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Since Rendall Munroe’s very brief retirement after losing to Scott Quigg for the WBA Interim super bantam title, the comeback trail has been as expected.
He’s recorded two points decisions and a TKO over opponents who were there to lose. I’m not knocking the way such comebacks are done in the sport; a fighter needs to get the confidence back and shake off the ring rust.
Munroe, 27-3-1 (11 KO’s), has always been a good, tough, technically sound fighter, but lacking in any serious power. With a 35% KO ratio, he has had a good career but has twice been found wanting at world level.
Still, he has some impressive names on his record. Munroe beat current IBF champion Kiko Martinez twice to take his European belt, Victor Terrazas in a world title eliminator, and in defence of his European title, Simone Maludrottu.
It is when he has stepped up past European level that Munroe has struggled. During hs first world title attempt, against talented Japanese fighter Toshiaki Nishioka, he really struggled, was hurt on several occasions and just did not have that extra gear when it was needed.
After a short stint of getting his confidence back again, Munroe faced Scott Quigg for the Interim WBA belt.
The first fight ended in a draw after Munroe was very badly cut in the early rounds, so an immediate rematch was ordered as soon as Munroe was healed.
Five months on, they had their rematch and Quigg stopped Munroe in six rounds, the first time he had ever been stopped and, as he took a bit of a beating from the younger man, he decided to hang up the gloves.
That hiatus lasted all of six months before he was back in the ring, campaigning at the higher featherweight limit. That leads us to a British title fight and vacant European belt against Lee Selby 17-1-0 (6 KO’s).
Selby, the current British and Commonwealth champion, is younger, fresher; naturally a featherweight, not a bantam coming up, and skill-wise looks better on the counter and has a very awkward style.
But in his last two outings, Selby has not looked his best. Viorel Simion and Ryan Walsh both gave him serious trouble.
Selby took some big shots off Walsh but he is tough as old boots and has a great chin so, Munroe, with his limited punching power, will probably not be able to dent Selby there.
Is this going to be another time when stepping up proves to be Munroe’s undoing?
Munroe may have found his level at European and domestic, but is Selby above that?
This fight will hopefully provide answers to both those questions. Munroe is heavy in experience but will most likely not have faced someone who fights like Lee Selby.
You have to give the edge to Selby and although he is no big banger himself, I think he stops Munroe late in the fight by grinding him down.
On the undercard, Gavin Rees vs. Gary Buckland will be a great scrap. Rees is coming off a loss to Anthony Crolla and Buckland is coming of a loss to Stephen Smith.
Welsh pride will be at stake.
The two have sparred plenty of rounds in the past and from what I hear, it has always been quite tasty.
Looking forward to that one.
