Luke Watkins vs Mike Stafford

[handsofstone]

Watkins makes the 1st defence of his Commonwealth Cruiserweight title on the Yigit/Hughes undercard this Saturday on channel 5, I was impressed with Watkins when he stopped Dupre to win the title, a bit of a slow start but once he found his groove he slowly broke Dupre down and the ref was right to step in

Havent seen Stafford for a while now, I remember him challenging Dickinson for the British a few years ago and taking him the distance, he's never been stopped so it would be a good scalp for Watkins if he can get him out of there, I fancy Watkins on points

[steve689]

I think Watkins will stop Stafford in about 6 rounds. We were talking to big Tommy McCarthy on the Nuthouse the other night and he fancies a crack at Watkins for either the Commonwealth or Irish. That would be a good scrap.

[magnus]

The Commonwealth Title seems to be the British B Title in all but name in most divisions now.

Would Dupre and Stafford be in many peoples top 10 in the UK?

[Oiky]

Easy enough win for Watkins

[handsofstone]

I remember seeing Stafford on a US card not too long ago on ESPN, he lost a decision to guy called Elbiali(I think) who's a solid prospect

[PredatorHayds]

I see Watkins stopping him.

Seems to be improving every fight. Hopefully Paddy gets a bit of credit on the back of it after the way Groves shafted him.

Watkins-McCarthy would be a good fight.

Askin hopefully vacates title soon. He’s European level now IMO.

[handsofstone]

Stafford is pulled out by his corner after 8 rounds, I'm a bit gutted, it was a good fight and I thought Stafford was excellent I had him sweeping the first 5 rounds, he was busier, his right hand nailed Watkins plenty and wobbled him in the 4th I think it was. Watkins was coming into the fight with the more polished boxing and Stafford started to look weary, he was still in the fight I thought though, Watkins wasn't in total control and Stafford was still dangerous with the wild swings, if he nailed Watkins again it would've got interesting or he might have got a second wind?

His corner surely knows best he was starting to look busted up, not a great performance from Watkins though he looks wide open and takes too long to get his shots off, credit for pulling it out the bag though

[davie]

Stafford is pulled out by his corner after 8 rounds, I'm a bit gutted, it was a good fight and I thought Stafford was excellent I had him sweeping the first 5 rounds, he was busier, his right hand nailed Watkins plenty and wobbled him in the 4th I think it was. Watkins was coming into the fight with the more polished boxing and Stafford started to look weary, he was still in the fight I thought though, Watkins wasn't in total control and Stafford was still dangerous with the wild swings, if he nailed Watkins again it would've got interesting or he might have got a second wind?

His corner surely knows best he was starting to look busted up, not a great performance from Watkins though he looks wide open and takes too long to get his shots off, credit for pulling it out the bag though

I only turned it on for the last couple of rounds and it certainly looked the right call to me.
Wasn't aware it had been so competitive though

[Oiky]

In the early goings it was much more competitive that I thought it would be

Stafford gave a very good account of himself in them first few rounds

Don't really rate Watkins tbh, very crude fighter

[PredatorHayds]

Watkins is very easy to hit.

Might come unstuck as soon as he comes against the first good level puncher.

Watkins-Kennedy would be a cracking fight. Both vulnerable and both can whack.