Money Talks

[Adam Smith]

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Adrien Broner took Gavin Rees to pieces as most people predicted beforehand but it was an entertaining contest thanks to the valiant effort from Rees. The Welsh underdog actually won the first round landing flashy shots on the slow starting Broner but it was soon apparent that Rees couldn’t hurt Broner and the champion could easily trouble Rees. It wasn’t long before the crowd were on Rees’ side but they couldn’t prevent Broner from flooring Rees with a beautiful right hand in the fourth. Rees did extremely well to get to his feet and survive the round.

A further knockdown in the fourth damaged Rees’ body and the end was nigh. Thankfully Rees’ trainer Gary Lockett threw in the towel before any long term damage was delivered by the rampant Broner.

Broner’s power and size is pretty scary for anyone in and around the 135lbs division and twitter talk of him fighting Amir Khan is simply absurd from a Khan point of view!

This Week’s Action

David Price takes a step up this Saturday when taking on former multi-time world title challenger Tony Thompson. The mere fact that Thompson is considered fringe world class is quite simply an insult to former greats of boxing’s marquee division but that’s another story.

British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Price had a decent 2012. Yes he was a big favourite to beat all four of his opponents but none of John McDermott, Sam Sexton, Fraudley Harrison and Matt Skelton lasted longer than four rounds. It must also be noted that all four have held domestic titles apart from Harrison who fought for a world title. This time last year I though Price had a confidence issue, I no longer think this. The Liverpool giant knows when he hits anyone in the world they are more than likely to go over. Thompson 100% fits into this category.

41-year-old Thompson pretty much deserved a shot at heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko in 2008 he lasted 11 rounds. In fairness Thompson would’ve lasted the full 12 if it wasn’t for the late Manny Steward reading the riot act to Klitschko before round 11. Following his trip to Germany in 2008 Thompson knocked out five distinctly average opponents with a combined record of 122-33-6. Then, for some unknown reason that only the wretched governing bodies could explain, found himself in with Wladimir again in July last year. He lasted six rounds in a terrible showing.

Klitschko Thompson II was predictably a boring affair with the American hardly landing a meaningful blow. On the scale of tentative (negative) boxers where all guns blazing Brandon Rios is no.1 and can’t punch won’t punch Fraudley Harrison is no.10, Thompson is about a no.8. The 6’5” southpaw will use feints and some strange footwork to try and frustrate his taller opponent but Price is to mature for those games now and will soon land. I see Price either taking advantage of Thompson’s low held hands to score when he’s on the back foot or punishing the open body when Thompson shies away from pressure.

This fight may last longer than Price’s recent fights simply because of Thompson’s awkwardness and experience but the fact is he’ll fold when Price lands flush. Thompson’s stoppage loss to Klitschko last year was tame to say the least, you could even argue he was stopped from a combination where Wladimir didn’t even land clean! Thompson is well past his best, which was never brilliant, and, like Broner last weekend, Price can stop this whenever he chooses. And at odds of just 1/4 to score the KO, the bookmakers agree.

This week’s American action comes from Washington where Lamont Peterson defends the IBF light welterweight title he was somehow able to keep despite failing a drugs test for PEDs against a past his best Kendall Holt. The interest in this fight is pretty much rock bottom and the purse bid from of around $53k clearly illustrates no one cares. Peterson is as short as 1/7 with the oddsmakers so it’s a no bet in a fight that doesn’t really interest me.

The News

Tyson Fury has confirmed he’ll be facing former cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham on April 20th at Madison Square Garden, New York. Cunningham has lost three of his last four fights with dodgy decisions aplenty along the way. His first fight at heavyweight was last December where Tomasz Adamek was lucky to beat him on points.

Floyd Mayweather surprised no one on Tuesday by confirming Robert Guerrero as his next opponent on May 4th. Somewhat more unexpected was Mayweather’s announcement that he’ll be fighting on Showtime PPV after 16 years of HBO coverage in America. One thing is for sure – Showtime will be paying ‘Money’ Mayweather big money.

The Bet

I’m struggling to pick a bet for the second week running with David Price being such a strong favourite. It’ll be over as soon as Price lands and it’s just a question of when he lands. A round two stoppage win for Price is a best price 7/1 and that’s what I fancy.

Quote Of The Week

“I want it to be the stepping stone to becoming heavyweight champion of the world.”

Fraudley Harrison tells Martin Domin of the Daily Mail he is looking forward to Saturday’s heavyweight Prizefighter tournament and still talks about a world title shot. No wonder I don’t preview these events!

[djt117]

I love that the guy who just wrote an article entitled "Money Talks" is fittingly named Adam Smith