Matchroom Boxing returns to the extravagant setting of Monte Carlo for the third time in three years, this time with a card featuring undefeated WBA champion Kal Yafai’s title defence against Israel Gonzalez and also featuring intriguing showdowns across a number of weights.
Venturing across the Atlantic for the first time as a professional, Yafai made a definitive statement on a Fresno Top Rank bill in May, stopping David Carmona inside seven rounds. Now, whilst seemingly on the verge of a unification fight – after domestic rival Charlie Edwards elected to return to flyweight to challenge WBC champion Cristofer Rosales – it is imperative for Yafai to win in style in order to assert his position among the division’s elite.
The fight against Yafai will be Gonzalez’s second world title shot this year, after his February tenth-round TKO defeat to Filipino IBF champion Jerwin Ancajas – a formidable southpaw and an exceedingly likely future opponent for the winner.
Former unified cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev is a heavy favourite against little-known American Mike Wilson, someone who has accrued a record of 19-0 against equally obscure opposition.
Veteran southpaw Lebedev, trained by Freddie Roach, was defeated by compatriot Murat Gassiev in 2016 but nonetheless demonstrated ring craft and tenacity, and was ultimately dethroned via a close split-decision verdict despite succumbing to a sickening body shot in the fifth round.
Meanwhile, Michael Hunter will be looking to topple his second giant in a row when he comes up against Belarussian Alexander Ustinov; someone who was outpointed by Manuel Charr for the WBA secondary title a year ago.
The American’s solitary career defeat came at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk via unanimous decision roughly eighteen months ago in a WBO cruiserweight title challenge. Nevertheless, he has enjoyed a considerable degree of success north of 200lbs, upsetting previously undefeated Congolese propsect Martin Bakole last month as he stopped the favourite in the tenth round of a thrillingly explosive encounter.
Former British and Commonwealth champion Frank Buglioni faces the obscure, albeit undefeated Chinese southpaw Fanlong Meng, as he aims to continue rebuilding under the guidance of Don Charles, following a devastating first round defeat to Callum Johnson in March.
Finally, Kazakhstani prospect Daniyar Yelussinov will also be aiming to extend his record to 5-0 and sustain his momentum with a win over Marcos Mojica.
Article by: Navi Singh
Follow Navi on Twitter at: @DarkMan________