Selby, Ryder and Boylan all out to make a point too
Wednesday 8 October 2014 21:26, UK
The heavyweight hopes are here again, with Anthony Joshua topping the bill.
The Olympic gold medalist is hunting his first title in his ninth professional fight against the experienced Denis Bakhtov at the O2 Arena on Live Fight Night.
The London card also brings Lee Selby's chance to fight for a world title and local prospects John Ryder and Ricky Boylan.
Sky Sports' Jamie Moore will be in the corner for the latter, so who better to preview another big live night of boxing...
Jamie says: Well Bakhtov is a good name and this is a step up in class but I just think AJ is already in a different league. Yes, Bakhtov has that experience and has fought at a good level but he has been stopped before and AJ's punch power, accuracy and boxing skills are too much for him to handle. I think AJ will start of cautiously and work him out but then he will turn it on and blast him out of there - and will look good doing it too. He has looked like he wants to take his time on the path but now it is that first belt up for grabs, he will not mess about. He will go up through the gears and he will do it quickly and smartly. And dare I say, if it goes past four rounds, everyone will be a little disappointed - and I think Anthony would be as well. He knows he has to look good and impress people and although he has only had eight fights and knows he is nowhere near the finished article, it is now time for Joshua to take those L-plates off.
Jamie says: I can't see that happening at all! David is talking about coming back out in America, reinventing himself over there and given his ties over there and his past, that could well be a go-er. So I just can't see Eddie Hearn tempting Haye back over here. But then again it would sell and it is a gamble. If Joshua gets beaten everyone would say they expected that to happen, but if he beats Haye? Well he would suddenly shoot up into the world title mix. It would be a big gamble for David because let's be honest, he would lose-lose, if he did get beaten. A boatload of dough might change his mind, but I can't see it happening.
Jamie says: I don't actually know too much about Brunker but I am hearing good things about him. I don't think he will worry because he seems to be learning how to adapt a bit more but that is something he definitely needs to do. Selby doesn't have the same sort of power when he's up at world level, so he needs to be a little bit busier. He struggled against Viorel Simione, he seemed to be out-hustled in patches and he won't be able to do that at the top level - and maybe not against Brunker. Selby is on the fringe but I want to see him move up a gear and work for the whole 12 rounds. He can do that and he can step up but if I am honest he seems to have plateaued off a bit and the best thing about this eliminator is yes he can get a shot at the world title but also, it should see us get the best Lee Selby yet.
Jamie says: I really like this kid. I like his style, he is a southpaw like I was and he has an aggressive, come-forward style and has a nice rhythm to everything he does. He was beaten by Billy Joe Saunders of course - and pushed him all the way - but he is a cracking fighter and there is no disgrace in losing and I think Eddie Hearn is picking the right fights at the right time. The next 12 months will be interesting because I can see him moving up fast. It looks like Saunders is going to vacate the British title, so it would be perfect for Ryder to go for that and win it. Saturday night is what he needs first though, the exposure and experience of a big stage will do him the world of good, going forward. I don't see this Theophilus Tetteh causing too many problems but learning how to compose himself and how to control his temperament in front of a big crowd, that will be invaluable.
We all know Tyler Goodjohn is as game as they come and I get the feeling that Ricky is similar so I have a feeling it is going to be the fight of the night!
Jamie says: He's only been training with us for three weeks. I texted him to ask to come and spar Tommy [Coyle] for the Michael Katsidis fight but he rang me back, told me that he'd split with his trainer Alan Smith, and asked if I could train him while he was up here. So me and Nigel Travis have been working with him - and we're down the O2 with him. He's a good fighter too. We all know Tyler Goodjohn is as game as they come and I get the feeling that Ricky is similar and they are going to gel, so I have a feeling it is going to be the fight of the night, so make sure you get there! I haven't seen Ricky in a real tough fight but I have seen him in sparring and I have a feeling this will bring the best out of him. Oh and now he's my man, of course he's going to win.
