Dave Oakes concludes his look at the top prospects in the UK, with a profile of young Manchester heavyweight, Tyson Fury.
Tyson Fury
6ft 7ins behemoth fighting out of Manchester. He’s attracting a lot of attention around the world just because of his name; he’s currently 7-0 with all seven wins coming by way of knockout.
The Positives:
He’s obviously got height and reach advantages over most other heavyweights, can hit hard and is technically pretty good for a heavyweight. His fitness is improving with every fight and it won’t be too long before he’s fighting for domestic honours.
The Negatives:
No one knows how he’ll react when he gets caught by a big shot and he keeps his left hand dangerously low for a heavyweight. He’s also got to be careful not to believe his own hype, he must remember he hasn’t achieved anything yet and there’s still a lot of work to be done before he does.
The Future:
He fights John McDermott in early September in what should be a good test for him. If he comes through that fight, which he should, then he can start to target fights against the likes of Derek Chisora, Danny Williams, Matt Skelton and the winner of Martin Rogan v Sam Sexton.For more on the big youngster from Manchester, check out Dave's story from earlier this year: Introducing Tyson Fury: Story & Photo Gallery
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
Ryan Walsh
Jamie Cox
George Groves
Kenny Anderson
Ricky Owen
Tony Bellew
In case you are wondering where the 2008 Olympians are, Dave decided not to include them in order to highlight some of the other young fighters that haven't yet received the same kind of attention.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
British Scene Prospect Watch: Tyson Fury
Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 2:27 AM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, heavyweight, tyson fury
Saturday, August 29, 2009
British Scene Prospect Watch: Tony Bellew
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in Britain, with a profile of Liverpool's Tony Bellew.
Tony Bellew
A likeable Scouser who’s boxing at light-heavyweight despite winning three ABA titles at heavyweight. He’s currently 9-0 with 6 stoppages.
The Positives:
He’s been busy thus far in his career, fighting nine times in under two years. He’s fought against, and knocked out, heavier fighters and looks like he’s got the punch power to take out anyone in the light-heavyweight division. He’s training at a great gym under the tuition of Anthony Farnell and isn’t too far away from a title shot.
The Negatives:
He’s yet to weigh in at 175lbs and it’ll be interesting to see how easy he can make weight. There are also question marks about his chin after he was dropped against Jevgenijs Andrejevs late last year.
The Future:
He’s targeting a fight with Commonwealth champion, Nathan Cleverly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him fighting for the vacant title if Cleverly vacates next year. Fights against Tony Oakey, Darren Stubbs and Courtney Fry would all be good step-ups for him at this stage of his development.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
Ryan Walsh
Jamie Cox
George Groves
Kenny Anderson
Ricky Owen
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 1:31 AM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, light-heavyweight, tony bellew
Thursday, August 27, 2009
British Scene Prospect Watch: Ricky Owen
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in Britain, with a profile of slick Swansea southpaw Ricky Owen.
Ricky Owen
24 year old stylist from Swansea. He fights in the featherweight division and is currently 11-0 with 4 stoppages.
The Positives:
He’s a fast, slippery southpaw who looks to hit and move. He can be very hard for an opponent to pin down and even harder to catch with a clean punch.
The Negatives:
Has only had 11 fights in over four and a half years as a pro and is still relatively unknown apart from in his hometown. He lacks power, can be guilty of switching off when he’s outclassing his opponent and hasn’t fought anyone of any note yet.
The Future:
He needs to get his career going. Having been a pro for nearly five years, it’s time he took a step up in competition. He should be looking for fights against the likes of Akaash Bhatia, Derry Matthews and Welsh rival, Jamie Arthur.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
Ryan Walsh
Jamie Cox
George Groves
Kenny Anderson
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 5:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, featherweight, ricky owen
British Scene Prospect Watch: Kenny Anderson
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in Britain, with a profile of Edinburgh's Kenny Anderson.
Kenny Anderson
A hard punching Scottish super-middleweight who’s currently 10-0 with 7 stoppages.
The Positives:
Boxes in a classic style, he works off the jab very well and throws a beautiful straight right whilst keeping his chin tucked down to his chest. He carries respectable power, looks to have a solid chin and is another fighter with good amateur pedigree.
The Negatives:
Is known to be lackadaisical when it comes to training and has had problems outside the ring, including being charged with attempted murder a couple of months ago. The charges were dropped due to lack of evidence but you have to question him as to why he allowed himself to be put into that position.
The Future:
With the attempted murder charges dropped, he should be looking to keep himself out of trouble and concentrate fully on his career. At 26, he should be trying to manoeuvre himself into a position to challenge for the British title in the next twelve to eighteen months. Fights against Paul David, Tony Salem and Tony Dodson would all be beneficial to him at this stage of his career. A potential meeting with fellow Scot Stevie McGuire is already being talked about with great excitement north of the border.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
Ryan Walsh
Jamie Cox
George Groves
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 1:20 AM 3 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, kenny anderson, super-middleweight
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
British Scene Prospect Watch: George Groves
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in Britain, with a profile of 21 year old George Groves.
George Groves
One of the most hyped prospects in Britain. He fights in the super-middleweight division and is currently 4-0 with 3 stoppages.
The Positives:
A good all-round boxer with knockout power, especially with the overhand right. He can box off the back foot, counter-punch or lead; he looks at home in the ring and has bags of natural talent. He’s a two time ABA middleweight champion and beat Olympic gold medallist James DeGale on his way to the title in 2006.
The Negatives:
Is guilty of holding his hands too low and getting caught with silly shots, hopefully this will be something he eradicates as he progresses. He’s under contract with David Haye’s Hayemaker Promotions, who’ve not got a television contract now that Setanta have gone bankrupt.
The Future:
Having already demolished former British title challenger Paul Samuels in just his third fight, he seems like the kind of fighter who thrives on a challenge. With this in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him being moved more quickly than most prospects. I could see him challenging for the British title within the next two years.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
Ryan Walsh
Jamie Cox
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 12:32 PM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, george groves, super-middleweight
British Scence Prospect Watch: Jamie Cox
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in Britain, with a profile of Swindon southpaw, Jamie Cox.
Jamie Cox
Swindon born welterweight who looks to have plenty of raw talent. At 22, he’s got time on his side to develop into a real star. He’s currently 12-0 with 7 stoppages.
The Positives:
Another of our prospects with a good amateur background having won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth games, he decided to turn pro in 2007 rather than aiming for the 2008 Olympics. He’s an aggressive fighter whose best punches are the left hook and straight right, both of which have accounted for most of his knockouts.
The Negatives:
He tends to rush his boxing too much and is far too eager to trade punches rather than letting everything flow naturally. He’s very impatient and has been calling out Kell Brook for the past twelve months, you can’t fault him for confidence but he needs to keep his feet on the ground and learn how to pace a fight properly before stepping in with someone of Brook’s undoubted talent.
The Future:
He needs to face boxers who can stand up to his aggressive style and throw enough punches back to make him think about his own boxing. His fight against Mark Lloyd was a great learning fight for him and he would benefit from a few more like it. I’d love to see him in with the likes of a Kevin McIntyre or Michael Lomax in twelve months time.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
Ryan Walsh
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 12:14 AM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, jamie cox, welterweight
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
British Scene Prospect Watch: Ryan Walsh
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in the UK. On Monday, Dave profiled Don Broadhurst and Stephen Smith, and today starts us off with 23 year old featherweight, Ryan Walsh
Ryan Walsh
One of three fighting brothers from Cromer, Norfolk, the others are Michael (5-0 5KO’s) and Luke (5-0 4KO’s). The three brothers are talented, brash and confident, but Ryan stands out as the best. He boxes in the featherweight division and is currently 7-0 with 2 stoppages.
The Positives:
He’s got quick hands, great movement and is full of self-confidence. He beat former British title challenger Marc Callaghan in his last outing, stopping him in the third round. The stoppage came as result of an arm injury to Callaghan but Walsh was picking him apart and was well on his way to victory anyway. He’s also got decent amateur pedigree having won the Junior ABA’s in 2004.
