How does O'Donnell beat Watson?

[666boxing]

On paper, John O'Donnell's record just doesn't stand up. Apart from the win over Elwell, he only has four victories against fighters with winning records: 4-3 Suleyman Dag, 3-2 Sergejs Volodins 5-4-1 Ben Hutton and 1-0 Duncan Cottier.

Commonwealth champ Watson has beaten Michael Lomax, Ali Nuumbembe and Matthew Hatton - a fight in which he proved he can do the full 12 rounds.

Watson looks a great bet to me.

[celerygolf]

Just for the record Watson beat LOMAX at light welter at two weeks notice and was drained at the weight and would win in a rematch. But I agree Watson wins.

[Counter-puncher]

How does he beat Watson? move, move, move, and move again. maybe throw the odd punch here and there too i suppose

if he's stationary Watson will be able to bully him, Watson looks much stronger in the body than the slightly lanky JOD.

JOD's advantages in this fight are his movement, length, slipperiness and fluidity. If Watson has a major disadvantage i'd say he's maybe a bit predictable?

btw i agree JOD's record and level of opposition aren't nearly that of Watson's, but in a style matchup i have to wonder if JOD can kindof 'do a Herol Graham' on him.

the southpaw vs southpaw angle, and who makes the best of it, will be particularly interesting. JOD has at leastfought a fellow leftie in the pro ranks, not sure if Watson has, i don't think so from memory.

JOD tends to try and throw a pittypat flurry with a harder shot to finish- often the right hook when I've seen him- but he needs to be careful that Watson doesn't time him with a left over the top as he's doing it, which with his often low hands, JOD is vulnerable to shots over his shoulder as he is throwing or making his turns, and Watson throws a really effective short, chopping kind of left hand.

JOD will be the one who tries to rack up points with arm punches, Watson will be throwing the harder shots and working the body more effectively. JOD did work very well to Elwell's body but Elwell with all due respect is no Craig Watson

head says Watson, though heart and intuition (and a strange weakness for tall, slippery southpaws) make me wonder if JOD can outslick him.

in either event a fascinating matchup in a good year for boxing

[Coco]

Watson's inactivity won't help esp against a slippery challenger, and he will be the away fighter, this looks like O'Donnell will squeeze a decision

[ballyupnorth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwCbVTrKS8g

Craig Watson in training with Joe Pennington at Northside Gym, 3 days before he defends his Commonwealth Title at York Hall, Bethnal Green

[black panther]

I also think Watson wins this. I seen O'Donnell as similar in size and style to Lomax who Watson handled easily. I know O'Donnell is probably better than Lomax but I'm illustrating a similarity in styles. Also as 666boxing said, Watson has beaten the much superior opposition to date. The only worry is he hasn't fought in almost a year, and so may be rusty. If Watson is on form he could even stop O'Donnell but if he's not spent his time off wisely and is rusty O'Donnell could out-box and outwork him to a points win.

[cnnrboy5]

odonnell by wide desision. took quick for watson.

[TheGoods]

Barry McGuigan fancies O'Donnell here


http://www.itv.com/Sport/boxing/feature ... 62960.html

[666boxing]

McGuigan isn't exactly 100 per cent about O'Donnell in that ITV interview though:

"It looks like a distance fight, but there isn't much in it and I wouldn't totally rule out either of these boys pulling out a stoppage win."

So, in other words, anything can happen. Great fence-sitting Barry.

[dbflex]

Who said they didn't know if Watson had fought a fellow southpaw about two posts underneath a reference to the Lomax result?

[Adamj1987]

watson is quality and his two losses dont show him justice but from each loss he has learnt and become a better fighter each time i think he could go to a world title shot i see him as currently joint 2nd best welter in the UK
1- Kell Brook
2-Mick jennings
2=watson
4-mutley

[THEBUTCH]

If he's going to beat Watson, John has to out-box him and use those smooth skills. No doubt he'll have to tough it out at times and out punch Watson too, and these will be the dangerous times for O'Donnell because Craig has shown a damaging punch when he nails you.

The quality of opposition is clearly with Watson, but I really believe in O'Donnell's talent, although this is clearly John's acid test. Can't wait!

[MightyWarrior]

I'm going for John O'D on points, hopefully living up to his talent and putting on a boxing clinic. His chin's a question mark for sure, but only that at this stage, as we'll have to give him the ear damage excuse, until we see otherwise I guess.