With the Kenyan Heavyweight title on the line this could be the first bout that sees Okola actually given a test. He has cruised past 3 previous opponents this year and shoud make it 4 here but this is stil a step upwards from his previous opponents.
The only Heavyweight fight on Thursday may not be an interesting on paper for most fans as little known Kenyan Morris Okola (4-0, 2) takes on countryman Idris Adhiris (3-2). Sure on paper this looks like a bout that shouldn't interest many though some fans are feeling that the next great Heavyweight could come from Africa.
With the Kenyan Heavyweight title on the line this could be the first bout that sees Okola actually given a test. He has cruised past 3 previous opponents this year and shoud make it 4 here but this is stil a step upwards from his previous opponents.
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Despite how uninspiring Friday night's Heavyweight action was things really seem to be on the verge of picking up for Saturday with several notable bouts as well as the lower level action that we're used to.
For us the mostnotable bout takes place in Germany as Denis Boytsov (33-0, 26) battles Alex Leapai (29-4-3, 24) in a contest for the WBO Asia Pacific Heavyweight title. It's now expected that if Boytsov can defeat Leapai he'll be walking into a Heavyweight world title fight in early 2014 against Wladimir Klitschko. On the same show as Boytsov/Leapai we expect to see the promising prospect Otto Wallin (3-0, 3) in action against journeyman Tomas Mrazek (7-43-6, 5) in what is expected to be Wallin's toughest bout to date, though still far from a real test. Whilst the best fight might be in Germany there is also a key bout in Macau where Mexican destroyer Andy Ruiz Jr (20-0, 14) fights American Tor Hamer (21-2, 14). With the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title, held by Ruiz, and the vacant NABF Heavyweight title both on the line there is plenty to play for here, though Hamer strikes us as the sort of fighter who struggles when a fighter pushes him and Ruiz will push him. In the US we have a number of Heavyweight contests. The most interesting fighter in action Stateside is Alexis Santos (11-0, 10). Although Santos is facing a yet to be named opponent he is a fighter we're very interested in and a fighter we're keeping a close eye on. The other US bouts will see Khalib Whitmore (2-0, 1) taking on Martez Williamson (1-3), Tyyab Beale (8-3-1, 3) fighting Jon Bolden (6-6, 5) and William Monroe (0-0) taking on fellow debutant Charles Jerome (0-0). In Australia Bryan Peters (5-1, 4) is expected to be in action, albeit against a yet to be named opponent. Peters is one of several fighters who is facing a yet to be named opponent. Whilst Peters is in Australia, it does seem to be something that appears to be a common theme in Europe as Frenchman Mickael Vieira (12-3-1, 6), Englishman Matt Legg (6-2, 2), German Michael Stromberg (4-1, 3) and Turkish born Yakup Saglam (30-3, 27) are all in the same boat. Of those contests we expect to only see Saglam in a title bout as he attempts to claim the German International Heavyweight title. The only Heavyweight fight that we are aware of in Africa sees Morris Okola (3-0, 2) facing off against the win-less Abbas Alli (0-3) in what looks to be a mismatch. After yesterday's action today feels a bit like a step backwards in terms of quality even if the quantity has grown notably.
