Opponent Scout Report: June 17th-19th
Irish-Boxing.com runs the rule over all the opponents this weekend.
Friday June 19th
Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Canada
Mike McWilliams [5(2)-0-2] – Light Welterweight
The Phoenix faces Florida’s Andre Byrd [3(0)-2(0)] over six rounds at 147lbs.
– Record: Has not fought this year, and his only two losses come to unbeaten prospects
– Style: Well-rounded, with a very solid jab
– Video: Byrd’s most recent win over Raymnard Younger.
– Verdict: McWilliams’s toughest opponent to date and at an unfamiliar weight.
A good opponent.
Cam O’Connell [10(6)-0-1] – Lightweight
O’Connell takes on Hungary’s Bence Molnar [16(9)-7(0)] in the bill-topper over eight rounds.
– Record: His last 15 fights haves seen him go 12-3, with points losses to Lewis Ritson over ten, and eight-round defeats to Paul Hyland Jr and Finnish fighter Tuomo Eronen, while all his wins came in Hungary.
– Style: Durable with decent power, the swarming Molnar throws good combinations on the inside and can win rounds with his high activity as well as being able to fight of the ropes and stand and trade/
– Video: Molnar’s competitive loss to Tuomo Eronen
– Verdict: Possibly O’Connell’s toughest opponent to date. Will fulfill his wish for a war.
A good opponent.
Saturday June 18th
Androscoggin Bank Colisée, Lewiston, Maine
Steve Collins Jr [7(3)-0-1] – Light Heavyweight
The Wolfhound faces Mexican Jose Humberto Corral [19(12)-21(9)] over six rounds.
– Record: 1-4 since his return to boxing in 2015, the Mexican veteran has lost to Murphy’s Boxing prospects Charles Foster (RTD 5) and Chris Traietti (TKO 6)
– Style: Very unorthodox. A crowd pleasing journeyman, Corral goads opponents and invites them on to him and throws dangerous, wild, shots back
– Video: His fifth round retirement loss to Charles Foster.
– Verdict: Collins’s most awkward and dangerous opponent to date, will need to have his wits about him.
A good opponent.
Guild Hall, Preston
Liam Conroy [9(2)-3(1)-1] – Light Heavyweight
Conroy challenges Hungarian Ferenc Albert [22(10)-9(5)] over ten rounds for the vacant WBC Silver Youth trinket.
– Record: A one-round blow-out against Jamie Cox catches the eye, but the Romanian-born fighter is a high-end journeymen, normally bringing prospects into the later rounds.
– Style: Solid and orthodox in all departments, vulnerable to counters when he goes on the attack.
– Video: His close loss to Lajos Mark Nagy (then 18-0).
– Verdict: A tough challenge for the developing Conroy who will need to box to his best to claim the win.
A good opponent.
Jimmy Kelly [17(7)-1(1)] – Light Middleweight
‘Kilrain’ Kelly continues his comeback from the Liam Smith defeat with a bout with Lithuania’s Deividas Sajauka [5(2)-23(0)].
– Record: Guaranteed rounds for British prospects. His only wins have come in Lithuania.
– Style: An ultra-durable, ultra-defensive journeyman. An awkward fighter who throws the occasional single shot in return.
– Video: A decision loss to the heavy-handed Marcus Morrison.
– Verdict: The Baltic fighter posses no threat. Kelly and his team are obviously looking to get rounds under their belt therefore Sajauka fits the bill in this regard. Also provides opportunity to be first fighter to stop him.
An OK opponent.
UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois
Joe Smith Jr [21(17)-1(1)] – Light Heavyweight
The Irish Bomber faces the huge task of World title-chasing Pole Andrzej Fonfara [28(16)-3(1)]
– Record: His two fights last year saw him beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Nathan Cleverly. Went the distance with Adonis Stevenson in 2014.
– Style: Fan-friendly high-tempo power puncher.
– Video: His Fight of the Year candidate with Nathan Cleverly.
– Verdict: A mountainous challenge for Smith.
A good opponent.
Sunday 19th June
Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton, Queensland, Australia
Liam Hutchinson [11(5)-2(1)] – Light Middleweight
Hutchinson takes on Kolby Johnston [7(4)-1(1)] in a top of the bill clash at the Hamilton Hotel.
– Record: The former Queensland champ is coming into the bout on the back of a recent 4th round stoppage loss to Ben Capps.
– Style: Fast-hands, which are kept low, Johnston is an unorthodox fighter who possess power.
– Video: His knockout loss to Capps.
– Verdict: A perfect 50/50 crossroads clash for both boxers looking to get back into title contention.
A good opponent.
Journeymen’s Corner
On the show in Preston, durable Ulster journeymen Alec Bazza, Ben Mulligan, and Casey Blair, are on hand to provide some rounds for prospects
Blair faces Nathan Brough [13(2)-1(1)], a slick rangy welterweight.
Bazza faces Reece Macmillan [1(1)-0], an aggressive come-forward welterweight.
Mulligan faces highly-rated young Welsh lightweight Jason Sillett [3(1)-0].
