IBF and WBA World Female Lightweight titles: Katie Taylor (10-0) v Cindy Serrano (27-5-3)
TAYLOR expects the toughest fight of her career to date against the experienced New Yorker tonight.
Double Olympic gold medal winner Taylor has gone to 10-0 in her pro career and defends her IBF and WBA titles against Serrano (27-5-3) who expects to go the 10-round distance.
“I think it’s going to be my toughest fight to date,” said Taylor.
“She is obviously very experienced as a tough, seasoned pro. But these are the type of fights that I actually relish.”
Serrano countered: “Katie hasn’t fought anyone who has my style and I’m ready.
“I have trained hard for 10 rounds and I’m in great shape and excited for the fight. It will definitely go the distance and may the best woman win.”
Serrano is determined but she hasn’t the power, or the legs, to keep Taylor at bay for 10 rounds. Expect an early finish for the Bray woman.
Verdict: Taylor
Vacant WBO World Middleweight title: Demetrius Andrade (25-0) v Walter Kautondokwa (17-0)
BILLY Joe Saunders’ failed drug test means Andrade now takes on Namibia’s Kautondokwa for the vacant title in the main event at the TD Garden.
Saunders was refused a license by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC) after he tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine in August. He claims the banned substance was in a decongestant nasal spray and promoter Frank Warren says the 29-year-old will challenge the MSAC decision to deny him a licence in court.
Saunders’ absence is a huge blow to the show but Kautondokwa has stepped in and short notice and Andrade is determined to grab the golden world title opportunity that has fallen into his lap.
“It’s my time to secure the opportunity that has come my way,” said ‘Boo Boo’.
“I did my job, I’m here, he’s not because he didn’t do his job and therefore he loses not me. I’m happy, I’m fighting for the championship title. I’m going to be a three-time world champion. What do I have to be upset about?”
Kautondokwa has been plucked from relative obscurity as an 11th hour replacement for Saunders. ‘The Executioner’ has won on points once (on his debut) and since then he has blasted out 16 straight knockout wins.
He is going up several levels against the former WBO and WBA super-welterweight champion who should have too much for him tonight.
Verdict: Andrade
Featherweight: Kid Galahad (24-0) v Toka Kahn Clary (25-1)
THE winner of this final eliminator is scheduled to fight the winner of Carl Frampton’s world title clash with Josh Warrington scheduled for December.
Ever-confident Kid Galahad, AKA Abdul Barry Awad, predicts that he will put southpaw Clary “to sleep” tonight.
“This fight is very important to me, it makes me the number one contender,” he said.
“I have to do a job on this kid and secure the fight. I’m going to put him to sleep.”
Freddie Roach-trained Clary countered: “He’s a good little boxer but come fight night we know what we have to do.” There’s not that much in it but the more seasoned performer Galahad gets the nod.
Verdict: Galahad
Super-lightweight: Tommy Coyle (24-4) v Ryan Kielczweski (29-3)
CARL Frampton was at the Fenway Park press conderence to cheer on stablemate Tommy Coyle who makes his US debut against local boy Kielczweski who predicts an “all out war” tonight.
Commonwealth champion Coyle says he relishing his “American dream” come true.
“I was a massive, massive Rocky fan so it’s a dream come true to come over here and have a fight,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be fireworks. I’m here to make my mark.”
Verdict: Coyle
Super welterweight: Mark DeLuca (21-1) v Walter Wright (17-4)
FORMER Marine Mark ‘The Bazooka’ DeLuca controversially lost to Wright in June and is determined to settle the score tonight.
Wright got a split decision win first time round and claimed: “Of course I won, there’s no luck in boxing” but an independent panel of judges ruled that DeLuca should have won the fight.
DeLuca said: “There’s no animosity, I going to bring a good show and do my best to do my best.”
Verdict: DeLuca
Featherweight: Scott Quigg (34-2-2) v Mario Briones (29-7-2)
QUIGG wants to get back into the title mix. Against Frampton and Oscar Valdez he looked below genuine world level but beating experienced Mexican Briones will push him back up the rankings.
“2019 I want to push on and get another shot,” he said.
“I’ll snatch it with both hands. I can make featherweight no problem and in 2019 you’re going to see me become world champion again.”
Verdict: Quigg
Heavyweight: Niall Kennedy (11-0-1) v Brendan Barrett (7-0-2)
WEXFORD Garda Kennedy opens the shows against unbeaten Philadelphian Barrett. This is a good test for Kennedy who has a developed a loyal fanbase in Boston and hopes to make waves in the heavyweight scene.
Verdict: Kennedy
Welterweight: Daniyar Yeleussinov (3-0) v Matt Doherty (8-5-1)
KHAZAK 2016 Olympic Games champion has been hailed by Eddie Hearn as a future world welterweight champion and he’ll look to showcase his skill against Doherty.
Verdict: Yeleussinov
Super-lightweight: Sean McComb (3-0) v Carlos Galindo (1-5)
ANOTHER learning fight for Belfast’s McComb and durable local boy Galindo should be a worthwhile test for him.
Verdict: McComb
Super-welterweight: Travis Gambardella (4-0-2) v Joe Farina (4-0)
