Former World Lightweight Champion Anthony Crolla previews a busy weekend in boxing from Barnsley to LA.
It’s a busy weekend of boxing with shows at home and abroad, but the pick has to be Terence Crawford looking to become a four-weight world champion when he takes on the dangerous Israil Madrimov.
Listen, Madrimov is a quality fighter and Crawford, who’s stepping up to super-welterweight, clearly isn’t looking for an easy touch to settle into 154lbs. The Uzbek is one of the top dogs in my opinion.
It’s a really good fight. For the first three rounds or so I think it’ll be a high-level chess match, but I feel that after that, one of Crawford’s biggest strengths is his versatility and how he adapts during a fight. I see him pulling away after those early rounds, hurting Madrimov a few times later on. It could be a late stoppage, but I’m going to go with Crawford on points.
It’s a great card in Los Angeles with so much talent on show, but the undercard fight that jumps out at me is Jaron Anderson against Martin Bakole. Anderson’s a good prospect but Martin, who’s based in Scotland, is far too soon for him. I think he’s a problem for anyone in the heavyweight division, including Usyk, Fury, and AJ.
I’m very confident that against the odds, Bakole beats Anderson. I think with his work rate, Martin will overwhelm him and stop him.
There’s an interesting fight back on UK soil with Zak Chelli and Callum Simpson going at it in Barnsley. Chelli’s in the home corner, he’s the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion, but it’s very much Simpson’s neck of the woods and it’ll mean the world to him to box at his beloved Barnsley FC.
I think this fight could get messy at times. Mark Jeffers showed the blueprint in how to beat Chelli, but fair play to him, he came back from that defeat to beat Jack Cullen. Chelli is tough and awkward, but I believe the output of Simpson will be the difference. Callum hits very hard, but I don’t think he stops Zak, so I’m going to lean towards a Simpson win on points.
Before the main event at Oakwell, Caroline Dubois is in a decent fight with the tough Uruguayan Maira Moneo. Caroline is very heavy-handed and right up there with the biggest punchers in female boxing. I expect her to have too much for Moneo and I believe she forces the stoppage around the halfway point.
There’s another great card over in Belfast – a city I love to visit, and not just for the Guinness! There are good local fighters on show and a main event that’s a rerun of a fight from a few years ago. Tyrone McKenna got the win against Mohamed Mimoune that night, but it was very controversial.
I was working ringside for tv that night and I remember Mimoune was absolutely livid. McKenna was very fortunate, and although you can never question Tyrone’s heart, I think I’m leaning towards Mimoune to get a close points victory and a little bit of revenge.
Before that, it’ll be good to see Caoimhin Agyarko back out again when he gets in with Finland’s Tomi Silvennoinen. I think Caoimhin will put on a show and get the stoppage in front of his home crowd.
Finally, it was so disappointing to watch GB boxers exit at the first hurdle this week. Pat Brown was honest in his assessment of his performance but believe me – this lad has a very bright future! Felt terrible also for Charley Davison, Rosie Eccles and big Delicious Orie. Sometimes you just despair with the judging. So harsh after living and breathing nothing but this big Olympic dream and after just nine minutes, your world is shattered.
Lewis Richardson now carries the hopes of the nation after getting the better of his Serbian opponent in his opponent bout. Also, keep an eye out for Bolton’s talented Cindy Ngamba who is competing for the Refugee Team. I’ll be very surprised if she doesn’t claim a medal.
Anyway, here’s hoping for a great ending for the boxers still in it – it really hots up next week.
Anthony Crolla is a brand ambassador for the betting site freebets.com
