BACK WITH A BANG
Big-time boxing is back at the Albert Hall after a long absence, writes Paul Wheeler
Previewing professional boxing’s return to the iconic Royal Albert Hall
PROFESSIONAL boxing returns to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time in nearly seven years this Friday (March 8). Headlining a Queensberry Promotions show at the iconic Kensington venue – live on BT Sport 1 (UK) and ESPN+ (US) – is Greenwich heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois.
Opposing the 21-year-old over 10 rounds is Romanian giant Razvan
Cojanu, who unsuccessfully challenged for the WBO title against then-champion Joseph Parker in May 2017, losing a wide unanimous decision. The Burbank, California-based 31-year-old has lost both of his subsequent fights, too – via second-round KO versus veteran contender Luis Ortiz in July last year, and on a comprehensive unanimous verdict to the up-and-coming Nathan Gorman five months later.
The Voinesti native’s clash with Gorman only went ahead because Dubois – who had been due to face Cojanu seven days earlier – was struck down with flu during fight week. With promotional stablemates Dubois and Gorman seemingly on a collision course, the Londoner will be aiming to outdo his rival by dispatching Cojanu inside time.
After garnering early wins in his opening eight bouts, Dubois was taken the distance for the first time in his most recent contest in October – a near-shutout of seasoned gatekeeper Kevin Johnson, who is well known for his durability. Although Dubois would have preferred to continue his stoppage streak, getting some much-needed rounds in the bank will prove more beneficial in the long run. It is not often that the hulking Dubois finds himself up against a bigger man, but Cojanu is both taller and substantially heavier. However, the 16-5 (9) visitor has been knocked out twice in the past. Dubois, with his powerful punches to head and body, can become the third person to defeat Cojanu inside the distance. Another rising British star who is boxing in a 10-rounder is Ilford’s
Anthony Yarde. The muscular lightheavyweight has won all 17 of his matches so far, with 16 coming before the final bell. He takes on 38-year-old Baltimore resident Travis Reeves, 17-3-2 (7), who was brought in as a replacement for the injured Mehdi Amar.
Yarde, 27, is ranked at number one in the WBO’S 175lb ratings, so has that division’s titlist, Sergey Kovalev, on his radar. He has climbed the WBO ladder by racking up dominant victories over a collection of experienced but largely unremarkable competitors. Former cruiserweight Reeves unanimously outscored the Floyd Mayweatherpromoted Lanell Bellows less than two months ago, but does not really represent a significant step up from Yarde’s recent opposition. Considering two of Reeves’ three losses have come inside schedule, it is unlikely that he will be able to withstand Yarde’s punishing power, leading to another stoppage reverse for the American.
The stacked card features a brace of British title fights, including quality Welshman Liam Williams, 19-2-1 (14), making the maiden defence of his middleweight crown against Brentwood battler Joe Mullender, 11-2 (5) 1NC.
Williams, 26, previously reigned as British and Commonwealth king at super-welter – a weight class in which he also contested two competitive scraps with EX-WBO boss Liam Smith in 2017. He was controversially defeated on a cut eye in the first meeting in April (rtd 9), before dropping a majority decision in the rematch seven months later. Nonetheless, the Clydach Vale fighter proved his worth against a worldclass adversary.
Like Williams, Mullender’s two most high-profile outings have come against the same opponent. In May 2016, he was unanimously outpointed by fellow tough nut Lee Markham, yet gained revenge in the June 2017 sequel by earning a split verdict. The 32-year-old is a tenacious aggressor who bulls forward, searching for opportunities to unload up close. His come-forward approach could suit Williams, however, as the man from the Rhondda Valley possesses a stiff jab, which he uses to good effect against onrushing foes. With his fierce, accurate and heavy-handed combos, Williams can demonstrate that he is beyond domestic level by forcing the referee’s intervention.
In the other British title tussle, Peckham bruiser Johnny Garton, 23-1-1 (10), puts his welterweight strap on the line for the first time since winning it via 11th-round stoppage in an all-action thriller against the gritty Gary Corcoran in October. The 31-year-old’s challenger is Garnant’s Chris Jenkins, 20-3-2 (8), who, after securing the
Prizefighter super-lightweight trophy in July 2013, was tipped to achieve big things. So far, though, it hasn’t worked out that way for the Welshman. Only four of his last nine appearances have ended in victory, although he has endured terrible luck with cuts, with his brittle skin often hampering him.
In what will be his third crack at claiming British honours (the other two were at 140lbs), Jenkins will look to make use of his tireless engine and impressive versatility. Listed as wide as 13/2 with some bookmakers, he seems far too much of an outsider in the betting stakes. Jenkins, 30, has the potential to come out on top here, but as he has only very recently moved up to 147lbs, and Garton is a natural at the weight, the smart money has to be on the champion’s strength and desire seeing him through on points.
A pair of unbeaten superfeatherweight talents collide in an interesting 10-rounder, as Welling’s
Archie Sharp, 23 years old and 14-0 (7), meets Portsmouth’s Lucas Ballingall, 22 years old and 11-0 (3). Ballingall has never fought over 10 before, so Sharp’s greater seasoning can see him prevail on the scorecards.
THE VERDICT This good-value bill is a fitting way to rekindle the relationship between a famous old sport and a famous old venue.