BoxRec

Dodd defends his Commonwealth Lightweight title against Merseyside rival Stalker this weekend, there's been a lot of needle in the build up to this one, a lot of slagging coming from both sides. looks like another tasty scrap, Dodd's an improving fighter, just won his 1st title which should give him confidence and I thought he boxed a smart fight against Appleyard and took his game to another level and showed he's learning with each passing fight as he was late in the game


Stalker on the other hand had an excellent amateur pedigree but hasn't been able to make the transition from amateur to pro, he has looked better since moving down to Lightweight and was unlucky not have at least 1 win over Evans in their 3 fights, he has looked better since the loss to Catterall, I reckon British/Commonwealth is about his level so he's in with a shout in this one

I reckon it will be close but I fancy Stalker to come out on top of a tight one, his pedigree and skills just shading it, although as Dodd showed in his fights with Cardle, amateur success means little

I fancy stalker in a close one - physical advantages and better form.

What gets to Stalker typically is willingness to engage and take advantage of his poor reflexes and instincts. To me Dodd is a bit too cumbersome on the counter, and while he did well against Caterall he looked very uncomfortable at times under pressure against a much less well-schooled opponent than Stalker.

Neither man can crack so ultimately it will come down to who figures out the other's style.

I think Dodd will grind Stalker down and stop him late.

BillyTKid wrote:I think Dodd will grind Stalker down and stop him late.

I agree

bripez wrote:

BillyTKid wrote:I think Dodd will grind Stalker down and stop him late.

I agree

X3

I would lean towards Stalker winning but I still say Masher is the man in form out of the two.

Stalker has only won 3 fights in 3 1/2 years against 3 guys with a combined losing record of 55 fights,olay I take the draws with Craig Evans into account but Im not even sure Stalker deserves a shot at the commonwealth to be honest.

Stalkers main problem is he only ever does just enough to win

been same since amatuers

I see Dodd landing consistently especially late on and getting the Points win around 116-112.

I see it being close early and competetive throughout.
Both get hit and neither have huge power. Could be a really entertaining 12 round fight.

Fairplay to Masher, who'd of though when he won the under 10's and Stalker was a commonwealth games gold medalist that people would be picking him as a favourite at this point!

Good fighter, Stalker seems really fired up for this one I think he might take it!

I expect a slow start from dodd as he gets used to stalkers style as stalket sets the pace at first, but ultimatley expect Dodd to take over as he eventualy catches stalker. Once masher starts to impose himself, im expecting stalker to struggle a bit.
Dodd win on close cards

Who's the more popular locally? I take it Dodd is?

I hope I am wrong, because for me on paper this is a bit of a backward step for Dodd - but I feel style wise Dodd is wrong for Stalker, I can see Thomas outboxing him for a close but clear decision.

Stuarty30 wrote:Who's the more popular locally? I take it Dodd is?

I don't know, but Dodd is always referred to as a "big ticket seller" - don't know about Stalker.

Stuarty30 wrote:Who's the more popular locally? I take it Dodd is?

Dodd will have more support in the arena, them Birkenheaders do come over in their droves to support him to be fair.

cocobongo wrote:

Stuarty30 wrote:Who's the more popular locally? I take it Dodd is?

Dodd will have more support in the arena, them Birkenheaders do come over in their droves to support him to be fair.

Cheers. You reckon that'll play a part in the decision if close?,

Stalker on points for me

Stalker is more popular in liverpool an boxing world. Dodd just has birkinhead behind him ,he does sell 500 -1000 tickets maybe more,but nearly all from over the water. Stalker does a good few aswell

I'm very confident Dodd wins this. Possibly stops him late.

What's stalkers best win as a pro ? Beating a guy on points that Tommy Coyle banged out in a round.

Fighters Dodd has already beat like Partera Scott cardle and possibly Appleyard I would fancy to beat Stalker.

118-110 Dodd, fairly easy fight to score Stalker looked sharp in the first 2 rounds and Dodd looked a bit confused but even though I looked like I was gonna make good on my Stalker points prediction for the all of 2 rounds, in all fairness I should've predicted Dodd would start to walk him down, land clean and make things uncomfortable for Stalker, I thought Stalker could raise his game for this fight but he fought the way he always does, wide open, standing in range and not busy enough to knock Dodd out of his stride, he's nowhere near sharp enough to keep his hands that low

Dodd on the other hand was 1st class, he's getting better with age and TBH it was an easy nights work for him after the 1st 2 rounds, he bullied Stalker on the inside and outboxed him from the outside, lead right hands landing on the outside and whenever he got in close the right uppercut through the middle, landed nearly everytime

