Connect with us

Featured Articles

Josh Taylor on Saturday and Lawrence Okolie on Sunday in a U.K. Weekend ‘Twin Bill’

Published

on

Josh-Taylor-on-Saturday-and-Lawrence-Okolie-on-Sunday-in-a-UK-Weekend-Twin-Bill

There have been two undisputed junior welterweight champions in the four-belt era, Terence Crawford and Josh Taylor, and they may meet up at 147. But that’s putting the cart before the horse. Taylor must first get past Jack Catterall on Saturday before Taylor-Crawford becomes something more than idle speculation.

Taylor, from Pontrepans on the outskirts of Edinburgh, will have the crowd in his corner in this battle of unbeaten southpaws. A full house is expected at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow now that Scotland has lifted COVID restrictions. Taylor, the Tartan Tornado, will be making his first start since unifying the title with a unanimous decision over Jose Carlos Ramirez before a COVID-restricted crowd in Las Vegas. Taylor vs. Catterall will air live on Sky Sports in the UK and on ESPN+ in the United States.

Catterall (26-0, 13 KOs) hasn’t defeated anyone above the domestic level, but he has patiently paid his dues. He’s spent 21 months in the pole position for the WBO, having agreed to step aside so that Taylor could fight Ramirez for all the meaningful belts. A knee injury suffered by Taylor in training pushed this fight back from its originally scheduled date of Dec. 18.

Josh Taylor (18-0, 13 KOs) hasn’t been as active as Catterall, but he has fought much stiffer opposition. His last six opponents were a combined 136-1 at the time that he fought them. This will be Taylor’s third fight with Ben Davison in his corner. Davison also handles Leigh Wood who will be making the first defense of his WBA featherweight title in two weeks on his home turf in Nottingham with Michael Conlan in the opposite corner.

Taylor vs. Catterall is noosed to a deep but flaccid undercard. The co-feature, a 10-round featherweight contest, pits two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez against Ireland’s Eric Donovan. This should be a stroll in the park for Ramirez who has won eight straight since suffering a shocking upset in his pro debut. The 36-year-old Donovan is 14-1 but has defeated only three opponents with winning records.

A 10-round contest between Nick Campbell (4-0, 4 KOs) and Jay McFarlane (12-5, 5 KOs) billed for the long-dormant Scottish heavyweight title, ought to be entertaining, if nothing else. Hot prospects Kieran Molloy and Kurt Walker make their pro debuts, and there’s a female fight between “blonde bombshell” Ebonie Jones and 40-year-old Greek invader Eftychia Kathopouli. The ladies are featherweights.

For boxing fans on the West Coast of the U.S., the action begins at 11 a.m.

On Sunday, the UK boxing scene shifts to the O2 Arena in London where Lawrence Okolie will make the second defense of the WBO cruiserweight title he won with a smashing performance over Krzysztof Glowacki. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Okolie, 29, has made great headway since hooking up with trainer Shane McGuigan. He’s 6-0 with McGuigan with all six wins coming inside the distance and 17-0 (14) overall. Michael Cieslak (21-1, 15 KOs) provides the opposition.

The six-foot-five Okolie, who would knock the pants off any bridgerweight you can name, has a good back story. A former McDonald’s burger-flipper, he took up boxing to lose weight after his weight ballooned to 260 pounds and proved to be so adept at it that he won a berth on England’s 2016 Olympic team. The great Cuban amateur Erislandy Savon spoiled his Olympic dreams, but that was almost a foregone conclusion considering the wide gap in experience.

A 32-year-old Pole, Cieslak suffered his lone defeat the hands of Ilunga Makabu in the Congo. At six-foot-three and with a 79-inch reach, he matches up well with the long-armed Okolie. Promoter Eddie Hearn calls him a “big banana skin,” Hearn’s way of saying that the Pole will provide Okolie with his toughest test.

In the semi-wind-up, Karim Guerfi, a 34-year-old-Frenchman with a 30-5 (9 KOs) record will make the first defense of his European featherweight title against former Commonwealth (British Empire) featherweight title-holder Jordan Gill (26-1-1, 7 KOs). Gill is favored in the 6/1 range.

Two undefeated heavyweights, six-foot-five slugger Fabio Wardley (12-0, 11 KOs) and six-foot-six southpaw Demsey McKean (20-0, 13 KOs) appear on the undercard. If they were fighting each other, the bout could be billed as the “Battle of Ipswich” as both hail from cities of that name in England (Wardley) and Australia (McKean).

Unfortunately, they aren’t fighting each other, but fighting opponents who figure to get whacked out in a hurry.

The Sunday show will be streamed on DAZN.

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 Articles4 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 Articles1 week ago

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

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 Articles3 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 Articles2 weeks ago

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

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

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

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

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles5 days ago

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

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

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles6 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles18 hours ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 days 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 Articles5 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 Articles6 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 Articles1 week 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 Articles2 weeks 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 Articles3 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 Articles4 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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending