Brian Rose v Kris Carslaw Aftermath)

Who said this fight wouldn't be exciting...."Oh yer i did", their were no knock downs but from the first rd to the last it was competitive nip and tuck affair, with many rds very hard to score,
 Rose always had the edge in terms of skill, but Carslaw fought with passion and the desire of a challenger.

Kris Carslaw had already shown he was not to be taken lightly, giving Matthew Hall a run for his money late last year, and was ready to lay it on the line against Rose, after a steady opening couple of rds the fight really took off  in the 3rd a clash of  heads  opened a cut on the hairline of Carslaw, it looked  worse than it was and the corner kept it under control although it bleed for most of the fight.
The challenger was the shorter man but found  it fairly easy to land his straight right and had his best  moments when putting his punches together in threes and fours, the champion was taking to long to get off  and looked a little jaded, he landed a lovely 4 punch combination up and down in the 11th, and through out the contest landed the cleaner eye catching shots,
Speaking afterwards Rose said he  "needed a rest", three fight in quick succession have left him drained, certainly he will need to raise his game against Sam Webb, but we know he can do better. 

Peter Quillin v Ronald Wright (Preview)

Peter Quillin              26-0-0 (20ko's)         28yrs      6f 1in        Orthodox     Brooklyn        U.S.A.

Ronald Wright         51-5-1  (25ko's)         41yrs      5f 10+in    Southpaw    St Petersburg  U.S.A.

                                                             10 Rounds Middleweight




One of my favourite fighters of the past 15yrs, has like so many before him found the call of the ring just to hard to resist, so  it is, that after a 3 year hiatus Ronald (Winky) Wright returns to action with a 10 rounder against unbeaten hot shot Peter Quillin, also on the bill that takes place at the Home Depot Centre in Carlson California is Antonio Tarver and Austin Trout.

The last time we saw Wright in action he was being thoroughly out boxed and out punched by Paul Williams, the time before that he found  a 170lb Bernard Hopkins to big awkward and strong, losing clearly on points,

We need to go back to 2004 to remind ourselves what Winky Wright was like at his best, he beat a still  live Shane Mosley twice in the space of  8months, then sent Felix Trinadad back into retirement with a lopsided points victory,

Winky has never been a big puncher, but has one of the tightest defences in the game, a superb jab, lead hook and body shot......the question of course is how much  if anything has he got left.

Peter Quillin in boxing terms is no spring chicken at 28yrs old his only title to date is the USBO Super Middle belt he won by stopping Jesse Brinkley  in 3rds, he is rated as high as number 5 by the WBA and will be hopping that a win over Wright will act as a spring board to a title shot in the next 12months. His biggest win was last time out against tough Craig McEwin, stopping him in 6.

Prediction

Theirs plenty of buzz surrounding Kid Chocolate, but just how good he really is, we've still to find out, so far he's had everything his own way, will Wright be able to test the youngster, at his best you could bank on "Winky" taking Quillin to school but at 41, with 3yrs out and plenty miles on the clock its a big ask.

Quillin is a nicely poised boxer, with a decent jab, and  fair right hand, he doesn't do anything at break neck speed, and doesn't waste energy with unnecessary movement,

Winky did look in good shape at the weigh in, but as we know looks can be deceptive, the first couple of rds will  tell  us at lot.....will  Wright be shape enough to fire off  his piston jab?.....does he still have a piston jab?.....just how fast will he be on the counter?, lots of questions.....

I really want to give Winky the benefit of the doubt, give him the chance to turn back the clock,   Morales gave it a good shot, why not "Winky", but common sense say's Quillin will be just to quick and to fresh, the trouble is i just can't resist.... Winky on points

Betwise

             Quillin is long odds on the win but their is value to be had, the bookies ain't sure about how the fight will be won, its best priced 5/4 points and stoppage for Quillin, points seem more likely to me.

I'm going to have a few quid on Winky (Fingers crossed).

Billy Joe Saunders v Bradley Price (Aftermath)

Job superbly done from the fast improving Billy Joe Saunders, their were no knock downs and and to be fair few highlights, but you could see Saunders was boxing to strict orders from top trainer Jimmy Tibbs,
Bradley Price may have been past is best, but never took a backward step and never stopped trying, his left eye started to swell from as early as the third rd, and the corner did well to control the damage, Referee Marcus McDonnell did give it a glancing check in the 11th, and it would have been a shame had it ended their.
Saunders, a bit like Kevin Mitchell when he boxed Prescott showed he can box as well rumble, the jab worked beautifully on the night, at time stopping the forward march of  Price in his tracks, Left hands and uppercuts were also seen to good effect, he looked relaxed and in control throughout the fight, completing his first 12rounder with ease,
Their was a point where you felt that he could have stepped up and put it to Price, but really that is nit picking, it was a lovely performance.
The division is hot right now, with big players like Barker ,Macklin and Murry, he may not be in that class yet but is young enough to bide his time.

Brian Rose v Kris Carslaw (Preview)

Brian Rose

Champion British Light Middle              19-1-1 (5ko's)       27yrs     6f      Orthodox      Blackpool U.K

Kris Carslaw                                              

Challenger                                                15-1-0 (3ko's)      27yrs      5f 9in    Southpaw    Scotland



After a mid career hiccup, which saw Brian Rose dramatically K'Oed in 6rds, the former Central area, English  and current British Light Middle champ, is firmly back on track, on Saturday 2nd June at Bowlers Arena in Manchester, he will make the 2nd defence of the title he won by upsetting the odds against Prince Arron,
His first defence answered a  fair few questions because in the opposite corner was the man who handed him his only lose, big punching  Max Maxwell, Rose boxed to the letter and won a clear cut decision.

Theirs only one name of note on Kris Carslaws record, a losing effort in a title eliminator against Matthew Hall, he's had one fight since,a eight round points win over previous victim Kieron Gray.

Prediction

You have to take your chances when they come your way, Carslaw has longed for a shot at the British title, so we can be sure he will give it his all, he stood firm in the face of  non stop pressure, not to mention some meaty punches from Matthew Hall, on Saturday he meets a different style of opponent in Rose,
The champion is a thinking fighter that work's off the jab, setting up his attacks, don't expect edge of your seat entrainment but Rose will just be happy to get this one out the way and look forward to a showdown with Sam Webb.
Rose on Points

Betwise
             No values in this unless you like the stoppage.

Billy Joe Saunders v Bradley Price (Preview)

Billy Jo Saunders

Champion Commonwealth Middle           13-0-0 (9ko's)                        22yrs       Southpaw     U.K.

Bradley Price


Challenger                                                33-10-0 (18ko's)       5f11in     32yrs    Orthodox    U.K.



Bethnal Green's York Hall will play host to Billy Joe Saunders, the current Commonwealth Middleweight Champion, who defends his title for the first time against former champ Bradley Price (Friday 1st June).

Saunders is looking to make up for lost time, and has given himself  the next  18months to reach the top of the pile in Britain and Europe before taking on the world.
Last time out the former top amateur won the vacant title with a brief  but impressive display, stopping Tony Hill in a single rd, Saunders says's if he can't beat Price, then he might as well retire.

Bradley Price has been around a fair while now, a pro for 13yrs, despite being a former two weight title holder, he has never quite fulfilled his promise, usually slipping up in pivotal fights.


Prediction  

With no disrespect to Price, you have to agree with Saunders assessment, if he can't get past the 31yr old Welshman then he has no future in boxing, Price carry's a decent dig, he's stopped good men in Anthony Small and Ted Bami, he has good upper body movement and works off the jab well, if he can control the pace and distance or land a thunder bolt then an upset could happen, but in Saunders he meets a 22yr old that's improving with every outing, the former Olympian is a fast and aggressive, mixing punches well to head and body,
Bradley will find himself under strong pressure from the first bell, he's been stopped on 4 occasions, and i fancy Saunders to make it 5, maybe around the 7th.


Betwise
               Odd on Saunder the win and stoppage, it's 2/1 points or rds 1/6 i'll flip for rds 7/12.
                                                      

Audley Harrison v Ali Adams (Preview)

Audley Harrison       27-5-0 (20ko's)        41yrs       6f 5+in      Southpaw      U. K.

Ali Adams                 13-3-1 (5ko's)          30yrs       6f 4in        Orthodox       Iraq/U.K.

                                                       10 Rounds   Heavy weight



I'm sure i was not alone in having a  feeling that we hadn't heard the last of  Mr Audleuy Harrison,  18months have pasted since A-Force, in what was the biggest fight of  his career to date, was taken apart  by arch enemy David Haye inside 3rds, it was a desperately disappointing performance from Harrison, if only for his complete lack of  offence, not for the first time he talked the talk, but couldn't walk the walk.

Before i go ant further i have to confess that i will be at the Brentwood Leisure Centre on Saturday 26th May, not so much to see Harrison but more to enjoy  the company of  a few good  mates and hopefully  see a few good fights.

Adams has been a pro for 5yrs, the biggest name on his record up to Harrison is Matt Skelton, who he faced in Prizefighter back in 2010, losing over the 3rds, the rest of his opponents can best be described  conservatively as average.

Teaming up with Derck Chisora's trainer Don Chiarles has seen some improvement, he picked up the vacant British Masters title last time out with a 3rd rd stoppage of Vjekoslav Bajic.

