Showing posts with label Matchroom Fight Camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matchroom Fight Camp. Show all posts

Saturday, August 14, 2021

Buatsi KO’s Bolotniks In 11 In 2021 Matchroom Fight Camp Finale

 

Undefeated top-ten rated Light-Heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi scored a hard- fought eleventh round knockout over Ricards Bolotniks on Saturday night at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. In what was billed an an elimination bout for the WBA Light-Heavyweight world championship, the two fighters engaged each other in close quarters from the outset. This scenario saw several exchanges between the two fighters with Buatsi generally getting the better of the action due largely to his edge in hand speed. Bolotniks however, was able to provide Buatsi with a level of resistance that he had not experienced before in being able to extend the fight. 

 

Buatsi dropped Bolotniks with a perfectly timed left hook to the jaw in a short exchange of hooks in round six. Despite going down hard and being hurt, Bolotniks was able to get up from the knockdown, survive the round, and continue to put up a fight in the rounds that followed. In round eight, Buatsi was penalized a point for low blows by Referee Howard Foster as some attempted hooks to Bolotniks’ body landed below the belt line. What became a war of attrition saw Bolotniks land some solid hooks of his own and managed to keep the fight competitive in the process. In round eleven however, Buatsi as he has become known for ended the fight in brutal and dramatic fashion as he dropped an exhausted Bolotniks with a flush overhand right to the head that sent the very “Game” Bolotniks down face first in his corner. The bout was immediately stopped without a count. Official time of the stoppage was 2:08 of round eleven. Joshua Buatsi advances to 15-0, with 13 Knockouts. Ricards Bolotniks falls to 18-6-1, with 8 Knockouts.

 

 

Also on this card:

 

Unbeaten Lightweight Joe Cordina scored a first round knockout of Joshuah Hernandez. Cordina dropped Hernandez with an overhand right that came from behind a jab that sent Hernandez down on his back. Hernandez tried, but he was unable to beat the count. Official time of the stoppage was :53 of round one. Joe Cordina advances to 13-0, with 8 Knockouts. Joshuah Hernandez falls to 10:4, with 8 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated WBO number four rated Welterweight contender Michael McKinson scored a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Przemyslaw Runowski. McKinson put on a display of Boxing skill from the opening bell, picking his shots and frankly not facing much resistance. If there was anything to criticize, it is perhaps that McKinson may have been able to get a stoppage if he had chose to press the issue. Official scores were 99-91 (On two scorecards), and 98-92 all in favor of McKinson. Michael McKinson advances to 21-0, with 2 Knockouts. Przemyslaw Runowski falls to 19-2, with 5 Knockouts.

 

In a clash of unbeaten Jr. Featherweights Hopey Price scored a six round decision over previously undefeated Claudio Grande. A competitive fight in spots, Price’s angles and timed counter punches proved to be the difference in the bout. In the closing seconds of the fight, Price dropped Grande with a perfectly timed counter left hook to the jaw as Grande was rushing forward. Grande went down hard and one might argue that had it not been at the end of the fight, the possibility of the fight being stopped was there. Grande was able to beat the count at the final bell. As all non-title bouts in the United Kingdom and Ireland that do not have an impact on the regional or world rankings are solely scored by the referee officiating a bout, Referee Mark Bates scored the bout 58-55 in favor of Price. Hopey Price advances to 5-0, with 1 Knockout. Claudio Grande falls to 5-1, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Former British Bantamweight champion Kash Farooq scored a ten round unanimous decision over Luis Castillo. Farooq used superb lateral movement, hand speed, and timing to out box the heavy-handed Castillo over ten rounds to earn the unanimous decision victory. Although Castillo was able to land some hard shots particularly with his left hook sporadically, he was not able to nullify Farooq’s ability to get his punches off first and limit his openings. Official scores were: 100-90 (On two scorecards), and 100-91 in favor of Farooq. Kash Farooq advances to 16-1, with 6 Knockouts. Luis Castillo falls to 28-3, with 18 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Featherweight prospect Raymond Ford scored a third round stoppage of former Commonwealth Featherweight champion Reece Bellotti.  The first two rounds saw the fighters trade punches in an effort to establish control. In round three however, Ford connected with a short right hook that set off a barrage of unanswered punches that forced referee Michael Alexander to stop the fight. Official time of stoppage was :39 of round three. Raymond Ford advances 9-0-1, with 5 Knockouts. Reece Bellotti falls to 14-5, with 12 Knockouts. 

 

Jr. Featherweight Zelfa Barrett began the evening by scoring a fifth round stoppage over veteran Viorel Simion. Barrett gradually broke Simion down with a steady flow of offense to the body and head. After five rounds of mostly one way punishment, Simion’s corner stopped the fight at the conclusion of round five, Zelfa Barrett advances to 26-1, with 16 Knockouts. Viorel Simion falls to 22-7, with 9 Knockouts.

 

 

The finale of the 2021 season of Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp series was very much in the spirit of what the series, which was born in response to the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic, to provide “No Easy Fights” for the fighters involved, which depending on one’s perspective obviously depends on an individual fighter’s performance. More importantly however, the series achieved its ultimate goal, to continue providing competitive fights and entertaining action for Boxing fans in the midst of ongoing difficult and uncertain times. While this series was born out of necessity as a means for promoter Eddie Hearn to remain active when much of the world including sporting arenas were shut down due to the circumstances of COVID-19, as this observer said in previewing the first week of the season, though born out of necessity, the groundwork has been laid for what should be an annual tradition on the Matchroom Boxing calendar. I for one look for to seeing how the series evolves in season 3.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.” 

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Friday, August 13, 2021

Matchroom Fight Camp 2021 Season Finale Weights

 

The official weigh-in for Saturday’s Boxing card that will conclude the 2021 season of Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp series took place earlier today in Brentwood, England. The weights for the entire card, which will take place at Matchroom Headquarters and be broadcast globally by digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN are as follows.

 

Main Event: Light-Heavyweight – 12Rds.

 

Joshua Buatsi 174 3/4lbs. vs. Ricards Boloniks 174 1/2lbs.

 

Welterweight – 10Rds. 

 

Michael McKinson 146 1/2lbs. vs. Przemyslaw Runowski 146 1/4lbs.

 

Featherweight – 10Rds.

 

Raymond Ford 126lbs. vs. Reece Bellotti 125 1/4lbs.

 

Bantamweight – 10Rds.

 

Ukashir Farooq 117 1/2lbs. vs. Luis Castillo 116 1/4lbs.

 

Jr.Lightweight – 10Rds.

 

Joe Cordina 134lbs. vs. Joshuah Hernandez 132 3/4lbs.

 

Lightweight – 8Rds.

 

Zelfa Barrett 136 1/4lbs. vs. Viorel Simion 139 3/4lbs.

 

Jr. Featherweight – 6Rds.

 

Hopey Price 123 3/4lbs. vs. Claudio Grande 121 1/2lbs.

 

Matchroom Fight Camp: Buatsi vs. Bolotniks takes place on Saturday, August 14th at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. The entire card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning with a Matchroom Before The Bell pre-fight show that will feature a portion of preliminary bouts beginning at 12:30PM ET/9:30 AM PT. This will be followed by the main card, which will begin at 2PM ET/11AM PT (*U.S. Times.)

 

*Card Subject To Change 

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

For Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Previewing Matchroom Fight Camp Season 2 Week 3 Season Finale

 

The second season of Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp series held on the grounds of the family estate of promoter Eddie Hearn in a beautiful scenic setting in Brentwood, England has largely focused in its first two weeks on the 126lb. Featherweight division. A focus that in part was magnified by undefeated Welterweight contender Conor Benn being forced to withdraw from his scheduled July 31st bout against Adrian Granados, which was to headline week one of the season due to Benn testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. As most know, this led to back to back weeks where two Featherweight bouts that were at or near the top of the division took centerstage. As those first two weeks have been covered extensively by this observer here on The Boxing Truth®️, week three, which will bring the 2021 season of Matchroom Fight Camp to its conclusion will see the focus shift away from the Featherweight division and center on the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division.

 

Headlining week three of Matchroom Fight Camp will be undefeated top-ten rated Light-Heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi as he will look to take another step towards a potential shot at a world championship when he faces fellow top-ten Light-Heavyweight contender Ricards Bolotniks in a fight scheduled for twelve rounds. For Buatsi, a fighter currently rated in the top-ten in all five major world sanctioning organizations, the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO, he appears on the verge of challenging for a world championship perhaps as early as next year. In fourteen bouts as a professional, Buatsi has scored knockouts in twelve of those fights registering a career knockout percentage of over 85%. This included his last fight in May when he scored a brutal fourth round knockout of Daniel Dos Santos. A fight that saw Buatsi drop his opponent twice with the second knockdown resulting in Dos Santos being knocked out cold before he hit the canvas.

 

Based not only on that performance, but also his record up to this point, it is not hard to understand why the twenty-eight year old Buatsi has established himself as a “Knockout Artist.” Although being able to establish such a label has the benefit of generating interest and stirring buzz amongst both Boxing fans and experts, the negative effect could be that it forces a fighter in Buatsi’s position to literally fight his way into a mandatory challenger position as some fighters and to be more specific the promoters of said fighters who might be world champions could view a fighter like Buatsi as dangerous and the type of fight to avoid until such time as it makes sense from a business standpoint that makes what is likely viewed as a risk, worth it for champions, their handlers, and finally their promoters.

 

While such approaches while strategic are often criticized heavily by fans who may not understand the business side of the sport of Boxing, unfortunately, this is the reality many fighters in Buatsi’s current position may have to navigate as they climb their way up the rankings. There is also the obvious danger a fighter in this position faces in the possibility of potentially looking past an opponent and towards a more lucrative opportunity.

 

In Ricards Bolotniks, Buatsi will face a veteran of twenty-four professional fights that will enter the bout with a record of 18-5-1, with 8 Knockouts. Bolotniks, is currently rated number five in the world by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), two positions above Buatsi, who is currently rated number seven by the same organization. The thirty-one year old Bolotniks also currently holds the WBO version of the European Light-Heavyweight championship. Bolotniks scored a tenth round stoppage of Serge Michel in defense of that championship in his last fight in December of last year.

