It's the fight game's equivalent to a high noon gunfight at the last chance saloon tonight when Verno Phillips and Teddy Reid gets to grips on a Banner Promotions bill at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Officially the prize up for grabs is the little known Trans America Middleweight title belt on this ESPN telecast but really what's at stake here is the future career viability of each fighter.

Phillips, 39-10-1 (20), has the better pedigree as a former IBF and WBO Light Middleweight Champion but is facing a dangerous, unpredictable boxer in the form of Teddy Reid. While his trophy case can't match that of Phillips, Reid, 23-7-2 (17), is a past NABF Welter and USBA Light Welter beltholder.

Phillips is the naturally heavier man, although much shorter than the 5 foot 11 inch Reid, but the real factor here is the age of each. Phillips is 36 and Reid 35, qualifying these two as some of boxing's elder statesmen.

On paper Reid is the bigger puncher but has never stopped (or defeated) anyone at the top level while Phillips takes the chin department, having finished every fight since 1998 on his feet while Reid has been sent home early three times in his career.

With the age of the fighters, this bout will likely come down to stamina and if Reid can't knock out Phillips early, as his style to try, look for Verno to have better composure and confidence down the stretch and stop Reid in the later rounds or cruise to a decision.

This should turn out to be a thrilling contest as long as it lasts with each man aware that the loser will likely never earn another big opportunity to claw to the top.

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