Opponent Scout Report: July 8th-10th

We take our weekly look at all the weekend’s opponents

Friday July 8th
Dolman Exhibition Hall, Bristol
David Bailey [4(0)-0] – Light Heavyweight
The Throwback faces ‘Mad’ Mitch Mitchell [6(2)-47(7)-3] over four rounds.
– Record: 56 fights in less than 4 year, a regular durable opponent for prospects
– Style: Cagey, elusive, doesn’t throw many shots – which can lull fighters into false sense of security
– Video: A 2013 points loss to Joel McIntyre
– Verdict: Opportunity for Bailey to get rounds and work on the attacking style he has been honing with Paddy Fitzpatrick.
A good opponent.

Saturday July 9th
Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Solihull, West Midlands
Sean Turner [7(5)-0] – Heavyweight
Big Sexy takes on Lithuanian Imantas Davidaitis [5(4)-16(6)-1].
– Record: Stopped in two by Tommy McCarthy, went five with Stephen Simmons.
– Style: At 6’8.5″, the Baltic boxer tries to use his reach, pawing out the jab, but is reluctant to commit against bigger punchers.
– Video: A decent performance against Young Fury last year.
– Verdict: His size could present some problems, but the Lithuanian is a cruiserweight without an iron chin so it should be an early night.
An okay opponent.

John Hutchinson [6(1)-2(0)-2] – Middleweight
The Buncrana Banger fights against ex-British soldier Sonny Whiting [2(1)-8(2)-1]
– Record: Only two stoppage losses came against hot prospects Vijender Singh and Ben Sheedy
– Style: Very active. Throws plenty of jabs, if little else, but can sneak rounds
– Video: A loss in March to debutant Linos Udofia.
– Verdict: Perfect to give the returning John Hutchinson a high-tempo fight as he continues his comeback.
A good opponent.

Michael Rooney [9(1)-1(1)] – Lightweight
Rooney faces ultra-durable journeyman Dann Carr [3(2)-80(1)-2]
– Record: Most light welterweight prospects share the ring with ‘Dirty Dan’ at some time in their development. Guaranteed rounds.
– Style: Rough, tough, and crude.
– Video: A points loss to Atif Shafiq in 2014.
– Verdict: Naturally heavier, Carr should give Rooney some much-needed rounds in his return from his first round knockout loss against Marcus Ffrench.
A good opponent.

Journeymen’s Corner
On Sunday at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, durable Ulster journeymen Alec Bazza and Casey Blair will man the opposition corners for some up-and-coming prospects.
Blair faces Adam Watson, a light middleweight debutant.
Bazza faces light welterweight youngster Darren Surtees [2(1)-0].