 

Although Bolotniks will also enter this fight on a seven fight winning streak, stylistically, it appears he might be facing an uphill battle against Buatsi. This is due to both Buatsi’s strength as well as his punching power and ability to almost systematically walk his opponents down as he did in his last fight against Dos Santos. Bolotniks meanwhile, is a very tactical fighter that is a good counter puncher. What may be a red flag for Bolotniks however, is despite his counter punching ability, he tends to show a hesitance in letting his hands go. 

 

While some might say this approach is strictly used as a means of creating opens, the flip side of that is it can also create scenarios where he is not active enough to earn the benefit of the doubt in terms of winning rounds as judges score the fight. In this case, Bolotniks will be facing a fighter in Buatsi that likes to come forward and because of his punching power, he has the ability to do damage and hurt an opponent with either hand. Although the possibility always exists that an offensive-minded fighter can get caught by a disciplined counter puncher if they become overly aggressive, Bolotniks must find a happy medium in this fight and must figure out a way to discourage Buatsi from coming forward. If Bolotniks’ approach simply consists of sitting behind a high defensive guard and only looking to land punches on any openings that Buatsi might leave him, it is unlikely based on his record that he has the type of punching power that can end a fight with one punch. If he does not mix his approach up in this fight it will likely play into Buatsi’s hands.

 

There will be two other bouts on the undercard featuring unbeaten fighters at varying stages of their careers. Rising unbeaten American Featherweight Raymond Ford has gradually been gaining steam in his young career competing under the Matchroom banner. In nine professional fights, Ford has posted a record of 8-0-1, with 4 Knockouts. Now Ford will look to step up in his first scheduled ten round bout as he faces Reece Bellotti. Although Belloti is in the opponent role from a promotional standpoint in this fight, he does represent a step up not only to the ten round distance for Ford, but more importantly, a step up in class of opposition.

 

A veteran of eighteen professional fights, Bellotti has a record of 14-4, with 12 Knockouts and has stopped nearly 67% of his opponents inside the distance.  This not only represents an edge in experience for Bellotti, but also an element of danger, which Ford has not really faced up to this point. In his four losses, Bellotti has only been stopped once and is a former Commonwealth Featherweight champion so it will be interesting to see how Ford performs against a fighter of Belloti’s caliber.

 

Undefeated WBO number four rated Welterweight contender Michael McKinson will also be in action as he will face Przemyslaw Runowski in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds. McKinson is a former holder of the WBO’s version of the European championship in the 147lb. Welterweight division and appears close to a potential world title shot at least as far as the WBO is concerned with a high ranking. The twenty-seven year old McKinson is unbeaten in twenty pro bouts and has also shown that he is a distance fighter having only two knockouts in those twenty career wins. 

 

In Przemyslaw Runowski, McKinson will face a veteran of twenty professional bouts much like himself. In those twenty professional fights, Runowski has a record of 19-1, with 5 Knockouts. Although Runowski has a slightly higher percentage when it comes to stopping opponents inside the distance, he has not faced a fighter who is rated in the top-ten as McKinson is and it will be interesting to see what Runowski, who is not currently rated in the top fifteen in the WBO Welterweight ratings, brings to the table in a fight where at least on paper, there are some similarities both in terms of the fighters respective records, as well as being equal in age.

 

Thus far, season two of Matchroom Fight Camp has lived up to the promotional slogan of “No Easy Fights” and this has produced back to back weeks of entering cards. As we now look towards the season finale, this observer is very intrigued to see what happens next.

 

And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Matchroom Fight Camp: Buatsi vs. Bolotniks takes place on Saturday, August 14th at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. The entire card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning with a Matchroom Before The Bell pre-fight show that will feature a portion of preliminary bouts beginning at 12:30PM ET/9:30 AM PT. This will be followed by the main card, which will begin at 2PM ET/11AM PT (*U.S. Times.)

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

For Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Galahad Stops Dickens In 11 In Rematch At Matchroom Fight Camp

 

Longtime contender Kid Galahad made the transition from contender to world champion by stopping a “Game” but overmatched James Dickens to win the IBF Featherweight world championship on Saturday night at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. A rematch from 2013 when the two met for the British Jr. Featherweight championship, which was won by Galahad in ten rounds, the second encounter between the two would have a similar outcome.

 

From the outset, Galahad implemented a very tactical approach that had an emphasis on both being active with his offense, but also accurate with the punches he threw. Dickens suffered a cut over the left eye in the first round as a result of an accidental clash of heads. This in addition to not being able to nullify Galahad’s hand speed and movement continued to worsen as the fight progressed. 

 

By the middle rounds, the accumulation of punishment became more visible and it appeared as though the combinations that Galahad was able to land also may have resulted in Dickens suffering a broken nose as well. After eleven rounds of mostly one way punishment, Dickens’ corner stopped the fight at the conclusion of round eleven to prevent him from suffering further punishment. Kid Galahad advances to 28-1, with 17 Knockouts. James Dickens falls to 30-4, with 11 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Undefeated English Heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley scored a first round knockout of Nick Webb. Webb started the fight aggressively in trying to bring the fight to Wardley. In the midst of an exchange of punches, Wardley stunned Webb with a hook to the head. This oppened an opportunity for the champion to unleash a barrage of punches that sent Webb down into a corner of the ring and prompting a stoppage of the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 2:30 of round one. Fabio Wardley advances to 12-0, with 11 Knockouts. Nick Webb falls to 17-3, with 13 Knockouts.

