Katsidis vs Burns: Fighters On Weight for Main Event, Groves vs Smith Co-Feature
by Scott Christ on Nov 4, 2011 10:18 AM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
Email
Print
All of the key fighters were on weight this morning for tomorrow's big show at Wembley Arena in London, main evented by Michael Katsidis and Ricky Burns in a lightweight 12-rounder.
Katsidis and Burns both weighed in at the lightweight limit of 135 pounds for their bout, which will be for the interim WBO title, and in theory, a shot at divisional kingpin Juan Manuel Marquez, should Marquez return to the lightweight division after his November 12 fight with Manny Pacquiao.
In the main co-feature of the bill, British super middleweight champion George Groves weighed in at 167¾, while challenger Paul Smith was at 167 pounds even, one below the divisional limit.
Also in action will be top middleweight prospect Billy Joe Saunders, who will challenge for his first professional title. Saunders came in at 159½, and Southern Area middleweight champ Gary Boulden was at 159 pounds.
Bad Left Hook will have live coverage for Katsidis vs Burns tomorrow, starting at 2 p.m. EDT.
4 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I can’t imagine Burns taking this, or even lasting into the second half of the fight.
Burns is a terrific traditional, orthodox boxer, who has a great range of beautiful techniques, and who has an effective offense as well as defense. He looks like he has a little bit of sting, too. He used these very well against Martinez, weathered the latter’s attacks, took shots well, and drove him back regularly.
But Katsidis is an animal, almost visceral, he can take real shots repeatedly, and he hits hard. He doesn’t wilt easily, either.
I think Burns will get steamrolled, unless he’s developed as much power as Guerrero, and I don’t think he has. He’ll box terrifically for a while, but I suspect he won’t really hurt Katsidis, and he’ll start getting tagged fairly early.
I give Burns a shot. My only worry is that he throws his right hand like he is trying to hail a taxi. I’m not sure that a good jab and left hook will be enough to keep Katsidis off him in the first 4 rounds. I could maybe see Burns sneaking by on points if Katsidis has slipped any since the Guerrero fight though.
My prediction is pretty much the same as the Martinez one: if he makes it past four he might be able to pull it off. I just have a bad feeling that he is going to be caught early and not recover.
Nobody will read this and care and why should they?
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanShots on Bad Left Hook
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
