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| Every once in a while, a fighter comes along exhibiting a toughness and resolve that is difficult for anyone to argue against. It could be said that Kassim “The Dream” Ouma is one such fighter, perhaps the fighter of that description in these modern boxing times. Considering |  |
varying degrees of danger extremity leads one to believe that boxing and all its inherent hazards might well be enjoyable for Ouma, who was forced to engage in heated combat in the Uganda of his youth. Certainly, it seems as if he has a unique perspective on the sacrifices required to become and remain a world boxing champion. The Kassim Ouma story is merely beginning, and Roman Karmazin is the man that must write it a premature ending. Ouma is set for a career defining fight with Ronald “Winky” Wright later this year; therefore, his determination will likely be unshakable. Unless Karmazin has a fight plan “Made in Hell,” nothing will deter Ouma from taking up a place amongst the great middleweight fighters of the day.
SaddoBoxing brings you a handful of writer’s predictions ahead of tonight’s light middleweight main event.
Greig Johnston: I really think that Kassim Ouma is the real deal. He was flawless in taking apart Kofi Jantuah, and I can’t foresee him having any problems with Karmazin. I see him taking this fight by lopsided unanimous decision.
David Shipman: Kassim Ouma will be the pace setter tonight and I am going to tell you why. This is his time to shine, in a packed arena for a defense of his IBF title do not expect him to pull a Vivian Harris and get unloaded on. Let’s not forget that since everybody is ducking “The Dream” he has to settle for a Thursday championship fight-a damn Thursday fight for possibly the best junior middleweight on the planet, I do not know how else to say it but it’s an great injustice. Ouma will be facing Roman Karmazin who is no pushover with his only loss being a nip-and-tuck battle with former WBC champion and “immortal” Javier Castillejo. Ouma will walk all over him. I expect him to mount a fistic masterpiece and pick up a unanimous twelve round decision; only because of Karmazin’s durability will this go the distance. What people have to realize is that this is finally Kassim’s time and he will capitalize on it to the fullest and prove to all the doubters that he is for real and here to stay.
Lee Bellfield: This is the second defense of the title for Ouma. Karmazin is an experienced operator with only one defeat to his name. I feel Ouma has the confidence and self-belief to make the 154-pound division his own. In a tricky defense, I think he will retain the title on a close decision.
Sergio Martinez: Kassim “The Dream” Ouma vs. Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin is a fight that is not difficult to pick. Ouma’s opponent list is levels above that of Roman’s. There is not one area that Karmazin can match, let alone beat Ouma. This fight will not go twelve as Ouma will finish Karmazin within the distance and will put “Made in Hell”, through Hell.
Curtis McCormick: I believe that Kassim Ouma will have too much for Roman Karmazin when the two square off in the ring to contest for the native Ugandan’s IBF light middleweight crown. While Karmazin has proved more than capable at European level in the past, I don’t think his recent victory over former middleweight world titlist Keith Holmes will prepare him for the rigors of facing Ouma. The reigning titlist is an iron chinned punching machine who simply doesn’t stop coming and is one of the more avoided men in the sport for good reason. One thing Kassim does not have is concussive power and I can see a sharp operator like Karmazin lasting the distance. Ouma by unanimous decision.
Shaun Rico LaWhorn: Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, 21-1, 13 knockouts, is placing his belt on the line with a quiet but dangerous boxer, Roman Karmazin. A very active fighter, who believes in out punching and overloading his opponent with careful shots, Ouma is focusing in on a win, and ready, even if his opponents seem a little out of their league. Karmazin’s record of 33-1, 21 knockouts, has the same amount of knockouts as Ouma has wins. This fight will be competitive due to the fact that Karmazin has entered the ring with some solid competition. He did defeat Keith Holmes, yes, the former middleweight champion with a close decision. Also, toss in the unanimous decision he lost to Javier Castillejo and you have a Karmazin who will be durable and determined against Ouma. Expect this fight to be a high punch output; Ouma might come close to breaking a punch output record, and Karmazin will match Ouma’s punches for the first six to seven rounds. The high energy pace will be a little too much for Karmazin and Ouma will pull the late rounds in his favor. This fight will end up in the hands of the judges and Ouma will influence them to score it his way with no questions.
Jim Cawkwell: Ouma is an immensely strong and talented fighter and in regard to opposition level, he has one up on Karmazin who has faced several very good fighters. Even if Karmazin can possibly find a way to make the fight difficult at times, I believe that Ouma is in exceptional condition and ready for anything that a fighter on the level of Karmazin can offer. I have a little more faith in Ouma’s power and to that end, I am going to venture that the fight will end via a technical knockout around the tenth round. Ouma has too much on the line to falter here and he will be too much for Karmazin at every turn.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
