Boxing Preview: Gary Woolcombe vs. Marcus Portman

© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing

Chris Edwards vs. Jamie McDonnel On Undercard

While thousands of British fight fans are in Las Vegas to witness what many consider to be the biggest fight in British Boxing history, few will remember that back at home there is another piece of British boxing history taking place on the same night.

While clearly not on the same scale of Ricky Hatton’s biggest career moment, one cannot dismiss the significance of the inaugural British Super Flyweight title fight taking place at Robin Park Arena in Wigan between Jamie McDonnell, 8-0-1, and Chris Edwards, 10-12-3.

At the last board meeting it was decided that for the first time, the BBBofC would acknowledge the weight at British level. While this was met with some discouragement from fight fans, one could hardly suggest this was a surprise as the weight was introduced at world level back in 1980, 27 years ago.

The main reason the title’s inception was met with any kind of resistance is that there is a feeling amongst fans that there are too many weight classes in the sport and many would prefer to return to the days of eight different weights with full clarification on who was the best fighter at the weight.

However, while there is a shred of truth to this, it is worth arguing that times have changed, the weight class isn’t going to disappear and by not having a legitimate British champion at the weight, we’re denying the fighters a credible opportunity to gain entry into the four big governing body’s world rankings.

The fight itself will take place as part of the undercard to Gary Woolcombe’s challenge of the vacant British Light Middleweight title against WBF champion Marcus Portman, a title vacated by Jamie Moore, who was the original headliner on the bill. This card serves as the free package on Sky Sports before the “big one” in the early hours of the morning on PPV.

Taking a closer look at this contest makes it an intriguing match up on paper. Stoke’s Edwards has only fought once previously this year in May, taking former victim Dale Robinson to a draw for the vacant British and Commonwealth 8st titles in a cracking fight that saw both men bloodied and battered in a superb contest. Edwards was all set for a third fight with Robinson, but instead opted for retirement thus leaving the man from the Potteries without an opponent.

In steps undefeated English Bantam ruler Jamie McDonnell, who in nine fights has fought just once outside his hometown of Doncaster, in his last fight with Ukrainian Nikita Lukin, where they fought in London so McDonnell has yet to concede home advantage.

The Yorkshireman has just the one blemish on his record, a four round draw with Dai Davies in a fight fought close to the 9st limit so there is no shame in that. Contrast that with Edwards, who has 12 losses on his record and three draws although his career started seven years prior to McDonnell’s debut just two years ago.

McDonnell’s last fight is a moot point. For the first four rounds of the Lukin contest, he engaged in a punch out thus negating his edge in skill, but recovered to pull away in the later rounds by keeping a fast pace and continuing pressure with quality body shots. He will need to fight a smart fight and not engage Edwards in a battle, which would surely be Chris’ best chance of winning.

Neither man is a “banger”. In 34 fights, between them they have managed just five knockouts so one would assume that it is likely the judges will earn their money on the night. However in those 34 fights, Edwards has been the 12 round distance just once (in the aforementioned second fight with Robinson) and McDonnell is yet to go past eight rounds so conditioning may play a factor in the outcome of this one.

Both men are English champions only at different weight classes either side of the one they will contest in. Edwards holds the 8st title while McDonnell holds the 8st 6lbs title, so a British title would be a significant step up in the careers of both men.

Looking at those statistics it could be argued that it should be a close contest, but while Edwards has earned a “journeyman” label, Jamie’s career is just beginning. Edwards has more in the loss column than the win and one would have to think that he has found his level where as McDonnell is undefeated and hungry for success. Edwards has the edge in experience, but big things are predicted for Jamie, and he has to win this fight if he is to fulfill potential.

Edwards a warrior who battles to the end will no doubt give him his toughest test to date, but if Jamie can use his range and natural physical advantages, it’s easy to see him picking Edwards off for a points decision, gathering valuable round experience along the way as well as the accolade of being able to call himself “the very first British Super Flyweight Champion”