Boxing Preview: John O’Donnell vs. Tom Glover

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.