Billy's Boxing Blog

This is a big weekend for boxing, and I thought I’d share my thoughts on the fights for March 4.

At the weigh in yesterday, David Haye looked like a guy who had done some weightlifting and cut a lot of corners in training. He really did look like someone who had trained on a yacht and enjoyed a few cocktails in the jacuzzi after each training session. I doubt he did much roadwork – if any – in preparation. The fact that his trainer, Shane McGuigan, has been quoted in the past as not believing running is much use to a boxer also makes it likely David Haye is relying on weight training and pad work to get the job done.

I suspect Haye’s visit to Germany a couple of days ago was part of a plan to find a way around drugs detection when his blood and urine are tested post fight. Haye’s behaviour – his mood swings and constantly scratching himself during interviews – are clear signs something is not right.

Bellew looked pretty much the same as for his previous two world title fights at cruiserweight. In other words, his physique is nothing to write home about

As for the fight itself, I think Bellew will look to jab and run and hope Haye tires himself out after a couple of rounds. Haye will stalk his opponent and will throw an looping overhand right at every opportunity. If Haye is able to connect cleanly in the first three rounds, he will win by knockout. If Bellew is able to avoid his punches and make Haye work then he will start to wear the heavier man down. That could lead to a stoppage around the 7th or 8th round. Either way, I predict Haye will fail a drug test and receive a lengthy ban. If that does happen, perhaps McGauigan will also get punished in some way. If Haye won the fight then he’ll get sued by everyone.

If he has any ambition to fight at world level, O’Hara Davies should make short work of Derry Matthews. Matthews was brutally knocked out by Like Campbell in his previous outing, and stepping up to light welterweight means he will be facing an opponent who punches even harder.

Sam Eggington should beat Paulie Malignaggi convincingly if he wants to progress to the next level in the welterweight division. The American might teach Eggington a few things in the process.

Heavyweight Dave Allen will earn some more beer money. but otherwise prove nothing. Luis Ortiz was much too good an opponent for Allen late last year, but fighting “a poor man’s David Price” (Allen’s words) in David Howe is going too far in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, in America, Keith Thurman faces Danny Garcia in a welterweight unification fight. Thurman is naturally the bigger man with the higher knockout ratio, but he hasn’t won a fight by knockout for a long time. He should start as the favourite in a fight that is expected to go the distance. Garcia is also used to winning title fights on points, so a knockout seems unlikely. Danny Garcia has enjoyed a lot of luck in his boxing career and maybe his streak will continue. This is contest between two very fit and evenly matched boxers in their prime. Hopefully, the winner will face the victor in the Brook – Spence fight and we will finally see who is the world’s best welterweight.