Fight Night Preview 25th February 2018

Ok fight fans it’s that time of the week again fight night preview time, this week we are in the fighting city of Manchester for another Nxtgen show. All the action is live from 7pm Sunday night on Sky Sports Action.

Lewis Ritson V Joe Murray

This fight will be Lewis Ritson’s first defence of his British title since he won the title last time out against Robbie Barrett with a 7th round knockout. He comes into this fight with an undefeated record of 13-0 with 7 knockouts. He’s knocked out 5 of his last 6 opponents. In his last fight he came in as a big under dog to win the title.

Joe Murray comes into this title fight with a record of 23-2 with 10 knockouts. He’s won all of his last 6 fights, 3 of them by knockout. In his last fight he beat Nkuleko Venganayi with an 8th round knockout

So who’s going to win this one both have been talking this one up in the build up with Ritson saying he’s going to knockout Murray and Murray saying that he wants to follow in his brothers footsteps. To be honest I can see this fight been really close and going all the way to the judges, with Ritson winning by a couple of rounds.

Jordan Gill V Jason Cunningham

Jordan Gill comes into this fight with a perfect record of 18-0 with 4 knockouts. However this fight is without question the biggest test of his career, because up until now his only fought fighters with losing records. So in this fight he will be able to show everyone what he can do against a fighter who can fight back.

Jason Cunningham comes into this fight with a record of 23-4 with 6 knockouts. He’s won 5 out of his last 6 fights but none of them by knockout. In his last fight he was knocked out in the 6th round losing his Commonwealth title to Reece Bellotti.

This may seem like a strange thing to say but I think this could be a good fight for both men, because Gill needs to be tested and Cunningham needs a win to get his career back on track. Neither man possess knockout power so I think this going to be another fight that goes to the judges with Cunningham winning the decision.

Qais Asfaq V Johnson Tellez

This fight is the much anticipated professional debut of Qais Asfaq. He was a British Olympian who is expected to achieve big things as a professional.

Johnson Tellez comes into this fight with a record of 9-35-5 with 6 knockouts. He’s lost all of his last 6 fights, in fact he’s lost his last 10 so there’s no question he’s a journeyman.

Now you know me a would normally go on a rant about a young prospect fighting a journeyman but not this time. I think this is the right fight for Asfaq because it’s his professional debut it will give him a chance to show everyone what he can do and Tellez should be able to take him a few rounds. Although I expect Asfaq to be moved up quickly because of his amateur background.

Nathasha Jonas V Karina Kopinska

Nathasha Jonas will be looking to continue her perfect start to her professional career as she comes into this fight with a record of 4-0 all 4 have come by knockout. It’s going to be a busy few months for her as she is scheduled to fight on the Amir Khan bill in April.

Karina Kopinska comes into this fight with a record of 10-23-3 with just 3 knockouts. She has only won 1 of her last 6 fights. In her last fight she lost by unanimous decision to Elena Gradinar.

There’s no question Jonas should win this one, however this week she’s saying that she’s ready for a world title fight before she can even think about fighting for a world title I think she needs to fight someone with a winning record. It could be that the only way she can fight someone with a winning record is to fight for a world title, but I find that very doubtful.

Hosea Burton V Josip Perkovic

Hosea Burton comes into this fight with a record of 20-1 with 10 knockouts. He’s won 5 out of his last 6 fights, 4 of them by knockout. He’s done well to get his career back on track after suffering his first loss to Frank Buglioni last year. In his last fight he knocked out Retu Latinara in the very first round.

Josip Perkovic comes into this fight with a record of 4-3-1 with 2 knockouts. As you can see he’s not got the best record. In his last fight he was beaten on points by Miles Shinkwin.

Now I have to be honest I don’t understand the reasoning behind this fight because you’ve got a young fighter looking to move on to bigger things fighting someone who on paper at least he should be able to knockout. Maybe it’s because they’ve got bigger fights lined up and there using this fight as a tool sharpening exercise.

Comment below and let me know your predictions.