At the moment much of the Heavyweight conversation in the UK has been based on the likes of Tyson Fury, Hughie Fury, Dereck Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Amazingly everyone has over-looked English champion "Big Bad" John McDermott (28-8, 18), well everybody but his next challenger Ian Lewison (8-2-1, 5).
On paper these two have records that are forgettable at best and many will suggest that neither man will go anywhere. Despite such talk about are very interesting fighters and both are more talented than their records suggest.
McDermott, with 8 losses, could and probably is written off almost every time he steps in the ring. Despite this he is one of those fighters who is much better than his record shows and in fact some would argue his record should actually be 32-4 due to some absolute shocking decisions against him, including a much debated loss to Tyson Fury.
At his worst McDermott can be flattened quickly, as he was against David Price 2 years ago, though when he is confident he is a handful for any British Heavyweight as shown in his blow out of Larry Olubamiwo and his decision, last time out, over Matt Skelton.
In Ian "Lay 'em Out" Lewison, pictured, is regarded as one of the meanest puchers in a British ring. He started his career very slowly with just 4 bouts in his first years as a professional. In that time he was adjudged to have "drawn" with Pavels Dolgovs, a man who was decked 3 times in a round. Since then though his career has been a bit of a roller coaster ride with a loss to journeyman Colin Kenna and stoppages over Dorian Darch, Timo Hoffman and Tom Dallas.
With genuine power Lewison is dangerous early on but with McDermott's experience the champion may well have the edge. The only thing we know for sure is that this has the potential to be a genuinely fantastic Heavyweight clash, more than we can say for those involving the bigger names in British Heavyweight boxing.
(Photo courtesy of boxrec.com
On paper these two have records that are forgettable at best and many will suggest that neither man will go anywhere. Despite such talk about are very interesting fighters and both are more talented than their records suggest.
McDermott, with 8 losses, could and probably is written off almost every time he steps in the ring. Despite this he is one of those fighters who is much better than his record shows and in fact some would argue his record should actually be 32-4 due to some absolute shocking decisions against him, including a much debated loss to Tyson Fury.
At his worst McDermott can be flattened quickly, as he was against David Price 2 years ago, though when he is confident he is a handful for any British Heavyweight as shown in his blow out of Larry Olubamiwo and his decision, last time out, over Matt Skelton.
In Ian "Lay 'em Out" Lewison, pictured, is regarded as one of the meanest puchers in a British ring. He started his career very slowly with just 4 bouts in his first years as a professional. In that time he was adjudged to have "drawn" with Pavels Dolgovs, a man who was decked 3 times in a round. Since then though his career has been a bit of a roller coaster ride with a loss to journeyman Colin Kenna and stoppages over Dorian Darch, Timo Hoffman and Tom Dallas.
With genuine power Lewison is dangerous early on but with McDermott's experience the champion may well have the edge. The only thing we know for sure is that this has the potential to be a genuinely fantastic Heavyweight clash, more than we can say for those involving the bigger names in British Heavyweight boxing.
(Photo courtesy of boxrec.com