Paul Smith v Tony Dodson
DATE: 3/12/2010
TITLE: British Super Middleweight Title
VENUE: Echo Arena, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Paul Smith
What should be a fairly routine defence for Smith, Smith is not as good as his record suggests he was rather fortunate to win last time out against Tony Quigley, Quigley stopped Dodson in their fight and I would be surprised if this fight goes any different to that, I think Smith will take over in the mid rounds and get a late stoppage or a decent win on the cards, Dodson has lost on the occassions he has stepped up in class and this should be no different.
Gary Sykes v Andy Morris
DATE: 3/5/2010
TITLE: British Super Featherweight Title
VENUE: Leisure Centre, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Gary Sykes
Following the reinstatement of the title fight for Ricky Burns, Any Morris has stepped in at late notice to take on Gary Sykes, Morris has competed at a higher level than Sykes, but he is the smaller man and has been stopped twice before at a lower weight. Sykes is not really a puncher but I think he might be a bit too much for Morris especially with the short notice. A lot depends on how much preperation Morris has had, Sykes will be hungry to keep his undefeated record and has be listed to fight for sometime against Ricky Burns so you can guarentee he will be in shape, it should be a good fight.
Chris Edwards v Abmerk Shindjuu
DATE: 2/19/2010
TITLE: Commonwealth Flyweight Title
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, UK
PREDICTION: Chris Edwards
An interesting clash, Edwards has a terrible record of 13-14-3 but he is lot lot better than that record suggests. He was once 1-6, he has turned things around and picked up a British title and a Commonwealth belt. He lost a narrow decision last time out to Shinny Bayaar but he will be looking to bounce straight back with a win here. Shindjuu is a good fighter, again better than his record of 7-2-2 suggests, and is coming off 3 decent wins. He hasn't competed at the same level as Edwards but I think this one could be a close fight and will be decided by the judges. I am favouring Edwards mainly due to his experience but it is not with a great deal of confidence.
Scott Lawton v Leva Kirakosyan
DATE: 2/19/2010
TITLE: European Super Featherweight Title
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, UK
PREDICTION: Leva Kirakosyan
Coming off a career best win Lawton takes a big step up in class against the former European champion Kirakosyan. Lawton has fallen short on the occassions he has stepped up in class, against the likes of Amir Khan, Jon Thaxton, and John Murray, but he showed a new lease of life last time out when beating Derry Matthews. A lot depends on how much Kirakosyan has left, he has shared the ring with the likes of Juan Urango and Sergey Gulyakevich, he also destroyed decent domestic fighter Carl Johanneson twice. I think this might be too much of an ask for Lawton if Kirakosyan comes in form. Look for a mid round stoppage win for Kirakosyan.
Gary Buckland v Sam Rukundo
DATE: 2/19/2010
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Gary Buckland
Buckland is quickly establishing himself as one of the top players in the division, wins over the likes of Craig Docherty and Henry Castle recently has moved him into a position to challenge for the British title. First he has to get through the tough unbeaten Swede Rukundo, at 15-0 his record is impressive but he has fought at a very low level and this is a huge step up in class for him. Buckland should be too experienced and too strong and come through with a mid to late stoppage, never rule out an undefeated fighter but this is a big ask for him.
Danny McIntosh v Tony Oakey
DATE: 2/19/2010
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Danny McIntosh
This is actually a very good fight, McIntosh fell short last time out when fighting Nathan Cleverly and looked to be a little out of his league, Oakey is another step up in class for McIntosh but it will be very interesting to see how he has progressed, Oakey has competed at a high level and has always been known to be a tough campaigner, but recently he has looked lacking. He won the Prizefighter last time out at light heavyweight, but at 5'8" cruiserweight might be a big ask. Oakey will be giving away over 5" in height and a decent amount of reach. I think Oakey is the favourite going into the fight but I have a feeling that McIntosh may have learned a lot about himself in the Cleverly fight and as long as he can last the distance he may be able to out point Oakey especially if Oakey is no longer at him best.
Martin Murray v Shalva Jomardashvili
DATE: 2/19/2010
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Martin Murray
A good step up and test for Murray, Jomardashvili is 23 years old and is coming off his first loss, at 26-1 he was being preped for bigger and better things, all of his fights to date have been in his home tome of Georgia, but now he has lost it looks like he is being let lose and travels to the UK to take on prospect Murray in a make or break fight. Jomardashvili is a an unknown source, he holds wins over a couple of decent Georgian fighters but how good he is will only be determined after this fight. Murray is a highly regarded fighter and they would not be risking him here unless they were confident he could win, I think Murray will come through on the cards but don't rule out a shock of the Georgian is better than expected.
Scott Quigg v Nikita Lukin
DATE: 2/19/2010
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Scott Quigg
Quigg is in need of some rounds under his belt and there is no one better than Lukin to ensure that happens, he has not been stopped in his 29 professional fights and has squared up against a number of very good fighters. Quigg is a hot young prospect who is being brought along nicely, despite his poor record of 10-17 Lukin poses the biggest threat to Quigg to date, Quigg should come through well but is likely to have to complete the full 8 rounds for the first time in his career in order to win.
Matthew Hatton v Mikheil Khutsishvili
DATE: 2/19/2010
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Matthew Hatton
After a debatable draw with world rated Lovemore N'Dou and then linked to a possible mega fight with Floyd Mayweather, Hatton now gets an easy nights work against the limited Khutsishvili. Hatton should finish the fight with a mid round stoppage if not earlier.
Craig Watson v Barrie Jones
DATE: 2/19/2010
VENUE: Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
PREDICTION: Craig Watson
Another great fight on this show, Jones was once regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the country but things have not gone his way as of late, loses to Tony Doherty, Kell Brook and a debatable loss to Souleymane M'baye put him on the wrong path, he did win against journeyman Jay Morris, before entering the Prizefighter and despite being given a decent draw against Young Mutley in the first round he was not able to pull off the win. now he faces a real make or break fight against Craig Watson. Watson blows very hot and cold, on his day he is capable of beating almost anyone on a domestic level, he lost a debatable decision to John O'Donnell but bounced back with 2 decent wins. The winner of this fight is likely to get a shot at the British title, Jones is not without a chance but I think he will fall short here and Watson will win a close decision.