Boxing Fulcrum

Jaime Munguia versus Maciej Sulecki cancelled

This fight has been cancelled after Sulecki picked up an injury though I personally think it was more to do with Sulecki not having long to prepare and also getting no sparring for this fight. He stated on twitter a few weeks ago that he was unsure about taking the fight as he would have little time to train and would have to undergo quarantine for two weeks in the USA.

They are currently looking for a new opponent with D’Mitrius Ballard 20-0-1 the main choice right now. Obviously it’s not long until the fight so he may not take such a hard fight on short notice. If not I can see someone like Jason Quigley being brought in on short notice.

Rizvan Elikhanov versus Mfaume Mfaume breakdown

This should be an easy fight for Elikhanov who is a prospect in the Super Middleweight division. Mfaume Mfaume is a journeyman who get’s KO’d in most of his losses.

Elikhanov is a big puncher with 11 knockouts out of 11 wins so I don’t see this fight going long. Elikhanov will win by knockout within three rounds.

Apti Davtaev versus Jack Mulowayi breakdown

This isn’t a good fight in all honesty as Davtaev needs to move on with his career now. Jack Mulowayi is 9-2-1 and a decent domestic fighter but loses when he steps up through the levels.

I expect Apti Davtaev will win this fight by knockout fairly easily as hes levels above Mulowayi at this stage of their careers.

Donnie Nietes versus Pablo Carrillo breakdown

This is a semi-decent comeback fight for Nietes who hasn’t fought since 2018. Pablo Carrillo is 25-7-1 and hasn’t fought since 2019. He’s not fought the same level of competition as Nietes and has lost at a much lower level.

If Donnie Nietes still has anything about him he should win this fight by comfortable decision. If hes especially washed up then he could potentially lose but I doubt it.

Keyshawn Davis versus Richman Ashelley breakdown

This is a decent second fight for Davis though also one he should win very comfortably. Ashelley is 10-1 but isn’t on the level of Davis in any way. Keyshawn Davis was a stellar amateur and was one of the hopes for a gold medal in Tokyo for America.

I think Keyshawn Davis will win this fight by knockout within three rounds due to being better technically and his deep amateur career which has given him major experience.

Jamel Herring versus Carl Frampton breakdown

This is a good fight and one which will determine a lot in the Super Featherweight division. Carl Frampton is looking to become a three weight world champion and make history as Irelands first three weight world champion while Herring is looking to notch a signature win. If Jamel Herring wins this fight it’s likely he’ll move up in weight to attempt to become a two weight world champion while Carl Frampton will have to defend against Shakur Stevenson. If Herring doesn’t move up he’ll have to defend against Stevenson as well.

Herring is the bigger fight who is more suited to the weight class and has a nice jab with some decent boxing skills. Carl Frampton is the better fighter in his prime and at an optimum weight class but he is in neither of those for this fight. Herring may be older but hes bigger and hasn’t declined like Frampton has if anything hes got better with age.

I think after a competitive fight Jamel Herring will box his way to victory from the outside using his jab and size. Carl Frampton will have his moments but I think this is a step too far at this stage of his career.

Murodjon Akhmadaliev versus Ryosuke Iwasa breakdown

This is an excellent fight which i’m really looking forward too. Akhmadaliev showed in his last fight hes world class and clearly a very capable technical fighter with a good amount of power. He’s very strong for the weight and seems to be able to bully his opponents to an extent. Ryosuke Iwasa has been fighting at world level for a couple of years and has a lot of experience. I don’t think hes as technically good as Akhmadaliev and has struggled in the past with worse fighters. He is bigger than Akhmadaliev though and has some power himself.

I personally think Murodjon Akhmadaliev will be to good technically and have to much power for Iwasa who will either lose a fairly wide decision or get stopped late.

Valery Oganisyan versus Eduard Troyanovsky breakdown

This is a good fight and step up for Oganisyan who is a prospect being fast tracked to the top. Eduard Troyanovsky is a former world champion but is past his prime at this point and I thought he arguably lost his last fight.

I believe Oganisyan will win a decision after ten rounds due to his youth and technical skills which haven’t declined yet.

Aleksei Papin versus Vaclav Pejsar breakdown

This is a good tune up fight for Aleksei Papin who is a top Cruiserweight contender and in his next couple of fights may get a title shot. Vaclav Pejsar is one of the better journeymen at Cruiserweight and has picked up a few upset wins.

I expect Papin to have too much power and class for Pejsar who while decent isn’t near world level. Papin’s only loss is a fairly close fight with current WBC world champion Illunga Makabu.

Devin Haney versus Jorge Linares announced for May 29th in Las Vegas

This is an excellent fight between two top Lightweights who both need a big win to stand out at the weight. Jorge Linares is a three weight world champion but may be slightly past his best while Devin Haney is 25-0 but doesn’t have a real marquee victory yet. His win over Gamboa is a good name but the context of Gamboa being 39 and coming off a injury in a weight division hes not suited for does tarnish his victory. A win over Jorge Linares would prove hes a top lightweight and hopefully force some of the other big names in the division to fight him. For Jorge Linares this may be his final shot at a world title so he’ll have plenty of motivation especially considering Haney isn’t a big puncher which is something Linares has struggled against his whole career. If Haney can’t hurt Linares I see this being a very competitive fight where Haney could lose as this is his biggest test yet and while the competition hes faced isn’t bad very little of it has been world class.

At first I didn’t particularly like this fight but looking at it more deeply I think its an intriguing fight and most importantly a competitive one. Linares is brillant offensively but has horrible gaps in his defence which good fighters should exploit. The big question is whether Haney is good enough at this stage of his career to exploit those holes and finish Linares or whether he’ll be resigned to boxing twelve rounds versus a fighter he may not be technically better than. I think he is capable of out boxing Linares but it’ll be a hard task and thats what makes this fight exciting as Linares could just as easily overwhelm Haney with his offense and win a decision or even get a late stoppage if Haney falls apart late in the fight.

I expect more fights involving the bigger names in the sport to be announced in the coming weeks as if they are to stay on a two fights a year schedule they need to fight soon.