Feel free to discuss this preview article or the fight themselves for week 3 of the Boxing prediction game.
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This weeks action kicks off with the highly anticipated clash for the British, Commonwealth and European Featherweight championship between the European Champion, Nicky Cook, and the British and Commonwealth champion, Dazzo Williams. The form going into this fight from both men has been somewhat patchy with Cook failing to impress in making his first defence of his European title vs. Johnny Begue and Dazzo Williams scoring a rather fortunate points wins over the unheralded John Simpson. I expect a little classic between these two gutsy fighters and the fight result might be down to who can shake the ring rust off quicker, as neither have fought in 2005. It is very hard to predict a winner in this fight as both have similar big fight experience.
The vacant IBF World Lightweight championship is on the line this week as 35 year old Levander Johnson co-challenges the 39 year old Stefano Zoff for the vacant crown. Certainly the recent form favours the Italian fighter who, despite his advancing years, has notched up an undefeated string of European title wins since losing to Jason Cook on a split decision in 2003. Johnson holds a patchy record of 3-2-1 in his last 6 fights and hasn’t fought in over a year. The fight venue of Milan also favours the former WBA champion, who should definitely start a clear favourite. However, over the past two weeks we have seen both Kostya Tszyu and Mike Tyson show the age will eventually take its toll on a fighter and one has to wonder if this is one fight too many for the 39 year old Zoff.
Armenian Light Middleweight prospect Hamlet Petrosian makes a trip to Denmark in what is his first defence of his WBA intercontinental Light Middleweight title. His opponent is the hometown hopeful, the wonderfully named Reda Zam Zam, in what looks like an intriguing contest. Zam Zam is undefeated and is the current holder of his national title at Light Middle. The edge in decent victories lies with Zam Zam who beat Christian Bladt for the vacant Danish title in his last contest. Bladt of course ran Wayne Alexander very close on the recent Hatton vs. Tszyu under card. The biggest name on the resume of Petrosian is Jimmy Collas, who recently challenged for the EBU Light Middleweight title; however Collas beat Petrosian on points. I expect this fight to go a few rounds as neither appear to be knockout specialists.
The Super Middleweight comeback of former WBO Middleweight champion, Otis Grant, also continues this week. Grant has been fairly impressive in comeback back after a five year exile and has captured the Canadian and the WBC international Super Middleweight title since his return. However, in Charles Adamu he is facing a former Commonwealth champion at the peak of his powers. Adamu is best remembered for his comprehensive victory over Light Heavyweight contender Matthew Barney. He is also remembered for giving Super Middleweight contender Carl Froch his biggest scare on route to a close points defeat. This is a big step up for Grant, although the 37 year old “Magic” has answered each question so far in his comeback.
Another former WBO middleweight champion continues his quest for more world title honours this week. Felix Sturm makes his second defence of his WBO intercontinental Middleweight title versus former EBU title challenger, Jorge Sendra, in a match that is also billed as a final eliminator for the WBA title. Sendra is the puncher of the two with a respectable 22 knockouts in 28 wins, but one does suspect that Sturm will be a little too fresh for the 33 year old challenger in a fight that could gives us fight fans more clues on how far the talented German can go on the World scene.
Fight of the week though is undoubtedly the highly anticipated rematch between Glengoffe Johnson and Antonio Tarver. Although only officially the IBO title is on the line, this fight is universally recognised as a contest between the #1 and #2 ranked light heavyweight fighters. The last fight between the two was a classic battle in which the really was no loser with many fight fans still discussing the decision to this day. I do not believe that there will ever be a lot between these two although one suspects that it is Tarver who might have less mileage on the clock and more room for improvement from their last contest.
In what looks to be a pivotal fight in his comeback, former Welterweight champion Ike “Bazooka” Quartey fights for the first time on American soil in over five years. His opponent is teak tough former two time Light Middleweight champion Verno Phillips. With both fighters at the veteran stage of their careers this is a true crossroads fight with the loser surely out of the title picture. One does question if this fight has come a little too soon in the comeback of Quartey as Phillips’ close decision loss to Kassim Ouma in his last fight actually looks very good in hindsight. This fight has many similarities with the recent Winky Wright vs. Felix Trinidad fight. Like Trinidad, it is Quartey’s second fight after a long absence. Also Quartey, like Tito, is making a campaign at Middleweight but might find himself the naturally smaller man as it is Phillips who has never fought below 147 lbs whereas “Bazooka” has competed at 137 lbs. Phillips, like Wright is a former two time Light Middleweight champion who seems to be fighting better in his mid 30’s than he did in his mid 20’s. I would argue that this is the most intriguing fight of the week and certainly will answer if Quartey is a major player at Middleweight.
The final fight of the week is another eagerly awaited domestic clash between British Lightweight champion, Graham Earl, and Commonwealth champion Kevin Bennett. Both titles will be on the line when the pair clash in the York Hall on Sunday. More recent form certainly favours the Commonwealth title holder as he holds wins over Dean Phillips and a tune up win over Danny Moir six weeks ago. Whilst in Graham Earl’s last fight he lost his unbeaten tag, and dare I say was somewhat exposed, against young Scottish Super Featherweight hopeful, Ricky Burns, in a non title eight rounder. However, if you examine earlier career form then it is Earl you would favour having twice beaten both Bobby Vanzie (albeit controversially) and Steve Murray. Bennett’s early career form left a fair amount to be desired with shock reversals against Glen McClarnon and Gary Rider onto of a comprehensive TKO defeat at the hands of IBO champion, Colin Lynes. This fight is another pick’em contest that I suspect will go a few rounds before one will have any indication who will be the victor. Earl will have the home support and is the fight promoters charge; these two factors might have a significant bearing on the outcome of the fight.
Boxngpredictions.net fight previews
Hey good articles Stu! I enjoy reading them every week.
Too bad your predictions aren't near as good
//ducks
I don't know who Steve689 and Jamies are.... but i'm coming for ya!!!
BTW, you guys should start a thread about the league over here... i would be fun to talk about the up coming fights. Just my .02
Too bad your predictions aren't near as good
//ducks
I don't know who Steve689 and Jamies are.... but i'm coming for ya!!!
BTW, you guys should start a thread about the league over here... i would be fun to talk about the up coming fights. Just my .02
I go on holiday this friday for 2 weeks and return on 16th july, is it possible in any way for me to predict the next two weeks after this one so that I don't miss out on them? Like if you tell me which fights you'll probably be using, I'll email you predictions and you sort me out? any help would be appreciated, obviously it's not a huge deal but I'd like to keep up the pace
stujones wrote:Everyone seems to be doing well, with the exception of J and Myself.
We must be the only two reading and complying with the previews.
yeah stu its all your fault just joking previews are 8) ce mate!
i just need to invert my predictions maybe then ill be ok, im having a stinker at the mo!