PREVIEWS GALORE
Yafai and Buglioni set for action in Monte Carlo, writes
Yafai vs Gonzalez in Monte Carlo, Bivol vs Pascal in Atlantic City, and more
MATCHROOM BOXING stage a show at the Salle Médecin within the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco this Saturday (November 24), live on Sky Sports Arena (UK) and DAZN (US). Headlining on the French Riviera is Kal Yafai, 24-0 (15), who defends his WBA super-flyweight crown for the fourth time. Opposing the 29-year-old Brummie is a 23-2 (10) Mexican in the shape of Israel Gonzalez.
Quite what the Los Cabos man has done to deserve a shot at Yafai’s world title is difficult to work out. In February, Gonzalez was dropped on three occasions and stopped in the 10th round by the all-action Jerwin Ancajas when challenging for the IBF 115lb belt. Since then, he has registered two lowkey victories against overmatched opponents.
This fight will be only the second that Gonzalez has had outside of Mexico – the other being his loss to Ancajas. While the size of his heart is certainly not in question, his defence is not the best, nor is he a big puncher. With the skilled Yafai’s fast and heavy hands slamming into him, expect Gonzalez to be dispatched inside the distance.
The other Brit on the card, Winchmore Hill’s Frank Buglioni, also takes part in a 12-rounder. The 22-3-1 (16) former British light-heavyweight champion meets Chinese southpaw Fanlong Meng, 13-0 (8), who is ranked at No. 11 in the IBF 175lb ratings. Chifeng’s Meng, 30, fought at the top level as an amateur – including at the 2012 Olympics – but has not yet mixed in good company as a pro. In contrast, the alwaysentertaining Buglioni, 29, has fought some respected rivals. This is a hard one to call, but Meng’s effective combinations should see him triumph on points.