Prediction

This really has to be Harrison's last chance to make some of  the   right kind of noise, with absolutely no disrespect to Adams if  the former EBU title holder can't get past this level of opposition  then he has no where left to go, 

Adams has a nice jab, probably his best weapon, he moves fairly well, but with just 5 ko's is not the hardest puncher, he also, at times  looks like he's throwing his shots with weights on his arms (a bit slow), but you can be sure he will be well up for this major chance.

It goes with out saying Harrison has been saying all the right things, but we won't know what kind of shape he's in until the bell rings, assuming he has prepared properly you would expect him to have to much for Adams. if  he can keep things long and fight at his pace he will most likely find a home for his powerful left hand,

Adams must set an uncomfortable pace, keep on top of  Harrison , pressure is the key to victory,

The stakes are sky high for Harrison and for that reason i expect him to do the business, maybe not in style, but the who knows with Audley.

Betwise

              This fight is not covered by T.V, and it seems the bookies aren't to interested in pricing this one up, Adams is best priced 7/4 with Harrison odds on, to be honest their are much better bet to be had else where, unless you fancy Adams.

Lucain Bute v Carl Froch (Preview)

Lucain Bute

Champion IBF Super Middleweight         30-0-0 (24ko's)    32yrs    6f 1+in   Southpaw    Canada.

Carl Froch

Challenger                                                 28-2-0 (20ko's)     34yrs   6f 1in      Orthodox     England.

I'm not sure if it was after the Pascal or Taylor fight, probably the former that i wondered how long Carl Froch could continue, win or lose, taking the shots he does, well that was 4 years and 6 fights ago and in that time the Cobra has swapped punches with the cream of the super middleweight, and to be honest he looks as iron chinned as ever......on Saturday 26th May he will enjoy home advantage and once more put his chin to the test as he  challenges undefeated IBF champion  Lucain Bute.

When Carl Froch finally hangs up his boots, he will be remembered, not as the most skillful, or as the most pleasing to look at, he will be remembered as a warrior, a fighter that ducked no one and actively sought out the best in which to test him self  against, in an age when the best don't always choose to fight the best, the Cobra sets a great example........so to business, after 30 contests theirs not a lot we don't know about the strengh and weaknesses of  Nottingham's finest, he's at his best against opponents that  come at him in straight lines, and want a tear up, he struggles against slick movers, sharp speedy types that can punch from different angles,,,,,it maybe viewed as unfortunate then, that Bute fits into the latter category.

If one person deserved to be included into the Super six tournament it was Lucain Bute, he was the reigning IBF champion with 3 successful defences under his belt and a bucket full of KO's to his credit, a mistake it may have been but that was then and this is now, if  Bute can get past Froch he will no doubt be gunning  for  Super Six king Andre Ward  a victory over the S.O.G. would make him the world's premier Super Middle, the freeze out would  have worked  to his advantage.....the pack chew each other up and he comes along relatively fresh and beats the man, happy days.

Prediction

Bute may be the IBF champion and undefeated, but he still has much to prove, after all his biggest wins have been over a shop worn Glen Johnson, Edison Miranda who'd previously been ko'd by Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham and tough guy Librado Andrade,

Bute with out question is class, but this fight and the manner in which he wins or loses will tell us a lot more about where he stands in the pecking order of super middles.

You can imagine that if Carl froch has watched any fight of Bute's he may have paid particular attention to his first fight with Andrade, of 11+ rds Bute looked pretty comfortable but was dropped near the end of the 12th a combination of exhaustion and the challengers punches, he only just made it to his feet as the bell rang,
he said afterwards that he hadn't prepared properly and wasn't focused, and as if to prove the point stopped Andrade in 4 one sided rds a year latter,
So what should Froch draw from that fight.... well maybe it would be safest not to rely on just one freak piece of evidence, Bute has not come close to repeating that display, and even if the opposition has been on out of the top draw he has disposed of them with minimum fuss.

The champion is a sharp solid puncher, a tricky southpaw, with a low held lead hand he whips up his pet punch (left uppercut) to the body or chin, a shot that is very effective because most of the time opponents don't see it coming.
For Froch to win this fight he can not allow Bute to dictate the pace, you would hope that he can tighten up his defence, but i fear that would be to much to ask at this stage....Froch does have a decent jab when he decides to work behind it, the trouble is the champions jab is faster and i can see him beating Carl to the punch, the inside may be the place to be...trouble is Froch is not at his best up close and in any case Bute is very adapt at spoiling on the inside.

I would dearly love to pick Froch to win but i just can't see it, he will have his moments and if he can keep the pressure on may see the champion start to weaken late on, but i see Bute being just to tricky for an ever willing but out gunned challenger.

Betwise
             Their will be plenty willing to risk a few quid on Froch, good luck to you all, but its Bute on points for me @13/8