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At their best, these two fighters are world-class forces in the featherweight division, at their worst; they have vulnerabilities that hardly make them a sure thing in any world class fight they contest. Harrison is the rough, solid puncher who looks to outwork his opponent, while the technically sound Brodie has a dynamic style capable of befuddling and ultimately stopping any man he faces. Brodie’s weakness lies in his lack of punch resistance as shown in his back-and-forth battle with Pastor Maurin, whereas Harrison has a tendency to perform beneath his true ability as evidenced in several curious performances in which his best qualities seemed to desert him. Both fighters are in need of an impressive performance to bolster their world elite ambitions. However, in Britain, this fight is legitimately one of the most anticipated featherweight clashes in many a year. Can Brodie snatch the upset win and a world title at the fourth time of asking? The SaddoBoxing writers have their say now.
Lee Bellfield: A fascinating domestic match-up here. Brodie is making his fourth attempt at the world featherweight championship having twice fought the brawling In Jin Chi. He also has a hotly disputed loss for WBC super bantamweight championship on his resume. Harrison is by far the naturally bigger man of the two and is a bona fide natural featherweight. This will be the difference in this one. Although the hometown man, I feel Brodie will be ground down by Harrison and stopped late, probably around the ninth.
Richard Eberline: Michael Brodie has the skills to outbox Scott Harrison but I don’t think he’ll have the stamina to keep moving past the second half of the fight. Brodie also is a Manchester fighter, and at heart, a brawler. That love of fighting will be Michael’s ultimate downfall as in a test of strength; Scott Harrison is the strongest fighter in the division. I’m looking for Brodie to make Harrison look clumsy in the first half of the bout but will lose the works in the trench warfare that ensues from that point on. Harrison will batter Brodie until the referee stops the action in rounds ten to eleven.
Matt Cotterell: I pick Harrison by stoppage around the ninth round, I think Michael Brodie has had his best day and it came against In Jin Chi first time around; he was not good enough then and he won’t be good enough now.
Jim Cawkwell: I cannot help but think that this is the last chance for Brodie to capture a world title; a fourth chance is rare and usually represents the last for any fighter lucky enough to land it. If Harrison turns in one of his periodic substandard performances, Brodie stands a chance. However, if Harrison fights with his full intensity, Brodie might well be stopped before the duration. Brodie’s chin can undermine his dominance at any time whereas Harrison’s has proved entirely more reliable. This may be the British fight of the year, and would be even more memorable if not played out against the drama that is certain to unfold in the Tszyu-Hatton fight. Harrison will take a unanimous decision in a British classic.
Katrina Walters: Harrison will take Brodie, but there is still the element of surprise in Brodie and he can cause an “upset” over Harrison, but I do feel Harrison will take the win.
Sergio Martinez: Harrison vs. Brodie should be a very interesting scrap as both of these fighters like to come forward and let their hands go. Brodie’s chin is his weakest link and will let him down in the middle rounds of this fight. I’d have to go with Harrison by eighth round knockout.
Greig Johnston: I like Scott Harrison to stop Michael Brodie. In my opinion, Harrison is in another league to the rugged Brodie, and I think he’ll win this one inside the distance.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached atjimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
