BoxRec

On the undercard of the British Welterweight title fight between Frankie Gavin and Jason Welborn is the vacant English Cruiserweight title fight between former British Champion Shane McPhilbin 8(5)-4 and unbeaten Chris Keane 8(3)-0.

On one hand you have the tough and raw Shane McPhilbin, who has fought 3 times this year against Williams, Maccarinelli and Dickinson and covered 36 rounds, to the unbeaten but vastly untested Chris Keane, who has stopped 2 of his last 3 opponents inside the first round. Even though he has been more active than McPhilbin this year, he has faced lesser opponents and only covered 14 rounds in the 12 month period.

However, you have to add Keane was the better amateur star on paper (even though McPhilbin did claim a points victory over him) and could be more hungary to get his shot at the coveted Lonsdale Belt. Keane will be in his own backyard for this one and will be looking to make a huge statment live on allegedly.

McPhilbin, even though failed to make an impact against Dickinson cant be ruled out as he has that underdog tag and seems to thrive off it!

For me, I see McPhilbin's experience with the better opposition and going the championship distance 3 times being the main factor.

McPhilbin to stop Keane inside the distance.

What do you think?

Both looked rather lacklustre in their most recent outings. Chris Keane won every round against the durable Moses Matovu but he did not look very sharp and the fight lacked any meaningful action. Despite that I would predict a Chris Keane win here. However, it's a tough one to call.

McPhilbin late stoppage he's been the distance so knows how to pace him self, i think keane will win the early rounds and fade as the fight goes on, good fight hopefully the winner fight Simmonson in a final eliminator for the British

No disrespect to McPhilbin but does anyone else find it amazing that such a technically poor fighter is contesting his fourth consecutive title fight?

Milgram37 wrote:No disrespect to McPhilbin but does anyone else find it amazing that such a technically poor fighter is contesting his fourth consecutive title fight?

Down to a couple of reason really, He's a former British champion, He's got the backing of 1 of the big promoters and he's a ticket seller

Milgram37 wrote:No disrespect to McPhilbin but does anyone else find it amazing that such a technically poor fighter is contesting his fourth consecutive title fight?

yes i agree, but what mcphilbin brings to the table is a good chin, big heart and a big punch. bearing in mind he has 36 mins to catch his man these qualities often take you further in boxing (sometimes to world championship level) than a fleet footed slickster!

so...its either mcphilbin via tko or keane on points.

Milgram37 wrote:No disrespect to McPhilbin but does anyone else find it amazing that such a technically poor fighter is contesting his fourth consecutive title fight?

I think evenshane may admit he might not be the most tech ally gifted,but he's got bottle by the barrel and you can't train that into someone.
Good luck to both boxers

Talking of ex Cruiser champs, what's happened to Rob Norton (not that he's missed) did he officially retire?

The Law wrote:Both looked rather lacklustre in their most recent outings. Chris Keane won every round against the durable Moses Matovu but he did not look very sharp and the fight lacked any meaningful action. Despite that I would predict a Chris Keane win here. However, it's a tough one to call.

Bloody hell Altaf I thought you knew your boxing mate Lacklustre ? How has Chris Keane looked lacklustre in his recent fights ? 4 fights ago in Chris 4th pro contest he boxed a kid who had taken all but 1 of his opponents the distance (Alexander Frenkel 5 yrs previous on broken jaw) including Robert Helinius, Sam Sexton, and Derrick Chisora who used him in his 16th contest has a warm up for Vitali Klitchsko, Chris played with him and beat him up, He then fought a import who we don't know much about because he got destroyed in 40 seconds (3 fights ago) then he fought a kid who was 4-0 with 3 first round k.o's and Chris demolished him inside 2 minutes of 1st round, then he boxed to instructions and played with Moses Matovu over 6 rounds because we knew our next fight was gonna be a title fight so we had to try and get some rounds in. I personally wouldn't put that in the category of Lacklustre or in the same displays has Mphilbin's recent displays.

i think it will b close for 4-5 rounds then i see keane taking over winning either points or late stoppage. keane needs to b in great shape shane will chuck everything at him like he did with enzo early on. good fight for keane to see how far he can go stopping shane wud b a big statement

maley1984 wrote:i think it will b close for 4-5 rounds then i see keane taking over winning either points or late stoppage. keane needs to b in great shape shane will chuck everything at him like he did with enzo early on. good fight for keane to see how far he can go stopping shane wud b a big statement

Not far wrong mate, yh if we can get a stoppage it would be a huge statement has no one has stopped Shane yet, ( even at heavyweight), it will be a tough fight but one we are very very confident with.

Boxingcutsman wrote:

The Law wrote:Both looked rather lacklustre in their most recent outings. Chris Keane won every round against the durable Moses Matovu but he did not look very sharp and the fight lacked any meaningful action. Despite that I would predict a Chris Keane win here. However, it's a tough one to call.