 

In a Heavyweight slugfest unbeaten Alen Babic remained perfect by outlasting a “Game” Mark Bennett in scoring a fifth round stoppage. From the opening bell, both fighters were willing to stand and go toe to toe with just about every variation of offense one can think of. The near non-stop brawl continued with Babic gradually getting the better of the exchanges. By round five and fighting the effects of both exhaustion and an opponent that would not let him off the hook, Bennett barely managed to finish the round. Although he never was knocked down, the effects of the punishment, particularly the roundhouse hooks with both hands to the head became too much for Bennett’s corner to ignore and they stopped the fight at the conclusion of the fifth round to prevent him from further punishment. Alen Babic advances to 8-0, with 8 Knockouts. Mark Bennett falls to 7-2, with 1 Knockout.  

 

Undefeated Heavyweight Johnny Fisher scored a second round stoppage of Danny Whitaker. Fisher stunned Whitaker with a right hand to the head that sent him down on one knee. Fisher was sent down for a second time moments later with another right hand. Sensing his opponent could not recover, Fisher pressed forward following the second knockdown and a follow up barrage seemed as though it would send Whitaker down for a third time, but the bout was halted before that could happen. Official time of the stoppage was 1:08 of round two. Johnny Fisher advances to 3-0, with 3 Knockouts. Danny Whitaker falls to 4-4, with 0 Knockouts.

 

Women’s Bantamweight contender Ebanie Bridges scored a third round stoppage of Bec Connolly. Bridges was in control from the outset and while the early portion of the bout was uneventful, Bridges quickly changed that in round three connecting with a flush right uppercut to the head that sent Connolly down to the canvas. Connolly was able to get up from the knockdown, but a follow up overhand right from Bridges was enough to continue Referee Kieran McCann to stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:22 of round three. Ebanie Bridges advances to 6-1, with 3 Knockouts. Bec Connolly falls to 3-10, with 0 Knockouts.

 

Rising Jr. Lightweight prospect Aqib Fiaz began the evening with a hard fought eight round decision over Kevin Baldospino. A fight that was competitive throughout and saw several exchanges, Fiaz’ greater work rate particularly over the first four rounds was ultimately enough to secure a one point victory on the scorecard of the lone judge of the bout as all non-title fights held in the United Kingdom and Ireland that do not have an impact on regional or world rankings the Referee Kieran McCann, who scored the bout 77-76 in his favor Aqib Fiaz advances to 7-0, with 0 Knockouts. Kevin Baldospino falls to 9-6-2, with 1 Knockout.

 

Although the main story of the second week of Matchroom Boxing’s second season of its Fight Camp series will be Kid Galahad’s successfully becoming a world champion in what is becoming a rapidly crowded 126lb. Featherweight division, this card also saw the rising careers of three unbeaten Heavyweight prospects at similar stages in their development, which served as the bulk of this evening of Boxing, and the fact that all three prospects were able to score knockouts in their respective bouts should be an indication that the future is bright in regard to the British and European levels of the division and it might not be too long before we are talking about all three Fabio Wardley, Alen Babic, and Johnny Fisher as potential world contenders in due time.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

Friday, August 6, 2021

Matchroom Fight Camp 2021 Week 2 Weights

 The official weigh-in for Saturday’s second week of the 2021  Matchroom Fight Camp series took place earlier today in Brentwood, England at Matchroom Headquarters. Weights for the entire card, which can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN and will be headlined by a rematch between Kid Galahad and James Dickens for the vacant IBF Featherweight world championship are as follows.

 

Main Event: Vacant IBF Featherweight World Championship – 12Rds.

 

Kid Galahad 126lbs. vs. James Dickens 125 1/2lbs.

 

English Heavyweight Championship – 10Rds.

 

Fabio Wardley (Champion) 235 1/2lbs. vs. Nick Webb 256lbs.

 

 

Heavyweight – 8Rds.

 

Alen Babic 210lbs.vs. Mark Bennett 272 1/2lbs.

 

 

Heavyweight – 4Rds.

 

Johnny Fisher 239 1/2lbs. vs. Danny Whitaker 259 1/2lbs.

 

 

Women’s Bantamweight – 8Rds.

 

Ebanie Bridges 118 3/4lbs. vs. Bec Connolly 119lbs.

 

 

Jr. Lightweight – 8Rds.

 

Kevin Baldospino 131 1/2lbs. vs. Aqib Fiaz 131 3/4lbs.

 

Matchroom Fight Camp: Galahad vs. Dickens II takes place on Saturday, August 7th at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. The entire card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT with an hour long Before The Bell preliminary show, which will feature a portion of preliminary bouts before the remainder of the card begins at 2PM ET/11AM PT (U.S, Times.) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

*Card Subject To Change

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Previewing Matchroom Fight Camp Season 2 Week 2

 

The second season of Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp series kicked off in a big way on July 31st at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. As this observer stated in his post-coverage of week 1, the sales hook for this series is relatively simple “No Easy Fights.” Although not originally intended, the first two weeks of this season will be headlined by bouts that could have a potential impact on the near future of the 126lb. Featherweight division. As most know, in week 1, British Featherweight champion Leigh Wood significantly stepped up in caliber of opposition and due to circumstances of COVID-19 saw himself in the main event against WBA mandatory challenger Xu Can. Wood turned in the best performance of his career in out Boxing Can over twelve rounds before dropping him in dramatic fashion in the final round, which led to a stoppage with seconds remaining in the fight.

 

This indirectly sets the stage for the main event of week 2 of Matchroom Fight Camp 2021 as the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight world championship will be at stake when Kid Galahad meets James Dickens in a rematch of a bout in 2013 in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds on Saturday, August 7th. In some ways, this fight has similarities to the Can-Wood bout as Galahad has experience in having previously challenged for a world championship in June 2019 in losing a twelve round split decision to then IBF champion Josh Warrington. Galahad gave a good account of himself in defeat and now finds himself in position to challenge for the IBF championship again, only this time the crown is vacated. In his last fight, Galahad got back to his winning ways by scoring an eighth round stoppage of Claudio Marrero in February of last year.

 

Even though Galahad has what may amount to a confidence booster and an experience edge in having challenged for a world championship before in coming up short by a narrow margin on the scorecards, as well as knowing he defeated Dickens once before in winning the then vacant British Jr. Featherweight championship in 2013, James Dickens finds himself in a position coming into this fight that is not all that unlike the one Leigh Wood was in prior to his bout against Xu Can. In thirty-three professional bouts, Dickens has a solid record of 30-3, with 11 Knockouts and in fact has more fights than Galahad, who will enter the bout with a record of 27-1, with 16 Knockouts.

 

Dickens has gone on to win both the IBF and World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) respective versions of the European Featherweight championship in his career since the loss to Galahad and does hold a victory over Leigh Wood in February of last year. Despite this and what Wood was able to accomplish last week in stopping Xu Can, which might put things in a different light depending on one’s perspective, some might say that Dickens is still in the position of stepping up in class of opposition in this fight against Galahad.

 

In the eyes of this observer, this fight is well-matched and could end up being difficult to score due to the similarities of the two fighters respective styles. Despite what happened the first time these two met in 2013 with Galahad stopping Dickens in ten rounds, it certainly is not hard to envision the ebb and flow potentially shifting multiple times throughout the twelve round world championship bout as this is an encounter between two boxer/punchers. One should keep in mind that nearly eight years have past from the first encounter between these two fighters and both have evolved over time.What has all the appearance of what could be a close tactical battle just might come down to which fighter is able to establish the tempo and how long they are able to sustain it that might determine who will win this fight and become the new IBF Featherweight world champion.

 

Week 2 of Matchroom Fight Camp will feature two interesting Heavyweight bouts featuring two unbeaten prospects that could be potential opponents down the line if they are able to win in their respective bouts on this card. The first of these bouts will see Fabio Wardley making the first defense of his English Heavyweight championship against Nick Webb in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds.

 

For those unfamiliar with the regional championships structure on the British level of the sport, the holder of an English championship in a given weight class is usually one step away from challenging for either British or Commonwealth championships before personably setting sights on European championships or world championship opportunities.  Unlike some fighters who have an English championship however, Wardley has already had some success in testing the waters against world level competition as he scored a knockout win against former multi-time world title challenger Eric Molina in March of this year.

 

In eleven professional bouts, Wardley has scored knockouts in ten of those bouts registering a career knockout percentage of nearly 91%. As both impressive and intimidating as that statistic is and might be for potential opponents preparing to face Wardley, like most fighters who are able to begin their careers with a string of often quick knockouts, the question of who might be able to provide the fighter with a test is inevitably asked. Some including this observer felt that given Eric Molina’s vast experience in being a longtime contender that challenged for versions of the World Heavyweight championship on two occasions might have been the first to give Wardley such a test.

 

This was simply not the case as he was not able to provide Wardley with much resistance and was gradually broken down before being knocked out in the fifth round. The victory over Molina for Wardley did indicate that he might be contending on the world level of the Heavyweight division sooner rather than later. Before that can be explored however, he will defend his English championship against Nick Webb.

 

Webb will enter the bout having won seventeen of nineteen professional bouts and does have more total rounds as compared to Wardley’s thirty total rounds boxed, having boxed forty-four total rounds un his career. Although Webb will enter this bout having won his last four bouts and scoring knockouts in two of those bouts, he has been knocked out in his two career defeats and the question/task he will face in this fight is both simple and easier said than done. Will he be able to extend Wardley into the middle and late rounds of this fight and can he avoid Wardley’s power in doing so.

 

Obviously, yours truly cannot provide the answer, but until a fighter is able to extend Wardley into the deep waters of a fight and/or answer questions regarding how he will respond to being hurt and/or knocked down, the task that Webb has at hand will essentially be the same for future Wardley opponents. 

 

The second Heavyweight bout that will be featured on this card will feature unbeaten prospect Alen Babic facing once beaten Mark Bennett. A scheduled distance for this bout has not been announced as of this writing, but much like Fabio Wardley, Babic has established a reputation for scoring quick knockouts in stopping all seven of his previous opponents in three rounds or less.  While the questions that surround Fabio Wardley can easily be applied as well to Babic, one might argue that he might not face much resistance in this fight and may even go a step further by saying the yet to be announced scheduled distance of this bout might not matter.

 

Despite entering this bout with a respectable record of having won seven of his eight career bouts, Mark Bennett has only one career knockout in his career and his one career loss came in his last bout a three round decision loss in December 2019 to the man who will be challenging Fabio Wardley on this same card Nick Webb in the finals of an Ultimate Boxxer Heavyweight tournament.

 

While bouts held under the Ultimate Boxxer tournament format do not follow the traditional professional Boxing format in terms of round distances, the task Bennett will have here is to avoid Babic’s power. Babic is a come forward fighter that has in previous fights thrown each punch with the intention of ending matters. Although it is certainly logical to think Babic will look to implement a similar approach here as it has not worked against him thus far, it will be interesting to see if Bennett will be able to establish a pace that might answer some questions regarding Babic’s conditioning over the course of a fight if the seek and destroy approach does not work in the early rounds as has been the case in his career to this point.

 

A card that features a world championship bout as well as two Heavyweight bouts with very similar scenarios going in seems to have the ingredients for the type of card that the Matchroom Fight Camp series has become known for. Exciting action where the fan can expect to be entertained, but also should not rule out seeing unexpected outcomes. We will see what this edition of Matchroom Fight Camp Season 2 has in store on Saturday, August 7th.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Matchroom Fight Camp: Galahad vs. Dickens II takes place on Saturday, August 7th at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. The entire card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT with an hour long Before The Bell preliminary show, which will feature a portion of preliminary bouts before the remainder of the card begins at 2PM ET/11AM PT (U.S, Times.) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

 *Card Subject To Change.

 

We will have a preview of the third and final week of Matchroom Fight Camp Season 2 here on The Boxing Truth®️ on Thursday, August 12th. Stay tuned.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

 

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Wood Stops Can In 12 At Matchroom Fight Camp

 

In an upset,British Featherweight champion Leigh Wood scored a twelfth round stoppage of top Featherweight contender Xu Can in the main event of week 1 of Season 2 of Matchroom Fight Camp on Saturday night at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. From the opening bell, Wood used angles and his reach to keep the normal volume puncher Can on the defensive and only getting his punches off sporadically. This along with consistent combination punching firmly established the momentum in Wood’s favor. As the fight progressed, Can, who entered the fight holding interim/regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Featherweight ratings, started to pick up his pace, but was unable to turn the ebb and flow of the combat in his favor, perhaps affected by ring rust after being inactive for nearly twenty-two months due largely to the ongoing COVID-19 global epidemic. 

 

The story of the fight became Wood’s ability to remain disciplined. With momentum seemingly on his side, Wood made a statement in the late stages of the twelfth and final round by dropping Can with a perfectly timed counter right hook to the head. Can was able to get to his feet, but Wood sensing his opponent was in trouble was not content to box the remaining seconds to what appeared to be a clear decision victory. He proceeded to press forward and with a follow-up barrage was able to get a stoppage with fifteen seconds remaining in the fight. Leigh Wood advances to 25-2, with 14 Knockouts. Xu Can falls to 18-3, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Commonwealth Cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith scored a hard fought twelve round split decision over European Cruiserweight champion Tommy McCarthy to win the European Cruiserweight championship and vacant British Cruiserweight championship. An extremely difficult fight to score and at times ugly to watch due to the fighters grappling on the inside, Smith was stunned by an overhand right to the head in the first round. He was able to recoup and managed to hold his own against the awkwardness of McCarthy. As the two fighters traded the ebb and flow in seemingly every round, McCarthy suffered a bad cut over the right eye in the sixth round as a result of an accidental clash of heads. McCarthy continued however, to hold his own and staggered Smith with another overhand right in the eleventh round. An extremely close fight with neither fighter standing out definitively was illustrated as two of three official judges scored the fight 115-114, but were split between the two fighters. The third and deciding judge however, turned in a score of 116-112 in favor of Smith giving him the victory and the trifecta of British, Commonwealth, and European Cruiserweight championships. Chris Billam-Smith advances to 13-1, with 10 Knockouts. Tommy McCarthy falls to 18-3, with 9 Knockouts.

 

Unbeaten Jr. Welterweight  Campbell Hatton, the son of former two-division world champion Ricky Hatton, improved to 3-0 in his young career by scoring a four round decision over Jakub Laskowski. Hatton forced the action from the outset and, despite a consistent attack to Laskowski’s body Laskowski did manage to make it to the final bell. As all non-title bouts held in the United Kingdom and Ireland that do not have an impact on regional or world rankings are scored solely by the referee officiating a fight, Referee Mark Bates scored the fight 40-36 in favor of Hatton. Campbell Hatton advances to 3-0, with 0 Knockouts. Jakub Laskowski falls to 4-5-1, with 2 Knockouts.

 

Jr. Middleweight contender Anthony Fowler scored an impressive eighth round stoppage of late substitute Rico MuellerFowler was able to keep Mueller, who took the fight on short notice when original opponent Roberto Garcia withdrew with an injury suffered in training, on the end of his punches with his longer reach from the opening bell. This resulted in Mueller having to fight behind a high defensive guard where he simply was not able to get his punches off consistently. As Fowler gradually kept his offense coming and started breaking through Mueller’s guard, the punishment gradually accumulated. In round eight, Fowler connected with a solid one, two to the head that staggered Mueller. Fowler responded with a near non-stop barrage of punches that was broken briefly when Mueller landed a single hook to the head, but that punch was not enough to keep Fowler off of him and with the assault continuing, the fight was mercifully stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 2:12 of round eight. Anthony Fowler advances to 16-1, with 12 Knockouts. Rico Mueller falls to 28-4-1, with 19 Knockouts.

