Crolla's Column: Monaco to Merseyside
The big shows keep on coming with some interesting fights at home and abroad this weekend. From my point of view, things are quietening down a little as my stable of fighters are now done until next year.
After a quick dash to Dubai for an event I was attending, I was across the Irish sea last Saturday night where the Croft twins Ioan and Garan made their professional debuts – both scoring first round knockouts. There was also a good win for Eoghan Lavin who is improving with every fight.
I’m really looking forward to the action on two decent cards on Saturday night. Firstly, Gary Cully and Maxi Hughes go toe to toe in Monaco – not too shabby a place, although the price of a pint can be frightening!
I really like both lads and they’ve both been to my gym for sparring. This is a real pickem fight. I feel like there’s one more big night left in Maxi – you can never rule him out. He’s dealt with southpaws very well before and he’s got one of the great characters in his corner in Sean O’Hagan who is also one of the great trainers. I think it will be very tight, but I’m going for Maxi to squeak out one last big night and win a close points decision.
Also in action on the French riviera is Chev Clarke. He’s been matched very aggressively since he turned pro, but when you have the talent that he has, you can do that. I think he’ll deal well with the unbeaten Leaonardo Mosquea and stop him, probably late on.
Over in Liverpool Lauren Price and my mate Natasha Jonas are fighting, but not each other – yet! I think Lauren will look very good against the German Bexcy Mateus and box her way to a comfortable points victory.
As far as Tash is concerned, it’s been a bit frustrating. She had a fantastic win over Mikaela Mayer and there are huge fights out there for her, but with respect, Ivana Habazin isn’t one of the bigger names she’d be really excited to face. It is great she is getting a fight before Christmas though. Tash will be a step ahead of Ivana, and like Lauren, I expect her to be a comfortable points winner. All being well, Lauren and Tash meet next year in what would be absolutely massive for the sport.
So, another great weekend of boxing to look forward to and after having a really busy run with my own fighters, I’m going to enjoy switching off a bit and just taking in all the fights.
Next week, all eyes will be on Saudi again when Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury go at it again in Riyadh. The whole bill is outstanding, and I cannot wait. There’s actually one fight in particular on the undercard that I’m looking forward to even more than the main event. I’ll reveal all next week!
Take advantage of all of Freebets.com boxing columnist, Anthony Crolla's betting tips and predictions by reviewing our selection of the latest betting sites and betting offers.