Bloody hell Altaf I thought you knew your boxing mate Lacklustre ? How has Chris Keane looked lacklustre in his recent fights ? 4 fights ago in Chris 4th pro contest he boxed a kid who had taken all but 1 of his opponents the distance (Alexander Frenkel 5 yrs previous on broken jaw) including Robert Helinius, Sam Sexton, and Derrick Chisora who used him in his 16th contest has a warm up for Vitali Klitchsko, Chris played with him and beat him up, He then fought a import who we don't know much about because he got destroyed in 40 seconds (3 fights ago) then he fought a kid who was 4-0 with 3 first round k.o's and Chris demolished him inside 2 minutes of 1st round, then he boxed to instructions and played with Moses Matovu over 6 rounds because we knew our next fight was gonna be a title fight so we had to try and get some rounds in. I personally wouldn't put that in the category of Lacklustre or in the same displays has Mphilbin's recent displays.

Dean, I said recent 'fight' not 'fights' ;;-)

I personally deemed his most recent fight lacklustre, as did the fans I spoke to at the event (including a few friends). Chris won the fight very comfortably but it was like Chris was fighting in first gear against Moses Matovu. It was not entertaining at all. To be honest I felt a bit embarassed after bigging up Chris Keane to my friends. I presume he was not overly motivated for the fight (plus he was getting the rounds in) and maybe he will up the tempo against a tough opponent like McPhilbin

Unfortunately Chris is the type of kid who if you don't hold him back will go out and try knocking people out which learns him F**k all, Chris didn't need to get out of first gear to deal with Moses, we needed the rounds like I said Altaf and to of blasted him out inside the distance just to please fans would not of been beneficial to his learning. Chris has showed he can box and knock people out during his 8 fights, I'm not sure what more people expect or want in novice fighters. I guarantee your opinion will be very different on 19th January though mate

Boxingcutsman wrote:Unfortunately Chris is the type of kid who if you don't hold him back will go out and try knocking people out which learns him F**k all, Chris didn't need to get out of first gear to deal with Moses, we needed the rounds like I said Altaf and to of blasted him out inside the distance just to please fans would not of been beneficial to his learning. Chris has showed he can box and knock people out during his 8 fights, I'm not sure what more people expect or want in novice fighters. I guarantee your opinion will be very different on 19th January though mate

Fair enough. I hope he puts in an exciting performance on 19th January. I really like Chris and he was entertaining prior to his fight against Moses. May the best man win

I'm not saying anything as I fear Deans Wrath!!!! :)

The Insider wrote:I'm not saying anything as I fear Deans Wrath!!!! :)

I'm going to try my best to avoid him on January 19th! I like my legs intact

Shane beat chris in the aba's at super heavyweight the year before chris won them at heavyweight also they have sparred plenty of rounds together so no each other pretty well. That said if Shane gets his act together and trains for this I can only see it going his way I think it will be a similar fight to the Rhys Davies one getting out boxed early then soon as it lands it could be all over. If Keane wins it will be on points theirs no way he will stops Shane.

The Law wrote:

The Insider wrote:I'm not saying anything as I fear Deans Wrath!!!! :)

I'm going to try my best to avoid him on January 19th! I like my legs intact

Hahaha come lads you know me better than that, I'm most friendliest guy in boxing and when I said the 19th, I mean that will be the day after the fight so you will have time to look back over his performance and see how you rated it so be prepared for the 18th

greavsie wrote:Shane beat chris in the aba's at super heavyweight the year before chris won them at heavyweight also they have sparred plenty of rounds together so no each other pretty well. That said if Shane gets his act together and trains for this I can only see it going his way I think it will be a similar fight to the Rhys Davies one getting out boxed early then soon as it lands it could be all over. If Keane wins it will be on points theirs no way he will stops Shane.

With all respect Carl, Chris is 100 times better in all departments that Rhys Davies, Chris has got a better chin, better movement, better hand/foot speed, better jab, stronger & hits a awful lot harder. Chris hits harder Imo than Enzo & Williams who have both hurt Shane, and if/when Chris lands how they did then your right, it will definitely be over. Shane is a very tough, strong kid who punches very hard and we've all got a lot of respect for him, and you Carl, and by no means will we be underestimating him or your game plan pal, especially has your known to upset the apple cart on more than one occasion Chris has felt Shane power and he knows what it feels like, they've fought and all the sparring and knowing the water Chris knows in his heart what the outcome will be in 10oz gloves and who is the most improved and who's still the same fighter has do we. I predict Chris will be the first to stop Shane, but it wont be easy by any means. I personally hope its a good, competitive, tough 10 rounds which will be a great experience for Chris to help him in the future, and Chris win's on points. I wish them both the best of luck and a good/safe fight.