 

 

Super-Middleweight Jack Cullen scored the biggest win of his career by scoring a dominant ten round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Avni Yildirim. Cullen used his longer reach to keep Yildirim at distance. Working behind a consistent jab and using lateral movement, Cullen was able to out box and withstand Yildirim’s pressure as the fight progressed to earn a convincing unanimous decision victory. Official scores were: 100-90, 98-92, and 97-93 all in favor of Cullen. Jack Cullen advances to 20-2-1, with 9 Knockouts. Avni Yildirim falls to 21-4, with 12 Knockouts.

 

In the opening bout of the evening Women’s Jr. Welterweight Sandy Ryan began her professional career by scoring a six round decision over Kirstie Bavington.  Bavington began this fight by trying to impose her will on the debuting Ryan by trying to be aggressive and push her back against the ropes. Despite her aggression, Ryan landed the cleaner punches of the two fighters and by the middle rounds was using her lateral movement and timing to more or less pick her shots as Bavington came forward. It appeared in the latter stages of the fight that Ryan’s combination punching and ability to time Bavington almost at will may have been enough to get a late stoppage, but Bavington remained very “Game” and made it to the final bell. Referee Mark Bates scored the bout 60-54 in favor of Ryan.  Sandy Ryan advances to 1-0, with 0 Knockouts. Kirstie Bavington falls to 3-2-2, with 2 Knockouts.

 

Originally, this card was to be headlined by undefeated Welterweight contender Conor Benn facing Adrian Granados in a scheduled ten round bout. The fight however, was postponed two days before the card due to Benn contracting the COVID-19 virus. As of this writing, no rescheduled date has been announced. We will keep readers updated on any developments as they become available.

 

The theme of Matchroom Fight Camp is a simple sales pitch “No Easy Fights.” While that is a simple sales hook, the first season in 2020 occurred under circumstances of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic and the concept was born basically out of necessity as promoters attempted to resume activity under very trying circumstances. As we saw last year, the bouts being promoted by Matchroom Boxing and the chairman of Matchroom Sport Eddie Hearn are not throwaways. The type of fights where there is a consensus amongst both fans and experts as to the outcomes. Instead, the fights during the first season were very competitive and produced more than a few unexpected results.

 

This time around with the addition of nearly three-hundred spectators as well as Matchroom deepening its relationship with global digital sports streaming network DAZN to cover the United Kingdom and Ireland market as well as its existing deal to broadcast Matchroom events around the world, the first week of season two saw a somewhat unexpected result in Leigh Wood catapulting himself from British Featherweight champion to being one step away from a world championship bout with a knockout of Xu Can, a fighter known for the ability to produce extremely high punch outputs and one that had never been stopped before.

 

As I said in previewing this card, while the Matchroom Fight Camp concept was one born out of necessity due to an ongoing global crisis, a crisis that reared itself a mere forty-eight hours before this card took place necessitating the postponement of the originally advertised main event, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport have stumbled upon something that is likely to now become an annual part of the Matchroom promotional calendar every year. If the bouts can remain well-matched, fans can remain attending these cards, and if it also serves to strengthen the relationship between Matchroom and DAZN as both continue to expand globally and continue to show the Boxing world the benefits of a subscription-based model as compared to the pay-per-view model, and in doing so convince both promoters and networks that have resisted adapting to a more sensible and consumer-friendly model, it should be a win for the sport on a true global scale.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

We will have a preview of Matchroom Fight Camp Season 2 week 2 here on The Boxing Truth®️ on Thursday, August 5th. Stay tuned.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter:www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Previewing Matchroom Fight Camp Season 2 Week 1

 One of the biggest things that came as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic when it began impacting everyday life including the day to day operation of sports around the world in 2020 was the necessity for all sports to adapt to the changing environment created by the COVID-19 virus.  Following a lengthy pause that lasted in some cases over three months, Boxing was one of the sports that sort of laid out a blueprint of sorts for other sports, particularly in the combat sports space to follow as the process of trying to resume normal day to day activities began. While some promoters are still struggling over a year into the epidemic to resume their schedules, some promoters who because of their standing in the sport had the financial resources and the benefit of lucrative agreements with television and streaming networks to not only resume activity, but also essentially take residency at venues around the world in environments that did not feature spectators.

 

One of the most notable for a period of time was the move by Matchroom Boxing promoter and now Chairman of Matchroom Sport to stage cards at the private residence of the Hearn family estate dubbed Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. This unique decision saw cards held outdoors on the spacious grounds of the Hearn estate, a beautiful setting for Boxing that likely would not have come to fruition had it not been for the unforeseen circumstances of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. While this was initially thought up out of necessity to resume activity, it laid the groundwork for what may become an annual tradition on the Matchroom calendar as beginning on July 31st, the Matchroom stable will return to the grounds of the Hearn estate for three cards over three consecutive weeks dubbed “Matchroom Fight Camp Season 2.”

