BRITISH RBRs! Amir Khan v Gairy St Clair and Michael Jennings v Ross Minter

OK guys, welcome once more to the British RBR for this weekend, and we have another Fri-Sat double header of boxing coming your way from the fine home of hyped-up boxers....Britain.

First up on Friday night in a bout for the British Light Heavyweight title is Tony Oakey v Peter Haymer, and in the big fight of the weekend we see Amir Khan in his biggest test so far against former world titlist Gairy St Clair. Leftylee is also very kindly providing RBR coverage of Michael Jennings v Ross Minter from the undercard of Khan v St Clair. Previews to follow.

British Light Heavyweight Title

Tony Oakey (24-2, 6KOs) isn't known as the biggest of punchers, and already has a loss on his record to Peter Haymer back in the summer of 2005, but claimed the title by beating Steve Spartacus, and clung on to the title last time out with a MD against Brian Magee. Oakey is the workhorse of the pair, and although giving away height, will certainly look to keep on at Haymer and outwork him. Oakey's comeback after a cocaine-ban fall from grace was completed when he claimed the British title but Oakey will be looking to make the next step come Friday night, and establish himself as one of the best light-heavyweights in Britain with a good win.

Peter Haymer (17-4-1, 5KOs) also has the reputation of being a little feather-fisted, and is coming off two defeats, one a 2nd round KO to former champ Ovill McKenzie and another to young journeyman Paul David. Haymer has also been out of action since May last year, and will be hoping to be able to shake off the ring rust quickly. Haymer will hold the physical advantage over Oakey, but will have to assert the reach and jab well to keep Oakey off him and repeat his 2005 victory to claim the British title.

When it comes to discussing Amir Khan (15-0, 12 KOs), it becomes almost impossible not to echo the words I wrote back before his fight with Graham Earl. The Golden Boy of Frank Warren's Sports Network, the brightest prospect in British boxing and already earning a truckload of movie for each fight, Khan is facing the toughest bout of his career on Saturday night against Gairy St Clair. After his 70-something second demolition of Graham Earl, Khan is riding the crest of a wave and is facing his first former World Champion, and will hope to put another impressive name onto his list of victims. He will defend his Commonwealth Lightweight title for the third time on Saturday, and a victory will undoubtedly be a great feather in his cap. Although naysayers will criticise Khan as bearing too much hype, and cast doubts on the strength of his chin, he still has the hopes of many Brits on his shoulders, and beating St Clair will be a definite step in the right direction.

Gairy St Clair (39-5-2, 17KOs) is stepping from Super-Featherweight to challenge Amir Khan, and accepted the fight at fairly short notice after original opponent Martin Kristjansen pulled out after suffering with the flu. St Clair's world title came in beating Cassius Baloyi in South Africa in July 2006 with a good points win, but which he lost in November against Malcolm Klassen. St Clair has since lost his rematch with Baloyi, but began rebuilding with a win over Robert Oyan in December. A competent boxer, Khan's speed and accuracy will need to be pinpoint to get through St Clair's guard, who will look to use those skills to keep Khan off him, and grind out a points victory.

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

When it comes to discussing Amir Khan (15-0, 12 KOs), it becomes almost impossible not to echo the words I wrote back before his fight with Graham Earl. The Golden Boy of Frank Warren's Sports Network, the brightest prospect in British boxing and already earning a truckload of movie for each fight, Khan is facing the toughest bout of his career on Saturday night against Gairy St Clair. After his 70-something second demolition of Graham Earl, Khan is riding the crest of a wave and is facing his first former World Champion, and will hope to put another impressive name onto his list of victims. He will defend his Commonwealth Lightweight title for the third time on Saturday, and a victory will undoubtedly be a great feather in his cap. Although naysayers will criticise Khan as bearing too much hype, and cast doubts on the strength of his chin, he still has the hopes of many Brits on his shoulders, and beating St Clair will be a definite step in the right direction.

Gairy St Clair (39-5-2, 17KOs) is stepping from Super-Featherweight to challenge Amir Khan, and accepted the fight at fairly short notice after original opponent Martin Kristjansen pulled out after suffering with the flu. St Clair's world title came in beating Cassius Baloyi in South Africa in July 2006 with a good points win, but which he lost in November against Malcolm Klassen. St Clair has since lost his rematch with Baloyi, but began rebuilding with a win over Robert Oyan in December. A competent boxer, Khan's speed and accuracy will need to be pinpoint to get through St Clair's guard, who will look to use those skills to keep Khan off him, and grind out a points victory.

