joe, 18-0 (10), as he is normally very respectful of his opponent both before, during and after fights. He clearly dislikes Eubank though, previously calling him “an arrogant, arrogant man”. The recent goading could be a ploy by Saunders to tempt Chris into the ring next, as assuming BJ gets past John Ryder in his upcoming British title defence, he will need one more notch on the Lonsdale belt to make it his own, his stated ambition. There is only one conceivable opponent out there in Britain who would be a marketable match for him in that defence – you guessed it, Eubank! Junior has impressed so far in his pro career, reaching 10-0 (5), and appears to have a big future in the sport. However, realistically he needs a bit more experience before going in with Saunders. The question is will Mick Hennessy, promoter of Eubank Jr., allow this fight to happen now, clearly before Chris is ready. Expect the taunts from Billy Joe to steadily increase, knowing that Eubank Jr’s. hubris is such that he may demand that his promoter make the match.
Welterweight
Kell Brook vs Frankie Gavin: Brook, 30-0 (20), has been established in the world rankings for some time now. He is currently mandatory challenger for IBF champion Devon Alexander, although it’s looking likely that Devon will make a voluntary defence this December against another Brit, Amir Khan. Brook, in the meantime, has an impending date with his best opponent so far, former WBA belt-holder Vyacheslav Senchenko. This isn’t saying much however as, for various reasons, Brook seems to have been held back and has not faced the quality of opposition that has been expected of him. Frankie Gavin, 16-0 (12), one of the outstanding amateur boxers Britain has ever produced, has really found his feet over the past 18 months. Since overcoming personal issues and returning to his amateur trainer, Tom Chaney, he has shown the form that was expected of him when he first turned pro. He is catching Brook fast and zooming in on the world rankings himself. Going by what we have seen to date, don’t expect Brook’s backers to take this fight any time soon. He would have little to gain and loads to lose. For Gavin, though, he would see this fight as his entry to world level. Unfortunately, I don’t see this one happening.
Super-Middleweight
Callum Smith vs Frank Buglioni: Buglioni, 9-0 (6), is the new poster boy of British boxing. Someone who has a great marketing team behind him, a huge fan base and who just might be the next young boxer to cross over into the public domain. He has film star good looks and has already been featured heavily in one of the more popular lads’ mags. This could potentially be the danger for Frank. He could very easily take his eye off the ball and perhaps be distracted from his boxing career. However, he does seem to be a very down to earth individual. He is a big puncher, but he has also proved rather easy to hit and despite us constantly being told he is working on this in the gym, there has been little sign of improvement in his defense. Smith is the youngest, and very possibly the best, of the four brothers from Liverpool. He has looked nothing short of sensational since turning over and has shown terrific poise and confidence in building his record to 7-0 (5). Like Buglioni he looks to have searing punch power, putting opponents away with a seemingly effortless aplomb. In fact, Smith has taken the lead over Frank recently by demolishing an opponent who only weeks earlier had taken Buglioni the distance. Next up for Callum is an English title fight against Patrick Mendy – he is clearly being fast-tracked to the top.
Super-Flyweight
Paul Butler vs Khalid Yafai: Just a couple of short years ago, it looked as though boxing for the “little” men in Britain was dying. However, from super-bantamweight down we suddenly have such luminaries as Quigg, Frampton, Galahad, McDonnell, Satchell and these two super-flyweights who look to be on a collision course. What a sensational fight this would be. Butler, 12-0 (7), was English ABA champion in 2010 and since turning professional has torn through his opposition to win both British and Commonwealth titles inside 11 fights. Butler has displayed a left hook to the body which Julio Cesar Chavez would be proud of, scoring several clean knockouts with this punch. Yafai quickly overcame the heartbreak of just missing out on his second Olympic Games appearance by turning over with Eddie Hearn and taking the pro boxing world by storm. He has been equally as impressive as Butler in compiling his record of 8-0 (6). Butler has had the superior opposition to date, including overcoming the relatively seasoned Ashley Sexton in a very hard fight. He showed he has the requisite grit and determination by coming through that particular acid test. Yafai has been calling out Butler – let’s get it on!
Most of the above matches are subject to the promotional divide that currently exists in the U.K., which has reached Top Rank/Golden Boy proportions. It would be a terrible shame if boxing politics were the only thing which prevented these matches from taking place and therefore depriving the fans of what they want.
@RachelAylett1
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