Itauma v Mezencev on the Feb card

[funso banjo baby]

Itauma is matched against the German ilja mezencev.

It's an odd matchup. Team itauma are hoping for a quick ko.

Mezencev is a curious one. He has a huge winning record but against low level ops, a similar record to Alexander Frank. They build up big records in Germany this way.

Mezencev turned pro as a teenager and his two significant fights were stoppage losses to Tom Schwartz. But these were actually decent fights. Mezencev has drifted between the heavy and cruiser limit without having any other significant fights. He lost last time out, outpointed over six by Christian demaj who was blown away by schwartz immediately after, so the form isn't good, and since moving back to heavyweight he has got a bit too fat round the middle.

But the two Schwartz fights were interesting in the sense that there was obvious grudge between them. Both were fired up for the fights. That's the difference with having padded records, you rarely get motivated for fights.

Aside from the two losses to TS there is nothing to suggest Mezencev will get ko`d by Itauma who is completely untested at this stage in his career.

That said, it will be interesting if Mezencev comes in in shape and let's his fast combos off early against Itauma. This could go one of two ways but the likely result is a points win for itauma. However, if Mezencev is up for the fight which is on a massive stage he could make it interesting.

[margaret thatcher]

is this like chris thompson being a good test for jalolov, then getting ko'd in 1?

mezencev is a roadsweeper who has been chosen for a reason. it will be another facile itauma 'the wind blew him over' ko over a guy knocked out both times he faced his only opponent who was even a quarter decent. jeeez he couldnt even beat albania's #4 hw last time

mezenev seems to be part of a 'ko'd by tom schwarz'' circle jerk, as the guy who beat him last fight was ko'd quick by tom as well

[funso banjo baby]

is this like chris thompson being a good test for jalolov, then getting ko'd in 1?

mezencev is a roadsweeper who has been chosen for a reason. it will be another facile itauma 'the wind blew him over' ko over a guy knocked out both times he faced his only opponent who was even a quarter decent. jeeez he couldnt even beat albania's #4 hw last time

mezenev seems to be part of a 'ko'd by tom schwarz'' circle jerk, as the guy who beat him last fight was ko'd quick by tom as well

Try not to wet yourself


At this stage we are assessing whether prospects are genuine or not.
Jalalov`s ko of chris Thompson was merely a part of that assessment process.
Likewise the form at this stage suggests a points win for Itauma rather than a ko....but we`ll find out on the night.

Calm down dear

[margaret thatcher]

not worked up at all mate, just dont think it's any notable test at all. sorry if i hurt your feelings or something by disagreeing

the form doest suggest this guy going the distance , he'll get pounded and stopped. but we'll see if he at least tries to fight on or does the 'grin as counted out by air punch' act other moses opponents have done

this is the guy btw for people who dont know who the hell Ilja Mezencev is https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/656716

[SeanBrennan]

My main thoughts from his Boxrec pic is he has silly hair