Anthony Fowler vs Brian Rose – Who wins?
Anthony Fowler (9-1, 8 KOs) will headline in his hometown at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool on Friday August 2 when he steps up against former World title challenger Brian Rose (31-5-1, 8 KOs) on the latest instalment of the JD NXTGEN series, shown live on Sky Sports.
'The Machine' lands a golden opportunity to bounce back from a first career defeat at the hands of Preston rival Scott Fitzgerald against Rose, an outright owner of a Lonsdale belt, who believes his superior experience will prove the difference on the night as ‘The Lion’aims to fire his name back into the mix one last time.
BBN asked their panel of experts for their pick:
Ryan Clark
Co-Founder of buymyfight.com
"Fowler is young, hungry and is by no means a pushover having had a decent amateur experience, and regardless of his loss against Scott Fitzgerald.
However, Rose is also an amateur veteran with more experience as a pro. It’s a case of whether Rose is ‘done yet’ or not. I don’t think he is, which is likely against what others think. Rose has been out to LA for a strict training camp, and has continued back home to get himself in ‘the best shape of his life’.
Rose has a superb jab, reach and boxing ability, which against an aggressive and strong Fowler, I think will be enough to outpoint him and get the win for Rose.
There’s also times when Fowler drops his hands on the attack which could play right into a Brian Rose overhand right. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the punch that finishes it, but as a betting man I think it’s fantastic odds for a straight Rose win on points."
Ryan Walsh
British featherweight champion
"I’m going for Anthony Fowler, I feel he will use the lessons learnt in his loss to Fitzgerald to win.
I think it’ll be a good fight where Fowler’s youth will be the deciding factor. Brian will have to use all his experience to see this one through.
I fancy Fowler to win inside the distance."
Steve Wood
Promoter, VIP Promotions
"Going for Fowler stoppage around round six.
I just think his youth and hunger will eventually wear Brian Rose down, who is in his twilight of his career.
Brian may have success early doors with the jab, but he has never been a puncher, as such, and when Fowler starts walking through to get his own shots off I feel it will be telling."
Ace Adam
Middleweight debutant
"Brian Rose is game and fit, but a younger Anthony Fowler with less miles on the clock will outwork him towards a points victory."
Mick Kane
Boxing Writer
"This is an intriguing fight. You have the experienced campaigner, Rose, who has won Central, English and British titles, fought for a World title. However he is 34 now. He has also been fairly inactive with only three fights since 2016. His last two fights he won be decision in six rounders.
Fowler has been active but is coming off his first loss of his career against Scott Fitzgerald. How will he react? I have a feeling Fowler is going to win this, possibly on points, he is the younger fighter, will be looking to get back to winning ways and I think he will."
Jamie Speight
Three-time Southern Area champion
"I think it will be competitive early with Brian Rose’s more superior boxing ability giving him the edge but I feel mid rounds the contrast between Fowler’s power and Rose’s age catches up with him and Fowler will start to have some eye catching success ending in a stoppage rounds 7-10."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"I really think that fowler will come stronger after his 10 round loss as I can draw comparisons and how I felt after I was in the same position. Although rose has some great experience I feel fowler may have the upper hand in a close contest!"
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"I think this fight will be a passing of the torch from Rose to Fowler.
Anthony would have learnt so much from his last fight and he won't want to feel that way again. I believe that we will see a really determined performance from Fowler, one that will make everyone sit up and take notice. He made a few mistakes against Scott Fitzgerald but he's a consummate professional so he would have worked on those instantly and ironed them out, ready to bounce straight back again.
Rose has had an incredible career, but this is his last roll of the dice and I think this fight could be the last one for him. He'll be fit and ready though, so I see this going the full distance, with Fowler winning on points."
Daniel Smith
BBN Writer
"Back in March at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, both Anthony Fowler and Scott Fitzgerald were swept up and dragged out to sea in their slogging ten rounder.
The fight was pretty evenly split throughout, but unfortunately for Tony, his former GB compatriot, 'Fitzy', had the better sea legs on the night, narrowly nicking the points decision with a knockdown in the final round.
Although he lost the bout, Fowler seems to have learnt a valuable lesson so early in his career. However, a fight with Brian Rose this Friday night will be no picnic for Anthony, but I do believe it'll also be another building block to his career, and a fight where he should comfortably slip through the gears to bag the win.
I'm going Fowler mid to late on."