Tony Bellew vs BJ Flores
WBC World Cruiserweight title
It’s probably fair to say that at one point it seemed as if Tony Bellew was always the bridesmaid, never the bride, in leiu of a more masculine analogy. A world title having evaded him at two attempts, his surprising and sensational win over Ilunga Makubu for the vacant WBC world title gave the likeable Evertonian a strap for the first time. He had lost previously on points to Nathan Cleverly and by KO to Adonis Stevenson, both at light heavy. The loss to Stevenson prompted the move to Cruiserweight, and the extra weight has suited Tony. As has, it must be said, being in a less talented division.
Bellew is not called the Bomber for no reason, he has plenty of power in both fists and if he doesn’t blast his opponent out, his fights tend to bomb. The second Cleverly fight, against a bloated looking Nathan, was not a spectacle to cherish for the neutral. However, more often Tony does supply entertainment and BJ Flores is not a terrible opponent. BJ has only lost to Beibut Shumenov and Danny Green, both by decision, both in world title fights. The American also has decent power and likes to press, but can be outboxed; both Green and Shumenov are more technical than Bellew.
This being a first defense and with the tantalizing but daunting prospect of unifying against Oleksandr Usyk, Bellew is going to want to put on a show. Tony is 33 and BJ now 37, so neither are going to get too many more big fights. A home crowd should fuel the bravado and with any luck both men will come out doing what they do best and swinging.
Luke Campbell vs Derry Matthews
WBC Silver lightweight title
If ever there were a lightweight litmus test, Derry Matthews is it. The affable scouser has talent beyond his record ten losses from fifty fights, and has only ever lost to very respectable opponents, a testament to his willingness to fight anyone. He also beat and drew with Anthony Crolla, before the Mancunian’s resurgence to a world title. Campbell was the great hope from the 2012 Great Britain olympic squad, largely regarded to have the style best suited to the pro game. Campbell has take a while to get going, and his (deserved) loss to Yvan Mendy was a shock.
That being said this fight may have been made at the right time for Campbell, his team will have seen Derry’s loss to Terry Flanagan and thought they can outbox him. Also, as mentioned Derry is a fifty fight veteran and 33 years old, while Campbell is 29. It would be foolhardy to go toe to toe with “dirty” Derry; the only fighters to have come off better in a slugfest were Emiliano Marsili and Gavin Rees. Rees was a world class brawler and Marsili had better movement than he was given credit for pre fight. This could be an entertaining fight, in which both men have success, and although it is tempting to pick Matthews for the upset, Campbell will likely prevail on points.
Ryan Burnett vs Ryan Farrag
British Bantamweight title
Unbeaten Burnett faces local Liverpudlian Farrag for the British bantamweight title in what is likely to be the first of three fights shown live on SKY. Both men hold wins over former world title challenger, but sadly now faded, Jason Booth. However, Farrag’s 16-2 record is deceptive as it is padded with journeymen, including as recently as his last fight, a point win over the 9-23-4 Elvis Guillen. This may be a contest for a couple of rounds, but should be one way traffic after Burnett figures Farrag out.
Rocky Fielding vs Istvan Zeller
This is a keep busy fight for Fielding, make no mistake. Eddie Hearn clearly has either a fondness for Hungary, or a good line on durable but cheap opponents from there. Istvan Zeller has lost three of his last six, and does not travel well. Expect this to end early, and thus show up on the SKY bill between the live fights if one ends early.
Mairis Briedis vs Simon Vallily
An intriguing fight further down the bill involves two unbeaten Cruiserweights, Latvian Breidis (20 wins, 17 KOs) and from Middlesborough UK Vallily (9-0, 2 KOs). It’s hard to know much about either, and therefore speak definitively, but someone’s 0, has got to go (unless it’s a draw)!
-Adam Thorne
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