Anthony Crolla looks back on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol card in Saudi Arabia and forward to this weekend’s action, including a super-lightweight clash between Adam Azim and Ohara Davies.
It was a spectacular night of action in Riyadh with the top of the bill – Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol – absolutely living up to the billing. It was a fight that needed no hype, and both men put on a show of the highest quality.
The scoring was considered controversial by many, and Eddie Hearn was raging that his man didn’t get the nod, but I have no problem with Beterbiev getting his arm raised and I had him winning the fight to claim the undisputed light heavyweight crown. Yes, it was very close and Bivol was exceptional too, but I believe the right man won. I think Turki Alalshikh wants a rematch – and that is fine by me!
It was a shocking night for big Frazer Clarke who actually started the fight with Fabio Wardley really well. I didn’t see that first round drama coming and had been struggling to predict an outcome for their second fight. What a finish by the man from Ipswich! I just hope Fraze is ok and takes his time recovering with his family at home.
Ben Whittaker always has plenty of eyes on him, but it was a night to forget for him. Liam Cameron takes great credit from really putting it on Ben and making life very uncomfortable for him until that bizarre end. Obviously, it went to the scorecards, and many thought the draw was harsh on Liam, but he’s now got a deal with Queensberry on the back of it, and hopefully he gets a chance to do it again and earn another good payday.
Elsewhere on the card Skye Nicolson proved she has the style to make it very hard for anyone to beat her. Raven Chapman just couldn’t really pin her down. And what about Jack Massey’s brave effort against the best cruiserweight in the world Jai Opetaia? The Aussie is a very violent man! My old trainer Joe Gallagher threw in the towel in to save Jack any more punishment, and it was a fantastic call.
There was also fun and games with Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn in the ring after Chris stopped Kamil Szeremeta. We will see what happens with that one!
On to this week’s action and there’s a belter at York Hall on Friday when Sam Gilley defends his Commonwealth super-welterweight title against Jack McGann. Gilley had been getting ready to renew his rivalry with Louis Greene with the British title also on the line, but the ‘Medway Mauler’ has had to withdraw through injury.
I was impressed with Gilley in the original Green fight, and I was looking forward to the rematch, but Jack has an opportunity that he never thought would come. Jack was actually a very high-level MMA fighter, and he really is a fighting man. I think he’ll ask questions of Sam, but coming in at short notice, it’s hard to look past Gilley with him probably winning by stoppage in the second half of the fight.
There’s a good show at the Copperbox on Saturday night with Dan Azeez taking on Lewis Edmondson for the vacant British light-heavyweight crown. I think this will be a very good fight and although on paper this is a level down from Josh Buatsi, I don’t think Dan will struggle with motivation. Lewis is game and I believe he’ll have some success, but I think Dan comes through with a stoppage in the second half of the fight.
Michael McKinson competes for the vacant IBO welterweight belt against South African Tulani Mbenge. I like Michael, he’s a very good boxer. He’s never been known as a puncher, but he is a bag of tricks, and I think he gets the win on points.
The main event is very interesting. The very highly rated Adam Azim against a man in Ohara Davies who will be looking to show that he’s still got a lot left. Obviously, in his last fight he got caught with a shot against Ismael Barrosa – and I know how hard he can hit – but I think he’ll be a lot more disciplined and sharp.
Listen, I do think Azim will come through, but Ohara will ask a lot of questions. I’m going for Adam Azim on points but I’m expecting a good fight and it’s one I’m really looking forward to.
Anthony Crolla is a brand ambassador for Freebets.com, the home of betting sites.