The first Heavyweight contests of the day are expected to take place in Kenya as Morris Okola (1-0) takes on Mustapha Noor (0-21-3) and Bernard Adie (9-1, 5) battles Obadiah Mwangi (4-6-1). Of course the first of those two contests, Okola/Noor, looks like a typical prospect v bum contest ans it's hard to argue against that though. The other bout however is by the more interesting with Adie and Mwangi fighting it over the Kenyan Heavyweight title. Sure we don't tend to think much of Kenyan boxing but it's still nice to see that they do have what appears to be a growing boxing community. As with most weekends most of the Heavyweight action is stateside with 5 bouts taking place in the US. Of those 5 bouts bouts in the US 3 are expected to take place at the Phil Welch Stadium in Saint Joseph, Missouri where the headline bout sees Richard Carmack (12-1, 12) battling Galen Brown (40-22-1, 14) for the vacant USA Mid American Heavyweight title. Despite the big disparity in experience we're picking Carmack to defeat the older and more ring worn Brown. On the same card as Richard Carmack, there will also be a bout for Brandon Carmack (2-0-1, 1) who faces Alex Rozman (2-1, 1) in a bout for the Missouri State Heavyweight title. Of the two men Rozman is likely the more well known due to his loss, earlier this year, to Hughie Fury. In that bout Fuy stopped Rozman in 146 seconds though we cannot imagine Carmack doing to same to him. The third Heavyweight bout in the Missouri show sees Ricky Thompson (3-5-1, 2) facing Dakota Talbott (1-7). Compared to the other two bouts it's hard to see any real interest here, though we do need to note that this bout will see the men completing a trilogy after going 1-1 in their previous bouts together. Away from Missouri we have a bout in Florida which sees novice Chaen Chess (2-1, 2) taking on Carlos Reyes (5-4-1, 3). On paper this looks like a competitive match up though things aren't that event when you consider that Chess was a credible and Reyes is a blown up Light Heavyweight who was stopped in 3 by Ismayl Sillakh. The final bout, also away from Missouri sees "Big Stuff" William Miranda (6-6-2) facing off against David Williams (6-7-2, 2). This match is a rematch of a bout between the two from last December which ended in a draw so should be competitive no matter who wins. heavyweight Bernard Adie SC Obadiah Mwangi heavyweight Mustapha Noor SC Morris Okola heavyweight Chaen Chess SC Carlos Reyes heavyweight Richard Carmack SC Galen Brown 8 heavyweight Brandon Carmack SC Alex Rozman 6 heavyweight Ricky Thompson SC Dakota Talbott heavyweight William Miranda SC David Williams 6 As is common in the boxing world Saturday is by the busiest night of the week in the Heavyweight division. Heavyweight fighters from Finland to Puerto Rico are in action as we get one of the most interesting nights of the week.
Speaking of Finland, lets start there as Janne Katajisto (14-1-1, 7), the man dubbed "The Finnish Butterbean", takes on journeyman Sandor Balogh (3-30-4, 1). This is likely little more than a record padding victory for Katajisto who is looking to rebuild following a loss in March to Arnold Gjergjaj. Staying in Europe the unbeaten and somewhat touted Michael Wallisch (9-0, 6) looks to extend his unbeaten run as he takes on Alexander Kahl (18-9-1, 16). The 27 year old Wallisch is tipped by some to become a contender in the near future. Sadly Kahl, who has been blasted out in the opening round of his last 2 bouts, probably won't tell us anything new about Wallisch. In the UK, British fans in London's "York Hall", can be treat to a decent Heavyweight double header. The bouts on offer see the exciting Ian Lewison (7-2-1, 4) taking on Colin Kenna (17-12-3, 7) and the returning Tom Dallas (16-3, 12) facing Tomas Mrazek (7-41-6, 5). It's hard to go against the fighters with winning records but both of them should see some rounds of action. In Kenya we also get a double header as Morris Okola (1-0) takes on Mustapha Noor (0-21-3) and Bernard Adie (9-1, 5) faces Robert Ochung (0-14). We'd be very surprised if either Okola or Ochung managed to claim their first wins here. Over in the states there are 6 Heavyweight bouts. The most interesting of the bouts stateside sees the unbeaten Joshua Tufte (12-0, 6) taking on Jonte Willis (9-5-1, 3). This bout will see Tufte making the first defense of his NABA USA Heavyweight title and United States Boxing Organisation Heavyweight title and whilst on paper he has to be favoured Willis is much better than his record shows. Another notable bout in the US sees gate keeper Nicolai Firtha (20-10-1, 8) taking on the highly experienced Robert Hawkins (23-21, 7). We'd expect Firtha to come out with a victory here though it's still a solid match up at the lower levels. The remaining 4 bouts in the US are hardly notable. In Iowa Gabe Martin (1-0) is taking on Alex Rozman (1-1, 1) and debutant Eric Cason (0-0) takes on Jerry Simpson (3-17-1, 2). Things aren't any more exciting in Maryland as Glenn Thomas (0-1) fights the debuting Devin Miner (0-0) or even in West Virginia as Jon Hill (5-2, 4) takes on the debuting George Oiler (0-0). Outside of the US, but staying around that part of the world, there is a very interesting contest as Carlos Cotto (3-0, 3) takes on the debuting Carlos Claudio (0-0). Some in Puerto Rico are talking up the potential of Cotto due to the way he has started his career though at 33 he'll have to be fast tracked quickly if he's going to really make a mark on the sport. |