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In an intriguing matchup, youth meets experience when Ulsterman Eamonn Magee attempts to annex the British Welterweight title from Scot Kevin Anderson tonight on a Matchroom promotion at the Concert hall in Motherwell, Scotland.
Anderson has a professional record of 18 wins and only one defeat and as well as being the British champion, has also held the Commonwealth 147 pound title. In fact, his only defeat was in a Commonwealth title defence against Namimbian Ali Nuumbembe in his last fight in February, on a close split decision verdict.
Although relatively inexperienced at a professional level, the 24 year old Anderson has proved he is a tenacious fighter, shown most notably in his British title defence last June against Young Mutley. In that bout, Anderson rose from a second round knockdown before wearing down his foe in the tenth.
In Magee, Anderson meets the most experienced fighter he has ever faced. He is best remembered for being the first man to floor Ricky Hatton before losing on points in a world title bid at light welterweight in 2002.
Since then, the 35 year old Magee has defied the odds after surviving a brutal beating outside the ring in 2004 which looked to have ended his boxing career. Remarkably, he has continued his boxing career, winning 2 out of 3 comeback bouts. The defeat came in May last year in a lacklustre bout with fellow veteran Takaloo.
Magee’s style is that of a crafty southpaw who can also dig and I believe that even at this advanced stage of his career, he can still cause the green Anderson some problems.
Having said that, I do believe that we have now seen the best of Eamonn Magee and haven’t seen the best of Kevin Anderson.
Magee has never been stopped and may have his moments frustrating the Scot early, but when the smoke clears, I think Anderson will be the man having his hand raised by winning a clear points verdict.