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CC good write up. I can't see it going any other way than a Khan KO in the mid rounds. Do you know what time the fight starts rhun? Im working till about 9ish >:mad

Okay the main undercard bout this Saturday see's the WBU welterweight championship bout between the holder Michael Jennings v Ross "The Boss" Minter. This bout was suppose to happen last year but various injuries to both fighters have disrupted this fight happening.

Michael Jennings (31-1, 14KO's) is coming in to this fight with 3 straight wins after a controversial SD loss to Young Mutley back in 2006 in which a number of people believed he won that night. Jennings is not a puncher and could suit Minter by his come forward style but he has the more experience of the two and has some good wins over Bradley Pryce and Mehrdud Takaloo. The champ can sometimes start slow and has been down due to this (first round knockdown to the hands of Pryce) but once he gets going he boxes intelligently and also has an excellent workrate. Jennings has also been 12 rounds on various occasions compared to Minter never been 12 rounds and this could be a very significant factor in determining the outcome of the fight. Beating Minter would also add another good domestic name on his impressive record.

Ross Minter (17-2-1, 8KO's) is mostly known for not only his Dad being a world champion but appearing on the Contender challenge last year where he suffered an 8th round KO loss to Freddy Curiel in which he was comfortably ahead on all scorecards but lost his concentration in the final round and got caught flush. Minter has held southern area and English belts but has never faced anyone like Jennings and the fact he has only been 8 rounds at the most is worrying considering this was where he was stopped last time. Having said that we seen against Curiel, Minter can box well and is an entertaining fighter to watch plus he also has home advantage on his side. A worry for Ross though is he is prone to cuts in which he suffered a cuts loss to Howard Clarke 6 years back and is also coming off an 11th month layoff and after a heartbreaking defeat against Curiel you wonder has he made the wrong decision taking this fight without a warm-up fight and has he really recovered mentally and physically from that loss??

This should be a great fight with both exciting fighters to watch in there but the big advantages lie with Jennings and the best bet is a wide UD for the champion to retain his belt but I would not be surprised if Jennings forced a late stoppage victory either.

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Originally Posted by Kel

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

When it comes to discussing Amir Khan (15-0, 12 KOs), it becomes almost impossible not to echo the words I wrote back before his fight with Graham Earl. The Golden Boy of Frank Warren's Sports Network, the brightest prospect in British boxing and already earning a truckload of movie for each fight, Khan is facing the toughest bout of his career on Saturday night against Gairy St Clair. After his 70-something second demolition of Graham Earl, Khan is riding the crest of a wave and is facing his first former World Champion, and will hope to put another impressive name onto his list of victims. He will defend his Commonwealth Lightweight title for the third time on Saturday, and a victory will undoubtedly be a great feather in his cap. Although naysayers will criticise Khan as bearing too much hype, and cast doubts on the strength of his chin, he still has the hopes of many Brits on his shoulders, and beating St Clair will be a definite step in the right direction.

Gairy St Clair (39-5-2, 17KOs) is stepping from Super-Featherweight to challenge Amir Khan, and accepted the fight at fairly short notice after original opponent Martin Kristjansen pulled out after suffering with the flu. St Clair's world title came in beating Cassius Baloyi in South Africa in July 2006 with a good points win, but which he lost in November against Malcolm Klassen. St Clair has since lost his rematch with Baloyi, but began rebuilding with a win over Robert Oyan in December. A competent boxer, Khan's speed and accuracy will need to be pinpoint to get through St Clair's guard, who will look to use those skills to keep Khan off him, and grind out a points victory.

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CC good write up. I can't see it going any other way than a Khan KO in the mid rounds. Do you know what time the fight starts rhun? Im working till about 9ish >:mad

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Coverage for Jennings-Minter is from 8:40PM-10:40PM over on ITV4 and the Khan fight is on from 10:40PM-11:50PM on ITV1.

