Fight Night Preview 5th May 2018

Ok fight fans it’s that time of the week again fight night preview time, this week we are in the capital as the O2 arena hosts the rematch the world wants to see BellewHaye2. As well as a packed undercard including a world title fight, the Commonwealth Heavyweight and the European Super Featherweight titles will be on the line. All the action will be live on Sky Sports Box Office from 6pm.

Tony Bellew V David Haye

There is only one place to start and that is with this big rematch will it be repeat or revenge. Tony Bellew comes into this mega fight with a record of 29-2-1 with 19 knockouts. He has won all of his last 6 fights 5 of them by knockout. His last fight was the first fight with David Haye when he shocked the world with that stunning 11th round stoppage.

David Haye comes into this fight looking for revenge with a record of 28-1 with 26 knockouts. He has won 4 out of his last 6 fights, all of them have come by knockout. In his last fight with Tony Bellew he show tremendous courage and heart as he fought half the fight with a torn Achilles’ tendon before been stopped in the 11th round.

This fight is a difficult one to call if Haye is fully fit then you have to make Haye the favourite, as he carries more power and he is the naturally bigger man. However in their first fight Bellew was able to take Hayes best punches, but this time I think Haye is going to come out with a point to prove as he has already said that if he can’t beat Bellew in style then he will retire from boxing. I have written a blog post all about this fight so check it out.

Paul Butler V Emmanuel Rodriguez

This fight is for the vacant IBF Bantamweight title this was the title that was vacated by Ryan Burnett after he couldn’t make a deal with Rodriguez. Paul Butler comes into this title fight with a record of 26-1 with 14 knockouts. He has won all of his last 6 fights, 3 of them by knockout. In his last fight he knocked out Jefferson Vargas in the 8th round.

Emmanuel Rodriguez comes into this title fight with a perfect record of 17-0 with 12 knockouts. He’s knocked out 5 of his last 6 opponents. In his last fight he stopped Giovanni Delgado in the 4th round.

There’s no question that Butler is the more experienced of the two, but Rodriguez carries more power. I think that if Butler can keep the fight at distance and use his boxing skills he might be able to win on points, however if he tries to go toe to toe with Rodriguez then I can see Rodriguez winning by knockout in the middle rounds.

John Ryder V Jamie Cox

John Ryder comes into this fight with a record of 25-4 with 13 knockouts. He’s won 4 out of his last 6 fights, but only 1 of them by Knockout. In his last fight he knocked out Patrick Nielsen in the 5th round of their fight.

Jamie Cox comes into this fight with a record of 25-1 with 14 knockouts. He’s won 5 out of his last 6 fights, 2 of them by knockout. He is still rebuilding his career after losing for the first time against George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series, in his last fight he knocked out journeyman Harry Mattthews in the 2nd Round.

Although this is a packed bill with big fights all the way down it, this one could be fight of the night because we’ve got two fighters both looking to take their careers to the next level. I think you have to make Cox the slight favourite in this one only because he’s fought at a slightly higher level. I don’t think this fight will end in a knockout I think it could be one for the boxing purist.

Lenroy Thomas V Joe Joyce

This fight will be Lenroy Thomas’s second defends of his Commonwealth title and he comes into this fight with a record of 22-4-1 with 10 knockouts. He’s won 4 out of his last 6 fights with one loss and 1 draw, with 2 of those wins coming by knockout. His last fight was a bit of an anticlimax as it ended in a technical draw after a bad cut on David Allen’s head meant that the fight didn’t get past the 3rd round.

Joe Joyce comes into this fight with a perfect record of 3-0 all of his wins have come by knockout. This fight is a big step up for him and you have to wonder has it come to soon.

There’s no question that Thomas is the more experienced of the two, however in his last few fights he hasn’t looked that impressive so Joyce might be able to get him out of there early. Although this is a big step up for him. Whoever wins I hope that their first defends is against David Allen because I think he deserves another shot.

Joshua Buatsi V Stephen Cuevas

Joshua Buatsi comes into this fight with a perfect record of 5-0 with 3 knockouts. This fight will be his 3rd appearance on Pay-Per-View I’m sure he will be looking to impress again. In his last fight he was taken the distance by journeyman Barlomiej Grafka.

Stephen Cuevas comes into this fight with a record of 8-1-3 with 4 knockouts. He’s won 3 out of his last 6 fights, 2 of them by knockout. In his last fight he knocked out Yoann Bloyer in the opening round.

I think this is the right fight at the right time for Buatsi he’s fighting someone with a winning record so that’s a step up. Although Cuevas should be able to take Buatsi a few rounds he should have no trouble looking good against him.

Martin J Ward V James Tennyson

This fight is for the European, Commonwealth and WBA International titles and Martin J Ward comes into this fight with a undefeated record of 19-0-2 with 9 knockouts. He’s knocked out 2 of his last 6 opponents. In his last fight he knocked out Juli Giner in the 6th round to win the European title.

James Tennyson comes into this fight with a record of 21-2 with 17 knockouts. He’s won 5 out of his last 6 fights,4 of them by knockout. In his last fight he knocked out Arnoldo Solano in the 1st round.

This one could be a close fight although Tennyson has had more fights Ward has been fighting at a higher level. So I can see Ward using his boxing skills early and he will go looking for the knockout in the middle rounds.

Hope you enjoy the fights and comment below and let me know your predictions.