PREVIEWS ROUND-UP
Boxing’s in-vogue weight division takes centre stage, writes
From London and Bristol to New York and Australia – we’ve got you covered
THE cruiserweight division’s stock has risen recently due to the outstanding exploits of Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev in the World Boxing Super Series. This Saturday (March 17), fans get to see Britain’s current king at 200lbs take to the ring, as Blackpool’s Matty Askin, 22-3-1 (14), defends his Lonsdale Belt for the first time. The 29-year-old’s opponent inside Bethnal Green’s York Hall will be Edinburgh’s Stephen Simmons, 18-2 (7). Channel 5 broadcast this Hayemaker Ringstar/goodwin Boxing co-promotion.
In the past two years, Askin has impressively taken the ‘0s’ of Simon Barclay (rsf 2), Tommy Mccarthy (ud 12) and Craig Kennedy (ko 6). During the same period, Simmons has accrued a 4-1 record, with the loss coming via split decision on away turf against touted German Noel Gevor. Most recently, the 33-year-old Scot unanimously outscored previous Askin foe Barclay.
Simmons is a busy and aggressive fighter, but Askin holds the advantage in terms of power. The champion will patiently grind away, before bringing about the finish late on with his thudding right hand.
An ex-simmons stoppage victim – 19-7 (11) Canning Town southpaw
Wadi Camacho – is also in action on the bill. The two-time Southern Area cruiser titlist defends his strap against Titchfield switch-hitter Danny Couzens, 10-10-2 (2), with the contest doubling up as an eliminator for Luke Watkins’ Commonwealth crown.
In July 2016, Camacho handed out a methodical beating to Couzens en route to a sixth-round retirement win. Another inside-schedule defeat awaits the challenger in this rematch. Putney’s 2016 Olympic silver medallist
Joe Joyce, 2-0 (2), keeps busy with a heavyweight 10-rounder against Massachusetts-based Honduran Donnie
Palmer, 9-1-1 (8). Expect the unrelenting Joyce to cut his outgunned 6ft 10in adversary down to size early on.