Connect with us

Featured Articles

Back To Back Heavyweight Weekends at London’s 02 Arena in July

Published

on

Heavyweights-Joe-Joyce-vs-Bryant-Jennings

Looking past this weekend’s Tyson Fury versus Tom Schwarz fight in Las Vegas, July sees four notable heavyweight fights scheduled in the U.K. Despite Anthony Joshua’s “big slip” against Andy Ruiz Jr, the U.K. heavyweight scene is robust and worth taking a look at for the American fans.

Promoter Frank Warren hits first on July 13th as Queensberry Promotions is in London’s O2 Arena. The heavyweight bouts will air on BT Sport and on the ESPN+ app, so check your local listings for start times.

The evening’s feature fight sees 2016 Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce (9-0) facing battle-tested American Bryant Jennings (24-3). Jennings (pictured on the right) lost back to back fights in 2015 to Wladimir Klitschko and Luis Ortiz, falling short twice when he took a step up into a higher level of competition. Afterwards, Jennings reeled off five wins in a row before falling via stoppage to undefeated Oscar Rivas this past January. Jennings is now 34 and he needs a convincing win here if he wants to remain relevant. Some who are more critical of Jennings say his last shot faded with the loss to Rivas and this fight signals Jennings’ transition to grabbing paydays against up and comers.

As for Joyce, the book is still out. Joyce performed as an amateur through his late 20’s and he made his pro debut already on the plus side of 30. Joyce is looking to move fast as a pro, and he is coming off a 6th round stoppage over Bermaine Stiverne this past February. Joyce has opened a nearly 4-1 favorite over Jennings for this one. Joyce has weighed in the 260’s for recent outings while Jennings will likely hit the scales in the 220’s as usual.

A second eye-catching heavyweight fight sees the vacant British heavyweight title going home with the winner of Nathan Gorman versus Daniel Dubois.

This is being billed as a grudge match between two undefeated fighters on the rise. Both men do deserve credit for taking the fight. It has been marinating for a longtime, but both men are still prospects and risking a loss this early in a promising career is unusual.

Nathan Gorman is 22 years old, 16-0 as a pro and counts cousin Tyson Fury as a training partner. Nevertheless, he will enter the fight as an underdog to Dubois (11-0).

Dubois was slated to represent the U.K. at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the 21 year old elected to turn pro early. The two have been eyeing each other since the amateur ranks and, as pros, they have closely watched each other, notching wins over several common opponents along the way. Promoter Frank Warren has put a good deal into promoting this bout and the winner will take a considerable step forward in the weight class.

Fast forward to the 20th and Eddie Hearn is back at the O2 with a card headlined by Dillian Whyte versus Oscar Rivas.

The Colombian Rivas (26-0) is coming off the biggest win of his career when he stopped Bryant Jennings in February. Aside from one fight in France in 2017, Rivas has fought his entire pro career in North America, mainly in Canada. This is his first trip to London and Whyte (25-1) is looking to make a statement. Whyte’s lone loss came at the hands of Anthony Joshua, and he has long operated in the ex-champion’s shadow.  Nevertheless, in Joseph Parker, Lucas Browne, Robert Helenius and Dereck Chisora twice, Whyte has kept a very high level of competition. Now with Joshua fallen, a standout performance against Rivas could give Whyte more of the spotlight he craves.

The second heavyweight bout on the card sees David Allen (17-4-2) facing off against David Price (24-6). Allen is a favorite of promoter Hearn after stepping in to face Dillian Whyte and Luis Otiz in back to back fights. He has had a couple of losses and a draw since, but he is currently on a four-fight winning streak that includes a hope-buoying KO over Lucas Browne in his last outing.

As for the six-foot-nine Price, he once won an Olympic Bronze medal, but has lost athleticism as he has aged. Being ponderous and having a glass chin has caused Price to suffer several brutal KOs during his career and one more loss of that nature should lead to serious questions as to whether he should be licensed. That is unlikely to happen as, win or lose, chances are that Price will trudge on.

Odds Review – Below are the odds for the quartet of bouts as they stand today.

O2 Arena – London, England – Saturday, July 13, 2019

Heavyweight 12 rounds –

Nathan Gorman +230

Daniel Dubois -290

Heavyweight 12 rounds –

Bryant Jennings +275

Joe Joyce -365

O2 Arena – London, England – Saturday, July 20, 2019

Heavyweight 10 rounds –

David Price +195

David Allen -255

Heavyweight 12 rounds –

Oscar Rivas +450

Dillian Whyte -675

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this story in The Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles20 hours ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles20 hours ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending