This Saturday night the Super Series hits my hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. To say that I am excited to have this in my hometown is an understatement.
If you can’t be there remember that the main fights will be streamed for free on YouTube and Facebook. The main fight between Taylor and Martin is expected to go out 10pm (UK Time).
I recommend you tune in much earlier as we have a great card in Glasgow. There are two main events and what could be the fight of the night on the undercard between Darryll Williams and Zach Parker.
Josh Taylor vs Ryan Martin
Top of the card at Lightweight, we have a fight between Josh Taylor (13 wins, 11 KO’s) and Andre Dirrell lookalike, Ryan Martin (22 wins, 12 KO’s)
Both Taylor and Martin are seen as “Hot Prospects”. Taylor is the home fighter and can expect to be roared on by a very loud, home support.
Of the two Taylor has mixed in better company, Ohara Davies and Victor Postal are the notable names on his record.
On Martin’s resume the only name that jumps out is previous Amir Khan destroyer, Breidis Prescott. Martin beat Prescott by decision, however Prescott now, is not the same fighter that destroyed Amir Khan.
Martin is unbeaten and arrives in Glasgow with the moniker “Blue Chip”. Is this moniker just a nickname or will it prove to be a warning as to the quality of the fighter that Taylor fights in Glasgow tonight?
Martin is unknown to many, especially fans in the UK, but at yesterday’s weigh in I made a couple of observations that may spell trouble for Taylor.
Firstly Martin looks a very long limbed fighter. He has the sort of physic that can often spell real trouble. I’ve saw many an unheralded fighter with that long limbed physic arrive on our shores. I’ve saw many arrive and dismantle the home town favourite. It’s one of those physics in boxing that can translate into a nightmare, as you are kept on the end of long stinging punches.
Secondly Taylor looked really hyped up. He looked a little too on edge, I hope that doesn’t translate into a nervous performance.
Taylor is fighting on his biggest stage. He is the home fighter, he is on a massive platform and he is expected to win. He has the weight and expectation of a country on his shoulders. I hope that intensity isn’t an outlet for show killing nerves.
Taylor also made a comment that “No one would beat him in Glasgow”. When i heard this, I automatically wish he hadn’t said it. It was the equivalent of a Commentators curse, I didn’t like it.
I still expect Taylor to win in what could be a really interesting fight, my “Spidey” senses are up.
Ryan Burnett vs Nonito Donaire
In the second of the main events at Bantamweight, we have Ryan Burnett (19 wins, 9 KO’s) and Nonito Donaire (38 wins, 24 KO’s, 4 losses)
The most intriguing thing for me was that Donaire made the weight. I had thought that he would miss weight, but to my surprise he didn’t.
However at the weigh in I thought Donaire looked really laboured in his movement. For me he looked like he had just squatted 100kg before stepping onto the scale. He moved very slowly as if their was nothing in him. I wasn’t the only one to notice this, will it mean anything tonight?
With regards to the fight I expect Burnett to win. He is the man on the way up and I expect him to win this one on points. However, if the weight is a real issue for Donaire and my observation was correct, then don’t bet against a blow out for Burnett.
Remember boxing doesn’t hand you a Gold Watch when you get to the end, it usually hands you a beating.
Undercard Fight To Watch
Darryll Williams (17 wins, 7KO’s) vs Zach Parker (16 wins, 11 KO’s) is a match of two unbeaten fighters and its for the vacant British Super Middleweight Title.
The British Title may have lost its sheen over the last few years, but at yesterday’s weigh in there was an intensity to this match up.
Williams is a 4 to 1 against underdog, which seems crazy given how close they match up. Worth a bet…?
Before the weigh in I did spend time with the Williams Camp. They feel they the odds are disrespectful and Darryll certainly brought an intensity to the weigh in.
This could be the fight of the night.
Enjoy