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Opponent Scout Report: June 9-11th

Thursdays see the start of a new regular piece where we profile the fighters that Irish boxers will face over the coming weekend and analyse their record, their style, and whether or not they are a good opponent.

It’s a quiet weekend to start us off, but all the Irish fighters in action have been handed stiff tests.

Thursday July 9th
York Hall, London
Joe Fitzpatrick [4(4)-0] – Lightweight
The Dragon faces Sunderland’s Jordan Ellison [5(1)-4(0)] over 4 rounds.
– Record: This year Ellison has defeated up-and-comers Ediz Hussein [then 6(0)-0-1], Louis Fielding [then 6(1)-1(0)], and Chris Conwell [then 7(1)-0].
– Style: A hard-to-hit, well-schooled amateur, who likes to get in close and slug away to the body.
– Video: Ellison’s win over Conwell.
– Verdict: Fitzpatrick’s toughest test to date.
A good opponent.

Friday July 10th
Grange Leisure Centre, Swindon
Luke Watkins [7(4)-0] – Cruiserweight
The Duke faces Latvian Reinis Porozovs [5(3)-6(2)-1] over 6 rounds.
– Record: This year Porozovs is undefeated with wins in England over Billy Corito [then 10(8)-1(1)] and Dariusz Skop [then 6(2)-0].
– Style: A cagey fighter who comes to win. Has decent power and could make you look bad
– Video: Losing a close majority decision to German heavyweight prospect Steven Vincent.
– Verdict: For a hastily arrange keep-busy bout, Porozovs is one of Watkins toughest opponents so far.
A good opponent

Saturday July 11th
Marina Bay SportsPlex, Quincy, Massachustes.
Matt Doherty [4(2)-2(0)-1] – Lightweight
‘The Mantis’ takes on China’s Zhimin Wang [6(3)-0] over 8 rounds.
– Record: the 2011 WSB lightweight champion. The hot prospect has faced journeymen thus far and enters the bout on the back of a first round knockout.
– Style: A pro style cultivated by the WSB and featuring plenty of hooks and uppercuts.
– Video: Wang in the 2011 WSB final v Yerzhan Mussafirov over seven rounds.
– Verdict: Doherty wants a war in his toughest fight of his career, he’ll get it with Wang who is taking a step up in class himself.
A good oppponent

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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