The Negatives:
His confidence is often construed as arrogance. This, along with his flashy style, could make him unpopular with the fans. He often boxes with a hands down style and at times seems to be more interested in posturing and looking the part rather than getting on with the job at hand. He’s also been getting away with hanging his chin in the air against low level opposition; he might be in for a shock when he steps up a level.
The Future:
It’s a case of keeping him busy and gradually increasing the standard of opposition. I do feel he’s got to be more aware defensively if he’s to progress to domestic honours, he’s got the ability to do that and hopefully his brothers will learn that from him as well.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
Stephen Smith
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 12:23 AM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, featherweight, ryan walsh
Monday, August 24, 2009
British Scene Prospect Watch: Stephen Smith
Dave Oakes continues his look at the top young fighters in the UK.
Stephen Smith
‘Swifty’ Smith is still at the beginner stage of his career but has looked exceptional so far. He’s following in the footsteps of his big brother, Contender star, Paul. He boxes in the featherweight division and is currently 7-0 with 5 stoppages.
The Positives:
He’s the kind of boxer that’s never out of the gym; he loves the sport and is a crowd pleaser. He’s already established a good following, which isn’t surprising considering his all action style; he loves to tear into his opponents from the first bell and throws every punch with serious intent. He’s already shown in his short career that he carries knockout power in both hands.
The Negatives:
He doesn’t use his skills as much as he should; he was a very good amateur but has developed a much more aggressive style in the pro ranks. I like that in a boxer but he shouldn’t forget that he can use his jab as a way of setting up the big attacks. The lack of a jab sometimes results in him smothering his work and he can be caught coming in at times when he shouldn’t be.
The Future:
He should just continue learning; he’s probably two years off being ready for a British title fight and should concentrate on working his way up the rankings.
e-mail Dave OakesPrevious Prospect Profiles
Don Broadhurst
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 11:52 AM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, featherweight, stephen smith
British Scene Prospect Watch: Don Broadhurst
Over the next week, Dave Oakes will be taking a look at some of the top young talent in the UK. Dave starts things off today with 25 year old Birmingham super-flyweight, Don Broadhurst.
With the new season upon us, I thought now was as good a time as any to have a look at the top prospects of British boxing. I’ve decided that the prospects must have fought less than a dozen times to be considered. I’ve also excluded all of the 2008 Olympians as they’re too obvious to pick and have all received plenty of exposure as it is.
Don Broadhurst
A small man with a big talent. The diminutive Brummie became the Commonwealth super-flyweight champion in only his 9th outing and is currently 11-0 with 3 stoppages.
The Positives:
He’s fast, skilful, has a decent chin and has shown improved punch power in his recent fights. Trained by one of the best up-and-coming trainers in Richie Woodhall, he’s got everything needed to go all the way.
The Negatives:
He’s not yet faced anyone with a high win percentage on their record and needs to start stepping up the quality of opposition to avoid becoming stale. Despite sitting down on his punches more recently, he’ll still lack knockout power when he steps up to world level.
He’s also at a disadvantage boxing in a division that’s relatively low on decent opponents. There seems to be a big gulf in class between domestic level and world level, with not many boxers inbetween the two. It might be that he’ll need to take a big gamble at some stage by taking on a fringe world level fighter without having the necessary experience needed for such a step up in class.
The Future:
I’d like to see him take on British champion Lee Haskins in the next twelve months, along with fights against Andy Bell and maybe Ian Napa, if he can tempt Napa back down to flyweight.
After that, it might be that he needs to target someone around the top 30 in the world. The likes of Zolile Mbityi, Luis Maldonado and Gerson Guerrero should all be within Broadhurst’s reach in around eighteen months to two years time.
e-mail Dave Oakes
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Posted by TheBoxingBulletin at 12:46 AM 0 comments
Labels: british scene, british scene prospect watch, dave oakes, don broadhurst, super-flyweight
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