Boxing

BN Preview: Dennis McCann receives his acid test in the form of Ionut Baluta

THE time has come to learn how good Dennis McCann is.

In 14 earlier fights – all wins, eight early – McCann has by no means been by means of what Ionut Baluta will certainly put him by means of at the York Hall on Friday evening (August 19). The super-bantamweights meet over 12 rounds in entrance of the TNT Sports cameras.

Never past eight earlier than, McCann, a 22-year-old southpaw from Maidstone, faces a hardened professional identified for his engine and knack for scoring upsets, like the factors win over Liverpool puncher Andrew Cain (10-0) in Telford in March.

Down twice in the first and behind on two playing cards after eight, Baluta went on to edge out Cain on a disputed cut up factors vote by dropping him in the ninth and touchdown some heavy photographs in the closing minute.

Alan Smith, McCann’s coach, says straight after that combat he requested supervisor Francis Warren to make McCann-Smith.

He takes confidence from Cain virtually beating Baluta regardless of having a hand damage – and what he’s seen when McCann and the Romanian have shared a hoop at his iBox Gym in Bromley.

Smith says they’ve sparred many rounds and is a believer in the saying: ‘Styles make fights.’

“Every time he’s (Baluta) lost it’s been to a boxer,” Smith instructed BN. “You don’t stand in front of him. He beat Cain, but if Cain hadn’t hurt his hand he might have lost.”

McCann had a career-best efficiency final trip, breaking down Joe Ham for the vacant Commonwealth title in eight rounds final November, however nonetheless, there was probably a combat or two between the rusty and over-the-hill Ham and Baluta.

Baluta, 16-4 (3) remains to be contemporary, nonetheless full of combat. He has really switched trainers since he beat Cain. The 29-year-old was based mostly in Watford with Josh Burnham after which Arron Woodcock, however has joined Albert Ayrapetyan in Marbella.

Ayrapetyan, crushed by Sergio Martinez and David Lemieux in his 20-4 professional profession, is probably greatest identified for working with vibrant Irishman Jono Carroll.

Ayrapetyan is thought for tidying up fighters and Baluta is rugged and wild and retains coming. That type has taken Baluta to upset wins over TJ Doheny, Brad Foster and Cain and it’s a must to query the considering behind his swap? Perhaps Baluta realises he wants to enhance after sharing the ring with McCann in sparring. Perhaps he wasn’t massively proud of his exhibiting in opposition to Cain.

Liam Davies, the British and European champion who beat Baluta and is touted as a future opponent for McCann, has heard sparring tales and stated: “McCann was most likely 10.5 stones once they sparred and Baluta was 9 stone.

“McCann could outbox him, but he will be asked questions. It’s not a massive ring, it’s a hot venue and Baluta will keep coming.”

Baluta probably clinched the Cain combat in the final 45 seconds of their 10-rounder having hauled himself again into the combat by outworking the Liverpudlian.

Baluta doesn’t do an excessive amount of clear work, however he’s arduous to discourage. Davies should have thought he had him underneath management as he outboxed him and lower him, however Baluta would come again swinging.

Does McCann have the maturity and instruments to cope with Baluta at this stage of his profession? The method he went up and down the gears in opposition to Ham suggests he’ll and McCann seems well-suited to the championship distance.

Confident as ever, McCann predicts he shall be the first to cease Baluta. However, we go for him to make use of his toes and punch choosing to win on factors.

In chief-support, Scottish southpaw Nathaniel Collins, a latest addition to the Queensberry steady, makes his first defence of the British featherweight title in opposition to Birmingham’s Raza Hamza (see following web page).

In 10-rounders, anticipate 6-0 Raven Chapman (Wycombe) to undergo the gears in opposition to Brazilian super-bantamweight Lila Furtado (9-0) at 126lbs to win clearly on factors and Southampton box-puncher Ryan Garner (13-0) can break down Spanish featherweight champion Juan Jesus Antunez (12-1) in the second half.


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