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The last big boxing bouts before Christmas are really delivering – we have the heavyweight rematch between Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora in Manchester with southpaw stylists Carlos Gongora and Lerrone Richards going at it on the undercard.
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There’s also a big bill in the North East featuring Lewis Ritson and Ricky Burns as well so let’s take a look at the best of the action in the UK this weekend.
10.30pm: Joseph Parker v Derek Chisora – Parker in Round 9-12
With the top heavyweights tied-up in contracts and Christmas presents to pay for, Parker and Chisora return to the ring seven months after their first contest. Truth be told, no one was begging to see the rematch of a fight that was a bit scrappy and lacked drama, but I am betting that the bout this Saturday will bring the fireworks.
The one real highlight from the scrap in May was a big overhand right from Chisora in the first 10 seconds which sent Parker tumbling to the canvas. Joe won’t be so sleepy this time and since moving to Morecambe he’s fully entrenched in the Tyson Fury and Andy Lee camp, which can only be a good thing.
While Parker will have been improving and evolving under Lee’s tutelage, we can expect more of the same from ‘Del boy’. He’s having an Indian summer in his career where he’s more focused, more settled and in great condition, but every war must take a bit out of him.
It seems crazy that Parker is still only 29 given that he was world champion back in 2016 and he lost his title two years later to Anthony Joshua. The hunger is still there for Joe and, if anything, he seems more inspired than ever by the performances of his mate Tyson.
Parker to win on points is the shortest price of all the methods of victory and I can see why: Parker has never stopped a decent opponent and Chisora has only been KO’d twice in a 14-year career. The fight is back at the same Manchester Arena but I think that this time Parker will put on a clinic and the contest gets stopped late on – I’m going Rounds 9-12.
Carlos Gongora and Lerrone Richards
The main support act in Manchester on Saturday is a really good fight – double Olympic Ecuadorian Carlos Gongora takes on South London’s Lerrone Richards in the super middleweight division. Both are unbeaten and both are southpaw – it could be technical at times but it’ll be nip-and-tuck and both will be forced to take the fight.
The two big areas of difference are power and experience and both are massively in Gongora’s favour. ‘Sniper The Boss’ Richards may have a slight edge in speed but, ultimately, I think he will get out-pointed over the distance.
I must admit the Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton-le-Spring wasn’t a venue I was familiar with before this week but on Saturday it’ll be punching well above its weight.
Geordie favourite Lewis Ritson hasn’t had it all his own way despite being given some hand-picked opponents, but I do think he’ll be too good for Mexico’s Christian Uruzquieta (10pm). The travelling boxer is gutsy but not a puncher, and I think Ritson will get the job done on points.
6pm: Ricky Burns v Emiliano Dominguez – Burns by KO
Ricky Burns has had a long and glittering career and in his last performance he pushed former champ Lee Selby all the way – however, that was two years ago. His opponent this Saturday (9pm), Emiliano Dominguez, has nowhere near the same pedigree and I’m backing ‘Rickster’ to still have enough to win by KO.
8pm: Thomas Patrick Ward v Leonardo Padilla – Ward on Points
The other big name on the card is Thomas Patrick Ward and he faces rough, tough Argentine Leonardo Padilla (8pm). Ward is a very tidy little boxer but he doesn’t have the pop in his punches – back the North East man to win on points.
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