The Colosseum in Watford, England sees two good bouts this evening as Commonwealth welter king John O'Donnell defends against dangerous Tom Glover and welters Peter McDonagh and Lee Purdy rematch for the vacant Southern Area crown.

Glover and O'Donnell have had careers that contrast sharply, with O'Donnell spending four and a half years under heavy protection while Glover earned his stripes the hard way.

Aside from the mis-step of putting O'Donnell, 21-1 (9), in with heavy-handed Mexican light middle journeyman Christian Solano two years ago, the strategy paid off as the lanky southpaw posted a split decision over Craig Watson in April to take the Commonwealth strap.

Glover, 9-5-3 (0), learned on the job, losing to the likes of more experienced foes Nadeem Siddique, Gareth Couch and Tristan Davies.

But starting in November of last year, Glover upset the trio of Scott Woolford, Chas Symonds and Siddique in a rematch before turning back former European lightweight champ Jon Thaxton when the Norwich warrior made the mistake of going up to welter.

Once the bell rings between O'Donnell and Glover, anything can happen but if the much taller champion can keep his hard-nosed challenger on the outside and at a slower pace, he'll retain.

Glover has proven hard to keep on the leash but his lack of concussive power could allow O'Donnell to end the run of Cinderella results for the Maldon grafter if Glover can't close distance.

McDonagh, 14-14 (2), and Purdy, 11-1-1 (6), will reprise their initial December meeting but this time they step up from light welter to the 10 stone 147 pound class.

McDonagh is a bit like Glover but without the glittering run of recent high profile victories and Purdy will be looking to show he can operate above the prospect level.

McDonagh won the first meeting in a close 96-94 decision for the Southern Area light welter strap but these two genuinely don't like each other and this should be another good, hard clash of wills.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Ricky Jones

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Hennessy Boxing: O’Donnell, Glover Make Weight For Commonwealth Clash

  The weigh in for tonight's Hennessy Sports event at the Watford Colosseum took place yesterday. Commonwealth Welterweight Champ John O’Donnell came in at at 10 st 7.75 lb /147.75 lb and >
  
  

• Boxing In Britain: O’Donnell Retains Commonwealth With Glover Win

  Last night at the Colosseum in Watford, England, welterweight Tom Glover's unexpected run through the UK standings came to an end, halted forcefully by Commonwealth champion John O'Donnell. After seeing off >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Cinderella Man Glover Next For O’Donnell

  Tom Glover is ready to cement his reputation as boxing’s new Cinderella Man when he takes on reigning Commonwealth Welterweight Champion John O’Donnell at the Watford Colosseum on September 5th. >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Stylist O’Donnell Confident For Glover Fight

  Commonwealth Welterweight champ John O’Donnell is relishing the opportunity to showcase his skills at the Watford Colosseum on September 5th. The Shepherd’s Bush southpaw will meet upset specialist Tom Glover >
  
  

• Boxing Hard Man Glover Vows Revenge Upon “Golden Boy” Siddique

  Essex crowd-pleaser Tom Glover will be out for revenge in Wigan this weekend as he looks to reverse a defeat to Nadeem “Golden Boy” Siddique in a battle of champions >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Murray, Lawton Set For Date With The Scales

  

  The waiting is almost over for John Murray and Scott Lawton ahead of their British Lightweight title showdown at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan on Saturday night, June 13. >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Cinderella Man Glover Looking To Knock Off Thaxton

  Unlikely title contender Tom Glover believes his fairytale story can continue by taking the scalp of former British and European Lightweight champ Jon Thaxton in London this weekend. The two >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Murray vs. Thaxton For British Title October 3

  John Murray will get an opportunity to win back the British Lightweight title he lost outside the ring when he meets Jon Thaxton in Altrincham, Greater Manchester on October 3rd. >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Glover Laughs Off Amar Prediction

  Tom Glover has laughed off Adnan Amar’s claims that he will be knocked out inside five rounds when they clash for the English Welterweight title in Birmingham, England on March >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Amar Meets Glover For English Title On Elcok vs. Macklin Bill March 14

  Adnam Amar claims he’ll be out to eclipse the mouth-watering top of the bill clash between Wayne Elcock and Matthew Macklin in Birmingham on March 14. The two local middleweights >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: Abdul Barry "Kid Galahad" Awad, Bobby Ward, Bradley Evans, Brendan Ingle, Hennessy, ITV Boxing, John O'Donnell, Kid Galahad, Logan McGuinness, Richard Towers, Tom Glover