BBN writer Daniel Smith previews the Liam Walsh vs Maxi Hughes WBO European lightweight title clash
This coming Saturday night at York Hall, the gloved fists of former British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Liam Walsh will be primed with brutal intendment, ready to unleash pugilistic carnage upon his adversary and WBO European lightweight contender, Maxi Hughes.
Over the course of 2017 and 2018, Yorkshireman Hughes (19-4-2) challenged for the British title, however, he was twice beaten by super- feather compatriots Martin Joseph Ward and current champion Sam Bowen.
Walsh, on the other hand, has demonstrated glimmers of class performances during his (22-1) career, suffering a sole defeat to Gervonta 'Tank' Davis when the two collided for the IBF strap back in 2017. The Baltimore boxer stopped the Brit in the third round of their world title fight at the Copper Box Arena. Since then, the Lancashire southpaw has stepped out on just one occasion, knocking out Nicaragua's Reynaldo Cajina in the third round of May this year, after two years out of the ring, but now looks ahead to claim the World Boxing Organisation European belt that should put him in good stead for world level contention in 2020.
But can he do it? Let's take a look.
Walsh is a relentless and rapid, combination-throwing switcher; a fierce puncher with an appetite for liver shots and stoppages – 15 from 22 victories. A boxer who generally avoids the taste of leather like a kid swiftly steering clear of his gran as she tries to cop him in the mouth with a spoonful of Cod liver oil. But, Walsh isn't a kid. And come fight night, he won't be dodging out of the way of a Cod liver oil wielding grandma. Yes, he'll be up against the bookmakers' wide underdog – but, this is the year of the underdog and as we know in boxing – anything can happen.
However, back to the likelihood, the probability and, the honesties of this domestic knock. I'm sure we'd love to see Grand-Prix paced rounds: plenty of punches. Plenty of trades. Knockdowns and knockouts. Although – I'm not entirely convinced we will be treated to such enthrallment and brutal-privileges.
I'm anticipating Walsh to sniff out his man in the opener, before slipping through the gears early doors, dishing out his speed, power and accuracy and bagging the stoppage in three to four. Nothing dramatic. Nothing too glamorous. But more importantly, grabbing the victory which will undoubtedly open up the doors to bigger opportunities.