Can Rose Retain British Title Against Former Champ Webb?

Following the announcement of David Price’s first defence of the British and Commonwealth Heavyweight titles against Audley Harrison in a battle of the Olympians at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on October 13, an intriguing chief support bout has been added to the bill as Blackpool’s Brian Rose will be making the first defence of his British Light-Middleweight title against former title holder Sam Webb.

The 27 year old Rose won the Lonsdale belt back in December, 2011 after defeating fellow Lancastrian Prince Arron on a tight points verdict in Wigan before two points defences against former conqueror Max Maxwell in Blackpool and Scotsman Kris Carslaw in Manchester.

The 31 year old Webb, from Chislehurst in Kent, won the Lonsdale belt back in 2010 with a points win over Anthony Small, gets the chance to get his old title back, which he lost on a 12th round stoppage against Arron.

Previously, Webb had defeated former European champion Matthew Hall at the Royal Albert Hall in March this year on the bill of Billie Joe Saunders’ Commonwealth title win over Tony Hill.

The younger Rose, who has 22 fights to Webb’s 20, possesses the height advantage standing at 6ft to Webb’s 5ft 9in, and will obviously look to try and dominate the bout with his jab while looking to box and move.

The smaller Webb will be looking to work inside and dig to the body to slow down the taller Rose. Webb has been in with the superior opposition, having faced former Commonwealth title challenger Martin Concepcion, Small and Arron, while Arron is the biggest name on Rose’s slate so far.

Both men have low knockout percentages so it is likely to be a tough and skillful 12 round contest with the younger Rose likely to be victorious and secure the Lonsdale belt outright.

Also added to the bill is local Flyweight Kevin Satchell, who will be challenging Stoke’s two weight British champion Chris Edwards in a unification match for the British and Commonwealth Flyweight titles.

Satchell, who won the Commonwealth Flyweight title after defeating former British Champion Paul Edwards in a Merseyside derby on the bill of David Price’s demolition of Norwich’s Sam Sexton back in May, will be looking to add the scalp of the tough and durable Edwards to his growing reputation.

Like Rose and Webb, both Satchell and Edwards have extremely low knockout percentages, but Stoke’s Edwards has the edge in experience and handspeed while Satchell has very good footwork and defence, which could nullify the high tempo style of Edwards.

However, this writer believes that Edwards’ superior experience at British and Commonwealth level will win the day.

During his 35 fight professional career, that seen many highs and lows, Edwards has been regarded as British boxing’s Cinderella Man, having fought the likes of Ashley Sexton, Shinny Bayaar and Jamie McDonnell.

With his experience and quicker hands, Edwards will be looking to continue his incredible story with another Merseyside mauling in the shape of Satchell before the main course of Price and Harrison.

Iain Langmaid can be contacted on:

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