 

Much as was the case when this concept debuted last year, the world remains in uncertain times as the COVID-19 epidemic continues. There are however, two notable differences that are occurring this time around. The first is that beginning with the first of the three cards, all the action will be available to Boxing fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN as Matchroom recently announced an extension of its existing agreement with the network to cover the United Kingdom as well as its existing agreement to broadcast all Matchroom Boxing events internationally including here in the United States. This marked the end of a decades-long run for Matchroom Boxing on Sky Sports and also a demonstration of Hearn’s commitment to the subscription-based streaming model and away from the pay-per-view model.

 

Given the level of Boxing’s popularity and sizable audience in the United Kingdom, this is likely to be a smart move by Hearn that other promoters throughout the sport are likely to notice and follow. As Hearn along with DAZN have really established themselves on a global level in the sport and have become one of the top players in it, fans may wonder what is in store.

 

For the second season of Matchroom Fight Camp there is no shortage of what on paper should be competitive bouts. In the main event of week one, unbeaten Welterweight contender Conor Benn will face a stern test in the form of longtime contender Adrian Granados. Benn, the son of former two-division world champion Nigel Benn, is undefeated in eighteen professional bouts having scored knockouts in twelve of those fights registering a career knockout percentage of nearly 67%. Much like his father before him, Benn has power in both hands and is capable of ending a fight quickly should the opportunity present itself. In his last fight in April of this year, Benn scored a first round knockout over veteran Samual Vargas. Now Benn looks to take the next step towards a world title shot by facing Adrian Granados.

 

Granados, a veteran of thirty-three professional fights is similar to Vargas in terms of experience having fought several top fighters in and around the 147lb. Welterweight division including former two-division world champion Danny Garcia. The question going into this fight is what type of challenge can Granados provide Benn and more specifically, can he provide a level of resistance that Benn’s previous to opponents Vargas and Sebastian Formella were unable to provide. If Benn is looking beyond Granados, Granados does have the skillset and experience to make it a difficult fight for him.

 

Also on this card, European Cruiserweight champion Tommy McCarthy will make the second defense of his European crown against rising prospect Chris Billiam-Smith in a fight where the vacant British Cruiserweight championship will also be on the line. McCarthy, who is currently rated in the top ten in the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO ratings in the Cruiserweight division appears to be nearing a possible world title shot in 2022 if he can continue winning. In his last outing, McCarthy scored a sixth round knockout over a very “Game” Alexandru Jur in May of this year in his first defense of the European Cruiserweight championship. 

 

McCarthy will face what could be an interesting task in the form of Chris Billiam-Smith. Smith, who will enter the fight with a record of 12-1, with 10 Knockouts will come into this encounter riding a three fight winning streak since dropping a decision to undefeated former British Cruiserweight champion Richard Riakporhe in July 2019. This fight appears to be one where the fighters have similar styles, but one might argue that the champion McCarthy  might have an edge both in terms of experience as well as hand speed. When it comes to fights where there are similarities in styles, it is always interesting to see who will be able to establish the tempo of the fight and whether or not that fighter will be able to maintain that tempo throughout the bout. It is certainly not out of the realm of possibility that this could be a tactical battle for much of the early rounds and whomever is able to get an advantage just might emerge from this fight victorious.

 

The final of the three headline bouts that will take place on week one of season two of Matchroom Fight Camp will be a battle in the 126lb. Featherweight division as top contender Can Xu faces WBA number twelve rated Featherweight contender Leigh Wood. Xu, who has a record of 18-2, with 3 Knockouts currently holds an interim/regular championship designation in the WBA’s Featherweight ratings. Although not known for his punching power, Xu is a highly skilled boxer that knows how to win rounds and has shown no issue in being able to go twelve rounds if required. In Leigh Wood, Xu will face a fighter who will come into the bout with a record of 24-2, with 14 Knockouts who has won four of his last five fights and will have an edge in activity having last fought in February of last year compared to  Xu, who has been out of action for nearly two years most likely due to the circumstances of COVID-19 .

 

Xu is known for his ability to outwork his opponents and it is logical to think that Wood will look to pressure him early to take advantage of any possible ring rust that Xu might have from being inactive. In simple terms, Wood needs to be consistent in this fight and make it difficult for Xu to get into a rhythm in order to have success in this fight.

 

These three bouts, which will headline a six bout card at Matchroom Headquarters should continue the momentum that was established last year during what can now be referred to as the inaugural season of Matchroom Fight Camp in providing fights that have all the appearance of being highly competitive. In addition to the new broadcast agreement as far as the United Kingdom and Ireland are concerned there is one more crucial difference that will be taking place this year as compared to season one. A limited number of fans will be allowed to attend the three cards on the grounds of the Hearn family estate. As the world continues to deal with the circumstances and effects of the COVID-19 crisis the fact that a select number of fans will be able to experience Boxing in a truly unique and intimate atmosphere is refreshing after the circumstances in which the “Matchroom Fight Camp” concept came to be initially. If the addition of spectators can add to the action in the ring, it may not be a bad idea for Eddie Hearn and his team to start strategizing for Fight Camp Season 3.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Matchroom Fight Camp: Benn vs. Granados takes place on Saturday, July 31st at Matchroom Headquarters in Brentwood, England. The full card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 12PM ET/9AM PT (U.S. Times.) For more information about DAZN, including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

We will have a preview of week two of Matchroom Fight Camp here on the website next week.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter:www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison