Sam Bowen vs. Ronnie Clark - OFF

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sam Bowen makes a highly-anticipated first defence of his British super featherweight title against Ronnie Clark at the Morningside Arena, Leicester on February 23, live on BT Sport.



Light Heavyweight sensation Anthony Yarde (17-0) will also return to action in a defence of his WBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title. The show will feature a number of the city’s finest young prospects, including a Midlands Area title challenge for 9-0 super welterweight CJ Challenger and the return of 11-1 super featherweight Lyon Woodstock.

Elsewhere on the bill, 14-0 Cruiserweight Jack ‘One Smack’ Massey will look to climb the world rankings as he challenges for the WBO European cruiserweight title.

Bowen, 26, was originally scheduled to defend his title against Clark, 33, this weekend before the 14-0 man from Ibstock in Leicestershire was forced to withdraw after suffering a rib injury in sparring against his gym-mate David Avanesyan.

It was a setback which disrupted some strong momentum built-up by Bowen, who won the Lonsdale belt against Maxi Hughes in April before – after signing a promotional agreement with allegedly – adding a second belt to his collection with a hugely impressive fourth round stoppage of Horacio Alfredo Cabral for the vacant WBO Intercontinental title at the same Leicester venue in October.

Bowen will be bidding to vindicate his firm belief that he is the top man in the domestic division against the wily Scot from Dundee, who recorded a significant upsetting of the odds in his last fight in February.
In front of a packed house at York Hall, Clark lived up to his pre-fight promise and de-railed the unbeaten quest of formidable prospect Zelfa Barrett to win the vacant IBF European title.

Clark spectacularly sent Barrett to the canvas in the sixth round before proceeding to win via a majority decision at the end of 12 rounds.

Featherweight talent Ryan Garner (7-0), Scottish Light Heavyweight amateur standout Willy Hutchinson (6-0), Tamworth’s 4-0 Light Heavyweight Ryan Hatton all return to action in Leicester along with a second professional outing for Tyson Fury’s younger brother Tommy Fury at Light Heavyweight.

Tickets priced between £40 and £150 are on sale NOW via Eventbrite.

[Boxingcutsman]

Can never write Ronnie off imo, Bowen massively untested really and people usually can’t handle his power and relentlessness, but he is quite leaky defensively and unknown if he can’t take a shot himself both head and body, lads can look so destructive when there opponents are hand picked or late notice replacements who have had to drop so much weight in such short amounts of time or come to just try and get through with no passion or fight truly in them, so this will be a big test for Sam and Ronnie will definitely get the answers out of him to them questions, great fight imo, Ronnie has a good chin and great engine, very fit kid, imo if Ronnie can box smart early with plenty of feints and upper body movement and not take too much punishment I won’t be shocked to see Ronnie cause Sam some really big problems and make him answer some questions he hasn’t had to yet, I don’t know Sam personally but know Carl (Greaves) very well and he is a mate of mine, top top fella, but so is Ronnie who is I would class a good friend and had him down with me training etc, and I’m hoping he can fulfil his dream and win the title, this will be ronnies equivalent unification world title fight and I wish him the very best, god bless them both and hope it’s a good, tough, exciting fight and them both safe and healthy through camp and at the end of the fight

[Stuarty]

Yarde will no doubt be fighting a Latvian turnip picker

[Ruthless-RKO]

Looks like Ronnie Clark will be busy. Already got another scheduled fight for end of March..

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Oiky]

I pick Bowen by decision

[jlh]

Same. Bowen by decision for me as well.

[daviddee]

He can certainly dish it out. Let’s see how he gets on when he’s taking it back

[Boxingcutsman]

Video proves my point about very leaky defence, bad example to show imo, 2 feet of the floor, square on, chin up in the air, weight all over his front foot, swinging lead hand from so far back and so low, and the back hand elbow out and hand dropping not covering his chin can’t jump in like that, especially against a southpaw, nasty straight back hand counter either straight down the pipe, up the middle or bowled into the solar plexus, be interesting to see, Ronnie imo can make it easier than people think as long has he doesn’t give in to bravado, ego & machoism, be smart, box clever, but saying that this is Ronnie we’re on about lol the guy loves a war hahaha, I’m right behind him

[daviddee]

Video proves my point about very leaky defence, bad example to show imo, 2 feet of the floor, square on, chin up in the air, weight all over his front foot, swinging lead hand from so far back and so low, and the back hand elbow out and hand dropping not covering his chin can’t jump in like that, especially against a southpaw, nasty straight back hand counter either straight down the pipe, up the middle or bowled into the solar plexus, be interesting to see, Ronnie imo can make it easier than people think as long has he doesn’t give in to bravado, ego & machoism, be smart, box clever, but saying that this is Ronnie we’re on about lol the guy loves a war hahaha, I’m right behind him

Spot on in every way.. Ronnie loves getting hit boys a bit of a weirdo

[jamamb]

that opponent with his hands held out was in no position to throw a good counter and left that side of his body wide open, maybe bowen was just quick to pick up on that, he did end the fight with that punch

[RAH2014]

I cant see him landing a shot like that against a seasoned pro i think the game plan will be hand speed and stay away from in fighting

[Boxingcutsman]

that opponent with his hands held out was in no position to throw a good counter and left that side of his body wide open, maybe bowen was just quick to pick up on that, he did end the fight with that punch

Again going back to my original post, it’s easy to look good when lads come in with no ambition or late notice and have been made to or decide to shred dangerous amounts of weight to take a fight as that’s how they feed there families

[Boxingcutsman]

Video proves my point about very leaky defence, bad example to show imo, 2 feet of the floor, square on, chin up in the air, weight all over his front foot, swinging lead hand from so far back and so low, and the back hand elbow out and hand dropping not covering his chin can’t jump in like that, especially against a southpaw, nasty straight back hand counter either straight down the pipe, up the middle or bowled into the solar plexus, be interesting to see, Ronnie imo can make it easier than people think as long has he doesn’t give in to bravado, ego & machoism, be smart, box clever, but saying that this is Ronnie we’re on about lol the guy loves a war hahaha, I’m right behind him

Spot on in every way.. Ronnie loves getting hit boys a bit of a weirdo

Yh looool he’s a bit of a weirdo for sure but in a good way hahaha

[mark a h]

I'm picking Bowen on pts.
Sam had a lot of am fights and had a high k.o record as an am but he always struggles more with lads that could box well behind the jab and box off the back foot.
Ronnie style will play well into Bowens hands, unless like has been mentioned he can draw something off Bowen by way of feints etc.
Don't make the mistake of pivoting round Bowen like maxi Hughes did as he has the answer for that.
Surprisingly Bowen isn't even half as effective with his jab as he could be, given his height and reach.
Ronnie can win this as long as he's really clever but considering it's Bowen show im picking him on pts.

[JamieM]

I think Bowen being bigger will play into ronnies hands. Ronnie is not massive but he's very strong for weight and he's very good in the final rounds. He comes into his own. I feel Sam is very open and throwing body shots takes alot of commitment and often leaves fighters vulnerable. I really like Sam and he's a real throwback, saying that I don't feel he will be better than zelfa. Ronnie training alongside Terry McCormack is hitting his prime and sparring josh taylor alot is teaching him new things, he's always learning. He's living in the gym and already in top shape. It's going to be a great fight.

[smiling assassin]

Be a good fight this. cant imagine they will have to go looking for each other. I think Clarks experience plays a big part in this fight and I can see him coming on strong late on. I think a draw could be on the cards

[Coco]

Bowen by stoppage in the first half of the fight.

[Boxingcutsman]

Bowen by stoppage in the first half of the fight.

Will be some statement that if he does tbh, but in saying that I did say in original post that Ronnie best chance is to box smart and especially early and not take too much, not many strong fighters or punchers carry that through a whole fight, some come on strong as they are slow starters and some are dangerous early, hence a good game plan and doing your homework is key, Ronnie found that out when my game plan handed him is first defeat, meeting Ronnie head on is what he loves but I believe he is capable of more, and Sam has had it all his own way, if Ronnie uses his awkward southpaw style to maximum effect I think Sam will really struggle, a awkward southpaw with a good busy jab and in there rhythm is a Fuking nightmare to fight, not unbeatable but it’s hard work, especially if your having to play catch up and your forced to chase the fight, I don’t know what his team are working on and game plan they have if any, but I believe if they do what I believe will work against Sam, Ronnie can and will win, but first 4-5 rounds are going to be key

[Coco]

Bowen by stoppage in the first half of the fight.

Will be some statement that if he does tbh, but in saying that I did say in original post that Ronnie best chance is to box smart and especially early and not take too much, not many strong fighters or punchers carry that through a whole fight, some come on strong as they are slow starters and some are dangerous early, hence a good game plan and doing your homework is key, Ronnie found that out when my game plan handed him is first defeat, meeting Ronnie head on is what he loves but I believe he is capable of more, and Sam has had it all his own way, if Ronnie uses his awkward southpaw style to maximum effect I think Sam will really struggle, a awkward southpaw with a good busy jab and in there rhythm is a Fuking nightmare to fight, not unbeatable but it’s hard work, especially if your having to play catch up and your forced to chase the fight, I don’t know what his team are working on and game plan they have if any, but I believe if they do what I believe will work against Sam, Ronnie can and will win, but first 4-5 rounds are going to be key

My prediction is more based on that I feel Bowen can really fight rather than a slight on Ronnie. I watched the Barrett fight again the other day, Ronnie won because he was stronger, tougher, Barrett couldn't hurt him and the Scotsman just beat him up.
However I think the advantages he had against Barratt will be negated against Bowen, Bowen is a strong guy and hits hard.
Clark isn't good enough to out box Bowen on the run and Bowen is a bit stronger and hits hard enough to take advantage if Ronnie uses the same tactics that worked so well against Barratt

[JamieM]

Ronnies boxing ability is under rated. People don't see things he does but he just drives places and takes things and learns from all different coaches. Obviously he went down and spent time with Dean, Imran naem and I'm sure he spent time in Liverpool. Also when he's abroad he learns from everything. He's a sponge and I think the zelfa fight things just fell into place. Ronnie was always a gym fighter, I have witnessed him handling world class fighters, walking them down and making life very difficult. Ronnie came to the game later and was caught between styles and I believe meeting Terry McCormack has brought the best out of him, the more time he spent at lochend the better he got.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Like some said. Clarke was never gonna take 2 fights back to back.

[rio]

Yeah shocker Clark pulled out. It was predicted by alot of people this fight would not happen due to Clark. Hopefully somebody who is looking for,an opportunity like Anto Cacace or McCullough gets a shot

[Boxerbeetle]

I simply couldn’t understand at the time why Ronnie didn’t take the Barrett rematch. He’ll have been out of the ring for at least a year now by the time he fights again.

[jamamb]

lol awaiting team clark