Pretty much punch perfect from Dodd, good engine, intelligent boxing and effective aggressiveness

handsofstone wrote:118-110 Dodd, fairly easy fight to score Stalker looked sharp in the first 2 rounds and Dodd looked a bit confused but even though I looked like I was gonna make good on my Stalker points prediction for the all of 2 rounds, in all fairness I should've predicted Dodd would start to walk him down, land clean and make things uncomfortable for Stalker, I thought Stalker could raise his game for this fight but he fought the way he always does, wide open, standing in range and not busy enough to knock Dodd out of his stride, he's nowhere near sharp enough to keep his hands that low

Dodd on the other hand was 1st class, he's getting better with age and TBH it was an easy nights work for him after the 1st 2 rounds, he bullied Stalker on the inside and outboxed him from the outside, lead right hands landing on the outside and whenever he got in close the right uppercut through the middle, landed nearly everytime

Pretty much punch perfect from Dodd, good engine, intelligent boxing and effective aggressiveness

agree mate the only rds i gave stalker was the first 2 , i also think dodd was so unorthodox and tough type of scrapper , stalker couldnt cope with him,

brilo33 wrote:

handsofstone wrote:118-110 Dodd, fairly easy fight to score Stalker looked sharp in the first 2 rounds and Dodd looked a bit confused but even though I looked like I was gonna make good on my Stalker points prediction for the all of 2 rounds, in all fairness I should've predicted Dodd would start to walk him down, land clean and make things uncomfortable for Stalker, I thought Stalker could raise his game for this fight but he fought the way he always does, wide open, standing in range and not busy enough to knock Dodd out of his stride, he's nowhere near sharp enough to keep his hands that low

Dodd on the other hand was 1st class, he's getting better with age and TBH it was an easy nights work for him after the 1st 2 rounds, he bullied Stalker on the inside and outboxed him from the outside, lead right hands landing on the outside and whenever he got in close the right uppercut through the middle, landed nearly everytime

Pretty much punch perfect from Dodd, good engine, intelligent boxing and effective aggressiveness

agree mate the only rds i gave stalker was the first 2 , i also think dodd was so unorthodox and tough type of scrapper , stalker couldnt cope with him,

I don't think Stalker can cope with any style, did he really beat Josh Taylor??

handsofstone wrote:

brilo33 wrote:

handsofstone wrote:118-110 Dodd, fairly easy fight to score Stalker looked sharp in the first 2 rounds and Dodd looked a bit confused but even though I looked like I was gonna make good on my Stalker points prediction for the all of 2 rounds, in all fairness I should've predicted Dodd would start to walk him down, land clean and make things uncomfortable for Stalker, I thought Stalker could raise his game for this fight but he fought the way he always does, wide open, standing in range and not busy enough to knock Dodd out of his stride, he's nowhere near sharp enough to keep his hands that low

Dodd on the other hand was 1st class, he's getting better with age and TBH it was an easy nights work for him after the 1st 2 rounds, he bullied Stalker on the inside and outboxed him from the outside, lead right hands landing on the outside and whenever he got in close the right uppercut through the middle, landed nearly everytime

Pretty much punch perfect from Dodd, good engine, intelligent boxing and effective aggressiveness

agree mate the only rds i gave stalker was the first 2 , i also think dodd was so unorthodox and tough type of scrapper , stalker couldnt cope with him,

I don't think Stalker can cope with any style, did he really beat Josh Taylor??

amateurs though . i think he took to long to turn pro. i thought the same with luke campbell . but after luke's last fight thinks maybe not

brilo33 wrote:

handsofstone wrote:

brilo33 wrote: agree mate the only rds i gave stalker was the first 2 , i also think dodd was so unorthodox and tough type of scrapper , stalker couldnt cope with him,

I don't think Stalker can cope with any style, did he really beat Josh Taylor??

amateurs though . i think he took to long to turn pro. i thought the same with luke campbell . but after luke's last fight thinks maybe not

Yeah but still I can imagine Stalker's speed, sharpness and engine to fade but basic tactics???

handsofstone wrote:

brilo33 wrote:

handsofstone wrote: I don't think Stalker can cope with any style, did he really beat Josh Taylor??

amateurs though . i think he took to long to turn pro. i thought the same with luke campbell . but after luke's last fight thinks maybe not

Yeah but still I can imagine Stalker's speed, sharpness and engine to fade but basic tactics???

stalker to me looks like he is shot worn in away ,started well enough, it is like he has been through brutal trilogies

You have to be very good to get away with holding your lead hand down by your knee.