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Originally Posted by leftylee

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Originally Posted by Kel

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

When it comes to discussing Amir Khan (15-0, 12 KOs), it becomes almost impossible not to echo the words I wrote back before his fight with Graham Earl. The Golden Boy of Frank Warren's Sports Network, the brightest prospect in British boxing and already earning a truckload of movie for each fight, Khan is facing the toughest bout of his career on Saturday night against Gairy St Clair. After his 70-something second demolition of Graham Earl, Khan is riding the crest of a wave and is facing his first former World Champion, and will hope to put another impressive name onto his list of victims. He will defend his Commonwealth Lightweight title for the third time on Saturday, and a victory will undoubtedly be a great feather in his cap. Although naysayers will criticise Khan as bearing too much hype, and cast doubts on the strength of his chin, he still has the hopes of many Brits on his shoulders, and beating St Clair will be a definite step in the right direction.

Gairy St Clair (39-5-2, 17KOs) is stepping from Super-Featherweight to challenge Amir Khan, and accepted the fight at fairly short notice after original opponent Martin Kristjansen pulled out after suffering with the flu. St Clair's world title came in beating Cassius Baloyi in South Africa in July 2006 with a good points win, but which he lost in November against Malcolm Klassen. St Clair has since lost his rematch with Baloyi, but began rebuilding with a win over Robert Oyan in December. A competent boxer, Khan's speed and accuracy will need to be pinpoint to get through St Clair's guard, who will look to use those skills to keep Khan off him, and grind out a points victory.

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CC good write up. I can't see it going any other way than a Khan KO in the mid rounds. Do you know what time the fight starts rhun? Im working till about 9ish >:mad

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Coverage for Jennings-Minter is from 8:40PM-10:40PM over on ITV4 and the Khan fight is on from 10:40PM-11:50PM on ITV1.

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Thanks much! CC

I agree with the others, I don't see Khan having much trouble with St Clair

Khan wins easily

Evning folks....so the show for Tony Oakey Cokey v Peter Haymer is starting in a few minutes, and it could be a bit of a barnburner, with neither one having much power, so it could be good looking shots all night long. At least I hope so.

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Evning folks....so the show for Tony Oakey Cokey v Peter Haymer is starting in a few minutes, and it could be a bit of a barnburner, with neither one having much power, so it could be good looking shots all night long. At least I hope so.

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CC as always Rhun, let's hope it's not like Colin Lynes last week.

Should be a close fight, may the best man win ;D

Ringwalks

Peter Haymer comes in to some rap music, and when his name was announced he got a fair few boos, but also plenty of cheers too. He doesn't seem too fazed by the reception, just calm and fairly focussed. Haymer looks ok in there. Oakey comes in to his usual "Oakey Cokey" getting the crowd singing along, but there seems to be a fairly balanced mix of Oakey and Haymer fans in the house, should make for a raucous atmosphere.

Next up its fight time from the legendary York Hall in Bethnal Green.

Round 1:

Oakey certainly looks the stockier and rounder of the two fighters, with his manboobs bouncing a little as he struck his chest as his name was announced. Early attacking from both men, and Haymer with a decent right hook as Oakey comes forward. Oakey working a little more though and cutting down the distance. Haymer looks a little more upright, and isn't firm enough with his jab so far. Some good rights go in, but Oakey is throwing more, just falling short a little more often too. Thudding left hook from Oakey lands in the chest. Bit of a wrestle, and Oakey trying to dig to the back of the head. Good left hook as Haymer comes ofrward. Haymer landing a short uppercut, then some body shots in the clinch.

Not at all cagey so far. Oakey edges it in that one for me.
10-9

Round 2:

Good right hook lands well for Oakey, then a jab. Oakey's guard picking up most of Haymer's jabs. Good right hook to the body from Oakey. Bit of a clinch. Fine left hook from Oakey on the inside, and Haymer seems to be trying to find out how to keep Oakey off him, not utilising the height and reach advantage. Oakey looking much better this round, with Haymer taking shots on the way in. Haymer pumps out some straight shots, then covers as Oakey lands shots in the armpit region. Clinch, and Haymer digs in three left hooks to the body.

Oakey's again so far.
20-18

Round 3:

Haymer still hoping to push out that jab, but Oakey is moving well around it. Haymer goes for an uppercut, but misses and takes a right hook too. Haymer with a good right to the body. Haymer a little slow getting at Oakey. Good jab straight right from Haymer, who is getting more into this fight in this round. They clinch and trade short hooks. Oakey with a decent hook. Haymer lunges in, but Oakey misses a couple of shots.Haymer pushing forward and working the body on the inside. Oakey a little wild, but Haymer lands a jab and another straight right. Short hook from Haymer too, and Oakey's work is higher volume but more inaccurate. Right hook from Oakey.

Haymer's round for me
29-28