With two of British boxing’s most brutish ‘juggernauts’ set to transform the O2 Arena into their own, personal battleground on July 27th, it is easy for spectators to overlook the undercard.
After all, much of the discussion has been dominated by Joe Joyce (16-2) and Derek Chisora (34-13); both ageing, both hard-hitting and both purely boxers of spectacle alone. Under these conditions, it is understandable that many of the preliminary fighters may not receive much of the limelight.
Yet, Queensberry Promotions, only a short time after their Magnificent Seven took to Birmingham, have put on a show of equal quality.
The co-main event, once upon a time, may have found itself headlining a small-hall card; although, in the days of the Riyadh Season, it instead gets second billing. A rematch between Dennis ‘The Menace’ McCann (15-0-1) and Ionut Baluta (16-4-1), this time with the vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight title to heighten the stakes.
Queensberry and Frank Warren seem to view McCann as one of their developing talents and, as such, have offered him the chance to erase the sole blemish on his record; a draw against Baluta at York Hall last August.
The ruthless Kent kid seemed to have an off-night against Baluta, who is certainly a worthy adversary at this level. This will certainly provide those at the O2 with another ‘War’, if Chisora proves to not be enough in his own right.
If he can overcome Baluta, perhaps there is a position on a Saudi card in the near future for the promising super-bantamweight.
Certainly, it appears that war is a running theme on this card, with the return of highly-ranked WBO super-featherweight Archie Sharp (25-0) who, after some reflection and recalibration, has decided to take a difficult fight against WBC International Super-Featherweight title-holder Ryan Garner (15-0).
With Sharp unable to make any progress at the highest peak of the division, he has instead elected to take the difficult, important fights; there is no doubt that Garner, with his gnawing style, will make things difficult for ‘The Sharpshooter’.
It could be suggested that, if he can overcome Garner, many more opponents will be willing to engage with Sharp, particularly those at the highest ranking in the WBO. Although, ‘The Piranha’ could certainly upset the favourite on his triumphant return to the limelight.
With a few wins, Sharp could even be within title contention in the WBO; which will either motivate the 29-year-old or pressure him in a way that even Garner would struggle to do. Of course, for Garner, Sharp would be considered a golden opportunity – Sharp would be the first major scalp on the Southampton native’s resume.
The men will not be the only ones engaging in warfare as Raven Chapman (8-0) looks to make leeway in the featherweight division as Queensberry’s golden goose, defending her own WBC International title against undefeated Colombian Yohana Sarabia (10-0).
Chapman, known as ‘The Omen’, will predict a short night against her foe, although Sarabia will certainly disagree; in enemy territory, she might find herself at her most dangerous. Although, Chapman will have the backing of her own army and will be more comfortable at the weight than Sarabia, who is a natural super-bantamweight contender.
The biggest incentive for Chapmen, however, will be the much-discussed rumour of a WBC World Featherweight showdown between her and Eddie Hearn’s title-holding Aussie Skye Nicholson (11-0); which would be the first outing of women’s boxing on a Rhyadh Season card.
Although, if warfare is the name of the game, then the heavy artillery comes by way of future herald Moses Itauma (9-0), who delivered a performance that was equal parts savage and disciplined when he dismantled Ilja Mazencev (25-4) on the ‘Ring of Fire’ undercard.
Itauma will finally earn a signature scalp by putting his WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title up on the line against seasoned ‘Viking’ Mariusz Wack (38-10). A known ring-operator, Wack has succumbed to the pressure of lesser men; Frazer Clarke (8-0-1), Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-1) and Jarrell Miller (26-1-1) litter his losses.
Itauma, signposted as the future of the heavyweight division by many of its current top operators – Tyson Fury (34-1-1) for one – will put on a blitzkrieg against Wach, with the 44-year-old perhaps only seeming tough enough to last the distance, not secure the win.
Without a doubt, Itauma will be one of the key players in the widening heavyweight landscape and, with Saudi-backing, will be guaranteed to be offered higher-level fights if he can easily dispatch the ageing – if determined – Wach.
The final true war of the card will certainly be a more slick affair, with ‘Sugar Boy Roy’ Royston Barney-Smith (10-0) putting his slick, southpaw skillset to the test against Colombian youngster Brian Barajas (7-0-1).
A very recent addition to the talent pool at super-feather, Barney-Smith will be eager to dispense of Barajas at his earliest convenience; this could be a statement performance for Barney-Smith, who will have the incentive of the WBO Youth Super-Featherweight title to guide him.
In having said this, Barajas could be a tough opponent to knock, as – in his native Colombia – he has remained undefeated with only a draw to halt his progression. Certainly, if he had stayed in Colombia, the opportunity to earn a regional or national belt would present itself, suggesting that Barajas must be confident in taking to foreign shores.
If Barney-Smith can claim early title-honours, it would most certainly open the doors for future opportunities on Queensberry cards; he could prove to be one of their future stars, if the Southampton athlete can get the job done.
So, with these bouts and with many developing fighters featuring on the preliminary offering, Joyce and Chisora have opened the floodgates for many spirited warriors to decimate the O2 on July 27th.