Rhodes V Small, (plus Haye?) March 28th in Liverpool!

[twenty six]

Maelstrom,
So why didn't he put in a purse bid aimed at securing the fight ?
Excuse me if I'm being thick here, but isn't it a Manager / Promotor's job to do his best for his fighter ?
So if you're right, what you're saying is he won't let Small take the fight - which means he loses a decent pay day but more importantly his status as mandatory challenger to the British title.
Might be delusional but if I were Small I wouldn't be best pleased. Unless of course he suddenly appears at no 3 in the WBO rankings and / or no 2 in the WBU and suddenly he's a World prospect.

[Coco]

Maelstrom,
So why didn't he put in a purse bid aimed at securing the fight ?
Excuse me if I'm being thick here, but isn't it a Manager / Promotor's job to do his best for his fighter ?
So if you're right, what you're saying is he won't let Small take the fight - which means he loses a decent pay day but more importantly his status as mandatory challenger to the British title.
Might be delusional but if I were Small I wouldn't be best pleased. Unless of course he suddenly appears at no 3 in the WBO rankings and / or no 2 in the WBU and suddenly he's a World prospect.

I think the latter is a far more realistic scenario, FW didn't want to pay over the odds for the fight, so Small will pass on this fight in favour of the vacant Commonwealth title against an unknown African. If FW makes his peace with Enzo Cal, Pryce will get a shot at something better, if he doesn't Pryce will be shit on and replaced by Small

[whicker]

I think the latter is a far more realistic scenario, FW didn't want to pay over the odds for the fight, so Small will pass on this fight in favour of the vacant Commonwealth title against an unknown African. If FW makes his peace with Enzo Cal, Pryce will get a shot at something better, if he doesn't Pryce will be shit on and replaced by Small

Possibly even a WBU world title for Small?

But no, I'm an optomistic on this one- I hope this goes ahead.

[Spud]

I suspect Anthony Small will be desperate for the fight = but his promoter might just have a different opinion on the matter - however after Small slagging off Ryan on a recent TV interview I just cannot see anyway out other than accepting the fight.

[Coco]

I'm sure Small is keen for the fight but surely it is up to FW?

[Spud]

I'm sure Small is keen for the fight but surely it is up to FW?

To a point I agree however for many reasons Anthony Small is desperate for this particular fight and to disuade him Frank W arren is going to have to come up with a very nice "face saving" alternative after the bullsh*t on recent fight interviews!!!

[McCannW14]

For some reason I fancy Small to win this one. Is it a Hayemaker or Warren promotion?

I fancy Small for this big time. He will have too much of everything for Rhodes who will be stopped inside of 8.

[E]

In one way or another it's a great british fight....I remmber 5 years or so ago when here were 4 or so world class british light middles and they never fought. (Williams, roberts and the rest.) At least we've got a good fight between two talents.

[bennie]

Sheffield's Ryan Rhodes defends his British light-middleweight title against Londoner and mandatory challenger Anthony Small at the cavernous Liverpool Echo Arena on March 28.
This is a 'natural' - two popular, talented, sharp-hitting extroverts facing off for a proper belt in a proper fight city. "Spice Boy" Rhodes brings great experience and hot recent form but Small, self-nicknamed "SugarRayClayJonesJunior", brings exuberance and hot recent improvement. Both men are fluid, unorthodox, a little suspect around the whiskers... Switch-hitting Ryan looks to carry the heavier dig but Deptford flash Small throws more punches and might have the edge in speed.
A 'natural' indeed.

[Coco]

I wish you would stick your neck out and make actual predictions

[Pugilist-specialist]

I suspect Anthony Small will be desperate for the fight = but his promoter might just have a different opinion on the matter - however after Small slagging off Ryan on a recent TV interview I just cannot see anyway out other than accepting the fight.

What has Small said ?
Anyone know ?

[twenty six]

Anything Pryce can do, Rhodes can do.

[daddy-rhino]

Anything Pryce can do, Rhodes can do.

Better lol

[Captain Hook]

For some reason I fancy Small to win this one. Is it a Hayemaker or Warren promotion?

I fancy Small for this big time. He will have too much of everything for Rhodes who will be stopped inside of 8.

Based on what?! Your opinion my friend, but I can see it being the other way around.

[Captain Hook]

Anything Pryce can do, Rhodes can do.

Better lol

PS I wouldn't say "better".... :)

[daddy-rhino]

Anything Pryce can do, Rhodes can do.

Better lol

PS I wouldn't say "better".... :)

Well time wil tell

[E]

Pryce has a better chin than Rhodes.

So we will see. I hope Ryan wins.

[Rocky Balboa]

I'm looking forward to this one indeed. Good bout for british boxing, will be highly competitive in my view.

Im hoping Anthony wins, & wins big. I like "Smally" a great deal. He's a character, something boxing is short of currently. Anthony is talented, has ability. I reckon youth can prevail in this one & Small wins, but Rhodes will not be an easy assignment by any means!

Since losing to Pryce, I think Small has become a more serious fighter. I hope he wins.

[whicker]

Is this fight still going to be at the Echo arena, though? I had assumed it was probably going to be a Haye fight topping the bill, but now we know it isn't. Will South Yorkshire's Rhodes V London's Small be a big enough draw in Liverpool to justify a venue of this size? I can't see it, unless Hayemaker promotions can add some more tasty fights to the bill.

My guess is that the fight goes ahead at a different venue.

[twenty six]

The venue is booked.
Wait for news on the whole card.
E - It's a matter of debate whether Pryce has a better chin than Rhodes, they've both visited the canvas, but it's as much a debate who hits hardest.
Rhodes has the bigger dig in my opinion.
Ask Lockett.
Rhodes will stop Small.

[Captain Hook]

The venue is booked.
Wait for news on the whole card.
E - It's a matter of debate whether Pryce has a better chin than Rhodes, they've both visited the canvas, but it's as much a debate who hits hardest.
Rhodes has the bigger dig in my opinion.
Ask Lockett.
Rhodes will stop Small.

I agree...which pains me

[housesecond]

I'd love for Rhodes to win this one but its a very close fight. Just can't bring myself to like Small.

[Wake up call]

They intend to fill the Arena by stacking the undercard with Liverpool fighters such as Derry Matthews, Tony Dodson, Joe McNally and John Watson.

[bennie]

Ryan Rhodes defends his British light-middleweight title against mandatory challenger Anthony Small in a fascinating clash of 'characters' and genuinely talented fighters in Liverpool on March 28.
Rhodes, a 32-year-old switch-hitter from Sheffield, broke into the world rankings - again - by outscoring South Africa's solid and dangerous Vincent Vuma over 12 enjoyable rounds in London last month. At 41-4 (27) Ryan used his great experience to control the course of the fight with quick, clever combinations and his customary sharp reflexes, although he coasted in the final three rounds, the fight already won on points.
Rhodes dropped down from middleweight to win the British title earlier this year, flattening Londoner Gary Woolcombe in the ninth round at York Hall. The right hand he used was a cracker and he hit hard at middleweight so he must hit hard a weight down. Despite that, and a successful first defence against tough Scot Jamie Coyle in Sheffield in September (points), the champion's late-round Vuma fade does make one wonder about his strength and stamina at 11 stone. To me Rhodes looks gaunt at the weight.
Small is also one of those 'big' light-middleweights and faded alarmingly in a couple of fights last year but has obviously worked on it. The Deptford stylist, the younger fighter at 27, went 10 rounds in stopping good American Freddy Curiel in London in September and eight in stopping Somerset's George Katsimpas before that. He took seven to essentially ended the career of Takaloo. Winner of his last four since excellent Welshman Bradley Pryce stopped him in seven rounds in July last year, the flashy, cocky Small will argue he is an improved fighter at 21-1 (15) and it is hard to argue back, unless one happens to be the equally confident Rhodes.
The verbal exchanges in the build-up to this should make interesting listening - "Spice Boy" vs "Scream". Come the night Rhodes looks the better puncher and the better boxer, certainly the better defensive boxer - the better ring general - but Small throws a higher volume of shots, head and body, and has the greater natural speed, although Rhodes is not slow. Rhodes, obviously, brings all the experience; Small, all the potential. BOTH men throw punches from cute angles. Both have been stopped.
Ultimately, this looks classic 50-50.

[twenty six]

The arena has "adaptable" space, pretty much like the O2.
I believe the plan is for a 4,500 capacity.
It's achievable as the card will have some depth to it.
Also, the pricing stucture will be right.
Unlike certain Promotors, the fledglings Hayemaker do listen when there's criticism made.