The Undisputed

London, 27 Sept 2019

Young Londoner Daniel Dubois (13-0, 12 KO’s) showed again his heavyweight potential with an emphatic first round stoppage of previously undefeated Ghanaian Ebenezer Tetteh (19-1, 16 KO’s) at Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall last night.

Dubois was onto a nervous Tetteh from the ‘get go’ as the African struggled with his mouthpiece at the opening bell.

Dubois was on him immediately and in the two completed minutes never let his opponent off the hook. First with a right hand he dropped Tetteh and then succession of lefts and rights sent him to the canvas again before the referee waved off the fight at 2:10. Some at ringside felt the stoppage was premature but more of disappointment than substance. There was no significant protest by fighter or corner.

This was a mighty impressive performance and the Londoner has sent a further message out to the heavyweights who lay in wait after the Ruiz/Joshua/Wilder/Fury shakedown. The former Ring Magazine prospect has once again looked the genuine article in topping a London bill. The problem now for promoter Frank Warren is manoeuvring his charge through the choppy waters of the heavyweight division whilst giving him the necessary exposure and ringtime to develop for the long term.

Joe Joyce, Olympic silver medallist and undefeated pro (10-0, 9 KO’s) was ringside and couldn’t have failed to be impressed. Having recently aligned to Queensberry Promotions (& Ringstar Sports) that looks a natural match to make. Joyce at 34 has to move fast and the titles held by the 22 year old Dubois (now British & Commonwealth) and his WBO world ranking will be an attractive proposition.

The night put the heavyweight division on alert that Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois is waiting in the wings and with his explosive power moving fast.

Double Olympic champion Nicola Adams (5-0-1, 3 KO’s) struggled to hold onto her WBO female flyweight title with a hard fought draw against Maria Salinas (21-7-4, 7 KO’s). The Mexican challenger was aggressive throughout and to many ringsiders looked to have won. Adams controlled the early stages of the fight to then fade in the later rounds but likely secured the draw in a strong final round. Scores were 96-94 Salinas, 97-93 Adams, 95-95. A rematch looks inevitable and would be well received.

Knockout of the night was from Archie ‘Sharpshooter’ Sharp (17-0, 9 KO’s) defending his WBO European super-featherweight title. A devastating left hook flattened Declan Geraghty (19-5, 4 KO’s) at 2:14 of the 4^th round. There was also an impressive pro-debut from Maidstone, Kent’s Sam ‘Midge’ Noakes at lightweight. Fighting like a human dynamo and showing his solid amateur pedigree (ABA champion) Noakes caused the referee to stop the fight before the 4^th round due to a cut sustained by seasoned veteran Chris Adaway (9-60-4, 1 KO).

Robert Harding 23 Sept 2019

After a disappointing 2019 when all the elite heavyweights have successfully plotted to avoid each other and sign to major promoters and streaming platforms, notwithstanding making millions of pounds in the process, 2020 looks like becoming the year when the big fights are made and the heavyweights take centre stage once again. The old adage ‘when the heavyweight division is hot, so goes boxing’ could never be more apt. True, we have many standout elite fighters in the lighter divisions, some who will enter the Boxing Hall of Fame in years to come (Lomachenko, ‘Canelo’ Alavarez, Pacman , GGG and Terence Crawford spring to mind) but the heavyweight division is where it’s at.

Yes, we had a great fight in 2019 with the Joshua – Ruiz Jnr upset and several outings of Tyson Fury, first as Apollo Creed and then in homage to Mexican independence but; after a stellar end to 2018 the casual boxing fan and indeed the committed follower is waiting for the big fights to happen. Their abundant patience and attention can only be held for so long.

First up this Friday (27th) at the Royal Albert Hall it’s the time for the prospects and contenders. In a Frank Warren Queensberry promotion, young Londoner Daniel Dubois will take on Ghanaian Ebenezer Tetteh in a potentially explosive confrontation. Both fighters undefeated with high knockout ratios and both hungry for titles. The destiny of the vacant Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship will be up for grabs and provide a platform for the winner to push on into 2020.

Similarly, we will see Ukrainian unified cruiserweight champion Aleksandr Usyk continue with his small steps into the heavyweight waters, New Zealander Joseph Parker fight Derek Chisora on October 26th and we also await the Dillian Whyte alleged positive drug test decision/appeal to shake out before year end.

The earliest mega heavyweight fight in the new year looks likely to be Wilder – Fury II, initially penned in for Feb 22 but now likely to be in the early spring due to Fury’s horrific cut of last week and Wilder’s rematch with Cuban monolith Luis Ortiz on Sept 28th. Assuming Wilder comes through unscathed it’s looking like around Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas. This is a fight that most fans are looking forward to after the drama of December 2018.

The events in Saudi Arabia on December 7th in the Ruiz Jnr – Joshua rematch will determine the destiny of the majority of the alphabet titles. Most likely leading to the winner of this coming into 2020 with the momentum to take on the Wilder-Fury victor in the second half of the year, avoiding any interim hiccups. The brawl for it all will take some pulling together by promoters, tv networks and the eventual host venue but this is how the sun looks like setting on the heavyweight division in 2020. A mouth watering prospect lays ahead.

Lomachenko v Campbell – 5 Things we learned

1. Loma is human: – The Ring pound for pound king showed flaws despite the unanimous points decision (119-108, 119-108, 118-109). Most noticeably his susceptibility to body attacks, proneness to take unnecessary shots and difficulty when facing a long rangy mover with a strong jab. Nevertheless, the fact he came through difficult moments to overcome his talented foe with gusto proves his undoubted class.
2. Campbell is an elite fighter:- the Brit’s stock rose considerably following a gutsy but talented performance. He boxed well at range also fighting on terms on the inside. He managed to give Lomachenko arguably his toughest fight as a pro and came through almost being stopped in the 5th and dropped in the 11th. That he was able to rally at times and give Loma a lot of problems proves he deserves a third world title shot.
3. Lightweight is Loma’s limit:- Having captured titles at Feather, Super-feather and Lightweight, it looks to be the final weight class we will see the pound for pound elect at. There are big fights in the higher weight classes – Crawford, Spence, Pacquiao – but Loma is a noticeably small lightweight. Bob Arum confirmed post fight that Loma would unify and then campaign in the lower weight classes where there are great fights to be made (e.g. Gervonta Davis).
4. Pound for Pound is still up for grabs:- Though this was an excellent performance from Lomachenko, as the scores would suggest (although Campbell deserved maybe a couple of more rounds), there are now more questions than answers on P4P supremacy. If Loma goes on to capture the IBF title and unify the division for the first time in over 30 years his status should be solidified, but further stella performances from Crawford, Canelo, Inoue and GGG would mean a case can be made for either. It is not now a done deal.
5. The British fans are the best:- Another sell out event at the O2 Arena with a brilliant atmosphere and excellent undercard. Matchroom Boxing continue to deliver at this venue, considerably supported by Top Rank and Sky Sports Box Office. Lomachenko was given incredible support throughout fight week, from both London’s Ukrainian population and equally British boxing fans. On the night this mix of nationalities made a great spectacle. Loma said post fight that the “British fans are the best” and promised to return. He will be more than welcome.